LAZADA Eyes Rapid Growth

In just two years, Lazada has rapidly established itself as the number one e-commerce retailer in Southeast Asia. The Company has brought the convenience of Internet shopping to customers across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Lazada is owned by Germany-based start-up incubator Rocket Internet.

Lazada’s growth has been exponential, driven by its unique offering as an online shopping mall, which understands the differing needs of consumers across a diverse region. It has tapped into the growing trend for consumers in Southeast Asia to shop online, particularly in rural areas where there are few physical retail stores. To date, the company now receives over a million of visit to its website every day. From small number of employees, Lazada has now grown significantly across the five regions and is equpped with state-of-the-art distribution center in every market it operates. .

Lazada  has raised approximately $430 million from leading investors including JP Morgan, Kinnevik and Tesco, which has helped further fuel its growth.

According to Maximilian Bittner, the firm's chief executive officer, “Lazada is a destination website which meets the demands of customers across a complex region. We have successfully broken down the barriers to e-commerce in these markets through solutions such as owning our own fleet of delivery vehicles and offering cash on delivery.

“The Company has seen exponential growth over the past two years and we are now the leading online e-commerce business in Southeast Asia. I am proud to be leading a team of people who strive for perfection every day and work relentlessly to deliver incredible services to our customers”, he adds.

In the Philippines, Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is considered as one of the largest online shopping mall, which provides fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. It continuously strives to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns.

BPI Family Brings Housing Madness to Pampanga

BPI Family Housing Loan recently opened the 3-day Housing Madness at the activity area of Marquee Mall, Ayala Center. This brought excitement in Pampanga as eight (8) residential developers featuring their local projects, each one backed with exclusive home acquisition packages to offer, were put together under one roof.

The Housing Madness was participated in by real estate developers that include Alveo Land, Inc., Avida Sales Corp (Avida Towers Vita), Avida Land (Madera Grove Estate), Ayala Land, Inc., Central Country Estate (Lakeshore), Filinvest, Hausland Development Corp. and St. Catherine Realty.

The housing madness was made even more exciting this year with BPI Family Housing Loan’s summer special offers that include: BPI’s guaranteed best rates at 5.5% p.a. fixed for 1 year and 6.88% p.a. fixed for 5 years and waived processing fee. These offers are valid for loan applications received during the BPI Family Housing Madness event and loan proceeds released on or before June 30, 2014. Clients will also get a FREE BPI Gold Master Card with their approved and availed housing loan.

“When Filipinos become conscious of their money and change the way they think about it, they are able to grow and make the best happen. With Northern Luzon doing so well economically, we are excited about the potential of the real estate here in Pampanga,” said TG Limcaoco, BPI Family President, at the opening of the event.

Limcaoco invites prospective homebuyers to take advantage of the 3-day Housing Madness because “we are here to answer your questions. You won’t know what you can own unless you ask.”

Join in BPI Family’s 3-day Housing Madness invasion and know more about what you could own. Let BPI Family help you make your best decision now. Visit www.bpiloans.com for more information.

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and PFA join hands on 2014 SME Prospects

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) in partnership with Go Negosyo continue its efforts in sustaining the country’s economic growth through entrepreneurship and franchising.

The bank teamed up anew with the country’s largest franchise association, PFA, in bringing a free franchising expo dubbed as “Franchising neGOsyo Para Sayo,” held recently at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City. The two-day free expo offered franchising opportunities for Filipinos especially for OFWs in the food, retail, and service sectors.

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo shared its franchising loan ideas and other product offerings during the expo. The BPI Family team also offered on-site business loan inquiry, loan application, loan processing of as fast as 3 to 8 hours and optional online inquiry through the bank’s interactive website, BPIloans.com wherein the “Franchise Finder” can be accessed. It is a franchise directory that provides a catalogue of comprehensive franchise information of various brands including available packages, updated contact details, and an option to inquire online. The most promising Philippine franchise brands are also included in the website noted under BPI Family Ka-Negosyo’s Best List Brands, providing a wide array of dependable franchise choices for aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Franchising neGOsyo Para Sayo” is one of the avenues that Filipinos who want to engage into business can take advantage of. The expo is unique in a way that it veered from the traditional business expos held at convention centers. Here, people can do their usual mall shopping but at the same time get the opportunity of getting closer to their dream business before going home. BPI Family Ka-Negosyo sees this opportunity to make the best happen to the expo attendees so we offer them business advice, loan inquiry, and application.” says Ms. Cedoy Roces, Vice President and Head of BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loans Division.

The bank’s interactive website is proof of its commitment in making the best happen for Filipinos who aspire of owning their own business.

“We would like to serve as enablers to our fellow Filipinos who are working hard to put up their dream business. We would like to instil that they are empowered to be the boss of their own rather than being an employee majority of their career lives. They can make the best happen now if they choose to and we are here to assist them achieve their goals” Cedoy Roces concluded.

The Expo also featured Senator Bam Aquino as Keynote Speaker. In his speech, Sen. Aquino highlighted the opportunities that entrepreneurship can offer to Filipinos, emphasizing the 3Ms of entrepreneurship, which he defined as Money, Mentorship, and Mindset.

To find out more about the offerings of BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and Ka-Negosyo Franchise Finder, log-on to www.bpiloans.com.

You may also call 754-NEGO, email kanegosyo@bpi.com.ph, text 0917-852NEGO or 0922-869NEGO, or visit any of the 800 BPI and BPI Family branches nationwide.

1st Muntinlupa Student Film Festival Awards

Last March 24, 2014, the Muntinlupa Student Film Festival awarding ceremony was held at the SM-Muntinlupa activity center. The said activity culminates the month-long filmmaking feats in which Muntinlupa students eagerly participated in as it is the first one to be conducted in the city.

This college competition aimed at creating documentary films with moral values that will help the City Government of Muntinlupa in promoting “Yan ang Tama! Yan ang Muntinlupa!” social change campaign. Muntinlupa Student Film Makers ingenuity, skills and talents were showcased in the documentary films that centered on the theme inspiring Muntinlupeños to believe in the common good and Muntinlupa achievements that make them proud of the city.

It can be recalled Filmmaking Symposium and Seminar was earlier conducted on February 1 to prepare and orient students about filmmaking in time for the March 5 entry submission deadline that would follow. The art of developmental journalism, creative writing, and the process of film production were discussed in detail.

Film entries that were shortlisted during the March 7 pre-judging activity were consequently included in the Film Showing event held at SM Muntinlupa Cinema last March 19.

The awarding ceremony were graced by judges were composed of Atty. Alu Dorotan- Executive Director, Metro Manila Film Fest; Mr. Ian Valez- CEO, Overmind and Dr. Michael Sta. Juana. Muntinlupa Mayor Jimmy R. Fresnedi was also there for the Opening Remarks and to show support for this wonderful youth development program. DJ Chicoloco hosted the event.

Highlight of the program was the citation of the following winning entries:

AWARDS FOR MUSIC VIDEO

Group Awards:

Music Video of the Year: Yan Ang Muntinlupa (PLMun Film Society)

1st Runner up Music Video of the Year: Pagkakaisang Tunay (Lakewoodian Productions)

Best in technical production and editing: Hibla ng Pag-asa (Lakewoodian Productions)
Best Original Song: Pagkakaisang Tunay (Lakewoodian Productions)

Individual Awards:

Best Song Artist: Ruth Rusuelo (Gets Mo Production) for “Ako Mismo”

Best Song Writer: Alary Anne Olila (PLMun Film Society) for “Yan ang Muntinlupa”

Best Director: John Erbyn Villarino (PLMun Film Society) for “Yan ang Muntinlupa”

AWARDS FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMS

Group Awards:

Documentary Film of the Year: Elisa (PLMun Film Society)

1st Runner Up Documentary Film

Best Cinematography: Elisa (PLMun Film Society)

Best in Technical Production and Editing: Pagkakaisang Tunay (Lakewoodian Productions)

Individual Awards:

Best Director: Benedict Cua (PLMun Film Society) for “Elisa”

Best Narrator: Raffy Rodriguez (Gets Mo Production) for “Trapiko”

Best Writer: Camille Sorra (Prisoners Production) for “Babae sa Kalsada”

AWARDS FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMS

Mayor Jimmy R. Fresnedi Award for Values: Yan ang Muntinlupa (PLMun Film Society)

Most Shared Trailer or Teaser: CCS Production

Most Liked Poster: Hibla ng Pag-asa (Lakewoodian Productions)

Blockbuster Award: Lakewoodian Productions

It was a grand slam for PLMun Film Society who took home 7 awards. Lakewoodian Productions followed in as a close second with 6 awards.

The exemplary films and documentaries truly emulate well-made productions that promote change from inside out. Though made by amateur youth filmmakers, most of the outcome can rival professionally-produced films with some degree of success.

All winning entries of the 1st Muntinlupa Student Film Festival (MSFF) will form part of the Community Film Showing from March to June 2014.

This successful feat was made possible through the concerted efforts of the City Government of Muntinlupa and its local department, the Youth Affairs and Development Office (YASDO).

LAZADA PH Wins at the 6th DigitalFilipino Web Awards

The Philippines largest online shopping mall, LAZADA, recently emerged among the victors in the 2014 DigitalFilipino Awards held at the Amphitheater of Ateneo Graduate of School of Business, Rockwell Drive in Makati City.


Lazada, which offers fast and convenient online shopping, won the “Retail Store” category award along with the other thirty-nine (39) website winners was selected based on the criteria of search engine competitiveness, website traffic stickiness, technical performance, and social media engagement.

Now on its 6th year, the DigitalFilipino Web Awards recognized the changes with the way web sites are being perceived now and how it’s valued. As Filipinos primary Internet activity today is to search and interact through social networks, high quality websites filled with relevant content and its attractiveness for social media sharing influences, which websites matter more than the rest.

All winners were given 5-minutes presentation discussing their website covering what they did in 2013, lessons learned, and plans for 2014. Lazada Philippines managing director Ruchi Shah and director of supply chain management Dean Krstevski accepted the prestigious award.

The DigitalFilipino Web Awards started in 2007 as a DigitalFilipino.com personal project to get their community members in the DigitalFilipino Club involved in discovering new websites and learning collectively on best practices. The website is also an experiment in terms of measuring brand influence and reach through 3rd party data sources.

Home Loan Free Home promo

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) launched its Home Loan Free Home Promo in an event held at the Asian Institute Management Conference, Makati City last February 28, 2014.

The said real estate housing loan product (with a loan term of 20 years) refers to a promotion wherein a cash back is guaranteed at the end of the term. According to PVB President and CEO Joey Bermudez, the Home Loan Free Home Promo is designed to entice homeowners to take up a housing loan with PVB and avail of the bank’s cash-back guarantee. Home loans mean a lot more than just lower interest and quick processing and this is the reason why PVB came up with its "Home Loan Free Home" promo.

Qualifications for this promo include:
1. Homeowners with existing mortgages of at least twelve (12) months in other banks who are of good standing.
2. New home-buyers including buyers of residential house and lots, townhouses, or condominiums.
3. Homeowners who wish to make major improvements or construction on their existing residential properties

Interest rate is at 8.25% p.a. repricing every 5 years with a loan able amount of up to 80% of the appraised value of collateral property (house and lot, condominium, townhouse) and up to 60% of the appraised value if the collateral property is a vacant lot.

The maximum term of the loan is 20 years provided the borrower is not over 65 years old upon loan maturity and the income requirement of the borrower is at a minimum of Php40,000 per month for single and married with no dependents for every P1M loan.

Application for the housing loan can be done at the Retail Banking Division (RBD) office in Makati City (G/F PVB Head Office – Rufino corner Dela Rosa Sts., Legazpi Village, Makati City) or at any of PVB’s sixty branches nationwide. Loan applicants may also visit the PVB website, click on the PVB Home Loan Free Home ad to be directed to the online application form. Applicants need to fill-out the online form completely, scan and upload/submit the pre-approval requirements. The submitted online application will be emailed directly to RBD for pre-processing. Only completely filled-out online applications will be entertained.

The applicant then submits the pre-approval requirements and pays the non-refundable application fee. Application with complete requirements and paid application fee will undergo process.

Loan approval will take 7-10 days working days for Metro Manila, Bulacan, and CALABARZON. Targeted loan approval outside of these areas, is within 15 days but subject to several factors including accessibility, availability of both credit appraiser and loan applicant, among others.

Successful PVB Home Loans borrowers can avail of a 20-year loan term with the guarantee of a 100% return of the principal loan.

The promo runs from March 1 to May 31, 2014. The borrower agrees to shoulder the application fee, processing fee, notarial fee, MRI & Fire Insurance Premium and Registration & Cancellation fees. Applications must be received within the promo period to be eligible.

For the borrower to receive 100% of hisr principal loan back at the end of 20 years, the following conditions must be met for the entire duration of the term:

• No late or lapsed payment of amortizations and other dues (i.e. Mortgage Redemption Insurance, Fire Insurance premiums, etc.) for the duration of the term.
• No pre-termination of the housing loan.
• No pre-payment of the housing loan.
• Loan is fully paid at the end of the term including all other dues. (i.e. Mortgage Redemption Insurance, Fire Insurance premiums, etc.)
• PVB Savings Account for the monthly amortization must be maintained for the duration of the loan term.

Should the loan applicant fails to meet any of the conditions above, the loan will be treated as a regular housing loan and will be ineligible for the cash-back feature of the promo.

Upon completion of the term, PVB will credit to the applicant's savings account the amount representing his cash back equivalent to the principal loan.

Existing PVB housing loan clients are not qualified. However, existing PVB depositors and customers of non-loan products are eligible for the promo. PVB employees, their agencies and suppliers for the promo, and their respective relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not eligible for this promotion.

For complete list of requirements, go to www.pvbhomeloans.com. You may also call (02) 857-3800 or (02) 902-1600.

Home Loan Free Home
www.pvbhomeloans.com
freehome@veteransbank.com.ph

Neymar Jr. is the New Face of Police 2014 Eyewear Campaign

The new face of the Police S/S 2014 advertising campaign is none other than Neymar Jr., an international football and budding style icon.

The new Police campaign portrays Neymar Jr. in a number of minimalist shots with an urban finish; enhancing the charismatic style of the talented Brazilian footballer. The result is a series of genuine and spontaneous portraits, each brimming with character and perfectly reflecting Neymar Jr.’s personality. The shot were made by globally renowned fashion photographer, Rankin.

The 2014 Police eyewear collection combines the brand's traditional hallmarks with modern finishes. The bold and contemporary design of the Sun and Optical ranges adhere to the brand’s strong identity and urban roots.

“Neymar expresses the various nuances of the brand’s style and interprets them with passion and personality,” enthused Michele Aracri, CEO of the De Rigo Vision Spa.

The beautiful Mexican model Daniela De Jesus, is the female protagonist of the new campaign, portrayed alongside Neymar Jr showcasing the women’s offering from the brand.
The campaign will be launched globally on a variety of media channels, including the print and outdoor media and social platforms.