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Plan B: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

“If you are the family’s breadwinner, your most valuable asset is your ability to earn. And the only instrument that can protect that asset is life insurance,” says Renato Vergel De Dios, President and CEO of BDO Life.

For 50 years, he has built his career around one mission: helping Filipino families achieve financial security through life insurance, or Plan B. One would think that in that span, life insurance would already be part of every Filipino’s financial portfolio. Yet many breadwinners remain without coverage, leaving their families vulnerable to financial ruin.

Let’s talk about it

In a market study conducted by BDO Life, having a tight budget, prioritizing more pressing needs, and the belief that insurance is expensive are the main reasons many breadwinners are reluctant to get a Plan B.

In his many decades of experience, Vergel De Dios has also observed that many families avoid talking about illness, death, or financial hardship—often waiting until it’s too late. More than the lack of enough income, that hesitation, he says, is the real barrier to financial security.

It is related to a widely held notion that insurance is only for the wealthy. “That’s a myth,” he says. “Insurance has never been primarily for the rich. It’s for those who need to go to work every day to provide for their families: the employees, the professionals, and the hands-on small business owners.”

 

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Score Up to 1 Million Rewards Points with your Christmas Bonus!

This holiday season, your Christmas bonus could be the start of something truly rewarding. By participating in BDO’s Holiday Million Rewards Raffle promo, saving wisely could potentially turn you into a Rewards Points millionaire!

Open a new account with BDO from October 9 to December 31, 2025, and you could take home up to 1 million Rewards Points. Over 100 lucky winners will share a total of 3 million BDO Rewards Points across the November, December, and January raffle draws.

Road to 1 Million Rewards Points

Deposit at least P50,000 in fresh funds to any newly opened qualified account during the promo period: ATM Savings, Passbook Savings, Kabayan Savings, Prime Savers, Junior Savers, Smart Checking, and Peso Checking to earn one e-raffle entry. Just one more step: complete the raffle registration form at the branch, and you’re officially in the running for this holiday promo.

To earn an additional raffle entry, download and sign up for the BDO Pay app. Make sure to activate BDO Rewards in-app to start earning Rewards Points with your savings.

Save and shop like Belle this Christmas. Her smart adulting tip? Save with BDO and get a chance to win 1 million BDO Rewards Points for your holiday shopping.

Discover the rewards of banking with BDO. If you’re among the winners, your Rewards Points can be spent in three ways:

  1. Pay using your points. Use Rewards Points to pay for your shopping and groceries at SM and partner stores.
  2. Redeem as eGCs. Use them for movies, dining, and more through the BDO Pay app’s eGC catalog.
  3. Transfer or convert to cash credits. Use them to pay for your BDO Credit Card balance or to shop using SM Advantage Card Points.

For more details on how you can be the next Rewards Points millionaire, visit the BDO branch nearest you or check out www.bdo.com.ph.

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SB19 and GCash Bring the Magic Back to Christmas with New Holiday Anthem – Watch the MV Here!

The magical feeling of Christmas may seem overwhelming amidst the bustling malls, shopping lists, and Noche Buena preparations. GCash is helping keep the holidays full of cheer as it teams up with SB19 for a new holiday jingle and music video that reminds us what the season is really about: connection, generosity, and a touch of GCash magic to Make It Merry.

The new Make It Merry jingle sets the tone for the arrival of the Merry GCash season. The jingle captures the familiar warmth we often seek during the busiest time of the year, demonstrating that the spirit of Christmas never truly fades; it simply needs a little spark to shine again.

IIn the music video, the SB19 boys are shown using GCash to shop for gifts, loading them into a car, and preparing to share them with their loved ones. Paired with lyrics like “Ang bawat salu-salo, make it merry, kasama ang pamilya mo,” and “Ang bawat regalo, make it merry, galing sa puso mo,” the song captures how GCash makes every celebration lighter, more joyful, and more merry. 

WWith “Make It Merry” as its official holiday soundtrack, SB19 and GCash establish a joyful, generous, and easy atmosphere for the season. GCash makes every moment easier, more meaningful, and less stressful, no matter where your holiday plans take you.

Do you need to send aguinaldo to your family back home? You can use GCash Send Money to send aguinaldo instantly. Last-minute gifts? Shop with ease and use GCash to Pay Online. Are you planning to make a big purchase for your house or buy new tech this year? GCash helps make that possible by offering more manageable payments. If the holidays are taking you traveling, be sure to bring your GCash Card for easy payments abroad. You can even use the Scan to Pay feature to unlock exclusive deals!

With everything available in one app, GCash transforms the hectic nature of the season into joy, making it easier than ever to share the magic of Christmas. As SB19 reminds everyone in “Make It Merry,” the magic of the holidays is found in every heartfelt gift shared and in every moment that brings us closer together. To make your Christmas merry, you just need to do one thing: use GCash.

Watch the official Make It Merry music video here, and follow @gcashofficial for more updates on what’s coming this Merry GCash season.

 

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DOST-TAPI Invites Filipinos to Empower Local Innovations Through Creative Advertising

The Gawad Alunig x Dalumat (GAxD) campaign to highlight local innovation

The Technology Application and Promotion Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) announces the Gawad Alunig x Dalumat (GAxD) campaign. This initiative rewards Filipinos who put the spotlight on local innovations.

The grand prize winner of the Gawad Alunig will take home PHP 75,000, while the first runner-up gets PHP 50,000. Three honorable mentions will receive PHP 25,000 per team, while one Gawad Alunig People’s Choice Award winner gets PHP 20,000.

The champion of Gawad Dalumat will win PHP 60,000, while two first runner-up entries will get PHP 25,000 per team. Three Best Innovation Stories will be awarded PHP 20,000 each, while one Gawad Dalumat People’s Choice Award will be given PHP 10,000.

Launched in 2022, the GAxD campaign aims to raise awareness of Filipino-developed technologies and highlight the creative potential of individuals. What makes the fourth edition of the GAxD campaign different from the previous ones is its emphasis on science visual storytelling through creative advertising.

This year, Gawad Alunig invites participants to transform underrated narratives into compelling short-form videos. Video entries must be three and a half minutes or less. This category honors compelling videos that leave an alunig or a resonating sound that inspires communities to support Filipino innovations and technologies.

MMeanwhile, Gawad Dalumat utilizes the power of photo essays to explore the uniqueness of local inventions in depth. Entries must be limited to four – six frames. This category honors profound thinking, or dalumat, that revels in curiosity and appreciation of local ingenuity.

Entries for the GAxD campaign can be sourced from local universities, research institutions, individual inventors, and startups. However, technologies featured must not be included in DOST-TAPI’s list (https://bit.ly/TAPI-AssistedTechs). This contest provides storytellers the opportunity to connect new or emerging innovators with DOST-TAPI and its programs.

AAll participants must like and follow the Facebook pages of @iINVENTPH, @TeKnowLohiya, and @DOST.TAPI. Entries must be submitted through the campaign’s submission links. Only entries submitted through the official submission links will be considered by the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI).

Send your Gawad Alunig submissions using this link: https://bit.ly/GawadAlunigSubmissionLink. MMeanwhile, participants can submit their entries for Gawad Dalumat through the following link: bit.ly/GawadDalumatSubmissionLink. You must submit all entries by November 24, 2025, at the latest.

For complete GAxD guidelines, participants may visit the link: bit.ly/GAxD2025Guidelines. For more information about the GAxD campaign, please visit the DOST-TAPI website at TAPI.DOST.gov.ph and follow the DOST-TAPI Facebook page.

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Light Up The Linden Suites for the Holidays

The Linden Suites kicked off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony in the hotel lobby—an intimate event that illuminated not only the hotel’s renowned Christmas tree but also its wonderfully made Belen, which represents hope, warmth, and the genuine essence of Christmas.

Pearl Maclang, Commercial Director, gracefully hosted the occasion, which began with an opening prayer from Lovely Malafo, Human Resources Manager.

Ma. Celeste “Tet” B. Romualdo, General Manager of The Linden Suites, led the ceremonial lighting, which was attended by Dr. Ramon Bautista, Medical Director of Med Asia Philippines. Together, they expressed their gratitude and emphasized to the visitors the significance of unity, charity, and tradition—elements that the hotel prioritizes during the holidays.

Long-term guests, hotel partners, and The Linden Suites occupants gathered in the Sky Lounge before the lighting festivities began.
Notable attendees included Capt. Raymond Lising of Barangay San Antonio and Vicky Santiago, General Manager of OCAI- Office of Career Advancement International.

The presence of our distinguished media friends and partners, both in person and virtually, enhanced the festive atmosphere. TThey participated in the wonderful moment of lighting Lyndon Bear’s Christmas necklace from the comfort of their own homes, a simple yet meaningful custom that added joy and wonder to the evening. Their kind remarks and shared experiences lifted the festive atmosphere and made the event even more memorable.

The Linden Suites has revealed its special holiday offerings, The Linden Holideals, with hotel rates beginning at ₱4,400 net for a Deluxe hotel, inviting families, vacationers, and corporate guests to experience a pleasant and enjoyable stay this Christmas season.

To make your holiday reservations, please visit our website at https://www.booking.lindensuites.com, call us at +632 5638 7878, or email reservations@lindensuites.com.

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2GO Travel Opens New Route: Connecting Manila to Siargao

2GO Travel proudly launched its newest route from Manila to Siargao, giving travelers a more affordable and convenient alternative to reach the island paradise. This milestone boosts tourism and the local economy and makes Siargao more accessible to Filipinos and international visitors alike.

A Fresh Perspective on Siargao

For a long time, flying was the primary mode of transportation to Siargao, but it wasn’t always affordable or convenient. However, travelers can now embark on a more enjoyable journey aboard 2GO Travel’s St. Francis Xavier. With a capacity of approximately 1,800 people, this vessel offers a highly efficient and economical means of reaching the island.

Amenities That Make You Feel at Home

The St. Francis Xavier is more than just a vessel; it represents a mobile way of life. Guests can enjoy a relaxing salon for pampering or simply unwinding, a convenience store stocked with essentials, a coffee and bake shop to satisfy hunger pangs, a venue for events and entertainment, and a prayer room for peaceful reflection.

Where to Stay

2GO Travel offers a wide variety of accommodations that cater to the financial constraints and personal tastes of every traveler.

First-Class Accommodations

  • Suite Room—premium luxury and privacy
  • State Room —a spacious and comfortable choice
  • Tourist Class—a practical yet cozy option
  • Cabin—shared accommodations that are comfortable for groups or families.

Economy Class Accommodations

  • Tourist Class—affordable and convenient
  • Cabin –  budget-friendly shared space
  • Mega Value—economical choice for budget-conscious travelers
  • Super Value—the most affordable option for passengers.

Why It Matters

This innovative approach goes beyond mere transportation, serving as a catalyst for expansion. By facilitating maritime travel to Siargao, 2GO Travel supports two crucial areas: tourism is enhanced by making the island more accessible to visitors, while the local economy thrives through fostering trade and creating job opportunities. Furthermore, they provide convenience by offering a cost-effective substitute for costly air travel.

This launch showcases that 2GO Travel recognizes that the journey itself can be a highlight, not just the destination. Reaching Siargao by boat is now a reality, providing travelers with a rewarding and memorable experience.

Embrace Siargao the 2GO way.

Visit  http://www.travel.2GO.com.ph