Road safety tips for a fun and unforgettable trip

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 7, 2019 | Safety tips

The summer season is a time for vacations, long road trips, and exciting excursions with family and friends. To ensure that your trip is enjoyable and hassle-free, it’s important to prioritize road safety both before and while you are driving. Remember, safety always comes first!

Here are some road safety tips from AXA Philippines, a leading insurance company in the country.

Have your car checked.

Take your car to your trusted mechanic to have the battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air, and gas checked (B.L.O.W.B.A.G.), along with the air conditioner. Always keep a tool kit and a usable spare tire in your vehicle in case of a flat tire.

Get a good rest before you hit the road.

Driving long distances while sleep-deprived is hazardous, as it can impair your alertness and overall driving skills. Relying on coffee or other caffeinated drinks is often insufficient. To ensure your safety, aim for at least six to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep before embarking on your trip.

Plan your route.

When traveling to a distant location for the first time, it’s important to conduct thorough research on the surrounding areas, the best routes to take, and the general road conditions. Consider using a paper map or downloading a navigation app on your smartphone to avoid getting lost or caught in heavy traffic.

Buckle up, even if you’re a rear seat passenger.

Wearing a seatbelt is crucial for everyone in the vehicle, including the driver and passengers in both the front and rear seats. This safety restraint system helps protect you in the event of a collision by preventing you from hitting the dashboard, windshield, or the seat in front of you, among other hazards.

Keep your distance.

Be mindful of your braking distances and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. This way, you can avoid potential collisions in the event of an abrupt stop.

Insure your vehicle.

Having car insurance, such as the comprehensive coverage from AXA Philippines, can protect you from losses and liabilities resulting from road accidents. AXA Car Insurance can be purchased online.

Policyholders can take advantage of 24/7 emergency roadside assistance coverage nationwide. This insurance product also features the AXA Assist app, which includes a unique emergency red button. In case of an emergency, the app sends a distress message along with the policyholder’s location to their designated emergency contacts and AXA Assistance’s command center. This service provides added peace of mind and security, allowing you to fully enjoy your drive and trip!

To get a quote, visit www.axa.com.ph.

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

3 tips to buying your own car

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 14, 2016 | Lifestyle Tips

What’s the next big thing that you want to achieve, now that you’re starting your career, and earning your own money? Do you have a plan on how you are going to spend your hard-earned cash? Are you thinking of buying a new phone, a laptop, or a new wardrobe? While these may be tempting, for sure you are also dreaming of having your own car in the future.

The biggest question you might have is, “Kaya ko na kayang magkaroon ng sariling kotse?” Now don’t you worry because we have an answer for you! As you are earning your own money now, this could be your way to start saving up for your dream car.

And since New Year just ushered in, it would be best to add this on your bucket list this 2016! Always remember that it’s never too early to reach your dreams. So better start saving up!

“Looking for a car that matches your need and budget is an exciting experience, especially for a first-timer. Before deciding to bring home that dream car, a number of things have to be considered. Below are a few tips that may guide you, young dreamers, in making wise use of your hard-earned money to help make that dream come true,” says Pepe Carlos, VP and head of BPI Family Auto Loan Division.

Yes, at this point in your life, it may seem intimidating just thinking about how to get your own car, but with proper guidance and advice from the experts, you can make your dream come true!

Here are three tips that can help you in planning, saving up and finally bringing home that dream car.

Know which car is right for you.

Determine what kind of car you really need. It is quite challenging, so you need to carefully study your options. Whether you’re a businessman, an architect, an engineer, a call center employee, a social media specialist, a sales and marketing executive, etc., choose the car that is best suited for your daily use.

When choosing your car, several things such as car brand, model, price, and your budget should be well thought off. You may visit www.bpiloans.com, a virtual car showroom, where people looking for a brand new car can view and compare the vehicles that are available in the market today. It has a comprehensive car buyer’s guide, a user-friendly auto loan calculator, an easy to use self-assessment test and a simple online application form.

Plan your budget well.

In getting a brand new car, your budget may be the most important concern that you have to think about. You need to ask yourself, “What can I really afford?”

Before you decide on making that purchase, list down your expenses. Check out how much you spend for your daily commute; see which part of your daily/monthly budget you can cut down or save.

There are other incidental expenses related to the purchase of a car that you also need to take care of like car insurance, chattel mortgage, and registration fees, among others. Some banks offer FREE insurance for the first year, so it’s important to check what offers are out there too. You can take a portion of your mid-year bonus and other monetary incentives you’ll get to add to your savings so you can allot it for the down payment of your dream car. It is typically at least 20% of the car price.

With these penned down, you can now calculate how much your monthly amortization will be, given a certain down payment via www.bpiloans.com. You can take the 60-Second Online Loan Pre-Qualification tool found in the website to see if you’re already qualified to apply for BPI Family Auto Loan. It’s easy, convenient and hassle-free!

Ask the experts

Reach out to the experts who know about bank financing for your Auto Loan. Seek a conversation with a BPI Family Bank representative to help you make the right decision and get the best deal. You may visit any BPI branch or drop by 102 Paseo in Makati to have a chat and learn more about your options.

So what are you waiting for? Getting your dream car is possible!

Pepe Carlos concludes, “A lot of people think that the process of buying a car can be a challenging one. But as long as you are informed and prepared, it doesn’t have to be.”