The Kitchen Mom by dhess

Remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), digital workers, and SME owners surge during the holiday season, as many Filipinos abroad send extra funds to support family celebrations, year-end expenses, and business investments. In December 2023, remittances hit a record $3.6 billion, a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This seasonal boost provides essential financial support for Filipino households and local businesses, covering holiday needs and fueling consumer spending. Digital money movement solutions are making it easier than ever for OFWs, digital workers, and SME owners to send money home. This has driven a surge in remittance volumes, especially during the holiday season. With 75% of Filipino senders using digital apps in 2023, according to Visa's Money Travels: 2024 Annual Remittances Adoption report, they can transfer funds with greater convenience, speed, and security. From the Philippines to the world: supporting digital workers and SME owners However, the mo...

  BDO Unibank’s wide footprint in Bacolod and Negros Occidental ensures that people can easily access its wide range of products—whether it’s for their personal savings, loans, investments, or businesses—tailored to each customer’s unique needs, wherever they may be in their financial journey. Branches as the preferred channel Negrenses continue to prefer over-the-counter transactions, with 82 percent done through branches as of March 2024, based on the latest data. This underscores the BDO's branch as a vital customer touchpoint, particularly in a province where sugar is the primary industry, supported by agriculture as the main source of livelihood (sugarcane, rice and corn farming, livestock and poultry, fishing and aquaculture); agro-processing related to sugar like sugar mills, refineries, and ethanol production plants; manufacturing, especially food and beverage production; and retail and trade. Farmers, fisherfolk, and factory workers often choose to go to branches for their...

  A number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Negros Occidental will soon be able to utilize BDO Unibank's cash management services (CMS) not only to efficiently manage their cashflow, but also to serve as an important financial inclusion tool for their own employees. In an SME Forum titled Usapang Negosyo held recently at the Circle Inn Hotel & Suites in Bacolod City hosted by BDO, SMEs witnessed firsthand how BDO's bundled CMS package consisting of Business Online Banking, payroll and check disbursement will be able to help their businesses run smoothly by leveraging on the bank's online and digital solutions. But what really piqued their interest was how the payroll of CMS will help them automate their own payroll preparation and delivery. Under this feature, SMEs will open savings accounts for their employees, thus enabling their staff to receive their salary semi-monthly through their accounts. This will be of great importance to SMEs as a number of them sti...

  HONOR Philippines Country Manager Sean Yuan and Vice President Stephen Cheng with Comworks Area Supervisor Antonio Ho and Fishermall Malabon Assistant Operations Manager Myrene Brian Limoncito Manila City, Philippines, December 9, 2024 – Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines just opened its newest store in Fishermall Malabon. After the back-to-back launches of HONOR X7c and HONOR Magic V3 in November, HONOR Philippines just dropped its exciting deals for the entire month of December. You can get up to Php 15,000 worth of exclusive freebies for every purchase of HONOR smartphone until December 31, 2024! "This is really the season of giving. That’s why we, at HONOR, try our best to give back to our loyal HONOR fans. Get more than what you paid for this December! For every purchase of an HONOR Smartphone, you can get a freebie," shared Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. If you are eyeing HONOR’s flagship smartphones HONOR Magic V3 and HONOR M...

Manila, 4 December 2024 – Payments are undergoing a significant evolution, driven by advancements in technology and evolving consumer behaviors. In 2025, the payment landscape globally and in the Philippines is set to become more seamless, secure, and interconnected, according to Visa, a global leader in payments technology. These changes reflect a broader movement toward efficiency and inclusivity, reshaping how individuals and businesses engage with digital transactions.  This shift unlocks diverse purchasing opportunities and fosters greater confidence in embracing global e-commerce. At the same time, businesses harness innovative tools to optimize operations, elevate customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge in a tech-driven market. With the expansion of cross-border e-commerce and the adoption of dynamic security frameworks, here’s a closer look at the trends redefining how Filipinos pay, shop, and do business in 2025. Trend #1: E-commerce will continue to expand F...

'Tis the season to be shopping to avoid the Christmas rush! Thanks to the convenience of shopping totally cashless and cardless through the BDO Pay app, shopping for Christmas gifts will have a different kind of rush, not the frenetic kind. BDO Pay, through its Scan to Pay feature, minimizes the hassle in paying for transactions by linking the shopper’s BDO Savings Account, Checking Account or Credit Card with the mobile app. This eliminates the need for 'loading up' their e-wallet account and spending for transfer fees, making purchases faster, easier, and more secure. Mixing and matching to get the latest deals  Aside from the convenience of cashless and cardless shopping, BDO Pay lets shoppers enjoy BDO Deals on the app, allowing them to take advantage of exclusive promos, rewards, and rebates available for their cards and accounts.  For example, shoppers can use BDO Pay to charge their groceries to their bank account; and then charge to their credit card to treat their ...

MANILA, Philippines, 29 November 2024 – Moda Interni’s The Luxe Collective: Celebrating Art, Design, and Community brought together design enthusiasts, art lovers, and lifestyle advocates at its showroom in Quezon City. The event highlighted the synergy of Filipino artistry with global modern luxury, featuring local creativity with renowned Italian furniture brands. Introducing visual artist Rachel Ngan Duenas, fashion designer Yumi Christina, and chocolatíer Christian Valdes, the event explored their journeys and how their crafts elevate contemporary living. Paired with curated brands from Moda Interni’s portfolio, they showcased how art, culture, and design can transform homes into personal sanctuaries. The event marks the beginning of The Luxe Collective series, where Moda Interni reinforced its commitment of integrating Filipino creativity and global luxury design into everyday living. “Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating spaces that tell who we are,” said Gold...

AMONG Filipinos, festival events—or commonly called fiestas—hold cultural significance that bring family, friends, and the entire community together. Fiestas showcase the country's heritage and provide an opportunity for Filipinos to celebrate in unison through parades, lots of food in every household, and festivities all day long. As part of a fabric of a community, BDO Unibank celebrated its own BDO Fiesta by bringing joy and financial knowledge to the very people it serves, through different products and services that benefit individuals, families, businesses, and communities.   We are part of the community. BDO personnel gamely facilitate the registration process and address queries from clients on various BDO products and services during the BDO Fiesta held in SM City Bacolod. BDO Fiesta in the Sugar Bowl Following the success of the BDO Fiesta in the Ilocos province, BDO went to Bacolod to promote Tara na sa BDO! Sa bangko, sigurado. Glitzy. Celebrities like (from left) ...

   Gear up for a day of maximum fun and excitement as value mobile brand TNT takes its 5G connectivity to the “max” with a FREE show headlined by Joshua Garcia, Darren Espanto, Alexa Ilacad, and more on Nov. 29, Friday at Market! Market! in Taguig City.  Open to everyone, the TNT 5G MAX Masaya! event will also feature online celebrity Mimiyuuuh and performances by "It's Showtime" host Jackie Gonzaga, singer-songwriter and rapper KZ Tandingan, and the hitmaker OPM band Lola Amour. Experience TNT 'MAX 5G' first-hand Aside from offering world-class performances, the TNT 5G MAX Masaya! event also features exciting activities at interactive booths called ‘SAYA 5G Zones",’ which showcase TNT 5G Max’s fast and reliable connectivity. For example, those into mobile gaming can put their skills to the test at the Unli 5G and Turbo ML Station, while those who love creating content can head to the Saya All TikTok Station to share their own version of trending videos. Gues...

MANILA, Philippines, 21 November 2024 – With the holiday season approaching, it's the perfect time to reflect on the greatest gift we can give our loved ones: the gift of health. In the Philippines, where family is deeply valued and health challenges persist, prioritizing family wellness is more important than ever. This year, let’s embrace wellness as a family affair, ensuring we can enjoy many more holidays together. Gift of Health: A Thoughtful Approach to Gifting While undernutrition remains a significant issue in the Philippines, as reported by the World Bank Group, the outlook is brighter. Projections from the World Health Organization suggest that between 2018 and 2025, the number of Filipinos enjoying improved health and well-being could increase by as many as 13.7 million. As the year draws to a close, this holiday season presents an ideal opportunity to extend care to all family members, not just to be part of that 13.7 million but to also inspire more Filipinos to pursue...

  BDO Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and BDO President and CEO Nestor V. Tan led a time capsule-laying ceremony on November 15, 2024, marking the commencement of construction of the new BDO Corporate Center Makati. The Makati complex is one of three BDO main office complexes, alongside the existing BDO Corporate Center Ortigas in Pasig City and the nearing-completion structure of BDO Corporate Center Cebu in the Visayas.  Sustainability contribution is a key priority, which drive practices to not only address environmental concerns, but also enhance human comfort while reducing operational costs and contributing to a more resilient structure which will be enjoyed by generations. All these contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change and create healthier and more inclusive communities.  Breaking ground. BDO Unibank Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson (5th from left) and President & CEO Nestor V. Tan (center) led a time capsule-laying ceremony on November 15, 2024 t...

  Manila, November 15 – Innovative technology brand TECNO has announced the debut of its latest smartphone in the Philippines, the SPARK 30 Series, featuring a dynamic lineup of four models including an exciting SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition. The new series brings revolutionary durability and playability with 5-year guaranteed lag-free performance, more immersive audiovisuals, an incredible main camera and much more. The SPARK 30 Series features a special TRANSFORMERS Edition, under license by TRANSFORMERS brand from leading toy and game company Hasbro, made up of a SPARK 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition and SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition. In addition to their powerful performance, these special devices feature iconic TRANSFORMERS elements, delivering iconic design, entertainment, and interaction like never before. “The SPARK 30 Series is poised to revolutionize the smartphone experience, offering a symphony of unparalleled features and a coveted exclusive TRANSFORMERS Edition,” sa...

PATULOY na pinag-iingat ang publiko laban sa tinatawag na "vishing" o voice phishing scam na kadalasang tumatarget ng mga bank depositor o online bank account client para nakawin ang kanilang pinaghirapang pera. Ang vishing ay isang modus ng scam kung saan ang scammer ay tumatawag upang makumbinsi ang kanilang nabiktima na magbigay ng sensitibong impormasyon tulad ng bank account details. Kapag nakuha na ang nasabing impormasyon, dito na maaaring nakawin ng scammer ang laman ng bank account ng biktima. Ayon sa BDO Unibank, narito ang ilan sa kadalasang ginagamit na modus ng mga vishing scammer upang mangbiktima: Tatawag sa biktima at magpapanggap na representante ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno, bangko, o di kaya'y magpapadala ng text o direct message para sila na mismo ang tawagan ng napili nilang biktima. Upang makumbinsi ang biktima na sya ay lehitimo, gagamit ang scammer ng impormasyong tungkol sa credit card o bank account ng biktima bilang dahilan ng kanyang pagtawag. ...

  Six brands made by food and beverage firm Universal Robina Corp. (URC) are still among the top choices among millions of Filipino households, according to brand consulting firm Kantar Group’s Brand Footprint report Three of these brands – C2, Nissin and Cream All – rose in rankings in the yearly study. Great Taste is among the top 10 most chosen brands in Total FMCG and Beverages sector while Piattos remains among the most chosen food brands.  Payless, meanwhile, landed in the list of 20 most chosen food brands for the first time. “We are happy to see that our well-loved brands are reaching even more Filipinos, delighting them with good food choices everyday,” said Mian David, URC’s chief marketing officer and managing director of URC International. “This report also inspires us to continue giving Pinoys products of superior quality and value. Indeed, Great Taste, C2,Piattos, Payless, Nissin and Cream All are just some of our brands loved by Filipinos across generations,” sh...

Christmas is truly a one-of-a-kind celebration in the Philippines. As the special day approaches, Filipinos pour their hearts into making the season more joyful and memorable for their loved ones. From festive reunions to thoughtful gifts, everything about Christmas in the Philippines is “all-out”.  And when it comes to gatherings, no Filipino celebration is complete without the best food that brings everyone together. At the center of countless Filipino tables is none other than Jollibee Chickenjoy—the perfect dish for an all-out Christmas celebration! Known for its crispylicious skin and juicylicious meat, Chickenjoy has been a part of Filipino families’ Christmas celebrations for generations, bringing not only the best in taste but also the best in joy. Jollibee conveys this message in their new Christmas campaign with the tagline “Para Pasko-est, Chickenjoyest!” To make Christmas truly “Pasko-est”—the most joyful and memorable it can be—there’s no addition quite like Jollibee’s...

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has partnered with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer, to enable the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Bacolod City. This marks Visa's second transit project in the Philippines, following its first transit project launch in Cebu. Today, Visa unveiled this initiative during the annual MassKara Festival, together with representatives from GTSI, GHL, and EastWest Bank, featuring 45 modern jeepneys equipped with Visa payment terminals. Passengers can now enjoy seamless, cashless transactions by tapping their Visa cards. The modern jeepneys also feature bus wraps promoting the EastWest Pay app, allowing users to link their EastWest Visa credit cards to Android smartphones for easy tap-to-pay purchases. Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: "We are thrilled to launch our second transit ...

   End-to-end digitalization of insurance is becoming a crucial strategy to boost insurance penetration in the Philippines, especially as recent data indicates a decline in coverage across the country. In 2023, insurance penetration in the Philippines sank to 1.6%, lower than the 1.73% recorded in 2022. This decline highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to make insurance more accessible and appealing to a broader population. Igloo, a regional insurtech, addresses low insurance penetration by leveraging technology and partnerships to streamline operations across the entire insurance value chain–from insurance and intermediaries to consumers. By digitalizing processes throughout the ecosystem, Igloo enables faster, more efficient services, seamlessly integrating insurance into everyday digital interactions such as e-commerce and travel bookings. driveEmpowering Intermediaries with a Digital Platform One key aspect of this digital transformation is the creation of...