Citi sees positive economic outlook in the face of global challenges, market headwinds

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Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, remained positive on the Philippines while sharing its mid-year economic outlook for 2017at an event exclusively held for Citigold clients.

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed welcomed clients to the event, and thanked them for their unwavering support and continued confidence in the bank. “Your presence here means that we have your trust. Without your trust, we would not have your business,” he said. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be your financial partner, providing financial solutions that meet your needs.”

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed (center) flanked by (L-R) Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc. President Lester Cruz; J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Supreet Bhan; Citi Philippines Retail Banking Head Rene Aguirre; and BlackRock’s Eric Mueller.

Ramon Tejero, Investment Product Head of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc., provided an insightful overview of the Philippine economy in the 1st half.

According to Tejero, the tax reform agenda presently being pushed by the administration should help prop up the economy to a higher level. While the economy is still very much driven by OFW remittances, he said the tax reform with its aim to reduce income tax payments, can play a big role in boosting local consumption.

In the same event, J.P. Morgan Asset Management Executive Director and Southeast Asia Funds Head Supreet Bhan gave an outlook on Asia, while Eric Muller of BlackRock’s Multi-Asset Strategies Group gave an update on global markets.

In his closing remarks, Citi Philippines Retail Banking Head Rene Aguirre assured clients that Citi will continue to offer personalized services and deliver world-class investment capabilities through Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc. (CFSI), Citi’s brokerage arm.

As the preferred wealth management partner in Asia and in the country, Citigold helps clients grow, manage and protect their wealth, and secure their financial future with its team of experts, unmatched research services, world-class products, global access, and exclusive privileges and rewards. 

For more information about Citigold, visit www.citibank.com.ph, go to the Citi branch nearest you, or call (632) 995 9888 for more details.

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Grosses P201.56-M, Biggest October Weekend Ever in PH

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Like a champion gladiator, Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok conquered the Philippine box-office for the Oct. 25 – 29 period, raking in a thunderous P201.56-M for the No.1 spot and bragging rights as the Biggest October Opening Weekend Ever in PH history.

The latest Thor action-adventure also claimed the 4th Biggest Opening Weekend for 2017 (following Beauty and The Beast, Wonder Woman and Spiderman Homecoming), as well as the Biggest Opening Weekend for a solo Thor title.

In comparison with recent Marvel Studios blockbusters, Ragnarok’s weekend rollout is 35% higher than that of Guardians of the Galaxy Vo. 2, 43% more successful than Doctor Strange, and outplayed Captain America: The Winter Soldier by 30%.

The three highest ranking cinemas in terms of sales are SM Mall of Asia (P7.92-M), SM Megamall (P7.38-M) and SM North EDSA (P7.06-M).

In fourth to tenth notches are Trinoma (P5.48-M), Glorietta 4 (P4.37-M), Greenbelt 3 (P4.04-M), Power Plant (P3.35-M), Greenhills Promenade (P3.15-M), Alabang Town Center (P3.07-M) and Uptown Place (P3.056-M).

Completing the Top 20 are Venice Cineplex (P3.052-M), SM Cebu (P2.94-M), Robinsons Magnolia (P2.92-M), Ayala Malls Cebu (P2.84-M), Shang Cineplex (P2.74-M), SM Aura (P2.63-M), Bonifacio High Street (P2.62-M), U.P. Town Center (P2.586-M), Eastwood (P2.582-M) and SM Southmall (P2.42-M).

Internationally, Thor: Ragnarok has topped the box office with $107.6 million in 52% of overseas markets, a week ahead of its U.S. release on Nov. 3.

Directed by Taika Waititi from a script by Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost and Stephany Folsom and Eric Pearson, Thor: Ragnarok picks up after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

In the film, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.

Now showing across the Philippines, Thor: Ragnarok is distributed by the Walt Disney Company.

GCash now available in Messenger!

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This is it! The convenient cashless lifestyle! Cashless payments and other services are available for all via Messenger .

Facebook is the new norm online, one of the most used online communication platform in the Philippines enabling people and companies to reach a wider audience and offer better service. 

GCash transaction is now accessible on Facebook Messenger.

With Messenger as the platform for the payment app GCash users will now be able to easily and safely send and receive money, buy load, and pay bills with the push of a button.

To start using its services on Facebook, you simply need to register to GCash, then link your account to Messenger by accessing the GCash bot or searching GCashOfficial. 

With GCash app, you can see instructions on :

• How to buy mobile 
• How to pay bills 
• How to send money via Messenger

Now I can pay bills and buy prepaid load. 

Last night, I really need to reply on a text message from a client. It was really late night. I found out that the mobile I used was empty, no load to use, no way to get out of the house to buy load. I check my GCash through my mobile and I did it! Cashless lifestyle experience! 

Through anytime you need, #GCashMoNaYan !!!

Try and enjoy GCash on Messenger! 

https://www.facebook.com/myrns.roman/posts/10212215755522085?pnref=story

Master The Perfect Dance Moves With Mastermind

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Mastermind has been wowing the public since they emerged in the entertainment scene as one of the finalists of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5.

The nine-man urban dance crew from Borongan, Eastern Samar is composed of Kristian Vienn “Pao” Gonzales, David Inere, Rey Baylon, Bryan Carlo Abunda, Raymund Arago, Adam Noel Bagares, Dale Johnson Odicta, Jester Brozas, and Ericson Apelado.

The synchronized street-dance styles like locking, popping, house and dance hall of Mastermind’s videos on social media earn number of views, shares, and likes that reach millions. Get into the beat and check out their hot moves in the dance covers of Despacito by Luis Fonsi, Shape of You by Ed Sheeran, Swalla by Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj, Roses by The Chainsmokers, 90s Medley, and Baby Shark, among others.

Mastermind has a long list of artists they have worked with including Ms. AiAi delas Alas, Enrique Gil, John Prats, Billie Crawford, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Soberano, Miko and Gab, among others. Aside from doing the choreography, they are the back-up dancers in ASAP, Banana Sundae, and Gandang Gabi Vice. 

The dance crew has come a long way since their early days as members of some obscure dance groups before becoming Mastermind.

Mastermind has a growing fan base that is supportive of all the dance crew projects. Mastermind is an acknowledge social media star whose dance videos generate millions of views. And some dance videos have set trends in social media. 

The members love what they are doing and it shows in their passion to continuously hone their craft and think of something new to offer the public. “We are always experimenting, always creating dance steps. And we enjoy doing it,” said Pao. 

When asked to describe Mastermind, the boys answered, “Hard work. Teamwork. Fun.”

Mastermind is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

New SKYdirect Subscribers Get Early Christmas Gift

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SKYdirect has an early Christmas treat for its new Prepaid subscribers from October 2017 to December 31, 2017.

SKY’s direct-to-home satellite TV service will open access to ABS-CBN HD, ABSCBN S+A, Cinemo, Yey, Knowledge Channel, GMA, TV5, and PTV 4 until March 31, 2018 without an initial load requirement.

Subscribers can look forward to clear and crisp viewing of hit Kapamilya shows such as “It’s Showtime,” “ASAP,” “Umagang Kay Ganda,” ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast “TV Patrol” and more on ABS-CBN HD.

Kids can feast on well-loved cartoons like “Spongebob,” “Peppa Pig,” and “Strawberry Shortcake” on Yey, and learn from Knowledge Channel’s “MathDali” and “K-High.” The whole family can enjoy “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano Action Marathon” on CineMo,and watch basketball, volleyball, boxing, and other sporting events on S+A (ABS-CBN Sports + Action).

The SKYdirect Prepaid Kit that comes with an HD Box is now at a lower price of P3,499 instead of the regular cost of P3,699. If subscribers wish to access more channels, they simply need to load from any of the available Prepaid Plans 99, 150, 250, 450 or Kapamilya 99.

Ordering is as simple as sending a text message to 23668. 

For more details, check out mysky.com.ph/christmasaya. Bonding with the family this Christmas will surely be exciting and wonderful by watching top-rating shows at home.

SKYdirect is the satellite TV service of SKY that gives Filipino families nationwide access to a rich channel lineup with the aim of strengthening the relationship of families at home. SKY Cable is the cable, direct-to-home, and broadband unit of ABS-CBN.