Christmas 2020: How we made it a little more special this year

Merry Christmas, Everyone! Time flies so fast! Without knowing it, Christmas Day has passed and the months of preparation and planning all paid off. If you have been following my blog, you would know how much I love Christmas and why it's my favorite time of my year (yes, I love Christmas more than my own birthday) 

Anyway, with the pandemic and all, we are to celebrate this year a little different. Different does not really mean it's a bad thing or something negative.  

To be honest, I found this year's celebration more meaningful and memorable, and here's how we did it.

1. Christmas Lighting Event -  The Christmas tree has been the centerpiece of the festive season as early as the 16th century where families brought trees into their homes and decorated them.  This is something that I also look forward to as a kid and adult. 

When the "BER-months" started this 2020. I read in one of the mommy groups that one member said she doesn't feel like putting up a Christmas tree this year because of all the problems that are happening and a response to her post struck me the most. "This is actually the best time to put up the Christmas decorations at home. Because of these challenges and problems, the more we need some holiday cheer."

And I agree with that. Thus, we decided to put up the best Christmas tree that we could have and since we miss Disneyland, it's just right to have a Disney-themed one. 

To make it more special, we had a Christmas tree lighting (home-edition) last December 8 where we celebrated it with food and music. 

2. Simbang Gabi - It is a Filipino tradition where one attends a nine-day series of masses in anticipation of Christmas. The mass is celebrated early in the morning and it is believed that if you complete all nine days of Simbang Gabi then your wish or special prayer will be granted.

In our case, we attended the 4:30 AM mass of The Manila Cathedral via live streaming. This is actually my first time to complete all nine days and this is one of the things I am truly grateful for in the new normal. In the new normal, we don't have to go to the office so, I don't really mind waking up so early or not getting enough sleep since we're just at home. 

3. Virtual Noche Buena - I grew up celebrating Christmas at my grandparent's house where my grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts are all present. It was such a big celebration and we look forward to my grandma's cooking. Gifts were overflowing that we ran out of table space. 

Unfortunately, when we grew up and started having families of our own, we no longer got together as we celebrated Christmas in our own homes. Some have moved to another city and are not home during the holidays. 

Thus, this year was a little special since we all got together again via Google Meet. My family from the different parts of the country and abroad were present during our virtual Noche Buena.  

We some special Christmas presentations and games while we waited for midnight.

As you can see, this year's Christmas may be different that we even have to skip some of our traditions. However, this doesn't mean that we can't make new ones. 

So whatever you are going through right now, we hope that you were able to have a Merry Christmas, and wishing you a brighter and better new year. 

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Time to Gas Up! 50% off on Petron fuels tomorrow, December 22

December 22 is a special day for Petron! 

This holiday season starting December 14, Petron is treating their Petron Value Cardholders through the 12 Days of Merry promo where they have the chance to win a one-year supply of fuel, scooters, laptops, motorcycles, and other gadgets. Each day, a new promotion and prize/ reward is up for grabs. 

However, Day 9 (December 22) is quite special since Petron President and CEO Ramon S. Ang is extending the special promo even to non-PVC cardholders. Customers can enjoy 50% off on all Petron fuels when they gas up on December 22, 2020, between 11AM to 1PM, at over 1,100 participating Petron stations nationwide!

** Please note that this does not apply to P.O., Bulk, or Fleet accounts. 

What a perfect Christmas gift for all! So, be sure to gas up tomorrow as this may be the last fuel sale of the year. 

Click here to view the full list of participating stations.

Love promos like this? Connect with us on Facebook.  

Sun Life Concludes 125th Anniversary with an Online Christmas Concert

Christmas this year may be different but the celebration continues because the true essence of the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate it by honoring the people that we love and value. We celebrate it with utmost gratitude to God who is the giver of everything that we have. We also say thank you to everyone who loves and supports us. 

No wonder Sun Life Philippines chose the theme, HIMIG NG PASASALAMAT as they concluded its 125th anniversary. They brought together two of the most talented musical groups in the country, Ben&Ben and The Company, in a virtual OPM Christmas concert especially for clients, advisors, and employees. 

The event was held on December 18, 2020, at 8pm hosted by Sam Oh. Sun Life’s brand ambassadors Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Enchong Dee, Inigo Pascual, and Charo Santos-Concio also made an appearance. 

The Mandaluyong Children’s Choir also performed a special number. 

The event is exclusive for Sun Life clients who registered for the concert where they have access to a virtual venue that will simulate a live setting, making the experience more interactive. Raffles prizes such as Sun Life Prosperity Card, loaded with P5,000 credits which can be invested in any of the Sun Life Prosperity Mutual Funds, an overnight stay for two in a Seda Hotel of choice, gift certificates, and P50,000 worth of investment credits were also given away. 

Now, here's the best part? 

A replay of the concert will be shown to the public on December 28, 2020 via Sun Life’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunLifePH. So, in case you are not able to attend and register or if you are not yet a Sunlife client, you can watch this beautiful concert. 

According to Sun Life Chief Marketing and Client Experience Officer Gilbert Simpao,  “For us at Sun Life, this is an opportunity to thank our clients, advisors, employees, and partners for their continued trust and support throughout our 125 years in the Philippines. More than that, this is also a chance for us to pay tribute to those at the frontlines in our battle against the pandemic and various calamities. We look forward to bringing some yuletide cheer into everyone’s homes. The year may have been a challenging one, but there is still reason for us to be thankful and celebrate Christmas.”

Looking for a bank that fits the Japanese standards?

When Japanese entrepreneur Mr. Hayato Yazaki came to the Philippines to set up his business, he looked for a bank that fits the Japanese standards for a good partner. Mr. Yazaki runs Izumi Global, an education company that provides after-school learning using the Nippon Math method for children ages 3-11 years old. It also provides licensing and has more than 10 branches. 

Mr. Yazaki asked from among the Japanese community in Makati about the local banks, so he could choose one that fits his needs. After picking out one Philippine bank, he started his relationship with it by opening a personal bank account. This was so he could experience for himself whether or not the bank lives up to its reputation. 

Trust and reliability, he said, are very important. These values are part of the Japanese mindset and are considered crucial when engaging in a long-term commitment. Mr. Yazaki, however, added he goes beyond these considerations, as he also looks into speed, overall performance, even the personality and attitude of the people he deals with. 

The bank he chose was BDO. Mr. Yazaki said that he appreciates BDO customer service in the Philippines. “Ms. Lyn Lazona and Ms. Hiromi Shimoda of the Japan Help Desk are always a message away. If we have questions or asked for a meeting, they are always quick and willing to oblige. I think being under the Japan Help Desk really made the service speedy and convenient for us since they know Japanese expectations and requirements.” 

A reliable partner during the lockdown 

When the pandemic struck and the quarantines and lockdowns were imposed, Izumi Global faced a lot of challenges. They had to quickly convert to online classes as children are not allowed to go out. The company also had to consider their licensees/franchisees, whose income also depends on their support. 

To answer the needs of both their students and franchisees, Izumi Global had to secure a shipment of educational materials. Mr. Yazaki didn’t think this was still possible due to the constraints brought about by lockdown but to his surprise, BDO’s Ms. Lyn went out of her way to help him secure the shipment. “We were expecting that the documents would be delivered through courier. Instead, Ms. Lyn went through that extra effort that meant a lot to us. If no one assisted us with the requirements, the shipment will be abandoned and we cannot get our study materials. We almost had to cancel the online program for the students.” 

According to Mr. Yazaki, his bank made sure that even during the lockdown, their transactions proceeded at a nearly normal pace. While some transactions were a bit slower, they made up for it with convenience by shifting the processes online. For him, the confidence he places on BDO and their relationship is well-deserved and meets his exacting ideals as a Japanese client. 

For more information on how BDO can help your business in good times and bad times, visit www.bdo.com.ph/keepbusinessmoving.