Win P50,000 with Ever Bilena’s Big Beauty Challenge

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 10, 2017 | Awards and Competitions

make up vloggers that use Ever Bilena products

Unleash your inner artist and win big cash prizes as Ever Bilena dares you to experiment with different looks through The BIG Beauty Challenge – a weekly make-up tutorial video contest following different themes.

Who can join the Ever Bilena big beauty challenge?

Open to video bloggers, aspiring and professional make-up artists residing in the Philippines, the contest requires participants to create a tutorial video on how to do a complete make-up look, following a specific theme, using only Ever Bilena products.

Ever Bilena, the leading local cosmetics brand, carries:

Ever Bilena Advance, a full range of make-up essentials for young professionals
Ever Bilena Naturals for skin care
Careline cosmetics for teens
Blackwater for fragrance
and other personal care products.

When will the contest run?

The contest, which began on the first week of December and will end on the last week of February, will test the creativity of the participants as they create their versions of Ever Bilena’s weekly theme which will be announced every Monday on Ever Bilena’s Facebook page. One winner will be announced every week and will take home P10,000 cash.

Weekly winners will qualify for the grand finals where the grand prize winner will take home P50,000 along with three winners who will win

P10,000 for Special Award
P15,000 for 2^nd runner-up
P30,000 for the 1^st runner up

Big cash prizes await make-up lovers, budding artists and video bloggers like Week 3 winner Christine Gem Anicas (shown) at Ever Bilena’s BIG Beauty Challenge!

In Week 3 Christine Gem Anicas won the challenge. Super congratulations, Christine! Your makeup is so fab.

Entries must be public and uploaded on Facebook with hashtags #EBBigBeautyChallenge and #EverBilena and tag Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.

Criteria for judging the Big Beauty Challenge

Participants will be judged based on the following criteria:

40% most number of Ever Bilena products used in the video
30% creativity
20% make-up executions and skills
10% most number of views and shares.

Show off your inner artist and join the biggest and most beautiful challenge this season!

To know more about Ever Bilena and The BIG Beauty Challenge, visit Ever Bilena’s website, www.everbilena.com.ph and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.

Start the New Year with Novuhair

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 5, 2017 | Health and Wellness

Holiday rush might be over and It’s officially a New Year. Around the globe, most people are trying get back to their old figure after bingeing on holiday fares and sporting new clothes, new gadgets, and new shoes, but can these make up for looking best at what’s on top of our head, our hair!

Taking care of our mane should be on top of our list just as we go to spa to pamper our body, our hair needs pampering as well. Novuhair, Nature’s answer to hair loss has got you covered.

As we bid adieu to 2016, throw away your difficulties on hair loss and scalp problems with Novuhair’s 19 natural ingredients. Made of herbal ingredients that include moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint, Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp.

Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching.

The brand has helped thousands of satisfied users here in the Philippines, thus merits its fifth consecutive year of being awarded by Watson’s as the leading Medicated Hair Care Brand in the country.

How to order and where to buy?

Good news to our kababayans abroad and their friends, with the brand’s aim to help assuage hair problems across the globe, Novuhair products are available in Kuwait, distributed by Bee Organic Import & Export Establishment, Kuwait.

For orders:

you may contact landlines +96524343885 and +96524343866
or mobile numbers +96550380380, +96565559935 and +96560755122

Bee Organic’s showroom is located at Arabia Mall, First Floor Showroom # 15 Egaila Area, Kuwait.

Novuhair can also be purchased online through our service partner: www.regaloservice.com. Servicing USA, Canada, UAE , KSA and other Asian countries.

Locally, Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide.

For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, and follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada.

Ridesharing promo codes for January 2017

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 1, 2017 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways

The three kings used camels to travel across the desert. While we don’t have deserts here we do also have to travel. Without our own vehicle we often commute via jeep, bus, or taxi or … we use ridesharing services such as Grab and Uber.

Can’t decide which ridesharing app to use? Let Google maps help you decide. Below are some promo codes to make our commute more affordable.

Uber promo codes

Google maps promo

Use Google maps to book your Uber ride and get a P100 off your trip.

Promo code: LUNCHATUPTOWNBONIFACIO

Have lunch at Uptown Bonifacio and avail of this promo

P50 discount
valid for two (2) rides from 10am to 3pm going to and from Uptown Bonifacio at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
valid from Monday to Friday only
valid in Metro Manila only

Sinulog Festival in Cebu

Sinulog 2017 by Moon Ray Lo of The Traveler’s Couch

Promo code: LIFEDANCEUBER

P150 discount
valid for two (2) rides only
valid from December 17, 2016 to January 31, 2017 only
valid for new users only

Promo code: PLUS63CEBU

P100 discount
valid for one (1) rides only
valid from January 12 to 16, 2017 only
valid for new users only

Promo code: SUGBOAYALA

P100 discount
valid for one (1) rides only
valid for new users only

Grab promo codes

GRABPAY now supports credits. You may now top up using even more payment options, such as:

online banking
via ATM
eCard or eWallets
over the counter

Grab also has Phone support. This means that you can call them if you have any issues you would like to have addressed immediately instead of having to wait for an email. Hooray! Good work, Grab!

Promo code: GRABTOMRT

P50 discount
valid for three (3) Grabcar rides to Taft Avenue, Araneta Center (Cubao), and North Avenue stations
valid from January 19 to 31, 2017
valid in Metro Manila only

Promo code: MSUNIVERSEGC

P100 discount
valid for two (2) Grabcar rides to the Mall of Asia Arena
valid on January 26, 29, and 30, 2017

Promo code: MSUNIVERSEGT

I don’t usually post promo codes for Grabtaxi but this is an exception because it isn’t a discount on the booking fee. Instead, it is a discount on the fare itself.

P50 discount
valid for two (2) Grabtaxi rides to the Mall of Asia Arena
valid on January 26, 29, and 30, 2017

Promo code: FLAWLESS15

A photo posted by Grab Philippines (@grab_ph) on Dec 10, 2016 at 10:42pm PST

Get a FABulous treat care of Flawless as they celebrate their 15th anniversary! Use promo code FLAWLESS15 and get PHP150 OFF your GrabCar ride when you book going to select Flawless branches. #GrabPH #FABat15

P150 DISCOUNT for one-time use only
valid for rides going to any of the following Flawless branches:
- Eastwood Cyber And Fashion Mall
- Farmer’s Plaza Mall
- Festival Super Mall Alabang
- Trinoma
- SM Malls (BF Home Paranaque, Bicutan, Fairview, Las Pinas, Makati, Mall of Asia, Manila, Megamall, North EDSA Annex, San Lazaro, Southmall, Sta. Mesa, SMDC Light Residences)
valid from December 8, 2016 to January 30, 2017

Promo code: NIGHTSHIFT

50% discount for up to P200
valid for two (2) Grabcar rides from 12am to 5am
valid up to January 25, 2017
valid in Metro Manila only

Promo code: MIDDAY

P50 discount
from 12pm to 5PM
valid on January 19, 2017

Promo code: GRABPAYDAY

P100 discount
valid for two (2) Grabcar rides
valid on January 16, 2017
valid in Metro Manila only

Promo code: NIGHTSHIFT

50% discount for up to P200
valid for three (3) Grabcar rides from 11pm to 5am
valid from January 5 to 11, 2017
valid in Metro Manila only

Angkas promo codes

New year = new ridesharing service! Angkas is the newest player in the ridesharing market. Instead of car rides they offer motorcycle rides to and from different points in Metro Manila. I wonder, is this an offshoot of Grabbike? Hmmm … at this point all I can do is speculate.

So, for the more adventurous souls out there, this may be the ridesharing app for you. More promo codes to be posted as I catch them. 🙂

Promo code: MANILA

Angkas is now riding in Manila City!

P30 discount
valid for three (3) rides
valid up to February 1, 2017
valid when pick up point is in Manila City only

Promo code: ANGKAS RAMON

P40 discount
valid for one (1) rides
valid up to January 29, 2017

Promo code: HOLIDAYS

P20 discount
Maximum of five (5) rides
valid up to January 4, 2017

Promo code: ANGKASNA

P100 discount
One use for NEW RIDERS only
valid up to January 4, 2017

Enjoy happy holiday shopping with Citi Credit Cards’ PayLite PayLater

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.

Fast online approval for laboratory tests with MediCard

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.

Be hip and practical with California Ecobike

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.

Google maps integrates with ridesharing apps

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?

Beautiful moments in life deserve the clearest vision

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 Optifog^TM.

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.

Festive Christmas at Filinvest City

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 11, 2016 | Events

The spirit of Christmas is palpable at Filinvest City, the bustling Central Business District south of Metro Manila, as it provides the best holiday experience with an array of festive activities for everyone to enjoy.

Home to landmarks such as the Festival Supermall, Crimson Hotel, and the Festival Mall River Park, the pedestrian-friendly CBD will have something for everyone to feel the holiday celebrations – from festive decorations to Christmas shopping and gustatory delights.

Spreading the holiday cheer at Filinvest City are the Christmas decorations adorning the city’s streets, as well as the much-awaited Christmas Light Show at the River Park in Festival Mall which will run all throughout the holiday season.

Aside from the Christmas Light Show, visitors will also be treated to concerts and other family entertainment like Repertory Philippines’ Hansel and Gretel which will be staged at Festival Mall, Ballet Philippines Pas De Deux, The Voice of the South Grand Finals, and Yuletide Melodies at Westgate featuring award-winning chamber choir, Kammerchor.

You can also frolic and play the Eskimo way at Crimson Hotel’s Crimson Wonderland showcasing a giant Christmas tree and other holiday attractions.

Of course, the season is not complete without food. Families and friends gathering together to celebrate Christmas can enjoy a wide selection of yuletide fares at Filinvest City’s hotels such as Crimson, Acacia, and Bellevue. Filinvest City’s premier clubhouse, Palm’s Country Club is also opening The Continental for guests looking for an ultimate dining experience.

With Christmas being the busiest shopping season, Festival Mall can serve as your shopping destination for presents, holiday fashion, and other Christmas items to help you feel the holiday spirit.

“Christmas is once again upon us, and through the various holiday shows and activities at Filinvest City, we hope to bring everyone together to make the yuletide season even more memorable,” said Filinvest Executive Vice President Catherine A. Ilagan.

Indeed, more than the colorful lights, blinking decors, and gift-giving, Christmas becomes more meaningful as it gathers friends and families together to bond and create wonderful memories. And all that is happening at Filinvest City!

High priced items are now within your reach

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 10, 2016 | Business

High priced items could be appliances you need at home or gadgets you need for work or school. Or it may even be a gadget you’ve wanted for a long time. As Christmas fast approaches we find ourselves looking longingly at those high priced items at the store windows.

If you have the cash or if you have a credit card (with space, of course) then it isn’t a problem. For card holders most card companies even have schemes at this time of year where not only can they pay in installment but they also have something called deferred payment … this means that they are not required to pay anything for these purchases until 2 to 3 months from date of purchase.

However, studies have shown that less than 10% of the buying public in the Philippines own credit cards. So how will the remaining 90+% be able to afford these high priced items then?

Get those high priced items with Home Credit

I’m sure as you’ve walked around appliance and gadget stores like SM Department Store, Robinson’s Appliance Center, Samsung Store, etc. you would have seen signs saying “buy on credit without a credit card, 30 minute approval” or words to that effect. Chances are, this was Home Credit.

Home Credit allows you to purchase up to three (3) items in one transaction. What do they ask for? Just a government ID for starters. Then a down payment – in the bloggers conference held last November we were told that the minimum deposit is 20% of the cost of the items to purchase but when I went to two appliance stores they both told me that they require 30% down payment.

Example, assuming that the item is 10,000: P10,000 x 30% = P3,000 is your down payment.

How do we pay?

You get to choose your payment scheme. Usually it would be 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, or 24 months. Keep in mind that the shorter the payment period, the better. If nothing else, it means you can get a loan sooner if you choose a shorter number of terms. 🙂

Let’s say you decided to get the 6 month payment scheme. That means your payments will look like this:

P3,300
P1,400
P1,400
P1,400
P1,400
P1,400

Do they have a processing fee?

Home Credit shares a processing fee of 3% of the total purchase cost. I don’t think the store adds on more than that but do let me know if they do so I can update this post.

Cash is, of course, king, but sometimes we need a little help and Home Credit has our back. Bring home that high priced item you’ve always wanted for yourself and for your loved ones. Use Home Credit and make it a very Merry Christmas for one and all.

ZERO PERCENT INTEREST – that is their goal. And as you can see in the breakdown, P1,400 a month is no longer heavy on the budget … especially if it means you can finally get that TV for dad or that oven for mom or that phone you’ve always wanted.

Think about it. All you are paying for is the cost of the item divided into the number of payments you chose + 3% processing fee. That’s it! Next question would be … where d you make payments? Payments can be made at any Bayad Center branch. Easy peasy!

For more information about Home Credit you may visit the website at www.homecredit.ph or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/homecreditph.