Home Credit Philippines signs additional 7B Loan Credit Facility with BPI

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Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) recently signed an agreement for an additional P7 billion loan facility with Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), making BPI the company’s biggest creditor with a total of P13.5 billion combined credit line facilities. 

(From left) BPI executives: John-C Syquia, Institutional Banking Head, and TG Limcaoco, President and CEO; Home Credit executives: Zdenek Jankovsky, Treasury and Funding Director, and Patrick Peter Santos, Head of Funding

This is the third loan credit facility extended by BPI to HCPH, following a P1 billion facility in December 2022, P4 billion in August 2023, and an additional P1.5 billion in November 2023 from Robinsons Bank Corporation; following its recent merger with BPI.

Home Credit is the largest consumer finance company in the Philippines. As of end-2023, it has served 10.4 million customers all over the country through a selection of affordable and accessible financing products.

“We at BPI are committed to accelerating our efforts to elevate financial inclusion in the Philippines. We are glad to support Home Credit by providing tailored solutions to enable their financial inclusion initiatives to thrive and at the same time, improving the quality of life for Filipinos, enabling them to do more. This forms part of our vision to help build a better Philippines—one family, one community at a time,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco.

“This additional loan credit facility to Home Credit, extended by no less than BPI, the first bank in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Region, is a strong testament to the strong performance and stability of Home Credit’s business in the country as a leading consumer finance company,” Zdenek Jankovsky, HCPH director and treasurer, said.

Home Credit Philippines was issued a double-A Issuer Credit Rating with stable outlook by PhilRatings (Philippine Rating Services Corporation), a pioneer domestic credit rating agency, in 2023 based on its overall creditworthiness and ability to meet all its financial commitments and sustain its growth in its market.  

“This local loan credit facility will enable us to better serve our 10-million strong customer base, allowing us to expand access to credit opportunities for more Filipinos,” Jankovsky added. 

Also in witness of the signing event were BPI officers and executives (from left): Micah Clemente, Relationship Manager; Barbara Untalan, Head of Top Corporates-MNCs and Sectors; Maria Teresa Anna Lim, Head of MNCs and Sectors and; and Grace Saulog, Head of Financial Institutions and Correspondent Banking; with Henry Segovia, Home Credit Funding and Business Development Manager.

Home Credit Philippines has been at the forefront of broadening financial inclusion in the Philippines for more than a decade since it opened its doors in the country in 2013. It has continuously provided innovative credit opportunities for Filipinos especially to women, young people, and those earning less than 20,000 a month.

HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc., HCPH’s corporate entity, was acquired by Thailand’s Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL) and Japan’s MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) in June 2023.  

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

CICC, GCash sign agreement to ramp up fight against fraud

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Further cementing its long-standing commitment to provide Filipinos with secure and safe digital financial services, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) has signed an agreement with the country’s number one finance app, GCash, to intensify its campaign against online fraud and scams.

From left: GXI Chief Legal Officer Atty. Gilbert Escoto, GFI Chief Legal Officer Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, Head of New Businesses, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability Winsley Bangit, Executive Director of CICC USec Alexander Ramos, DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Uy, CICC Highly Technical Consultant Ret. Justice Andres Reyes

Under the agreement, GCash will continue to collaborate with CICC, leverage their capabilities, synergize efforts in combating cybercrime activities, and improve cyber capabilities and resilience while accelerating digitization initiatives in line with its vision of “Finance for All.”.

The MOA signing ceremony was graced by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, who emphasized that the CICC, which is an agency under the DICT, and GCash will synergize their strengths to become “futurists” that will work together to protect Filipinos by preempting the activities of cybercriminals.

The partnership between the CICC and GCash, he said, is “a strong signal to the whole community and to cyber criminals that we are not sitting back, that we will be aggressive in securing the money that the public has entrusted to us, and that we will actively, diligently, and relentlessly run after cybercriminals, whoever they may be, and bring them to justice.”

Joining Sec. Uy in signing the agreement were CICC Undersecretary Alexander Ramos and Retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes, Jr., GCash Head of New Businesses, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability Winsley Bangit, GCash Chief Legal Officer Atty. Maria Corazon Alvarez-Adriano and GCash Legal Head Atty. Gilbert A. Escoto.

In his speech, Usec. Ramos urged the victims of online scams to immediately file a report with GCash and the CICC, "not on social media.”.

This, said Ramos, will mobilize the rapid incident response mechanism made possible by the partnership between GCash and the CICC so that the public can be properly protected in time and prevent scammers from getting more victims. The undersecretary also urged the public to reach out to the government’s 24/7 anti-scam response hotline in case of suspected scams by dialing 1326.

Through its continuous cooperation with authorities, GCash has blocked over 4 million fraudulent accounts and taken down 810 phishing sites and 45,000 malicious social media posts and accounts in 2023.

A strong alliance with government agencies like the CICC, said Bangit, is a big boost to creating a safer digital ecosystem for Filipinos, especially as they transact online. “We are honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the pursuit of a safer and more just society,” he added.

In her closing remarks, Atty. Alvarez-Adriano said that in the ongoing integration of digital technologies with the support of public sector agencies like the CICC, “GCash is poised for a state-of-the-art, stable, and inclusive financial system that will support the economic growth of the country.”

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Chickenjoyers celebrate their love for the Philippines’ iconic fried chicken

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For the first time in Chickenjoy history, Jollibee brought together enthusiasts of its well-loved fried chicken at the day-long “I Am A Chickenjoyer Fan Meet” at Trinoma Activity Center last February 17.

This joy-filled event gathered families and friends adding up to over 1,500 individuals to celebrate their shared love for the iconic Chickenjoy.

Chickenjoyers flocked and showed their full support by joining the fun-filled activities

“We are so excited to finally bring so many Chickenjoyers together in one venue and host an exciting day for them,” said Pamie Cruz, Senior Marketing Manager of Jollibee Philippines. “This is our way of thanking them for their continued support for Chickenjoy, and for spreading this love to their families and friends from all over the country and even all over the world.”

Chickenjoyers flocked and showed their full support by joining the fun-filled activities

On top of celebrating their love for Chickenjoy, fans bonded with the actor and Jollibee ambassador Joshua Garcia

Guests engaged in a slew of activities detailed in their event passports. From conquering the Claw Machine to trying their luck at the Giant Gachapon and mastering the Ball Bucket Shoot Out, attendees collected points, won limited-edition Chickenjoy merchandise, and created lasting memories. To add, a professional studio setup awaited guests, capturing their moments through expertly taken photos and videos.

Jollibee endorsers and self-proclaimed Chickenjoyers Joshua Garcia and Donny Pangilinan also added to the fun during the morning and afternoon programs, respectively. When asked about his favorite memory with Chickenjoy, 

Donny shares some of his family memories with his favorite Chickenjoy

Donny recalled, “As a kid, I remember going home via expressway and ordering Jollibee via drive-thru because that’s really our favorite. In the car, my dad would ask us what we wanted and of course, we wanted Chickenjoy. We’d share it in the car before driving off again, feeling satisfied.”

(L-R): Dennis Reyes, Jollibee’s PR, Partnerships & Sustainability Head; Pamela Cruz, Jollibee’s Senior Marketing Manager; Gaby Reyes, Brand Manager; Tracey Vega, Jollibee's Assistant Brand Manager; Joshua Garcia; Martina Francisco, Jollibee's Assistant Brand Manager; Bea De Ocampo Jollibee’s Management Trainee; Aurea Elise Maog, Jollibee’s PR, Partnerships & Sustainability Officer; Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee’s Assistant Vice President for Masterbrand and Chicken

Joshua added his own vivid Chickenjoy moments: “With my family, it’s always a tradition to order Jollibee when it’s someone’s birthday. My nephew loves Chickenjoy, so I would bring him a bucket on his birthday and we’d share it with Jolly Spaghetti or rice. My favorite part is the chicken wing—I love the experience of removing the bone and dipping the wing in the gravy. Sarap!”

This unique event showed how Chickenjoy has played a role in the lives of millions, from satisfying cravings to completing delightful bonding moments. Renowned for its crispy and flavorful skin, juicy and succulent meat, and signature gravy, Chickenjoy continues to make a lasting impact and be well-loved by the generations to come.

The Crispylicious, Juicylicious, best-tasting Jollibee Chickenjoy is available nationwide for PHP 82.00 (1-pc. Chickenjoy with rice and drink). Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and treat yourself to its crispy, juicy goodness via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. You can also have it delivered via the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda.

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Still dazzling at 11: Solaire unveils culinary brilliance with Michelin Star Chefs for an unforgettable epicurean journey

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Solaire Resort Entertainment City, the premier integrated destination resort in the country, has made history by bringing Michelin Star chefs to the Philippines. In honor of its anniversary month in March, Solaire is proud to announce the arrival of these iconic culinary masters for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. This significant occasion will feature the culinary artistry of three renowned Michelin Star chefs, each presenting their signature dishes at Solaire's signature restaurants for dinner at Finestra, Yakumi, and Red Lantern on March 13-16, followed by a lavish buffet brunch on March 17.

Chef Cristina Bowerman

Renowned for her culinary passion, Chef Cristina Bowerman elevates her craft through a lens of creativity and innovation. With a bachelor's degree on culinary arts and a specialization in flavor concentration, Chef Bowerman relocated to Rome to become the Chef Patron at Glass Hostaria, a bastion of contemporary Italian cuisine, which she has led for seventeen years. In 2010, she earned a prestigious Michelin Star standing as Italy’s sole female recipient that year. Experience Chef Bowerman’s culinary finesse at Finestra, where a six-course dinner awaits, featuring her signature dishes starting with a modern twist on vitello tonnato, followed by a classic risotto à la meunière, and sumptuous Italian gyoza. Delight your palate with marbled beef wagyu ribeye alongside mulberry reduction, celery root terrine, hot garlic, and oxtail foam. Indulge in a perfect dessert pairing of popcorn and passion fruit dulce de leche, ensuring a perfect finale to your dining experience.

Chef Goh Fukuyama

Hailing from Fukuoka, Chef Goh Fukuyama delved into the world of French cuisine right out of high school. In 2002, he unveiled La Maison de la Nature Goh, a discreet yet stylish establishment renowned for its imaginative French Japanese omakase. This culinary haven achieved notable acclaim, securing a spot in "Asia's 50 Best Restaurants". Boasting a Michelin Star, the restaurant solidified its standing in the culinary world. At Yakumi, indulge in an eight-course dinner featuring a tantalizing array of dishes such as Foie gras monaka, white asparagus cream Fukinotou Blancmange, as well as tuna and fermented tomato. Experience the exquisite flavors of sake steamed abalone and shiitake mushroom risotto, and white fish wrapped in cabbage with the scent of ARIAKE seaweed. Indulge in the rich flavors of Kyushu Kuroge Wagyu beef, a spicy crab curry, and a delightful “white and red” strawberry for dessert.

 Chef Xu Fan

Maestro of Sichuan cuisine, Chef Xu Fan, the visionary behind the Michelin-starred Xujia Cuisine in Chengdu, immersed himself in the art of Sichuan-style cooking back in 1991. Renowned for its excellence, his restaurant has been honored with numerous awards, including "The best50" of China's top 50 restaurants for six consecutive years and the Black Pearl 1 Diamond restaurant for five successive years. Specializing in the bold and vibrant flavors of Szechuan Cuisine, Chef Xu takes charge of the Red Lantern kitchen, curating an exquisite eight-course dinner. Savor on dishes such as deep-fried angus beef tenderloin with a tantalizing sweet and sour, spicy sauce, and homemade chicken ball served in clear chicken soup. Indulge in the rich flavors of wok fried rock lobster with litchi and sweet chili sauce and relish the flavors of steamed star garoupa with sichuan green chili, green peppercorn, and premium soy sauce. Savor the succulent braised USDA beef short ribs with sichuan bean paste, truffles, vegetables, and crispy gillardeau oyster served with ginger sauce. Experience the mastery of freshly crafted dan dan noodles and homemade noodles with minced pork. For dessert, delight on sichuan ice jelly as well as mixed nuts with jelly and brown sugar.

Mixologist Max Solano

Master Sommelier Luis de Santos

Elevate your experiences with thoughtfully curated drinks by certified Sake Samurai and Sake Master Brewer Akihiro Igarashi and the esteemed Luis de Santos, the first and only Master Sommelier of Filipino descent. Beyond his role as a Master Sommelier, de Santos thrives as a prosperous entrepreneur, presently owning multiple bars and restaurants in Las Vegas. Joining them is Max Solano, one of the West Coast’s most respected and creative mixologists and spirits educators for his innovative and versatile creations. His expertise lies in crafting cocktails using fresh, homemade ingredients and premium spirits sourced from around the globe. His talent has earned him acclaim in various media outlets, coupled with three Las Vegas Bartender of the Year awards.

Sake Samurai and Sake Master Brewer Akihiro Igarashi

“As we celebrate our anniversary, we continue to deliver culinary sensations like no other, this rare opportunity to savor Michelin Star fare in the heart of the Philippines promises to elevate their dining experience to new heights. We would like them to experience a symphony of world-class flavors, by bringing in these three Michelin Star chefs who will artfully craft their own menus to spotlight the distinctiveness of their culinary artistry, “says Sebastian Kellerhoff, Vice President for Culinary.

Book your seats now for an excellent Michelin Star anniversary celebration at Solaire. For details and more information, you may email: restaurantevents@solaireresort.com. You can also check out https://www.solaireresort.com or Solaire’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

#TeamGalaxy Catriona Gray “geeks out” over the Galaxy S24 Series

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Queen of the universe and productivity, Catriona Gray is geeking out over the new AI features of the Galaxy S24 Series. At the launch of Samsung’s latest Galaxy S series, Catriona Gray being the ultimate multi-hyphenate queen, explained how she has found a new productivity and creativity companion - the ultimate all-rounder just like her - the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Intuitive AI features geared towards productivity and creativity

With an on-the-go lifestyle where she consistently creates content, works on new projects and attends numerous meetings, Catriona loves to capture snippets of her day through the notes app.

“With Notes Assist, I can create custom notebooks with personalized covers and AI analyzes and summarizes the content of the notes. It’s so convenient for a quick revert and it shows me the summary and main points of the whole notebook,” Catriona shares.

Catriona also highlighted her favorite AI features that are perfect for her being productive and creative on-the-go - the circle to search with Google feature, which allows users to select parts of an image or a text and look up information. Users can even select icons from images to copy and paste into the notes app, messages and even use to create stickers.

Breaking boundaries of communication

The Galaxy S24 Series also enhances how devices can connect people from all around the world, making truly borderless communication possible. AI features remove communication hurdles with near-real-time voice and language translations, live language translations through call assist, and seamless live translation chat assistance.

“Just thinking of possibilities with travel, I think we've all experienced challenges while traveling and having language barriers at times when wanting to clarify something on an itinerary, or directions,” Catriona shared.

“Now with live chat updates, it allows us to connect, even with phone calls. It allows you to follow along with what the other person is saying. It’s innovative, connecting so many different people from around the world. When you think about a device, a phone, and its initial purpose, it innovated to a level that's breaking boundaries. In a way, that is a very cool thing.”

Every content creator’s dream come true

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series also sets a new standard for image and video capturing, with upgraded lenses and the integration of the new ProVisual engine. This engine improves color tone, reduces noise and brings out details in every photo, along with making sharing on Instagram and Snapchat seamless. AI also enhanced editing features like AI Zoom, and AI powered object resizing, moving and erasing. Editing applications are also built in-device so content creators no longer need third party applications to work on-the-go.

Catriona shares her experience with video editing on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. “Video editing on this is an absolute dream because the processing power of the S24 is really nice as well, it's very well rounded.”

For content creators who are passionate about sharing content real time, the integration of the apps gets rid of the challenges of having blurry and low quality images when transferring photos and videos from the phone camera to the application.

Titanium beauty fit for a queen

Catriona’s device of choice is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Gray, “I like the gray, I love that it has a gold sheen, it made me think of jewelry whether you're a gold or a silver girly, it's like the best of both worlds, and I can't get over how lightweight it is!” she shared.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s design is made of a new titanium exterior and a 6.8" flat display and topped with scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Armor. This makes the Galaxy S24 Ultra a durable device that can withstand scratches, water, dust and accidental drops. The devices also come in four mesmerizing chic titanium colors - Gray, Black, Violet and Yellow, as well as three online exclusive colors in Blue, Green, and Orange.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ devices have flat curved edges and a smooth satin finish that comes in trendy classy colors, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black and Marble Gray and online exclusive colors Sapphire Blue, Jade Green, and Sandstone Orange.

A well-rounded device that fits any lifestyle

The Samsung Galaxy S24’s AI technology is the perfect accessible and intuitive device, “The features of AI within the Samsung S24 series are towards productivity and creativity. The AI features in the S24 series allows us to communicate with language translation, summarize articles - it’s not necessarily a super far fetched application of AI, it's AI simplifying things we were already doing”, Catriona explained.

Whether one wants to be productive, play games, communicate seamlessly while traveling, and create content easily on-the-go, Catriona describes the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series as a perfect fit for any lifestyle. “It's a tool that fits your lifestyle – whatever that looks like. It’s a well rounded phone, it’s not [just] for the uber techy, it’s not [just] for the uber simplistic - it’s very intuitive. If you give this phone to anyone, they’ll be super happy. It ticks all of the boxes for me!” she shared.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Series is the perfect companion for multi-hyphenate individuals looking to elevate their daily routines and feel fulfilled at the end of the day and is available through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com and MemoXpress Online.

To find out more about the Galaxy S24 and S24+, visit: https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s24/

To find out more about the Galaxy S24 Ultra, visit:

https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/