A gift that grows a lifetime: Teach your kids financial freedom this Christmas

Tweet

CHRISTMAS is a season for giving, and every parent wants to make it magical for their kids. This year, instead of gifting them with toys or gadgets that could bring momentary joy, why not give them something that will last a lifetime?

Teach your kids financial freedom this Christmas - - - Christine Caberte 

Safer than a piggy bank

For Christine Caberte, nothing makes a mother prouder than seeing her kid disciplined with money, even at a young age. Christine just opened a bank account for her six-year-old son.

"I've seen my son save money in his piggy bank for some time, but I wanted something more secure. That's why I decided to open a BDO Junior Savers account for him," Christine explains. "With a bank, I know his money is intact and safe, unlike an alkansya that can be opened anytime."

Securing her son’s future. Christine Caberte knows the importance of establishing a foundation for financial independence for her son by opening a BDO Junior Savers account for him during the BDO Fiesta in Bacolod.

Christine, a former overseas Filipino planning to return to work abroad, feels peace of mind knowing that when she starts sending remittances to her son's account, his savings will grow securely.

"It’s comforting to know he now has a bank account that’s his alone,” she shares. “I can send money for his daily expenses and savings separately. His Junior Savers account is safe, nobody can touch it; it’s his to grow."

Starting 'em young

Parents like Christine can easily open a Junior Savers account at any nearby branch, starting from their child's birth. As the deposit reaches P2,000, it will earn interest and Rewards Peso Points.

It comes with a Special Design Passbook as an additional means to monitor a child’s savings. When the kid turns seven, he or she will receive a Junior Savers Debit card.

This Christmas, secure your children’s future by opening a BDO Junior Savers account. It's more than a bank account; it's a foundation for teaching them financial independence and responsibility.

With an initial deposit of only P100, Junior Savers helps kids develop a habit of saving and teaches them to handle their own money at a young age. It is affordable and ideal for most families who want to nurture sound financial habits.

Imagine your kids saving the aguinaldo they will receive this Christmas. Instead of spending money on new toys or gadgets, they can deposit it into their Junior Savers account. As they watch their savings grow, they will learn that achieving their life goals starts with discipline, patience, and a commitment to saving.

BDO Foundation rehabilitates several RHUs in Bohol province to cap 2024

Tweet

In line with its advocacy to enable rural health units (RHUs) across the country to deliver better primary health care services, BDO Foundation turned over five rehabilitated health centers in Bohol for the benefit of more than 100,000 Boholanos.

The newly renovated RHUs are Candijay Primary Care Facility, Dimiao Primary Care Facility, Mabini Primary Care Facility, Cortes Primary Care Facility and Duero Rural Health Unit. Supported by local government leaders and municipal health officers, the foundation renovated the health centers’ interiors and exteriors, ensuring that the spaces are conducive for healing and comfortable for both health workers and patients.

Rural health unit rehabilitation. Newly rehabilitated RHUs feature patient-centric interiors and exteriors to help health workers deliver better services to the community.

“We hope that this humble contribution of BDO Foundation to the communities will help the local government units (LGUs) and health workers improve their capability in delivering basic health services to their constituents,” shared BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito.

BDO Foundation continues to fulfill its advocacy to rehabilitate RHUs to help strengthen the primary healthcare delivery system at the grassroots level. Since the start of the program in 2012, the foundation has supported the capacity of various LGUs in making primary healthcare more accessible to communities.

In his message to the community at the turn over of their newly rehabilitated health center, Dimiao municipal health officer Dr. Lloyd Lyle Ravidas said, “We are grateful to BDO, BDO Network Bank and BDO Foundation for the help that they’ve given to our community. You have not just given us a beautiful building, but also a dignified health facility to better serve the people.”

BDO Foundation has renovated 23 RHUs in Bohol alone. Overall, the organization has rehabilitated 187 health centers nationwide.

Inspired By Love, DOT Unveils Murals Featuring Breathtaking Sites, Rich Biodiversity

Tweet

The Love Biodiversity mural by Island Artists Boracay displays the world-renowned island’s main attractions and rich wildlife. Photo by the Department of Tourism

Driven by the passion to let future generations witness the beauty of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled a series of murals that featured not only breathtaking tourist sites across the country but also its rich natural wonders.

From July to October 2024, DOT’s regional offices led their respective celebrations of “Love Inspired: The Philippines, a Canvas of Biodiversity” in 16 locations, all popular tourist destinations.

The events, also called Love Biodiversity Day 2024, highlighted the launch of murals made by local artists and activities that raised the awareness of tourism stakeholders and local communities about taking care of the environment.

Among the tourist spots that joined the event was the world-famous beach and dive destination Boracay, which takes pride in its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters.

The Love Biodiversity 2024 mural along Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City that DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing called a “visual road trip to Eastern Visayas.” Photo by the Department of Tourism

Made by Lito Panganiban and Japs Avelino of Island Artists Boracay, their mural showed the island’s various attractions like the sandcastle, the Boracay Keyhole, Willy’s Rock, and the paraw sailboat, as well as the island’s wetland and marine residents like the sea turtle and clownfish.

“This vibrant mural showcases the region's lush flora and fauna, majestic landscapes, and vital marine environments, serving as a poignant reminder of our unique biodiversity,” according to the DOT’s Region 6 or Western Visayas office.

DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing (middle), Clark Development Corporation President and CEO Agnes Devanadera (third from right), DOT-Region 3 Director Richard Daenos (second from right), and other guests join hands as they present the mural made by Placid Studio displayed at Clark Museum. Photo from Facebook/Department of Tourism – Region 3 Office

DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing (left) and former DOT – Ilocos regional director Joseph Francisco Ortega unveiled the Love Biodiversity 2024 mural in the municipality of Bauang. The painting shows a thriving mangrove forest with a walkway, as well as La Union’s popular product grapes. Photo by the Department of Tourism

Aside from being an award-winning destination including Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination in the World Travel Awards 2024, Boracay is “home to numerous native species of trees such as Narra, Ipil, Kubi, Antipolo, Isis, Sakat, Balakat, Katmon, and Bakawan Dagat,” as well as “344 bird species (both native and migratory), 55 reptile species, around 39 bat species, 51 frog species, and 25 species of medium and large-sized mammals, all adding to the rich and vibrant marine life of the area,” said DOT-Region 6 Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.

The emerging tourism and events hub Clark in the province of Pampanga, also known as the culinary capital of the Philippines, participated in the mural reveal.

The mural created by artists from Placid Studio “honors the region's biodiversity, featuring the pawikan of Morong, Bataan, mole cricket (kamaru) of Pampanga, Acacia trees and crows of Clark, the Aeta community, Mount Pinatubo, and the waterfalls of Aurora,” according to information from the Tourism Promotions Division of the Clark Development Corporation.

It also carried the DOT’s tourism slogan “Love the Philippines.”

The DOT’s flagship campaign Love the Philippines is prominently displayed in the Love Biodiversity 2024 mural made by Paschal Artista. The painting, found at the Anilao Port in the municipality of Mabini in Batangas, features the rich marine life in the waters of Anilao. Photo by the Department of Tourism

Meanwhile, Tacloban City in Leyte province – which was among the areas leveled to the ground by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 – also hosted a mural for Love Biodiversity Day 2024.

Located along the scenic Magsaysay Boulevard, which faces Cancanato Bay, local artists Kim Clinton Gonzales and Andrew Abainza finished the majority of the mural, which was later on finished by local and national government officials and other guests by painting more elements during the launch itself.

The mural “featured various protected landscapes and seascapes, including Biri Larosa, Calbayog-Pan-As Hayiban, Samar Island Natural Park, Guiuan, as well as the San Juanico Bridge, Mt. Naliwatan, Lake Danao, Mahagnao Volcano, Cuatro Islas, and Sogod Bay,” said a report from the Philippine Information Agency.

DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisubming even called the artwork “a visual road trip to Eastern Visayas.”

In Mindanao, the culture-rich regions of Davao and the SOCCSKSARGEN area hosted two murals that showed the island’s diverse flora and fauna, including the Philippine eagle.

The 18-meter Love Biodiversity Day 2024 mural in Region 11 can be found inside the Mt. Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum, and made by members of the Kwadro-Uni Arts and Outdoors Club of the Davao Oriental State University, according to the DOT’s Davao Region. It shows the panoramic view of Mt. Hamiguitan, seemingly being guarded by a Philippine eagle on top.

“The mural depicts the diverse flora and fauna of Mt. Hamiguitan. It also serves as a testament to Davao Region's commitment to continuing its efforts to preserve and cultivate its rich biodiversity,” it said.

Meanwhile, the 50-meter portion of the Surallah-Lake Sebu Road in South Cotabato was transformed into a canvas by members of the Kudlit South Cotabato and Ko’Gon Visual Artists of Koronadal, which “showcases the breathtaking biodiversity of South Cotabato and the natural wonders of Lake Sebu, reminding us of the importance of protecting these treasures,” said the DOT’s SOCCSKSARGEN office.

Aside from the inauguration of Love Biodiversity Day 2024 murals, select DOT regional offices also held activities engaging both officials and stakeholders to become more involved in preservation and sustainable tourism.

In Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, where the mural for Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula was unveiled, guests took part in the coastal cleanup along Dipolog City Boulevard.

Officials and tourism stakeholders also planted more than 200 seedlings of mangroves during the launch of the Love Biodiversity Day 2024 murals in the province of La Union and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. According to CURMA, a group that advocates primarily the conservation of sea turtles and joined the launch in La Union, mangroves can help “prevent soil erosion, protect fish landing zones, enhance biodiversity, and absorb carbon. "

Guests were also taught to weave hats made of coconut leaves during the Love Biodiversity Day 2024 mural unveiling in Batanes, among the Philippines’ most breathtaking destinations.

Other “Love Biodiversity Day 2024” murals were also launched at the diving site in Anilao Batangas, in the province of Marinduque which is said to be the geographical center of the Philippines, in the “abaca capital of the Philippines” Catanduanes, in the “summer capital of the Philippines” Baguio City, in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental known as the “center of learning in the South,” in the province of Agusan del Sur rich in natural attractions and wildlife, and in Arroceros Park that is known to be the “last lung” of Philippine capital Manila.

The DOT pointed out that its regional offices “are the number one proponents of sustainable tourism in the Philippines, along with concerted efforts from the private sector.”

Assistant Secretary Quisumbing declared that each unveiled mural “serves as a powerful reminder of our collective commitment to conservation, emphasizing that every action counts in preserving our environment.”

“By making small changes in our daily lives—such as adopting a more sustainable lifestyle and supporting local conservation efforts—we have the power to foster positive change together,” she said.

She added the public – including tourists, officials, and other stakeholders – “can redefine tourism by making it a force for good.”

Capture life's magic with vivo Y19s' 50MP Night AI Camera

Tweet

Step up your photography game with the vivo Y19s for as low as Php 6,499, the smartphone designed for those who live life in full color.

Equipped with a 50MP Night AI Camera and AI Photo Enhance, the vivo Y19s ensures that every shot is breathtaking, even at night!

Budget phone that revolutionizes night photography

The vivo Y19s redefines what a budget smartphone can achieve in low-light conditions. Its powerful 50MP Night AI Camera is engineered to capture crisp, vibrant, and detailed images, even in dim environments.

With advanced AI technology, it automatically optimizes your shots, making your photos vibrant and full of life any time of the day.

Even portrait shots look stunning! Check this out:

https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7443407000601382200 ]

 

Effortless editing with AI Photo Enhance

Complementing its 50MP Night AI Camera, vivo Y19s also boasts AI Photo Enhance, a tool that optimizes images in one click by intelligently adjusting the exposure, colors, and sharpness of your photography to ensure an Instagram-ready photo!

Stylish colorways to match your flair

Beyond its camera, the vivo Y19s is built for seamless, all-day use. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, watching videos, or gaming with friends, this smartphone is made to keep up:

• Bright and Vibrant Display: The 6.68-inch screen with 1000 nits peak brightness ensures clear visuals, even under direct sunlight.

• Enduring Power: With a 5500mAh battery and 15W fast charging, the vivo Y19s powers your day from start to finish.

• Durable and Stylish Design: Choose from Pearl Silver, Glacier Blue, or Glossy Black and enjoy IP64 dust and water resistance - style and durability combined.

Get yours today

The vivo Y19s is available for as low as Php 6,499 with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Ready to make your memories even more stunning? Grab yours today at the vivo e-store, Shopee, or Lazada, or visit the nearest vivo physical store!

Stream unli entertainment from HBO, Warner Bros., the DC Universe, and more in Max – powered by PLDT Home

Tweet

A brand-new streaming experience coming to your home when you apply for PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799!

Max – a brand-new streaming experience will now be available to more fans in the Philippines through PLDT Home. Fans can stream the latest blockbuster movies, groundbreaking series, iconic hits, real-life stories, and family favorites from beloved brands like HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Discovery, and beyond.

From December 10, 2024 to February 9, 2025, new customers of PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799 will have two months access to the Max Standard plan included with their subscription. T&Cs apply.

Home of fan favorite content

Fans can access Hollywood blockbusters, culture-defining shows, best in class real-life stories across food, home, lifestyle, and documentary, family favorites, as well as recent premieres such as the HBO Original Dune: Prophecy, Max Original adult animation Creature Commandos and many more. Subscribers can also stream favorites like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon,The Last of Us,And Just Like That..., The White Lotus, True Detective, and much more.

Enjoy HBO Originals including Dune: Prophecy, The Last of Us, Creature Commandos, and Succession on Max, now available through PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799!

From the best of Hollywood movies, including the complete Harry Potter movie collection, Dune: Part Two, Barbie, AquamanandThe Lost Kingdom, Wonka, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s beloved collections can also stream Friends, hits from the DC Universe, The Conjuring Universe, The Matrix, and Sex and the City. Fans in the Philippines can also enjoy Drag Race Philippines and local originals like On The Job on Max.

For the first time, real-life stories from Warner Bros. Discovery’s renowned unscripted programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID (Investigation Discovery), and HGTV will be available on one streaming destination, featuring hits including Deadliest Catch, Ghost Adventures, Property Brothers, Gold Rush, Dr. Pimple Popper, and Selena + Restaurant.

With Max, kids can also catch their favorite shows from Cartoon Network and CARTOONITO’s wide selection of content for kids and families from Adventure Time, We Bare Bears, and Tom and Jerry, to Looney Tunes and Teen Titans Go!

Better streaming experience

PLDT Home customers can enjoy an elevated streaming experience with Max on multiple devices (depending on their Max plan) with an easy-to-navigate interface including personalized recommendations, seamless search, genre rails, and brand hubs. Providing a more intuitive way of exploring Max, customers can create up to five unique profiles, each customizable with favorite characters as avatars, receive content picks based on viewing habits and customize profiles for kids, curated with age-appropriate content, and parental controls.

Catering to multiple types of households, Max’s subscription plans comprise the following:

Standard

● Stream on 2 devices at once

● Full HD video resolution

● Watch on more devices, including TVs

● 30 downloads to watch on the go

Ultimate

● Stream on 4 devices at once

● 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos as available

● Watch on more devices, including TVs

● 100 downloads to watch on the go (limits apply)

Iconic hits such as the Harry Potter movie collection, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning can be streamed on Max seamlessly with your PLDT Home Fiber connection!

Unli entertainment guaranteed

Max is PLDT Home’s latest addition to its roster of global partners in entertainment. As the Philippines’ leading digital services provider, it is working on more content partnerships to further provide customers with the best entertainment experience at home.

“As Max launches across Southeast Asia, we are pleased to expand our partnership with PLDT to bring even more quality entertainment and iconic brands to Filipino audiences,” Tony Qiu, GM, Greater China and Southeast Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery, said.

Meanwhile, PLDT Home First Vice President of Acquistion Marketing Patrick S. Tang said, “Our new and exciting partnership with Max is PLDT Home’s way of delivering not just unli entertainment to our customers, but also a reinforcement of our commitment to making quality time for Filipino families at home as fun, fulfilling, and meaningful as possible with its endless variety of entertaining content.”

“As the Philippines’ leading digital services provider, we aim to bridge Filipino families to the world’s best content platforms and other lifestyle innovations to further better their life at home in more ways than one.”

Enjoy unli entertainment on Max when you apply for PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799, with two months of access to the Max Standard plan included with your subscription. For more information on PLDT Home’s partnership with Max, visit pldthome.com/max.

From Property Brothers and Selena + Restaurant to Drag Race Philippines and We Bare Bears, there’s more to binge for each member of the family on Max – powered by PLDT Home!