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Thursday, November 4, 2021

Shopee Launches 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, its Biggest Sale of the Year, with Unbeatable deals and Nonstop Fun

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale becomes the ultimate holiday shopping destination with promos such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, 10% off daily vouchers, and giveaways worth over ₱12,000,000


Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, kicks off its annual 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, the most anticipated shopping festival in the region. The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale headlines a year where more people and businesses use the platform to connect with each other. In fact, the number of sellers and brands on Shopee surged by 60% in 2021, while 1 in 3 shoppers at its recent 9.9 event was new to the platform.

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, which ushers in the year’s busiest shopping season, presents Shopee’s greatest selection of deals, fun, and entertainment for everyone. To add to the festive mood, users can look forward to the widest variety of discounted products from over 25 categories and unbeatable promos such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 10% off daily. With such an irresistible line-up, the number of new buyers on Shopee is expected to peak further during 11.11. Brands and local MSMEs stand to benefit from the increased traffic, supercharging business growth and scaling their online presence.

International superstar Jackie Chan also returns with a fun commercial for the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. After his 9.9 commercial met with viral success by garnering 435 million views online, the action-packed sequel sparked excitement for all users as well. Fans can catch the commercial here: https://shp.ee/64cba9b

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas holds a special place in Filipinos’ hearts. During this season of giving, Shopee Philippines hopes to make this year’s festivities even more memorable for both our users and sellers. As the holidays approach, we aim to bring more joy to shoppers and help them save more on things they love by curating the best deals. We’ve also pioneered efforts to expand our digital ecosystem to help more consumers, businesses, and communities access and benefit from e-commerce. We invite everyone to join us in making this the biggest and most impactful 11.11.”

1. Biggest growth opportunities for businesses

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will act as a springboard to accelerate growth for businesses on Shopee. In 2021, more than 8 million new local shops opened on Shopee. With a growing base of shoppers and more marketing tools provided by Shopee, 11.11 will give brands and MSMEs greater visibility to maximize demand. Businesses with an offline presence can also participate in 11.11 through ShopeePay and Shopee’s digital products feature.

  • Exclusive deals from leading brands on Shopee Mall: Shoppers can look forward to exclusive deals from top brands such as Xiaomi, POCO, realme, Samsung, Nokia, Vivo, DJI, PerySmith, Deerma, Coocaa Home, and Bata Philippines.



  • More offline deals from brands: Brands also stand to generate more in-store traffic through promotions from ShopeePay. Users can turn to ‘Deals Near Me’ to check for special in-store deals from brands such as Puregold, National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Power Mac Center, The Generics Pharmacy, Family Mart, Lawson, Olympic Village, Shoe Salon, Potato Corner, Mary Grace, Bonchon, Papa John’s, Siomai House, and Fruitas Group of Companies.

 

2. Upsized variety, deals, and entertainment for the holidays

Shopee is committed to helping more shoppers access the benefits of e-commerce, especially during the busiest shopping time of the year. To encourage more people to try shopping online, Shopee introduced initiatives such as special welcome gifts and vouchers for new shoppers, with over 5 million welcome gifts across the region redeemed since the start of the year. Throughout 11.11, shoppers can look forward to an unbeatable range of more rewards and deals: 

  • Rewards for first-time shoppers: As they start their e-commerce journey, new and first-time Shopee users can look forward to a free welcome package, bills cashback, free shipping, 100% off vouchers, and ₱1 deals with their first purchase. 
  • Gift guides for easy holiday shopping: Users can enjoy a quick and easy holiday shopping experience with Shopee’s Christmas in our Carts gift guides. They can get discounts up to 90% off on a wide range of branded gifts and bundles, from the latest gadgets to luxurious personal care items. They can also check out Shopee Mall for 10% off Mall vouchers, special deals on holiday gifts, and vouchers from their favorite brands.  
  • Bigger deals across different categories: Shoppers can discover the best deals on everything they need at 11.11 Big Sale. Highlights include 1-for-1 Deals, Early Platform Voucher Hunt, and Mega Midnight Sale, covering the widest range of product categories. They can also look out for themed sales such as the Big Sports & Outdoors Sale on November 4, Big Fashion Sale on November 5, Big Groceries & Pet Care Sale on November 6, Big Mommy & Babies Sale on November 7, Big Shopee Mall Sale on November 8, Big Electronics Sale on November 9, and Big Vouchers Sale on November 10.  
  • Exclusive Shopee Mall discounts from the biggest roster of brands: At the 11.11 Midnight Mall Exclusive Sale from 12MN to 2AM, shoppers can enjoy huge price drops and exclusive bundle deals. Throughout the sale, brand sukis can also enjoy discounts up to 90% off on leading brands in the country:  
  • Secure and convenient shopping with ShopeePay: Users can shop with greater security and enjoy better deals when they pay with ShopeePay. They can also now enjoy a free, instant, and more convenient way to cash in from their bank apps via InstaPay. Until November 7, users can cash in via InstaPay and get up to ₱25 cashback. 

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will also spark more joy with the big finale on November 11:

 

 

  • 11.11 Big Christmas Sale TV Special: NCT 127, one of today’s hottest K-pop boy bands, will delight Filipino audiences with their chart-topping hits at the 11.11 TV show on November 11, 9:30-11:30pm on GMA 7 and Shopee Live. Filipinos can also look forward to appearances from top local celebrities such as Jessy Mendiola, Aira Bermudez, Rocco Nacino, Klea Pineda, Andre Paras, and Gil Cuerva. Lastly, viewers stand a chance to win prizes and giveaways worth over  ₱12,000,000, including two new house & lots and a brand-new car.

For more information about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale.

 

Friday, October 22, 2021

#NeverForget: How to Take Care of your Brain and Memory

Ever since I have read the novel, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, one of my greatest fears is the loss of memory. If you are not familiar with the book or the movie,  The Notebook depicts Allie (one of the main characters) as having complete memory loss of her past. She suffers from Alzheimer's dementia which is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure and it gradually worsens over time. 

Sometimes I can't help to think that everyday we are all trying to be the best version of ourselves, live life to the fullest, and be with our loved ones, but what if one day we forget everything? What if we suddenly can't recognize our family and friends anymore? What if we don't even know who we are or we can't even recall our name? 

Honestly, these thoughts scare me. The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease aren't fully determined and as mentioned there is no cure; thus, it is important that we take care of our brain and memory. 



Here are four (4) practical tips that can help take care of our brain and memory:

1. Eat Right 



Having the proper nutrition is important in keeping our brains healthy. Experts recommend eating oily fish rich in Omega-3 such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines since these can help improve the neurons in our brain and provide better cognition abilities. 

Eggs are also a good source of choline which is known to help reduce inflammation and help promote brain functions such as maintaining memory. 

If you are a chocolate lover like me, you are in for a treat since dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants which is also important for brain health.

Berries, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are also found beneficial for brain health and functions. Fruits and vegetables such as avocado, kale, and broccoli are also said to be good for the brain. 

Aside from these recommendations, we should also learn to stay away from food that is considered harmful. This includes sugary drinks, highly processed food, instant noodles, microwave popcorn, aspartame (which is usually present in chewing gums), and of course, alcohol.

2. Exercise 


Exercise such as walking, running, or swimming is highly recommended to keep your brain healthy. These aerobic exercises can help increase a person's heart rate which means that the body will pump more blood/ oxygen to the brain. 

Experts also say that exercise can help increase our focus as well as help sharpen our minds.

3. Sleep 

Studies show that sleep deprivation and memory loss are closely related since sleep is crucial in consolidating memory. This means that without sleep, one will have a hard time making a memory "stick." 

Lack of sleep also leads to poor focus and performance. It affects fine motor skills and even judgment. No wonder medical experts consider having quality sleep a top priority.  

If you are having problems getting one, try making a routine. Sleep and wake up at the same time each day. 

Avoid alcohol or caffeine before going to bed. 

Blue light emitted from our gadgets/ mobile phones is also said to affect our quality of sleep. Try to avoid using them before going to bed. 

4. Stay Mentally Active 

"Use your brain or else you will lose your brain."

This famous saying is quite accurate. Brain exercises are very important across all age groups. If you are not sure what brain exercises entail, these are simply activities that you can do on a daily basis such as answering puzzles, playing cards, and doing some mind games. 

The best part? You can even do this online. There are many free websites like www.solitaire.org where you can have these fun and exciting brain exercises. This has been one of my go-to websites when I have some free time or when I am not so busy and I wanted to relax. 

Aside from card games, they also have the hidden objects game - a personal favorite. 


Zuma legend which is super popular in the 90s, Mahjong and many more are also available. There are many options available that can suit your interest.  

Anyway, that's it for now! Never forget what is important to us. Let us start taking care of our brain and memory in these 4 practical ways. 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Five Ways the Realme Pad is Designed to Entertain

realme’s first-ever tablet is launching on October 21 
with an incredible deal exclusively on Shopee



realme, the country’s number one brand for smartphones, watches, and True Wireless Stereo (TWS) for Q2 2021, is set to indulge the realme squad once again with an exciting new innovation to cater to their digital-driven lifestyles.


On October 21, the brand will be making its first foray into the tablet scene with the realme Pad, guaranteed to deliver an all-around no-frills tablet experience to suit every Filipino’s modern needs. It’s the brand’s latest offering as it continues to create a full-circle digital ecosystem consisting of various smart devices including smartphones, laptops, smart audio, smart home, and smartwatch products.

The realme Pad is designed to entertain Filipinos, whether it be at home or on the go, as it comes packed with a variety of features that are sure to suit the market’s digital needs.

Here we list down why the realme Pad is the ideal entertainment companion:


1) It comes with a crystal-clear immersive display.

The realme Pad is perfect for all your entertainment needs as you can enjoy binge-watching your favorite series or playing your favorite games with its 10.4-inch screen with a resolution of up to 2000x1200 delivering a clear and rich display. It also has a high screen-to-body ratio of 82.5% for a more immersive visual experience. In addition, it supports eye protection features such as low blue light protection, black and white reading mode, and dark mode, allowing you to take care of your eyes while studying or browsing through social media especially at night.



2) Its Dolby Atmos quad speakers deliver immersive audio.

Of course aside from display, your entertainment experience will not be complete without outstanding audio. The realme Pad’s audio is definitely tough to beat as it is equipped with quad speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res high quality sound certification. This means it delivers stunning bass and rich detail, giving you a cinema-like audio experience at the palm of your hands.


3) It can play videos for up to 12 hours.

Battery life is not a problem with the realme Pad as it boasts a 7100mAh super large massive battery, which supports a 65 days standby time, and users can play videos continuously for 12 hours. It also supports 18W super charging so you don’t have to worry about waiting for it to reach a full charge.





4) It’s slim, lightweight, and premium to the touch.

All these powerful features are packed in a slim and lightweight body measuring only 6.9mm thin and weighing only 440g, making it one of the slimmest and lightest tablets in its segment. With this tablet, users can easily indulge in their favorite entertainment platforms whenever and wherever, and be guaranteed comfort especially for extended periods of time. Its aluminum alloy body design also looks and feels premium, complemented by two stunning colorways: Real Grey and Real Gold.

5) It can run various apps smoothly.

When it comes to the processor, realme made sure that the tablet is capable of running apps and performing tasks with ease. The realme Pad comes equipped with a Helio G80 processor and this octa-core processor was born to game, with two A75 cores, up to 2GHz, ARM Mali-G52 GPU and support for MediaTek HyperEngine gaming technology.

Aside from entertainment, the realme Pad also lends well to online schooling, working from home, or even just connecting with loved ones with the tablet’s 8MP HD camera capable of taking clear videos. It also features a 105° ultra wide-angle letting you capture more of your surroundings when you take a selfie or attend video conferences. At the same time, realme Pad also supports Dual Mic Noise Cancellation so you'll always benefit from clear communication when video conferencing or taking online classes.

The realme Pad will be available in two sophisticated colorways: Real Gold and Real Grey, and in three storage variants: 3+32GB (SRP P10,990), 4+64GB (SRP P14,990), and 6+128GB (SRP P16,990) so you have more options to choose from depending on your lifestyle and tech needs.


Starting October 22, you can avail of the realme Pad 3+32GB with an incredible early-bird offer of P2,000 OFF (discounted price of P8,990) exclusively via the realme Official Store on Shopee! 

Monday, October 18, 2021

The Story of Grace from Both Sides of the Coin


Gratitude and kindness is the most powerful currency in the world. You might have heard stories about some passengers who suddenly get upgraded to business class during their flight. I asked a friend from the airline industry how they choose or identify passengers and she said -- "the customer was kind and grateful." 

Personally, I would be willing to extend an extra mile too for our clients and customers even if that means working late at night or during weekends. I don't even need additional compensation for the time and effort because a simple "thank you" is enough. Knowing that they appreciate what you do makes it all worth it. 

However, it is a totally different story when entitlement wins over gratitude. There are some people who do not know how to appreciate because they feel that they are entitled to 24/7 assistance or they must have 100% satisfaction because they paid. When something goes wrong, these are the type of people who go berserk and get mad because they feel they got shortchanged. They are the type of people who do not want to extend a little grace for people who commit mistakes. They feel that they own you and your soul.  

In reality, no one is perfect and many times, things won't go as planned. However, the world has a lot of more serious problems and a little compassion and grace can go a long way.

Do you remember the 90/10 principle? According to Stephen Covey, the 90–10 principle basically says that our life is 10% made of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it; thus, you have a choice on how you will react when things don't go well. 

Yesterday, I got tested by this principle as well. I made some orders online and arranged delivery via a 3rd party courier. Our house is far and delivery fees are quite expensive. 

Unfortunately, when the order arrived, I received the wrong items. Apparently, the store personnel gave the wrong plastic bag to the delivery rider. So, they are asking me to send back the wrong items and book another pick-up to get my order. This means that I had to spend a two-way booking fee aside from the initial one I paid even if it is NOT my fault. Such a waste of money, right?

However, I opted to extend a little grace and compassion to this store personnel. I know that it is not her intention to mess up. When I talked to her, she was worried. If I don't pay for the fees, this would be charged against her which would cost her more than half of her daily wage.  I am aware that it was not my fault and it is not my responsibility to pay but a little compassion can make a difference for this person. This difference may mean food for her family. I really do not know but I decided to pay for everything. 

I realized that this other person who has feelings is much more important than money. She was very helpful every time I order and I am thankful for her assistance. She may have made a mistake but it is not right that she feels "crucified" for this. I decided to put aside my disappointment. I choose to let it go and find a resolution. 


For someone who has seen both sides of the coin - an individual who had been hurt and "crucified" because of a mistake and as a customer whose order has been messed up, I am reminded of this quote from JoyBell C...

“The kindness that we receive from others in life, is also the kindness that we will want to give. The harshness that we receive from others in life, will also be the harshness that we will give. But true strength lies in seeing the harshness that we have received in life; and living in such a way so that others will never feel the same from us."

May we extend more grace and compassion to others. Let us be kind to one another. 

Thank you for reading! Let's connect via IG.