Globe and SM Advantage Card have come together to help put meals on the table of those in need

Globe and SM Advantage Card have come together to help put meals on the table of those in need

Friday, December 16, 2022

With every purchase of a SMAC card and every checkout, shoppers can now help support a family in need.

 

Leading digital solutions platform Globe and SM Advantage Card (SMAC), the loyalty card of retail giant SM, have come together to help put meals on the table of those in need through the Hapag Movement, Globe’s technology-driven program against involuntary hunger.

 

“We are excited to partner with SMAC at the most joyful time of the year so we can bring cheer to our fellow Filipinos who continue to suffer due to involuntary hunger. Now, it’s easier for shoppers to share their blessings to the needy, bring food to the table, and get assistance for decent livelihood as we mark this Christmas season post-pandemic,” said Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto.

 

“Our collaboration with Globe for the Hapag Movement is a pioneering partnership for us as it aligns with the SM brand’s goal of providing support to Filipinos every way we can. This is the time for us to rally behind this cause to help those who continue to reel from the impact of the pandemic and challenges due to rising living costs. Ibalik natin ang sarap ng Pasko,” said Jay Beltran, SMAC SAVP Head of Sales and Marketing.

 

Through the partnership, P50.00 will be donated to the Hapag Movement and other SM Foundation programs for every purchase of a new SMAC card.

 

On top of this, SMAC members who will shop select items at the SM Store, SM Beauty, SM Appliance, Kultura, Surplus, Our Home, Baby Company, Crate and Barrel, Levi's, The Body Shop, Forever21, Ecco, and Miniso will earn up to 1,000 EXTRA SMAC Points, and half of the EXTRA points they earn will be donated to the movement starting December 15, 2022 until January 15, 2023, in time for this season of giving.

 

“We celebrate the season of giving with our SMAC members with the gift of giving— letting them share blessings with our most vulnerable kababayans,” Beltran said.

 

Globe’s Hapag Movement leverages on technology and collaboration to help 100,000 families experiencing involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood support.

 

Globe initiated the program to help Filipinos severely affected by the pandemic, with its effects still felt until today.  An estimated 2.9 million individuals reported suffering from involuntary hunger as of October this year, largely unchanged from the quarter before, according to a Social Weather Stations Survey.

 

To learn more about the Hapag Movement, visit its official page. You may also visit smac.ph or download the SMAC app to know more. 

 

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Protect Lives and Livelihood with These Easy Fire Prevention Tips and with Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMax

Protect Lives and Livelihood with These Easy Fire Prevention Tips and with Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMax

Monday, March 21, 2022

In the first two months of 2022 alone, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) announced that fire incidents have already increased by almost 13% compared to the same period last year. In addition, back in 2020, data from BFP also showed that open flame due to torch, unattended cooking, and electrical connections are the main causes of fire accidents.

Like other threats and risks of loss in any unfortunate events such as natural calamities, impacts due to fire and negligence mishaps, thousands of lives and millions up to billions worth of properties are being lost every year, and the need for a financial tool arises to make financial impacts less severe.

“Damage caused by fire is insurmountable. It affects the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos, regardless of their economic status in life. Unfortunately, our kababayans in the marginalized sector can experience bigger risk and more profound impact. Backed by our commitment for financial inclusion, we also want common Filipinos to be able to afford protection and security as a part of their financial plan. It is crucial that they have access to basic security requirements to cushion the blow of disasters that may happen,” Cebuana Lhuillier CEO and President, Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

As the country observes the annual Fire Prevention Month, here are some tips from the BFP to make sure that your house is safe from fire:

Unplug appliances when they are not in use

Unplugging items when not in use not only reduces your electricity consumption but also cuts down the chances of a fire. Excessive electricity flowing through appliances like TV sets, computers, and a lot more – or a possibility of power surge can be a source of conflagration.

Make sure to always unplug your appliances when leaving the house.

Never leave flames or heated appliances unattended

Always be cautious of any excessive flames that you may use like lighting candles or cooking. Always keep an eye and one step ahead if anything goes wrong. Much better if you can install fire alarms or have fire extinguishers ready, nearby.

Keep flammable items away from things that can be a source of fire

Proper storage of different items and supplies can prevent a fire incident. Ensuring that flammable items are stored in the right place and are far away from a source of heat, can save you from a possible accident.

Declutter

Too many things cluttered in an area can give fire plenty of space to spread faster. By decluttering certain areas in your home, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of spreading fire, minimize your loss, and save your home in the event of a fire.

Check your electrical wirings regularly

Pay close attention to any visible faulty wirings. This can damage your appliances that can eventually lead to a fire incident.

Always remember that prevention is always better than cure. Knowing these fire prevention tips could save you and others from a devastating event.

“This Fire Prevention Month, it is important to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention. Apart from being ready when a fire incident happens, it is also important that common Filipinos have a safety net in case it happened. This is our main mission for our microinsurance product, ProtectMax. This product offers comprehensive coverage at a more reasonable cost,” First Vice President and Group Head of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers Inc., Jonathan Batangan mentioned.

To lessen the risk brought by fire and other natural calamities, Cebuana Lhuiller offers ProtectMAX, an affordable microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder, and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance.

For as low as P50, get a total coverage value of up to P61,000.00. Each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured in a year.

To know more about Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMAX, visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch or just log on to www.cebuanalhuillier.com. Avail ProtectMAX now in almost 3,000 branches of Cebuana Lhuillier, nationwide.

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Pru Life UK teaches money lessons during pandemic

Pru Life UK teaches money lessons during pandemic

Friday, January 7, 2022

During this financially and emotionally exhausting time, being financially prepared for anything unexpected is of utmost importance. As we live through the pandemic, everyone should learn the value of saving and investing to cover future uncertainties.

While Filipinos should have specific layers of protection not only for themselves but also for their families, knowing what they are availing or investing in is equally important.

Such a great start among Filipinos wanting to have security amid these challenging times is availing of products that offer protection and investment rolled into one. One important factor that many - even by the ordinary Juans - avail of these products is the security and growth it provides financially.

For individuals who want to invest but are concerned about dealing with certain critical illnesses, products such as the PRUHealth Prime are perfect for them. For example, it eases the financial burden of battling cancer with a 50% cash-out upon diagnosis of pre-defined early-stage cancer while giving its subscribers the ability to build a more significant health fund with its investment component.

The PRULink Elite Protector is also among the products that offer maximum life protection with payment terms that are flexible to suit your needs while letting wealth grow faster with a more significant portion of premiums invested in chosen funds. On the other hand, the PRULink Assurance Account Plus is an excellent fit for people who want a more extensive and more comprehensive protection package at a lesser cost while allowing continuous payment with a portion of your premium investable in your chosen fund.

Filipinos who want life protection coverage and start investing at any time and can afford to pay once may wish to avail the PRULink Investor Account Plus and PRUMillionaire.

Apart from having life protection and investment for ourselves and our loved ones, below are also some money lessons that we can learn during the pandemic:

Track Your Expenses and Save

Budgeting is important. Start looking at your income and expenses. There are mobile apps that track spending and manage accounts, making this step much more manageable. While most people are staying at home because of lockdown and other restrictions, it is the best time to find small ways to save, such as canceling unnecessary subscriptions, refraining from buying fancy or unnecessary things, and making more significant shifts, such as moving in with family members to save money on rent and shared utilities.

Take Advantage of all the Financial Relief Programs

If you can receive financial aid from the government or other institutions during the pandemic, it’s wise to take that opportunity. Use that money to spend on the most important things you need daily, like food. You can also set a portion of it for your electricity and housing rental because businesses are giving their consumers payment extensions.

The Best Time to Invest is Now

Many surveys and studies show that the earlier you invest, the better. A tiny amount of money invested now will put more money in your pocket in the future. If you can stay disciplined, you will reach your goals. You can maximize this in the long run by starting now and staying on track. If you need assistance, consider hiring a financial advisor and research on which company you may invest in.

The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many people to be concerned about their financial security and their health protection. Getting life protection and investment in one can be one of the smartest things that a person can do during this time. Having health, life protection, and money growth means you can prepare for most hospital expenses and for anything that may happen in the future, such as illness, retirement, or even death, while still growing your wealth as you achieve your life goals.

To learn more about Pru Life UK’s Insuravest products, visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph.

References:

Why an Emergency Fund Is More Important Than Ever [Internet]. Investopedia. 2021 [cited 30 September 2021]. Available from: https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0812/why-an-emergency-fund-is-important.aspx

Managing your money during and after coronavirus [Internet]. American Psychological Association. 2020 [cited 2 September 2021]. Available from: https://www.apa.org/members/content/managing-money-coronavirus

How Life Insurance Shopping Has Changed During The Pandemic [Internet]. Forbes. 2020 [cited 9 August 2020]. Available from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/buying-during-pandemic/

The value of insurance during a crisis [Internet]. BusinessWorld Online. 2021 [cited 17 May 2021]. Available from https://www.bworldonline.com/the-value-of-insurance-during-a-crisis/

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