Kwentong Kumunizen: Spiking Numbers and Building Bridges

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Volleyball star Tots Carlos connects with friends and fans on Kumu, and wins more than just trophies.

Some might be astonished to learn how popular volleyball is in the Philippines when it’s often overshadowed by other sports in most conversations. They would be even more shocked to hear just how fierce the fandom is, spurred by a longing to connect with players and get to know them. But, when armed with that knowledge, it comes as no surprise at all that players from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) regularly stream on Kumu to do exactly those things.

Cheerful and unassuming, 24-year old opposite hitter Diana Mae “Tots” Carlos actually discovered Kumu long before PVL entered a partnership with the social entertainment app. What started as cheering her friends on from the sidelines of their stream, she soon began to guest and host streams herself, talking about the ins and outs of her sport.

Hailing from Lubao, Pampanga, she traveled to the metro specifically to do what she loved, and quickly became a highly sought-after recruit over UAAP Season 78. Landing in the University of the Philippines’ varsity team as an outside hitter, she has since bagged the title of Most Valuable Player several times over—in 2018, 2021, and 2022—clearly a force to be reckoned with. But her one frustration with the game has been the lack of interaction with fans, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finding Her Tribe

“Wala akong kilala noong talagang nagstart ako magstream sa Kumu, apart from my friends,” she recounts, “and hindi man ako humingi ng tulong, people I didn’t know wanted to help me!” Soon enough, she bridged the gap between herself and her avid supporters, and made those interactions the highlight of her streams.

“In my hometown, athletes get the same treatment,” says Tots, “banners, tarpaulins, a warm welcome when you come back. Ngayon, online posters and messages of congratulations, ganon. Being on Kumu feels the same, but these are my fans, people I would never meet if not for Kumu, who really want to support me. Kaya I really take care of that relationship.”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

“Ang gusto ko talaga sa Kumu is it’s safe,” says the athlete on what differentiates Kumu from other digital spaces. “May rules, may good censors, kaya may respeto. Pwede kong ipakita kung ano at sino talaga ako and I’m safe, and more importantly, the fans are safe.” This contradicts what most of us know to be true about the internet—don’t speak to strangers who offer you gifts—but the watchful eyes of the moderators, also known as the Kumu Police, allow those new connections to flourish with minimal, if any, risk. Apart from these important duties, they keep interactions positive in every stream.

This unique feature of the app is one of the biggest pillars of its success, especially for users who would otherwise be marginalized. As a woman who is open about who she is and who she loves, Tots is a perfect example of how someone can thrive even outside of that identity when they are given the space to show their truest self.

Diamonds Are a Girl’s (Other) Best Friend

But it just wouldn’t be Kumu without the campaigns, or the contests that almost turns live streaming into an extreme sport all its own. Creators go live and earn virtual gifts from those watching, and get the chance to win prizes that range from a little bit of cash to having one’s face on a billboard. And while Tots doesn’t necessarily need to join them—she openly admits that her status as a volleyball player has boosted her numbers on more than one occasion—she sees the fun and takes the opportunity to spread the joy.

“If I do win something, I share it with my loved ones,” says Tots. “And what I earn there is a big help. Noong nagtuloy-tuloy na ako, pinapadali niya ang buhay ko. You don't even have to spend the whole day streaming, just once in a while. Talagang inaabangan ka ng followers. Just keep doing the streams, and you’ll build your audience.”

For Tots, Kumu is a platform ripe with opportunities not just to earn through live streaming, but to connect with people she otherwise would never get to know; people who can truly enrich someone’s day-to-day. Follow her on Kumu (totscarlos_) to get insider volleyball knowledge, meet other players, or just to see Tots flourish in her own digital habitat. Otherwise, experience it for yourself; download the app now through the App Store or Google Play. Your community awaits you, so get ready to show what you’ve got and start your live stream soon!

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About Kumu

Kumu is a powerful social media platform that brings the voices of Filipinos from all over the globe at the forefront. Aside from presenting users with real-time earning opportunities as a live streamer, chances to win prizes in various game shows, and engagement in campaigns, Kumu also fosters communities that ignite relevant discussions among Filipinos. According to mobile-app performance company App Annie, Kumu is not only the first Filipino app to be the #1 top grossing social app in the Philippines, but one of the highest grossing social apps in the world, ranking top 10 in multiple markets including Canada, Australia, Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore app stores. Visit www.kumu.ph and follow @kumuph on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest events and surprises from the favorite Pinoy live streaming platform.

Home Buddies gives back in Paskong Mayo Puso 2.0

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Gift-giving celebration aims to raise funds for SPED classroom makeover

To usher in the holiday season and recap an incredible year, online community Home Buddies celebrated with PASKONG MAY PUSO 2.0, a gift-giving treat held through a variety of online activities for all beloved kapitbahays and ka-hangouts!

The celebration was kickstarted by Home Buddies founder, “Mayora '' Frances Lim Cabatuando, and Q Radio’s Ysa Chong as hosts. To add to the fun, Quest and Kitchie Nadal entertained the kapitbahays and ka-hangouts with their performances, along with a series of games that brought fun prizes, sponsored by its partner brands: Bet On Your Buddy (sponsored by Dakki), Around The Globe: Guess The Movie & Country (sponsored by Globe Roaming), Read My Lips (sponsored by All Home), and Zoomba (sponsored by Irish Spring). Present also at this event was Kevin Pueblo as the guest tanod.

Through PASKONG MAY PUSO 2.0, Home Buddies raised funds for the makeover of a SPED (Special Education) classroom at the Pasay City North High School.

In line with their advocacy of giving back to the community, Cabatuando and Pueblo shared their gratitude for the overflowing support.

“We are one kapitbahay, we are 3-million strong, and we are here to support them. Thank you dahil sa pagsali ninyo sa mga events tulad nito, we are able to raise funds for the benefit of the people who are in need,” Cabatuando said.

“Kaya hindi lang talaga siya Paskong May Puso di ba, it’s not just for us the kapitbahays but also for those who need help,” Pueblo said.

Home Buddies, initially started in September 2020 by “Mayora” Frances Lim Cabatuando, is an online community and safe space for over 3.1 million home enthusiasts who want to achieve the home of their dreams. In this community, members engage with each other and share helpful tips, interesting finds, and inspirational stories about their home improvement journey. It also holds regular activities, such as the Monday Market, where group members can buy and sell home-related items.

But the festivities don’t end there. Home Buddies kapitbahays and ka-hangouts are still in for a merry ride this December with more activities.

There’s Globe Brand Week, where exciting games were held every noon until December 15 in the Hangout Buddies group. There will also be games until December 18 in the Home Buddies group. The fun doesn’t end there as a variety of brands will also be celebrating the joy of this Christmas season with us: Dakki Brand Day and Live Selling to be held on December 20 at noon, followed by Irish Spring Brand Day on December 21, Globe Roaming's live segment at 12 noon which will feature another round of fun games & raffle for the kapitbahays and Violeta’s Curtains Live Selling at 7 p.m. on December 22, and All Home Brand Day on December 23. Watch out for these events from the comfort of your own home through the Home Buddies Facebook group page.

HOME BUDDIES PASKONG MAY PUSO 2.0 is co-presented by Globe. Special thanks to major sponsors Irish Spring, IKEA, Dakki, and All Home; minor sponsors NYMA, Anker, and Omni; Kapitbahay partners Dunsk Kuhner and Oasis Sauna; and media partners FreebieMNL and PIE Channel.

Merry Christmas, mga Kapitbahays and Ka-hangouts!

Xiaomi Rings in the Christmas Spirit with Xiaomi Pop Concert, New Store, and More!

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Loyal Xiaomi fans enjoy big discounts, freebies, star-studded entertainment

 The holidays just got brighter with the opening of Xiaomi’s new flagship store at BHS. Xiaomi Country Manager Kenny Cheong and Blue Lite Gadgets Inc. executives Leandro and Edwin Poblete were at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by Xiaomi brand ambassador and TV star Gabbi Garcia. The opening was made more special with a dragon dance performance and an in-store tour. Customers who purchased top-of-the-line phones like the Xiaomi 12T Series, Redmi Note 11S, or 10 Pro were rewarded with various freebies, including a RoboVac, Vacuum Flask, umbrella, ceramic mugs, and more.

The holidays are here and Xiaomi has made sure to ring in the festivities with a bang! From a star-studded Xiaomi Pop 2022 holiday concert, a cozy community Christmas party, and a smorgasbord of products at discounted prices at the grand opening of the Xiaomi flagship store at Bonifacio High Street in BGC.

As the main highlight of the festivities, the Xiaomi Pop 2022 Concert did not disappoint. Fans were treated to an evening of performances by some of the hottest names in the music industry. P-pop boy band BGYO kicked off the main show with their hit singles, and they also picked a lucky fan to dance on stage with them. Next up, Singer and actor Darren Espanto serenaded fans with his version of popular Christmas songs.

Closing the night was multi-awarded singer Moira Dela Torre, who gave a beautiful and emotional performance of her ballads. She also shared a special moment with fans as she took a selfie using her Xiaomi phone.

The atmosphere was electric with enthusiasm as the audience sang along to their beloved tunes. Fans cheered on as Xiaomi devices were given away as prizes during the fun games, making for an unforgettable night.

Prizes galore

The BHS Amphitheater was packed with over 300 Xiaomi fans who gathered for the community Christmas party. It was an afternoon of fun and laughter, with plenty of games, Xiaomi prizes, and special performances from both the Xiaomi team and the fans themselves. 

New flagship store

The opening of the new flagship store located at B3, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City, was made even more special with the presence of Xiaomi Country Manager Kenny Cheong, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony together with Blue Lite Gadgets Inc. executive Leandro Poblete. Also present was Xiaomi brand ambassador and TV star Gabbi Garcia. Guests were treated to an exclusive in-store tour of the new Xiaomi concept store, giving them a first-hand look at the latest products from the global tech brand.

The opening of the new store saw shoppers take advantage of the discounts and freebies offered by Xiaomi. Depending on the purchase, customers received a variety of bonuses, such as a RoboVac, Vacuum Flask, umbrella, ceramic mugs, and more. Those who bought any of the top-of-the-line phones like the Redmi Note 11S, or 10 Pro were rewarded with an even bigger selection of freebies.

To learn more about Xiaomi’s new store at Bonifacio High Street and the company’s ongoing holiday promos, please visit the company’s official page.

High spirits, high notes, and high fives! Xiaomi fans cheered as the likes of Moira Dela Torre, Darren Espanto, and BGYO graced the stage with their high-energy performances, bringing the house down with music and fun at the Xiaomi Pop 2022 Concert.

Darren Espanto spread the holiday cheer with his signature upbeat tunes at the Xiaomi Pop 2022 holiday concert. With some of his most popular songs, the Canadian-Filipino singer and actor had the crowd singing, dancing, and feeling the holiday spirit.

BGYO lit up the stage and left the crowd starstruck with their electrifying setlist at Xiaomi Pop 2022. The group made sure to show love to fans by taking selfies and singing their best hits like “Magnet” and “Tumitigil Ang Mundo”.

 

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Bags the Golden Achievement Award in the Philippines

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Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines (SEMPHIL) bagged the Golden Achievement Award on November 27, 2022. The Golden Achievement Award, bestowed by the Philippine government, is regarded as the most prestigious award given to companies registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and presented by Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

(L-R) PEZA OIC-Deputy Director General for Operations Ms. Vivian Santos, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, President and Head of Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines (SEMPHIL) Mr. Seoncheol Park, PEZA OIC-Director General Mr. Tereso Panga, and PEZA OIC-Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration Mr. Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal

Every year, the Philippine government selects and awards outstanding companies in four categories: export, employment, social contribution, and environment. The Golden Achievement Award honors the most outstanding company among the list of companies that have been elevated to the Hall of Fame in all categories.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics was also inducted into the Hall of Fame by receiving the recognition three times in each category leading to their win of the Golden Achievement Award this year. To date, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has received the Outstanding in Community Projects award in 2007, 2008, and 2009; Outstanding Employer in 2006, 2010, and 2012; Outstanding Exporter in 2011, 2012 and 2013; and Outstanding Environmental Performer in 2007, 2019, 2020. Since the inception of the Golden Achievement Award in 2012, only five companies, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics, have received this prestigious recognition.

Vice President and Head of SEMPHIL Park Seoncheol said, "It is an honor to be recognized as the most outstanding company in all categories: export, employment, and social contribution environment. We will continue to actively conduct social welfare programs for employees and local communities, preserve a healthy environment, and pursue sustainable development."

SEMPHIL has received high scores for obtaining certification for an environmental management system (ISO14001) from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and systematically improving the environment, such as energy conservation, reduction in consumption of chemicals, and compliance with standards to prevent water and air pollution.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines (SEMPHIL) situated in Calamba Premiere International Park in Calamba City of Laguna, started its operation from year 2000

In addition, SEMPHIL was also honored for leading the way in advancing social ideals and sustaining corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts through various activities like tree planting and coastline cleanup. SEMPHIL has also taken the initiative to find fresh talents among the low-income households and has provided them learning advice and scholarships in order to help them develop their skills. These promising individuals were given the chance to work for the company.

Since its founding in 1997, SEMPHIL has been manufacturing the MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor), the flagship product, as well as other passive components such as inductors and chip resistors. Its revenue increased by $1,153 million in 2021. In order to meet the demand for IT and automotive components, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is getting ready to use its Philippine Plant (SEMPHIL) as one of its primary production facilities in the future.

In August 2022, Samsung Electro-Mechanics CEO Chang Duckhyun met with Secretary Alfredo Pascual of the Department of Trade and Industry to share about SEMPHIL's main activities, innovative technology cases, and contribution to economic growth in the Philippines. Through this meeting, Chang has also requested DTI’s support for Korea's bid to host the 2030 Busan World Expo where Samsung acts as a member of the public-private 2030 Busan World Expo bidding committee.

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About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

On Pricing & Promos: The Common Challenges of a Filipino Retailer

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How can promotions drive profitability across distribution channels during the holiday rush?

A recent study by the World Remit found that Filipinos spend 100% of their salary on gifts for family and friends during the holiday season — creating sales opportunities for retailers recovering from the pandemic or starting new ventures. As consumers increasingly become more comfortable going to shopping malls, shop owners need to use strategic in-store and online promotions to effectively cut through the noise and catch customer attention.

RELEX Solutions, a global leader in supply chain and retail planning, breaks down retailers’ most common promotions questions and shares a few tips to generate sales during the holiday season.

Question #1: How can I test the effectiveness of my promotion?

Filipinos enjoy indulging during the holidays, but the Philippines is a very price-sensitive market when it comes to consumer goods., This makes it crucial to identify proper price points for products sold. In fact, recent research from IPSOS shows that Filipinos are even more concerned about rising commodity prices than the effects of the pandemic. These concerns put pressure on local retailers to continue to run promotions and keep their prices low to attract more customers and increase sales.

But how does one test the effectiveness of these promotions?

A good place to start is running an A/B test. Retailers can set up experiments across select stores and timeframes to collect data that will be used in analyzing the potential sales impact. Another more challenging solution involves building detailed models that compare baseline and promotional demand for each item and store. Brands can then observe alternative scenarios and measure the effects of running or not running a specific promotion. In turn, consumers can decide on purchases based on their budget, which translates to sales for brands. Regardless of the approach, what remains crucial is the ability to calibrate terms as needed.

Question #2: How can I convert first-time customers into loyal customers?

Consumers are exposed to endless promotions as the holiday shopping season comes into full swing. Alongside competitor brands, promos within the same brand also divide a customer’s attention. This results in low sales uplift that is often barely enough to compensate for the price reductions, eventually leading to a loss.

Retailers must ensure their omnichannel promotions complement each other to hit maximum profitability with minimal strain on resources — all while delivering the best experience for customers. Data analysis from past promotions can also be studied to understand which practices should already be stopped or started. This includes assessments on price, tactics, and other features that could generate the best results.

Question 3: How do I know if I’m running too many promotions?

Only data can tell. When products with weak promo potential are advertised too often, it can threaten profits and margins. Insights from previous promotions help, but there are also several factors that could make manual analysis tricky. Such factors include sales comparisons across the different seasons of the year, as well as the frequencies of discounts given during the pandemic.

Retailers need to keep a rapid pace to contend with their competitors, so running complex, cumbersome manual experiments can be a waste of valuable time and resources. This is why digitization has played a crucial role in trying to optimize sales and promotions for retailers.

“Promotions, as tough as they are, play a considerable role in increasing sales and store traffic,” shared Kristie Davison, Vice President of Sales for APAC at RELEX Solutions. “That’s why retailers need to embrace promotions despite the competition and market challenges. While the strategies listed above will help, integrating a dedicated promotions tool will unlock even more potential and provide a wealth of insight and analysis to position relevance and engage customers seamlessly.”

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About RELEX Solutions

RELEX Solutions helps retailers and consumer brands drive profitable growth across all sales and distribution channels by maximising customer satisfaction and minimising operative costs. Our market-leading, unified supply chain and retail planning platform helps retailers and consumer goods companies align and optimise demand, merchandise, supply chain, and operations planning across the end-to-end value chain. We drive record-high product availability, increased sales, improved sustainability, and the best return on investment in inventory, space, workforce, and capacity. Leading brands like Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, Stokke, Rite Aid, Sprouts Farmers Market, AutoZone, and PetSmart trust RELEX to optimise their supply chain and retail planning.

Go to relexsolutions.com for more information