Tips on How to Clean and Maintain your Appliances at Home

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In this time of uncertainty, out of all the places - our home is considered the safest. Despite the stated fact, we should still practice preventive measures like cleaning or disinfecting our homes. It also includes everything that we are using from time to time - like our appliances. 

The Enhanced Community Quarantine was implemented for more than a month already and it made us use our appliances more often than usual. The reason why keeping them clean and sanitized is something we should highly consider. According to a study published in March 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 that is now causing a pandemic is more stable on plastics and stainless steel. These two are the most common appliance surfaces at home. 

XTREME Appliances recommends the following tips on how to clean and maintain some of your home appliances to keep you and your loved ones healthy: 

Wipe off the dust from TV and sanitize your remote

Dust is a common allergen that may cause an allergic reaction when you inhale them. That is why it is best to wipe off dust in your home regularly, especially in the common areas like your living room. Before cleaning the TV, turn it off, let it cool down for a while then unplug. Start by wiping the edges or frames of the TV with a slightly damped microfiber cloth or soft cloth, followed by the screen. Make sure not to press hard on it as it may cause damage.

Do not forget to clean and sanitize the remote control! Remote controls get dirty because of several hands and fingers that have touched it. Remove the battery, face it upside down, and tap the remote against your palm so the debris can fall. Wipe the surface and buttons with alcohol-based wipes or a cloth damped in at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. 

Avoid air conditioner filters to get clogged and dirty

Having a clean air conditioner at home will not only give you practical benefits like energy savings and the unit's improved efficiency. Keeping it clean can also help maintain good health. A poorly maintained air conditioner can cause itchy eyes, headaches, and even respiratory problems. 

Depending on the frequency of usage, cleaning can be on a daily, monthly or seasonal basis. Cleaning can be through a professional cleaner or even yourself. Start by removing the trim panel or frame, remove dust and dirt from the cooling fins using a fin comb, remove visible build-ups or debris using a vacuum, let it dry, then assemble it back. 

Here's an XTREME reminder: 

Do not use your air conditioner 24/7! Leaving it overworked may cause damage to the compressor and condenser. If left unattended, it may leave you with no choice but to replace it. Who would want a damaged air conditioner while on ECQ, right?

Your food storage also known as “refrigerator” should be kept clean

All appliances found in one of the dirtiest parts of your home - your kitchen - should be clean at all times. The refrigerator regularly acts as storage for your fresh meat and vegetable groceries and even cooked food. A clean refrigerator can help keep food fresh and keep food-borne illnesses away. 

Make it a habit to check stored goods in the refrigerator weekly. Throw away expired consumables and keep the remaining in proper storage. Before you start cleaning your refrigerator, remove all food from the fridge, take out shelves and drawers and wash them with dish soap. Wipe the interior but avoid using strong-scented soap to avoid having problems with removing the scent in the fridge that may be absorbed by the food. As an alternative to soap, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to remove stains. Dry it off with a clean dry cloth before returning the shelves, drawers and stored goods. Make sure to wash raw food from the supermarket and allocations from your local government unit before storing them in your refrigerator. It is always better to be sure than sorry! Clean the exteriors using a soft cloth and dishwashing soap mixed with water. Then, "rinse" the excess soap by using a damp cloth. 

Here’s an XTREME tip:

Eliminate foul odor and maintain it smelling fresh by putting activated charcoal or open baking soda. 

“While our homes act as our haven in this present situation, there is nothing wrong with ensuring that we are free from any sickness even indoors. Our frontliners are working hard to save each life while risking theirs. Let's do them a favor. Stay at home to avoid the risk of getting the virus. Let's stay healthy. ” shares Adrian Lim, XTREME Appliances General Manager

By following these tips on how to clean and maintain some of your home appliances, you can now assure that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy under your roof.

Stay safe and healthy!

BRIA Homes shares safety tips during ‘enhanced community quarantine’

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At BRIA communities, families are urged to keep their premises safe and hygienic to

help deter the rise of Covid-19 cases.

To help contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the national government has placed the entire Luzon under ‘enhanced community quarantine,’ which requires enforcing stringent safety protocols in towns and cities all over the region. To date, malls and other commercial establishments have been temporarily closed; all means of public transport have been suspended; and provision of food and essential services is being regulated. Although groceries, banks, and pharmacies remain open, social distancing is strictly observed in their premises. 

To further protect its homeowners from the coronavirus, BRIA Homes, one of the leading housing developer in the Philippines, is reminding them to heed the following measures:

BRIA enjoins residents to stay home and observe other quarantine measures to help

contain the spread of COVID-19.

Stay at home. 

Since the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing), and through touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, remaining indoors helps halt the spread of the disease.

For its part, BRIA Homes routinely cleans and disinfects common areas and public spaces in its communities, making these safe for its residents. By ensuring the security of its villages, BRIA also enables homeowners to enjoy home quarantine with their families. 

Security at BRIA Homes follows strict enhanced quarantine guidelines to protect its residents.

Practice good health and hygiene.

Frequent handwashing with soap and water and using 70% alcohol for hand rubs help decrease chances of contamination. When coughing or sneezing, it is important to cover the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue and to dispose of the used tissue immediately. One must also avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 

Eating nutritious food and getting regular exercise can also boost one’s immune system and help it fight infection. 

Clean and disinfect regularly. 

BRIA Homes enjoins its homeowners to keep their living spaces clean. Frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, desks, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks must be disinfected regularly.

Even with home quarantine, BRIA Homes assures its homeowners nationwide that they will be online 24/7 to address their inquiries and concerns. 

The property developer also encourages residents to remit their monthly amortization through online channels—online/OTC banking options (Union Bank, Metrobank, BDO, Security Bank, RCBC, PNB, and AllBank) and GCash, an e-wallet that can be accessed via mobile phone. Customers may also reserve and pay online through their official website.

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN BRIA Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P250B. One of the leading housing developers in the Philippines, BRIA Homes is primed to bring quality and affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into BRIA’s homes.

To know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram. 

5 Ways You Can Give Back to ’The Good Guys’ in Your Community

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Times of uncertainty have a way of bringing out the best in people. During such times, ‘the good guys’ come to the fore. Apart from the medical frontliners, who definitely are at the top of the list, there are also the rest of ‘the good guys.’

They are your security guards, receptionists, janitors, housekeepers and maintenance personnel. Their work is not as dramatic and as headline-grabbing as the medical frontliners, but they keep you provided with the basic services that you continue to enjoy despite the current disruption.

Across SM Development Corporation (SMDC) communities, residents are banding together to give back and show appreciation to these good guys.

“If not for them we wouldn’t be able to keep the peace and cleanliness of our building, so it’s very important to take care of them,” Aileen Reyes, a resident of Shine Residences in Pasig, says.

There are many things you can do to show your appreciation for your ‘good guys. They do not take much, as many of them can be done within the comfort of your home.

“We are lucky here in SMDC because a grocery and a pharmacy are found right on the ground floor. I am sure many of us want to help in any way we can but accessing basic goods and services might be a challenge. I am glad these retail spaces are found within my home,” says Mike Pastor, an FMCG executive and a father of two who resides at Light Residences in Mandaluyong.

Here are five easy ways to give back to your Good Guys:

1. Express your gratitude.

A simple note of thanks, a ‘thank you’ greeting, a salute, a clap – there are many things you can do to make them feel you value them and what they do for you. Take a photo of them, post your ‘thank you’ on social media, and tag them. Or, engage your kids and ask them to express their gratitude through drawings and hand these cute gratitude cards to them. They may not mean much to you, but these thoughtful gestures of gratitude provide inspiration to keep them going.

2. Share a meal.

Lucky for SMDC residents, grocery stores are just an elevator ride away. You can purchase healthy produce and other cooking essentials for your next culinary adventure. Make it personal and prepare an extra helping and send them over to them.

3. Support donation drives.

Grocery, food packs, Vitamin supplements, face masks, gloves and other protective gear will go a long way to make life a little easier for them. You may share some of your available goodies from your pantry, order online or take advantage of the open retail spaces at any SMDC development. All the essentials – food, medicine and ATMs – are found on the ground floor.

4. Make the conscious effort to keep them protected.

They are exposed to more people and to waste. Consciously ensure they are protected by keeping your distance from them and by practicing proper waste disposal. Place your used gloves and face masks in sealed plastic containers and immediately dispose of them. Call the attention of neighbors who do unsanitary things like spitting or coughing unprotectedly or throwing trash carelessly.

5. Follow your community’s safety protocols.

Not only will you be protecting yourself, your family and your community; you will also be helping them minimize contact with others and make their jobs a little easier by following rules that they have been tasked to implement.

“Whether you’re a unit owner or a service provider, we’re all in this together and we need to care for each other. 

After all, this is the home of the good guys,” Capt. Kim Cortes, a commercial pilot and a resident of Breeze Residences in Roxas Boulevard, says.

PSBank Extends its Payment Grace Period for All Loan Clients

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Manila, PH (April, 2020) – With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine from April 13 to 30, 2020 and in compliance with the ‘Bayanihan To Heal As One’ Act, Philippine Savings Bank continues to provide valuable assistance to all of its loan customers during these challenging times.

Loan payments for all types of loans with due dates falling within the new ECQ dates will further get a 30-day grace period. This adds to the loan payment moratorium that the country’s maaasahan bank granted the previous month, for loan dues beginning March 15, 2020.

For more information, visit the PSBank website or facebook.com/psbankofficial or refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below: 

1. Who are / Am I qualified for the grace period on amortizations due for payment?

All loan clients/ accounts are qualified.

2. What type of loan products are covered by this grace period?

All types of loans – Home, Auto, Flexi & Multi-Purpose Personal Loans, SME, Corporate, Deposit-Collateral

3. What are the inclusive due dates covered by the 30-day grace period on amortizations due for payment?

With the extension of the ECQ to April 13 to 30, 2020, loan payments for all types of loans with due dates falling within the new ECQ dates will further get a 30-day grace period. The same loan payment moratorium was granted earlier to loan dues beginning March 15, 2020.

Any payment due falling in the covered dates may not be paid. Payment of your loan/s will continue after the end of ECQ. Your loan maturity date will be moved further by 1 or 2 months depending on the number of amortizations which were granted a grace period for payment.

For Flexi / Multi-Purpose Personal Loans, those included are accounts whose statement cut-off dates fall between March 15 and April 30, 2020.

To illustrate --

For Auto, Home, SME, Corporate and DCL:

    Original Payment due date: March 17, 2020

    Adjusted/New due date: May 17, 2020

    Original Payment due date: April 12, 2020

    Adjusted/New due date: May 12, 2020

For Flexi/Personal Loan:

    Original SOA cut-off date: March 15, 2020

    Adjusted/New SOA cut-off date: May 15, 2020

    Original SOA cut-off date: April 10, 2020

    Adjusted/New SOA cut-off date: May 10, 2020

4. Does this mean that I have to double my amortization on my next due date (after extended ECQ ending April 30,2020)?

No. You will NOT PAY DOUBLE on succeeding due dates after the covered period. “HINDI ka namin sisingilin ng DOBLE ng regular na amortization mo matapos ang April 30 kung kailan inaasahan naming muling maguumpisa ang pagbayad ng loan (pagkatapos ng ECQ).”

Your loan maturity date will be moved further by 1 or 2 months depending on the number of amortizations which were granted a grace period for payment.

Example:

Due Date: every 16th of the Month

No. of payments covered by the grace period: 2 ( March 16 & April 16)

Current/Original Maturity Date: April 1, 2021

New Maturity Date: June 1, 2021*

*You may need to submit another check or adjust your auto debit arrangement to cover for the May & June 1, 2021 due dates.

You may do advance payment should you wish to shorten the entire loan term.

5. Is this only applicable for Metro Manila booked accounts?

No. The grace period will cover all loan accounts booked NATIONWIDE.

6. Do I need to sign anything? Any loan amendment document?

No need to sign any documents. Adjustment will be made in our system. No need to sign any amendment documents.

7. What will happen to my post-dated check for my present due date/s ( within the covered period)? Will you hold the check?

Yes, we will automatically hold the post-dated check if your due date falls within the covered dates of the grace period. There is no need for you to request for deferment of check. You may need to issue another check/s to cover for the month/s as a result of the adjusted maturity date of the loan.

8. My loan will mature within the year. Do I still need to submit another check?

Yes, if your remaining loan term is 6 months and up.

For those with remaining term of less than 6 months, the Bank has the option to apply your held check to your adjusted last due date provided the check is not yet stale. You will receive an SMS notification on this.

9. My mode of payment is via Auto-Debit Arrangement. Will you still debit my deposit account on my due date?

We will automatically hold the debiting of loan payment within the covered period.

Debiting of loan due will resume on your next due date after the covered period for grace period ending April 30, 2020.

PAYMENT OF YOUR LOAN/S WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE END OF ECQ.

10. What if I want to be excluded from the grace period? I have funds now to pay for my loan due.

For over-the-counter (OTC) payments, you may visit any branch to pay for your loan due. You also have the option to pay online, thru the PSBank Mobile app, or via ATM.

For those whose mode of payment is via Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) or Post-dated Check (PDC), you may call our CX Hotline (02) 8845-8888 or email us at customerexperience@psbank.com.ph to request for manual debit or posting of your check payment.

11. What if I already paid for my loan last March 15-17 (before the announcement), can I request for a refund?

Your payment has been posted to your loan account. For now, there will be no refund.

12. Can I request for more than the grace period given?

No. For now, we will follow the rules on the granting of grace period for loan payments falling due during ECQ. Note that when payments on the loan resume after April 30, 2020, you will not be paying double your regular amortization in any month. Your maturity date will only be further extended accordingly.

Note: If you are qualified for the grace period assistance and the corresponding adjustment was not applied to your loan, please call us at our 24/7 CX Hotline (02) 8845-8888. We would be glad to process the adjustment. Thank you!

Contact us:

24/7 Customer Experience Hotline: (02) 8845 – 8888

Email: customerexperience@psbank.com.ph

PSBank Live Chat: www.psbank.com.ph

ISSA Chatbot: Facebook.com/psbankofficial

Comm&Sense wins record 9 Anvils

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In just its third year of joining the prestigious Anvil Awards, Comm&Sense won a total of nine honors at its 55th edition -- its biggest haul since first joining in 2018.

The Comm&Sense team, composed of Lorraine Lipar, Clarissa Osorio, Iah Ballesteros, Charlotte Fabian-Reyes (Managing Director), Jaeger L. Tanco (President and CEO), Toteng Tanglao (Communications Director), Alex Abordo, Patricial Sealtiel, Pol Villanueva, Hanna Larraga, Mitch Valcos, and Christian Sales with the team’s 9 Anvils for 2020

Leading the roster of winning clients for one of the country’s most exciting public relations agencies is Pru Life UK, which got a Gold Anvil under the PR Tools-Multimedia/Digital category for its’ #WhyWeRide videos, which highlighted how the campaign gave a purpose and sense of community among Filipino cyclists.

PhilLife Financial also bagged a Gold Anvil in the same category for its Teachers Helping Teachers video blog series, which built a solid online following among public school teachers by producing engaging and appealing content.

PhilCare, particularly its prepaid health card line-up, was likewise awarded a Gold Anvil in the PR Programs Directed at Specific Stakeholders category for demonstrating how the sachet insurance model helped achieve the dream of inclusive healthcare for Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga-based Alsons Power Corporation got the Silver Anvil in the PR Programs on a Sustained Basis category for the Alsons Power-Hidilyn Diaz Scholarship Program. 

Named after the country’s first Filipina Olympic silver medalist and Zamboanga native, the program empowers local student-athletes who have the potential to compete in Olympic weightlifting.

San Pedro City, Laguna-based Westlake Medical Center also won the Silver Anvil in the PR Tools-Multimedia/Digital category for the Sabi ni Doc video series, which made the hospital more recognizable to residents living in its vicinity.

Comm&Sense’s affiliate, ROAR, also added four Anvils to its collection of honors, all of which are from BDO Unibank, which bagged one Gold Anvil and three Silver Anvils.

BDO won the Gold Anvil for its monthly employee newsletter The Wayfinder under the PR Tools-Publications category. Launched in early 2019, the new corporate newsletter of the country’s largest bank found ways to engage with its internal stakeholders. 

As for its Silver Anvils, two came from the PR Tools-Multimedia/Digital category – first, for its Valentine’s video and second, for its influencer marketing video.

Entitled Payo para sa Puso, BDO’s Valentine’s video tackled Filipino millennials’ behavior during the season of love to teach them financial literacy with the use of animation. 

Also targeted at millennials, BDO’s influencer marketing video featured Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and former UAAP courtside reporter Angelique Manto, with the aim of inspiring the next generation.

BDO likewise bagged the Silver Anvil in the PR Tools-Exhibits and Special events category for the homecoming exhibit of global Filipino artist David Medalla. 

Organized by bank adviser Mara Coson, the exhibit featured Medalla’s Cloud Canyons No. 31 kinetic sculpture, which was brought home to the Philippines from the United Kingdom as a way to reintroduce him to fellow Filipinos.

“This is truly a feat for us. For a young, 15-year old agency like us, our efforts to go beyond expectations have certainly paid off and have definitely been noticed. We look forward to achieving more for our clients through game-changing strategies that give a bang for the buck,” said Comm&Sense founder, president, and CEO Jaeger L. Tanco.

“Considering that we were already nominated for the Agency of the Year award in last year’s Quill, this record for Comm&Sense and ROAR gives us further motivation to up the ante for our clients, and perhaps the public relations field in the country,” added Comm&Sense managing director and ROAR president Charlotte Reyes.

Established in 2005, Comm&Sense is a full-service digital PR agency which believes that data-driven content, followed by creative execution, and smart amplification are the elements clients need to build credibility with their respective customers.

From left: Charlotte Fabian-Reyes (Managing Director), Jaeger Tanco (President and CEO), Toteng Tanglao (Communications Director)

Comm&Sense, together with its traditional PR arm ROAR, distinguish themselves from other agencies through brand publishing – a strategy wherein brands come out with their own content.