Alfamart offers Neovent Glass Containers for special promo price

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Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines, has something special for its customers. You can now purchase Neoflam’s Neovent glass containers at a special price by completing three stamps on an Alfamart stamp card.

Neoflam is a Korean kitchenware brand that makes elegant and tough products like containers, knives, pots, and pans. With this promo you now have a chance to get the Neovent food storage containers at an amazing discount.

Neovent containers have amazing build quality with shock-resistant borosilicate glass. The containers have lids with an airtight locking mechanism which ensures your food remains fresh for a longer time. These containers are especially convenient in this time of quarantines because we are mostly at home enjoying cooking or splurging on food deliveries. Glass containers also make for better food storage compared to plastics because you can be entirely sure that it is microwave safe and, unlike plastics, there is smaller chance of contamination.

First, acquire a stamp card at an Alfamart near you. Every PhP 100 purchase earns you a stamp on the card. If you have three stamps, just surrender the card and purchase either a Neoflam 0.32L square glass container for PhP 165.00; a 0.64L rectangle glass container for PhP 205.00; or a 1L rectangle glass container for PhP 270.00.

If you want to purchase another one of these containers, simply get another stamp card and fill it up with three stamps again.

The promotion runs from July 1 – August 31, 2020, while the redemption period is until October 31, 2020. Visit your nearest Alfamart branch for more details.

Access a Universe of Amazing Exclusive Deals with ZRewards

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You deserve a reward! Beginning July 15, everyone will have a chance to unlock exciting and exclusive freebies and discounts never offered before by today's hottest and biggest brands courtesy of ZRewards by Zeal. 

ZRewards by Zeal is the country’s newest one-stop shop for awesome deals. Through their website, users from all over the Philippines can grab hold of premium and solid offers redeemable at their favorite online shops and physical stores. Best of all, there’s no strings attached. Membership is free, so the entire family can join in on the fun. 

Making the most out of your bucks

ZRewards by Zeal aims to embody what it wants to deliver.

For foodies, Restaurant Concepts Group, Inc. (RCGI), is giving out 25% discount coupons, the first time it has ever done so.  RCGI is the brain behind top notch restaurants Barcino, Single Origin, Bluesmith Coffee, and Meat Depot.  If you haven’t tried them, now is the perfect time.

Diners can also indulge in international gastronomical delights from the Bistro Group and Bistronomia  hosts of restaurants while at home and still get the most value out of their money.  Dine in style with Helm and Savage.  Satisfy seafood cravings with Red Lobster and Fish & Co.  Recreate a Spanish fiesta with Las Flores, Rambla, Tomatito, BCN by Las Flores, La Lola Churreria and El Pollo Loco. Go Italian with Italianni’s and Osteria Daniele.

Have some dessert from Coldstone, Tous Les Jours, Jipan and Goldilocks or just let your hair down with other deals from Zark’s and Bo’s. Shakey’s is also unveiling an exclusive promo on ZRewards where you can get a free large thin Hawaiian Delight pizza for every purchase of their new Supercard+.

And even while in community quarantine, you can transport yourself to America with Friday’s, Denny’s, Texas Roadhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, and Buffalo Wild WIngs.  If you love East Asia, visit China with Modern Shanghai, proceed to South Korea with Bulgogi Brothers, and drop by Japan with Watami. 

For your essential needs, take advantage of the wonderful deals from Unilever, Minimart, The Naturale Market, Breville, and Misso.  Keep yourself happy, fit, and entertained with discounts from Zalora, Flowerstore, The Smile Bar, Beauty Scout, Chris Sports, Grand Videoke, WOW Fiesta, and Beyond the Box.  Once the community quarantine is lifted and you can finally go out, use your discounts to flex your muscles at Gold’s Gym and get yourself a makeover from Browhaus and Strip.

Pinoy challenges

“We acknowledge the ever changing needs of our customers, especially under the new normal.  Because of the pandemic, consumers and businesses alike have fewer opportunities to connect with one another.  That is where we come in.  We envision ZRewards by Zeal as a source of discovery and delight for the consumers and a platform for merchants to reach out to their customers,” said Glenn Z. Estrella, Chief-Executive-Officer of ZRewards by Zeal. 

One of the pain points right now for a lot of Filipino consumers is that looking for deals is challenging. For some brands, it includes a paid membership to a loyalty program. For others, it entails going through dozens of websites just to find one single deal which may not even be valid or worth  the effort. 

Deals have become even more important during the COVID-19 outbreak. As people try to manage their finances more sustainably, deals, discounts and rewards can make a world of difference.  

It’s a similar situation for businesses. With the limited number of people going out, a lot of restaurants and stores need to find a way to sustain business operations. Deals are one of the few effective ways to entice customers to grab their phones and make an order. However, distributing those deals can also be problematic and costly. 

Through ZRewards, it’s a win-win situation for both parties. Businesses now have another platform to meet their customers while customers will benefit from big saving and irresistible deals under just one roof. Visit their website and sign up today: https://zeal.ph/signup .

ZRewards by Zeal is a brand under 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe. 

STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2020: Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now

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UNFPA in the Philippines launched the State of World Population Report and commemorated the World Population Day together with POPCOM

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, together with the Philippine Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), commemorated the World Population Day (11 July) through a virtual event broadcasted online. Featuring eminent policymakers such as the Secretary of Health Dr. Francisco Duque III, Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ms. Rhodora M. Bucoy, and Commissioner on Human Rights Ms. Karen Lucia Gomez-Dumpit, the joint event of UNFPA Philippines and POPCOM unpacked and discussed major vulnerabilities and harmful practices experienced by women and girls, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these. The online event also featured a virtual hand-over of UNFPA’s global State of World Population (SWOP) Report 2020 to Undersecretary and Executive Director of POPCOM, Dr. Juan Antonio “Jeepy” Perez III.

Every year, millions of girls are subjected to practices that harm them physically and emotionally, with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends, and communities, according to the SWOP Report 2020, published by the headquarters of UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.

The UNFPA report entitled “Against My Will: Defying the Practices That Harm Women and Girls and Undermine Equality” has identified at least 19 harmful practices, ranging from breast ironing to virginity testing, as human rights violations, and focused on the three most prevalent ones: female genital mutilation, son preference, and child marriage.

“Harmful practices against girls cause profound and lasting trauma, robbing them of their right to reach their full potential,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

While progress had been made in ending some harmful practices worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to reverse gains. A recent analysis revealed that if services and programmes remain shuttered for six months, an additional 13 million girls may be forced into marriage.

Mr. Iori Kato, UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines,

“In the Philippines, even before the outbreak of COVID-19, 1 out of 6 Filipino girls married before 18. And because the effects of this pandemic and quarantine measures are disrupting those efforts to end child marriage, we may actually see even a further increase in child marriage,” Mr. Iori Kato, UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines, alerted. 

“Maternal deaths, unintended pregnancies, unmet need for modern contraceptives, and gender-based violence could all increase significantly, compared to pre-COVID in 2019”.

On the occasion of this year’s World Population Day with the theme of “Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now,” Mr. Gustavo González, the newly-appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, underscored:

“What we have been observing in the country and globally, is the tremendous impact of the pandemic on women and girls. Looking after the health of women does not only mean ensuring their protection from the coronavirus; but also ensuring that women are able to access a wide range of services, including reproductive health and family planning information and services as a matter of choice and human right.”

The online event presented the preliminary results of an analysis that the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) had recently conducted with UNFPA about the impact of COVID-19 and quarantines on Filipino women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and freedom from violence. The study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in access to essential services could result in increasing the annual maternal deaths to 3,200, 26% higher than the pre-COVID 2019, as well as in a significant increase in unplanned pregnancies, including among thousands of teenage girls. Domestic violence is also expected to increase as women and girls are stuck in the same home as their abusive partners, although many of them would be unreported.

POPCOM Executive Director Dr. “Jeepy” Perez emphasized, “Despite the challenges, there are policies, measures, laws and numerous other efforts in place adherent to the Philippines’ commitments made in the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) where the Philippines was a staunch supporter as a signatory 25 years ago. While there are observable great strides in our population and development goals, more needs to be done, especially at this time when COVID-19 can derail the work we have strived so hard to accomplish.”

Results of the Sexual & Reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence estimates amid COVID-19 pandemic were presented by Prof. Ma. Paz Marquez, Team Leader of UPPI Research Team on SRH/GBV Estimates.

On World Population Day 2020, POPCOM and UNFPA vow to strengthen their partnership to support women’s and girls’ unique needs faced during the pandemic, working with various national, regional, and local governments and NGOs in the Philippines. To enable this, UNFPA Philippines is appealing for USD 11 million or 549 million Pesos of additional resources as part of the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19.

Website: www.unfpa.org/swop

Website: www.popcom.gov.ph

Experience healthier instant noodles in the comfort of your own homes with Sau Tao noodles, available at Shopee

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Instant noodles are very popular and frequently consumed by most people today, especially from Asian countries. My children (up to these days as they become adults) always look for Instant noodles for their meal time..everytime snacks or even midnight snacks. Also known as instant ramen, noodles has created a renaissance in the world food industry. 

Sau Tao products are now available at Shopee.

Sau Tao, originating from Hong Kong, is known for their premium quality non-fried noodle, a healthier alternative to traditional noodles.

Sau Tao brand was established in 1960, they started with producing noodles and later on diversified into condiment as well, with over 150 items in their portfolio. It was awarded as Hong KongTop Brand during the 2000s.

Health and innovation are Sau Tao's priority, with this guiding principle, they started producing noodles that are air-fried. 

Normally noodles are produced by deep frying, with the air-fry technology less oil is used, thus making the noodles lower in fat and calories versus traditional noodles.

Sau Tao Non-Fried Instant Bowl Noodle with XO Tantan Soup 100g for ₱107. Get it on Shopee now! https://shopee.ph/product/256013115/7932953685?v=d1b&smtt=5

Sau Tao Non-Fried Instant Bowl Noodle with XO Shallot Sauce 100g for ₱107. Get it on Shopee now! https://shopee.ph/product/256013115/5032952739?v=61a&smtt=5

Sau Tao Noodle is made using high quality wheat flour, salt, tapioca starch and water.

Sau Tao is also known for their XO Sauce. XO Sauce is derived from the word XO (extra-old) cognac, which is a popular drink in Hong Kong usually associated with luxury, prestige and high quality.

Sau Tao Non-Fried Instant Bowl Noodle with XO Black Pepper Sauce 100g for ₱107. Get it on Shopee now! https://shopee.ph/product/256013115/7532949595?v=6ee&smtt=5

Sau Tao Non-Fried Instant Bowl Noodle with XO Sauce 100g for ₱107. Get it on Shopee now! https://shopee.ph/product/256013115/6532952092?v=2ee&smtt=5

XO Sauce are condiments made from different seafood, with scanap being one of the main ingredients, and chili peppers. It is very popular in Cantonese cuisine and often mixed with noodles and dimsums.

SAUTAO XO Sauce (Extra Hot) 220g
https://shopee.ph/SAUTAO-XO-Sauce-(Extra-Hot)-220g-i.256013115.7233003472

Sau Tao is officially distributed by Double Down Import & Export Inc. Double Down Import & Export Inc is focused on importing, distribution and marketing of Asian grocery items. 

The company brought in Sau Tao's popular variant such as Sau Tao egg noodle, Shrimp Egg noodle, Shanghai Noodle, Cream noodle, Beijing noodle, Japanese Udon Noodle. These plain noodles can be cooked with soup, hot pot and stir fry.

Also brought in their exceptional instant noodle lines such as Sau Tao XO Sauce Instant Noodle, Sau Tao Black Pepper XO Sauce Instant Noodle, Sau Tao Sichuan Noodles, Sau Tao Jiangnan Dry instant Noodle, Sau Tao Shrimp Wonton Noodle, Sau Tao Abalone and Chicken Instant Noodle.

Sau Tao items are available in Shopee (https://shopee.ph/sautao_ph).

For more information as Shopee brings global quality products to the Filipino doorsteps and making products worldwide easily accessible, allowing Filipinos to have the complete product experience in the comfort of our homes.

Download the Shopee app for free on Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

BDO warns against SIM-card-related scams

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BDO Unibank, Inc. cautions against scammers who use SIM cards to deceive and steal their victims’ money. One modus is called SIM Swapping, where scammers disguise as telco agents offering upgraded network connection in exchange for SIM cards. 

More prevalent is the SIM Upgrade modus. Scammers purchase 4G SIM cards, register their victims’ mobile number, and fool their victims into giving the One-Time PIN (OTP) needed to own the mobile number.

In both modus operandi, scammers takeover their victims’ mobile number to control their victims’ online bank accounts.

BDO urges clients to call BDO Customer Care to deactivate their accounts if they get SMS notifications or emails about suspicious online transactions.

How SIM Swapping and SIM Upgrade work

Scammers identify then gather their victims’ personal information through phishing or from the internet. They mention personal information such as birth date and mother’s maiden name when they call their victims to sound convincing and credible. Once they win their victims’ trust, they are able to convince them to surrender their SIM card or OTP to activate a 4G SIM card.

For protection, BDO advises clients to be prudent in sharing personal information online and to keep their social media accounts in private mode.

With their victims’ personal information and mobile number, scammers can more easily outsmart banks’ multifactor authentication (MFA) and transfer money from their victims’ online bank accounts to their own. Common MFA consists of using a username and password to log in an online bank account, and receiving one-time PINs on a registered mobile number to confirm a transaction.

How to protect yourself

While scammers continue to take advantage of today’s challenging new normal to con people, there are ways to protect against their attacks. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) share the following tips in a recent advisory:

• Never give out personal information and SIM card details in response to unsolicited calls/texts from unknown individuals.

• Always check SMS and email alerts for unusual transactions and/or activities involving your bank/e-money accounts.

• In case you’ve already provided your SIM and other personal details, contact your bank/mobile phone provider immediately.

BDO encourages clients to report suspicious incidents to ReportPhish@bdo.com.ph, or get in touch with its representatives by logging in Messenger and looking for BDO Customer Care with the blue verified checkmark from Facebook. Clients may also call its hotline at 8631-8000.