Surviving the Pandemic with Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings

Two mothers speak on how micro-savings have become their dependable ally during these trying times.

The uncertainties that came with the global health pandemic led to the financial stress that altered the lifestyle of many Filipinos. For close to two years since the global COVID-19 pandemic started, many lost their jobs and had to make do with what little savings they have stashed away.

A study titled, "State of Banking and Financial Wellness" commissioned by US-based research firm Forrester, indicated that more than half of Filipinos identified building their savings as one of their top concerns when it comes to personal finance.

The desire to have the money safely stashed when rainy days come is one that is shared by every Filipino—regardless of stature in life or the money they earn. When COVID-19 hit, the majority of Filipinos were left without a stable means of livelihood as the strict lockdown badly affected the economy, leading to a significant number of business closures and an uncertain future for those engaged in the gig economy.

Stemming from its desire to push for financial inclusion for every Filipino, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank partnered with Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the country’s leading micro financial service providers, to introduce Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings in 2019. Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings provided Filipinos with an accessible and convenient means to save their hard-earned money by addressing the common barriers in saving, including lack of accessibility, the need for numerous documentary requirements, and the high cost of starting and maintaining a balance.

"Our main priority is to be a one-stop-shop for the micro-financial needs of our kababayans. With our commitment to financial inclusion and mobility for everyone, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account is one of the great products we have created to empower many of our kababayans to save, regardless of their status in life," - Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO

The promise of having money saved in times of need was what inspired Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account holders Pillilia Pardo and Maria Luisa Luna to open a savings account and work hard to build a comfortable fund that they can rely on when needed.

Pillilia Pardo, 79-year-old, sari-sari store owner from Las Pinas and a loyal micro-savings account holder, dreams of imparting the value of savings to her children. 

Pillilia, a 79-year-old sari-sari store owner in Las Pinas, makes sure to deposit a fraction of her daily earnings into her micro-savings account. With her store located right beside the Cebuana Lhuillier Casimiro branch, she has become a daily fixture for the branch personnel who assists her on her everyday transactions.

"Napakahalaga ng savings, kasi pag dumating ang pagkakataon na ikaw ay magigipit, kailangan mo ng pera. Kung mayroon kang ipon, anytime puwede ka makapag-withdraw," - Pillilia Pardo

When the pandemic hit, Pillilia used her micro-savings account to augment her day-to-day expenses, which included medicines, food, utilities, and rent. When the lockdowns affected her store’s earnings, she was comforted by the fact that she did not have to resort to borrowing money in order to get by. "Hindi ka magsisisi kung nakapag-ipon ka…anytime nangailangan, nandiyan ang ipon ko. Mayroon akong magagamit," she adds.

Maria Luisa Luna, a 64-year-old, garbage collector from Manila relied on her micro-savings account when the pandemic badly hit her family.

For Maria Luisa, it was her savings that literally saved her family in the midst of the strict Manila lockdowns. She earns her keep by collecting recyclables which she then sells in a junkyard. For over two years, even before the lockdown began, she would make sure that a portion of her earnings goes to her Cebuana Lhuillier micro-savings account, which she intends to use during emergencies.

"Hindi na kami makapangalakal nung naghigpit sa lockdown. Yung kinakain namin, halos galing na lang sa ayuda ng gobyerno pero hindi naman sapat yun. Nagkasakit pa ang anak ko. Hindi ko naman matiis na hindi maipagamot. Doon ko na naisip na gamitin yung ipon ko sa Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings." - Maria Luisa Luna

Tuwing may kailangan sa bahay, gaya nang pangkain at pang-renta, withdraw ako. Tapos pagpapagamot sa anak, withdraw ulit," Maria Luisa shares. She admits that the protracted quarantine period had drained her savings, but now that everything is slowly going back to normal, she has also resumed building her emergency nest egg, visiting the Cebuana Lhuillier branch nearest her after a day of collecting recyclables and items to sell.

Since its launch, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings has enabled more than 5.5M account holders to have a semblance of peace of mind in times of great need and emergencies. As a cash agent, Cebuana Lhuillier provided account holders with a reliable and highly accessible venue to deposit and withdraw their money in any of its 2,500 branches nationwide, anytime and anywhere.

In 2020, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings was made even more accessible and convenient with the introduction of its new digital features.

"We’ve always believed that Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings should be able to evolve according to the changing needs of its users. By going digital, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is providing greater IPON POWER to its account holders, by providing them convenience and mobility in maximizing the use of their savings through digital channels," Cebuana Lhuillier bank President, Dennis Valdes added.

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings boasts of greater IPON POWER through the following features: withdraw cash in over 21,000+ BancNet ATMs nationwide anytime and anywhere; purchase online thru UnionPay merchants worldwide; 24/7 unlimited banking access with eCebuana app; and do cashless payments in over 350,000 UnionPay and BancNet accredited stores nationwide.

With more and more Filipinos slowly realizing the value of saving, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is gearing towards further improving its features to better provide its account holders with a dependable ally they can continuously rely on.

Home Buddies Goes to SM Southmall on October 8-17!

The biggest online budol community is going to SM Southmall!

The popular online home community, Home Buddies, known for home inspirations and budol finds is finally stepping on the ground. The group is celebrating with big discounts and awesome freebies in their first-ever Home Buddies Fair at SM Southmall’s Event Center on October 8-17.

Check out the fun festivities lined up:

Shop for Home Buddies-approved items at the Haul Buddies Fair from Oct 8-17. Check out trending budol items firsthand from quality shops like Cherry Home’s vacuums and smart locks, SM Home’s Team Kahoy aesthetics, Adelina Home’s gorgeous weaves, Our Home’s minimalist sala sets, Hoton’s budol kitchen tools, and Sweet Freya’s lush vertical wall gardens.

Enjoy up to 70% off on discounts at the Grand Budol Weekend on October 9-10 when you shop from Our Home, Cherry Home, Hoton, Forty Winks, SM Home, and Ace Hardware.

If you’re thinking of redesigning your space but are not sure where to start? You can get FREE interior design consultation from the professionals at Dizenyo.PH on October 8-9.

There’s more! Here are some of the kapitbahay-exclusive promos to check out on SM Southmall’s page: Our Home is raffling off Team Puti & Team Kahoy furniture sets, bolsters, and mystery boxes, Dizenyo.PH is giving away a coffee bar, Cherry Home is gifting a lucky winner a shoe dryer, and SM Supermoms Club is giving away gift certificates!

Don’t miss any of the fun sur-prizes Home Buddies and SM Southmall have in store for you! For more information, follow @SMSouthmall on Facebook and Instagram.

Yaki Yaki Opens First Branch in the South, Fourth Overall

Craving for Takoyaki? Craving for Yakisoba?
Now, you can have both with Yaki Yaki!

Yaki Yaki recently opened its first branch in the south, 4th branch overall, and is here to satisfy your takoYAKI and YAKIsoba cravings. Aside from that, Yaki Yaki also serves handcrafted milk beverages that go well with the combination of takoyaki and yakisoba.

Yaki Yaki CAA Las Piñas Branch held a soft opening last September 23 and officially opened the day after, is the 4th branch opened by Yaki Yaki this year.

Yaki Yaki CAA Las Piñas Branch is located at 19 CAA Rd, 2, Las Pinas, Metro Manila

The Takoyaki-and-Yakisoba-in-one serving concept is the first of its kind in the Philippines and Yaki Yaki (YAKIsoba and TakoYAKI) has grown and is now open for franchising to bring Japanese streetfood treats to more areas soon.

You can choose from their 8 kinds of takoyaki: Yasai (Veggie), Tako (Octopus Bits), Chizu (3 Cheese), Kani (Crab), Bifu (Cheeseburger), Bekon Chizu (Cheesy Bacon), Poku Chizu (Cheesy Pork), Bebi Tako (Baby Octopus), all available in 4pcs, 8pcs or 12pcs.

Their Yakisoba starts at Php75.00 (solo) and Php145.00 (sumo / for sharing). Available in regular and spicy variants.

If you want both, just order the Yaki Yaki and you're good. Both go well with Osaka Milk Bar (handcrafted milk beverages).

Beverages go for Php69.00 (regular) and Php79.00 (large) and available flavors are Blueberry Miruki, Mango Cream Tanoshi, Strawberry Oreo Kurimu, Tokyo Iced Kohi, Butterscotch Makiato, Taro Chizu.

Yaki Yaki's snack and beverage offerings are not only tasty and filling, but they’re also affordable as well! Yaki Yaki starts at as low as Php99.00 (solo) and Php189.00 (sumo).

Follow Yaki Yaki's social media pages for the full menu and updates:
Facebook: Yaki Yaki PH | Instagram: @yakiyakiph

Here are the current branch list of Yaki Yaki PH:

• Yaki Yaki Merville Branch | Block 6B Lot 22 Kalayaan Village, Barangay 201 Merville Access Rd, Pasay
• Yaki Yaki Pasig Branch | 24E Landex Apartment, 3rd Street Corner, Countryside Avenue, Countryside Village, Brgy Sta. Lucia, Pasig City
• Yaki Yaki Taguig Branch | 3 F. Manalo Street, Brgy. Calzada-Tipas, Taguig City
• Ask Yaki Yaki CAA Las Piñas Branch | 19 CAA Rd, 2, Las Pinas, Metro Manila

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Looking for a business that is productive and continues operating even during the pandemic? YAKI YAKI PH is also open for FRANCHISE!

Know the secrets behind the success of the brand during the pandemic! Call their franchise hotline at 0998-2431707 and be the one to bring the craze to your area.

PH’s 1st Stevia grower-manufacturer bullish on financial outlook despite the Pandemic

Glorious, popularly known as the country’s first Stevia company, is positive on its outlook despite almost 2-years in the pandemic as more and more people turn to healthier alternatives, sales of stevia products continue to grow.

According to agribusiness finance giant Rabobank, Stevia's sales are expected to hit $700 million worldwide in the next few years.

Consumers in the Philippines can now get their calorie-free sugar needs from natural alternatives. Before, stevia was restricted to the health food market without any FDA approval. Recently, it is now widely used as a natural substitute for artificial sweeteners in many products.

"Stevia has been touted as a safe and healthy sugar substitute with proven health benefits. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits, including decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities," -  Maura De Leon, the woman behind Glorious, the country’s first stevia grower and manufacturer.

While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar and does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for people looking to lose weight but who want to reduce their sugar intake.

Stevia is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a small bushy plant that belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay and Brazil, but it can be quickly grown elsewhere. For centuries, the people of Paraguay add them to their foods as sweeteners, and countries like Korea, Brazil, China, Japan, and South America, have long used stevia.

Stevia products such as teas, juices, healthy coffees, chocolate beverages and natural sweeteners, manufactured by Glorious, are approved safe by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) even for people who have diabetes.

"Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you don't have to add much. It’s good to note that the Philippines is also catching up on the use of this natural sweetener in various food preparations," added De Leon.

Stevia is a natural sweetener taken from the leaves of a bushy shrub. The Stevia plant or (Stevia rebaudiana) has 150 species known to have originated from North and South America. Currently, it is produced by lots of countries, with China as the number one exporter of stevia products, and can be purchased at garden centers for home growing.

People who have diabetes can benefit from stevia. Choosing pure stevia extract can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and should be used in moderation. Stevia can also help cut down added sugar consumption, which can be beneficial for children. High sugar intake in children could lead to heart disease due to reconstructing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, contributing to children's weight gain. Substituting added sugar for stevia can minimize these risks. At the same time, moderate consumption of foods with stevia and other sweeteners can prevent adverse side effects and promote overall health.

What’s even better is that you can add Stevia to make healthy desserts which are diabetic and keto friendly. This is great for people who have a sweet tooth but can’t indulge because of health restrictions.

Incidentally, all Glorious Blend beverages — from the 3-in-1, 5-in-1, 7-in-1 mixes, use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of their instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day.

For more information about Glorious, the Stevia Company, check out https://gidc.com.ph/

DARREN EMBARKS ON A CAREER-TURNING NEW PHASE WITH THE RELEASE OF “TAMA NA”

LISTEN NOW: DarrenEspanto.lnk.to/TamaNa

Celebrated pop icon Darren Espanto has officially released his new single "Tama Na"—out today on MCA Music Inc. Now ready to embark on a new phase in his career, the multi-awarded young artist distills pop, hip-hop, and R&B into a modern bop that radio wouldn’t mind spinning at the top of the hour. His latest track is a rhythmically charged tune that approaches the verses with edginess and the chorus with suave.

On top of a smooth, urban-leaning production and trap beats, Darren sings about giving up on the person that used to occupy a special place in his heart. "Ayokong masaktan ulit / Ayoko nang lumuha pa't maging biktima," the 20-year-old pop sensation drops the bomb on the chorus, finally making sense of the situation that left him hanging for a long time.

"Tama Na" is a song about unrequited love and finally finding the courage to walk away from a tedious, one-way relationship, which has done nothing but hurt your feelings. The song’s pitched-up samples, hard-hitting electronic beats, and hip-hop-informed sensibilities propel Darren’s soulful delivery to exciting new places. This gives Darren an extra push to showcase his versatility in terms of tone and appeal, turning his youthful fervor into something that resonates with the general public.

"Tama Na" is the latest collaboration between Darren Espanto and fellow hitmaker Zack Tabudlo, who wrote, produced, and mixed the track. According Darren, it has always been their plan to work together on a project, as he admits being a fan of Tabudlo’s music style and talent. "Last year, Zack told me how he became part of the MCA family and we thought that finally, this would be our chance to work together. In just a couple days, Zack created Tama Na and I really liked the song instantly. It’s a sound that people haven’t heard from me before and it’s also a genre I’ve always wanted to try."

A few months later, Zack and Darren went on a Zoom call to guide the latter throughout the entire recording process. Darren recalls, "It was honestly such a chill session, mostly because a lot of it was us just talking about random things that aren’t even related to the song."

The song will be out in music video format soon and is slated to be part of Darren’s new album. With its aim to chart Darren’s evolution as both an artist and a performer, the upcoming record will be a major shift toward a more contemporary-leaning sound with dance and R&B music influences. It will also serve as his more artistically involved release so far, harnessing his songwriting skills and more.

At the moment, Darren Espanto is gearing up for his virtual concert on June 19—to be streamed live via KTX.

He also made headlines a few days ago when a new set of photos showing his new hunky physique went viral on Instagram. Darren’s new look sheds his teenybopper persona and taps into a more grown vibe, marking the celebration of his 20th birthday with newfound adventurousness in style.

Darren is on the cover of Spotify’s New Music Friday Philippines

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