Forum highlights growth potential of microinsurance

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Despite the lack of financial literacy and lack of insurance penetration in the Philippines, more and more low-income Filipinos are leveraging microinsurance thanks to the collaboration between government and the private sector.

The Microinsurance MBA Association of the Philippines (RIMANSI) recently held the 2018 National Microinsurance Forum, in observance of National Microinsurance Month, at the grand ballroom of the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

(L-R) Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed, Rimansi president Pelagia Mendiones, Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa, Canadian Ambassador John Holmes and CARD MRI founder and chairman Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip

The event, which was supported by Global Affairs Canada, was attended by more than 200 of the country’s microinsurance stakeholders from microinsurance mutual benefit associations (Mi-MBAs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs), regulators, promoters and supporters of microinsurance.  This year, the gathering of key microinsurance players and stakeholders provided the venue for discussions on the gains, challenges and prospects of expanding the reach of microinsurance, which included presentations on developments in regulations, outreach, market penetration, non-traditional products and distribution. 

Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed outlined the bank's initiatives in promoting greater financial inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the Philippines. Ahmed said, “Financial inclusion is a subject which is very dear not only to the government in terms of wanting to enhance financial capability in the country but it’s one initiative that Citi too is highly committed to. Over the last 5 years, Citi Foundation has invested over $50 million in financial inclusion efforts across Asia Pacific, where in 2017 alone, we invested $6 million in 10 countries, which supported 65 financial inclusion programs and positively impacted close to half a million people. Last year, Citi committed around P25 million in the Philippines and we have been supporting RIMANSI’s capacity-building program for Mi-MBAs since 2016. Now on its second phase, Citi Foundation’s grant supports the growth strategy of Mi-MBAs with the aim of impacting 5,000 households through the development of new distribution channels.” 

Keynote speakers of the forum were Canadian Ambassador John Holmes and Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa. They talked about Canada’s support for the rehabilitation and recovery of supertyphoon Yolanda-hit provinces through microenterprise and risk protection development initiatives; and on the positive growth of the insurance industry based on all indicators, including microinsurance coverage of now 32 million Filipinos and the issuance of an enhanced framework for insurance providers to use mobile applications in the distribution of insurance products.

The forum featured panel sessions on the future directions of MFIs, pilot initiatives of Mi-MBAs in reaching hard-to-reach areas, non-life calamity microinsurance and the government’s subsidized agricultural insurance program.  

The discussions highlighted the growth potential of MFIs. The more than 5 million unserved households were potential sources of the growth of microinsurance providers, especially Mi-MBAs. Partnership with non-traditional channels of microinsurance distribution was also promising but could face the challenge of operational systems and efficiency.  However, while a wide range of life, non-life, pre-need and agricultural microinsurance and risk protection products were available in the market, consumer education and literacy, efficient distribution, and connectivity, among others, remained as key challenges to be overcome by the microinsurance sector.

MiMAP (RIMANSI), a microinsurance resource center, is an association of 19 Mi-MBAs regulated by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines. MiMAP members have a combined coverage of 5.34 million households nationwide, insuring 17.92 million people through its basic family life insurance program that covers at least four members of each family, which pays only a single premium. 

In 2017, Mi-MBAs’ contributions and premiums reached P3.68 billion; reserves, P1.52 billion in equity value, and paid claims benefits totaled P908 million.  The Mi-MBAs have a shared mission of reaching 12 million members and insuring 48 million people by 2024.

For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph. 

Finding the Perfect Family Car

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"Sponsored post."

In many places in the world, having a car is a necessity, not a luxury. 

Every family needs a car that fits the lifestyle, suits the needs.

For some, it’s hard to know where to start when choosing a car. It’s so confusing that many people just believe recommendations from friends or buy something that catches their eye with wonderful design or seen at advertisements. 

Figure out what you need. There are some practical considerations to keep in mind. There’s a much better way to pick the right car, a practical approach that also allows room for some fun.

Here are some tips on finding the perfect family car:

• Assess Your Needs
• Set your budget.
• Choose the right or what car you want
• Research 
• Make a decision.

• Assess Your Needs

Functionality - It's best to think about what car you need — not just now, but in the future, too. How many passengers do you need to carry? If you have a big family, do you need a spacious family car? Do you need room for six passengers, or more? Will you be using children's car seats? Do you need a lot of cargo capacity? For your family, you’ll want enough room for everyone plus ample cargo space.

• Set your budget

Decide how much you can spend for your family car. How will you finance your family car. First, are you paying cash for purchasing your car ? You'll need to think about financing your purchase or lease. Figure out what car you can afford and how much can you really afford to allocate toward a car payment every month.

• Choose the right car

Choose the right car or choose what car you want to purchase. Narrow the field and choose the model that best serves your needs for your family.  Use a car finder tool to match your needs and budget.

Safety is a top priority. Test drive is a must. You also should test at least three cars, and review other comparable vehicles in the same class to make sure you haven't overlooked an even better choice and setting the parameters that are important to you. You can also compare vehicles you chose to more easily contrast features and specifications.

• Research 

Research. Research. Research.  Make interviews and talk to friends and family, ask them many questions and most importantly check online.

Before buying for the family car you need, gather as much information as possible, it is really very important to have a proper information about the car you need to purchase, so that you don’t make mistakes.

There are a lot of information online so take advantage of that. One of the best places to visit when trying to purchase a new family car is Cars.Com -  This site provides extensive reviews and essential information about a wide variety of cars, with videos, reviews, photos and lots more.

• Make a decision

Then you’ll have a family car that you’ll enjoy and that serves your need.

Leave us a comment below and or tell us how you enjoy the wonderful world with your family car.

Shop easy at Robinsons Appliances with GCash Scan to Pay

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Buying new home appliances or electronic gadget requires a big amount of cash. For those who plan to purchase but are uneasy about withdrawing and bringing a lot of cash, using GCash scan to pay is one way you can eliminate the stress. 

With GCash’s latest partnership with Robinsons Appliances Corporation, customers can now easily use the GCash scan to pay feature at its branches by simply downloading the latest version of the GCash App on their iPhone or Android phone, registering an account and loading up their GCash wallet at any of the 12,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide—including Robinsons Business Centers.

Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt  with Hope Gokongwei-Tang, General Manager of Robinsons Appliances Corporation.

Robinsons Appliances Corporation is the appliances and consumer electronics format of the publicly-listed Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.—the second largest multi-format retail chain operator in the Philippines and now one of the newest adopters of the scan to pay feature of GCash. It currently operates about 100 branches nationwide, offering a wide selection of quality appliances and consumer electronics to consumers.

“We are happy to partner with GCash in their new payment service.  This delivers on our commitment to continuously improve our service by offering a more convenient and better shopping experience to our customers here at Robinsons Appliances” says Hope Gokongwei-Tang, General Manager of Robinsons Appliances Corporation.

“Even if cashless payment is still a new concept in the Philippines, by extending the reach of GCash to more Filipinos we believe we can encourage more and more people to adopt this service which can provide them with an easier, more convenience, and more secure shopping experience,” says Anthony Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Mynt, which operates GCash.

Robinsons Appliance and GCash are currently offering a promo for consumers in Metro Manila. Until the end of March this year, customers who will use scan to pay at any participating GCash QR merchants will get a 10 percent cashback of up to P500.

Using the GCash app, customers can easily pay by tapping Scan QR option on the app and point the phone's camera to the partner QR code to pay. By middle of April, Robinsons Appliances will be accepting cashless payments via GCash in all of its branches nationwide.

Vivo unveils the all-new ‘V9’ AI-powered FullView™ display smartphone in the Philippines

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Global smartphone brand Vivo has revealed its all-new sleek and stylish V9 flagship unit at the City of Dreams Manila in a summer-themed unveiling that was attended by over 200 members of the press and other guests.   

Vivo welcomed its guests late Thursday afternoon at the Wave, a contemporary poolside deck, restaurant, and bar so they can experience the V9 and take selfies and photos with the sunset as their backdrop. Vivo then picked one lucky and creative photo posted on Instagram to win a V9 unit.  

Vivo executives led by Brand Director Annie Lim answered some of the questions of the media during the V9 press launch. 

The program continued at the City of Dreams Grand Ballroom with Myx VJ Ai dela Cruz as the host. They were formally welcomed by Vivo Brand Director Annie Lim who recapped the smartphone company’s feats in the Philippines. Since it entered the Philippine market in 2016, Vivo has been steadily rising to become the country’s top three brand with over 5,200 stores and 1.5 million users nationwide.

Vivo’s Jomari Morales followed Lim's remarks by presenting all the goods on the V9. She highlighted the Vivo V9’s 90% screen-to-body ratio, the 24-megapixel selfie camera and 16MP+5MP dual read camera, and the AI-powered photography for a “perfect view” and a “perfect shot.” 

Morales also presented the Vivo V9’s improved game mode that would enable users to take calls or open other apps without pausing the gaming applications or play without any interruptions. 

After her presentation, Vivo’s Junior Brand Manager Christian Jocson revealed that anyone can enjoy a V9 for a “perfect” price of Php17,990 with pre-orders beginning on March 26 until April 2. 

Lim, Morales, Jocson, and Xian Gana from Vivo then answered the media’s questions during the Q&A. Their exchanges were focused on the Vivo’s plans in the Philippines and the V9's capabilities. 

Vivo Brand Director Annie Lim acknowledged the smartphone brand’s partners, Ayala Malls and SM Supermalls, during the launch of the V9.

Vivo partners, Ayala Malls and SM Supermalls, were also recognized during the event during the ceremonial exchange of tokens. Lim handed the malls' representatives with a Little V doll. 

Fresh faces of Vivo 

Vivo also welcomed its newest endorsers, up-and-coming actors Edward Barber and Ivan Dorschner. 

Barber is the onscreen partner of young actress Maymay Entrata who also joined the event. Entrata was the first who joined Vivo in September 2017 during the launch of the V7+. His endorsement deal with Vivo is something MayWard fans have been patiently waiting for since the pair already worked together for the smartphone brand during their first Making Mega shoot in Germany last year.   

Dorschner, meanwhile, charmed the press with his good looks and charisma. He was one of Kuya’s guests in Pinoy Big Brother in 2010. Since then, he became one of GMA Network's top leading men after starring alongside young actress and fellow Vivo endorser Barbie Forteza in the primetime series "Meant To Be."

Aside from the launch of the new flagship smartphone V9,Vivo also introduced its newest endorsers, Ivan Dorschner and Edward Barber. 

Barber, Entrata, and Dorschner also picked three lucky winners of the Vivo V9 during the raffle. They also joined the Vivo executives for a toast for the V9. Also with them onstage were other Vivo endorsers young pop soul singer Sassa Dagdag, acoustic singer-songwriter TJ Monterde, and balladeer Jason James Dy who closed the night with their performances. 

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. 

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. 

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa helms“The Nobu Experience” - a one-night culinary affair at Nobu Manila, City of Dreams

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World-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will be in Manila to host “The Nobu Experience”, a one-night culinary affair at his eponymous restaurant at City of Dreams Manila on March 31, from 5 pm to 11pm. The experience will have the guests moving around the room, interacting with him and Nobu Manila’s chefs, indulging in dishes that are passed around canapé style, complementing those served exquisitely on a buffet counter, or prepared a la minute in live action stations.   

Capping his  month-long promotional tour to key cities around the world to visit select Nobu hotels and restaurants in London, Milan, Munich, Paris, New York, Melbourne, Perth and  Kuala Lumpur, Chef Nobu makes his last stop in Manila to spearhead a dinner for the third time since the restaurant’s opening in 2015.Chef Nobu is the recipient of the prestigious GQ Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 British GQ Food & Drink Awards, an accolade presented to him 23 years since opening the first Nobu restaurant in New York.

With the support of Nobu Manila’s Head Chef Michael de Jesus and Head Sushi Chef Kirika Oi and their team, the celebrated chef’s March tour finale dinner showcases  his Japanese-Peruvian fusion artistry in the selection of handcrafted finger food and other dishes to be served in strategic stations: the sushi bar for cold dishes, robatayaki station for assorted charcoal-grilled meats and seafood, a teppan table for meat carving items and another for salmon and shrimps, and a dessert corner for  signature pastries, sorbets and specialty desserts  made a la minute. 

A number of  dishes will be served to diners at table seats: freshly made hors d’oeuvres from the cold kitchen – such as Japanese Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Bigeye Tuna Sashimi Salad Skewers in Matsuhisa dressing, Tachiuo (swordfish) Dry Miso on Endive, Lapu-Lapu New-Style Sashimi; and Japanese Octopus Tiradito – and canapés fresh from the hot kitchen such as Rock Shrimp Creamy Spicy, Black Cod Butter Lettuce with Crispy Kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry), Nobu Mini Tacos (King Crab, tuna, Wagyu, salmon avocado, and pork), Chilean Sea bass with Jalapeño Miso, Umami Chicken Wings with Sweet Soy Anticucho, Green Papaya Salad with Yuzu Dried Miso, Mixed Seafood Ceviche with Quinoa, Aka Miso Braised Short Ribs with Tofu Crema, and Roasted Baby Corn with Aji Amarillo. 

The carving station at the teppan table highlights Nobu-Style Wagyu Pastrami Sliders and Wagyu Gyoza with spicy ponzu sauce. The robatayaki station features assorted kushiyaki skewered & grilled beef, chicken, chicken skin, squid, baby octopus, leeks, and shiitake stars. At the sushi bar, a buffet of Nobu specialties includes Sake cup sushi, Kumamoto Australian oysters with Nobu sauce, Kohada (local gizzard shad), Norwegian Salmon Toro Nanbanzuke (deep-fried and flavored with red chili and leek, then soaked in vinegar), Japanese Uni Shooter Sake and Ponzu, Manila Prawn Cocktail; and Seared Norwegian Salmon with Karashi su Miso. Also at the sushi counter sushi, maki and sashimi are prepared to order, as sashimi  are sliced fresh from the fish  display.

The dessert action station features decadent treats prepared a la minute: Chocolate Bento cake, , Mini Miso Cappuccino, Nobu-Style Halo-halo consisting of shaved iced from either fresh fruit-infused Fiji water or fresh coconut water, and sake-infused yuzu, raspberry, and blueberry sorbets. Assorted mini pastries complete the selection, namely: Azuki Bean Crème Brulee, Green Tea Royal, Yuzu Dome Cake, and eclairs. The Chocolate Satandagi (fried donuts with a melted dark chocolate filling) will be the pass-around dessert. 

The one-night dinner experience with Chef Nobu is at P10,000 net per person and includes the canapé dinner, a meet-and-greet and photo ops with the celebrity chef, and a signed copy of  his book, “Nobu: A Memoir”. 

For reservations, guests can call 800 8080, e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.