Make the Best Happen at BPI

Make the Best Happen at BPI!

It was another evening of fun as we were invited to the media launch of BPI's newest campaign.  BPI's executives, led by Ms. Cristina Sy, were present to welcome members of media and the bloggers.  The campaign made it clients aware of the important points to prioritize in our goals.

Ms. Cristina Sy, VP, Area Business Director-Negros  Area

The Negros Bloggers members with the BPI executives (standing, right)

Make the best happen for you and your loved ones!  Whether it is for travel, shopping, food or education.  Visit https://makethebesthappen.ph/ 

Here is the Official Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE I December 8, 2015

BPI sets new banking trend with Make the Best Happen campaign

BACOLOD CITY—Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is setting a new trend in banking with its Make the Best Happen campaign.

Over and above offering its slew its range of products and services, BPI first of all wants to support its clients by helping them focus on their life aspirations.

BPI, the first bank in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian region, has a wide range of consumer, corporate, and investment banking products and services.

In a statement, Cezar P. Consing, BPI President, said the bank wants to focus on needs-based financial planning where individuals make decisions based not on returns but on the goals they want to achieve.

The process begins with helping clients identify their life needs and goals and then create a priority list based on those aspirations. Clients are then encouraged to make personal financial assessments, computing, among others, one’s net worth, cash flow requirements, and even emergency funds.

Based on this initial assessment, BPI helps clients create a game plan, mindful of their budgets, goals, risk profile, and investment options.

“BPI empowers Filipinos to make the best of their lives happen by through its innovative and accessible financial solutions,” Consing said.“We strive to know and understand the individual circumstances and financial needs of our clients, then offer financial advice. Only then do we propose certain solutions that are suitable and customized for each and every client.”

Tricia Quiambao, Head of BPI’s Strategic Brand Management, said BPI’s Make the Best Happen campaign is a different look on banking. “We put a premium on understanding our clients and their needs, whether it’s to travel, or start a business, or fund their children’s education,” she said.

“As people become more and more aware of the world around them and the many possibilities and opportunities it offers, BPI would like to enable them to accomplish those goals and aspirations better, faster and more efficiently.”

Cristina J. Sy, Vice-President and Area Business Director for Negros Area, added: “Iloilo’s vibrant economy is an important growth driver in the region, and BPI has proudly witnessed this transformation of the city and the province.With Make the Best Happen, we aim to expand the conversation with our clients and friends, beyond solutions and into actual life and lifestyle choices, in line with Iloilo’s transformation.”

The microsite devoted to the Make the Best Happen campaign—makethebesthappen.ph—addresses some of the top life and lifestyle goals of most individuals: travel, health, parenting, shopping, future, and dining. Its content is enriched every week with updated content derived from current areas of interest.

CAMPAIGN PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

We situated social listening at the heart of the Make the Best Happen campaign to really know what consumers are most interested in. This was our way of ensuring that we stay relevant to our public.

·         The “Make the best happen” video has garnered 1.5M online video views to date.

·         Makethebesthappen.ph has 200,000 page views to date.

We continue to enable our clients to make the best happen. The top 5 most viewed articles on the site were about how to make the best of shopping, fitness and family bonding, showing that we have financially enlightened consumers who know exactly what they need, and want to make smarter use of their money and time.

Top 5 most viewed articles (as of Dec. 6, 2015)

·         Awesome Quality Purchases You Need in Your Life Right Now

·         24/7 Shopping: Favorite Stores That Have Online Shopping Sites (You Didn’t Know about)

·         Hack Your Life: The Smart and Sassy Guide to Stress-Free Christmas Shopping

·         YouTube Workouts Inspiring Enough to Get You on Your Feet

·         Fun Family Bonding Places for Your Homecoming Dinner

This campaign has shown our relevance to the younger target market as the campaign is able to engage younger age groups. Most of those who have visited are in the following age groups: 18 to 24; 25 to 34; 35 to 44. 

Please click here for the Official video.

Globe Appreciation Party 2015

Globe Appreciation Party for Media & Bloggers!!!

Who could resist that?  Thank you again to Ms. Mafe Barcelo of PR Works for including me in the guest list.  It was a Thanksgiving Party held on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving Day.  The evening was also graced by their Director for External Affairs & Corporate Communications, Mr. Jocel G. de Guzman who made us all feel comfortable.  Everyone, young & old, participated in the games and  the prizes were all fabulous.  It was a fun night for all of us.

Upon registration, they were handing out Dakka pillows.  Win or lose in the game, you have a prize.  Plus a gift bag for everyone containing healthy products such as nuts, honey, salad dressing.  Maybe this is to combat the chocolates and the cakes that we will have for the holidays. hahaha......  And the raffle prizes. They were neatly placed on the platform for everyone to drool. They had microwave oven, washing machine, a sound system component, refrigerator and flat TV.

and lo and behold!  My name was called out for the winner of the refrigerator.  Many thanks to Globe, I will soon retire my not so old ref and replace with the Panasonic Ref which I won in the raffle. Congratulations to all winners in the raffle!

the early bird, Toots Jimenez

Bon Chon Chicken

Bon Chon Chicken has opened in Bacolod City, at the North Wing of SM Bacolod.  I first tried Bon Chon Chicken at SM MOA and fell in love with their glazed chicken.  When I was in the US, my cousin ordered Bon Chon chicken and served it for our lunch.  It was very tasteful and delicious.  I'm so glad that they have opened in Bacolod now.  

BonChon means "my hometown" in Korean.  This chain started in Seoul, Korea and spread to New York where the crispy chicken earned major media and industry accolades.  After 4 years in the Philippines, they opened their 90th branch in Bacolod City.

BonChon chicken is super crispy yet light and not greasy, with hot moist juicy meat, glazed with the highly addicting soy garlic, spicy, honey citrus and now the crunchy garlic sauce.

Make your next meal at Bon Chon!

the crew

glazed chicken

Chicken Sandwich with fries 

Korean yogurt

The bloggers at their opening day.

Get a Get Go card now!

It was a privilege to be included in the invite of Mr. Charles Lim of Cebu Pacific to bring us to Manila for the media launch of Get Go and for Resorts World for the premiere showing of Bituing Walang Ningning.  It was a full day activity starting with our morning flight to Manila.  

Welcome snacks at Remington Hotel

Our accommodation at a deluxe room at Remington Hotel.

Media & bloggers from Bacolod & Iloilo

I was very lucky to win an American Tourister suitcase in the raffle!

Lunch at the media launch of Get Go.

Get Go is the lifestyle rewards programs that gives you free trips by flying with Cebu Pacific, CebGo and your everyday spend.  Register now thru this link:  https://www.getgo.com.ph/web/getgo/home 

                                                                            

                                                                  

corporate giveaways from Get Go

with the Get Go Marketing Officers, Bacolod & Iloilo media

Phil Travel Mart 2014

As an inbound tour operator for Bacolod and Negros, I always make it a point to attend the annual  Philippine Travel Mart held at SMX MOA.  It is the time to meet new friends in the tourism industry and to promote Bacolod and Negros Occ as their next travel destination.

This year, it was held on Sept. 5-7, 2014.  Zamboanga City will have a presentation during the day and no less than Congressman Celso Lobregat with son Marco and Councilor VP Elago were there to support.  I introduced myself to the congressman as he was the boss of my late dad many years ago.

From left, Marco Lobregat, Congressman Celso Lobregat, myself and Councilor VP Elago

Our RD for Region 6 Atty. Helen Catalbas and our provincial tourism office Tin Mansinares at the booth of Negros Occidental.

Atty. Helen Catalbas and Tintin Mansinares

Nancy Pestano, the province's tourism consultant and a fellow who frequented Negros for his research.

The Masskara Dancers performed on Day 2.

This booth won 3rd place as Best in Booth.

This won 2nd place as Best in Booth. 

 My other favorite pavilion designs:

Bacolod-Korea Friendship Festival

Bacolod may be the only city in the country that promotes a Bacolod-Korea Friendship Festival.  On August 15, 2014, I  joined  the airport reception for the Korean Director, who was the only guest for this festival, after having been requested by the Mayor's Office.  Incidentally, the mayor himself was on the same flight.  Some prominent people who came on the same flight were Tacloban City Mayor Philip Romualdez and wife Cristina.

We can't deny that Koreans abound our city.  The record shows!

The event was held at the People's Hall in Bacolod City and was participated by Korean students all over Bacolod City.

The special guest was Mr. Oh Choong-suk who is the Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Taguig City.

Culinary students from ICA in La Salle prepared Korean dishes which were served to  the guests.

Even though that this was Mr. Oh's first visit to Bacolod, he promise to come back and bring some of his events to Bacolod City.

Victorias Food Products now available in Bacolod

As a Negrosanon, Victorias products mean world class.  Victorias Milling Co. produces refined sugar and that is the sugar that we grew up to.  Established in 1919 by Don Miguel Ossorio, VMC is held with high esteem in the province.

From sugar, it has diversified into canned sardines, the Victorias sardines that we top our crackers or pan de sal. I like to eat it for snacks.

Have you ever wondered what this little store along Lacson St is?  This little kiosk houses all products manufactured by Victorias Food Products, a subsidiary of VMC.  

This kiosk is open daily from 730am to 630pm. 

The following Victorias products are available at the kiosk.

What are you waiting for?  Let's patronize our very own Negros products.  We help our province, we care for our people.