January 5, 2024

BanKo renews partnership with acclaimed actress Kathryn Bernardo. Photo shows Kathryn with BanKo Excutives (L-R) President Jerome Minglana; Chairman Josephine “Jojo” Ocampo; and Head of Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Rod Mabiasen, Jr.

BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., A Savings Bank (BanKo), the microfinance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), recently renewed its partnership with Asia’s superstar Kathryn Bernardo, as a member of the BanKo family for the second year.

As BanKo embarks on a mission to become the trusted microfinance partner of the masang Pilipino, it hopes to bring banking closer to communities by offering the right financial services at an affordable price. The bank is also doubling down its efforts on digitalization to make their products easily accessible by the masses.

“Our vision at BanKo is to build a better Philippines – one family, one community at a time – and this is embodied in each and every financial service we offer to a wide range of customers,” said BanKo Chairman Josephine “Jojo” Ocampo. “On behalf of BanKo, we’d like to thank Kathryn for once again placing her trust in us and for believing in our vision to help build a better Philippines. Kathryn is an exceptional actress and a young entrepreneur whose talent and charisma touch the heart of many Filipinos and resonate with BanKo’s brand promise of maaasahan, malalapitan, at mapagkakatiwalaan.”

“I’m excited to have another exciting year with BanKo. BanKo isn’t just a brand; it’s about helping more Filipinos to get a better life, and I’m grateful to be part of that. Thank you for placing your trust in me,” shared Kathryn.

This partnership further signifies BanKo’s renewed commitment to bring innovative banking experience to self-employed microentrepreneurs (SEMEs) and C2D salaried individuals. This forms part of the bank’s mission to promote financial inclusion by providing access to easy, convenient, and affordable products to serve Filipinos who plan to level up their business and uplift their lives, as reinforced by its tagline, “Sa BanKo, may ngiti ang bukas mo”.

In 2023, BanKo opened 26 new branch-lite units (BLU) in different locations across the country, bringing the total number of branches and BLUs to 346. The bank operates in 77 out of 82 provinces, with branches in 125 cities, serving as the sole representative of BPI in 152 of these areas.

In order to reach more Filipinos, BanKo has over 1,500 loan officers and associates, referred to as “BanKoMares” and “BanKoPares”, who provide personalized service by assisting clients from account opening to financial literacy discussions.

Additionally, through its partnership with Kathryn, a renowned actress whose authenticity resonates with diverse audiences, BanKo was able to extend its reach to the masang Pilipino. Her role as a ka-BanKo has helped bridged gaps and engage communities, enabling the bank to not just provide financial assistance, but also empower Filipinos through financial literacy. With the collaborative efforts of the BankoMares and BanKoPares, and Kathryn’s influence, BanKo endeavors to positively impact the lives of many Filipinos across the country.

Kathryn is a proud ka-BanKo. With her are BanKoMare Grace and BankoPare Ralph. BanKoMares and BanKoPares provide personalized service by assisting clients through every stage of opening an account or applying for a loan. They also offer financial consultations and literacy sessions to help clients achieve financial wellness.

In 2023, BanKo also announced that through NegosyoKo Loan, clients can now borrow up to P500,000 without collateral, providing them the opportunity to undertake more significant business ventures and expand their operations.

Furthermore, BanKo introduced the InstaCashKo Line, a ready-credit line tailored for both existing and new SEME clients, granting them on-demand access to cash. Year-to-date, BanKo has released P14.2 billion worth of business loans in 2023.

BanKo also offers PondoKo Savings, which is an ideal starter for those who want to save. Opening a PondoKo Account is simple and easy as clients only need to download the BanKo Mobile App and submit one valid ID. PondoKo is exceptionally inclusive, with a low initial deposit requirement of just P1.00 and offers 2% rebate for every purchase of prepaid load on the app. Depositors also benefit from the ease of transferring funds to other banks and e-wallets via InstaPay, free of charge.

Garnering a 24% market share in terms of volume of microfinance loans among Philippine banks, BanKo continues to be one of the country’s largest microfinance banks.

January 4, 2024

Whether it was a late-night snack, a morning boost, or urgent grocery run, foodpanda was the go-to online food and grocery delivery platform in 2023. With the start of another year, the platform shared the top food and grocery trends of the past year based on the collective orders of app users.

“We offer a wide variety of cuisines on the app, but we've seen that our customers’ top food orders have remained consistent throughout the years. In 2023, we saw many more customers try our services outside food delivery, through groceries, pickup and even parcel delivery,” shared foodpanda Philippines Growth and Marketing Director Patricia Jacinto.

Get ready to dive into the heart of foodpanda's top orders in 2023!

In a world that's constantly changing, there's one constant – the burger reigns supreme! It has held its ground as the undisputed champion of foodpanda’s deliveries for years. Fast food is a formidable force, both for delivery and pick-up.

Burgers landing the top spot for both deliveries and pick-up orders also reflects the dominance of fast food as the most ordered cuisine on the app, followed by Filipino dishes and western cuisines like chicken and pizza.

“Burgers have always been among foodpanda’s top orders over the years. It seems that our app users love to order what they can eat on-the-go and the taste they are familiar with, whether it’s for delivery or pick-up,” Jacinto noted.

When it comes to the most ordered grocery essentials, leading the band are none other than bread and liquor!

Our love for sandwiches and toast knows no bounds. Bread, the unsung hero of every kitchen, takes the top spot for pandamart, ensuring we never run out of carbs.

In foodpanda Shops, liquor emerges as the undisputed sovereign! It appears that a lot of foodpanda users are well-versed in the art of raising a glass to joyous occasions.

“The order basket of our app users are very diverse which is evident in the top grocery items. But it only goes to show that the foodpanda app has everything our customers want and need – from pantry essentials like bread to seasonal items like liquor,” Jacinto said.

As if the culinary delights weren't enough, foodpanda users are treated to a voucher extravaganza! The top three voucher rockstars – EATNA, FPASKO, and MERIENDA – have been the knights in shining armor, saving the day when cravings hit hard.

In a world where cash is often crowned king, foodpanda users are rewriting the rules! The battleground of payment preferences is a neck-and-neck race, with an increasing number of users embracing digital payments.

Jacinto added that they rolled out an e-wallet service for quick and easy app payments. “pandapay lets users top up funds to the foodpanda app, ensuring secure and convenient payment for food or grocery orders. Plus, we’re also throwing in some perks like cashback for discounts on future orders.”

Aside from the overall orders from app users, they also introduced at the end of the year the foodpanda Rewind 2023 – a special treat that gives users an exclusive look at their orders, top dishes, preferred cuisines, and more all available in the app.

The cool feature lets you look back at all the tasty stuff and essential items you've ordered with foodpanda. Because just like your music taste and playlists, your food orders deserve a shoutout too! If you haven't checked out yet, take a peek at your foodpanda culinary journey with Rewind 2023!

foodpanda is an on-demand food and grocery platform, dedicated to helping customers get their tasty favorites fast. Since its creation, it has grown to more than 170,000 partner restaurants in more than 400 cities across 11 Asian markets. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry.

foodpanda Philippines is dedicated to bringing food lovers their favorite meals from curated local restaurants in the Philippines. It currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the country and is continuously expanding. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.

Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery. The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda delivery partner and delivered straight to their doorstep.

January 3, 2024

Uncover the pathway to joyful celebrations with the Home Credits 0% installment offers

The holiday season brings not just cheers but also enticing deals! And yes, if you’re looking for convenient payment options for your Christmas and New Year purchases, Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company, has got you covered with its array of 0% installment offerings.

This yuletide season, Home Credit’s The Great 0% Festival is back for a limited time only, providing Filipinos with a chance to embrace the festive spirit while achieving personal and family goals through convenient payment options. This offer allows customers to indulge in a variety of lifestyle and tech products without worrying about interest rates, making dreams more accessible during this joyful season.

The good news is that you can still enjoy these amazing deals this holiday season, exclusively for Home Credit customers availing installments on select products. This amazing promo covers an assortment of items, ranging from mobile phones and laptops to appliances and furniture, all available through Home Credit partner stores or Shoppingmall.ph.

For Home Credit, ‘The Great 0% Festival’ stands as a powerful initiative, aiming to be the Filipinos partner as they resoundingly cheer ‘Laban Lang, Para sa Life Goals!’ The 0% interest rate on lifestyle and tech products is not just a financial service but also a means for Filipinos to realize their aspirations, especially during this festive season.

Emphasizing the benefits to users, the offer also focuses on enabling individuals to pursue their dreams and create lasting memories with loved ones. So whether one needs a smartphone such as iPhone 11 or Realme 11 Pro Plus 5G to connect with their friends and families; want new laptops like Acer Nitro 5, Huawei MateBook D15, Apple MacBook Air MGND3PP/A 13" to maximize productivity, of dream of home appliances such as Panasonic 9.4 cu ft Two Door Refrigerator, LG 1.0HP Dual Inverter Split Type Air Conditioner, Devant Ultra HD Smart TV 43" to elevate their homes, Home Credit is here to give them payment options that don’t break the bank.

So, hurry! Take advantage of these amazing deals! Make your dreams and aspirations this holiday season a reality with Home Credit’s The Great 0% Festival, available until January 30, 2024 only!

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 Shopping Mall Philippines.

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).

Home Credit Philippines is the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, providing access to credit through fast, convenient, and affordable financing in more than 15,000 partner stores nationwide. The brand offers a wide range of products from smartphones and laptops, home appliances and furniture, bicycles, and motorcycle accessories to electronics and hardware, sports equipment, and many more–offered at low or 0% interest rates in easy monthly installments.

In its 10th year in the Philippines, Home Credit has served over 10 million Filipinos. Beyond installment financing and related insurance services, Home Credit also offers cash loans, a virtual spending limit named Qwarta, and a credit card for its existing qualified customers. With the My Home Credit app, Filipino customers are just a click away to get the products they want for an elevated lifestyle.

More information on HCPH is available at www.homecredit.ph.

December 30, 2023

Discover the art of gifting this season with your favorite Filipino influencers Angel Dei, Riva Quenery, Celeste Cortesi, Kim Tappy and Vern Ong! Elevate your holiday celebrations with the perfect presents from FitFlop's ultimate gift guide.

From cozy classics to sporty soles and elegant slides, discover a curated selection that promises to add glamor and comfort, making this season truly extraordinary. Embrace the joy of giving with FitFlop!

With these comfy and stylish pairs, you and your loved ones can mix and match FitFlops, and make it your wardrobe’s staple.

Angel Dei (@angeldei) loves keeping it comfy in a pair of F-MODE Padded Leather Flatform Cross Slides. Cool, easy, and contemporary, these buttery leather slides are extra soft and silky on the feet. Made with FitFlop’s Microwobbleboard™ technology, these deliver ergonomic all-day comfort. This chic pair is the best gift for your BFFs (Try to resist the urge to steal it for yourself.)

Riva Quenery (@riva) sports a clean classic design with her Eloise Cork-Wrap Leather Backstrap Wedge Sandals. The straps are crafted in smooth high-quality leather, and its curvy adjustable buckles (in brushed metal for a refined feel) ensure they stay on for the busy moms this Christmas season. Show your love to Mom with this perfect pair!

Celeste (@celeste_cortesi) rocks the Surf Adjustable Leather Back-Strap Slides. A fresh and sporty take of FitFlop's legendary supercushioning Microwobbleboard™ midsole. The pair has a rubber outsole that enhances the grip, making these suited for light country trails as well as in the city, or on a busy holiday exploring on your feet.

Kim Tappy (@kim_tappy) fell head over heels in love (quite literally) with this classic pair. The super popular Rally trainers with curvy paneling are softly padded, fresh, and casual. The ideal present for someone who knows how to dress up a casual outfit with a good pair of sneakers.

Vern Ong (@vernfloresong) loves to style her Vitamin FFX Knits Sports with a casual monochrome. Perfect for both traveling and regular days at home. The sleek superlight sports trainer helps you move more and feel great. Biomechanically engineered for exercise and casual running, but equally good for dancing at this holiday’s get-togethers, the gift for someone who brings the party with them! The best Vitamin isn't in a pill, it's on your feet…

Explore the joy of holiday shopping at FitFlop’s exclusive last-minute Christmas Bazaar, running from December 15 to 25. Enjoy a delightful 20% discount on selected items available on the website. Find the ideal gift or treat yourself, but the savings don't stop there – usher in the new year with FitFlop’s year-end promo, taking place from December 26 to 31. Seize the chance to enjoy discounts of up to 20% on a range of selected items.

To make the most of these incredible offers, visit their physical stores at Greenhills, MOA, Trinoma, and Alabang Town Center.

Stay updated with Fitflop’s collection of products, and upcoming news on Facebook and Instagram.

About FitFlop

Founded in 2007, FitFlop is a global lifestyle brand renowned for its innovation and technology in footwear. With wellness at its heart, FitFlop creates footwear with an uncompromising mission to empower you to move better and feel great.

December 21, 2023

The Safe and Fair Programme culminated this year after a five-year implementation sharing success stories and lessons learned to foster a safer and fairer labour migration journey among women migrant workers. (L-R): Rex Varona, National Project Coordinator of Safe and Fair Programme, ILO; Asec. Jerome Alcantara, Assistant Secretary for Land-based Services of Department of Migrant Workers; Sally Barrios, President of OFW Negros Occidental Federation; Ellene Sana, Executive Director of Centre for Migrant Advocacy; and Claire Ruzzel Esturas, Senior Gender and Development Specialist of Philippine Commission on Women.

Manila, Philippines – Facing challenges such as discrimination, violence, labour exploitation, lack of access to decent work, and major social and economic disruptions in the country and globally, Filipino women and migrant workers are finding stronger partners and strategic opportunities through the Safe and Fair (SAF) programme’s initiatives aimed at creating gender-responsive migration policies, governance and safer labor migration conditions from recruitment, to working abroad and until return and reintegration.

The SAF programme is a regional initiative under the multi-year European Union-United Nations Spotlight Initiative which has invested EUR 500 million in projects throughout the globe to eliminate violence against women and girls. It is implemented through the joint efforts of the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – dedicated to enhancing the labor migration experience for Filipino women.

“Throughout its 5-year implementation, ‘Safe and Fair’ embodies a commitment to transforming the migration journey into a safer, more dignified, and empowering experience for Filipino women," said Rex Varona, National Project Coordinator of the Safe and Fair Programme.

Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines added, “The EU is proud to have joined forces with the UN in a pioneer effort to combat violence against women and girls globally through the Spotlight Initiative. Women OFWs are particularly vulnerable to a series of risks and the EU-UN Safe and Fair programme was designed to address many of those risks.”

The programme conducted legal and policy reforms, capacity building, and awareness-raising to respond to the critical issues faced by migrant women such as violence and discrimination, inefficient migration governance, and inaccessible services. Varona added that “by placing women’s voice, choice, and agency at the heart of our strategies, activities, and services, we are setting a new standard for labour migration.”

For instance, the programme contributed inputs to at least 16 key policy instruments to enhance the gender-responsiveness of labour migration governance in the Philippines, particularly the crafting of the law as well as the implementing rules of Republic Act (RA) No. 11641 in 2021 that created the Department of Migrant Workers, and RA No. 11299 of 2019 which created the office of the social welfare attaches. It also supported unions and relevant stakeholders in enacting ordinances in various LGUs to create or strengthen migrant worker resource centers (MRCs) and migration programmes or committees at the local level, and reviewing various laws including RA No. 10361 ("Batas Kasambahay"), expanded anti-trafficking law, expansion of mandatory insurance for OFWs, among others.

According to Lenlen Mesina, Country Coordinator of UN Women, the 5-year programme has been supporting and promoting women migrant’s safe and fair migration in the context of transitions facing and recovering from the pandemic, administration leadership, and the disasters on a constant basis. “UN Women is very pleased to see how policies at global to national level have been adapted and localized, but the completion of this project is something we also hope to sustain when it comes to key actions and promoting consistent implementation of policies and provision of important services needed by women anywhere, they are,” she added.

Rex Varona, National Project Coordinator of ILO’s Safe and Fair Programme, highlighted the policies that it has advocated in the past years including the ratification of C190, the first international treaty to recognize the right to a work free from violence and harassment. The Philippines is the first Asian country to ratify C190.

Since 2019, SAF worked in partnership with the Technical Working Group on C190, as well as the key government departments and tripartite partners in advocating for the ratification of ILO Convention 190, the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment. The Senate recently concurred with the ratification of C190 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s endorsement– making the Philippines the first country in Asia to ratify C190. “This is an important milestone for women and Filipino migrant workers. The C190’s policies will cover any physical, social, emotional, verbal, and even online harassment, and as long as it constitutes any form of violence in the workplace, regardless of your worker status,” Varona shared.

A total of 2,540 women from 4,330 duty bearers improved their delivery of psychosocial, legal, health, or social services, skills development, and reintegration support, among other gender-responsive initiatives, which benefitted 6,403 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, 4,388 of whom were women. Almost a thousand OFWs including those displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic or their family members (almost 800 are women), have been assisted with technical-vocational scholarships enabling them to earn national skills certification from TESDA.

The migrant resource centers in Negros Occidental and Tabaco City also provided safe migration services to 1,443 women migrant workers. In addition, the Quezon City MRC has assisted more than 1,043 cases up to November 2023.

Carina Cordero, a former migrant worker in Dubai who experienced sexual assault, attested to the responsive and quality services the program could provide when she won a case against her assailant. Upon returning to the Philippines, she dedicated her time to supporting women who experienced violence as an active member of the Center for Migrant Advocacy.

Filipino migrant workers and their families shared their stories in a culmination event in Novotel, Quezon City, where SAF also shared the lessons learned from its implementation with partners from the public and private sectors. The event closed with a cultural show entitled: “Tayo ang Tagahabi ng Buhay Natin” (We are the Weavers of our Lives) with performances from SENTRO Youth, Talisay City OFW federations, Kabaitan Bautista, Women of Theater, Cooky Chua, and the PETA Choir.

The UN continues to work with different sectors to ensure that women’s needs, whether they are working overseas or in the country, are addressed based on their rights.

December 20, 2023

December 19, 2023

December 16, 2023

December 14, 2023

EastWest, one of the fastest-growing banks in the country today, was recently awarded “Best CSR Initiative” by The Digital Banker at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards for the Bank’s project “Magenta Race,” a virtual run/walk and cycle for breast cancer.

In its debut year, EastWest employees rallied to raise funds for breast cancer detection and prevention of the beneficiaries of Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (PFBCI), also known as Kasuso.org. This was done through the launch of the very first Magenta Race—a virtual run/walk and cycle for breast cancer, which was able to raise a significant amount through the employees’ personal donations. The choice of magenta, a deeper shade of the pink that is associated with cancer awareness, wishes to express EastWest’s deeper commitment to this cause.

A total of 145 employees took part in the first ever EastWest Magenta Race, with 94 joining the run/walk, and 51 joining the cycle race. Proceeds coming from the registration fee, which included Magenta Run shirts, were collected as donations to PFBCI. But, notably, many of those who could not join the race itself still purchased shirts or made an outright donation to aid in the contributions.

Leading the Charge in the War Against Breast Cancer

During the awarding, EastWest expressed gratitude for the acknowledgement of their efforts, while also committing to continued efforts in the name of women and the fight against breast cancer. “Thank you for this incredible honor. We at EastWest are humbled to accept the best CSR Initiative Award, and we would like to extend our gratitude to The Digital Banker for seeing and recognizing our efforts. In the Philippines, breast cancer is the top illness among women, and EastWest being powered by 66 percent females, led by a female President, and founded by the first Filipina President in the banking industry, we wanted to support a cause that touches the hearts of so many of our people,” said Carmina Jeanne D. Roque, EastWest Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications.

“So, we organized the Magenta Race, uniting our employees in a virtual race to raise funds for the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our EastWest family. Our people showed incredible dedication, with many participants and generous contributions, and this recognition is a testament to the power of unity and commitment within our community. We at EastWest are determined to make a difference, to save lives, and to continue our journey of empowerment and awareness. Let’s keep the magenta flame of hope and compassion burning bright in our hearts,” concluded Roque.

Second Magenta Race Continuing the Legacy

Now on its second annual run, EastWest carries on its advocacy for breast cancer awareness by inviting more bikers and runners to participate. The second Race kicked off last October 13 with 119 runners and 29 cyclists.

For the ongoing and future Magenta Race events, EastWest and its employees will continue to don their running shoes, hop on their bikes, or simply extend their support through the purchase of a T-shirt, knowing that every stride, pedal, and purchase makes a difference in this battle against breast cancer.