The loan and winding road to borrowing Home Credit and CIC share their top tips when getting a loan

If you’ve ever used a credit card for purchases, or availed of a consumer loan for a big expense, or even simply borrowed lunch money from a co-worker, you are not alone—according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, nearly 50% of adult Filipinos have an outstanding debt, while another 33% had borrowed money in the past.
Out of these borrowers, there is a growing segment that has taken loans from lending or financing companies. And it’s hard not to see why these “non-traditional” consumer finance companies are growing in popularity: for one thing, their requirements are usually much fewer than what banks ask for, and the approval process itself tends to be pretty fast, too.

That being said, there are those who still feel overwhelmed by the thought of applying for—and repaying—a consumer loan. After all, a loan, no matter how small, is a big responsibility. On the other hand, there are those who dive straight into borrowing, without knowing if they are 100% capable of being a good borrower.
If you belong to either of these camps, take a moment to read these handy tips from consumer finance company Home Credit and its government partner, Credit Information Corporation (CIC). Master these tips, and you’ll be a master borrower in no time!

Have a good credit record. Before you even enter the store or the bank to apply for your next loan, ask yourself if you’ve been a good borrower in the past. Have you ever missed any due dates, or worse, defaulted on a loan? All of these may reflect in your credit history, which financial institutions take a look at before granting loans. If your credit history is good, then chances of approval are high. If not… you might just want to skip that loan application altogether.

First-timers have a chance, too. But what if you don’t have a credit record, period—that is, you’ve never had a loan before? It can be a vicious cycle—some people don’t get approved for loans because they have no credit records, but how can they get a record if they’ve never gotten a loan in the first place?
But there’s good news: Home Credit, for one, can provide loans even to first-time borrowers, thanks to their sophisticated system for screening applications. The CIC, on the other hand, can get credit data even from telcos, and cable companies, and share these with financial institutions. So if you have paid bills to these companies, then it just might be the ticket to getting your loan approved!

Know your rights, and read the fine print. Before you sign your loan contract, find out if there are any special conditions, or better yet, benefits that come with your loan. For instance, Home Credit offers the option to avail of insurance along with the loan; a 15 day “cooling-off” period that allows customers to pay back the full loan at no added cost within this time period; and a loan “safety guarantee” that promises full transparency on loan products with no hidden charges.

On time? Good. Ahead of time? Even better! Once your loan is approved and signed, remember your dues—that is, know exactly what you owe total, what you owe each month, and for how long. And of course, remember your due dates! “On time, all the time” is a good rule of thumb, but consider paying your monthly dues a few days in advance. That way, you’re protecting yourself from unforeseen hiccups—e.g. technical issues, bank clearing delays—that can lead to delays in posting payments, which of course leads to penalties (and a blemish on your credit record).

Want an even better tip? Enroll your loan into bank auto-debit, if possible. That way, you don’t need reminding every time your due date approaches. Just remember to keep your bank account funded!

If you run into trouble, just let your lender know. Even the most responsible borrowers can encounter financial difficulties that can impact their ability to repay. Sudden illness, unemployment, and unforeseen expenses are just some of the things that can derail our loan payments. If ever this happens to you, the last thing you want to do is to hide from your lender, or ignore their calls to remind you of your (over) due dates.
Your best course of action? Reach out to them, and be transparent about your difficulties. More often than not, they are willing to help—or at the very least, listen. In Home Credit’s case, they even have a special unit in the company which reviews cases of customers experiencing extraordinary financial difficulties, and try to find solutions for loan repayment.

Turn that good credit record into a GREAT credit record. At this point, you may have realized already how big of a role your credit history plays in getting a loan—and how big of a role your handling of your loan plays in further shaping your credit record. Regardless of how small your loan is, missed or late payments can spell bad news for your credit history. On the other hand, if you are prompt and diligent with your payments, that small loan can do wonders for your credit history—and pave the way for more opportunities in the financial system!
For more information, visit www.homecredit.ph.

Getting Seriously Addicted With Math

The key is teaching kids how to appreciate math by showing them the right fundamentals which they can apply both in a classroom setting or when they are solving math problems on their own.

S.A.M.’s Beginnings in Singapore

The people behind S.A.M are educators from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, led by Samuel Chia and Lau Chin Loong and a support team of Marshall Cavendish consultants. S.A.M or Seriously Addictive Mathematics is an international Singapore Math enrichment program with over 100 centres in 16 countries around the world including USA, Australia and Canada.

According to the TIMSS (Trends in International Maths & Science Study) survey, Singapore Math has been recognized as one of the most successful national programs in the world since 1995. The S.A.M program follows the Singapore Math Curriculum set out by the Ministry of Education and can either be a stand-alone or supplementary math program suitable for children aged 4-12 years old. What makes the SAM approach different from the other Singapore math programs in Philippines is that it is the only international Singapore Math program from Singapore.
Here in the Philippines, it was Enrich Asia which introduced S.A.M. to Filipino families. Enrich Asia is composed of professionals who actively scour the global education arena for new innovative approaches to engaging children and inspiring them to learn.

The Holistic Math Approach of S.A.M.

The S.A.M Approach to Mathematics combines the benefits of personalized coaching, which happens in the classroom in the company of other children with self-learning and self-discovery, which happens when work is taken home. The S.A.M Approach is designed to introduce new concepts in incremental yet sure steps to make learning easier. During class, the trainers of S.A.M. introduce and explain the concepts and the lesson objective. The child then reinforces and applies this knowledge on his own at home through daily worksheets planned and prepared by SAM. Corrections or clarifications, if any, are done during the session the following week.

The Values Instilled by S.A.M.

The advantage of S.A.M. is that it instills discipline, responsibility and independent learning within your child. These values are not just useful in his math subjects but could prove to be helpful as a child tackles his other school subjects.

S.A.M.’s Approach to Math

More than just rote learning, drill and practice, SAM aims to develop math skills going into the 21st century. These skills revolve around heuristics, logical reasoning, metacognitive understanding, modeling techniques and situational word problems. Rather than focusing on rote learning, quick fixes and maverick methods, the S.A.M program builds on kids’ foundation in Mathematics so that they can learn self-reliantly in
their later years in school.

The once a week teachings provided by S.A.M. is a well-thought of process that guides yet steers a child towards learning math independently yet effectively. S.A.M. programs start children with an assessment, so they start at a comfortable point. Here, both their strengths and weaknesses are identified so the mentors will know which to polish or focus on. There are also no memorizations involved in teaching kids how to answer math problems, ensuring that understanding is the essence of every learning objective.

And because what they learn are the concepts, the greater benefit is that the skills taught through S.A.M. stays with a person well into adulthood, where math ceases to be just a subject, and already a way of life.

Fit Filipino Movement challenges the Philippines to lose 1 million lbs.

Premier wellness and lifestyle coaches, Jim and Toni Saret, challenge the nation to fight the battle of the bulge this 2017 in the Fit Filipino (FitFil) 1 Million Lbs. National Weight Loss Challenge.

FitFil is slated to be the biggest on-ground and online fitness campaign in the country. The program will run for six months and aims to encourage everyone to pledge and lose the pounds. Even before its official launch, medical associations, and public and private sectors have already answered the call and made their pledges. Individual, squads, corporations, and even cities are encouraged to join the cause toward a healthier and fitter lifestyle.

This national challenge is the first step to the Fit Filipino Movement’s vision of one million fit Filipinos by 2020. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Director Mario V. Capanzana, “Three in 10 Filipinos are overweight or obese. Of these three, one overweight adult can be found in the National Capital Region.”

“We want Filipinos to see that getting fit and healthy can be easy and fun when you have the whole nation rallying together for this cause,” said Coach Jim Saret.

This was seconded by Coach Toni Saret. “Wellness starts with the little changes in our lifestyle choices. We can start with better eating habits or a simple 4-minute workout daily,” she added.

Among the first organizations that pledged support is the Philippine Heart Association (PHA). “Prevention is still the best step to be in tip-top shape. Following PHA’s 52100 Health Lifestyle (which stands for five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, two hours of screen time, one hour of exercise daily, zero sugary sweets, and 0 smoking) is one way of supporting the Fit Filipino Challenge,” said PHA President Dr. Raul Lapitan.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is also taking on the challenge. “Obesity needs to be addressed. Proper nutrition and fitness can reverse that. We encourage everyone to join the Fit Filipino Movement,” said PMA President Dr. Irineo Bernardo III.

Registration is free, and will start on June 5 until December 5, 2017, at www.fitfil.ph.

Interested participants can also visit select Robinsons Supermarket every Saturday to register and submit their official weight. After their final weigh-in, participants can avail of a reward if they achieve their wellness goal.

Be part of the biggest national weight loss challenge in the country and join the FitFil 1 Million Lbs. National Weight Loss Challenge! For more information, visit www.fitfil.ph or inquire at select Robinsons Supermarket outlets.

Matrix – Bring it Home

Johnson Health Tech is excited to announce the retail launch of its Matrix line of cardio fitness equipment. Previously available only in a gym or club setting, users can now experience the dynamic performance and uncompromising design of Matrix products from the comfort of their own home.

“For years Matrix Fitness has been a trusted partner in the commercial fitness industry worldwide, and we are excited to extend the Matrix brand to our home fitness customers,” said Mark Zabel, Vice President, Global Marketing and Product Development for Johnson Health Tech. “Matrix retail products are designed to bring a premium workout experience to the home – ensuring our customers a higher level of satisfaction with their fitness routine.”

Optimized for the home environment, the Matrix retail line offers the same durability, performance and industry-leading technology that fitness enthusiasts love about Matrix’s club-quality equipment. With a compact design, the machines fit comfortably in the home workout space, and the superior styling of the industrial design sets a new standard for how home fitness equipment should look. Three different intuitive consoles give users choices, whether they’re looking for an advanced experience that includes access to their favorite apps, social media, premium entertainment, stunning virtual journeys and much more, or a simple display with accurate, easy-to-read feedback that tracks heart rate, distance, watts and other workout metrics.

The Matrix retail line includes:

Treadmills – Offering the industry’s most advanced frame and deck combination, Matrix treadmills strike the perfect balance between engineering and aesthetics. The welded steel frame provides superior stability and the front wheel transport makes moving the treadmill easy. The Ultimate Deck System combines a heavy-duty frame, extra-thick deck and industrial-grade cushions for miles of durable performance. Also available in a folding design, the deck can be lifted to a near-90 degree angle and rolled away to save space. Additional performance options include the exclusive Johnson Drive System providing unmatched consistency and smoothness, available on the TF50.

Ellipticals – The most compact, most comfortable and smoothest ellipticals in the industry, Matrix ellipticals feature wheel- and track-free Suspension Elliptical Technology, which reduces noise and friction, while providing a smooth, consistent feel. Available on the E50 model, the exclusive Exact Force Induction Brake offers smooth, easy and precise resistance changes at the touch of a button.
Ascent Trainers – Matrix Ascent Trainers deliver an exceptionally smooth, ultra-comfortable exercise experience. The unique suspension design with PerfectStride leveraged extensive research to combine an ideal stride motion, ergonomically correct foot positioning, correct posture and a variable stride length that adjusts as incline changes for a more natural-feeling workout. Similar to Matrix ellipticals, the Ascent Trainers feature wheel- and track-free Suspension Elliptical Technology.

Bikes – Matrix exercise bikes are designed for users of all shapes and sizes and are available in upright and recumbent bike designs. The upright and recumbent bikes feature Matrix’s Dual Form Frame, which provides superior stability and easy step-through access, as well as an ergonomic Comfort Arc Seat to maximize support, and the Exact Force Induction Brake (select models), which makes it easy to quickly and smoothly change resistance. The Matrix ES Indoor Cycle offers a true-to-life riding experience with a smooth, heavy flywheel and easy adjustments to give every user an ideal riding position.

The Matrix retail line will begin rolling out in May at Johnson Fitness and Wellness concept store in Commercenter Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Pioneer Center Kapitolyo, Pasig City; and SM City Clark, Pampanga. For more information about Matrix products, visit matrixfitness.com

About Matrix Fitness

Matrix Fitness (www.matrixfitness.com), a Johnson Health Tech brand, is the fastest-growing commercial fitness brand in the world. Matrix is comprised of a complete line of cardiovascular and strength-training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities. For the first time, Matrix Fitness now offers a retail line with a focus on cardiovascular equipment for the home fitness enthusiast.
About Johnson Health Tech

Johnson Health Tech, Inc. (JHT), Taiwan, is one of the largest fitness equipment manufacturers in the world and is home to some of the most respected brands in the fitness industry, including Matrix, Vision and Horizon. The company manufactures a wide assortment of fitness equipment for both commercial and residential use, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and strength training equipment. Johnson Health Tech’s global management headquarters is based in Taichung, Taiwan, with global product development, marketing and engineering based in Cottage Grove, Wis.

Robinsons Supermarket’s Route to Wellness Campaign

In time for the back-to-school season, families, especially students, can continue their journey towards healthy living as they discover nutritious and rewarding food choices in “Learn Wellness”, the second promo event in the “Route to Wellness” campaign of Robinsons Supermarket.

Robinsons Supermarket welcomed families to the “Magical World of Wellness” recently at Eastwood Central Plaza. The enchanting set-up was composed of fun wizarding activities from a VTR game, potion-making and a finders-keepers game. Select moms also got a chance to learn and make their own bento-boxes. All games and activities help educate kids and kids-at-heart on the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise.

From May 1 to June 30, 2017, shoppers will get a PHP 100 OFF coupon for a minimum single receipt purchase of PHP 3,000 at Robinsons Supermarket. Purchases must be inclusive of PHP 500 worth of participating products from Nestle, CDO, Splash, Wyeth, or Purefoods. Loyal shoppers can also earn additional 10 Robinsons Rewards Card points when they buy select Nestle products during this promo.

Robinsons Supermarket’s Route to Wellness campaign banners its commitment to strengthening its “We Love Wellness” advocacy that enables it to provide healthier food options and alternatives to Filipinos.

To stay updated on Robinsons Supermarket’svarious activities and learn more about its “Route to Wellness” campaign, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph.

Shopee Expands Selection of Men’s Products Due to Growing Male Online Shoppers

While online shopping has traditionally been a female activity, the guys aren’t about to get left behind. More Filipino males are starting to browse online for better deals skipping shopping in traditional brick-and-mortar malls.

Shopee, the leading mobile shopping app in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has recognized this new shopping behavior of male consumers, who are more meticulous than women when it comes to buying online.

Macy Castillo, Shopee’s Head of Commercial Business shares, “Apart from gadgets that are widely popular no matter the age, the shopping behavior of men in the Philippines differ based on age groups. Men aged between 20 and 24 are trend conscious and have lower spending power, but shop more often, buying more Fashion and Accessories. Men between 25 to 30 spend a bit more on Wellness, Hobbies and Sports items; while men between 31-35 who have higher purchasing power, buy from our Toys, Kids and Babies category as well as Men’s Skincare. We see our dads buying baby bottles and face creams — products that they are not usually seen buying in public!”

To cater to the different and discerning needs of male customers, Shopee expands its product selection with more trusted brands like Belo Essentials, HP, SanDisk and Promate,.

Belo Men Brand Manager Mario Garcia says, “With Shopee, we can tap more consumers for Belo Men. It enables us to reach out to our customers and help them with their needs and concerns. We are very happy with our partnership!”

Joharrah Aviles, Promate’s E-Commerce Director of Southeast Asia adds, “Shopee is the perfect shopping app for our brand. Not only is it convenient and hassle-free, but it is also highly social in nature, which helps us a lot in communicating with our customers.”

For men who are hesitant about shopping online, Shopee’s Live Chat allays fears by allowing buyers to easily communicate with the sellers for any questions they may have. Users also enjoy Shopee Guarantee, which protects payments until orders are delivered.

Shopee is available at free download from the App Store and Google Play. For more information about Shopee, or to start your online shopping experience, visit www.shopee.ph

IMMAP Launches Digital Congress 2017, DX: The Culture of Digital Transformation

Manila, Philippines—The Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) announced last April 6 the first details of this year’s Digital Congress (DigiCon), including programs, speakers, and activities at the annual industry event. Carrying the theme “DX: The Culture of Digital Transformation,” DigiCon 2017 will be held on October 11-13 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

“Over the past years, not only has digital technology changed the way we communicate, interact, work and play as individuals, it has begun transforming entire companies and industries,” shares IMMAP President Margot B. Torres. “Through DigiCon 2017, it is IMMAP’s aim to equip companies with the tools that they need to transform in this age of digital evolution and innovate amidst constant change.”

To help Filipino marketers adapt in this era of digitization, the second year of the congress focuses on fostering a unique culture that thrives in today’s digital age. The largest of its kind in the Philippines, it is expected to draw around 2,500 delegates from various industries across the country. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to content provided by globally acknowledged opinion leaders, among them: Altimeter Group Principal Analyst and award-winning author Brian Solis. His first trip to the Philippines, Solis will impart his expertise to help participants understand the relationship between the evolution of technology and its impact on people.

Other speakers include: Google Director of People DN Prasad, WARC Managing Director for Asia Pacific Edward Pank, TNS APAC Director for Digital Zoe Lawrence, LOWE Global Head Wayne Arnold, McCann Creative Planner for Japan Shun Matsuzaka, Dentsu Aegis Philippine CEO and IMMAP founding President Donald Lim, Deloitte Digital Regional Strategy Director Amer Iqbal, Founder of McCann Millennials Shun Matsuzaka, JWT APAC Director for Digital Josie Brown, Spotify APAC Managing Director Sunita Kaur, EMEA Marketing Lead, Emerging Business for Facebook Ana Bishop Rehrig, Asia-Pacific CEO for iProspect Joanna Catalano, APAC CEO for Havas Media and India & South East Asia for Havas Group Vishnu Mohan, SEA General Manager for Maker Studios, Gautam Talwar, ASEAN President for Cisco Naveen Menon, Brand Manager Mondelez Philippines for Tang PH Lawrence Dominique Lorico, Thinking Machines CEO Stephanie Sy, George Royeca for Team VR, OnOff Group Design Thinking Specialist and founder Phil Smithson, and Deputy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission Dondi Mapa.

A total of 80 speakers will share their expertise spread over 5 + 1 tracks; this year’s DigiCon will have five main topics (People and Organizations, New Age of Storytelling, Living Streams, Customer Experience, and Pivots and Unicorns) plus one to be introduced this year (Culture). The Culture track is a new addition that will go beyond the breakout sessions; it aims to foster collaboration among participants and to show how digital technology is accessible, fun, and most of all, felt.

Attendees will immerse themselves in understanding innovative tactile experiences such as Virtual and Augmented reality at DigiCon’s Trade Exhibit, which will showcase e-commerce and other impressive technology solutions. In between tracks and exhibits are culture-shaping activities that will push participants to network and have a well-rounded experience.

“A true transformation needs to occur at many levels,” says IMMAP Vice-President and DigiCon Chairman Ed Mapa. “Ultimately, organizations need to constantly re-evaluate and be ready to change how they work—from processes, to organizational teams, and to ways of working. The sooner we adapt, the more benefits we can enjoy.”

For more information on DigiCon 2017, The Culture of Digital Transformation, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, visit http://www.digicon.com.ph.

Three new exciting flavors from Wilkins Delight

Beverage giant, Coca-Cola, brings innovation to a whole new level with the introduction of the first water – flavored with real fruit juice, in the Philippines – Wilkins Delight!

On April 5, the Company officially introduced the newest addition to the growing water portfolio of the Wilkins Brand. Wilkins Delight is an exciting water brand for young adults and anyone who want more than just water. It is just the right kind of light; made from pure drinking water from your most trusted water brand, Wilkins, and infused with fruit flavors from real fruit.

“Young adults hate boredom. They want their lives to be interesting and colorful.”, said Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing Stephan Czypionka. “[They] want to see new places, meet new people and taste new colorful products that are not only healthy and hydrate, but also entertain their taste buds.”

It’s a colorful, fruity twist that hydrates your body naturally, while at the same time excites your palette and teases your vision with fun light colors of amber – for the Apple infused flavor, pink – for that hint sweet taste of Pomelo flavor, and orange – for that fizzy Orange twist. The hydrating burst of flavors in the new Wilkins Delight will surprise Pinoy millenials to break-free from the monotony by adding color to their routinely lives.

“This is why today we create a new generation of water – a unique fusion of all the natural benefits from your no. 1 trusted water brand Wilkins (Pure) and all the joyful goodness and fun extracted from real fruit– great refreshing taste, amazing colors, and an endless option of interesting flavors from fruits!,” added Czypionka.

Media attendees, Coca-Cola partners and some of your favorite millennials in the local scene who graced the event experienced an afternoon of breaking free from their usual ‘everyday’ routines and get to enjoy tons of fun and colorful activities!

That’s not all as more surprises came with the reveal of the official TVC for Wilkins Delight along with the brand’s new powerful set of ambassadors – Kapamilya’s talented star Matteo Guidicelli and the Philippines’ very own Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa!

“As someone who’s from the beauty pageant industry, I need to take good care of my health and my complexion by drinking safe and pure drinking water. With Wilkins Delight, drinking water gets even more fun as it helps rejuvenate me — keeping my skin healthy. The good thing about Wilkins Delight is that it comes in three exciting fruit flavors. All three variants of Wilkins Delight are delicious, although my personal favorite is the apple flavored one. There’s definitely one for everyone!”, Kylie says.

Matteo also shared how important water is in his every day routine especially with his busy schedule as an artist, and a sports enthusiast —

“As an actor, singer and triathlete, water is always a must for me to help me stay focused, refreshed and energized. Wilkins has always been my no. 1 go to water for hydration. Now, drinking water doesn’t have to be boring because of Wilkins Delight! With the benefits of safe and pure drinking water of Wilkins (Pure) combined with the infused flavor from real fruits, my daily water routine just got more colorful with Wilkins Delight!”, Matteo added.

Wilkins Delight comes in three exciting flavors! Pink Pomelo, Apple and Orange. Each rehydrates the body because of the water, and tickles the tongue because it has real fruit juice. Wilkins Delight is now available in 425ml pack at the suggested retail price (SRP) of P15 in your leading supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores; and in 250ml pack for an SRP of P10 in your favorite sari-sari stores nationwide.

Add flavor to your water. Add color to your life. Enjoy new Wilkins Delight.

National Book Store: Read Out Loud For A Better Future.

Books have their own unique effect on each individual. When we get to hold books in our hands and flip through its pages, words enchant us, opening our minds to new experiences. There are books that inform and educate people, from general facts about life to how to cook exotic dishes. There are also books that take you on exciting adventures, scare you through thrilling feats, and of course, books that make you feel all kinds of love – even the unimaginable. Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a book and adding it to your bookshelf, knowing that you’ve been changed by what you read. While there may be thousands of books published out there, some just stick with us and are worth sharing with the rest of the world.

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Spreading the love for reading among Filipinos is at the core of National Book Store (NBS). This year, the country’s favorite book store is celebrating 75 years of creating a growing nation of readers and being a strong advocate for education.

As part of the festivities, NBS recently launched the Read Out Loud Challenge (ROLC) on Facebook and Instagram, aiming to promote the love of reading among Filipinos while supporting a good cause. The mechanics are simple. Post a video of yourself reading out loud an excerpt from your favorite book and challenge 3 other people to do it. When you upload to either Facebook or Instagram, add the hashtag #ReadOutLoudChallenge and tag National Book Store (@nbsalert).

For every 75 videos posted, the NBS Foundation will set up a library in a public school, complete with Project Aklat racks that consist of DepEd-approved books. Project Aklat is an initiative started back in 2006 by the NBS Foundation, and 400 libraries have been set up since then. Now, with the ongoing ROLC campaign, NBS aims to set up 100 libraries nationwide.

With such a worthy cause, it’s no surprise that celebrities and authors have taken on the ROLC. Leading them is no less than the founder of NBS and an advocate for literacy, Mrs. Socorro Ramos or Nanay Coring, as she is fondly called.

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While the ROLC will promote and support Project Aklat, the NBS Foundation will also launch the 8th year of Project Aral this April 7,2017 in all NBS branches nationwide. Project Aral aims to visit and help over 150 communities who lack basic school necessities. That’s why in this year’s Project Aral, there will be two different kits: The first kit which costs only 25 pesos contains 2 notebooks, 2 pencils, a sharpener, and an eraser. The second kit costs 50 pesos and contains 2 notebooks, 2 pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, and a pair of slippers – a great gift for children who currently have to make their way to school barefoot. But whatever kit you purchase will surely bring a smile to many Filipino children.

These are just a few of the activities in store for Filipinos as part of National Book Store’s 75th anniversary. There will be more to come, but for now, celebrate with NBS by accepting the Read Out Loud Challenge to spread the love for reading and help set up libraries nationwide. Time to bring your favorite lines to life! Shop online at nationalbookstore.com. Visit the NBS Blog (blog.nationalbookstore.com) and follow them on social media (@nbsalert) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Daiso Japan opens their 60th store at UP Town Center

Celebrating the ever-growing popularity of Japanese shopping in the Philippines, Daiso Japan
has opened its 60th store in the country to enable more Filipinos to Daisofy their lives with
affordable and high-quality Japanese-inspired office and home items.

Located at the UP Town Center in Quezon City, the newest addition to the local network of
Daiso Japan outlets is also introducing a new design style – one that is reminiscent of its stores
in the Land of the Rising Sun.

“The new store concept for Daiso Japan allows our products to take front and center – bringing
it closer to Filipino consumers. The store was designed with elements that will keep it clean,
bright, airy, and streamlined, making it easier for visitors to maneuver and explore the whole
store,” said Katherine Yu, Daiso Japan general manager. “The new store design is in line with
the mantra of the brand to provide quality, variety, and uniqueness in our product line.”
Some of the design elements include polished stainless, laminate and metal decking floor
pattern that brings to life a sleek and industrial interior.

Aside from showcasing its new and exciting interiors, Daiso Japan also welcomed loyal
customers to its latest store with a flash sale where items were sold for P60, P160, and P260
only! The opening day was also dotted with fun activities and treats, including free ice cream
for everyone.

Media guests were also treated to a journaling session with Cienne Olaes, a watercolor junkie
and journaling expert. The fun activity was done with materials readily available at any Daiso
Japan store nationwide.

As a special treat, customers can avail of the exclusive Robinsons Rewards Card for only P100
when they visit the Daiso Japan UP Town Center outlet during its opening weekend. Points will
immediately be credited for every purchase at the store.

At Daiso Japan, every product—from office knick-knacks, home and kitchen ornaments, beauty
essentials, and practical but curious merchandise— brings utmost value for money! Come visit
any of the 60 Daiso Japan stores today. For more updates, follow Daiso Japan on Facebook
(www.Facebook.com/DaisoJapanPH)