by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 28, 2016 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
Give love to your family and friends beyond Christmas Day by shopping for presents through Citi Credit Card’s PayLite PayLater promotion.
Choose from a variety of bags and travel gear from Bratpack, Columbia, Tumi and Travel Club. You can also shop for clothes and accessories from Zara and Store Specialists brand boutiques. Or, just fill your shopping bags with a plethora of items from Metro Department Store, Rustan’s and SM Store!
You can take advantage of 0% Citi PayLite for 3 months and what’s more – you will start paying only 3 months later thanks to your Citi Card! This irresistible deal runs until January 15, 2017 only.
You can also grab this deal from Robinson’s Department Store, but only until December 31.
So spread the love and do your holiday gift-giving today.
For more information about Citi’s PayLite PayLater promotion and other unforgettable privileges only available to Citi cardholders, log on to www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995 9999.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 25, 2016 | Health and Wellness
NOTE: This is an old article, pre-pandemic. To find out how to get a letter of approval today (starting 2021) please visit the article on HOW TO GET AN LOA FROM MEDICARD FROM 2021 ONWARDS instead.
For some, part of having an HMO is securing a letter of approval (LOA) for laboratory tests requested by doctors to help them diagnose health problems accurately. These tests include blood tests, urinalysis, chest x-ray, among others.
What is a letter of approval (LOA)?
A letter of approval basically confirms that such tests are indeed part of a member’s HMO coverage and authorizes the diagnostic clinic to proceed with the requested tests. However, securing an LOA may mean going through a process that can be slow and inconvenient sometimes: A medical attendant gets your card, then calls the HMO provider to advise them of the laboratory test that needs to be done. After which, the patient waits for approval.
Medicard Online LOA
Now, Medicard, a leading health maintenance organization in the Philippines, takes the hassle out of getting LOA as it introduces Medicard Online LOA — an online application that allows you to easily request a letter of approval for your laboratory and diagnostic tests in the comfort of your own home or straight from your mobile phone on the go.
Dr. Nicky Montoya
President of Medicard Philippines
“MediCard constantly aspires to make quality healthcare accessible and more convenient for our members because we value their time. With innovations such as the Medicard Online LOA, we are able to eliminate a lengthy and time-consuming wait period to get your LOA since the online application allows quick user convenience,” said Dr. Nicky Montoya.
Steps in getting approval for laboratory tests
Getting an LOA for laboratory and diagnostic tests can be done in five easy steps.
- Go to www.medicardphils.com
- Click the MediCard Online LOA tab.
- Fill out the online form with your MediCard ID number and upload a copy of your doctor’s request.
- Choose a MediCard free-standing clinic or any accredited clinic/hospital where you wish to avail of the test, and then your LOA and instructions will be sent via e-mail.
- Submit the LOA to the hospital together with a copy of your doctor’s request and a copy of the email.
Save yourself the inconvenience of waiting or long procedures and prioritize your good health now with the MediCard Online LOA.
Issuance of the LOA and access to select providers are dependent on the existing plan and coverage.
For more information, call 884-9999 or visit http://www.medicardphils.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 22, 2016 | Stories
Traffic in the metro can easily take a toll on a person’s temper not to mention having to deal with the spiked fuel cost. People are trying not to lose hope for traffic to get better in the country but with the looks of it, we might have to cope with the situation until road repairs and construction gets done in a few more years.
The proposed shift to two-wheel vehicles is an open option to commuters who aims for faster travel time. For an even better option, go green and try Electronic Bikes as it also help care for our environment. California Ecobike stays true to its effort to improve transportation in an eco-friendly way, one e-bike at a time.
Electronic Bikes affordable prices makes it easier for commuters to own a unit. Maintaining one is even easier as there is no exhaust emissions, no need to change oil, neither does it require to replace clutch nor spark plugs which makes up the bulk of regular motorcycle maintenance expense. Best part of it, no need to fuel up!
Being environmental friendly and hip can go hand in hand as California Ecobike introduces its Premiere E-bike variants which promises to gives you the bang for bucks compared to their more expensive rivals.
Emory
Price: P29,900
Features and specifications:
- pure sinewave controller
- cruise control
- USB charging port
- digital panel board
- drum brake lock
- comes in chic matte colors
- 3 speed control (high /medium/low)
- 12v DC converter
- front hydraulic disc brake
- kill Switch / horn with alarm
Muller
Price: P28,800
Features and specifications:
- pure sinewave controller
- digital panel board
- drum brake lock
- comes in classic glossy colors
These new California Ecobike flagship models operate on 60v/20ah Lead-acid battery and has an 800watts power consumption.
Runs on maximum speed of 50kph up to 65 kilometer on full charge. Both also have essential upgrades such as remote alarm for the added protection.
Emory and Muller uses Pure Sinewave Controller which is more efficient in regulating the voltage resulting to lesser battery consumption. This upgrade also equates to lesser noise and smoother ride.
Cruise Control is an added feature on the Emory, this can be switched on to maintain a constant speed without the use of the accelerator. A USB port is also built-in to charge your gadgets.
California Ecobike units are available for purchase on either 3 or 6 months installments at zero interest on major credit cards and Aeon credit service.
Visit the nearest California Ecobike store and selected CD-R King branches. For further inquiries visit www.californiaecobike.com, follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EcoBikePH/ for updates.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 21, 2016 | Travel
I’m sure by now everyone is aware that Google invested in Waze and that ridesharing apps (such as Grab and Uber) use Waze to navigate around the city. But I bet majority of us didn’t know that Google maps is now integrated with these ridesharing apps, not just Waze. It’s true!
Let’s experiment
Google maps for mobile
Route mapped out by Google Maps
Let’s conduct an experiment. Open Google Maps on your phone. It should look something like what you see on the left whether you are on an android or iOS device.
If you have your GPS on it will automatically center on your current location. In the white box on top search for your destination.
For this example I chose SM Aura Premier as my current location and UP Town Center as my destination. Google Maps will now look like the image on the right.
As you can see Google maps shows us a recommended route on the map but did you notice the top part? You know, the part right after the location and destination. It displays 4 icons with text:
- travel by car
- travel by train
- travel by foot
- and then an icon of a guy hailing a ride … this is the icon for the ridesharing option.
Ridesharing apps integrates with Google Maps
Click on the ridesharing option and your screen will change, it will now look like this (see image on the right):
It not only displays the apps, it also shows the estimates for each type of ride, including the surge.
Side note: I don’t like the surge but I understand the need for it. I only wish it wouldn’t go up so high. But then, all it takes is patience. I just wait for it to go down to a reasonable amount and then I book a ride.
Click on any Uber link to open the Uber app
By default it will display the options for UberX and UberPool.
As you can see the rates are slightly different but close enough, really.
Side note: I often opted for UberPool when I am traveling alone or with just one other person unless I have several items with me, which means it will inconvenience other people when I have to load and unload which will take time. In that scenario I choose UberX.
I’ve never used UberHop … mostly because pickups and dropoffs are not to places I come from and go to.
Click on any Grab link to open the Grab app
By default it will display Grabcar sedan, but as you can see, we do have the option to still choose our ride option. The rate is slightly higher than the estimate.
Side note: Sometimes, Grab rates are cheaper … but it is really just sometimes. 🙁 More often than not they turn out more expensive but when Uber surges, BOY do they surge and at those times it is often wisest to choose Grab.
One other advantage to using Grab is they issue promo codes more often … from P50 discounts and up.
Conclusion
With the integration of Google maps and ridesharing apps choosing between Grab and Uber is now an easier decision to make.
Should I take Grab or Uber on my trip? I think I will let Google maps help me decide. How about you?
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 17, 2016 | Health and Wellness
Beautiful moments in life deserve the clearest vision and, sad to say, many Filipinos today suffer from poor eyesight. So let me ask you, have you had your eyes checked?
Top actor Piolo Pascual reminds everyone to go for an eye check up as part of the educational campaign of Crizal®, one of the flagship brands of Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company.
Create Beautiful Moments
The campaign, Create beautiful moments, features Piolo actively encouraging the public to have their eyes checked as he believes that beautiful moments in life deserve the clearest vision.
The campaign was launched via an online video where it generated millions of reach. The video shows the actual patients’ eye check up with a visual image of the top actor comes alive standing in front of the patients’ clearest vision.
“Protecting healthy eyes is as important as correcting vision problems,” explains Essilor general manager, Dr. Emelita Roleda.
“Through the Create beautiful moments campaign, we can educate the public on the value of healthy eyesight, for everyone to realize that it need not take a missed moment to have a reason to visit your eye doctor. Everyone should have an eye check up at least once a year.”
It’s a viewpoint that Piolo agrees with. “Eye exams are important to create great moments,” he remarks. “Take care of your eyesight and enjoy each and every moment in your life.”
A visit to your optometrist will reveal more than just your current prescription. Your eye doctor can also determine what preventive actions you should take against permanent damage and can even provide great insights into your general well-being. Aside from checking how well your eye muscles work, the optometrist can also gauge if you are suffering from any ailment that can affect your eyesight and your overall health, including diabetes and glaucoma.
Your vision dictates both how you see life and how you live it. Regardless of age and physical health, routine eye check-ups are vital to keep your eyes healthy and stay focused on life’s moments.
On the left the ordinary lens, on the right Crizal
Crizal® allows Filipinos to live life more clearly with its line of Anti-reflective lenses. Whether prescription, for outdoor activity, indoor use or part of a digital lifestyle, these lenses filter and deflect harmful UV and blue light, lowering the risk of eye fatigue and preventing long-term vision damage. Crizal® lenses are available at leading optical shops and through eye care professionals nationwide. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph.
About Essilor
The world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, Essilor designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight. Its corporate mission is to enable everyone around the world to access lenses that meet his or her unique visual requirements.
To support this vision, the Company allocates over €160 million to research and development every year, in a commitment to continuously bring new, more effective products to market. Essilor’s flagship brands are Varilux®, Crizal®, Xperio® and OptifogTM.
It also develops and markets equipment, instruments and services for eyecare professionals.
Essilor reported consolidated revenue of €4.9 billion in 2012 and employs around 50,700 people in some 100 countries. It operates 19 plants, a total of 390 prescription laboratories and edging facilities, as well as several research and development centers around the world.
Essilor was classified by Forbes magazine as being among the world’s 30 most innovative companies.
For more information about Essilor, please visit www.essilor.com.ph.
Give love to your family and friends beyond Christmas Day by shopping for presents through Citi Credit Card’s PayLite PayLater promotion.
You can take advantage of 0% Citi PayLite for 3 months and what’s more – you will start paying only 3 months later thanks to your Citi Card! This irresistible deal runs until January 15, 2017 only.
The proposed shift to two-wheel vehicles is an open option to commuters who aims for faster travel time. For an even better option, go green and try Electronic Bikes as it also help care for our environment. California Ecobike stays true to its effort to improve transportation in an eco-friendly way, one e-bike at a time.
Price: P29,900
Price: P28,800
Visit the nearest California Ecobike store and selected CD-R King branches. For further inquiries visit 
I’m sure by now everyone is aware that Google invested in 
By default it will display the options for UberX and UberPool.
Top actor Piolo Pascual reminds everyone to go for an eye check up as part of the educational campaign of Crizal®, one of the flagship brands of Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company.
“Protecting healthy eyes is as important as correcting vision problems,” explains Essilor general manager, Dr. Emelita Roleda.
A visit to your optometrist will reveal more than just your current prescription. Your eye doctor can also determine what preventive actions you should take against permanent damage and can even provide great insights into your general well-being. Aside from checking how well your eye muscles work, the optometrist can also gauge if you are suffering from any ailment that can affect your eyesight and your overall health, including diabetes and glaucoma.
The world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, Essilor designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight. Its corporate mission is to enable everyone around the world to access lenses that meet his or her unique visual requirements.
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