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Nation at a Glance — (12/10/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (12/10/19)

Four things to keep in mind when managing your seed money

You nailed your investor pitch and pulled in enough funding to fuel your team of ten through the next year. Congratulations! Not many startups make it this far. But before you pop the champagne and celebrate, remember that with great funding comes great accountability.

You are now a steward of your investors’ money, tasked with ensuring that while your startup grows, their money grows along with it. Two startup founders share how they manage their money to make sure their businesses soar.

1. Invest in establishing a robust sales process– and make sure that you know it front to back.

Startups are more than just innovative solutions to real world problems. Supporting that solution needs to be a sustainable business model. And core to that model is a robust sales process.

“We have to think about the sales process… from lead generation, to distribution, to deployments, billing and collection, all through hypercare,” said Chino Atilano, founder and CEO of TimeFree Innovations, a virtual queuing solutions platform.

“If you’re a B2B startup, most of the time, you have to deal with a long sales cycle. So if you don’t know your sales process in and out, you’ll be surprised with a lot of things… you need to think about cash flow.”

2. Figure out your corporate governance structure to monitor expenditures and avoid leaks.

Another thing that most startups don’t consider is their corporate governance structure, which is the set of rules, practices, and processes by which your business operates. One of its benefits is that you’re able to effectively audit your finances, which can speak volumes about your startup’s integrity and reliability.

“As your company grows, your revenue grows. So if it’s in the eight figures, it’s quite difficult to keep track of the expenditures,” said Atilano. “If you don’t have a framework, it’s easy to lose money. A thousand pesos here and there can add up.”

A clear corporate governance structure also establishes transparency in your operations. That way, you ensure everything is on the up and up.

“Your CFO might have full control of the financial side and there’s no transparency there,” Atilano said. “That’s a big red flag, especially if you’re seeking investments.”

3. Monitor your return on net assets (RONA).

Ask yourself: for every peso that I’m putting into this project, how much am I getting back in return?

“Even if you’re not seeking investments, [RONA is] also important, because it will guide you on which investments you’re going to make,” said Atilano. “If you’re facing two opportunities, you have to make sure that you choose the right one… meaning if you invest a million pesos here, it should return more than the other opportunity.”

4. Running after investments too much might be a waste of your time.

Fundraising is an endless slog of pitching your deck, revising it, and pitching it again. This doesn’t seem so bad after the first or second attempt. But when it’s been the nth time and it hasn’t borne any fruit, you have to ask, “Is this still worth it?”

“At some point, I decided that it was a big waste of time,” said Au Soriano, co-founder and CEO of online bus booking platform PinoyTravel. “It takes me days to prepare, and then when I go out for a pitch, at the end of the day, the big question is, ‘How much profit are you making now?’ [So I thought,] ‘How can I make a profit if I’m here talking to you?’”

If this resonates with you, then it might be time to focus your efforts elsewhere. Review your business model and see if you can pinpoint any opportunities to increase your profits. It might take a bit more time than expected, but ultimately, it could be more lucrative to your startup in the long run.

Whether you nailed your seed round or mustered up the capital to bootstrap your way to profitability, your efforts as a startup founder need to be backed up by some fiscal responsibility in order to ensure growth.

Feel free to pop the cork on that champagne now. Just be sure to log it in your expenses.

PCPPI sends water to earthquake victims in Mindanao

A disaster recovery effort that aims to create resilient and sustainable communities, Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) continues to assist earthquake-stricken areas in Mindanao.

As part of its initial efforts, PPCPI Davao has already sent 800 cases of mineral water and 800 carboys with tap water last November 5 to helpuplift communities in the area.  On the other hand, PCPPI Cagayan De Oro in partnership with Rotary Club of CDO also sent a total of 380 cases of mineral water.

Today, PCPPI sent an additional 856 pairs of mosquito nets and blankets, 2 truckloads of drinking water, and 600carboys with tap water for the 14,000 evacuees at Makilala Evacuation Center in coordination with the LGU of Makilala.

“Some of our people in Pepsi Davao were also badly hit, but we remain committed to provide immediate aid to our communities,” said YongSang You, PCPPI Chief Executive Officer.“This proves that Pepsi Philippines believes that all corporations in the world have an immense moral obligation to tend to our communities, especially after surviving devastating disasters,” You added.

It can be recalled that an earthquake with a 6.5 magnitude rocked Central and Eastern Mindanao in November that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 400 others, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The earthquake also destroyed millions worth of infrastructure and property, and displaced more than 12,000 people.

“Relief efforts are never an easy task and are expected to be a long-term initiative, so we aim to contribute as much as we can by working with trusted organizations on ground that actively help those who have been affected. Through these donations, we hope to provide basic resources to affected families and individuals. For us, there are no small efforts when you help people and communities rebuild their lives,” You concluded.

Pepsi Philippines, for many years, has been a key partner of communities in Davao and other parts of Mindanao. Together with its partners, it aims to uplift communities through its inclusive growth and water stewardship programs.  Last year, the company provided sustainable water solutions through 17 water tanks for the temporary shelters in Marawi City through its Water for Peace in Marawi Project.

35 Innovative Products, Services and Organizations Honoured International Innovation Awards 2019 in Singapore

Enterprise Asia announced the winners of the International Innovation Awards 2019 in Singapore. Thirty five products, services and organizations are named as award winners from over 160 submissions.

Among the notable recipients of the InnoCube are AIA Malaysia, Taiwan’s HIWIN Technologies Corp., Singapore’s Olam International Ltd., Philippines’ Unilever, Indonesia’s PT MRT Jakarta, and United Arab Emirates’ Roads and Transport Authority.

“There are not conventional ‘innovations’. When we set out to identify winners of the IIA, our goal is to present a broad spectrum of innovations that could spur greater innovation in the recipients’ respective countries and industries. Just as innovation itself is continuously self-redefining, the awards are meant to promote continuity in innovation”, said Dato’ William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia.

“Innovation is moving faster than at any other point in history. Organizations cannot afford to rely on current practices and hope that they will work in the future. Organizations that fail to innovate are setting themselves up for failure”, Ng added.

“The award recipients also receive the InnoMark, the global certification for innovation. The InnoMark, like the International Innovation Awards, adopts our proprietary 8-Dimension of Innovation – which includes areas such as defendability and enforceability, impact and measurability as well as ideation and creativity. This will not only help define the best practice in innovation but provide a platform through which companies could showcase the results of their innovation”, shared Ng.

Organized annually by Enterprise Asia, the International Innovation Awards is among the most coveted global awards for innovation, and aims to recognize best innovations in the categories of Product, Service & Solution, and Organization & Culture. This year’s judging panel include Martin Daffner, founder of Innobrix, Professor Nadia Thalmann of Nanyang Technological University, Professor Natcha Thawesaengskulthai of Chulalongkorn University, Makoto Shibata of FINOLAB, The FinTech Center of Tokyo and Anna Simpson of Flux Compass.

“These are the trailblazers of our world. Beyond the obvious commercial value, these innovations are what would power the world forward, individually and collectively. I hope that more companies and organizations would realize that constant innovation is not a luxury, but necessity”, says Ng.

The International Innovation Awards 2019 is supported by Singapore Tourism Board through Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau, Eastern European Chamber of Commerce (Singapore), The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysia, Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NIEI), Royal of Cambodia, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) and Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Singapore Airlines as official airlines; Resorts World Sentosa as official venue partner; PR Newswire as news release distribution partner; and BusinessWorld, Commercial Times, Kumparan, SME Magazine, Techsauce, The Nation and Tuoi Tre News as the official media partners.

RECIPIENT LIST OF THE INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION AWARDS 2019

PRODUCT CATEGORY

WINNING INNOVATION COMPANY COUNTRY
A-Plus Health Plan AIA Bhd Malaysia
AIYARA CASHEWY Aiyara Planet Co., Ltd. Thailand
FRACTAL SHADE Fractal-Thailand Co., Ltd. Thailand
Stem Cell Drug for Chronic Stroke – GXNPC1 Gwo Xi Stem Cell Applied Technology Co., Ltd. Taiwan
HIWIN Robotic Gait Training System HIWIN Technologies Corp. Taiwan
Mommylicious Juice – Super Huaplee Plus Mommylicious 24 Co., Ltd. Thailand
La Vita Vital Bright Facial Serum Nature Idea Co., Ltd. Thailand
SafetoSleep200 Ospicon Systems Pte Ltd Singapore
AlphaBITS Next Generation PT Sigma Cipta Caraka(Telkomsigma) Indonesia
Red Dot Driving A.I. Red Dot Robotics Pte. Ltd. Singapore
In-wash Khroma Roca Malaysia Sdn Bhd Malaysia
Daebak Ghost Pepper Instant Noodles Shinsegae Mamee Sdn Bhd Malaysia
No Antibiotics Ever and Herb Fed Chicken Sun Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Thailand
D’. Palais Louis Tan Hoang Minh Group Vietnam
All Things Hair Refillery Unilever Philippines Philippines
Nutroxsun Verena International Co., Ltd. Thailand

 

SERVICE & SOLUTION CATEGORY

WINNING INNOVATION COMPANY COUNTRY
[24]7.ai Quality and Customer Experience Model 24/7 Customer Philippines, Inc. Philippines
BDMS Emergency Services (BES) Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL. Thailand
Beyond Great Service Systems Beyond Laboratory Co., Ltd. Thailand
ART™ – AXILE® Smart Monitoring System – Adapting to i4.0 Machine Tool Buffalo Machinery Co., Ltd Taiwan
BELLA MARIE FRANCE – IQGenes Global Beauty International Pte Ltd Singapore
Innovating Investing iGlobe Partners Singapore
KBZPay KBZ Bank Myanmar
AAM (Antenna Alignment & Monitoring) Solution LITE-ON Technology Corp. Taiwan
Chlorine Next Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Thailand) Thailand
Bangsaen21 Face Search Technology MICE & Communication Co., Ltd. Thailand
Olam Direct Olam International Ltd. Singapore
MyTown Co-Living Philippines Urban Living Solutions Inc. Philippines
Platform Screen Door System PT MRT Jakarta Indonesia
Cement Energy Environment Protection 3 in 1 Circular Economy Combo Taiwan Cement Corporation Taiwan
Pilot2Scale with Explorium Hong Kong The Fung Academy Limited Hong Kong
Trax’s Image Recognition Technology Trax Technology Solutions Pte Ltd Singapore
THONGMA Gold Saving by ZARINA Zarina Group Public Company Limited Thailand

 

ORGANIZATION & CULTURE CATEGORY

WINNING INNOVATION COMPANY COUNTRY
C asean Thai Beverage Public Company Limited Thailand
RTA Innovation Culture Framework Roads & Transport Authority United Arab Emirates

 

For more information on the International Innovation Awards 2019, please visit www.innovationaward.org

Facts, figures, and opportunities in the Southeast Asian digital economy

Southeast Asia (SEA) has long been recognized as a global growth hub for internet services. From 260 million users in 2015, 100 million more joined in just the span of four years. These aren’t just your casual users, either. Four out of 10 countries who spent the most time online came from the region, not going below a daily average of eight hours.

As this engagement on the Internet continues to grow, so do the economic opportunities that it brings along. In this year alone, SEA’s Internet economy hit US$100 billion. By 2025, it’s projected to be worth $300 billion.

But what sectors are taking up the biggest space, and what kind of plays are they doing? More importantly, what opportunities can businesses seize now in order to grow? Google, along with Temasek and Bain & Company, delve deeper into SEA’s digital economy.

E-commerce and ride-hailing

Google’s report divides the digital economy across five sectors: e-commerce, ride-hailing, financial services, online media, and online travel. Of these, e-commerce is the largest and fastest-growing sector. It’s already worth around $38 billion this year with 49 million active users, but is estimated to balloon to $153 billion with 150 million active users by 2025.

There are several drivers for this incredible growth, one of which is the massively-popular online shopping festival. During the last Singles Day, Lazada received three million orders from SEA, all within the first hour. In the Philippines, a single shopper bought P1.2 million worth of products during this festival.

Other drivers include “shoppertainment” (from livestream concerts to in-app games with points exchangeable for vouchers) and increasing offerings of next-day delivery.

Another sector that’s been growing immensely is the $12.7 billion ride-hailing industry with its eight million active users. Food delivery services will play a huge role in this growth. While transport currently comprises the majority of revenue at $7.5 billion, food delivery will take up half of the projected $40 billion revenue in six years.

Among other factors, financial services and loyalty programs will further boost consumption. One current example is Grab, which has an e-wallet and rewards programs on the app.

Online media, online travel, and financial services

If there’s anything that the growth of the online media and online travel industries tells us, it’s that this generation’s consumers truly champion the entertainment and experience economies.

Online media, which is currently worth $14 billion, will be driven to $32 billion in six years by advertising, gaming, and video- and music-on-demand. Advertising alone will comprise $20 billion—$9 billion will come from online gaming, and the remainder from subscription video and music.

Meanwhile, flights, hotels, and vacation rentals will drive online travel’s $34 billion in 2019 to 2025’s $78 billion value. The biggest chunk will come from flights at $40 billion, followed by hotels at $36 billion and vacation rentals at $2 billion.

On the flip side, there’s a lot of opportunity in the growing financial services industry. Out of 400 million adult Southeast Asians, only 104 million are fully banked, meaning enjoying access to bank accounts, credit, investment, and insurance. In the Philippines, 44 out of 67 million are unbanked.

Businesses now have the opportunity to tap into a largely untouched market through different, steadily-growing entryways, namely digital remittances, digital lending, digital investments, and digital insurance. For instance, penetration rate for remittances will increase from 13% to 28% by 2025. Penetration rate for investments will grow from 3% to 11% within the same time frame.

With a lot of fintech startup players in the region servicing the low-income market, such as Indonesia’s FinAccel and the Philippines’ PearlPay, it’s also a great way for businesses to create positive change in a big way.

Challenges and opportunities

Huge as the current market may be, there’s still a lot of unexplored territory. Half of the aforementioned 260 million internet users have not yet participated in the digital economy. And while projected growth in the region’s metros—Greater Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley, Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Metro Manila, and Jabodetabek—is high, growth in the outer areas is expected to double those rates.

On the business end, platforms are also exploring the “super app” approach. For instance, in 2015, ride-hailing apps only offered transport services, but now some have expanded to include food delivery, e-commerce, and financial services, among others. This helps propel consumer engagement, since they appreciate being able to do several tasks without having to switch between apps. 

However, the ecosystem is not without its challenges. Out of the six key challenges identified by the study, only funding, consumer trust, and internet access have progressed significantly since last year. Logistics and consumer adoption of digital payments have improved, but it’s a very long way to go for talent.

Fortunately, many companies are conducting digital upskilling efforts to address the gap. There’s also the “reverse diaspora” of Southeast Asians who studied or worked abroad return home both to give back to their countries and seize increasing business opportunities. Part of this is the expanding startup landscape, which has amassed $7 billion in investments across Seed, Series A, and Series B stages.

Clearly, SEA’s digital economy will only grow stronger from this point. Demand for its various services is increasing; continuous research and innovation are unearthing new possibilities for businesses. There’s a lot of room for new players to increase competition. The only question left is, where will your startup fit in this exciting landscape?

Innovation a Regional Priority to Counter Global Disruption

International Innovation Summit 2019 urges Asian governments and corporates to prioritize innovation to combat global uncertainty

Governments across Asia are urged to prioritize innovation and indigenous technology to counter disruption globally led by shifting technology and market forces.

At the opening of the International Innovation Summit 2019, organizing chairman and former minister of human resources of Malaysia, Dr. Fong Chan Onn said that the Asian economy need to reduce its reliance on foreign technology and develop its own in order to insulate its economies against global events such as the on-going US-China trade spat.

Welcome Address by Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Chairman of Enterprise Asia

Following two successful editions in Shanghai and Macau, the International Innovation Summit, organized by Enterprise Asia, is held in Singapore and supported by the Singapore government this year. Themed “Innovation Trailblazers: Creating for Disruption”, the summit convened over 400 innovation experts, industry leaders and policy makers over three days.

This year’s keynote speakers include Koert Breebaart, vice president of SAP Asia, Ken Ding, head of product innovation of Samsung Electronics, Yat Siu, founder and CEO of Outblaze and Animoca Brands, Ajay Mohan of Intel Corporation and Jing Jang of Haier Group Corporation.

Yat Siu, Founder & CEO of Outblaza and Co-founder & Chairman of Animoca Brands, sharing about “Investing in Blockchain: Turning Virtual Goods into New Assets”

According to Fong, “leading disruptive innovation requires new mindsets and behaviours, for leaders themselves and for the organizations that develop them. In today’s turbulent environment, leading disruptive innovation is as much about best principles as it is about best practices, and requires a disruptive approach to management itself”.

“Companies wedded to the old business model lose ground, and some are pushed out of business. Challengers that embrace innovation gain advantage and will take a dominant position in the market. The goal of this year’s International Innovation Summit is not only to discuss what to expect from the future of disruption in innovation, but also in defining the innovation culture that we must adopt for our organizations to compete in this revolution.”

“More importantly, governments must urgently work with the private sector to define the innovation agenda for their respective economy, and to work with other countries for a regional framework to advance the culture of innovation in each country”, Fong said.

More than 400 International Delegates gathered at the summit

The International Innovation Summit 2019 is supported by Singapore Tourism Board through Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau, British Chamber of Commerce Singapore, Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce (Singapore), The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysia, Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NIEI), Royal of Cambodia, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) and Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Singapore Airlines as official airlines; Resorts World Sentosa as official venue partner; PR Newswire as news release distribution partner; and BusinessWorld, Commercial Times, Kumparan, SME Magazine, Techsauce, The Nation and Tuoi Tre News as official media partners.

For more information, visit www.innosummit.org.

 

Addressing holiday stress

The Christmas season is widely recognized as a period of celebration and merriment. Here in the Philippines, as early as September, buildings get decorated with Yuletide adornments, and Christmas songs begin to be played on the radio or on Spotify. Come the month of December, corporate or casual Christmas parties are being held. Then, that much-awaited gathering at the 25th of December happens, highlighted by the Noche Buena feast and unwrapping of gifts. These things altogether paint a picture of a merry, happy, and jolly Christmas, as the songs describe the occasion.

This view of Christmas, however, is challenged as reality strikes in. The Christmas rush brings in heavy traffic. Handling expenses for gifts and celebrations become tricky amid the 13th-month pay. Most of all, the pressures of having that “perfect” season is impressed upon many.

Stress has been an inevitable part of life, but it has been observed to increase during the Christmas season.

There are a handful of data indicating the effect of Christmas on stress. According to a national survey by the American Psychological Association, 38% of respondents say the stress in their life increases during the holidays, with lack of time, lack of money, and commercialism or hype cited as the leading causes of such heightened stress.

Califonia-based consumer health information site Healthline, meanwhile, found on its 2015 survey that 62% regarded their stress level as “very or somewhat” increased during the holiday, with financial demands of the season, negotiating the interpersonal dynamics of family, and maintaining personal health habits such as an exercise regimen listed as the causes.

Elsewhere, 32% of British respondents find Christmas to be more stressful than going through a divorce, according to a survey commissioned by marketplace platform Zeek; while 71% of Australians feel stressed over the season, as online marketplace Groupon uncovered.

Christmas has been a source of stress for many, and if people will take such feelings of stress for granted, it might turn the supposedly joyful season the other way around.

As several medical sites confirm, holiday stress can lead to conditions such as colds, flu, headaches, body aches, inability to sleep, irritability or moodiness, decreased satisfaction with tasks, persistent feeling of urgency, anxiety, and depression.

Discussing such effects of stress, preventive and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Jennifer Weinberg recognized that emotions such as anxiety or fear can trigger physiological changes in one’s body involving a cascade of stress hormones as one attempts to maintain balance.

“This stress response involves neurological pathways and biochemical reactions throughout the body that you may recognize as a pounding heart, rapid breathing, muscle tension, sweating, and/or digestive upset,” Dr. Weinberg added in an article at The Chopra Center’s website. “This is why [in times] like holiday traditions, stressors like coping with family gatherings, or emotions like those that arise around giving and receiving gifts may trigger physical symptoms.”

There are a number of elements that could contribute to holiday stress, and anyone who might feel overwhelmed and stressed this season could pinpoint these stressors and address them.

One of these is the workload that piles up during the season. Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author of The Happy Brain, explained in an article at The Guardian that the demands of work (or even academics) during Christmas possibly create a situation where stress will be more common.

“Workload and stress are clearly linked, but just because it’s Christmas it doesn’t mean the regular demands of maintaining a household go away,” Mr. Burnett wrote. “If anything, because of work and school closures and more regular visitors, those demands increase. And heaped on top of this are a number of other duties… many of which are pretty pricey at a time when money is increasingly tight.”

Family can also be a cause of stress in the holidays, he added. The stress can come from political or cultural clashes that can result in heated discussions that create a tense atmosphere over the dinner table.

Also, family-related stress can be caused by staying in a prolonged period in close quarters with the family, resulting in a lack of privacy and even loss of control.

Another contributor and perhaps the greatest cause of holiday stress nowadays is the great expectations people have during the Christmas season.

“The traditional image of Christmas is, let’s be honest, incredibly optimistic,” Mr. Burnett admitted. The complexity and uncertainty of life cannot guarantee that “perfect Christmas” which has been obviously portrayed mainstream. “And yet, we still expect it,” he said.

“The human tendency to expect the best is the result of a well-known optimism bias, something seemingly inherent in our brains. This, coupled with the planning fallacy (a related phenomenon where we repeatedly underestimate how much time and effort tasks will take despite previous experiences) would lead to many people expecting a fun, pleasant, relaxing Christmas and ending up with a messy, chaotic, stressful one,” the neuroscientist continued.

There is another term for this, as coined by Debra Kissen, executive director of the Light on Anxiety CBT Treatment Center in Chicago — the happiness trap. Ms. Kissen explained that “expectations that run high for joy” can trap somebody into a notion of holiday happiness that eventually fall short in the end.

“Any time we set ourselves up with high expectations, it’s not going to work out that way,” Ms. Kissen was quoted as saying in U.S. & World Report, adding that when people try too hard to be happy, they make themselves miserable.

The Christmas season can be a stressful time for many, but it should not be the case in the long run. The best one can do is to recognize the stressors and manage them.

Christopher Dwyer, a researcher and educator at the National University of Ireland, Galway, further suggests that keeping perspective is a viable way to address holiday stress. “When under stress, it is easy to lose perspective; things can seem insurmountable,” he wrote in Psychology Today. “Instead, we need to focus on the good things when we are stressed — the things for which we should be thankful.” — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

Tips for a stress-free Christmas season

The Christmas season is regarded as the “most wonderful time of the year.” However, it is also the most stressful time for many who easily get overwhelmed with all the expectations and expenses that this season brings.

According to a 2015 Healthline survey, 44% of the people say that they are “somewhat stressed” during the holidays, with more than 18% reporting that they are “very stressed”. Almost half or 47% of the respondents cited finances as the main culprit for their holiday woes. Other reasons cited include eating right and staying fit, making the right gift choices, and being over-scheduled

While getting stress seems to be inevitable this season, there are still ways to get rid of it and have a wonderful celebration.

Limit your spending

Setting expectations is one of a good way to avoid overspending. According to MoneyTips.com, a website dedicated to help individuals manage their finances, setting expectations means being realistic about what a certain person can afford to spend.

“Think about how to use your money wisely in a way that you can have the greatest return,” MoneyTips.com said. “You’ve heard it before: It’s the thought that counts.”

It is also important to get organized by listing the names of the recipients and the amount of money you can afford to spend on each person. MoneyTips.com noted that this should be plan based on the amount of money you have saved or have on-hand, and not by charging everything to your credit card that you might not be able to pay when the time is due.

MoneyTips.com also suggests to resist the urge of spending and avoid giving all out. “We all just want everyone to be happy during the holiday season. In order to make that happen, we sometimes think that giving the ultimate gift is what will do it. It won’t. Come down from that ledge, and it is a ledge, because if you fall into the mindset of going all out, you will find yourself in a large hole when your bills are due,” MoneyTips.com explained.

Moreover, it is also important to be creative when it comes to choosing the “best” gifts to friends and loved ones. There are several alternatives that might help you save a lot of money, including giving of personalized Christmas cards, handcrafted bracelets, and homemade fancy cupcakes. Some people also appreciate it more if you would simply spend quality time with them.

“Remember, this is the season of giving — not the season of spending, as most merchants would have you believe. Set your expectations and your budget, get creative, don’t overdo it, and be merry,” MoneyTips.com said.

Avoid overindulging

With all the tempting feasts served during family get-togethers and other holiday events, worries about gaining weight is another major source of stress for many.

There are many ways to help avoid overeating this holiday season. One of this — which is probably one of the most important tip — is curbing hunger before going to any occasion. Jamie Logie, a personal trainer and health coach, said that going into a party with an empty stomach is “setting yourself up for disaster.” He explained that when we are hungry, we tend to crave for sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain.

“Eating a quality meal that includes some healthy fats and protein prior to an event will help keep you fuller, longer and less likely to jump on the first plate of crab cakes you see,” Mr. Logie said.

Drinking water is also a big help to avoid overeating. As per Mr. Logie, there are times that hunger signals are actually mistaken for dehydration, and drinking water throughout the day will help to alleviate this potential signal cross. In addition to this, he said that having a glass or two of water before hitting the snack table will also help avoid eating excessive sweets.

Since the feeling of fullness can take around 20 minutes before the brain recognizes the signals, eating slowly is a must, Mr. Logie said.

“Eating too quickly overrides these signals causing you to eat more than your body would naturally prefer. We tend to live in a rushed world and we don’t give those satiation signals a chance to work so slowing down your eating will help you avoid eating more than you actually need. The best way to do this is keep an eye on the clock and focus on chewing your food quite thoroughly,” he added.

Have some fun

This season of goodwill, nothing is more important than to be happy. This can be attained by spending time with family and friends, and finding a way to help someone. 

“Invite family or friends over for dinner or a drink. Invite colleagues or a friend from church. Being around people is an effective way to be happy during the holidays,” Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill, a mental health care institution, said on its Web site.

Giving is also an effective way to be merry this season, the institution noted. “Find a way to help someone. It can be that lonely old lady who comes to your church or the neighbor who has no one around to help him this holiday season. You could help out by simple acts of kindness like help set up a Christmas tree or taking a batch of homemade cookies. Try to do some research about what kind of help is needed in your community this holiday season and try to help,” it advised. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

Must-see Christmas destinations in the Metro

The spirit of the much-awaited festive is now being felt across the country. As the dusk occurs, every street transforms into a spectacle of colors and lights, making every night more astonishing and magical.

Aside from taking advantage of the best deals and promos being offered by retail shops, fancy restaurants and top-class hotels, one best way to enjoy the holiday season is by spending quality time with family and friends at dazzling Christmas attractions. Fortunately, various holiday hubs — which are most likely located in shopping centers — are spread across the country. In Metro Manila, here’s a rundown of must-see attractions worth checking out:

Christmas Animated Display at Araneta City

Located at the Times Square Food Park in Cubao, Quezon City, Araneta City’s Christmas Animated Display showcases the stories of five important figures of the Yuletide season: The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus, and the Nativity. Each scene in the animated display comes with a beautiful backdrop and familiar characters, delivering a spectacular Christmas show to the audience.

The display, which launched last Nov. 13, has 15-minute shows from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays to Saturdays until Jan. 5.

Aside from the Christmas Animated Display, the visitors can also enjoy Araneta City’s iconic giant Christmas tree also situated in the area. Various fun rides and booths, as well as a synthetic skating rink, are also available.

Christmas Street Musical Light Tunnel at Ortigas East

The Christmas Street Musical Light Tunnel is an amusing light display featuring 74 arches with 9,216 bulbs, 5,130 flash pods, and 1,200 pixel tube lights spread across a 213-meter stretch along Central Avenue of Ortigas East estate in Pasig City. This one-of-a-kind spectacle aims to bring together families and friends, and to inspire hope and joy for all during the season. It is open every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 5.

For something extra, visitors can also have fun in Tiendesitas, the estate’s retail destination, and visit the Gift of Wonders. This bigger-than-life installation is shaped like a giant box outside and features twinkling lights inside.

Gallery of Lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City is quite known for its spectacular lights and sounds show every Yuletide season. This year, it gets grander and brighter with the Gallery of Lights that showcases a combination of new design concepts and classic staples.

The show, which is directed by Voltaire de Jesus and Luther Gumia, features lights that dance to the tune of three different medleys: a techno-inspired number by Tris Suguitan, a Big Band medley by Mel Villena, and a Filipino medley by Von de Guzman that includes local Christmas tunes and a mix of sentimental melodies. This light spectacle goes live every 30 minutes starting from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 12.

Aside from the Gallery of Lights, spectators can also get additional treat with the Carol of Lights, a 3D video mapping show projected at the dome of Tower One and Exchange Plaza. It features grand ceilings and stained glass windows from select Filipino and international churches.

Laser Light Symphony at Greenhills

The Laser Light Symphony at Greenhills in San Juan City is dubbed as the first of its kind in the country. This brilliant show features two expert laser dancers showcasing their talents with the play of laser lights. It runs every half hour from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. at the G-Strip Parking area until Jan. 5, bringing an element of fun and excitement to the holiday festivities.

The laser show is a unique accompaniment to the Christmas Night Market at the same spot, allowing visitors to enjoy the best holiday shopping. For even more choices, there’s also the Wonderful Bazaar at the VMall Lobby and the Holiday Tiangge Fair at the Center Mall that offer good deals.

Meanwhile, to keep the Filipino tradition alive, Simbang Gabi masses will be held nightly from Dec. 15 to 23 at the Chapel of the Holy Family, located right within the mall.

Water Garden at Festival Mall

Located down south in the city of Muntinlupa is the Water Garden at Festival Mall transformed into a Christmas wonderland. It is adorned with life-sized Christmas installations, including a magnificent 42-foot tree all set in a Magical Christmas Village.

The beautiful outdoor park has become a perfect stage for fun activities, weekend performances and fireworks display that delight families and friends as they come together to create wonderful Yuletide memories. Every Saturday, visitors are treated to musical performances by some of the country’s best local performers. On Sundays, on the other hand, Santa Claus makes special appearances for the kids and kids-at-heart. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

Gifts that give back

The Christmas season makes us again wonder what we will give to our loved ones, friends, and workmates. There are many gift ideas to consider, but one concept is worthy to be chosen for a change: eco-friendly and sustainable gifts.

Sustainable products are among the type of gifts that are really worth giving. Not merely does somebody give an item, he or she also grants the recipient an opportunity to make a lifestyle change that gives back to communities and benefits the environment.

In fact, there has been a growing demand for products that tap into sustainability. An extensive study by the Center of Sustainable Business at the New York University (NYU Stern CSB) found out that 50% of consumer packed goods growth from 2013 to 2018 came from sustainability-marketed products.

Such sustainable products accounted for 16.6% of the market in 2018, and —more importantly — they grew 5.6 times faster than those that were not.

“Consumers are voting with their dollars — against unsustainable brands,” NYU Stern CSB ‘s Founding Director Tensie Whelan and Senior Scholar Randi Kronthal-Sacco wrote in Harvard Business Review on the implications of their findings.

While this might yet be the same sentiment in the Philippines, the push for green living has been very much felt in the country, with a lot of sustainable materials being conceptualized and made available especially online. Sustainable products, therefore, are great choices for Christmas gifts nowadays. Regardless of the apparently high costs, these gifts will surely count for their long-time usability and long-term benefits.

One can go with as simple as a writing instrument like pencils. Eco You PH, Eco Hub Cebu, and Paraluman have come up with unique pencils that have seed capsules instead of tiny erasers.

Another great option is reusable dining and drinking utensils. Tindahan ni Klara offers cutlery sets that come in various colors and come with metal straws and a case. The Bamboo Company, meanwhile, offers bamboo-made baon sets such as Bambootensil, Bambaunan, and Bambote sets; while Eco Hub Cebu has a double-walled insulated bamboo tumbler that maintains the heat or coldness of a beverage for up to eight hours.

Bamboo toothbrushes are an effortless yet very practical idea for gifts or raffle prizes. With only P75, one can purchase from Go Zero PH an eco-friendly alternative to plastic toothbrushes.

Moreover, there are a lot of sustainable hygiene and beauty products to choose from. One can choose from various finely crafted body bars, including the cruelty-free and stress-relieving Amortensia Body Bar from Herbology PH, organic anti-bacterial soaps from Squeaky Clean Kids, or organic bath bars from Bukid ni Bogs in Zamboanga del Sur.

There are also shampoo bars like Haribon Foundation’s CleanAir Shampoo Bar, which comes free with signing up to its Adopt-a-Seedling program; and The Pink Bloom, which improves hair quality without the fuss of a plastic container.

Human Heart Nature is a great source for pampering sustainable gifts, like their Gifts of Comfort and Joy bundle which includes Lavander Oil and Balm as well as Rose Boquet Hand & Foot. There are also sustainable cosmetics like the Glass Skin Glow Set from Ellana Mineral Cosmetics, fitting for anyone who likes make-up.

There are also gift items suitable for men, like the stainless steel razor from loopstore.ph, a better and long-lasting item for shaving instead of disposable razors. Shampoos like the Lazy Boy Dry Shampoo from Paraluman, are also better alternatives to counterparts contained in plastic bottles.

Storage, bags, and clothing are also products that have been transformed by sustainability. For cases, Reduce Reuse PH offers silicone bags for storing food or other items, while Conscious Canvas has handcrafted roll-up cases for make-up instruments or utensils.

Locally-made bags and clothing are available from organizations like Gugma Artisan, which weaves totes made of a plant that produces banig; Anthill Fabric Gallery, which makes hand-woven clothing to accessories like the Abaca Pillowcase; Siklo Pilipinas, with lifestyle bags made of upcycled tires and inner tubes; and Maranao Collectibles, which makes accessories and clothing from a fabric that is usually used to decorate the malong.

Meanwhile, the LoveHopeFaith Group offers its Lifesaver watch that benefits cancer patients and various beneficiaries with 50% of the net proceeds.

Of course, there are also sustainably-produced food that are great alternatives to the usual sweet treats. For instance, Theo and Philo, the country’s first bean-to-bar artisan chocolate brand, offers bars that range from the classic Milk Chocolate to the bizarre Milk Chocolate Adobo and Dark Chocolate Labuyo.

Sustainable giving does not only have to involve the gift itself; the packaging also matters. The best way to do this is to simply go away with buying the usual gift wrapper. One can go from as simple as some unused paper or box to as sophisticated like the Japanese art of wrapping called furoshiki, which uses vintage scarves or fabric scraps. — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

Novel ideas for your next Christmas party

It is once again that time when companies or groups of people gather in celebration of Christmas and a productive and fruitful year. Parties are going to be set and booked in offices, restaurants, or function areas. As many attend a number of parties this month, they are going to look forward to a great and memorable experience and to simply have fun beyond the usual ways.

One of the important aspects of a Christmas party is the theme. While one may go with a simple celebration, which is nonetheless fine, coming up with a theme for the party can spice up the celebrations and can even make it more exciting for prospect attendees. With a theme to center the party on, it could be something people will look forward to and prepare for.

Fresh ideas have been pitched by several sites, suggesting different ways to hold parties this Christmas season.

Although the season is being celebrated in often cooler weather, a Yuletide summer concept relives the summer vibe with a luau or tropical party. A slumber party, on the other hand, can be fitting party theme for the breezy season, more so with people likely to yearn for a much-needed sleep this Christmas.

Parties are also good times for singing, especially that Filipinos are fond of it. A ‘Christmas Carol-oke’ concept is a fun way to stage a Christmas party as officemates group together to perform some Yuletide carols, while others serve as judges. Add to this some concert hall-like design, plus a display that shows karaoke-style scores and lyrics.

A lot of people must have been spending spare time watching series or movies on Netflix these past months. Having a “The Best of Netflix” party can bring people together to enjoy and talk over the shows they have become fans of. Party organizers could also draw from one of the platform’s originals as the theme for their event.

In relation to TV series, a concept centered on a classic or well-known show is good to go, with the food, decorations, set designs, and other details intricately referenced to the characters, plot, and settings of the series. One can have a throwback to the much-loved 90’s situational comedy Friends, or a fresh “Upside Down” take on the well-known science fiction horror series Stranger Things.

2019 has a fair share of viral videos and memes, and out of these a party full of laughs and fun can be formed. With a ‘Viral Videos and Memes’ concept, officemates can make skits out of trending videos or memes, or play games that copy and guess these materials.

An “Ugly Sweater” party could still be tried, with participants donning their most outrageous Christmas gear and just having fun out of seeing each other’s outfits. If something away from wearing costumes is preferred, an “Assorted Pins” party can be considered. Attendees will be decked with felt or custom lapel pins or Velcro patches, in which the games and giving of prizes will be based on.

Aside from what theme the party will have, where the party will be held is also a very important part of holding a successful, hassle-free, and enjoyable party. Aside from hotels and other functional areas that can definitely accommodate parties, especially corporate ones, there are also different venues around Metro Manila that could house Christmas parties, depending on the size and preferred package.

In Filinvest in Alabang, Muntinlupa, for instance, Neil’s Kitchen has three function rooms, the largest of which can accommodate 120 people.

Within Makati City, venues such as Bondi & Bourke at Legazpi Village, Azuthai at San Lorenzo, Milky Way Cafe at Arnaiz Avenue, and Filling Station Bar and Cafe at Poblacion are fine places to consider with accommodation of as few as 16 and as many as 80 people.

In Taguig, there is much to choose from. At SM Aura, there is Todd English Food Hall, with a Balcony Area accommodating as many as 29 people; and Lugang Cafe, with a Lanai Room that can cover 50 pax. In Bonifacio Global City, Thefunctionrooms has seven rentable rooms that can accommodate up to 160 guests together with multi-cuisine buffet packages; while Sagana provides a cozy vibe for parties of up to 50 people.

Quezon City, meanwhile, has a lot of venues to offer, especially around Tomas Morato Avenue. The Frazzled Cook has three rooms fitting 10-18 people. Limbaga 77 provides 2 function rooms at its top floor. Lazat, meanwhile, has 6 dining areas, with the largest set for 120 guests. Oriental Palace has a function room for large special events, while Centerstage’s room can fit 40 people. There is also Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge in Loyola Heights for small parties of up to 15 people.

At Kapitolyo in Pasig City, Cafe Juanita highlights its eclectic interiors and classic Filipino dishes and could accommodate as much as 110 people. — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

Creating the best Christmas feast on a budget

Noche Buena, which translates to “good evening” in Spanish, refers to the night of Christmas Eve commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Philippines, it is more than just a night before the Christmas Day; it is a grand celebration where every member of the family — even those living or working abroad — gather together to sit down for a sumptuous feast, while wishing everyone good cheers and glad tidings.

Since Noche Buena is one of the most important traditions among Filipinos that only takes place once a year, it is really considerable to make it extra special and memorable. From the food to serve on the table, to the fun-filled activities to try during the Christmas feast, everything must be planned accordingly.

A Filipino Noche Buena would not be complete without food. And with all the price increases in the market, preparing and cooking for the anticipated feast doesn’t need to be expensive. There are several ways to come up with mouthwatering dishes without breaking the bank. The first tip to take note is to set the budget. According to Singapore-based financial comparison platform GoBear, this is significant as it will guide you on which dishes to include in the menu. “How much are you willing to spend for the feast? Setting a budget will give you a guide on which dishes to include in your menu. It is also important to consider the number of people present during the night,” it says.

Making a complete list of what to buy is also a big help to avoid unnecessary ingredients not included in the menu. “Stay within your plan, and you certainly will pay less on impulse buying,” GoBear says.

Moreover, the financial comparison platform suggests to slash out a few recipes that might be serve in the upcoming occasions. “Make a list of your family’s favorites. There are times when one dish might just look and taste the same as the other. In this case, try to slash out a few recipes which you can also actually serve for Media Noche. You don’t even have to buy everything your family wants to eat that night. A little dash of variety can already spice up the feast,” it explains.

Devoting enough time to shop is also necessary. “It’s the time of the year when everyone keeps on rushing around, and this won’t do good to your ‘shopping-on-a-budget’ venture. Having enough time will let you compare prices of different brands. You can even check out what’s on sale and stay away from regular priced items,” GoBear says.

Furthermore, GoBear suggests to look for the wholesale price but never buy bundled packages. It says that some grocery stores offer ingredients in a basket which seem to be cheaper but it is actually not.

Another great tip to prepare for Noche Buena on a budget is to look for homemade products, which are generally cheaper compared to their grocery-sold counterparts. GoBear says that aside from helping out small business owners, you can even negotiate for prices with them especially when buying in bulk.

Meanwhile, adding some decors in the dining area can also set the tone for an exciting Christmas feast. One inexpensive way to do this is by using fruits and ribbons as accessories.

“Pomegranates, pears, apples, lemons or grapes can all be beautiful (and edible) accessories. Choose a color theme and layer the color in different sizes and textures to make your holiday table unique. It’s an inexpensive way to create the perfect Christmas table setting. No need to store it until next year – just have the fruit for dessert,” Freshome, a go-to destination for anyone who is passionate about home design, says.

In choosing a ribbon, on the other hand, Freshome suggests to look for wired ribbon, which makes it easier to bend and fold into shape.

To make the Noche Buena feast even more special and memorable, don’t forget to gather the entire family for a photoshoot session. Make it extra special with matching outfits or creative shots in different parts of the house. The final photos can be printed out on a bigger canvas that can be displayed on the wall, or have them copied into smaller prints that can perfectly fit in wallets.

“Christmas can be very expensive, but you can always reduce your expenditures through planning, creating a budget and exploring other possible options to buy what you need. It takes a cup of patience, a teaspoon of an initiative, and an ounce of resourcefulness to make the holidays fun yet affordable,” GoBear says.

Above all these things, a secret for the best Noche Buena feast is putting God at the center of any relationships. While the Yuletide season might end, the love of God does not. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

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