Have you met the Happiest Pinoy?

I did meet and hear him share a lot of positive things on the happiest of days – the International Day of Happiness!

Presenting, Mr. Winston Maxino, a corporate executive who was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis—a degenerative and incurable bone disease, and a father to a daughter who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  Despite all these challenges, he was awarded the first ever Happiest Pinoy title on February 17, 2010 —

So how did Mr. Maxino became the “Happiest Pinoy”? Isn’t it that all Filipinos are said to hold that happy, positive, resilient disposition in life – regardless of how unfortunate a situation he/she was thrown into?

Mr. Maxino actually bested over 200 Filipino nominees to be the top winner of Cebuana Lhuillier’s first ever “Search for the Happiest Pinoy”.

The Search for the Happiest Pinoy is a nationwide campaign of Cebuana Lhuillier that aims to rekindle the values of optimism, resilience, and hope in Filipinos amidst different life crises.

The campaign aims to find a Filipino who has:

1. Proven ability to rise above life’s challenges
2. Possesses a “Can Do!” attitude
3. Has a positive impact in the lives of others: family members, community, etc.

In the pilot run of the campaign, Mr. Maxino came out as the best Pinoy to exemplify these values. Last March 20, during Cebuana Lhuillier’s Laughternoon event and celebration of the International Day of Happiness, we got to meet him and become inspired with everything that he shared – “live one day at a time”, “happiness is a choice, so choose to be happy”, “always have that positive outlook in life”.

The 2018 Search for the Happiest Pinoy is now on-going and has already grown by leaps and bounds as compared to the very first edition. This latest campaign, in fact, has received over 800,000 entries from all over, as compared to just 200+ entries from the 2009-2010 campaign.

To add to the excitement, ten new categories were created to enable various sectors in society to be represented in the search.

1. Youth Category (Category Code: YOUTH)
   -13 to 21 years old only
2. Senior Citizen Category (Category Code: SR)
   -60 years old above
3. PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Category (Category Code: PWD)
   -Persons with permanent physical or mental impairment
4. Manggagawang Pinoy Category (Category Code: MNGGW)
   -Individuals who render manual labor, including laborers, factory workers, PUV drivers, and househelpers
5. Professional Category (Category Code: PRO)
   -Any licensed individual performing a highly specialized job (ex. doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors, nurses, etc)
6. Lingkod Bayan Category (Category Code: LNGKD)
   -Public servants or individuals who work for the government, including soldiers and policemen
7. OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) Category (Category Code: OFW)
   -Filipinos who work abroad
8. Entrepreneur Category (Category Code: ENTRP)
   -Individuals who run their own business
9. Employee Category (Category Code: EMP)
   -Individuals who work in offices or those who hold administrative jobs, like call center agents, managers, office clerk, etc.
10. LGBTQ Category (Category Code: LGBTQ)
    -Individuals who identify as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community

As of this writing, the search is now down to the top 50 nominees which are being pooled and screened by a committee composed of PJ Lhuillier Inc. officers and managers within the whole month of March. Out of these 50 nominees, 20 will be chosen to advance to the semi-final round and then the top ten for the final round.

Konting kembot na lang and we will get to know the Happiest Pinoy Grand Winner of 2018 who will luckily take home Php1,000,000 tax-free!

After the inspiring talk by Mr. Maxino and the exciting updates about the search, we were treated to an afternoon of Laughter Yoga. It was a first for me, who initially found the activity awkward. However, as we progressed, I realized how relaxing and de-stressing it can be. Laughter really is the best medicine!

Thank you so much Cebuana Lhuillier for making our day truly a day of happiness!

To know more about Cebuana Lhuillier’s Search for Happiest Pinoy, visit the official site HERE.

Tri-Factor’s Run-Bike-Run 2019 is 2019 SEA Games’ Duathlon Qualifying Race

Tri-Factor PH’s Allan Majadillas and Tin Majadillas, TRAP President Tony Carrasco, Tri-Factor’s Elvin Ting and athlete Elle Adda pose for a souvenir photo during the event’s media launch

PRESS RELEASE:

2019 SEA Games Duathlon qualifying race TRI-Factor Run-Bike-Run 2019 to launch NEW FRESH-ATHLETES Category

International Athletes across and beyond Asia and from around the nation will converge and test their mettle at Clark, Pampanga as the inaugural TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-Bike-Run 2019 duathlon event will launch there on March 31.

In this qualifying race for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) co-presented by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), participants will test their racing skills through courses of Standard Distance (10 Km run – 40 Km bike – 5 Km run), Sprint Distance (5 Km run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run) and Super Sprint Distance (2.5 Km run – 10 Km bike – 2.5 Km run). The run segments will be held at Clark parade grounds while the cycling will take place along Clark Speedway.

“We have been working with the athletes, coaches, private sports brands and government institutions, for more than a decade already and so we would like to propel our advocacy of creating values for them thru building the sports and creating opportunities for our swim-bike-run communities and now we are happy to take part in supporting the SEA Games venue, Clark, with the vision of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) of having Clark as the Duathlon Capital in Asia.  We will ensure that they will have a one of a kind experience in this race”, said Christine Majadillas, Tri-factor PH VP for Marketing and founder of One of A Kind Marketing.

“We are happy for the strong reception we got from athletes from the local swim, bike and run communities who signed up to participate in our inaugural event. This partnership with the TRAP will create innovative initiatives in building triathlon sports in the country as we exchange the best practices in triathlon across the region. We thank our partners, TRAP, the media, the trip community and other contributors who helped us establish TRI-Factor’s presence here in the Philippines,” said One of a Kind Marketing COO and TRI-Factor Philippines Country Director Allan Majadillas.

“We are excited to welcome the alliance with TRI-Factor as we work together to grow and improve our exciting sports of triathlon and duathlon. This partnership will surely widen the base of our participants with the tremendous following of triathlon all over Asia,” TRAP president Tom Carrasco stated.

Registration is now open the rates will be $67 USD / 3,495 PHP (Elite and Standard), $63 USD / 3,295 PHP (Junior), $57 USD / 2,995 PHP (Sprint) and $45 USD / 2,295 PHP (Super Sprint). Effective March 8 to March 15, the rates will be $76 USD / 3,995 PHP (Elite and Standard), $72 USD / 3,795 PHP (Junior Elite), $66 USD / 3,495 PHP (Sprint) and $54 USD / 2,795 PHP (Super Sprint). The fees entitle participants to exclusive event t-shirts, a race kit. And now a NEW Category is opening for Freshmen – FRESH- ATHLETES Category the registration of which will open on March 12,2019 12nn. This category is only limited to 200 slots. The first 100 registrants will get an exclusive Trifactor Care Kit.

For more information please subscribe to TRI-Factor Philippines FB or call Ms Belle at 09053162845.

Farr and Belgira rule the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship PH Leg

The Manila leg of the global pump track race series saw bikers Jerich Farr taking the win for the men’s category and Lea Denise Belgira, acing the top of the women’s category. The win gives them the ticket to compete for the “Pump Track World Champion” title at the World Finals.

For more about this event, read on the presser below. 🙂 Cheers!

PRESS RELEASE:

Biking talents pump up The Bike Playground’s 2nd anniversary
Biking community see action at the PH leg of the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship

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The Bike Playground gathered the fast-growing pump track community in a thrilling and challenging showcase of local talent as it celebrates its second anniversary this year. On March 23, the first and only bike park in the country held the Manila Qualifier of this year’s Red Bull Pump Track World Championship, an exhilarating global pump track race series that is back on its second season.

The qualifier event in The Bike Playground marked the second leg of the world tour with over 25 events all over the world. Jerich Farr takes the win in Manila for the men’s category, with Oscar Acdol Jr., and Parabanne Mendoza taking second and third place, respectively. Lea Denise Belgira takes the top spot in the women’s category, with Nur Nasthasia Nadiah, and Janele Saulog taking second and third place, respectively. They are set to compete at the World Final, where they will hail this year’s Pump Track World Champion.

The Manila Qualifier saw 42 riders of the cycling community race through rollers, corners, and jumps as an equally charged crowd of bike and pump track enthusiasts cheered on the participants.

The Philippine leg of the Red Bull pump track tilt is hosted by Ortigas & Company, Circulo Verde, and The Bike Playground.

Velosolutions is the name of behind The Bike Playground’s first-rate facilities. It is a globally-renowned pump track designer and builder headed by mountain bike luminary and international designer Claudio Calouri. It offers customized solutions for various cycling needs.

Through its offerings which include bike rentals and assistance from experienced bikers, The Bike Playground promotes cycling as an activity that can be enjoyed by all.  The bike park features the country’s first asphalt pump track housed in a 36 x 21-meter warehouse. Being indoors, the unique pump track is still useful even during the rainy season. An outdoor trail and a kids’ track diversify the list of offerings that make the park an exciting space for everyone.

The Bike Playground is located in Circulo Verde, a 10-hectare master-planned mixed-use community created by Ortigas & Company as an active lifestyle destination. Conveniently situated in the estate in Calle Industria, Quezon City, the Bike Playground has become a favoured destination among bikers, who enjoy its range of offerings and fun events held especially for the biking community. It first opened its tracks to the public in March 2017.

The Bike Playground is also part of the upcoming Circulo Verde Sports Hub, an active lifestyle destination that also includes a basketball court and football field called CV Pitch.

Open a savings account with just Php50 with Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings product!

I was truly honoured to have received an invite to Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings Forum last February 28. It was an event that is packed with a lot of valuable information regarding financial inclusion supported by various statistics. The major takeaway though was Cebuana, being the leading micro financial services company in the Philippines, took a bold step to boost financial inclusion by coming up the Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings!

The Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is an easier, more convenient way of saving. If you are one who has been planning to save but couldn’t open a bank account because you are unable to produce the numerous documentary requirements, the high cost of initial deposit and maintaining balance, then this product is definitely for you!

In a nutshell, here are the top reasons why you should consider opening a micro savings account:

• requires only Php50 initial/minimum deposit
• requires only 1 government ID during account opening
• available in almost 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches
• Php500 maintaining balance needed to earn interest

To learn more about Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings, read on the official presser below and check on the FAQs here.

PRESS RELEASE:

Cebuana Lhuillier launches easier, more convenient way to save through micro savings product
Launch coincides with the introduction of “#KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More Movement”

Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the country’s leading microfinancial services company, recently unveiled the Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings, which will provide Filipinos with a more convenient and affordable means to save their hard-earned money.

Acting as a cash agent of the Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB), micro savings is Cebuana Lhuillier’s platform for Filipinos to overcome the barriers to saving. While Filipinos like to save, they opt to keep it at home according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

The lukewarm attitude of the masses towards opening a savings account is attributed to the barriers to saving in banks. The lack of access to banks among the country’s many cities and municipalities remains as the top deterrent, according to a BSP study. In fact, only 33% or 551 cities in the Philippines have access to banking institutions. The numerous documentary requirements is a major turn off for many, along with the high cost of initial deposit, high maintaining balance, as well as, high dormancy charges.

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings enables every Filipino to break through these barriers. Opening a Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account requires only one valid ID and a minimal Php 50 initial deposit. And because of Cebuana Lhuillier’s wide network of branches comprised of 2,500 retail infrastructures, account holders can deposit and withdraw anywhere at their most convenient hours.

The product is in line with the Cebuana Lhuillier’s mission of financial inclusion, which has been the thrust of the company for the past 30 years.

“With BSP’s basic deposit framework, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings completes the full roster of our services, all designed and developed with financial inclusion in mind. We’ve come full circle—from offering collateralized loans or pawning, remittance service, micro insurance and now, micro savings—all of these products were designed with Filipinos from all walks of life in mind especially the unbanked and underserved, who would not have access to these financial services given their circumstances in life,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

To ensure that micro savings account holders can fully maximize the use of their savings account and ensure greater connectivity, Cebuana Lhuillier will also be launching its very own eCebuana app which allows micro savings users to check their balance and send money through remittance, as well as load prepaid credits to their phones, and pay their bills by integrating it to their Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account.

The app is just the first step in a long line of innovations connected to the micro savings product – on top of which is its migration to an EMV-enabled card which can be accessed through ATMs (automated teller machines). It will also carry a debit and credit facility for online and cashless shopping, provide access to auxiliary services and help corporate and MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) clients manage their business through payroll cash management solutions.

Furthermore, it will progress to provide more value with features like remit-to-and-from savings account; pay and deposit from savings account; and an international remit-to-account feature which will provide convenience to Filipinos abroad in sending money to their families in the Philippines. This innovation will also allow clients to have safe and convenient access to their accounts in all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, Cebuana CARES, agent partners, and all online and mobile channels, as well as, access to all CLRB branches set to establish presence nationwide. For easier access, self-service kiosks in Cebuana Lhuillier branches will also be put in place.

All these efforts to make savings accessible to every Filipino are part of Cebuana Lhuillier President & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier’s vision on financial wellness. “Cebuana Lhuillier is also adapting a new philosophy, which is financial wellness. Our goal is not just to provide quick cash to the underbanked and unbanked for their short-term financial needs but to become an enabler for a better future for them. Allowing more and more Filipinos to steer their own direction and be captains of their own ship. We want to help them graduate from being dependent through bridge financing options for them to experience financial freedom,” Lhuillier said.

The launch of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings coincides with the launch of the #KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More Movement, which aims to transform the landscape of saving in the Philippines. In light and in support of the BSP’s call for greater financial inclusion among Filipinos, Cebuana Lhuillier aims to reach more underserved Filipinos and empower them to save for the future through its micro savings product.