IKEA Philippines Expands Ecommerce Operations to Pampanga and Cebu

Tweet

After a successful opening late last year, and an already-thriving e-commerce operation in Manila, IKEA Philippines has started to expand its e-commerce business to Pampanga in Central and North Luzon, and Cebu in Visayas by opening collection points in these key locations. These collection points are hubs where customers outside of Metro Manila can pick up their online purchases from the largest IKEA store in the world.

“We are always looking for new ways to make our home furnishing solutions more accessible to the many people. Through additional collection points in Luzon and Visayas, we can reach even more Filipinos and help them create a better and more sustainable everyday life,” shared Jon Cinconiegue, Fulfillment Developer of IKEA Philippines.

The Pampanga collection point, located at Cluster J, The Shoppes @ Infinity in Angeles City, has already started serving customers in Central and Northern Luzon since December 2021, while the Cebu collection point is located at Veranda Alley, Robinsons Galleria Cebu City, Gen. Maxilom Ave. Extension Cor. Sergio Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City begins operations on February 8. Fees for the Click & Collect service are Php900 for Pampanga and Php2,700 for Cebu, with XDE Logistics providing courier services for both collection points. XDE is the domestic contract logistics partner of IKEA Philippines providing door-to-door deliveries from Manila to Cebu and across the country. IKEA has also partnered with LBC in providing parcel delivery to both Pampanga and Cebu which will be offered soon.

Online shoppers can avail the collection point service in three quick and easy steps.

1. Upon check out, select the Click & Collect option.

2. Choose preferred collection point, collection date, and time of pick up.

3. After payment, shoppers will receive an order confirmation and SMS notification once order is ready for pick up at the collection point.

Online customers can also earn reward points when they join IKEA Family club. Registration is free and can be done online at family.IKEA.com.ph, using a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. The online store at IKEA.ph continues to offer the full IKEA range to customers, allowing them to shop safely and conveniently online, 24/7.

For more information on the Click & Collect service, visit IKEA.ph/collectionpoint

Francis Libiran releases Perfume Line: Dusk and Dawn

Tweet

Francis Libiran has released a new perfume line designed with esteemed perfume creator, Oscar Mejia III. Dusk and Dawn, the two variants in the Francis Libiran perfume collection will be available in limited stocks starting this February.

Libiran said that he has always been interested in extending his expertise in the lifestyle area. He had been researching on the country’s best perfume connoisseurs and creators and it just so happened that he met Oscar Mejia III in an artisan trade fair and reached out to him for a collaborative project! Mejia agreed, and the rest is history.

Libiran and Mejia came up with the Dusk and Dawn collection, which is composed of aromatic products to set the tone of our home ambiance, as well as a perfume line!

Dusk is an ode to grace and romance through refreshing notes of bamboo and white tea and velvety hints of chamomile and rose that’s wrapped in musk and amber.

Dawn celebrates hope through the radiant notes of pomelo and olive with a lingering hint of sampaguita and patchouli.

Libiran and Mejia expanded these two invigorating scents into four products: perfume candles, reed diffusers, and antibacterial room and linen sprays. All scented products are packaged with care instructions for optimal results.

Libiran said that these products play a part in one’s well-being and improve focus and overall mood.

The Dusk and Dawn collection will be made exclusively available online via our website and in all Francis Libiran stores and ateliers.

CSMC’s Hospital on Wheels makes quality healthcare accessible to every Filipino family

Tweet

Due to the rise of the new Omicron variant and an influx of COVID-19 cases in the country, Filipinos are once again confined to their homes, either due to implementations by their local government units, or self-imposing these measures just to keep safe. This means that certain medical tests and procedures have gone back to being remotely accessed.

Fortunately, Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) is prepared for such a situation. Continuing with their quality and patient-centered services, the institution expanded its mobile clinic program with their latest healthcare innovation, Hospital on Wheels.

Taking its cue from its predecessor, the Cardinal on Wheels, the Hospital on Wheels is a larger, 32-foot, ten-wheeler mobile clinic, and is fully equipped to accommodate a variety of hospital services like laboratory tests such as Urinalysis, Fecalysis, and Complete Blood Count among others, and is capable of specialized tests like ECG, Ultrasound, and 2D-Echo. Finally, CSMC’s top medical professionals and staff can also conduct consultations.

While the initial program was developed out of CSMC’s desire to meet the medical needs of the community and reach as many patients who need medical care, the Hospital on Wheels takes it one step further by bringing it to corporate partners, small to medium enterprises, private villages and condominiums.

Such an effort was acknowledged and even praised by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., emphasizing during the launch last December how the program benefits the community and helps the government in curbing the pandemic’s effects.

For more information about CSMC’s Hospital on Wheels, please call 0928-5543217 or 8724-4115. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.

Smart Hacks To Help You Manage Your Money

Tweet

Let ShopeePay reward you with zero fees and special deals so you can save more.

With all the household responsibilities, daily expenses, and, of course, shopping budols, saving money can be a challenging task — but it doesn’t have to be.  If you incorporate these simple and easy tips into your lifestyle,  you’ll see that small adjustment will add up and make a big impact on your finances.

Here are some practical hacks to help you get started:

Know your spending habits and choose the right platform for your needs.

For starters, understand your transactions and list down the things you usually spend money on such as groceries, utilities, and payments. Once you have those laid out, choose a financial platform that can complement your spending habits.

More Filipinos are finding ways to go digital with their errands these days, and e-wallets have been very useful when it comes to both online and offline transactions. When choosing an e-wallet, use one that affords you many benefits. ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, has got you covered in terms of features and perks with no additional transaction charges.   With ShopeePay, users can conveniently send money, buy load, pay bills, and scan to pay at stores nationwide. Activate and verify your ShopeePay account now to experience its countless features and services.

No transfer fees, more savings

Online transfers are quick and easy, and have become the norm; but some platforms charge fees that add to your expenses. Avoid paying transfer fees when you send money and make the most out of ShopeePay’s free and real time transfers for a hassle-free experience. This feature allows you to withdraw funds from your ShopeePay wallet to your bank account, or send money to your friends’ and family’s ShopeePay wallet or bank account. When sending money to any Shopee user, you can even personalize your transfers with themed virtual cards, fit for any occasion. “Here’s a gift for my favorite person” and “Dropping by to say I appreciate you!” are just some of the virtual cards you can use to make your transfers extra special! Whichever way you use this feature, transfers made with ShopeePay are free, instant, and available 24/7.

Transfer fees eat up a portion of your expenses which can be savings or used for necessities. When on a budget, it’s important to see what expenses are avoidable to help you save more. With ShopeePay, there’s no need to worry about any added fees when you need to transfer money. Plus, no need to stand in line at the bank for your cash transfers, so you get to save both time and money!

Take advantage of discounts and cashback promos when paying utilities.

On a monthly basis, we have expenses for water, electricity, load, internet, and more that we need to pay regularly. With these bills going up to thousands of pesos, it’s best to take advantage of whatever promos we can to lessen our expenses.

When you pay your bills online with ShopeePay, you can get up to 10% off on load across all networks and up to 25% cashback on your monthly bills from over 60 billers from partners such as Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Smart, Converge, and more.

Go cashless when going out to stick to your budget and score deals.

Another great tip for sticking to your budget is to only cash in your e-wallet with the amount you’ve set aside for expenses. Especially when going out to run errands, this lets you stay focused only on the things you need to purchase or pay for. To help you with this, ShopeePay offers free cash ins via InstaPay, where you can get up to ₱25 cashback on your InstaPay fee.

When shopping for essentials or favorite finds, make sure to check out discounted deals exclusively for ShopeePay. Browse the Shopee app daily to avail of ₱1 Deals on essentials and food via ShopeePay Near Me, and redeem your vouchers when you scan-to-pay with ShopeePay at partner merchants nationwide.

Stay updated on the latest ShopeePay promos at https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. 

PLDT is PH’s fastest internet provider in 2021 – Ookla®

Tweet

PLDT Home remains undisputed as the fastest broadband network in the Philippines, dominating telco rivals with a Speed Score™ of 77.24 at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ for Q3-Q4 2021.

The latest result showed a big jump from PLDT’s Speed Score of 27.28 in the second half of the previous year. Speed Score is a measure that takes into account both upload and download speeds.

Latest data from the global benchmarking company also showed PLDT besting all other internet service providers (ISPs) in the country with top upload and download speeds of 217.07 Mbps and 203.97 Mbps, respectively.

In determining the network speed of ISPs, Ookla® compared data gathered from millions of consumer-initiated tests taken on Speedtest® platforms. The data include tests done by Filipino internet users on various networks using digital devices connected via Wi-Fi and fixed networks.

“Fast internet is no longer a luxury because it’s what Filipinos depend on to earn, work, and study from home. We’ve been relentless in continuously building and upgrading our network so that our customers enjoy better and future-ready homes,” says Butch G. Jimenez, Jr., Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business.

Fastest Broadband in PH’s Key Cities

Based on the latest Ookla® data, PLDT registered the highest upload and download speeds in key major cities in the Philippines – Manila, Cebu and Davao Cities.

In Manila, PLDT bested major ISPs - including Converge, Globe, and Sky – with upload and download speeds of 54.52 Mbps and 58.57 Mbps, respectively. In Cebu, PLDT recorded 76.14 Mbps and 74.22 Mbps upload and download speeds, respectively. In Davao, PLDT is the fastest fixed network over ISPs Globe and Sky, with upload and download speeds of 70.06 Mbps and 71.50 Mbps, respectively.

When analyzing the fastest ISPs, Ookla assesses the fastest network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection. Each top carrier accounts for at least 3% of the sample size in the geographic area.

Setting the Bar for PH Internet Speeds

PLDT consistently dominates the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ in the past four years as a result of the telco giant’s aggressive network expansion initiatives. In the second half of 2021, PLDT Home launched its biggest speed upgrade for customers with thrice as much speeds versus the previous broadband plans.

In November 2021, PLDT Home launched the country’s first-ever 10,000 Mbps fiber-optic service in the Philippines, putting the country alongside first-world nations that have access to such ultra-fast home interne speeds such as South Korea, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, and USA.

“The demand for the fastest broadband in the Philippines remains strong and we’re investing as well in our capabilities to install, upgrade, and repair throughout the year,” concludes Butch G. Jimenez, Jr., Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business.

PLDT Home continues to set the bar for the future of home internet connectivity in the Philippines as it provides access to future-ready innovations including top-of-the-line Smart Home solutions such as Wifi Mesh devices, Entertainment and Security services bundled with its flexible broadband plans.

All these innovations are powered by the PLDT’s widest network in the country with its fiber infrastructure expanded to 743,700 kilometers, extending its reach to 13.9 million homes passed, and with over 5.77 million fiber-powered ports.

To date, PLDT Home has connected over 3.6 Million subscribers, proving to be the most trusted telco of Filipino families for fast internet speeds for work at home, online school, and family entertainment at home amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

More information on PLDT Home, visit www.pldthome.com.

 

Disclaimer:
Based on analysis by Ookla^® of Speedtest Intelligence^® data Q3–Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.