BCFI, PAGCOR Water Fountain Music & Lights Show opens in Baguio
Visitors of the Upper Wright Park here were treated to a dazzling spectacle after the much-awaited Water Fountain Music and Lights Show was formally inaugurated at the Pool of Pines on September 8.
The city’s newest attraction, whose project concept was approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), was funded by the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) in the amount of P19 million. BCFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of Solaire Resort and Casino.
Baguio’s city government sought the assistance of PAGCOR in the installation of the Water Fountain Music and Lights Show at the Pool of Pines in line with its efforts to breathe new life into the Upper Wright Park while preserving its rich heritage and beauty.
According to BCFI Executive Director Filipina Laurena, they readily agreed to partner with the local government of the country’s “Summer Capital” in carrying out the project as they believe in its potential to reinvent the Upper Wright Park’s identity as one of the city’s most visited spots.
The Water Fountain Music and Lights Show project is part of the casino licensees’ provisional obligation to allot a portion of their revenues to their foundations every month to fund projects related to education, cultural heritage, environment and health.
GSIS celebrates teachers’ month with enhanced loan program at 6% rate
State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has unveiled the Multi-Purpose Loan Flex program (MPL Flex) to public school teachers and other GSIS members in celebration of the National Teachers’ Month.
The MPL Flex provides competitive interest rates starting from 6% and extends the repayment term to 15 years from the previous 10-year limit.
The lower interest rate and longer payment term translate to lower monthly payments.
GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said that the MPL Flex provides an “important lifeline to teachers to improve their financial capacity by using the loan for their various needs including capital to start their own business.”
The program also allows members with a mere one-month premium contribution to apply, as opposed to the earlier three-month contribution requirement.
In addition, full repayments before the end of the loan term will incur no pretermination fees.
Eligible applicants are active and special members not on unpaid leave during the application period. They should have made at least one premium payment in the six months leading up to their application and have no pending administrative charge.
Veloso said that those struggling with outstanding arrears on their GSIS loans can also seek assistance through MPL Flex, with first-time beneficiaries benefiting from a waiver on surcharges.
Members can apply via the GSIS Touch mobile app, GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks, or in person at any GSIS branch.
First Metro joins Brigada Eskwela 2023
First Metro Investment Corporation, together with its subsidiaries First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation and First Metro Asset Management, Inc., embarked on a transformative CSR mission through Brigada Eskwela. Employee volunteers of the First Metro Group joined hands to provide a more conducive learning environment for the students of Jacinto Zamora Elementary School (JZES) in Paco, Manila by repainting the classrooms and school canteen in time for the opening of classes.
The First Metro Group also donated buckets of paints and essential painting materials. Through the vibrant transformation of the school premises, the Group hopes to inspire a love for learning and foster a learning environment where young minds can thrive and grow.
Brigada Eskwela is an annual event that brings together parents, teachers, students, local government units, and various stakeholders to prepare public schools, aiming to create a safe, clean, and conducive learning environment for public school students. The theme of this year’s Brigada Eskwela is “Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan”. In photo are First Metro Group officers and staff together with JZES faculty and personnel and volunteers from the Philippine Air Force
EastWest Bank’s JCB Credit Card Recognized as Best in the Philippines
Last August 16, EastWest Bank was awarded for offering the “Best Credit Card in the Philippines” by The Asian Banker Philippines Awards 2023. JCB is the only international payment brand based in Japan, offering high quality payment solutions and technologies that are trusted worldwide. EastWest Bank’s JCB Credit Card brings customers closer to the Japan experience when traveling, shopping, and dining in the Philippines, in Japan, or anywhere they go, allowing them to enjoy rewards and savings, elevate their travel experience and indulge in JCB Platinum Travel and Lifestyle Privileges.
The Asian Banker Excellence Awards are among the most rigorous, prestigious, and transparent country-level award programs for consumer financial services and technology in the Philippines. They recognize financial institutions for their vision, execution, market-leading financial service propositions, outstanding achievements, and best practices.
The Asian Banker Philippines Awards recognizes achievements in retail financial services and technology innovation, specific to financial institutions, banks, and non-banks, in the Philippines. This year’s ceremony was held at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati City.
EXTRAAA Deals to Enjoy at ShopBack this 9.9
ShopBack, Asia Pacific’s premier shopping, rewards, and payments platform, is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated 9.9 sale. With over 600+ brand partners, ShopBack ensures this 9.9 would be the ultimate savings and rewards experience for all. This season, it’s all about getting EXTRAAA every time you shop – this is the main theme for ShopBack’s sale season campaign this year.
From September 4 to September 11, a lineup of EXTRAAA offers, promotions, and surprises is bound to enhance your shopping experience. The week-long event will span across ShopBack’s diverse range of merchants. From fashion to travel, mom and baby, beauty, and food brands, ShopBack has something for everyone.
During this period, users can enjoy a staggering up to 50% cashback on select brands and categories, such as Edamama, Unilever Beauty (select SKUs), and more.
ShopBack is making those ETXRAAA bonuses come easy with other promos and giveaways that don’t involve purchasing.
Moreover, users can also tune in to some of their favorite influencers like Mimiyuuuh, Mommy Diaries, and more to win more prizes. Mimiyuuuh, for instance, would be giving away P9K during her Facebook live on September 8, 6PM.
Big deals from HONOR smartphones
Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, is going all out this 9.9 Sale on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok. Up to Php 2,000 worth of discounts are up for grabs with exciting bundles and FREE shipping nationwide.
“Choose from our wide range of hot-selling smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other accessories, and grab them at discounted prices this 9.9 Sale! Devices such as the HONOR 90 5G and HONOR Magic5 Pro will also come with exciting freebies, perfect for whichever type of lifestyle you may have,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.
From the record-breaking HONOR 90 5G to the viral HONOR Magic5 Pro as well as HONOR X Series, you can get up to Php 2,300 off and a FREE HONOR Band 6 worth Php 1,790 when you shop on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok from September 9 to 13, 2023!
And until supplies last, you can also get amazing freebies for every purchase of select HONOR gadgets. Early bird customers will receive an HONOR Earbuds Pro gift for every purchase of any HONOR Device. Receive a FREE Magic Keyboard worth Php 5,990 when you buy an HONOR Pad 8 while you can get a FREE Premium HONOR bag worth Php 2,000 for every purchase of HONOR MagicBook X 14 or MagicBook X 15.
SeaBank Philippines Wins Top Honors at Global Payments Innovation Awards 2023
SeaBank Philippines, Inc. (A Rural Bank) won the top award in the Best Security Application in Payments Initiative category and the highly-acclaimed recognition in the Best Data and Analytics Application in Payments Initiative at the Global Payments Innovation Awards 2023. This year’s Global Payments Innovation Awards, organized by The Digital Banker, received a record number of submissions from over 300 banking institutions across 6 continents.
SeaBank’s implementation of world-class security standards has been a key priority of the Bank, leading it to a win in the Best Security Application in the Payments Initiative category.
SeaBank also takes an unconventional approach by warning its customers of potential system issues at other banks before the affected banks formally announce it.
SeaBank Philippines, Inc. (A Rural Bank) provides a wide range of financial products and services aimed at helping improve the lives of many through technology. Regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, SEARB was formerly known as Banco Laguna, Inc. (A Rural Bank since 1965) and is majority-owned by Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a global consumer internet company founded and headquartered in Singapore and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
SeaBank PH is committed to improving accessibility to financial services among rural communities and the underserved through customer-centric banking solutions with best-in-class UI/UX and market-leading digital propositions anchored on exemplary customer service and data security.
