SSS members are now required to sign up for an online account on their website before they can apply for a salary loan. 

In their most recent Real-Time Process of Loans (RTPL) Quick Reference Guide published on November 6, 2019, application of salary loans must now be done online starting November 11, 2019.

The publication they released stated the following:

“To avail of a Salary Loan, the member must register first at www.sss.gov.ph. Those without access to internet may proceed to nearest SSS Branch to avail of the e-Center facility for registration and/or loan application” 

Other assistance loans such as calamity, emergency, and education loans will still be filed in SSS branches for documentary requirements. Despite the exceptions, registration at My.SSS remains to be a mandatory requirement for the loan applications of all kind. 

The SSS is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) that operates the social insurance program for private-sector employees.  Members are entitled to a package of benefits under the Social Security and Employees’ Compensation (EC) Programs in the event of death, disability, sickness, maternity, and old age.

[Source]

The post No Web Registration, No Salary Loan – SSS appeared first on iMoney.ph.

Even before holiday bazaars for the Christmas season in December rolls in, America’s Thanksgiving Day ushers in one of the biggest shopping days every end of November – Black Friday! It is a day eagerly awaited by almost every shopaholic due to the ridiculous discounts that retailers in the US offer to the public.

This is basically an annual occasion in the US only, which is comparable to a holiday shopping bazaar, or even better. Tough luck for us Pinoys, right? Well, not really!

In the Philippines, many merchants are slowly adapting to the hype around the Black Friday Sale. A study about Black Friday in the Philippines done by Picodi in 2018 showed that 59% of the consumers who participated said they already have an idea what they’ll add in their baskets, and 91% of them saved money just for this occasion.  In turn, this becomes a great precedent for us to shop in advance for Christmas or simply to shop and save on some items which you have been eyeing!

In the US, Black Friday sale falls on the last Friday of November – this year it would be on November 29, 2019. Since the US is almost half a day behind, the sale might begin on November 29, 1 pm (Philippines Time), that’s 12mn Eastern Standard Time.

What time does Black Friday start in the Philippines?

It can be a little tricky due to international time zones. Philippine stores will likely start their sales at the beginning of the day on the last Friday of November. If you’re looking to purchase from an international retailer, you might have to pay attention to the different time zone in their country since it’s likely that’s when the sale will start too.

Shop and ship from the US

Shopping in US-based e-commerce sites used to be impossible for people living outside the US, as shipping is mostly limited domestically. There were some merchants that would ship to the Philippines, but they were pretty limited, and you might end up settling for the next best thing rather than what you were actually intending to buy.

Back then, although shopping directly in the US was a lot cheaper, as the prices had not been subjected to transfer pricing, you might find yourself spending more on shipping and even customs taxes.

Fortunately, with Philippine MyUS.com postal service, your shopping experience this upcoming Black Friday will no longer be bound to those limitation. This package consolidation company based in the US can provide you a US postal address to ship items to and have them delivered to you in the Philippines. Customs duty will also be lesser as your item will be consolidated with their other packages prior to getting shipped to you.

Where to find Black Friday deals

Black Friday in the Philippines isn’t as massive of a phenomenon as it is in the US. That’s why you may not be able to find great discounts associated to Black Friday in retail stores or in shopping malls.

While many local online merchants may throw in some Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, they’re probably less promising compared to the 11-11 or 12-12 occasions. But just in case you’re still looking forward to find some Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals locally, keep an eye for deals from these merchants.

• Shopee
• Lazada
• Zalora

Alternatively, you can scour e-commerce aggregate sites for some deals from all the local merchants. They can keep you in the loop for all those seasonal deals every now and then. Plus, they make it easier to find items that are suitable for your budget. 

• Iprice
• Shopback 

US-based merchants

Admit it, nothing beats actual Black Friday sale in the US (not even Lazada). So, if you are planning to go straight to the source of Black Friday sale, here are some pretty good options for Pinoys to have their online shopping spree on. 

[product name="RCBC Bankard Gold Card" image="https://www.imoney.ph/sites/v2.imoney.ph/files/rsz_gold-visa%20%281%29.png" link="https://www.imoney.ph/credit-card/rcbc/gold-card?src=internal_article_text_black-friday-guide-philippines" target="_blank" positionlink="mid_2_text_box_cc_product" feature="Earn Flexible Rewards Points/AIRMILES/Cash Rebates from all your purchases" cta="https://www.imoney.ph/credit-card/rcbc/gold-card?src=internal_article_btn_black-friday-guide-philippines" target="_blank" positionbutton="mid_2_btn_box_cc_product"]Unlimited Rewards on every purchase[/product]

US-based merchants

Admit it, nothing beats actual Black Friday sale in the US (not even Lazada). So, if you are planning to go straight to the source of Black Friday sale, here are some pretty good options for Pinoys to have their online shopping spree on. 

Amazon

Unlike Philippine-based shopping, Amazon has already kicked off their Black Friday deals as early as November 1, as part of their countdown to the actual Black Friday which is on November 29. However, the deals are limited to a few customers only on a daily basis.

According to their website, their Black Friday sale will cover electronics DVDs, kitchen appliances and accessories, toys, and gadgets.

Ebay

This is an online auction site, where you can find unique items being sold by individual sellers. Unlike Amazon, not everything on Ebay is brand new. If you’re looking to stretch your money further, perhaps this is the best place online to do that.

On this popular shopping day, you can also find great deals on clothing, toys, accessories, shoes, and kitchen gear such as appliances, cookware, and gadgets on Ebay as they are widely known to throw in bizarre discounts on those items on Black Friday. You’ll find a mixed bunch of brand new and secondhand items.

Nordstrom

This is pretty much a western counterpart of Zalora,  where you can find fashion brands for clothing and apparels. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a doorbuster deal from some of the famous luxury brands in the US!

[block type="info" title="Doorbuster deal"]

An item or selection of items which is given a special discount price for a limited amount of time. A term commonly used on Black Friday.

[/block]

Best bought on Black Friday

While almost everything will be on sale on Black Friday or during the sale (especially if you’re shopping directly from the US), not everything is worth buying.

Here are some items that can see a significant savings if you shop on Black Friday:

1) LED TV

This item pretty much depicts what a black friday sale looks like. It’s already given that TVs will go on sale during this season, and the deals in this category comes in many shapes and sizes. Not all deals are equal and apparently, the brand that stood out during last year’s Black Friday Sale were Samsung, RCA, and LG. 

If there’s one thing that’s constant in this category every year during Black Friday, it’s door buster deals. So expect those TVs to drop as low as $80 for 32-inches or $80 for smart TVs.

2) Smartphones

According to DealNews.com, the discounts on smartphones from well-renowned brands such as Apple and iPhone will be even more generous during this season. On top of discounted prices, they will come bundled with goodies!

Gleaning from last year’s Black Friday sale: Galaxy S9 which was the latest flagship that time and was priced at $720 (₱36,650), was sold for only $520 (₱26,470) bundled with an Echo Show (a tablet like Assistant like Alexa).  On top of the $200 (₱10,080) savings, a gadget priced at $300 (₱15,000) was included in the deal. 

Meanwhile, Apple may not be known to be a notorious Black Friday participant, but you can still take home a gift card worth at least $300.  Their deal on their latest flagship phones last year (iPhone XR and Xs) came with a $300 giftcard. While a $400 gift card was bundled with the older phone models then (iPhone 8 and X).

3) Toys

Since Black Friday is a precedent to Christmas, shopping for gifts couldn't be timelier. Even though toys usually get a mark down a few weeks before Christmas in almost all stores, their prices go back up a week before Christmas, and discounts during Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) are usually better than in any other days of the year.

4) Luxury apparels

According to a market expert, luxury brands such as Prada, Ray-Ban, The Sak, Oakley, Christian Dior, Tumi, Ferragamo, and a lot more rarely hold clearance sales on other days of the year. However, on Black Friday, many of these labels mark down their prices to 30% to 35% less and they can be found directly from these brand’s official stores or website. These items are a great bargain if you’ve been saving up for them or if you plan on giving it as a gift this Christmas season.

Tips and tricks for Filipinos for Black Friday shopping

Before getting carried away by the Black Friday fever, it pays to be cautious before you go ahead and jump the gun on your wallets.

1) Do your research

There are many retailers that publish their Black Friday deals even before November 24. This will give you the time to consider your options and fully ponder on the items that you want to purchase. Check the prices on other sites to make sure you’re really paying for a marked down item.
You can use websites like iprice.ph to compare and find out the average price of the item. If you are lucky, you may even find a better deal on their website as you shop for a cheaper price.

2) Check if the retailer ships to the Philippines

If you decide to shop around from US-based e-commerce merchants such as Amazon, some of their sellers may not ship to the Philippines. To work around that, you can sign up for MyUS.com postal service and get a temporary shipping address in the US. MyUS will receive your parcel, and then they’ll ship it to you in the Philippines. To manage the cost, add up the door-to-door shipping fees and ensure the total cost is still worth your money, despite the discount.

3) 40% off rule on clothing and accessories

When shopping for clothes online on Black Friday, strictly adhere to a 40% rule when it comes to discounts. If it’s less than that, that isn’t a good Black Friday deal for this category according to an expert.

4) Unknown electronic brands - proceed with caution

Stay away from gadgets and electronic products that are not from a reputable brand name. You might come across a tablet that’s just a fraction of a price of well-known brands, but many of them may have poor specs or short life-span. Before even considering these products, scrutinize their performance first and see if they’re worth your money.  

5) Consider out-of-pocket expenses

Shipping expenses and customs duties are just some of the extra spending that you should expect when shopping online, especially from overseas. Will it make sense to buy an item that’s on sale and pay for its shipping? Or will you save more if you just buy from an online local site like Lazada or Zalora? Weigh your overall expenses before hitting that “pay” button on your shopping cart.

6.) Check your warranty

This is mostly applicable to electronics and gadgets. Before purchasing an item online, make sure that after sales support is available in your area, or at least in the Philippines. That’s why you’re better off shopping for reputable brands as many of them provides global warranty.

Without a doubt, Black Friday is definitely a timely occasion to do your Christmas shopping while saving a few hundred or thousands of pesos. However, it isn’t an excuse to spend beyond your budget and splurge on things that you don’t really need. Black Friday or not, it pays to be cautious with your spending and see to it that you don’t end up paying more than what you could afford or buying something that you will only end up hoarding instead of using. Spend wisely!

Image from https://jewelleryquarter.net

The post Shopping Hack: Finding The Best Black Friday Deals appeared first on iMoney.ph.

Following last week’s pump price rollback, firms have announced earlier on Monday price hikes on petroleum products. 

Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex) has already implemented its price hike earlier today, December 3 at 12:01 am.  The price hike are as follows:

• ₱0.30 per liter of gasoline
• ₱0.65 per liter of diesel
• ₱0.50 per liter of kerosene

Meanwhile, PTT Philippines Corp and TOTAL Philippines Corp have also hiked their petroleum prices earlier at 6 am, but with the exclusion of kerosene. 

Cleanfuel, on the other hand, will implement the same changes 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4, with the exception of kerosene too.

Petro Gazz and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. have implemented the same petroleum price hike over the weekend. The rest of the firms not mentioned have yet to make any announcements.

The year-to-date petroleum price adjustments have already increased by ₱5.89 per liter for gasoline, ₱3.52 for diesel, and ₱0.75 for kerosene according to the latest data of the Department of Energy (November 12, 2019).

[Source]

The post Price Hike On Gasoline, Diesel, And Kerosene Are Coming appeared first on iMoney.ph.

Nokia Corp, a popular company that once dominated the mobile phone industry has announced on Tuesday that it is in talks with companies in the Philippines to set up 5G technology solutions for their businesses. 

The Country Head of Nokia Philippines, Andrew Cope,  said that it is currently talking to a number of industries at this point. 

During a media roundtable in Makati with reporters, Cope expressed how he’s unable to disclose further information at the moment, he said:

“I can’t, unfortunately, disclose … We’re hoping there will be some disclosures early next year,” 

Despite that, he is optimistic that at least “two to three” local companies will be deployed with 5G technology solutions in 2020. The Nokia official, however, is unable to disclose more specific details about the companies. 

“The plan is to find an industry partner that understands and sees the potential of 5G in the industry space to build a use case … Not just a use case but a business case for 5G in the industry,” Cope remarked.

According to Nokia, they are looking into mining, ports, anything that requires personal or public safety, and automation industries as key segments that will be heavily utilizing 5G technology.

Cope noted that this will be rolled out to some companies next year. When asked about how big and how far they’ll go, the Nokia official said he “really cannot comment.”

[Source]

The post Nokia Offering To Set Up 5G For Local Firms appeared first on iMoney.ph.

What are the application requirements?

Member-Borrower

• Member Loan Application Form
• SSS digitized ID or E-6 (acknowledgment stub) with two valid IDs, one of which has a recent photo.

If filed by Member-borrower's Authorized Representative

• Member-borrower's duly accomplished Member Loan Application
• Authorized Representative's SS card or any two valid IDs both with signature and at least one with photo
• Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by both the member-borrower and member borrowers’ authorized representative.
• Member-borrower's SS card or any two valid IDs both with signature and at least one with photo.

If filed by Employer/Company's Authorized Representative

• Member-borrower's duly accomplished Member Loan Application
• Authorized Company Representative (ACR) card issued by SSS
• Letter of Authority (LOA) from the employer and any two (2) valid IDs both with signature and at least one with photo
• Member-borrower's SS card or in its absence, application for SS card (SS Form E-6) acknowledgment stub and any two valid Ids both with signature and at least one with photo.
• Original or certified true copies of the supporting documents should be presented during the filing of the claim.

How do I apply for an SSS loan online?

1. A one-month salary loan is equivalent to the average of the member borrowers’ latest posted 12 Monthly Salary Credits (MSCs), or amount applied for, whichever is lower.
2. A two-month salary loan is equivalent to twice the average of the member borrowers’ latest posted 12 MSCs, rounded to the next higher monthly salary credit, or amount applied for, whichever is lower.
3. The net amount of the loan shall be the difference between the approved loan amount and all outstanding balance of short-term member loans.

• At least 36 months of continuous contribution.
• Currently employed with the employer for at least a year (for employed individuals).
• Monthly contributions must be up-to-date.
• The member-borrower has not been granted final benefit, i.e., total permanent disability, retirement, and death.
• The member-borrower must be under sixty-five (65) years of age at the time of application.
• The member-borrower has not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS. [/block]

1. Log-in to your SSS online account.
2. In your dashboard, hover over the “e-services” tab. It will drop down a list of menus including “Apply for a Salary Loan.”
3. It will show you a loan application form. Complete the form and hit submit. 
4. The website will show you an estimate of the loan and its monthly payment. 
5. Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, your loan will be automatically approved. The funds will be disbursed to the method you select on your loan application. You can either receive it directly to your bank or have a cheque mailed to your address. [/block]

Offline and OFW SSS salary loan application

How to perform an SSS online payment?

1. Log on to www.bancnetonline.com [Register with your BancNet card if you haven’t yet].
2. On the homepage, click on your bank.
3. Read the agreement in using BancNet Online and click the “I Agree” button if you agree with the Terms and Conditions.
4. Click on ” Payment”.
5. Fill out the required fields:
   • Biller/Institution
   • Account/ Subscriber Number
   • Bank Name
   • ATM Card Number
   • Member Number
   • Account Type. Savings or Check
   • Amount To Be Paid
6. Using your mouse, enter your ATM PIN on the onscreen keypad.
7. Click the Submit button.
8. Details of your transaction will appear on the screen, Once verified that they are all correct, click “OK”.
9. You may print the screen that shows your transaction details as your transaction receipt or click “ Close” to conclude the transaction. [/block]

1. Log on to your UnionBank online account.
2. Go to “bills” and choose SSS.
3. Fill out the necessary information like your SSS number.
4. Enter the amount then click pay.
5. Wait for the browser to generate the receipt. [/block]

Repayment through direct deduction from the monthly salary

How to check the status or the balance of your loan?

1. Log on to your My.sss account. 
2. On the dashboard, click on the e-services” tab. It will bring up an information page that also displays a different set of headers you can click on. 
3. Hover over to the “Loan” tab it will show a dropdown with a set of options. 
4. On the dropdown, click “Loan status/info”.

Details on renewal or re-applying

What happens when you default

1. For self-employed/voluntary member, deduction shall be from short-term benefits (Sickness/Maternity/Partial Disability).
2. In case of member-borrower's death, total disability or retirement under Social Security Act, the entire amount or any unpaid amount of the loan as well as the interest and penalty thereon, if any, shall be deducted from the corresponding benefit.

Sample computation

• Monthly salary: ₱20,000
• Monthly SSS contribution (employer + employee share): ₱2,430
• Salary loan amount (1 month): ₱2,439 x 12 months =  ₱29,160

The post How To Apply For An SSS Salary Loan appeared first on iMoney.ph.

The Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas reported that the country’s e-money transaction has gone up by 33% breaching PHP1 trillion from January to September 2019. The rising number of providers and aggressive marketing made this possible, on top of the country’s enabling regulatory environment. 

According to BSP’s Director of Technology Risk and Innovation, Melchor Plabasan, electronic money (e-money) transactions, both inflows, and outflows, amounted to PHP1.04 trillion during the nine-month period from a year-ago level of PHP784.92 billion.

In their report,  e-money transactions coursed through banks went up by 12.8 percent to PHP752.4 billion from PHP667.17 billion, Meanwhile, digital payment transactions coursed through non-bank electronic money issuers (EMIs) went up by 147 percent to PHP290.3 billion from PHP117.74 billion. Effective promotional ploys in forms of discounts, gamification of e-money functionalities, and cash backs can be attributed to this influx. 

On the other hand, the volume and value of e-money transactions for the 9-month ending September 2019 compared to the same period last year reflect the gaining market impetus toward digital payments. Plabasan said that these are encouraging signs that the consuming public is becoming more attuned to the use of their phones and prepaid cards for daily payment needs.

There are now over 50 EMIs licensed by the BSP, and this covers 31 banks and 20 non-banks. All of these non-banks are among the most prominent digital payment channels widely used in the country today, such as i-Remit, Tagcash Ltd Inc., MarCoPay Inc., giant Grab’s GPay Network Philippines, SpeedyPay, OmniPay, Metrobank Card, G-Xchange, Alipay Philippines, Infoserve, Lulu-Phils Internatonal Exchange, PayMaya Philippines, True Money Philippines, DCPay Philippines, Wisecard e-Money Philippines, Starpay, Zybi Tech, Airpay Technologies Philippines, Togetech and Ecashpay Asia.

The digital payments in the Philippines kicked off in 2015 when BSP launched the National Retail Payment System (NRPS), which gave rise to clearinghouses such as PESONet and InstaNet. These two entities managed to boost the level of digital payments to 20 percent by the end of this year from just 1 percent in 2013. 

The BSP in collaboration with the Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) also launched a facility for online payment of government fees and taxes, called the EGov Pay.  A facility for person-to-person money transfer was also launched, in a form of QR (quick response) payments. 

As the year is about to come close, Plabasan noted that the trending effect of these activities coupled with the BSP’s continuing efforts to provide a convenient, safe and secure retail payment environment, they are optimistic that they will hit their target of 20 percent electronic payments by 2020.

[Source]

The post Digital Payments In The First 3 Quarters of 2019 Up By 33 Percent appeared first on iMoney.ph.

Manila Water and Maynilad earlier this month was awarded by a Singapore-based court PHP10.8 billion in compensation, to be paid by the Philippine government. This was payment for the losses that they incurred due to the denial of their request to increase their water rates. 

It received backlash from no other than the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. Because of this, the heads of the two firms said during the congressional hearing earlier on Tuesday that they are willing to work with the government on revising the concession agreements. 

Manila Water president Jose Almendras said that they are responding to the order of President Duterte to revisit and discuss some provisions in the concession agreement. In light of this, Almedras also confirmed that they will be dropping the PHP7.4 billion claim. 

Meanwhile, Maynilad CEO and President Ramoncito Fernandez also said that they would no longer pursue their PHP3.4 billion claims.  He added that the arbitral award was granted in 2017, but they never bothered the government about it after they lightly followed up their claim. 

Just like Maynila Water, Maynilad would also follow the directive of the President to drop the arbitral award. On top of that, they would no longer implement rate hikes scheduled in January 2020. 

The Department of Justice said on Tuesday that the government would "renegotiate" with the distributors a provision in their concession that bars the government from interfering in water rates. DOJ spokesperson also announced that the government will not pay the PHP10.8 billion compensation. 

[Source]

The post Water Concessionaires To Drop Compensation Claims appeared first on iMoney.ph.

The country’s economic team has approved the pitching of a record-high national budget of PHP4.64-trillion cash for 2021. At the same time, they lauded the Congress passing the 2020 spending bill on time. 

Wendel Avisado, the acting Budget Secretary disclosed that the 2021 budget proposal will be 13.3-percent higher than the PHP4.1-trillion budget for next year. This will be equivalent to 20.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). 

According to Avisado, the proposed 2021 budget will continue to support antipoverty and peace-sustaining measures through the funding of recently approved legislative measures.

Social protection and economic programs will also see continuous funding in the 2021 budget, such programs are as follows:

• Universal Health Care Program.
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
• Rice Tariffication Law
• Provision for the annual block grant
• Special development fund and share in national taxes of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
• Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education
• Refocusing of national government assistance to LGUs (local government units) with high poverty incidence.
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation measures

Avisado also noted that Executive Order No. 91 issued by President Duterte earlier in September provisions that the 2020 and 2021 budgets would adopt the cash budgeting system. Due to this, the national budgets during the next two years will have a validity of only one year.

[Source] 

The post Proposed 2021 Budget Will Be PHP4.64 Trillion appeared first on iMoney.ph.

The holiday rush can get us caught up in a lot of things this holiday season. From shopping for the perfect gifts to parties here and there, there’s definitely a lot going on in the name of Christmas. Because of that, not everyone has the time to prepare for a mouthwatering feast during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Whether you’re just caught up with the holiday rush or simply choose to dine out with your fambam every Christmas, there are a lot of restaurants that offer a fuss-free feast during the this holiday season. However, picking the spots with the most delectable bites and festive experience can be a headache. Here are our best picks!

Metro Manila

There’s no shortage of dining destination in Metro Manila, especially this holiday season. There are countless number of 5-star hotels and restaurants in Manila, but do you know which one gives you the biggest bang for your buck?

1. Discovery Suites Ortigas

[caption id="attachment_22731" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image from outoftownblog.com[/caption]

For the upcoming holiday celebration, Discovery Suites Ortigas offers a special Christmas Eve dinner on December 24 dubbed as the Christmas Carvery, featuring USDA Prime Ribe Eye, Honey Mustard Smoked Bone in Ham, Holiday Turkey, and Salt Baked Salmon Carvings.

Meanwhile, for New Year’s Eve, they will be hosting New Year’s Best, which is a dinner and a countdown to 2020. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the city and Manila’s picturesque fireworks display.

The rates are as follows:

[table id=246 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig
Phone Number: (632) 719 8888[/block]

2. Peninsula Manila

Famed for its glamorous Christmas and New Year celebrations, The Peninsula Manila is one of the top Manila attractions you can visit if you’re looking for a special celebration this holiday season. On Christmas Day, The Peninsula Manila’s Escolta Restaurant will host a “Festive Dining Feast”  which features a traditional Christmas buffet meal .

The rates are as follows:

[table id=247 /]

Festivities don’t end there because they also have a New Year gala ball and New Year’s eve party which will be held on December 31 at Madame Ning’s.

[table id=248 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 887 2888[/block]

3. Hotel Jen Manila

Feast on Christmas and New Year's buffet at Hotel Jen Manila with the holiday’s most favorite dishes and Jen’s specialties in one buffet spread! This will be coupled with live entertainment to give you some extra holiday cheer.

[table id=249 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: located along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
(02) 795-8888
hjm@hoteljen.com[/block]

4. New World Makati Hotel

At New World Makati’s Cafe 1288 , you can savor the season’s festive flavor this Christmas and New Year’s Eve. 

As a Christmas bonus, you’ll get 1 raffle ticket to their 25th Anniversary Giveaway for a total spend of ₱5,000 in a single receipt. 

The rates are as follows:

The rates are as follows:

[table id=250 /]

On the other hand, you can also book a Holly Jolly Christmas package in New World Makati until January 12, 2020 and enjoy a buffet breakfast for two adults and two children at Café 1228. This also comes with complimentary Internet access, and a special gift for each room category.

[table id=251 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: Esperanza Street corner Makati Avenue, Makati City.
(02) 811-6888[/block]

Cebu

The queen city of the south doesn’t run out of hotels either where you can have a festive dinner or lunch buffet this holiday season. However, the beach (hotel resorts) is where they are at if you’re looking for one that will resonate a festive holiday vibe.

5. Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

An indulgent feast awaits guests at with Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu’s Christmas Eve Dinner on December 24. Enjoy a scrumptious feast of international dishes such as premium cold cuts & cheeses, seafood on ice, live carving & grilling stations, Chef’s Cebu Lechon Belly, Christmas-inspired dessert treats, and more!

The buffet will be capped with free-flowing Sangria and Tropical Chilled Juices to cool down their guests, while enjoying an acoustic performance by the Mactan Strummers.

[table id=551 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: Mactan Island, Punta Engaño Rd, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu, Philippines
+63 917 623 7079[/block]

6. Crimson Resort Mactan

An award winning beach destination that’s surrounded by emerald waters and ivory sand, the Crimson Hotel Mactan is perfect if you’re looking for a festive lunch and dinner buffet destination this Christmas and New Year. Immerse yourself and your loved ones, as you have a holiday getaway experience without travelling far, you can get all that in Crimson Mactan.

Embark on a gastronomic adventure with a spread of holiday dishes and a wide selection of international specialties about at Saffron Cafe for the day's celebration on during the month of December.

[table id=257 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: Seascapes Resort Town, Soong, Lapu-Lapu City
(32) 401 9999[/block]

Davao

While the lack of fireworks definitely makes Davao a perfect destination for a peaceful holiday, it cannot however fulfill the desire of those who would rather celebrate it with a bang. If that’s your kind of thrill this Christmas while you feast with your family, here are the places to be down south!

7. Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao

Waterfront insular hotel will be stepping it up this holiday season. They will throw a 70’s rock party to close the decade and greet a brand new year. Come and join the dinner event with your bell-bottom jeans and an unbuttoned shirt or bell sleeves and a whole Farrah Fawcett 'do to party like it’s the 70’s until 2020.

The buffet dinner comes with unlimited drinks, live entertainment, and party games and prizes.

[table id=258 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Lanang, Davao City, 8000
(082) 233 2881 to 83[/block]

8. Park Inn by Radisson Blu Davao

Park Inn by Radisson Davao brings together this season’s finest flavors for your indulgence this holiday. The RBG Bar and Grill, their premier restaurant offers savory main dishes such as roasted chicken with pear cinnamon sauce, porchetta, and blue marlin tail with salsa, as well as a list of decadent sweets and pastries on the side.

Enjoy their gastronomic dishes while being filled with Christmas spirit by carolers this 24th of December.

[table id=259 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: J.P. Laurel Avenue next to SM Lanang Premier Mall, Davao City
272 7600[/block]

9. Seda Abreeza Davao

On December 24, Misto’s diners will be treated to a culinary showcase prepared by its power culinary team. The well-known Seda Abreeza’s classic Slow-Cooked Roasted Angus Beef Short Plate with Rosemary Gravy will be on the menu, along with these delightful fares - Orange and Madeira-Glazed Ham with Raisin Sauce, Lechon, Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Chunks, Cajun-Spiced Chicken, Warm Camembert Brioche, Mushroom, Apple and Goat Cheese Salad and Shrimp Celery and Pesto Pasta Salad.

During the Christmas countdown, guests will be entertained with live music all night, with surprise raffle items up for grabs. Come Christmas morning, guests can meet and greet Santa with treats and gifts in the bag at Seda Abreeza’s hotel lobby as guest performers sing all-time favorite Christmas songs.

[table id=265 /]

New Year’s Eve will also be extra special at Seda Abreeza as they will welcome 2020 with a delectable dinner feat followed by a Pop, Clink, and Fizz Countdown Party. 

Their rates for the New Year’s Countdown dinner buffet are as follows:

[table id=552 /]

[block type="info" title="For your information"]Address: Abreeza Ayala Business Park,, J.P. Laurel Ave, Poblacion District
(82) 244 3000[/block]

The post The Best Christmas And New Year’s Eve Buffet Destinations This Year appeared first on iMoney.ph.

Water supply in the Philippines has stumbled upon various roadblocks this year. From tremendous water shortages to rising cost of tap water, it seems like 2019 is a year where the demand for clean water has finally been put into the spotlight on a national scale. 

While the controversies and challenges that came with it made a lot of Filipinos shake their heads with disappointment, it also shed some light on the status quo of the country’s water supply and concessionaires. 

The water that we consume daily didn’t just become as ready for consumption as they already are. And the process to make this happen is more complicated and expensive than what many of us think. That’s why back in 1997, the then state-owned Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) was privatized... and the rest was history. 

To help you understand how the water infrastructure has changed, evolved, and became the subject of controversy today, we do a brief rundown of some important highlights about the water concession agreement which led to the strings of events it’s facing today. 

Why did MWSS get privatized?

It all started in 1997 when the Philippines (specifically Metro Manila) was facing a growing demand for clean water but the government couldn’t be burdened by its cost. During this period, the MWSS was under-serving the residents of Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces, delivering to only two-thirds of the 11 million residents, and for only 16 hours a day. 

On top of that, the non-revenue water (NRW), which is what consumers receive in the form of tap water that wasn’t fit for drinking, further aggravated by water loss through meter inaccuracies, leakage, and pilferage - losses increased to 56 percent. Sewage treatment too was only three percent. 

MWSS which was then state-owned needed billions of dollars to rehabilitate and expand the network, but they were also neck-deep in debt to the tune of US$1 billion. With a looming water crisis and no money to improve the water system, the state enacted the National Water Crisis Act of 1995 which eventually led to the privatization of the MWSS.

What were the conditions that came with the privatization?

The privatization led to two separate concession agreements, both spanning  25 years. The concessionaires are the two which we now know today as Maynilad and Manila Water. 

The two concessionaires undertook the waterworks rehabilitation which was split into two zones: the West and the East zone. Their contracts stated that tariffs will be set at a level that the two concessionaires will be able to recover all the costs and expenditures they’ve incurred for the rehabilitation, which includes the taxes, the loan servicing costs, and their profit. 

In a nutshell, all the business-related costs will be paid by the consumers. 

Development throughout the years

To date, we are currently in the 18th year of MWSS privatization. And to be fair, water supply is now 24/7 and coverage is almost 100 percent.  Despite how far its development has come, the arrangement is far from perfect or at least it’s not what the public had expected from the concessionaires.

Metro Manila which is the main area of service for these water concessionaires still experiences water shortages, and it’s more frequent than normal.  On top of that, the Government recorded 38 million cases of diarrhea annually due to poor sanitation and hygiene.

While they may have very well provided sufficient water supply to Metro Manila and its adjacent areas, little can be said if they fully realized their mission to treat and provide water efficiently - as evidenced by the frequent water shortages and tap water still isn’t safe to drink.

Of public service and profits

The privatization may have partially solved the water demand of Metro Manila’s growing population, in turn, the concessionaires now wanted their money back together with some profit. 

In their 2013 tariff review, expenses claimed by concessionaires were deemed as imprudent by the MWSS regional office. Subsequently, they were both directed to cut their basic water charge; 29 percent for Manila Water and 4.8 percent for Maynilad. 

This turn of events is what led to three international arbitrations, which was actually concluded in 2017 but the impact from that ruling only reached the public in recent weeks. 

In simpler terms, they went to an international court to complain about the Philippine government’s disapproval of their rate hike that will cover their expenditures for the rehabilitation of the water infrastructure in Manila. 

As unfair as it may sound for the businessmen who are running the now privatized water concession, it also isn’t fair to impose the burden on the public for a service that they couldn’t even fully enjoy. Tap water isn’t drinkable, water outage is frequent, and the recent water crisis this year made it all the more unfavorable for consumers. 

Looking beyond business and profit, should water supply be a profit-driven business, to begin with? 

The United Nations has passed a resolution in 2010 recognizing that providing safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation are part of all human rights. Water supply is a basic human right - everyone is entitled to clean drinking water.

Business vs morals

It’s good to know that the two concessionaires finally backed down from going after the PHP10.8 billion pesos compensation that was due to them. But it’s worth noting that these big corporations have the legal right to claim the money that they were supposed to have earned but were disapproved. 

In the coming weeks and months, the fallout from this will be taking shape. At the moment, though, the government’s backlash against the concessionaires’ arbitral win sounds like bad news for their business. Investors are already dumping shares in companies that have ties with Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. due to their decision to waive the PHP10.8 billion compensation.  

Both parties will be going back to the drawing board, and hopefully, find a ground where the consumers won’t be the one to take the fall simply for having access to clean water. At this point, it looks like one party needs to compromise for the sake of the other. Which party will that be? We’ll have to wait and see how this will all unfold. 

Are the two concessionaires bad for suing the government over the billions of pesos in compensation for their service? On paper, maybe no. On the grander scale of things, it’s one that will depend on the people’s values. 

Moneywise, the compensation move would have been bad for the consumers, that’s what’s certain.

Image from news.abs-cbn.com

The post Water Concession Agreement Was Fair, But Flawed. Here’s Why appeared first on iMoney.ph.

The Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) has finally launched the PHP20 coin which will replace the banknote form of the currency. Just like its banknote predecessor, it will still showcase the image of former President Manuel L Quezon on the front. Meanwhile, the flip side of the coin will bear the logo of BSP, the Malacañang Palace, and a native flora called Nilad. 

The PHP20 coin, according to the BSP, is a more cost-effective form of currency as it will have a longer circulation life compared to the bill. While the cost to produce the PHP20 bill was only PHP2, the currency will only last 6 months. Meanwhile, the PHP20 coin would cost PHP10 but could last for 10 years.

Together with the launch of the PHP20 coin was also the introduction of an enhanced PHP5 coin.

The new PHP5 coin features a distinct form compared to other coins, bearing nine sides (nonagon) to make it easier to feel and distinguish. It is made out of nickel-plated steel, with a diameter of 25 millimeters and weighs about 7.30 grams. 

The front side of the coin will still be featuring the portrait of Andres Bonifacio, while the flipside will showcase a different type of flora on one side called Tayabak and the BSP logo on the other. 

Source 1, 2

The post BSP Launches New PHP20 Coin And Enhanced PHP5 Coin appeared first on iMoney.ph.

In this year’s  Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) global financial inclusion ranking, the Philippines ranked fifth our of 55 countries. It dropped one notch from last year’s ranking, tied with India, making both countries the two-highest ranking Asian countries in the list. The Philippines’s score slipped to 71 this year from 72 in 2018. 

EIU’s report stated that the Philippines has increased its focus on digital financial inclusion, with the launch of a biometric national identification system and a programme to provide a one-stop-shop for online government services. The report also mentioned the efforts being made to increase financial and digital literacy, the only downside to it is that it lacks gender goals. 

Earlier this year the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noted that they are on track in the implementation of the national identification system, which will further boost financial inclusion in the country. Unbanked individuals will be able to open an account with the local banks.

The EIU also noted that Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has created a support institution to focus on digital financial technology for reaching the underserved. Among this initiative include’s BSP’s launch of the Government e-Payments (EGov Pay) Facility last month. 

The EGov Pay Facility will allow government agencies to accept digital payments and the QRPh, the national standard for quick response codes across the country. This will integrate all digital payment solutions. 

This feat is indeed a step towards the right direction, but it may still be improved with the participation of more institutions, according to the EIU report.  It remarked how interoperability in retail payments are still constrained by a limited number of participating institutions and high transaction cost. Non-banks and Microfinance institutions (MFIs) still need strong supervision as well as dispute resolution mechanisms for government payments. 

[Source]

The post The Philippines Remains In The Top 5 In Global Financial Inclusion Ranking appeared first on iMoney.ph.

As the inflationary pressures from international commodities are expected to be modest in the coming years, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation to just play between two and four percent until 2022. 

The two to four percent inflation rate for 2020 to 2022 is an appropriate quantitative representation of the central bank’s medium-term price stability goal - a conducive rate for the balanced and sustainable growth of the country’s economy, according to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno. 

Diokno also noted that the announcement of the inflation targets for the coming years is part of BSP’s initiative to be committed to transparency and accountability and their forward-looking approach in conducting monetary policy.  

In a statement, Diokno said:

Latest inflation forecasts indicate within-target inflation over the policy horizon, even as the balance of risks to the inflation outlook continue to lean slightly toward the upside in 2020 and toward the downside in 2021.

He also pointed out inflationary impulses from international commodity prices will remain at a modest level, even though price volatilities cannot be ruled out. This forecast is supported by the current assessment of favorable demand-supply balance and lower pass-through to domestic inflation of exchange rate and international commodity price inflation.

Diokno assured that the BSP will continue to closely monitor inflation, as well as the factor that influence inflation trends. He also ensured that the monetary policy stance will remain appropriate in keeping inflation within the government’s target range. 

BSP’s assessments are forecasting an average of 2.4 percent this year, which is expected to pick up to 2.9 percent in 2020 and 2021. 

[Source]

The post Inflation Target Until 2022 Fixed At 2-4 Percent appeared first on iMoney.ph.

1. What is Pag-IBIG online?

2. What are the requirements to sign up for an account?

Employed individuals

a. Voluntary members

b. Self-paying employee

• Company ID
• Certificate of Employment and Compensation
• Latest Pay Slip

c. Self-employed

• Latest Income Tax Return with a CPA-certified Financial Statement from the previous year
• Two (2) 1×1 ID photos
• Certificate of Remittance or ESAV (for old members)
• Mayor’s Permit or Business Permit
• DTI or SEC Registration (under the person’s name)

d. Self-employed professionals

• PRC or BAR License
• Latest ITR from the previous year
• Certificate of Remittance or ESAV (this is for old members)
• Two (2) 1×1 ID photos

1. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)– these are reactivating members

• Valid and latest Contract of Employment (has original POEA stamp)
• POEA License, passport, or any valid ID
• Certificate of Remittance or ESAV
• Two (2) 1×1 ID photos
• Special Power of Attorney – if a representative will submit the requirements and pay the contributions

e. Unemployed Spouse

• Affidavit of Unemployment
• Certificate of Employment and Compensation of the member-spouse
• Written consent from the member-spouse

f. Franchise Holders or Operators

• Latest ITR from the previous year
• Franchise Permit (under the person’s name)
• Car Registration or Official Receipt (under the person’s name)
• Certificate of Remittance or ESAV
• Two (2) 1×1 ID photos

1. Member-Spouse with Business– this is the same as no. 5, but here, the member-spouse has a business.

• DTI or SEC Registration
• Mayor’s Permit or Business Permit
• Affidavit of Unemployment
• Latest ITR (from the previous year)
• Certificate of Employment and Compensation of the member-spouse (must be notarized)
• Written consent from the member-spouse
• Two (2) 1×1 ID photos

g. Unemployed (reactivating members)

• Affidavit of Unemployment

h. Voluntary membership registration

1. Submit two copies of MDF and other supporting requirements to the Marketing and Enforcement Division of the local Pag-IBIG branch. The original documents should also be brought for authentication
2. Get a Payment Order Form (POF) from the said office, and go to the Cash Division to pay for Membership Contribution
3. Present stamped or verified documents to the Marketing and Enforcement Division
4. Secure a POF before going to the Cash Division for the contribution payment

3. How to register for Pag-IBIG online?

1. Go to their website: www.pagibigfund.gov.ph.
2. On the left-hand side of the website, click the “Membership Registration” option under the e-Services column. This will take you to the initial page of the online registration process. Click “Continue” to start the registration. 
3. Fill-in your complete name as required by the page, then fill in the captcha box at the bottom of the bottom. Click “proceed” once it’s done and you’ll be taken to the few pages where you need to fill in more of your information. 
4. Complete the application form and make sure all information is true and accurate. Once done, click the “Summary” button at the bottom to double-check the information one last time before submitting your form. 
5. The next page is a confirmation page of your registration. This page will also notify you of an SMS confirmation from Pag-IBIG and it will display your  Registration Tracking Number (RTN), which will serve as your temporary Pag-IBIG ID number. 
6. Wait for 2 business days for the verification of your registration and to obtain your permanent Pag-IBIG MID number for those who don’t have one yet. 

How to get your Pag-IBIG MID number?

4. How to check your Pag-IBIG contribution or verify your Pag-IBIG number online?

Checking your monthly contribution

• Log on to their pagibigfund.gov.ph/.
• Under “E-services”, click on “Virtual Pag-IBIG”.
• On the “Virtual Pag-IBIG” page, click the “View Records” found at the column on the left-hand side of the page.
• Choose which record you want to view:
  • “Savings Records”
  • “Loan Records”
• You will be prompted to log-in to your account (if you haven’t yet).

5. How can I avail Pag-IBIG loan online?

• Log on to their pagibigfund.gov.ph/.
• Under “E-services”, click on “Virtual Pag-IBIG”.
• On the left-hand side of the page, click on “Manage Loans”.
• Click on “Apply for a Housing Loan”.

6. Paying your Pag-IBIG contribution or your loans online

• Log on to their pagibigfund.gov.ph/
• Under “E-services”, click on “Virtual Pag-IBIG”.
• On the left-hand side of the page, click on “Pay-Online”
• Choose the Pag-IBIG service you want to pay.
• The next page will ask for your Pag-IBIG membership particulars. Once done, enter the captcha at the button, tick the checkbox for the terms and conditions, then click “next”.
• The payment page will then allow you to pay using PayMaya, or a local debit or credit card. 

7. Other services

• Kasambahay Unified Registration
• Developer's Online Housing Loan Application
• Application for Interest Re-Pricing
• MP2 Enrollment System
• Electronic Submission of Remittance Schedule

The post How To Sign Up For A Pag-IBIG Online Account appeared first on iMoney.ph.

It can be agreed upon that dedicating a budget to a whole family is hard in itself, let alone budgeting being a single parent. And how can one even put themselves in the shoes of a single mother? Being a single mother is difficult. Sometimes it might feel like the world looks down upon you and not with sympathy but with disgrace. But the times are changing.

Today, it is not a big deal if you’re an empowered female undertaking motherhood. Self-belief and peace of mind are all that one requires living a happy life. If independently bringing up a child makes you happy, then you go, girl!

So what is a mompreneur?

A mompreneur is the perfect combination of both a mom and an entrepreneur. She is someone who has undertaken both the jobs successfully. And as successful modern mompreneurs emerge, here are some ideas for  those who have chosen to start out on this path to feel empowered and earn that buck!

1. Mom blogger

One of the most popular professions familiar to single moms and mothers, in general, is blogging. With the lowest entry and exit barriers, this profession requires no startup cost. The most you need to invest is a mere $50 (PHP2,500) for getting your domain name and hosting. Other than this, all you need are ideas, and you are good to go. Set up some social media accounts and make the blog as personalized as possible. The more people would relate to your content, the more there will be chances of your blog getting popular.

2. Virtual assistant

Many work processes are now automated. It doesn’t matter who does the work and from where. You could be sitting right in your living room, rocking your baby to sleep, and simultaneously updating an organization’s Facebook page. Just a little time management and extra-curricular skill set are required, and you’re good to go. Use platforms like Onlinejobs.ph to update your resume and alert availability as a virtual assistant. Many offshore companies today comprise of both in-house and external staff. They coordinate tasks with them accordingly. You being a mother won’t matter as long as you get the assigned work done on time.

3. Online coach

If you think you have a way of speaking that moves people and motivates them to do better, this job is for you. Just an active social media account is required, and you are all set. These days a lot of people seek mentors online who can teach them new skills. 

Platforms such as skillshare make it possible for people with certain expertise connect with people who are looking to learn them. If you have a skill that’s in-demand in the market, you can easily upload a course to this platform and earn money for every view or mentee who gets subscribed to you. Alternatively, you can go on Facebook, launch your own page, and establish a private group. 

4. Childcare provider

While you look after one kid of your own, why not make some money while babysitting a few more from the neighborhood? It is a great incentive for you and other working mothers around you. Mothers know they can trust you and feel secure about you looking after their children. And you would be making money off of it. It sounds like a win-win situation to me!

5. Freelance writer

Academic writing, creative writing, writing short stories, or even poems, and the list goes on. If you think you have what it takes to become an essay writer, then this is your time to shine. A freelance writer is a great way to start a lifelong career. Many successful professional writers started from freelance writing and now have become known authors.

6. Become a home-based baker

Who doesn’t love home-baked chocolate chip cookies? And what better access one can get if somebody in the neighborhood opens up a home-based bakery. If you have above-average baking skills, then baking your bread will earn you bread, literally. Using organic products and attracting neighborhood customers should be a great way to get you going.

7. Start a youtube career

You are the single mom of today. You can conquer the world with your abilities. It seems unrealistic, but when it comes to starting a YouTube career, there is no stopping. You can’t possibly fathom how many people would want to know and share your story. Your relatable content would garner you watch time, ultimately making you famous. And once you have a decent amount of subscribers, it’s just the consistency of posting content to keep them hooked that will count.

Becoming a YouTuber in today’s day and age has become a pop-culture trend. The main reason is the direct attachment of fame and the opportunity to become a social media celebrity. Many young influencers today, like Kylie Jenner, feel empowered to share their lives on YouTube. She is a mompreneur with her own makeup line and a YouTube channel where she openly shares her life as a single mother.

8. Embrace your crafty side

If you are good at:

• All those DIY decorations
• Arts and crafts
• Painting or sketching
• Designing embroideries on premium jackets
• Decorating a room

Or basically, anything that may fall under you embracing your crafty side. Then let me tell you that you can earn good money through these skills. You can sell your art pieces on eBay or Amazon for reasonable rates. You can make a social media account and build a community around your work.

9. Pet sitting service

Unless you or your kiddo is allergic to pets, there is no problem in this one. Pet-sitting can be one of the most fun jobs there is because who doesn’t love pets. Also, this will not disturb your family time, as well. You can easily schedule your pet sitting time around it. Like, say you are just available on weekend evenings, and you can still attract people to buy your services.

10. Become an ESL teacher

If you want to have a stable source of side-income, you can teach english to non-english speaking students through various English as a Second Language (ESL) schools online. Among the prominent ones in the Philippines are RareJobs, Bibo, and 51talk. 

They’re always hiring new ESL teachers, with at least a 2-year college education as a minimum requirement. They offer a very flexible work schedule as their teacher could choose the time of the day when they could open their schedule for students.  

If your fluent in the English language with neutral to no accent, this side hustle might just be a good money making opportunity for you. 

Becoming a single mother is not the end of the world. It is a step forward into a newer, braver world. People may still frown upon single mothers, whether young or old. But what they don’t know is that today, mothers are more empowered than ever. We are courageous, brave, and independent. We can stand for our rights and support our children both financially and physically. And there is nothing that can stop us!

[block type="info" title="Author bio"]

Claudia Jeffrey is currently working as a Junior Finance advisor at Crowd Writer, a research paper service UK. She spends most of her time researching job opportunities for people and advising them on financial growth. Claudia has helped a lot of clients and wishes them a  better, more empowered future. [/block]

The post Top 10 Money Making Ideas For Single Moms appeared first on iMoney.ph.

The internet has paved the way for the rise of online streaming services. While the majority of Filipinos still consume cable and local TV, the relentless penetration of the internet into our daily lives has slowly made many of us see how online streaming services can potentially change the game of our movie habits - for better or worse. 

To date, there are only a handful of online streaming services available in the Philippines, catering to local and international shows. And yes, we hear you. Until now, you could only groan in confusion choosing which subscription to retain or consider switching over and which subscription to just give a hard pass. 

For some enlightenment on the matter, we break down the most prominent streaming services in the country to help you sort out your online streaming subscription woes. Also, in case you’re still on the lookout for the best streaming service that will suit your taste, this list might help you find what you’re looking for. 

1. Netflix

The most prominent streaming site, not just in the Philippines but all over the world. Netflix offers a wide range of genre in their playlist, aside from Hollywood blockbusters, they also have local Pinoy movies and shows, and Korean dramas.  Netflix is also famed for its original content like Stranger Things, Orange Is The New Black, Bird Box, and so much more.

How much does Netflix cost?

This streaming platform runs on a subscription-based membership. All paying members can have access to their entire movie library. However, the devices where their account can be accessed and the number of profiles the member can create in his account will vary according to their subscription package.

[table id=553 /]

Why should you consider Netflix?

If you’re into movies and shows that are mainstream, from Hollywood blockbusters to K-drama, Netflix can probably satisfy your thirst. In addition to these, their original movies are basically a genre of its own because of their popularity, that alone can be good for you or someone to consider signing up with Netflix.

Netflix without a doubt offers a rich online streaming playlist, but it also comes with a price. If you don’t mind paying a few hundred pesos per month for what they’re offering, which you can also potentially find in other cheaper streaming platforms, then go ahead and sign up!

2. Iflix

This is like the budget version of Netflix. From the name alone, you can very well tell that it’s inspired by the online streaming giant. This budding online streaming hailed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has been slowly extending its reach throughout its neighboring countries. 

Unlike Netflix however, Iflix offers a different kind of menu to its audience. While Netflix is highly saturated with Western flicks, Iflix provides a wide selection of Asian flicks, from Korean drama to Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai shows and films. 

How much does iflix cost?

You don’t actually need to pay money to watch shows in iflix. They have a range of free content that you can watch just by visiting their site without logging on to an account.  If you want to have access to more up-to-date movies and shows, that’s when signing up with them is required.  

[table id=554 /]

Why should you consider iflix?

You’ll find a surprisingly wide range of both Hollywood and local offerings flix in their movie library. They even have their own original contents such as Hot Ones by Sam YG, and even their own movie - Mystified starring Iza Calzado, Karylle, Diana Zubiri and Sunshine Dizon. 

If you’re a fan of shows from local channels, you’ll be delighted to know that they have local hits from both ABS-CBN and GMA. 

If these kinds of shows and movies are your cup of tea, you won’t regret signing up with them. 

3. iWantTV

This is the country’s local channel’s very own streaming site. It’s been around for a long time, but it was only recently that it became a full-blown streaming site featuring all of ABS-CBN’s movie and show titles. 

While many of their contents are free, premium users can get access to their shows and movies on demand and even on the go (App).

How much does iWantTV cost?

Majority of their content are free but for those who want to have on-demand and mobile access to the streaming site, they have the option to subscribe and become a premium member. The rates are as follows:

[table id=555 /]

[table id=556 /]

Should you sign up with iWant TV?

This platform is an obvious choice if you’re an avid follower of local shows from ABS-CBN. In case you can’t get enough of the Ang Probinsyano or Kadenang Ginto or you simply want to watch them at your own time, perhaps that’s a good enough reason to be subscribed to this local streaming service. 

4. Crunchyroll

This streaming site is more targeted to audiences young and old alike who can’t get enough of animes. It’s basically a niche streaming site catering only to Japanese anime for the most part, for that manga-centered viewing experience. 

How much does Crunchyroll cost?

The streaming site’s pricing is pretty straightforward. You only pay $7.99 for unlimited access to their library of anime shows and movies for a month! But they also have different tiers for their subscription, which are as follows:

[table id=557 /]

Should you sign up in Crunchyroll?

From the get-go, this niche streaming site obviously caters to those who are obsessed with anime and Manga. If their genre is what excites the movie buff in you, every peso will be worth the subscription. 

5. Viu

The popularity of Korean dramas in the Philippines has paved the way for Viu to surface in the online streaming competition in the country. There’s really nothing much to say about this streaming site - it’s a Korean drama streaming site through-and-through. 

How much does it cost to sign up in Viu?

This streaming site offers free content but only limited to shows that not everyone is really keen to watch. If you want to access their entire catalog of Korean movies with better quality (including your favorite k-drama), you can take comfort knowing that it won’t really cost you an arm and a leg. 

[table id=558 /]

Should you sign up with Viu?

Can’t get enough with Korean-drama? If yes, then you’ve got your answer!

6. HBO GO

HBO has their own streaming site called HBO GO. Subscribers have access to all the movies aired on HBO and its partner channels as well as the option to Livestream the channels. You also have access to HBO’s original shows and content such as Game of Thrones,  Big Little Lies, and Westworld. The downside though is that HBO GO is only available in the Philippines to SKYcable, Destiny Cable, and One SKY subscribers with HBO as part of their cable TV plan.

How much does HBO GO cost?

HBO GO used to be tied with existing cable subscription packages, and access will depend on your cable provider. Today, you’ll be glad to know that HBO has finally launched its own standalone streaming service, accessible through HBOAsia.com and their app. 

[table id=559 /]

The pricing is very straight forward you get unlimited access to their movie catalog for ₱149 a month.

Should you subscribe to HBO GO?

To be honest, there’s a very thin line between HBOGo and Netflix. Perhaps the only thing that sets them apart is their original content. If you’re a fan of HBO’s exclusive shows, like Game of Thrones, Watchmen, West World, True Blood, and etc, those will probably be the reason why you’d choose this over Netflix or even other streaming platforms.  Ultimately, the decision will boil down to your taste in movies and preferences.

Are you still confused? Okay, let’s make this a little easier for you. Here’s a bird’s eye view of these streaming services.

[table id=560 /]

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Grab users have rolled out refunds to their users in the past few days and not everyone was happy with the amount. Brian Cu, the ride-sharing company’s country head defended this move saying that the disbursements were mathematically sound given the amount asked of them.

A total of PHP19.2 million of excess charges due to their higher than the usual rates were ordered by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to be refunded to Grab’s customers.  This was followed by another order by the PCC imposing another fine on the ride-sharing company for further breaches of the amounts in the fare matrix.

Despite the said amount, various grab customers have posted in social media screenshots of their refunds showing amounts as low as PHP1.

Brian Cu explained the matter further during his interview in ANC’s “Headstart.” According to Cu, the refund was based on the amount spent the passengers had during the period [of] February to August. 

Based on their computation, the average would really be around PHP20 per user if they use it equally. But some use it only once a week or once a month. He even got a voucher worth PHP50 from the refund despite being a heavier user. 

Cu also noted that the refund can now be used through Grab’s e-wallet, giving users more flexible ways to spend their Grab credits. Their wallet is now an “open wallet” as it was granted a license by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recently.  This will give users the capability to take the money in the wallet and move it to their BDO account, for example. 

[Source]

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January to September 2019 saw a sharp increase in bank deposits, it went up by 5.7 percent to PHP13.1 trillion pesos, compared to the same months in the previous year (2018) with only PHP12.39 trillion, according to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp (PDIC). 

PDIC noted that the domestic debt liabilities continued to provide a stable funding base for bank operations which accounts for about 74 percent of the banking industry’s total assets. Commercial or big banks cornered 91.9 percent or the total deposits, followed by thrift or mid-sized banks with 6.7 percent and rural or small banks with a share of 1.4 percent.

Overall, the top five banks in the country in terms of assets make up about 58 percent or PHP7.58 trillion of the total deposits. Meanwhile, 42.1 percent or PHP5.51 trillion can be accounted to the rest of the banks.

According to the PDIC, the decline of the year-on-year growth of deposit amount is an indication of the strong demand for high-interest deposit substitutes, like the government securities. Small banks saw an increase in domestic deposit liabilities by 6.2 percent while big banks went up by 7 percent.  Mid-sized banks apparently declined by 9.2 percent due to the merger of Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and wholly-owned subsidiary RCBC Savings Bank.

Deposit accounts, in general, had a double-digit growth of 15.1 percent (PHP79.5 million) as of the end of September in 2019. Meanwhile, rural bank deposits saw the highest annual growth of 31.5 percent, with commercial banks trailing next at 15.3 percent. Thrift banks had the lowest annual growth with only 4.8 percent. 

[Source]

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JoyRide, the up and coming motorcycle taxi player announced that they will have lower fares compared to Angkas for the reason that they won’t be imposing price surges. 

JoyRide Vice President for Corporate Affairs Noli Eala said in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday that they won’t be imposing any price surge anytime, anywhere. Presenting a sample booking,  Eala showed the price difference between JoyRide and Angkas apps. And JoyRide is considerably cheaper. 

Eala also noted that they will be complying with the fare system imposed by authorities minus the surge, which is PHP50 for the first two kilometers, PHP10 for every succeeding kilometer up to seven kilometers. PHP15 charge if the ride exceeds seven kilometers, and 1.5 times surge which will not be implemented in this JoyRide platform. 

As of Dec 31, 2019, JoyRide has about 65,00 app downloads and with 7,000 active bikers on its fleet. The company is confident that they’ll hit 10,000 bikers in Metro Manila and 3,000 in Cebu. 

The pilot run of motorcycle ride-hailing operation was supposed to have concluded on Dec 26, 2019, but the inter-agency Technical Working Group (TWG) extended its six-month pilot run for another three months adding two new players. 

The body has allowed Angkas, together with new players JoyRide, and Move to participate in the “Extended Pilot Implementation” starting December 23, 2019 up to Mar. 23, 2020 with an overall allotted cap of 39,000 registered bikers —10,000 bikers per Transport Network Company (TNC) for Metro Manila and 3,000 bikers per TNC for Metro Cebu operations

Image from topgear.com.ph

[Source]

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As a brand new year rolls in, setting a goal to be a better new you isn’t an uncommon sentiment for most people. We can say it’s an overrated idea to pull off every new year because more often than not, we fall short of achieving such a goal before many of us even get started.

A study conducted by US News & World Report in 2015 reported that 80% of people fail to achieve their new year’s resolution, with the majority losing their resolve as early as mid-February. 

Perhaps the reason why most of us mortals end up getting stuck in a rut rather than relentlessly pursuing our new-year-new-me goal is that we don’t really know how to effectively set our goals.

If this rings true to you, perhaps this 2020, it’s high time to properly set those goals and carve a clearer path on how you can achieve it realistically. 

SMART-er way to set your goals

What is a SMART goal? It’s a result-focused way of crafting your goals using these five principles that compose the acronym: Specific, Measurable, Attainable/Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound.

In the late 19th century, an America Philosopher named Elbert Hubbard came to a realization that most people fail in their endeavors. He analyzed this collective setback further and found that the lack of ability to organize efforts around goals as the cause.  It wasn’t until November in 1981 that a consultant and former Director of Corporate Planning for Washington Water Power Company published a book called “There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives" which applied Hubbard’s observations into actionable solutions, using the acronym that many professionals nowadays glean from when crafting a goal - the  SMART goals.

Execution is the key, and this goal-setting style will make that easier to do! If you’re dead serious about your goals, write them down and keep your goals SMART! Here’s how!

How to be specific and measurable with your goals

Your goal should be specific, down to the last centavos(if it’s about money) or kilo (if it’s your weight). By doing so, you’ll have a clear cut definition of what your finish line will look like and probably partition your goals into different milestones to easily keep you motivated.

A specific goal is something that you can easily measure or quantify. So if you’re planning to save money - state by how much! If it’s weight - what’s the exact weight that you want to hit?

Stating actual specifics of your goal is easy, but it can set things in motion and get the wheels rolling before you even know it! 

[table id=561 /]

[block type="info" title="Example of a specific goal"]

Save PHP100,000 this year! [/block]

If you want to achieve something that’s humanly possible for you to do so, coming up with a goal that you can easily gauge will instantly boost your chances of doing so. With that being said, use specific quantifiers that you can count or measure, this will make progress easier to track to see how much you’ve progressed and how much isleft need to work on.

When crafting a goal that’s measurable, ask yourself these questions:

• By how much?
• By how long?
• Up to what extent?

[table id=563 /]

[block type="info" title="Apply specific quantifiers on your goals such as the following:"]

• Length of time - days, weeks, months, or year
• Amount  - pesos, dollars, kilos, pounds [/block]

How to be attainable or achievable and realistic with your goals

These two elements go hand-in-hand. The biggest factor why most people fail even before they begin is because they set goals that are not humanly possible to achieve. They set themselves up to fail by deliberately aiming for something that they know deep down they couldn’t do. 

Earn PHP1,000,000 in one year? How can you do that if you can barely set aside half of that with your annual salary? Perhaps your goal should be creating more streams of income rather than money.  The key here is to start off with a conservative estimate of what you’re trying to achieve. Instead of PHP1,000,000 or even PHP100,000 a year, try PHP10,000 in 3 months, or even PHP3,000 a month. No matter how small they are, what’s more important is that you can realistically achieve them. It’s a win - a win is a win, no matter how small. It will eventually accrue into a bigger amount with patience and persistence. 

Time-bound

Of course, you must set a timeframe for your goals so that you’ll know when to stop and when to hustle harder. But also, take into account the other 4 principles when setting yourself up for a deadline. 

Your timeframe or deadline should be, first and foremost, realistic! If your goal is to have X amount this year, ask yourself how long do you think you need to accrue this amount realistically? Honesty is the best policy as they say, for this case, it will set you up for a more objective self-reassessment.

Goal planning is the best time to underestimate your mortal capacity because you are only setting yourself up for failure if you overestimate your capacity. With a good amount of pragmatism and honesty to yourself, you can setup a deadline that will work with your pace.

[block type="tips" title="Pro tip!"]

Divide your deadline or timeframe into shorter milestones. Not only will this give you a clearer trail of how far you’ve come, but this can also boost your motivation!

Example:

Main goal: Have PHP30,000 savings in 12 months

Short term goals: Save at least PHP7,500 every quarter [/block]

A brand new year doesn't have to be about building a new set of habits. Perhaps you’re already putting them into action but just not as efficiently as you hoped.  Maybe you just need to reevaluate them and perhaps come up with a more solid plan of action to achieve them this year.

If this resonates well with you, here’s a SMART-er example of a common New Year money goal!

[table id=562 /]

The same format can be applied to any of your goals, keeping it SMART is the key to keeping your goals easier to attain. Applying this goal-setting strategy can simplify how you set your grand plan in motion. While this may lay the groundwork for you to have a clearer path towards your goal, your consistency and dedication will still be the ultimate determining factor of how much you will achieve.

After reading this, have you thought of a realistic goal that you can achieve this 2020?  Share your thoughts in the comments section!

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