Managing your child’s school expenses? Here’s how to stay in control

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 Stay on top of fees and payments this school year with these tips

For most schools, the year has just begun. And while students have already turned a fresh new page in their academic career, some parents may still be found fretting over how they can afford a whole new year of tuition fees and other school expenses.

The numbers may appear daunting, but there some ways you can stay on top of payments, particularly for your child’s school:

Save a portion of your monthly income for your child’s education. Now that you have an idea of how much you should be shelling out per school year, you can plan how much per month you need to allot from your income and contribute to the school fund.

Negotiate the payment schedule with the school. Talk to the school about paying in installments fitting to your current financial situation. Just be mindful of the interest rates of the school’s payment programs, especially for longer paying terms.

Review the tuition fee inclusions. Tuition fees may already include essentials like books and supplies, which you can purchase outside the school to help reduce the total amount. An example would be secondhand books which can be sourced from mom groups that sell their children’s pre-used books at lower prices.

Partner with a bank that provides installment options at low-interest rates. A bank can become your reliable payment partner for high, long-term dues—and what could be a greater priority than your child’s education, right?

EastWest Credit Card’s Tuition Installment Facility gives cardholders the option to reimburse tuition fee transactions and repay them in fixed monthly installments through their credit card. With a minimum of PHP 10,000.00, the transaction amount can be paid in easy and flexible installment terms of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months with monthly add-on rates of as low as 1.00%.

“The country’s current situation brings about a lot of financial uncertainty, so it’s vital for us to plan ahead especially for big-ticket expenses such as the tuition fees of our children,” EastWest FVP & Head of Credit Cards and Business Governance, Mia Tamayo said. “EastWest helps our customers do just that—stay in control of specific priorities such as their children’s education through our products. Hearing about the positive impact these have made on their lives fuels us to level up our services even more.”

EastWest Credit Card’s Tuition Installment Facility promo will run until December 31, 2021 and is open to all active EastWest credit cardholders in good credit standing. To learn more, visit bit.ly/EWBTIFPR. To apply, call the EastWest 24-hour Customer Service Hotline at +63288881700.

Newsreels – The next TikTok, But for News - Watch top news videos, curated for you

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The app development powerhouse behind Newsreels has done it again. Revolutionizing the traditional has always been part of their DNA. And this time, they took the notoriously rigid and conventional news format to the next level by creating an app that delivers 100% accurate news, up to 20 times faster.

With its two trailblazing news formats – reels and bullets – everyone can get to know more updates, in no time at all.

This is the future of news. Welcome to Newsreels.

While a conventional news app shows its collection of headlines with full articles, Newsreels introduces a game-changer in the news industry through its bullet summarization engine. Readers get to save precious minutes by getting just the important bullet points from the news they want.

To make things a whole lot better, modern readers get to enjoy informative news content in trendy reels format. Now, users can simply swipe across an endless stream of news reels. Living with its moniker, Newsreels has jazzed up the interface with a video-upload feed for the users, much like Instagram or TikTok. This is another unique feature that cashes in on the younger generation and offers them digestible, up-to-the-minute news.

On top of that, Newsreels covers a wider spectrum of publishers - right from the regional/local level to the global news houses. Truly, nothing comes close when it comes to the sheer volume of their partner publications.

The app goes further by giving content creators the option to collab with the app, letting them use it as a publishing platform to reach more audiences. For an app born out of the innovation surge during the 2020 pandemic, Newsreels is the much-needed power-up of both emerging and established news outlets.

"It is our answer to the growing need of the public to have a one-stop news portal to get all the relevant information they need, be it for COVID-related topics or absolutely anything they want, without having to jump between apps and news sources," says RJ David, the team’s Product Innovation Officer.

Gone are the glory days of the plain vanilla newsreader apps. The readers today are smart: we want more; we want better, quicker. And we want it how we like it. Newsreels has quashed the "same-old, same-old" monotony of current affairs through its contemporary, made-to-order, openly inclusive news aggregation platform. The era of engaging, on-point, choice news is in.

You are cordially invited to experience the future of news. And the future is now.

Welcome to Newsreels.

To know more about Newsreels or to download the app, please click here. You can also follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. For partnerships related queries, you can contact them at partnership@newsreels.app.

Discover what kind of Spotify listener you are on PayMaya

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Whether it's an inspiring podcast to kickstart your week or a playlist of your favorite tracks for your run, nothing perks up anyone's mood like good audio content. Good news! PayMaya has teamed up with Spotify to offer the ability to directly purchase Premium and Premium Mini plans on the PayMaya mobile app. With Spotify’s recent launch of Premium Mini in the Philippines, PayMaya users can now conveniently access their everyday e-wallet to purchase its weekly and daily subscriptions for as low as PHP7/day and PHP26/week.   

And hello to listening to downloaded music while on the go! Spotify Premium Mini gives listeners a subset of their favorite Premium features, and the ability to pay for it by the day or by the week, paying for only when they need it.   

  

Looking to upgrade your listening experience? Find out what kind of listener you are and check out the best Spotify Premium Mini plan suited for your lifestyle:   

 

For the on-the-go listener. Your days are usually packed with a long list of tasks to tick off, and you’d like to kickstart your week with a motivational podcast from Superhuman with Wil Dasovich or an entertaining episode from Between Us Queens to get you going. You only want to enjoy ad-free listening for an entire day, Mondays specifically – to get you ready for the rest of the week. With the Spotify Premium Mini plan worth PHP7, you can do just that, available for purchase directly on the PayMaya app!   

 

For the holidaymakers at home. Reimagine a vacation at home with a few tweaks to make your house staycation ready. You’ve finally decided to take that well-deserved break, so disconnect from your emails and rearrange your space, maybe pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, or even try out that recipe that’s burning in your mind. Spotify’s weekly Premium Mini plan will be the perfect audio companion during your break, from curated playlists to podcasts to inspire you. Simply purchase via the PayMaya app for just PHP26.  

 

For the fitness newbie. You've just started a new 30-day workout challenge, and you're determined to get fitter and stronger by the end of the month. Since gyms are not yet operational, you have to do all this while staying at home. Good thing, all you need is your yoga mat and a fun Spotify workout playlist to keep you pumped. You can conveniently purchase a Spotify Premium Plan good for 30 days for just PHP149!   

 

As a special launch offer, PayMaya users can access a 7-day Spotify Premium free trial on the PayMaya mobile app. To subscribe to Spotify Premium on PayMaya:  

• Make sure that your PayMaya app is updated to the latest version, then tap the "Play" button on the PayMaya app homepage.   
• On the “Music” tab, choose Spotify and the desired Premium Mini Plan. Choose between the monthly, weekly or daily subscription.  
• Download and sign in to Spotify.   
• Complete the purchase using your PayMaya wallet, and you're in!   

Jose Mari Chan Shares Tips for Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift and Avoiding Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

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Keep the Shopee Christmas ambassador’s tips in mind as you start your holiday shopping at the Sep 30 Payday Sale

As we settle into the -ber months, it’s time to start thinking of your Christmas list. If you’re at a loss as to how to spread joy to your loved ones during the holidays amidst a pandemic, who better to ask for advice than one of the Philippines’ Christmas icons, Jose Mari Chan?

The musician, who has been Shopee’s Christmas ambassador since 2018, shares that the important thing is to imbue the true spirit of Christmas. 

“This pandemic may have completely changed our shopping habits, but one thing remains the same—every chance you get to show kindness, do so. Whatever you give doesn't have to be a big amount.”

Begin your holiday shopping at Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale and keep these other tips from Jose Mari Chan in mind:

1. Take advantage of the convenience and accessibility of online shopping

Like plenty of Filipinos, Jose Mari Chan prefers to shop online these days, from gifts to basic necessities and healthcare products. “Instead of taking public transport or driving to a store, you can purchase from Shopee while staying at home.” Aside from enjoying the safety and convenience, he adds that users get to help out other Filipinos. “You're doing not only yourself a favor. You also continue to support small businesses, manufacturers, and delivery services.”

2. Always check for free shipping and other promos to make shopping more worthwhile

Jose Mari Chan reminds users to keep an eye out for vouchers, especially during Shopee’s big sales. At the upcoming Sep 30 Payday Sale, for instance, users can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend, 30% bills cashback, and 30% off vouchers. Stack vouchers for bigger discounts. Jose Mari Chan says, “What more can you ask for? I assure you, when you purchase on Shopee, you will always be able to get the best deal.”

3. Go cashless for safe and convenient transactions

Start opting for contactless payment methods for safe and convenient payments. Use ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, to Buy Load, Pay Bills & Scan to Pay. At Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale, enjoy ShopeePay-exclusive promos such as up to 50% off on mobile load; 30% bills cashback from Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, and over 60 other billers; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Potato Corner, Seaoil, and more.

For account security, Jose Mari Chan adds, “Change your ShopeePay PIN regularly and do not share it with anyone to prevent unauthorized purchases.”

4. It's better to plan ahead and organize your Christmas list early on

Jose Mari Chan shares that he and his wife are early birds when it comes to holiday shopping. He advises users to follow this principle and plan ahead. “List down some important people whom you want to cheer up, then browse online to see what items you can give. Do it early. If you leave it up to the last minute, you might make some impulse purchases or even overspend,” he says.

5.  Put more heart into picking gifts to make it more meaningful

Feeling stumped about gift ideas? Here’s a piece of advice from Jose Mari Chan: try to come up with gifts that hold meaning for the recipient. “For the past years, my wife and I have been giving each other a common gift that we’d both agree on prior, such as items we need for the home. I would also ask special friends if they have a favorite charity, and I would donate in their name as a gift.”

The musician concludes that as he gets older, he derives more pleasure from giving than receiving. 

“When you receive, it's just a moment's pleasure. When you give, it lasts longer. When you give out of kindness, love, charity, and generosity, the impact will last for many years.”

Get gift ideas at Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale: https://shopee.ph/m/payday-sale.

Enjoy the Christmas festivities with Jose Mari Chan and watch his latest Shopee video via Facebook at https://shp.ee/5kkbwhh or YouTube at https://shp.ee/vtk84wr.

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

Creating a brighter outlook for your workforce amidst COVID-19

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The pandemic has forced organizations to be flexible and caused HR professionals to rethink their approach in sustaining the workplace amid the crisis. Now, more than ever, the role that HR plays in implementing the transition is crucial. From emphasizing new values in the company culture to leveraging the digital tools at their disposal, there are many ways businesses can emerge stronger from the pandemic.

This challenge was addressed in a recent webinar entitled “The Bright Outlook: New Ways of Working in the New Normal” hosted by Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP), where Sun Life key opinion leaders gathered to discuss the different ways to create a brighter outlook for your workforce amidst COVID-19.

Innovate for a flexible workplace

Sun Life Canada Vice President for Talent Acquisition and Development Helen Peng shared that in a time of disruption, businesses making proactive decisions in building a flexible workforce will see lasting impact on the success of their brand.

Enabling and supporting a modern, flexible workforce will mean introducing the right tools for a cutting-edge approach to HR. This is imperative for keeping workers engaged and connected, regardless of where they are.

For instance, Sun Life Canada proactively built their talent pipeline through a new digital platform called Candidate Relationship Management or CRM, which acts as a database for all talent. By leveraging the platform; they can tag, share, nurture and engage talent very easily.

“Through the CRM tool, we can effectively identify high quality talent and nurture them until they convert into the role we need. Talent segments allow us to proactively source talents based on skills over roles providing deeper poles of talent for our most critical areas that align with our strategic priorities such as digital enterprise and diversity equity and inclusion” according to Peng.

Ensure digital connectivity

An assortment of remote workers does not necessarily add up to a digital workplace. It’s not about where you work, it’s about how you work. According to Sun Life ASCP Head for HR and Communications May Sunega, the key is empowering employees with resources and data for more effective collaboration in the workplace.

“As we change in this new way of working, we need to have the agility and efficiency of a robot. We need to be present, we need to be there, but our heart should remain the same and that will preserve the humanity of our craft.”

At Sun Life ASCP, the organization created a single source of truth – a central hub called Work Day – where aligned and critical information can be housed. This tool along with Zoom and Workplace, resulted in better collaboration and new ways of communicating and working.

Measuring performance efficiency

Sun Life Indonesia President Elin Waty shared that assessing and measuring your employees' performance and productivity gives a unique opportunity for employees to understand what is expected of them.

Waty shared that they measure using the key results that are set on an annual basis and use “grade” for the measurement. This is to ensure a proper alignment of achieving individual goals that are aligned with organization’s goals. She also recommends being cognizant of the personal lives of your employees before establishing what performance would entail for your business today.

“I remind the managers that they need to be disciplined. They need to remember and know that their staff is actually at home; they have families and they have their own lives.”

Navigating the pandemic has highlighted the importance of creating a workplace which is able to adapt and react immediately to changes in circumstances to meet the evolving needs, desires and safety of employees, while ensuring that business continuity is maintained.

Through Sun Life ASCP's webinar, HR practitioners were able to learn how to adapt and embrace innovation in the workplace amidst COVID 19. Furthermore, Sun Life ASCP also aimed to help jobseekers in creating a brighter outlook despite uncertainties through an online job fair held together with the webinar where they offered a wide array of opportunities within the organization.

For more information about Sun Life ASCP, visit https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/.

About Sun Life Asia Service Centre

Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP) provides Business Processing, IT, and Knowledge Service to Sun Life's global businesses. ASC Philippines is part of Sun Life Asia Service Centres and together with ASC India, support Clients through all stages of client and software life cycle for Sun Life in Canada, the US, and Asia. Over the years, the ASC has achieved scale and operational maturity by integrating closely with Sun Life’s corporate functions. ASCP enables Sun Life business through technology, building new capabilities, and keeping their focus on Client For Life moments. For more information, connect with us through:

Website: https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunlifeascp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial