Category: Press Room

Promo Mechanics

• The discount for fund transfer is available to all eCebuana mobile app users and Micro Savings Account Holders only.
• The transfer rate will be discounted to Php 10.00 for transaction send out starting from Php 400.00 to Php 5,000.00 only.
• Each eCebuana client who will avail of the service are entitled to the promo discount of up to 5 transactions a day, with a transaction limit of up to Php 5,000.00 only – total sendout transaction limits are at Php 25,000.00 per day within the promo period.
• Transactions above Php 5,000.00 for fund transfer will maintain its standard rates.
• The discount is valid from January 15 – February 14, 2020 only.

Change – We all love that word. We may all come from different lifestyles, varying family backgrounds, and segregated beliefs, yet, there is one thing that unites us all, the need for change. We expect change from others, and quite frankly, they expect us to reciprocate the same thing. We’ve all had disappointments in life, and more often than not, we happen to point our finger to others when something goes wrong. The thing is, we only acknowledge our very own need for change or improvement once someone calls us out for the things that we should be working on, and most of the time, we realize they are right. The bad thing about this is we aren’t even open-minded to do this on a daily basis; instead, we opt to practice improving ourselves only after every New Year’s celebration. People call this the New Year’s Resolution, a list of “self-improvement” goals as long as a millionaire’s shopping list during the holiday season. Indeed, we may have our own list of dos and don’ts for the New Year, but year after year, our list tends to fade away into non-existence, with us forgetting our responsibility to improve for the better.

You may ask, “How on earth can I gather the courage to push through with my New Year’s Resolutions?” The answer? Stick with only a few items on your list. Now, that may sound counterproductive at first, but hear us out. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to concentrate on a few things first then succeed, rather than to focus on many things, thus making you lose momentum overall? It’s just like the typical process within our educational system, you have to start learning the basics, the ABCs and the one plus ones, after that you may proceed with the elementary lessons, then the high school curriculum, all the way towards the complicated lessons of your college years. Keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution is basically the same thing. Take it one step at a time.

Now, it’s only appropriate for you to pick out the most important improvements to focus on for the New Year. While there are many things to choose from, there are a few which demands the most attention and devotion of your time. For starters, here are just a few of them.

1. Eating healthier this coming 2021
   Are you feeling a bit down? Drowsy? Feeling as if all the energy has gone out of your system? Well, it might be due to the lack of nutrients in your body. Believe it or not, the food we consume may affect our mood, physical strength, and even our emotions in a way that we never expect it to. A recent study from Harvard states that “multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.” If you think that’s bad, just try to recall how often you’d chomp down on chocolates and doughnuts. If the answer is “very often” then you may need to tone down on your desserts. Implementing effective diet plans require insurmountable effort, preparation, and motivation. Seeing as this is related to your very own health, you may need to take this seriously, after all, an unhealthy body may lead to unhealthy results towards your career and personal life. Try to start your year with a diet plan. Sort out your meals each week, focusing more on fruits and vegetables, rather than sweets and carbs. Feel free to add exercise to your diet plan as well. Body moments and proper diet goes hand in hand.
2. Interacting with positive people this coming 2021
   Of course, it can’t be helped; there will always be someone who will rain on your parade. There will always be someone who will try to ruin your day, however, your reaction towards these negativity will yield multiple results. If you choose to look at the brighter side of life, you may push through without any hitch. As much as possible, deal and interact with people who may inspire and motivate you towards positive habits and activities. It isn’t every day that you meet these types of people, so feel free to analyze every personality that you’d come across for the year. If you happen to have friends who are already a catalyst of good in you then congratulations! That’s already the first step. Now, you just need to add a few more to your repertoire of inspirations and (possibly) spiritual advisors. The reason why you might have been too irritative these past few years may be due to the fact that you’ve been in the presence of people who often complain or whine about their life, never looking at the bright side of things. Avoid being with “Debby Downers,” instead, opt for the “Angels” of the society.
3. Try to organize things better this coming 2021
   Indeed, 2020 was a mess. After a few years’ time, we will look back at this year and ask the question, “Did those things really happen?” Between the pandemic and the economic shifts, we’ve all been taken aback by celebrities passing away, by rampant storms, by stories of loss of livelihood, and so on. You may have been affected by these instances and honestly, no one can blame you. As a matter of fact, we’ve all been the shocked and awkward passengers of this crazy rollercoaster ride known as 2020, and it really made its mark on everyone. But the thing about this year is that it somehow showed us all the bad things that we can do something about. It isn’t just about bringing in the bad occurrences for the sake of having a significant happening for this year. No, it’s all about making us realize that we, as human beings, as proud Filipinos, as strong people of the globe can do something about our troubles. If you happen to find yourself always being disorganized, may it be with your time, your schedule, your tasks, your accessories, etc. then 2021 may be the perfect opportunity for you to bring about change in your life. Learn to organize things better. Start with the small things. Organize the contents of your bag, move on to your drawers and organize the placement of your freshly laundered clothes, organize your schedule, arrange your time and activities. Not only would it help clear your mind, it would also help you form a habit, a great habit of setting things in place for you to easily find them after. Organize your stuff, then it would take a domino effect, all the way towards organizing your daily activities. Take the first step and watch the magic unfold.

All of these resolutions are definitely worth following, marking the new beginning that is 2021. However, one resolution would stand out from rest, and that is the resolve to save up for a brighter future. If you’re looking for a well-trusted name that would ensure that your hard-earned money and savings are safely kept in place, then look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. This product is a regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Microsavings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now!

Out of darkness, there is always a ray of light called hope. When you think about it, the pandemic is one of the worst things to happen this year. Yes, there was an insurmountable amount of challenges, such as unemployment, typhoons, and even volcanic ash falls, but as Filipinos, we are strong and courageous to face any obstacle that comes our way. The most notable thing about the Filipino spirit is that it isn’t just fueled by one’s courage, it is also fueled by the good deeds of other people. We are always active when it comes to reaching out to those who are in need, we are always present whenever there are fundraising drives for people who were ravaged by storms, we are always ready to help whenever an organization needs donations for buying PPEs for frontliners, we are always there when they need volunteers during typhoons. Indeed, the virus may have limited us all this year, but it didn’t hold down the Filipino’s initiative to help each other when things go south.

In such case, even lending a helping hand towards your loved ones is made possible by a very reliable channel of remarkable service. Cebuana Lhuillier’s Remittance Service is always there to ensure that you, the ray of light that shines all throughout would be able to pass on this hope towards your loved ones, no matter where they are across the globe. For first-time readers, you may ask, “What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service? What does this service feature? What are its requirements?” Well, look no further than our introductory write up.

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service?

Also known as Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service an easy, safe, and convenient way to send and receive money within and outside the Philippines. You may claim the money as soon as the sender completes the remittance process in the branch. You may visit 2,500 branches nationwide and its wide network of accredited international partners.

Okay, are there any requirements? How do I send cash to my loved ones?

It’s actually very easy. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to remit money with Cebuana Lhuillier:

1. You may visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala form.
2. Then, present the accomplished form, valid ID, and 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
3. Give the total amount to be paid.
4. Secure the Pera Padala form (and count the change received, if there is any).
5. Provide the 10-digit control number to the receiver/beneficiary of money transfer.

Keep in mind that the receiver/beneficiary should provide the control number and present a valid ID when claiming the remittance. They would not be able to retrieve the cash amount if ever they were to lose the control number or fail to show any valid ID for verification. Cebuana Lhuillier’s high-quality service ensures that any amount sent would only be given out towards the appropriate receiver/beneficiary, and the verification process is put in place to avoid any forms of scams from dishonest people who may try to take advantage of your loved ones.

What IDs are accepted by Cebuana Lhuillier?

Cebuana Lhuillier has always believed in the accessibility of their services, and their Pera Padala is no different. As required by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), clients who engage in a financial transaction with covered institutions for the first time shall be required to present the original and submit a clear copy of at least ONE (1) valid photo-bearing identification document issued by an official authority. For our clients’ convenience, Cebuana Lhuillier no longer requires submission of the photocopied ID. IDs are captured using a webcam in all branches. Clients are also required to submit an updated photo and other relevant information whenever the need for it arises.

The forms of identification accepted are the following;

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• Barangay Certification
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
• Social Security System (SSS) Card
• Senior Citizen Card
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• OFW ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
• Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
• Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission or Insurance Commission
• Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)
• Philhealth Health Insurance Card ng Bayan
• School ID signed by the school principal or head of the educational institution
• Philippine Identification Card (PhilID) issued by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

For Foreign Nationals, the following are required:

• Passport
• Alien Certificate of Registration

Understandably, even your relatives from outside the country may have been affected by the virus. In such case, they’d also need financial assistance to get by for their needs. Luckily, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Remittance service extends beyond borders.

How do I send money from the Philippines towards international receivers/beneficiaries (via Moneygram and Western Union)?

1. The same high-standard approach is applied with international remittances, hence, you can expect only the safest and most secure transaction whenever you’re sending money abroad as well:
2. Visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala form.
3. Present the accomplished form, valid ID, and 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
4. Give the total amount to be paid.
5. Secure the Pera Padala form (and count the change received, if there is any).
6. Provide the 10-digit control number to the receiver/beneficiary.

Regardless if your family, friends, or loved ones are here or abroad, you can expect that Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service can reach them, come rain or shine. Send them a ray of hope this Yuletide season and be their reason to smile, all the way towards the New Year.

Christmas is right around the corner. All around the globe, people are already organizing how they’d celebrate this year’s Yuletide season. Of course, as luxurious and eye-catching our neighboring countries’ Christmas celebrations are, nothing can ever beat the cheerful and colorful approach of Pinoys. Since we were young, we’ve always been accustomed to the usual ways of celebrating Christmas Eve, may it be with our family members or our friends. We are willing to bet that the way that you celebrate Christmas today was heavily influenced by the way that your parents and elders celebrated Christmas with you. It isn’t always the same thing with other people, but more often than not, Filipinos have varying, yet, distinctively similar ways to celebrate this “once a year” event.

Admittedly, this year might be different, in terms of how we would approach Christmas. People are still left speechless by the current pandemic, and judging by the way that COVID-19 took the world by storm, it is very understandable. Countless lives were taken by the pandemic, with the loss of jobs and livelihood coming in at close second. We’ve seen news reports of infection count going up each and every day, with the future seemingly dim for the most part. And yet, deep within the soul of people, there is a ray of light that shines the brightest whenever darkness comes knocking. For a world that was somehow unprepared by the sudden offset of an unforgiving virus, we sure are keeping our hopes up, living our lives with our head held up high, with nothing but courage and an ounce of prayer up our sleeves. This is perhaps amplified by the Filipino’s ability to wiggle out of every tight spot, still finding time to celebrate the small things in life, appreciating the (new) normal things that every day still brings.

Perhaps this Yuletide season may not be so different, but still, restrictions are still set in place by the authorities to ensure that the virus would no longer spread at an alarming rate. So, you may ask, “How else could we even celebrate Christmas (and even the New Year’s Eve) this year? Are there any alternatives to the accustomed celebrations done within the past few years?” Well, the short and definite answer would be a resounding “Yes!” Here are a few helpful tips in safely celebrating Christmas during the time of the pandemic.

1. No Reunion, No problem.
   Social distancing – a certain restriction which was implemented by the government a few months back. It may all seem like a minor setback in paper, but consider this, you would not be able to mingle with people physically until the very duration of the whole pandemic, which unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be giving off any particular date or time. For the most part, social distancing is merely considered the act of staying one meter away from other people, which is true, especially if you happen to be doing your weekly groceries. However, social distancing, when implied towards inviting over house guest would mean a detrimental kind of bonding. In such case, it would be better not to invite anyone at all. This is made more evident by the current restrictions and policies set out by our local LGUs, hence, the chance of inviting over families, friends, or loved ones for a Christmas Eve reunion would be zero to none. Now, this doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t be able to see them during the celebration; after all, this is the year 2020, where the only other thing running rampant other than the virus would be technology. We have cellphones, laptops, and computers which would enable us to contact those who matter to us. There are even software or apps which enables us to have video calls with a huge group, thus, no one would be left out. Of course, nothing beats a face-to-face celebration with your loved ones, but for the time being, your safety and well-being should be top priority.
2. Morning Mass… Through T.V.
   Here in the Philippines, we practice the tradition of the “Simbang Gabi.” Simply put, it is the devotional nine-day series of masses practiced by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. Aside from being a tradition, it has somewhat gained a reputation of mystique among loyal church-goers who aim to have their wishes granted, as it was said that once a person completes the whole nine days of mass, his or her wish would be granted by the end. Now, due to the pandemic, certain religious gatherings these past few months were postponed until further notice, and the nine-day mass is no exemption. Fortunately, churches were able to find a workaround, in terms of how the religious activities could take place without the people lining up outside the church. Most religious events this year was broadcast nationwide, opting to bring the mass towards the churchgoers without them ever feeling the need to go out. The same would be implemented with “Simbang Gabi,” according to some recent reports. Not only would this lower the risk of spreading the virus more, it would also ensure that everyone would have a safe and blessed Christmas with a chance to have their wish fulfilled by the end.

   

3. No Groceries, No Crowd, No Worries.
   Celebrating Christmas would entail that there would be a delicious feast on the eve. Of course, we Filipinos love our “Noche Buena,” and in preparation for that, we usually have to go outdoors towards our local grocery to gather all the needed ingredients. Under any normal circumstances, this would all seem harmless, however, under the “new normal” circumstances, it is not. In any given day, you can go towards your grocery to restock on your weekly supplies (given that you are wearing a face mask and a face shield), but during the holidays, the isles are more crowded than ever, eliminating any form of social distancing and increasing the risk of the virus spreading. So, what do you do? Well, you can leave off buying the ingredients this year and instead opt for an alternative and more convenient way of acquiring a “Noche Buena” feast. During the whole COVID-19 ordeal, one form of industry seems to be more in-demand than ever, and that is none other than the food delivery business. There are a couple of food delivery clients, nonetheless, they all cater to the same customers, having a huge selection of restaurants, fast food chains, and small stalls in their menu. You no longer need to cook this Christmas Eve, just order through one of these food delivery clients and you’ll be able to acquire a feast for the occasion. You’re also in luck, because restaurants and fast food chains usually offer a “Noche Buena” bundle during the Yuletide season, so make sure to take advantage of that.

So, these are all just some of the safest ways to celebrate your Christmas Eve (and even your New Year’s Eve) with your loved ones. There may be other alternatives out there, but we will leave it up to you to decide which one would work best for you. With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re looking for ways to further protect your family’s future. The current pandemic has taught us to be vigilant and prepared, and indeed, it is a lesson we will live by all throughout. If you’re still weighing your options, then look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microinsurance Services. It offers affordable insurance products that enable Filipinos to avail financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to. Aside from that, it also features innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize the impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position. Feel free to visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch for more information.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted 2020 in ways which we were not able to imagine. People lost their lives; many lost their jobs, for others, their livelihood. The virus reached Philippine shores during the first quarter of the year and the impact it made, the lives it affected will forever be marked with the traumatic occurrences of this year. As of today, Filipinos are doing everything they can to recover, to rise against the hardships that were the result of COVID-19. Bayanihan is a development today, people are helping each other, reaching out to those who are in need, but even that would not be enough, due to the fact that even the ones handing out help are part of the huge population who were under the virus’ grasp. In such cases, the instinct of self-preservation and survival would kick off, urging you to try alternatives when it comes to making the most out of your remaining resources. You have money, food, water, whatever you have left in order to survive, and you need to use them wisely in order to get through these trying times.

Now, being wise about consuming your remaining resources (may it be time, money, or supplies) is not an easy thing to organize. Remember, there are other factors which may affect your budget, and these factors may become obstacles along the way, which is why preparation should go hand in hand with strategy. For the most part, you have your life experiences to help you out in forming a good plan, but just in case you still seem to miss a few important bits, we’ve prepared a couple of tips to push you forward towards a brighter and bountiful tomorrow.

1. Manage your time wisely.
   Out of all the resources that you have right now, time is definitely gold. You might have come across news which highlights the importance of our high-ranking authorities in making efficient strategies while the virus hasn’t yet reached its peak. While this was disappointingly handled, with the restrictions and regulations being set in place a bit too late, you yourself have the opportunity to avoid doing the very same mistake. Our daily life mostly relies on schedule and habits, and it’s about time for you to stick to your schedule, making sure that you would not be distracted by unnecessary things. Going out for groceries, for example, would require you to travel and spend a couple of hours buying the things you’d need for the week. If you set your alarm to an earlier time, you could avoid crowd and the traffic getting to your nearest grocery. You might say, “That’s it? Just so I could avoid the crowd?” Well, think about it, you would not be able to practice social distancing if you were to arrive at the grocery store late. You might be at risk in doing so, hence, signifying the importance of planning out your outdoor activities the day before, which means that you should schedule a quick, safe, and efficient way to accomplish all your errands before you get stuck with the crowd. Managing your time also means that you would be able to do a lot more for the day. You don’t need to cram in order to accomplish work or other personal activities. This is very important during the time of the pandemic, as our every step is further complicated by quarantine methods.
2. Manage your resources wisely.
   This includes your food, water, and electricity. Of course, electricity never runs out, so as with your water supply, but moderating their use would definitely land you a smaller bill. The economy has made things tougher for everyone, hence, if you think paying your bills was already tough before, you can be sure that the price to pay has gone way up right now. Even the prices of groceries have gone up without a hitch. COVID-19 made everything cost more than it already is, a pack of biscuits, a can of sardines, a set of cup noodles, you name it. We haven’t even dwelled on your current employment status yet. Many have lost their jobs, with companies closing down or becoming bankrupt due to the restrictions set in place as a result of COVID-19. If you happen to find yourself in the same situation, then the more reason for you to use your current resources wisely. You can’t overspend (money), you can’t overindulge (water and electricity), and you can’t overeat (food and other supplies) your way out of the pandemic, so you have to think hard about utilizing them. One great way of consuming them wisely is to practice the partition method. In terms of money, you can budget and segregate the amount to fit your whole week or month. For water and electricity, you may abide with the “elementary school” tips you were taught of before (turn the T.V. off when not in use, do not leave the faucet running, etc.). And for your food supplies? Well, you already know where we’re going with this. As soon as you’ve had your fill, then there would be no need to consume your supplies set in place for another day.

   

3. Sell off your pre-loved items.
   While the notion of having a garage sale during the pandemic may be counterproductive from the get go, remember that there are other ways for you to sell things nowadays. There are online stores to accommodate your need to implement a garage sale. Given that you’d be honest about the quality and condition of your pre-loved items, you can be sure that there are people out there who would love to buy them off your hands. This is very understandable, as there are many who are looking for a more affordable alternative than those being sold in shopping malls. If you have a set of branded clothes that you no longer use, then feel free to sell them off. Provide a complete description of the item, together with its current condition to avoid any further questions or doubt from the buyers.

If you aren’t comfortable with selling online, then perhaps you might be more comfortable with pawning. Luckily, Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back, with their renowned Pawning Service. They accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. And did we mention that they implement some of the most secure and safest way to transact during the pandemic? The proper social distancing and disinfecting procedures are followed within all the branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

The holiday season is finally upon us. In spite of the fact that this has been a very challenging year for everyone, we Filipinos always believe in the spirit of Christmas. Come rain or shine, we’ve always pushed through and this year is no different. Yes, our movements within society have been limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, but no new strain of virus can ever put the holiday mood down. Even while reading this, you might have a loved one or a family member sorting out their delightful (yet somehow constricted) shopping list for this year. In such case, nothing screams Christmas louder than the prospect of enjoying a well-made holiday delicacy. We’ve gotten used toour traditional “lutong bahay” dishes, but due to the current economic situation, it is understandable that our idea of a grand feast may not be the same as the previous years. Some of us went through a lot this year, some of us might’ve lost a job, livelihood, or even a loved one due to the virus and that itself is already a huge blow, but that wouldn’t stop us Filipinos from even enjoying a meal this Christmas eve. With only a limited budget, we would be able to come up with a sufficient delicacy with the right amount of ingredients. However, not everyone can come up with a grand, yet affordable alternative to every meal, which is why we’ve prepared a couple of practical holiday delicacy recipes for you to follow this Christmas.

Classic Macaroni Salad

Nothing spells Christmas delicacy better for a Pinoy than your traditional Macaroni Salad. It’s one of those Christmas treats which has been a staple for many years. You may remember your aunt or grandmother bringing a huge bowl for everyone every Christmas eve, and understandably, we can’t blame them. Not only is it delicious, it is also very affordable and convenient to make.

The Ingredients:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup minced carrot
• 1/2 cup minced celery
• 1 medium onion minced
• 4 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 1/4 tablespoons mustard powder
• 4 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 5 quarts water for boiling macaroni

How to Cook:

1. Pour the water into a cooking pot. Let it boil.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and then put-in the elbow macaroni. Continue to boil for 6 minutes.
3. Drain the hot water, then add cold water into the pot. Let is stay for 3 minutes and then drain. Set the macaroni aside.
4. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard powder, ground black pepper, salt, and sugar. Mix it well.
5. Add the minced vegetables (onion, carrot, celery, and bell peppers). Fold the mixture until blended.
6. Add the macaroni. Continue to fold until all the ingredients are well blended.
7. Cover the bowl. Refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 3 hours.
8. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve cold and enjoy.

Indeed, this is something that both kids and adults alike would enjoy. The sweet and homey taste would not only serve as somewhat of a Christmas comfort food, it is also a good conversation starter amongst the family. But if you think that the Macaroni Salad is the most iconic of all Christmas treats, here’s another affordable Pinoy Delicacy that owns that title by a mile.

Traditional Lumpiang Shanghai

Well, we did say that it is an iconic Filipino delicacy, but that is due to the fact that it transcends all sorts of event. It can be found in a birthday party, in a wedding party, in a company outing, in your family’s reunion, etc. It is somewhat omnipresent in all Pinoy gatherings, and for a very obvious reason, it has one of the most recognizable and very addicting taste. When you start to eat a piece, you’d definitely go for more. Luckily, it is also easy to make.

The Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs. ground pork
• 1 piece branded pork cube (to add taste)
• 50 pieces lumpia wrapper
• 3/4 cup carrot minced
• 2 pieces onions minced
• 2 pieces eggs
• ¼ cup parsley minced
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups cooking oil

How to Cook:

1. Combine the ground pork, carrot, onion, and parsley in a bowl. Mix well.
2. Add egg, ground black pepper, salt, garlic, powder, and Sesame oil. Continue to mix until all the ingredients are well blended.
3. Crush the branded pork cube and add it into the mixture. Blend the ingredients altogether.
4. Put 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of meat mixture over a piece of lumpia wrapper. Wrap and roll to secure the mixture. Continue this step until the mixture is completely consumed.
5. Heat oil in a cooking pot in low to medium heat. Deep fry the lumpia until it turns golden brown.
6. Remove from the pot and place in a plate lined with paper towel.
7. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with sweet and sour sauce and enjoy.

Wasn’t that easy? The only concern you’ll have right after is the argument as to who would get the last piece. Now, if you happen to be craving for something meatier without breaking the bank, here’s an alternative for you.

The Philippine Embutido

Yup, another traditional Christmas delicacy to cap off this list. It is somewhat similar to the Lumpiang Shanghai recipe above, albeit having no wrap at all. Here are the go-to ingredients and the step-by-step procedure in creating a couple of servings for the whole family.

The Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground pork
• 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
• ¼ cup liquid seasoning
• 2 pieces eggs
• 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
• 1 piece red bell pepper minced
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup carrots minced
• 1 cup onion minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups bread crumbs

How to Cook:

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the water. Mix altogether until well blended.
2. Wrap the mixture using aluminum foil. Cut a piece of aluminum foil to 12×8 inches. Lay it flat on a table. The shiny part of the foil should face down. Scoop 1 cup of mixture and place it on the middle top part of the foil. Mold into a cylinder. Roll the foil from top to bottom. Secure both ends of the foil. Perform this step until the mixture is consumed.
3. Boil water in a pot. Arrange the wrapped embutido in a steamer. Steam for 1 hour.
4. Remove from the steamer. Let it cool down. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Slice into serving pieces.
5. Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy.

And, that’s just about it. Hopefully, these recipes would be able to help you out in saving  small amounts for future needs. If you’re looking for a well-trusted name that would ensure that your hard-earned money is safely kept in place, then look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. This product is a regular savings account in the Philippines minus the numerous documentary requirements, a maintaining balance and even dormancy charges! It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Microsavings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

The holiday season is upon us, and finally, we have something to celebrate about after all of the challenges we’ve hurdled this year. Indeed, 2020 is a year that would make its mark in history, not just because it has affected the lives of Filipinos, but because the impact of COVID-19 was worldwide. There were many defeats, tragedies, and job loss this year and some people even find it hard to smile and push on with their daily lives. It’s a good thing that we have something to look forward to, and Christmas is definitely one of them. Now, while a majority of the world is still struggling with the current pandemic, there are certain parts of the globe which has an amazingly low count of positive cases. New Zealand, in particular, was successfully in driving away COVID-19 for a certain period of time, announcing back in June that they were able to drop the positive cases to zero. This was big news back then, with many attributing the success towards the relentless drive of their leader and citizens in being vigilant and active in implementing and following all of the safety measures and restrictions set in place.

Soon after, other countries followed suit, thus, lowering their positive cases as well as the months went on. Here in the Philippines, we still have a high rate of positive cases, however, there are municipalities which have a zero recorded case as of November, so perhaps our efforts are paying off little by little. This spells out the future for us, with many social gatherings taking the spotlight again for the foreseeable future. But for now, we are told to still follow the safety measures set in place in order to halt the further spread of the virus. Now, being isolated at home doesn’t mean we can’t get to celebrate Christmas. We could still have a wonderful feast with our loved ones at home, going live for an online call to enjoy the traditional “Noche Buena” with our loved ones who may live a few municipalities away. We could still dress up and enjoy Christmas the way we used to, albeit with some minor changes. We could still wear the same fabulous clothes we adorn every Yuletide season and we could still show them off via online calls. This, of course, includes your jewelry and precious gems. Now, with everything that happened this year, it is understandable that you may have been unprepared, you were unable to plan picking the proper jewelry that would complement your outfit. But there’s no need to worry, because we have prepared a couple of tips to help you with that “daunting” task.

1. 1. First of all, don’t overdo it.
      You wear jewelry to accentuate your clothes, you don’t wear them to blind your loved ones. There is only a certain amount of jewelry that you can wear to an event or a party, and Christmas Eve is no different than that. Don’t try to imitate your Christmas tree. You may choose to wear your earrings, your necklace, or your bracelet, but you should not wear them simultaneously, especially as you’re only going to celebrate Christmas Eve at home this year. Believe us, they already know that you’re beautiful. You don’t need to impress them with the gems.

1. 1. Go for the Yuletide colors.
      The signature colors of Christmas would always be green, red, and white. In the case of jewelry, they would directly translate red, gold and silver (a bit farfetched, but the red is what brings them all together). An online jewelry website says it best when it comes to trying to balance out the colors – “The important thing is that they shine: no fogged silver, the gold is better yellow or white. And red is must not be just a ruby or coral: there are fun and more affordable jewels that fit well.” This is even made easier if you happen to maintain your jewelry religiously. Taking care of them would maintain their shine and glitter throughout the years.

1. 1. Proper timing is the key.
      Remember when we said that your jewelry should accentuate the clothes you wear? Well, that’s just rule number one when it comes to wearing your gems at a festive occasion. The other unwritten rule states that there is a proper place and time to wear them. Remember, you are wearing your jewelry at Christmas Eve, you do not need to wear them at lunch time before the event even begins. As impressive as it would be to wear a diamond necklace during lunch time, it would seem awkward (not to mention, funny) to your family. You may wear a subtle earring or ring for lunch, but nothing too “loud” or distracting.

1. 1. Mix and match with care.
      Just because jewels are needed to accentuate your dress doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work both ways. The clothes you wear should also balance out your overall appearance. Here are a few helpful tips from a reliable online source, with regards to matching your clothes with your gems:• A dark-colored dress is often applicable for the occasion. The jewels to match? Yellow or white gold, but also a silver jewel as long as the luster and design, is fine.
      • If you prefer a dress that is livelier with color, then perhaps go for red jewels. Don’t choose very large earrings, instead, opt for a generously sized or particularly colored ring.
      • In particular, if the atmosphere is more like a party than a dinner for a few close friends, you can opt for a cocktail ring, possibly with a predominant red hue.

1. 1. It’s always the thought the counts.
      Celebrating with your family, friends, and loved ones (even through online video call) is what matters most. You are allowed to wear your jewelry to lighten up the mood, but it shouldn’t be the center of attention all throughout. Never forget the spirit of Christmas and why you are celebrating it in the first place. After all that’s been happening right now, being able to celebrate, have food on the table, and have a healthy family to celebrate with is already a fantastic Christmas gift in itself.

Okay, so you’ve finally found a way to mix, match, and accentuate your Christmas wear and jewelry with the help of our tips, however, you find yourself wondering about the upcoming year and the expenses that you wish to leave behind this year. You plan on paying them all off, but your budget is cut short due to the pandemic, so what do you do? Simple, the answer has been at your fingertips from the very beginning. You have your jewelry which you can pawn off, and pawn them off you shall. At this point, Cebuana Lhuillier has your back. With their Pawning Service you can always come running to them, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. Did we also mention that they implement the most secure and the safest way to transact during the pandemic? The proper social distancing and disinfecting procedures are followed within all the branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit the Cebuana Lhuillier branch nearest you now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Throughout the years, Cebuana Lhuillier has provided its long-time patrons with various remarkable services. Not to be limited to just pawning and appraisal, they are also heralded by their money remittance and Microinsurance service. Of course, full attention is given to their full range of micro financial services, hence, one is not exactly better than the other, as Cebuana Lhuillier always ensures that all of their customers would experience nothing but the best when transacting within their branches. But did you know that out of all their offered services, their Micro Savings definitely takes the cake, in a way that you can do more than one transaction through your own Micro Savings account.

Understandably, all forms of services have their own perks and benefits. Think of it as your local fast-food chain’s secret menu. The usual burgers and fries are often highlighted in posters, but the bubblegum-flavored ice cream is lost in the mix, only discovered by customers who dare ask. So with this article, we wish to do something different and formally introduce Cebuana Lhuillier’s “secret menu,” in terms of its being able to offer the Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings product through its cash agent capacity. So, sit back, relax, and let us enumerate a couple of its wonderful features that you may have overlooked in the past.

First of all, what is Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings Product?

For first-time readers, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings Service is basically a regular savings account which does not require a maintaining balance. Account holders can deposit and withdraw anywhere at their most convenient time with Cebuana Lhuillier’s network of more than 2,500 branches nationwide. Filipino citizens as young as 7 years old are qualified to open a savings account, which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account in banks.

That seems like a very useful service in itself. Looking at it in a practical way says a lot about its accessibility and function. Not everyone can afford to open their own bank account, with your average bank asking for the usual list of requirements and immediate deposit for the mandatory maintaining balance. Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings Service rolls out a solution that aims to solve the struggles of the average Filipino, encouraging everyone to value their hard-earned money by saving it in a secure account.

What are Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings Product’s Other Features?

And now we move on to the main course. Perhaps you may have heard of these features and transactions before but haven’t had the opportunity to try them out. No worries, as we will discuss them one by one to give you an idea of what they entail and the process that goes along with them.

1. Cashless Payment (Powered by UnionPay)
   If COVID-19 has TAUGHT us anything, it’s that viruses may be transmitted even through physical contact. When an unmasked, infected person was to sneeze or cough, the droplets may contain the virus itself. Depending on where these droplets may end up, whether on another person or a solid surface, anyone else coming in contact to these things may contract the virus as well. No item or object is exempted from this, such is the case with money. Paper money or coins, it doesn’t matter, once a droplet reaches its mark, it’s going to stay there for a while, until such time that it is touched by another person or object. Since money circulates all throughout the economy, it is only applicable to have cashless transactions nowadays. Cebuana Lhuillier (in coordination with UnionPay) has something in store for its patrons all around the Philippines. Being aware of the current prohibitions set in place by the government to combat and stop the spread of the virus, they came up with a cashless transaction process that would at least enable Micro Savings account holders to pay for their preferred services without the fear of contracting the virus through infected money.
2. Withdraw Anytime (Powered by Bancnet)
   Okay, so let’s say you do not agree with the feature mentioned above. You prefer to pay your transactions via cash and have no trust towards cashless payments. It’s understandable that there are still those who would like to get their hands on their own money, making sure that they’ll be able to pay the right amount while at the same time receive the right amount of change after the transaction. The good news is, this is also made possible by Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings Product. With the help of Bancnet, you’ll now be able to withdraw your hard-earned money through any Bancnet member ATMs nationwide (using your Cebuana Lhuillier 24k Card). You wouldn’t even have to look far, as there are currently a total of 21,000+ Bancnet ATMs nationwide, making your withdrawal an even more convenient experience. By this method, you may also check your current balance, access the eLoad top-up function, and the bills payment feature. Take note that there may be equivalent transaction fees per specific bank ATM, so feel free to inquire at the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier or Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank branch for more information. And never forget to sanitize your newly withdrawn cash as well, spraying or dabbing a bit of alcohol, just to be sure.
3. Experience the Features of the eCebuana App
   Not to be limited by outdoor transactions, Cebuana Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank also enables their Micro Savings account holders to access their other services online, with the help of their eCebuana App. They may access the eLoad Top-Up functionality, the Bills Payment section, the Insurance Purchase (New) section, the Fund Transfer function via a QR code (New), and the Pawn Renewal (New) functionality, all at their fingertips. This is also more of a safety feature, promoting staying at home rather than risking outdoor activities and transactions which may further result to the spread of the virus.
4. Pay Your Bills Online
   We may have mentioned this before, but we will emphasize it further, in lieu of the current pandemic. Nothing could be safer than handling your transactions at the comfort of your home. You would no longer need to step out of your house to pay for your bills. Just access the eCebuana App using your Micro Savings account credentials and you’re all set to complete your monthly obligations. Isn’t that amazing?

For more information about Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings product, you may visit your nearest branch or check out the e Cebuana App.

Microfinance services giant Cebuana Lhuillier has expanded its Cebuana-from-Home online platform to include pawning services as it seeks to provide greater safety and security for its customers who are adapting to the new normal where social distancing and community quarantine restrictions apply with the continuing spread of the coronavirus disease.

“The addition of pawning to the services offered at our Cebuana-from-Home platform is a testament to our commitment to bring our clients the best possible service even if we are in the middle of a pandemic,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier is one of the country’s most accessible pawnshop chains and remittance centers in the country with over 2,500 branches nationwide.

With pawning services now part of the Cebuana-from-Home platform, Cebuana Lhuillier customers are now allowed to pawn jewelry items without going to the branch and just go online. Then, a dedicated appraiser will come to their location and appraise the item, negotiate the value, and release the loan.

“The pawn from home service is also an avenue to bring relief to our clients and help them weather this storm,” Lhuillier noted.

To avail of this new online service, clients only need to accomplish the application form on the website and their application will then be handled by a member of Cebuana Lhuillier’s TeleSales team who assigns it to the nearest rider for the fulfillment of the transaction.

The application form can be accessed on the website by logging on to bit.ly/CebuanaFromHome.

Lhuillier assures that the Cebuana-from-Home platform carries the same brand of quality service and highest appraisal that Cebuana Lhuillier usually provides in its branches.

The Cebuana-from-Home platform was first launched at the onset of the community quarantine period. Through the website, Cebuana Lhuillier enables clients to send domestic remittance, pay bills to a number of billers nationwide, and purchase Cebuana Lhuillier insurance products such as personal accident insurance and medical expenses insurance.

If there’s one thing that the current pandemic has taught us, is that whenever there’s trouble, Filipinos are always ready to help out. We’ve been through countless storms, economic turmoil, and calamities, and yet, no one was prepared enough for the insurmountable effect of COVID-19. Yes, there were warning signs early on, but even that wasn’t enough to let us know how difficult it would be today. Isolated, hampered by safety policies, and well-versed in social distancing measures, we are all “stuck” in a risky situation which is seemingly spiraling out of control, yet here we are as Filipinos, ready to reach out to to those who are in need.

You may ask, “I want to do my part, so how can I help others? What do I need to do? Who do I need to help during these trying times?” Well, look no further than our list of helpful tips on how you can help during this pandemic. Take note that you wouldn’t even have to go outdoors for the most part. Our local government agencies are doing everything they can to implement home isolation and social distancing, so be sure to follow every directive. It’s never a bad thing to lend a hand to those who are in need, however, be sure to stay safe and vigilant during these uncertain times.

1. Providing assistance to local government agencies.
   All of our frontliners are doing everything that they can to fight off the virus, however, their core strength and determination isn’t enough to deal with the pandemic. Eradicating COVID-19 is a nationwide responsibility, after all. For the most part, the best that an average citizen can do would be to stay at home and wait until the virus has been fully dealt with. For those of us who want to go beyond that, however, there is a little something that we can do to help out our LGUs and frontliners. Donating financial assistance and protective gears to your local government agencies may ease up the expense in dealing with the pandemic. You may have heard news of PPEs and isolation tents running out at an alarming rate. Our heroic frontliners would need these PPEs in order to protect themselves from contracting the virus while tending to those who were infected. Doctors, nurses, and even law enforcers are in dire need of these protective gears, and because the demand is high and the supply is low, a scarcity of PPEs occurs. Remember that these PPEs are just single-use, meaning that once they are worn for the day, they’d have to be disposed immediately, with a fresh set of PPE being prepared for the next day. This would go on until such time that PPEs would no longer be needed when tending to unaffected patients. You may donate cash or PPEs to your local Barangays or the nearest hospital or clinic.

   

2. Donating towards fundraisers and humanitarian organizations.
   There are countless humanitarian organizations in the Philippines. Most of these organizations are working towards the resolution of social issues and concerns, and the current pandemic is no different from what they are trying to achieve. Feel free to provide any assistance towards these organizations. If you can’t do voluntary work (fearing the spread of the virus) you may instead give a portion of your earnings to these organizations who are in dire need. The great thing about them is that they usually coordinate with local government offices and health sectors, so you definitely know where your hard-earned cash is going to be allocated to. These organizations do not earn anything, and mostly rely on the financial assistance of kind-hearted supporters, so feel free to chip in and provide any amount for a great cause.

3. Remitting cash towards your family, friends, or loved ones.
   Of course, aside from strangers who may be in need, you may know a couple of relatives who were majorly affected by the pandemic. Its one thing to be infected by the virus (and at least have the chance to recover with the help of your strong immunity), but to lose a job, a livelihood, and most tragically, a loved one due to COVID-19 is greater concern overall. If you happen to have a family, friend, or a loved one with the same kind of problem, reach out to them and help out financially. Assistance of any kind would be good, of course, but financial help would at least enable them to have the choice, in terms of allocating the amount towards their needs. There are countless ways of remitting cash to your loved ones, but we believe that you should be cautious when sending money. Remember, you worked hard for it, and the people receiving it should be able to acquire the needed amount with no hassle. Every centavo counts, after all. Even the remittance center itself should be sanitized. Proper restrictions and regulations should be implemented at all times. The remittance branch that you went to when sending the financial assistance should set the same high standard as the branch of the receiving end.

With all of that being said, you might be wondering if Cebuana Lhuillier has put in place the same amount of care and restrictions when it comes to protecting their customers against the virus. Simple answer? Yes, they have. With frequent and routine disinfection protocols and queuing rules set in place, no other place is safer than Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than2,500 branches. They’ve also made it convenient clients to process transactions.. Time well-spent outdoors is equivalent to money well-spent as well, and at this point, every centavo counts, and no other remittance center would value your time and safety more than Cebuana Lhuillier, with their most reliable Money Remittance service ever. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.

In one way or the other, we may own a piece of jewelry. Whether it was given to us by our elders as a family heirloom or we were able to buy it as our memorable first purchase from our very first job, we definitely have a ring, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, or a necklace safely stored within our bedroom cabinet or drawer. Sometimes, it is even given as a symbol of love, as evident with married couples and their wedding rings. In spite of the fact that they are costlier than the average shoe or apparel, they are still regarded as one of the most in-demand accessory to date. During company parties, you may be wearing a ring or a bracelet, something to accentuate your current outfit for that occasion. You may even find a couple of your fellow church goers wearing an article of jewelry every Sunday mass. Indeed, we Filipinos have our own taste and preference when it comes to jewelries. Now, this doesn’t mean that we always get to wear them. As unfortunate as it is, the current economic climate does not permit us to wear expensive accessories outdoors, unless we wish to brush shoulders with unscrupulous characters in the streets.

Yes, jewelries are more of a “very special occasion” ornament rather than a daily piece to wear, which is why they should be stored safely and properly in order to maintain their shine and precious condition. This may all sound simple from the get-go, but many people do not actually know how to take care of their valuables, let alone their jewelries. People often have the misconception that gold, silver, diamonds, etc. may never fade or does not get affected by any external means. This belief is wrong and should be corrected from the beginning. As costly as they are, they are not safe from the same conditions that also affect our most-prized possessions such as our shoes, bags, and gadgets. In such case, we have prepared a couple of helpful tips in maintaining and preserving one’s jewelries overtime.

1. Clean your jewels before storing.
   Okay, so after a night of partying you decide to go home and rest. You change back to your comfortable home clothes and store your jewels inside its usual jewelry box. However, you seemed to have skipped a very important part of preserving your jewelry. You did not clean it before putting it back in its box. Be sure to wipe off any dirt or moisture that may have accumulated within the fine crevices of your jewelry. Moisture may cause your jewels (specifically, the metal parts) to tarnish or degrade much quicker. Any liquid can be a catalyst of degradation on jewelry, ranging from sweat to raindrops, so be sure to wipe it off completely before putting it back. Here’s vital information that you may have not heard of before, storing tarnished jewelry together with untarnished jewelry may cause both pieces to tarnish as well. Think of it as a form of infectious disease which may spread across your precious gems. Of course, you wouldn’t want that to happen.You may ask, “How do I even clean my jewelry?” If you’re looking for a very efficient way, we were able to find the following method from a reliable source:

   a) Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent and lukewarm water.
   b) Saturate the jewelry briefly in the solution.
   c) Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to buff away and dirt and debris.
   d) Pat jewelry dry with a lint-free cloth.
   e) Remove tarnish with a silver polishing cloth.

   If it all seems too tasking after a long day of work and partying, then by all means, feel free to use a simple cloth to wipe away any moisture or dirt. But if you really want to be thorough with your cleaning, then stick to the method above.

   

2. Store your jewelry properly.
   As with any valuable item, jewelries should be stored in a proper manner and in an appropriate storage place. To further elaborate on this, here are a couple of examples:Jewelry made of silver should be stored in a jewelry box lined with felt. The felt helps absorb excess moisture and prevents premature tarnishing.
   • For larger jewelries, be sure to store them separately inside a felt pouch or wrapped in a silver polishing cloth to limit their exposure to air. This would lengthen their lifespan, with a small caveat; you may not be able to tell them apart when picking what to wear. This is why you’ll have to remember which is which, when choosing what to wear on that particular occasion.
   • Feel free to clean your silver jewelry regularly. On average, you’ll need to clean it at least twice a year to remove any tarnish. Keep in mind that you may need to avoid overdoing it, as this may also cause damage.
   • Segregate your jewelries. Store them in a way that they do not come in contact with the other gems. This is particularly critical for diamonds, as they may scratch other stones and metals within the same storage.
   • Keep your pearls inside a wooden box that has a felt lining. Never store pearls inside a plastic bag or box because plastic can interact with the pearls and cause them to deteriorate.

3. It’s all up in the (hot) air.
   Yes, even your current temperature may affect your precious gems. The rule of thumb is to avoid wearing your jewelries in hot weather, especially if it’s made of gold. According to an online source, “gold is a very soft metal, and the higher the karat (meaning the purer the gold), the more vulnerable a gold piece is to nicks, scratches, and even warping.” The hotter it is, the more likely it is to be affected by other solid objects, thus, there would be a higher chance of it getting scratched, or worst, being bent out of its normal shape.

Okay, so you’ve finally learned about proper jewelry storage and preservation. But what happens when you find yourself in need of extra cash? If you seem to be lacking for next month’s groceries and bill payments, you may need to pawn of your jewelries for a while, until such that that you may buy them back again. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. And did we mention that they implement some of the most secure and safe way to transact during the pandemic? The proper social distancing and disinfecting procedures are followed within all the branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

The current pandemic caused a drastic change in our society. Not only are we required to follow social distancing measures, it is also imperative to stay at home, a strict safety measure that has been implemented for the past few months. Of course, along with these changes, the way we handle things indoors may have also been altered. There are routines which may have been practiced in a more repetitive way, with the tasks of washing your hands and taking a bath making a significant presence just when the directives of our local government units began making the rounds.

Personal hygiene aside, there are other things which underwent a drastic change during the pandemic, and nothing could be more critical than the way that we preserve our food supplies. The fact that people are most likely indoors 24/7 says a lot about the rations in our households. There used to be a time when people went out for dinner, crowding shopping malls and restaurants to grab a bite to eat.But nowadays, people are usually within the confines of their homes. For the most part, this is the wisest thing to do during the pandemic, as everyone must do their part in stopping the transmission of the virus in one way or another, but this certain fact also brings with it a caveat, the more that people are inside their homes, the more resources they consume or utilize, and food is definitely one of them.

With all of that in mind, we have prepared a couple of food preservation tips which you may implement within your homes. These tips may vary, depending on the type of food or supply you decide to stock up on, however, it would be wise to at least have a basic knowledge of them, just in case you happen to prefer having more than one type of food type during the pandemic.

1. Storing Perishable Ingredients
   We’re putting this at the top of the list since perishable ingredients coincidentally make up the majority of food which are usually the preference of Pinoys. Everyone has their own favorites when it comes to traditional Filipino food. We have our Sinigang, our Kare-Kare, our Adobo, you name it! The thing about these delicacies is that their major ingredients usually contain fish or meat, and as delicious as they are, they would not last long when left unattended to for a long time. You may argue that refrigerating them may do the trick, but remember, different perishable ingredients have their own set of time before they spoil, regardless if you were to refrigerate them or not. Take this chart as an example:

   Food Item	Unrefrigerated	Refrigerated	Frozen
   Meat	2 hours	1-2 Days	6-8 Months
   Fish	2 hours	1-2 Days	6-9 Months
   Chicken	2 hours	1-2 Days	1 Year
   Carrots	Up to 4 Days	4-5 Weeks	8-12 Months
   Potatoes	1 Month	3-4 Weeks	Not Applicable
   Tomatoes	5-7 Days	2 Weeks	8-12 Months
   Broccoli	2 Days	7-14 Days	8-12 Months

   As you can see from the chart, some of the perishable goods can last for a few days even when unrefrigerated, however, it is always advisable to refrigerate them, in order to lengthen their storage life. For the most part, some of them would even last for more than 5 months, given that you kept them in the freezer. Freezing them for too long isn’t really a good thing though, for one, it’s going to taste way too different if you were to freeze them for a long time. Freezing them may preserve them long enough for us to decide our own pandemic meal plan, but the disadvantage to that would be the disappearance of its freshness. No one wants bland-tasting food on the table, and an ingredient which was frozen for a very long time may yield that kind of unwanted result. Another reason why freezing an item isn’t really a good idea? Well, due to the fact that not all perishable ingredients can be put in the freezer to lengthen their storage life. Take potatoes as an example, they are not meant to be put in the freezer, instead, you simply place them in the lowest part of your fridge, the vegetable drawer.

   

2. Storing Semi-Perishable Food
   You may ask, “What are some examples of semi-perishable food?” Well, you have your flour, grain products, dried fruits, and dry mixes as major examples. We’re going to cheat a bit here, as potatoes can also be considered as semi-perishables. Sometimes, the categories just overlap. But no worries, the most important thing to focus on should be about their shelf life rather than their main categories. Semi-perishable commodities do not actually require refrigeration, instead, they can be stored in your cupboard or your typical Tupperware/plastic ware. To be more specific, this is more akin to ingredients such as potatoes, onions, garlic, and pumpkins. Be sure to store them in a place with sufficient air circulation, to further help with their shelf life. Potatoes also need to be kept away from light as they may start sprouting if left unattended.
3. Storing Non-Perishable Food
   Technically, there is no such thing as a non-perishable food or ingredient. Any type of edible resource eventually goes to waste after a certain amount of time. However, there are some food items which deteriorate or get spoiled only after a long, long period of time, which is why they were given the term “non-perishables.” Now, for a couple of well-known examples: flour, spices, canned goods, jars and bottles of nuts, and dried packet goods (for example, noodles and pasta) are non-perishable items. You may argue that some of these were also mentioned within the semi-perishable category, but remember, the categories may overlap, depending on the condition of the food product. Out of all of these examples, canned goods are the most advantageous to have around. Some canned goods can last for years, hence, you can sleep soundly at night knowing that none of them will ever go to waste, even if you’re stuck indoors while waiting for the pandemic to end.

Well, we’ve mentioned a couple of tips to help you preserve your food supplies in the most practical ways possible. This would enable you to consume your resources appropriately, while at the same time save money for future needs. However, saving your finances shouldn’t be an individual task. No, it is a team effort and you should have a well-trusted name to ensure that your hard-earned money is put in the safest place there is. In such case, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings product. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches which acts as its cash agent, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings product without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Precious jewelries are the main ornaments when it comes to glamour and fashion. We often see celebrities wear expensive jewelry during events or parties, and as such, they often accentuate the outfit worn by the celebrities themselves. But gold and gemstones aren’t just worn by people from high society, as we ourselves also possess our very own set of jewels. May it be a ring, a necklace, a pair of earrings, or a bracelet, we have one which brings out our style and personality. More often than not, they are worn during Sunday mass or special occasions, and once the event is over, they are locked up in our safe and drawers back home.

With this in mind, it is only appropriate to say that we Filipinos also have an eye for jewels, no matter how expensive they may get. Of course, not everyone can afford it, not every Filipino has the means or the resources to purchase their own set of gems or ornaments. However, we may usually come across the average Pinoy wearing at least one article of jewelry during our weekend travels and shopping errands, much so that we can even assume that the value of jewelry has reached the standard, affordable price in the past few years alone. But the thing about jewelries is that, just like every precious product such as gadgets or appliances, there are also imitations circulating around the market. You may have seen knock offs or imitations of cellphones within the local market place, as well as imitation brands of bags, shoes, and even flat screen TVs. Jewelry isn’t exempted from this.The bad thing is that, in spite of some jewels being fake or cheap imitations, they are often priced and passed off as the original. Some people are meticulous enough and detect these forms of deception, but not everyone has the same ability. You may ask, “How would I even determine which is fake and which is real?”

Do not fret, because we have prepared a couple of tips and reminders to help you in ruling out the deceptive imitations from the real precious gems. Keep in mind that there are different factors to consider depending on the type of jewelry. Nonetheless, you may find these all useful if you are going up against a multiple selection of jewelries.

1. The reputation of the seller.
   Let’s get one thing straight, just because a certain brand is well-recommended doesn’t mean it is always the right choice. This is true when it comes to fast food and cellphones, two completely different industries which carries the same practice when it comes to introducing new products. You have your average cellphone company introducing their new line of smartphones, all touchscreen and carrying a much bigger memory space than last year’s model. It all seems good at first, but looking at the list of features; it seems that nothing else was changed. The battery got bigger, the screen got bigger, and the memory space got bigger, but when it came to new “life-changing” features, there are none. The same thing can be said about your local fast food chain, whenever they are introducing a new “healthier” menu, you’d be disappointed to discover that they just happen to lessen the amount of cooking oil and patty used on the new “healthy burger,” but basically, the cholesterol count on the buns and dressing remains the same.The good news is that the same principle cannot be said about your well-known jewelry stores. The most revered brands which can be found in your malls are far better when it comes to their business practices. Sure, the branded jewelries they sell may go beyond your budget, but you can be sure that the price itself justifies the authenticity of the jewelry in question. The same can’t be said about jewelry resellers though. You may find these within your local marketplace, usually sporting a sign upfront that says “We buy old and broken jewelries,” owing to the fact that they refurbish and “fix” old, second-hand jewelries to be sold off again. While this may seem more practical at first, the refurbished gems may not maintain the applied fix; hence, you may end up returning them for repairs.

2. Test the item.
   If the reputation of the jewelry store doesn’t matter much to you, then you may do your own testing as well. The following are test methods which we were able to find from a reputable website. Again, the methods may vary depending on the jewelry, but that doesn’t mean that all individual methods are limited to only one jewel type.• The Magnet Test – Gold and silver are not magnetic. Hold up a strong magnet to your piece of jewelry — if it sticks, this is an immediate indication of a fake material being used.

   • The Fog Test – The fog test is best used for determining whether a diamond is real or fake. Simply breathe hot air onto the stone — a real diamond does not retain heat, so it will not fog up, while a fake diamond will.

   • The Skin Test – Possibly the best known physical test to spot fake jewelry is the skin test. Does wearing your jewelry turn your skin green, or cause any kind of irritation? Genuine gold and silver will not react with the skin, so any problems are an instant giveaway of a fake piece.

   

3. Consulting a professional.Now, all of the tips we’ve provided so far admittedly should be taken with a grain of salt. Why? Because these are all just band aid solutions compared to the absolute way of determining jewelry’s authenticity, and that is to consult a professional. Jewelers are far and few, but if you happen to have the nearest jewelry store around your vicinity, be sure to have your item checked. If that isn’t enough, some pawnshops also employ sharp-eyed appraisers who might be able to help you out in determining your jewel’s authenticity and true value. Cebuana Lhuillier, for example, employs only the absolute best when it comes to evaluating the value of your precious gems. With more than 2,500 branches nationwide, they are one of the most accessible pawnshop chains in the Philippines. Alongside safety and world-class service, Cebuana Lhuillier also gives one of the highest appraisal rates in the industry for items such as jewelry and gadgets, offering up to 30% more than other pawnshops. So if ever you’re in need of assistance, feel free to visit the Cebuana Lhuillier branch nearest you now.

Due to the pandemic, we had to change up many things in our lives. The things that we used to do before on a daily basis admittedly had to be changed, in order for us to survive. When something as serious as a virus demands utter care and attention, there is no choice but to follow all of the safety protocols. This current pandemic is no different, apparently. While there are still those who prefer to ignore the devastating impact of COVID-19, the majority of us are very much aware of the countless lives which were taken away by this horrendous virus. Which is why we are living our lives in the “new normal,” a much stricter, precautious, and paranoia-inducing routine that we are all trapped in. One of the many things which underwent major change was the way we connected with other people. Due to the fact that the virus is transmitted via droplets and skin contact, it is only understandable that social distancing measures were put in place. For introverts, this is a blessing in disguise, but for the majority of our community who are very much social butterflies, this is nothing but an obstacle which limits our social life.

If you belong in the latter category, we understand how you feel. No more social gatherings, no more parties, no more family reunions, you get the picture. We do have good news for you though. There are actually alternatives to meeting your family, friends, and loved ones, and the best thing about this is that you wouldn’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. With the advent of technology, everyone now has the ability to connect with others with just a few clicks of a virtual button. This write up is a checklist of things you can do in order to connect with your loved ones during the quarantine period, wherever they may be. Keep in mind that the following tips were written assuming that you already have the necessary tools to connect, so if you may lack one of the major communications tools, feel free to explore other options.

1. Be Online
   Everyone wants to trend nowadays. Everyone has their very own social media account, filled with their long list of friends and acquaintances. The thing about modern technology is that we often take it for granted, we often open our phones and computers and leave off reading a couple of messages from our families, friends, and loved ones. Sometimes, we even forget to reply towards their warm greetings, a trait that the majority seemed to have developed over the course of social media’s fame (or infamy). Nowadays, however, whenever you’d receive a notification, you’re the very first to click for any hope of hearing from a close relative, hoping that the message they entail brings nothing but good news. The same can be said about messages from your friends and colleagues, hoping that none of them were infected by the benevolent virus. Indeed, every chat or message notification is now worth gold, hoping to tempt in a potential surge of cheery news about a solid vaccine or cure against the rampant virus, either that or you just really want to be updated from time to time about the conditions and wellbeing of the people that matter to you. Be that as it may, the internet had brought people together over the decade, and now is no different.

   

2. Stay on the Line
   Well, if you’re old-fashioned, you may connect with your loved ones via telephone. Even before cellphones and the internet were invented, we all communicated through the telephone. Here in the Philippines, there is no doubt that we were once avid followers of this somewhat fading trend, we even have a term for it, “telebabad.” This doesn’t mean that telephones have gone out of fashion though, as we still have them packaged with our internet connection, all provided by our local communication providers. Now, you may ask, would it still be practical to call or communicate this way? Wouldn’t it hinder our message in one way or the other? Quite frankly, no. Telephones enable us to communicate with our voice, so the person on the other line would still be able to determine the emotions we wish to convey. After all, getting in touch with others doesn’t just entail conveying the main message itself, it’s how we prefer to convey that message that matters most. The enthusiasm of your voice, the worry, and even the sadness would be enough to let your loved ones know that you care about them more than ever.

3. Dust Off the Keypad
   There used to be a time when touchscreen phones were non-existent. Yes, communication devices are very much developed nowadays, you can bet that even your old-fashioned neighbor at least has the most affordable brand of a touchscreen phone. However, a few decades ago, we all relied on keypad phones. The only screen available to these phones were the ones lit up by a green LED light, accompanied by the “clicky” buttons of embossed letters and numbers, made durable by a tough, plastic material, all compact and durable during its lifetime. If you’re feeling a bit too nostalgic, then by all means, go for keypad cellphones. There’s nothing wrong with going old-fashioned, after all, isn’t that the main purpose of a compact phone? Feel free to communicate and express your love and concern towards the people that matters most.

These are just some of the ways to communicate with your loved ones without going outdoors. Not only is it safer, it is also more affordable than taking the risk with the rampant virus. Now, speaking of safety, we’re sure that you uphold the same high standard when it comes to the safety of your finances. During the time of the pandemic, one of your main goals is to save, and indeed, you have a well-trusted name to help you out with that. Look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank’s Micro Savings product. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches as its cash agent, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Microsavings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

It’s been making news since the early part of this year and it has affected all of our lives in one way or the other. Indeed, COVID-19 has made its mark in the world, and up to this day, it still continues to instill uncertainties and worry amongst the nations. You may have known of someone who was afflicted with the virus, a family, a friend, a colleague, etc. And out of all these cases, one thing is always absolute; it takes a lot to survive. It takes a lot to survive a virus which has only made its presence felt within the latter months of the previous year until its booming infamy in the early months of this year. And until now, we can feel its effect, not only through the stories of those who’ve lost loved ones due to the virus, but also through those who’ve lost their livelihood due to the recent lockdowns and region-wide quarantine protocols. It’s as if the world stood still for a few months, and indeed, it has, as people were stuck within their homes, praying for an immediate outcome or resolution to the nightmare that is COVID-19.

With all of that being said, you may be urging to know more about this virus, its point of origin, and where we stand as Filipinos amidst this current pandemic, and for that you no longer have to look far, as we’ve prepared a couple of notable occurrences within the whole ordeal. Keep in mind that these occurrences have since been updated, with recurring results and the ever-rising number of positive cases, so feel free to compare the data with your local news and social media pages.

Where did COVID-19 originate?

According to a few online sources, “last December 31, 2019, a clustering of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology in Wuhan, China was reported to the WHO Country Office. The outbreak was later determined to be caused by a new coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified in humans.” As of this writing, no one knows who patient zero (a term that refers to the very first person to be infected with a disease) is or how he or she even got infected. There were a couple of information, citing its main origin from bats, and yes, that is indeed true. To further clarify, research has concluded that the lineage from which SARS-CoV-2 came has been circulating among bats for decades. Yes, you’ve read that right, decades. The researchers found that the virus which causes COVID-19 diverged from other bat viruses about 40-70 years ago. Apparently, SARS-CoV-2 is likely to include other viruses with the ability to infect humans. They also warn it likely includes other viruses with the ability to infect humans. Now, it’s easy to criticize these researchers for not acting fast enough to control the spread of the virus, but keep in mind that this is a very new strain, and no one even had the idea how big it would get, not until it was already too late. Even the topic of “Where did the virus really come from?” is a touchy subject that no government from around the world would push to pursue, just to avoid conflict within the already gloomy-atmosphere.

When did COVID-19 first reach the Philippines?

On January 30, 2020, the Philippine Department of Health reported the first case of COVID-19 in the country with a 38-year-old female Chinese national. On 7 March, the first local transmission of COVID-19 was confirmed. Just like the other countries around the globe, everyone was caught off guard. Yes, there’s been news of this virus making the airwaves since the latter part of 2019, but no one could have prepared for the quick transmission of the virus, neither did anyone anticipate the virus to reach their countries, let alone the Philippines.

Were people complacent all along?

No. A very big no! Remember SARS? This virus made the headlines a couple of years ago, but while it may have shaken people a bit, back then, it didn’t even spread across the globe. So perhaps, with COVID-19, people had the same perception towards the new virus that we now know as COVID-19. Everyone might have thought that COVID-19 (which coincidentally is also a strain of SARS) may just die down along the way, a footnote that would just occur within China, and nowhere else.

What has the government done so far to limit the spread of the virus?

Since its first few months of infamy within the Philippine islands, there have been countless lockdowns, GCQ, MECQ, ECQ, and MGCQ implementations done within the various regions of the country. The LGUs have also sprang into action, providing countless assistance and guidance towards the communities whose lives have been affected by the pandemic, and if you want to get too technical, yes, almost everyone’s lives have been turned upside down by the virus. You or a family member may have been safe from the infection, but your employment status may be the casualty of the current situation. People lost their businesses, their customers, their livelihood, all of the things that bought food to their table, and sadly, most of them haven’t recovered yet from bankruptcy as of this writing. Many stores shut down, many employees lost their jobs, and for those who were able to continue with their work, the commute towards their morning schedules proved to be too tasking, so much so, that many companies decided on a work-from-home setting. They are at least able to recuperate than the others.

Has there been a cure or a vaccine developed to fight against the virus?

As of writing time, no, there hasn’t been any cure or vaccine yet, or at least the right formula hasn’t been made or found yet by the ongoing trials. To say the least, the WHO (World Health Organization) has made it clear that they are doing everything they can and are coordinating with all the countries around the world to come up with a cure that can finally eradicate COVID-19.

Is there anything we can do to stay safe, aside from the usual protocols?

Well, aside from social distancing, wearing a mask and face shield, and bringing along disinfecting solutions whenever going outdoors, the most efficient way to avoid getting the virus would still be to stay at home. Many companies and establishments are even implementing online solutions, so that you could still manage your outdoor transactions within the confines of your home. One main example of this would be Cebuana Lhuillier’s Cebuana from Home app. Now you can do local remittances, register and pay for insurance and other billing obligations, and pawn off items with an app that has it all. You may check out https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/Home/Services for more information.

The current pandemic really made things more tasking for everyone. There used to be a time when people could simply walk up to a queue and proceed to take turns in getting their paperwork or payments done. Nowadays, this is much more restrictive since there are additional steps done to ensure that no one lining up would be infected by the rampant virus. This may seem easy to execute in paper, but just imagine the amount of people who are urging to process their papers or payments after a couple of months of being stuck at home. For the most part, these paper works and transactions are a one-time thing, supposedly done by the end of the day or even after a few weeks. But the thing about the pandemic is that it halted quite a few of our most vital government offices, including benefits, licenses, permits, etc. So, due to the daunting nature of the virus, people were forced to leave off processing these deliverables, only for the requirements to expire during the quarantine period. This means that almost everyone has to start again from scratch, revisiting their checklist in order to acquire the requirements one by one.

With that in mind, you might be one of those who are planning to line up in the coming days to process your papers. Yes, precautionary measures are put in place, but let us not forget that you are going to come across countless people who are hoping to do the same thing, and not everyone has the same regard when it comes to social distancing. Even if just one person were to violate the quarantine rules, it may prove risky for the others that he or she may have come across with, and you wouldn’t want to be a part of that. Lessen your risk, take time to prepare, and be vigilant with these pro-tips when going outdoors to process your papers and requirements.

1. Always bring your own set of disinfecting items.

You may have heard of this a thousand times already, the various news outlets and the social media pages of our LGUs have, after all, been spreading this information like wild fire ever since the virus made its presence felt worldwide. Always bring a couple of disinfecting items wherever you go. What are these disinfecting items, you may ask? The most obvious choice would be a bottle of alcohol or alcogel (whichever you’d prefer). Of course, other alcohol solutions would do, but the most preferable ones would be a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. It may not look much, but this has been proven to disinfect against the virus most efficiently, among other things. During the first few months of the virus’ infamy, stocks may have even been low due to panic buyers, and that definitely says a lot. It’s a great thing that the stocks have since been refilled to the brim and everyone was able to buy their own set of 3 to 5 bottles (per store policy).

2. Always wear a mask. Never go outdoors without one.

There’s a reason why our current law has strictly enforced this rule, and it isn’t just about making a fashion statement. The thing about COVID-19 is that it is transmitted through person-to- person contact and through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This only means that a mask would stop the virus-carrying droplets from spreading the infection in an alarming rate. The common misconception is that the mask is a one-way protection, that you wouldn’t get infected because the mask you put on would stop you from inhaling the possible droplets from another person. What people often overlook is that it would also prevent the infected person from spreading the virus, as it would limit the droplets within that very same person, may it be from a cough or a sneeze. You should also keep in mind that there is a proper way of wearing your mask. According to WHO (The World Health Organization), the white side should be the side that touches your mouth and nose, while the blue side of the mask should be the outer part. There is a scientific explanation about this, but we will not bore you with the complicated details.

3. Wear a face shield along with your face mask.

This form of protection adds an extra precautionary layer whenever you go outdoors. While you may think of it as an overkill, remember that a face mask would only cover your nose and mouth, it doesn’t cover your whole face like a face shield does. COVID-19 can enter your body even through your eyes, so keep that in mind.

4. Avoid getting in contact with other people.

While it may seem tempting to shake hands or embrace a “long-lost” friend among the queue of people, take our word for it, don’t!  Remember, the virus is transmitted through droplets, so even if your friend were not a positive carrier, he or she might have come across a person not wearing a mask, sneezing or coughing that droplet on to your friend’s hand or skin, thus, transmitting it unknowingly. Yes, it may take a huge amount of self-control to get over hugging a good friend or a family member, but remember, prevention is always better than cure, and you could save more lives by abstaining from hugs and handshakes (for now).

5. Strengthen your immune system.

You might already know this, but for the other readers who may have not caught wind of this information or are still hoping to violate quarantine protocols, this information is especially for them. As of this writing, there hasn’t been any cure or vaccine yet made to fight COVID-19. We wish to emphasize on the statement of “there hasn’t been any discovered cure yet.” Yes, we are all hopeful, yes, there have been ongoing trials for the vaccine, but there isn’t even any solid formula yet. The most viable armor you have right now is your immune system. Unlike video games which present a bright blue bar corresponding to your character’s armor, there are no real-life meters to indicate the strength of your immune system; instead, you have your habits to indicate that for you. Eat healthy food like fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, take care of your body, etc. All of these are elementary tips which should have been practiced by all adults a long time ago, and indeed, now is the most critical time to do just that.

With all of that being said, you might be wondering if Cebuana Lhuillier has put in place the same amount of care and restrictions when it comes to protecting their customers against the virus? The simple answer? Yes, they have. With the frequent disinfections and queuing rules set in place, no other place is safer than any of their branches. They’ve also made it convenient for all their patrons to process their transactions without any hassle. Time well-spent outdoors is equivalent to money well-spent as well, and at this point, every centavo counts, and no other remittance center would value your time and safety more than Cebuana Lhuillier, with their most reliable Money Remittance service ever. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.

There are only a couple of things which are certain in the Philippines, two of which are the weather. On one hand, we have the blazingly hot year-round summer seasons; on the other hand, we have the wet (and mostly destructive) rainy seasons which falter each time it reaches Philippine shores. Understandably, we are a tropical country, which is why almost every month consist of the hot summer sun, regardless if it’s the first eight months of the year or the “Ber” months which comes after. You may even find yourself sweating profusely while reading this, and believe us, even when we were writing this article, we were experiencing the exact same thing. But all of that is nothing compared to the faltering rain showers which rarely shows up within the country. For some, it is a sure sign of comfort, with the rain ushering in the cool temperature in days which would otherwise be a heat trap, for others, not so much of a cool, comfy weather, but a rather a very horrible one. Here’s the thing, when we say that the Philippines’ rain showers are rare and usually falters, it is a mere overstatement. Yes, it would only rain for a few days or so within the year, and yes, usually, it starts out weak, but within that very limited timeframe and weak start, the raindrops just keep on adding up, escalating by the minute, until you realize that the supposedly weak rain shower for the day has turned into a full blown typhoon. Make no mistake, the Philippine weather is already unpredictable by all accounts, but when the rain drops, you better find a high ground covered by a sturdy roof, because if not, you’re definitely going to get wet.

But that is not to say that you wouldn’t be able to prepare for the upcoming rain showers. No, you actually have a lot of options when it comes to going up against the gloomy weather. Make time to follow these options and perhaps, you may just get by without getting drenched by the downpour.

1. Take time to check on your daily forecast.

If you happen to watch the evening news then you’re in for a treat. Before the nightly news ends, the weather report for the next day is usually heralded by the resident weatherman. Take note of his “predictions” and feel free to analyze his animated charts for a better understanding of tomorrow’s weather. Of course, weather patterns may change from time to time, so feel free to follow up with a weather app (you may already have one on your phone, packaged with the usual software). Even if the weather report shows a very sunny day, take that with a grain of salt and prepare for any unexpected showers. Be mindful of what you’re going to wear the next day. Perhaps go for apparel which would allow you to move freely, come rain or shine. Remember, no person can ever control the weather, if it’s going to be a very sunny day and you’re wearing thick clothes, then that is completely on you. The same can be said about a very rainy day, with the downpour seething in because you wore clothes which are fully absorbent.

2. Never forget to bring an umbrella.

Regardless of the weather, your only trustworthy friend would be your umbrella. Basically, you have to protect yourself from all kinds of weather, and umbrellas are a perfect fit for both rain and sunshine. To maximize its use for a hot day, go for black umbrellas, as they often deflect heat more effectively than other colored umbrellas. For a rainy day, however, feel free to use any other color. If you don’t want to carry a lot of things during commute, then perhaps a folding umbrella may just be right up your alley. You can purchase them from your local apparel stores and shopping malls. The best thing about them is that they aren’t even expensive, you can buy them for a very affordable price, but beware, some umbrellas are much tougher in quality (non-bending), hence why they are costlier than the usual.

3. If it isn’t important, avoid going outdoors.

Okay, so you’ve managed to watch the recent weather forecast, and according to the weatherman, you’ll be having rain showers all day long. So, what do you do? Well, you must first analyze your options, think about your outdoor activity for the day. If it’s about paying your bills or processing a very important personal paperwork, then by all means, surge through the rain wearing your protective gear. However, if it’s just about checking the latest mall in town or dining out, then you might as well cancel the whole thing. Remember, your safety and welfare is more valuable than any other excuse to go outdoors. For now, we are even riddled with an ongoing pandemic, so both the rain and the rampant virus are both dangerous adversaries which you have to avoid getting tangled with. Social distancing and sanitation protocols might be in place, but they aren’t enough to protect you 100% of the time. Stay safe and stay put in the comfort of your home.

With all of that being said, it is only understandable that you may want to get yourself and your future protected against all odds, after all, it isn’t just the gloomy weather that you’d have to worry about. There are a lot of external factors which may or may not affect your well-being, and it may not be a surprise that you’re weighing in your options right now, analyzing which establishment would be best for availing a well-trusted microinsurance premium and coverage. Look no further than with Cebuana Lhuiller’s Microinsurance Services, an affordable insurance product to help Filipinos avail of financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to, with innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position. Feel free to visit your nearest branch for more information.

Have you ever experienced being a part of a club, which grants you rewards and bonuses every time you avail or accomplish something within the rules and regulations of that particular club? This concept isn’t really a new thing, since certain shops and establishments have been doing this for many years. You have various promos, leads, and discounts depending on the frequency of your purchases, and you are in fact considered too valuable to be a lost-cause customer. You are one of the many patrons who are keeping the business on its feet and you will always be considered a special part of the business itself.

Indeed, this might be something that you are very much aware of. In fact, we are willing to bet that you already have a couple of membership cards in your wallet, all attributed to multiple establishments which you may have bought from in the past couple of years or so. With that in mind, we wish to introduce you to another exclusive loyalty program that you may participate in, featuring all the right perks and rewards that you can ever ask for. We wish to introduce you to Cebuana Lhuillier’s 24k Loyalty Program!

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s 24k Loyalty Program?

The 24k Rewards Program is a program that provides perks and rewards to Cebuana Lhuillier clients. By availing the 24k Card, you will have exclusive privileges, discounts and special service offerings that can be used every time you transact with Cebuana Lhuillier. You can earn 1 point for every Php 40 interest or service fee you pay. Yes, you read that right, each point is worth Php 1.00.

Where can I sign up for the Cebuana Lhuillier’s 24k Loyalty Program? Where do I get my Loyalty Card?

You may visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch to get your very own 24k card. After which, you have to register your card at https://www.24konline.ph/signup/. Keep in mind that you should provide all the correct details in order to utilize the various features of 24k online.

May I use the features of the 24k online even though I have no 24k card yet?

Yes, you may. Cebuana Lhuillier made sure that their 24k Loyalty Program would be accessible by people from all walks of life, which is why even if you are a non-card holder, you can still get to experience the perks and rewards of being a member of the loyalty program. This is made possible as non-card holders may register online and receive a virtual card instead. This is a convenient way of experiencing the benefits of the loyalty program without having to add an extra weight in your wallet.

What are the features of the 24k online website?

You may accomplish the following transactions and use the said features within the 24k online site:

-Buy eLoad

-Appraisal Calculator

-Remittance Tracking

-Transfer Points

-Renewal/Redemption Calculator

-Buy Insurance

-Online Appointment

-Branch and Partner Locator

That looks good and all, but is there more that I need to know about the loyalty program and its website?

Yes, you may have to take note of the programs’ terms and conditions as well. The full version has a lot to take from, but we’ve chosen a couple of vital things which you may have to remember while using the 24k card and its equivalent website:

• As the cardholder, you shall be liable for all transactions made through the use of the 24k Virtual Card.
• All Cebuana Lhuillier clients can apply for the 24k Virtual Card. Existing 24k cardholders have the option to also apply for the 24k Virtual Card.
• The 24k Online Portal is completely customer self-service where the card holder shall enter/provide the 24k card number and preferred password. The issuer recommends the use of a strong but easy to remember log in details.
• Cebuana Lhuillier reserves the right to block access and or edit or remove any material which may give rise to a breach of these Terms and Conditions of Use.
• The cardholder has full responsibility over the security of his/her PC, Mobile Device/s, SIM card and confidentiality of his/her User ID and password/s and all transactions.
• It is cardholder’s sole responsibility to change the password through 24k Online Portal if its confidentially has been reasonably suspected to have been compromised to avoid any unauthorized use of the cardholder’s account.

Take note of those terms and conditions so that you wouldn’t run into any trouble while using the website or your 24k card.

Do all transactions give off a single point?

No, as a matter of fact, there are a couple of transactions which provides more points:

• Domestic Remittance – 1 point
• Pawning Transaction – 1 point
• International Payout – 3 points
• International Sending – 5 points
• Every P40 interest or service fee paid at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch – 1 point

You may claim your points online via the new 24k website.

Are there any rules when it comes to redeeming points?

Not much, except for the following conditions:

• To redeem and use the reward points, you (the card holder) should have a minimum of twenty (20) stored points. Php1.00 is equivalent to 1 point.
• If no error is reported by a card holder within 7 days from the last transaction, Reward Points reflected on the receipt shall be deemed correct.
• Rewards Points will not be offered for cancelled transactions or any transactions subsequently reversed or refunded in whole or in part.
• The issuer reserves the right to change the Rewards Points earning rate. The issuer also reserves the right to restrict or limit the number of Rewards Points earned on each transaction in connection with special program, facilities and promotional activities.

How exactly do I earn my Rewards Points?

There are four simple ways for a card holder to earn reward points:

• Pawning Transactions (sangla, tubos, at tubo) – monthly interest and liquidated damages paid by the client will earn a corresponding number of reward points.
• Domestic Sending Money Remittance Transactions – remittance service fee paid by the sender will earn a corresponding number of reward points.
• International Remittance Transactions – every international sending transaction will earn five (5) points and three (3) points for every international payout transaction.
• ProtectMax Microinsurance – every Certificate of Cover (COC) purchased will earn one (1) point.

Well, this is just the beginners’ lesson when it comes to Cebuana Lhuillier’s 24k Loyalty Program. If you’d want to know more or are interested in joining the loyalty program itself, feel free to visit https://www.24konline.ph/login/ or you may visit our official website at https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/ for more details.

Halloween season is here. For the most part, we Filipinos aren’t really enthusiastic about this particular seasonal event, due to the fact that it isn’t engraved in our culture. Sure, we are all in a festive mood by now, but a lot of that enthusiasm is focused towards our love for Christmas. Being a dominantly Catholic/Christian nation, it is only understandable that we are more inclined towards this particular celebration, rather than one which incites superstition and the supernatural. As such, it can’t be helped that Halloween itself is seen as a trivial, often overlooked form of event, rather than a month-long tradition that can ever be taken seriously by Filipinos. Of course, that wouldn’t stop some of us from discovering new ways to distract ourselves from the current pandemic, as the past few months really took its toll on everyone. Perhaps, even for a week or two, some of us may “escape” reality and bond with our family over a plastic pumpkin-shaped trinket of sweets.

With that in mind, you might be one of those who are looking for ways to have fun with your family during the pandemic, without even breaking the bank. Everything seems to be costly nowadays, so every expense should be taken with utter caution, and overspending may put the family budget at risk. But fear not, for we have prepared a few spooktacular tips for you to celebrate Halloween with your family without sacrificing much of your budget.

Watching Horror Movies at Home

You do not have to go outdoors to enjoy the Halloween season. As a matter of fact, you can enjoy Halloween just by staying at home. Especially during the pandemic, you should round up all your family members and let them know that you have something in store for them during the night of terror (October 30, as usually plotted out on most horror movies). Feel free to pop in an old horror movie in your DVD player, prepare a bowl of snacks, and pour in a couple of sodas, while you comfortably sit with your family, enjoying the screams of the protagonist trying to escape the scary madman of the movie. If DVDs are too old for your taste, you can simply log-in your streaming subscription and choose to stream newer titles that your kids and teens may be more familiar with (zombies, zombies, and more zombies). Nonetheless, enjoying Halloween night at home is a lot less scary because you have each other to embrace during the sudden scares and thrilling moments. It’s also a way of avoiding the real horror outdoors, which is the current pandemic that’s been haunting our fellow Filipinos for quite a while now.

Making Sweet Halloween Treats in the Kitchen

Your Halloween family bonding isn’t just limited to watching horror flicks in the living room. To say the least, there are other fun ways to enjoy the spooky season while having quality time with the family. If you happen to have a certain skill in cooking or baking, then this one may fit your timetable. Being a good cook or baker isn’t just about impressing other people with your delicious treats, it’s also about creating something “golden” without having to spend much of your tight budget. The test of being a skilled in the kitchen would all come down to whether or not you are wise enough to use the ingredients that are readily within reach, without having to go out to buy more. Show this unrelenting skill and impress your family by organizing a bake off during Halloween night. Come up with creative Halloween-themed cookies, cupcakes, or brownies and add a little flair to your spooktacular creations. Your kids and teens would love it too, because for the first time since the start of the pandemic, they would be able to do something that they haven’t done before, and that is to learn how to cook/bake. Yes, they may have tasted your sweet home-made treats before, but in terms of making those treats, they may have been on the sidelines, merely waiting for the finished product to reach their plates. This is the perfect opportunity to train them in the art of cooking.

Creating Goofy Halloween Masks and Other Spooky Crafts

This activity is targeted to the younger members of your family. Kids love to get messy with their art materials, and this Halloween season, there are no limits. Let them have their fun with crayons, watercolor, and paper mache (with parental supervision, of course). Bring out their creative side and nurture that moving forward, who knows, your toddlers may turn out to be future graphic artists and painters. The thing about this activity is that it doesn’t require a whole lot of materials. You may recycle old newspapers at home, then buy a couple of crayons at your nearest grocery store (they aren’t even expensive, just choose the non-toxic ones). If your kids are too young to handle glue and paste, then be sure to help them out. If you’re going to use felt and colored paper, the paste may cause these colors to stick on their clothes (paper residues), so utmost care is a must.

Storytelling in the Dark with Nothing but a Flashlight

The most valuable thing you can share your loved ones during Halloween night would be fun and scary memories. Get creative and walk down memory lane. Tell your kids about your past experiences which may or may have not been affected by supernatural beings (we’re exaggerating on this, but you get the idea). Add a bit of truth to your stories, incorporating valuable/moral lessons which they may add to their character while growing up. Of course, you may need to clarify on the details someday, so they wouldn’t grow up to be very suspicious people, but think of this as a way to teach them the dos and don’ts of life, without leaning too much on the supernatural aspect and the best thing about this activity? You don’t have to spend money at all. Of course, you may need batteries (for your flashlight) and a couple of snacks, but other than that, you’re going to save more on the electricity charges with the lights off.

These are just some of the ways to have fun during Halloween night without “breaking the bank,” so to speak, but if you’re looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Halloween night isn’t usually a festivity celebrated by Filipinos. We are familiar with fiestas, Christmas, holy gatherings, and New Year’s Eve, but “the night of terror” is often an overlooked celebration all in all. Of course, there are references to it within the Philippine pop culture, often being plotted as the release date of local horror movies and scary documentaries after the evening news. You might have a relative who grew up in the province, claiming spooky stories of apparitions and mysterious happenings at sundown. You might have even seen a couple of Halloween-themed costumes and treats within your nearest grocery stores and malls, signifying that the local businesses are aware of it, capitalizing on its fame (or infamy) in order to boost sales. But compared to our international counterparts, we do not really celebrate it with enthusiasm or enough effort the way that we do with other holidays. There are countless explanations to this, but we can usually attribute that to our longstanding culture and religion.

Now, this doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun during Halloween season, of course. The thing about this particular festivity is that it is often seen as a waste of time and money, with many critics pointing their fingers towards impractical costumes and sweets. Especially with the country’s current situation, every Centavo counts, and if we were to waste money on such a trivial occasion, we may feel the long-term effects within the coming months. Luckily, there are always affordable alternatives when it comes to celebrating every event or happening, and Halloween night is definitely one of them. Workarounds are always in place to ensure that we’ll be able to have fun, without sacrificing much of our budget, and that is most evident with Halloween treats. As they say, nothing brings a family closer than with a fun, productive activity that can teach each and every member something new, and cooking or baking is a surefire way of doing just that. You may ask though, “What Halloween treats or delicacies should I make with my family? What affordable ingredients do I have to buy to make these kitchen creations? Are they even easy to prepare?” No need to worry, as we have prepared a couple of easy-to-follow recipes in making sweet and delectable (no trick) treats for a spooktacular night.

Blood-Red Bingsu

Bingsu or Patbingsu is a well-known Korean dessert, usually made up of shaved ice and condensed milk, topped off with sweet syrup and fruits. You may have tasted one already through your Korean-themed local fastfood, but did you know that it is also fairly easy to make?

Ingredients:

For the Red Syrup Topping

• 1 cup of strawberries
• 2 tbsps of sugar
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose cream
• 1 cup of water
• 1 and 1/2 tsps of soy lecithin

For the Milky Ice

• 2 cups of water
• 1 can of evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose cream
• 1/2 cup of condensed milk

For the Fruit Topping

• 1 cup of strawberries
• 1/2 cup of sugar

Instructions:

• Let’s start with the milky ice. You need to blend all of the milky ice ingredients together, after which, you’d need to pour the mixture into an ice cube tray. Leave it overnight in the freezer.
• To prepare the fruit topping, you need to cook the strawberries in a saucepan with sugar. Set the stove to medium heat and cook until the mix is thickened. Make sure to crush the strawberry pieces while you stir.
• Let us move on to the red syrup topping. First, you need to blend the first four ingredients together (strawberries, sugar, all-purpose cream, and water) until it is processed into a smooth mixture, after which, you need to transfer it to a deep glass bowl. Add in the soy lecithin and mix with an immersion blender until the whole mixture begins to foam.
• The milky ice cubes should then be shaved (using a scraper) into a large bowl, followed by the fruit topping and red, foamy syrup.

Keep in mind that you may need to prepare the ingredients the day before (if you’re even planning to serve this on Halloween night itself), as you need to freeze the milky ice overnight.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Nothing screams Halloween louder than a good old pumpkin. It has since been recognized as a Halloween symbol (along with bat and ghost shapes), mostly adorning the outdoor windows, often having carved faces and spooky imagery. But this recipe isn’t all about the decorations, but rather the home-made, creamy goodness to warm up the chilling Halloween night.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp of butter
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped onions
• 500 grams of cut up pumpkin (also known as squash here in the Philippines)
• 3 cups of water
• 1 piece of bay leaf
• A few bits of salt and ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup of evaporated milk
• 1 pack of all-purpose cream

Instructions:

• First, you need to melt the butter in a saucepan. Set the stove to medium heat and add in the onions. Sauté until they are all softened.
• Add in the cut up pumpkin/squash and sauté it for about 5 minutes. You’d then need to pour in the water. Add in the bay leaf and season to taste with the salt and ground black pepper.
• Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer until the pumpkin/squash is cooked. Remove the bay leaf then add in both the evaporated milk and all-purpose cream.
• Mix it well. You may even use a hand blender to make the soup as smooth and creamy as possible. You may add more water, salt, and pepper, depending on the taste and texture of the overall mixture.

You may consider this as part of your dinner during Halloween night, accompanied by freshly-cooked rice.

Strawberry Ghost

Here’s something cute and boo-tiful to lighten up the mood during Halloween night. Basically, these are strawberries dipped in melted white chocolate, shaped and left to cool in order to create a ghastly aesthetic. Not only is it fun to make, it’s also healthy for the kids.

Ingredients:

2 cups of strawberries

1 and 1/2 cups of melted white chocolate

1 tsp coconut oil

1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips

1 cup of melted chocolate chips

Instructions:

• First, you need to prepare a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper.
• Next, you need to combine the melted white chocolate and coconut oil in a large bowl. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
• Here’s the fun part. Dip the strawberries into the white chocolate mixture, then place two mini chocolate chips on the top half of the strawberries for the eyes.
• Place the dipped strawberries on the baking sheet you had prepared earlier and place it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, or until the white dip hardens.
• Pour the melted chocolate chips in an icing bag (a Ziploc with one corner cut by a scissor would suffice as well) and form the mouths on the dipped strawberries. Place it in the refrigerator once more to allow the melted chocolate to cool. 5 minutes may be enough, but again, feel free to leave it in there longer if the melted chocolate hasn’t hardened yet.

All of these treats should be shared, hence, why none of your loved ones would be left out during snack time.

Well, this is just one way of saving money while having fun with your family during Halloween night, but you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Whether we like it or not, the pandemic is still ongoing. Many of us are understandably frustrated, urging to go out after spending the past few months being stuck indoors. While the guidelines have somewhat been relaxed in some parts of the country, strict rules are still being followed in areas that are deemed a possible high-risk zone. The urban landscape, for example, is the main spot of these implemented rules, and as long as the confirmed cases are still at an all-time high, the said regulations will remain in place. Now, as the virus continues to haunt our society, simple transactions and processes are somewhat tougher to accomplish. The long lines and hassle are part of the “new normal,” making your everyday routine a lot more tedious than the usual. Money remittance is no exemption, as people tend to line up during the early hours, just to receive a handful of financial aid from their loved ones.

The good news is, in spite of everything that’s been happening around the country, Cebuana Lhuillier’s everlasting goal to provide each and every Filipino with exemplary service still remains to this day. No virus or pandemic would ever change that, which is why they recently launched an online service that would cater to the needs of every Filipino.

Cebuana from Home is an online service that aims to serve the Filipino people at the safety of their homes. There used to be a time when patrons would line up for a few minutes just so they could have their money remitted or their jewelries appraised. Now, with the “new normal” being rolled out, Cebuana from Home is a great companion for every Filipino who do not want to risk being caught within the dangerous grasp of the virus, while at the same time continue with their usual transactions with only the most-trusted name in money remittance.

Where can I access it and what are its features?

You may access Cebuana from Home via their official website at https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/Home/Services. The features are tailor fitted to provide the usual services that every Filipino wishes to pursue at their preferred branches. The online system has been streamlined, so it doesn’t matter if you’d run the online transaction at home or through an internet café, as long as the customer were to provide the complete and correct details within the corresponding online forms.

1. Online Domestic Remittance

Cebuana from Home’s Online Domestic Remittance enables Cebuana Lhuillier’s long-time patrons to send money towards their loved ones, without even leaving the comfort of their homes. They just need to click the Domestic Remittance option from the main menu, after which, they would be redirected towards an online form. The sender would need to provide his/her complete details, along with the details of the person to whom he/sheis sending the money to. This online service is pretty flexible as well, in the sense that it allows the sender to either use his GCash, PayMaya, BPI, BDO, or other bank accounts to send the corresponding cash remittance. Of course, he would still need to send the receiver a heads up for when the online transaction has been successful, so that the receiver may spring into action when acquiring the amount. Again, just make sure that the details are all correct and complete, so as to avoid any confusion within the process. It is as easy as 1-2-3.

2. Online Insurance

Of course, Cebuana Lhuillier has expanded its reach for its insurance service as well. Similar to the Online Domestic Remittance service, the Insurance option should be chosen at the main menu, after which, the user would be taken straight to the insurance section. Once inside that webpage, the user has three main options to choose from. We have the PA Prime, the ERCare, and the TeleCare. Each and every one of these insurance offerings has their own features and coverages. PA Prime has an annual premium of P100, ERCare has a premium which starts at P550, and TeleCare has a premium that starts at P200. Of course, there is more to see if the user were to choose one of those insurances. Clicking on one of them would bring the user towards that particular insurance’s main page, thus explaining all of the features and packages of the said insurance option. Below each main insurance page are two vital parts which the user should be aware of, the first one being the complete “Terms and Conditions.” Right below that would be the “Buy Now” option, which would enable the user to enter the purchase page, if ever he/she were to have a quick decision within the very same day, with regard to his/herinsurance preference.

3. Online Payments

Not to be confused with your general utility bill payments, Cebuana from Home only accepts the following payments at the moment:

1. Asialink Finance Corp.
2. Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
3. Finaswide Credit Corp.
4. Global Dominion Financing Inc.
5. Home Credit
6. Motor Star
7. Probikes Motorcycle Center
8. Subic Water
9. Sumisho Motor Finance Corp.

Clicking on any one of these would bring the user to the main payment page, where he/she can fill up the needed details to proceed with the payment process. As with the other online services, this one wouldn’t take long to finish. They also accept GCash, PayMaya, BPI, BDO, and other bank accounts as a valid source of the payment itself.

4. Online Pawning

The last online service would be the online Pawning option. Unlike the first three options, this would have an extra step before getting to the main payment page. After clicking “Pawning” from the main page, the user would then be asked if he/she wishes to make a “New Pawning” transaction or a “Pawn Renewal” transaction. Choosing either of the options would take the user to the main fill-up page, where he/she would need to fill in the needed details (including information about the jewelry) in order to proceed. As with the other online services, every detail should be correct and complete, to avoid any confusion within the transaction.

So, that’s just about it. For more information about the Cebuana from Home service, you may visit https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/Home/Services or contact the following details: [email protected] or call Cebuana Lhuillier at (+632) 759-9888/(+632) 779-9888 Local 1372 or 1373 or via (+63)918-488-3912.

“Which one should I pay first?” This is probably the question you’re asking each time you receive your bundle of bills. It isn’t easy to budget your financials, especially if all of your subscriptions are urging to be fulfilled in one way or the other. The thing about expenses is that they will remain at your grasp unless you pay them off. It’s like trying to cook rice while watching your favorite soap opera. As much as you’d like to focus on what you’re watching, you can’t, as leaving off the rice to cook all by itself would result to a very toasty lunch, or worse, a burnt kitchen. Every bill has their own due date, and not paying off the whole amount before that said due date would either result to a penalty or a disconnection, and both are something that no one wants to pay extra for.

Now, everyone seems to have the habit of spending all their money in one go, paying their bills while going for groceries after. It may seem wise at first glance, as the notion of “hitting two birds with one stone” would always come to mind. However, this isn’t always the case. Paying off all your bills during the same day as your grocery restock also has its disadvantages. For one, all of your budget would usually be allocated towards your bills, thus, your groceries would be limited to the ones that you can purchase with whatever’s left of your money. Aside from that, there may also be emergency situations which would require you to shell out a certain amount, and that would be bad if you have nothing left. Of course, there’s nothing wrong about paying your monthly obligations, but there is a far better and practical way of paying them, in order for you to still have a few extra savings by the end of the month.

The Battle of the Due Dates

Out of all the bills you’d receive every month, the electric bill would be your most crucial dark horse. There is no question; electricity is a must-have for all households. Take that away and you have no cold water, no cool air, no light, and no entertainment. It’s just a necessity that somehow everyone takes for granted, yet, creates a huge impact when it is absent. Of course, you need air and water to live, but electricity is somewhat a catalyst when you want to experience comfort on a daily basis. With all of that being said, this should be your number one priority. If you think a few minutes of brownout is bad, having no electricity for a week because you missed the due date is much worse.. Pay all of the pending amount if you have to, just don’t let your electricity go.

Depending on the interval, right after your electricity bill would be the water bill. Admittedly, these two bills compete for the top spot, with regards to their due date. You might even receive them around the same time that you begin receiving your monthly bills. However, there is a short pause among them, which is why you should not pay them simultaneously if you know that you’re going to end up short on cash even before the other bills arrive. Pay for the electricity bill first, and then when the water bill arrives, be sure to sort out your budget. If it is enough and you have a little extra amount for food and groceries, feel free to pay off the water bill as well. If your budget would not permit you to accomplish all of this, then take notice of your water bill’s due date. You may need to adjust your grocery list, lessen the items to buy without compromising much of your essential needs, find ways to earn a little extra or wait for your next payday (if possible), just make sure that the water bill gets paid at least a day before the due date. Your last option would be to borrow cash from a well-trusted friend or family member, though make sure to pay them back once you get your next pay. This is for when you don’t really want to get penalized or your water lines cut. It isn’t easy to borrow money from other people, but it’s practical and understandable.

With the main essentials out of the way, we may now talk about your luxury bills, such as your cable connection and your internet connection. Entertainment is important, but not as important as water and electricity. Still, if you want to maintain your means of entertainment, be sure to keep it at the bottom of the list. The penalties for non-essential bills are pretty much manageable compared to the essential ones. The same goes for your internet connection. Communication is very vital, especially during these hard times, but you can very much survive with a few prepaid subscriptions, both for data and for calls. If you’re the work-from-home type, then perhaps you can place your internet connection a notch higher than your cable connection. The good news is, there are some companies who are offering both of these in a bundle deal. Whether or not they’re affordable would be up to your budget, so feel free to analyze your earnings before making a big decision when it comes to these subscriptions.

As with all advice on the internet, these may vary with your current situation and monthly income. If your monthly income enables you to pay all of these with no hassle then you are very much blessed, proceed to pay as you wish. But if that’s not the case, then you may follow these tips with a few personal discretions, depending on your current budget.

With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings product without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

“What are you afraid of?” – More often than not, people would answer this with the phrase, “I’m afraid of the unknown.” Indeed, everyone fears the future, the unforeseeable tomorrow that lies beyond what one can see. There are people who would spend money on fortune tellers, asking them for guidance on how they may best face the upcoming days of their lives. While it may seem ridiculous, even humorous at times, you can’t really blame them for doing something as trivial. Sure, we can all get by with our daily routines, doing what we usually do on a daily basis, working on the things that we are all too familiar with, and you know what they say about that, familiarity brings comfort and complacency. That, however, is where the problem arises. You see, nothing in life is ever consistent. You may have experienced a bright, sunny day today, but tomorrow may bring a whole lot of rain showers. The same goes for your daily routines, as things do not always go according to plan. Just when you thought today would seem as peaceful and serene as yesterday, something happens that shakes you out of your complacency, thus, rendering you shocked and confused. This is what everyone’s afraid of, this is the unknown that we all dread and hate.

In such case, you may ask, “Is there any way to deal with this? Is there anything that we can do in order to survive the unexpected things in our lives?” Well, there is one thing that we can do, and that is to prepare. No one can ever predict what tomorrow may bring, but preparations would give us that well-needed cushion in order to strengthen us and lessen the impact of any form of incident or emergency that may come our way.

1. First of all, settle all your dues.

May it be a utility bill, a loan, a luxury subscription, a government tax, or even an unpaid debt from years ago, as soon as you have the cash, settle them all, leaving no pending balance behind. The thing about unpaid dues is that, they’ll never go away without any equivalent action from you, and that action only requires you to do one thing – to pay. If you were to leave any debt unsettled and an emergency situation happens, your dues may add up, thus, leaving you with little to no amount of savings. Be wise and settle everything as early as possible. Be responsible enough to initiate all of your payments without waiting for any sort of warning or penalty. Remember that prevention will always be better than cure, and no financial cure may be able to remedy a huge pile up of debt just because you failed to settle all your dues on time.

2. Gather all your paperwork.

We all have our very own personal documents at home. You probably have them neatly stacked within an air-tight suitcase above your cabinet or just below your bed. Nonetheless, they are an immediate requirement for almost any process that may involve the government, ranging from your birth certificate, your tax registrations, and even your diploma. Now, as motherly as it may sound, you need to gather all of these documents (if you haven’t still) and keep them all well-organized within a single suitcase or container. Double check that you’re not missing anything. Be sure that the container is strong enough to withstand any moisture so that none of your documents would get wet, in the case of flash floods and other calamities that may involve heavy rain. Simple as they may be, these documents represent a certain part of you, which will help the government validate information about you in the long run, and losing even one of them may leave a dent in your records, making the process a lot longer to finish. This is true, especially if you’re applying for a passport or a driver’s license. This problem is even more amplified when you’re going for a benefit or a loan. Policies are much stricter when you’re particularly asking for money, since the government or the lending company doesn’t want to suffer scams.

3. Get a comprehensive insurance.

Emergencies, calamities, accidents, you name it! People are afraid of these, not only because they cause major harm and destruction towards the welfare of people and their hard-earned properties, but also due to the fact that they cause a huge amount of expense, even after the whole ordeal is done. A flash flood may wash away half of your home, a car accident may break a couple of your bones, and a sudden jolt of lightning may cause a short circuit fire, all of these are occurrences which may cost you a huge amount of money, and you definitely want to avoid paying for everything. A comprehensive insurance may very well save you a lot of money, due to the fact that they have various forms of coverages that can pay for most of the charge caused by these unfortunate incidents. If you happen to be rich then good for you, you can obviously pay for any property damage or body injury that may come your way, but if you only happen to make ends meet every month, then an insurance would be your best friend and well-trusted companion in facing the unforeseeable future.

With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re weighing your options, analyzing which establishment would be best for availing a well-trusted microinsurance premium and coverage. Look no further than with Cebuana Lhuiller’s Microinsurance Offerings, these are affordable insurance products which help Filipinos avail of financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to.Armed with innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position, Cebuana Lhuillier offers only the best for its clients. Feel free to visit your nearest branch for more information.

Pawning – The process of pawning off (surrendering) your valuables (usually in the form of jewelries and electronic gadgets) at a pawnshop. The transaction may look so simple, but there are a lot of underlying contexts within the process itself. For one, a person who pawns off a valuable item is either in need of quick cash or is no longer interested in the item itself. For the most part, the former is a more common case amongst us Filipinos. Things haven’t been easy lately, and it is just understandable for a person to trust his/her instincts and turn to pawning as a last resort. . Secondly, a person does not simply leave a valuable item within the pawnshop without coming back for it later on. There is another transaction that the patron has to undergo if he/she wants to retain that particular item in the near future. This certain transaction is the main focus of our write up, a process known as Pawning Renewal.

What is Pawn Renewal?

Simply put, it is the process of paying off the loaned amount (with interest) before the set time period expires, in order to get the valuable item back. May it be a jewelry, a gadget, or even an appliance, the borrower has to make sure that he/she would make the frequent payment dates, just so the item does not get defaulted.

What happens if the item gets defaulted?

Well, the pawnbroker has the right to sell off the valuable item, whether you like it or not. It is not an endearing situation, but this certain condition would surely be explained to you on the get-go, just so there wouldn’t be a misunderstanding once your due date is up. Now, you might think, “Well, I didn’t know that pawning off my most-prized possessions meant that I would no longer have them back.” It’s actually not that simple. You see, every item that is being pawned off would be inspected first. If it’s in good condition, then you’d be lent a great amount of cash. If it’s in a low quality condition, however, you would only be given a small amount. The process of inspecting the item and coming up with a fair, equivalent price is what you’d call an appraisal. You may have heard of it before during your last visit to the pawnshop. Determining the value of an item is not easy, so be thankful the next time that you’d get a huge amount out of an ordinary-looking gold-plated watch; the pawnbroker may have been very generous to you.

Take note that your pawned off items can still be retrieved. Pawning them off doesn’t necessarily mean giving them away, as you still have all the chance in the world to take them back, just make sure that you pay for the loaned amount, complete with the interest.

Okay, so who do I trust the next time I’m in need of quick cash?

Well, you wouldn’t even need to look further than your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch. You can never go wrong with their longstanding Pawning Service. They lead the pawning industry by offering only the safest and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in their more than 2,500 branches nationwide.

How does Pawn Renewal work in Cebuana Lhuillier?

It’s a fairly easy process. You can visit the nearest branch where you pawned your item for your renewal transaction. Cebuana Lhuillier also has a renew anywhere facility. You just need to bring your pawn ticket and a valid ID when visiting the branch. Take note, however, that there will be a P50 convenience fee per transaction. You can even check your renewal amount indicated on the lower left portion of your pawn ticket.

Do other pawnshops do this as well?

Of course, they do. Pawn Renewal has always been at the heart of a pawning businesses. When people who are in need manage to get back on their feet, they’ll be coming back in the pawnshop to retrieve their most-prized possession, thus, retaining only what they’ve surrendered in the very beginning, nothing more, nothing less.

What separates Cebuana Lhuillier from the other pawnshops here in the Philippines?

Here is an official statement from Cebuana Lhuillier’s official website:

“Cebuana Lhuillier provides the country’s leading pawning service to Filipinos in need of instant cash, offering a 30% higher appraisal rate VS other pawnshops hence, higher take home. Our 2,500 branches accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collateral, the company’s core business has evolved with the needs of its clients.”

Let us put emphasis on the phrase “offering a 30% higher appraisal rate VS other pawnshops.” Cebuana Lhuillier isn’t just about the profit, they also serve to help out each and every Filipino who are down on their luck already. The company has been around for decades, and from the very beginning, it has always been about giving the Filipino people an exemplary service worthy of any other VIP out there.

What items do they accept?

They usually accept the following items:

• Gold
• Diamond
• Platinum jewelry and watches
• Cellphones
• Laptop computers

How complicated would the pawning requirements be? Do I have to bring many documents just to pawn off my valuables?

No, a very big NO. As a matter of fact, Cebuana Lhuillier’s pawning service has always been about simplicity and convenience, much so that they’d only require at least one (1) of the following as a valid form of identification.

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• Barangay Certification
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
• Social Security System (SSS) Card
• Senior Citizen Card
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• OFW ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
• Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID)
• Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
• Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission or Insurance Commission

With all of that being said, never forget about renewing your pawned off item. Once you finally have a good amount of money, you can pay off the loan (with a small interest) and retrieve your jewels back. Feel free to visit their official Pawning page for more information: https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pawning/.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves with a lot of expenses, bills, and essentials-to-purchase that we forget to budget our financial resources. Understandably, people often want to spend their money in one go, so as to avoid overlooking any pending balances. People need to pay their dues, after all, and failing to do so would either result in penalties or sanctions. Essentials such as groceries and food are top of mind when asked what people spend on. Failing to buy groceries may leave you with a lesser budget to use later or worse, not having any supplies at But the thing about spending all your money in one go is that it doesn’t give you any opportunity to save. Of course, you may no longer have a pending balance and a shortage in household supplies if you were to spend them now, but therein lies the important question, “Is it possible for you to rank your expenses, and in turn, segregating your budget allocation?” If your answer to this question is a resounding “Yes!” then you are on the right track.

The art of separating your expenses would not only enable you to save, it would also help you prioritize your payments from one another, in the sense that you would be able to hold off one form of expense just so you can pay off the most important bill first. These following tips and examples may be able to help you in budgeting using this method.

1. Be reminded of the due dates.

Bills and subscriptions will always have their own set of due dates. They are, after all, a written form of alarm, which would always remind you of the last day of payments. Obviously, there are consequences when you don’t pay your dues on time. For some, it is a mere penalty, for others, it may be a straight-up discontinuance of service, and you wouldn’t want that to happen. In such cases, be sure to read your bills thoroughly, and be mindful of all your due dates. Sincesubscriptions and utility bills have separate due dates, it would be very helpful to arrange them in order. Whichever has the nearest due date should be dealt with immediately, then the one that follows right after, and so on. There are actually two advantages in paying off bills “in order”:

1. Not paying everything in one go would actually leave you with something in your pocket (a sort of emergency fund), just in case something unexpected comes up.
2. Paying in intervals may intertwine your current budget with your salary day/payday, thus, giving you an extra amount in the process.

It’s a form of a financial cushion, especially during these hard times, when the economy isn’t doing very well.

2. Sort out your priorities.

Segregating your purchases like groceries, wants, etc. may give you a well-needed time to reflect on the things that really matter, on the things that you’d really need. For example, if you were to analyze your purchases between canned goods and new earphones instead of buying them both and spending all of your budget, you may come to the conclusion that the canned goods are more important than the earphones itself, an item which you may very much still purchase, but only at a later time. Food is more valuable than electronics after all. The same goes for clothes, gadgets, sanitation items, toiletries, etc. We’re sure that while mentioning those items, you were already able to form a ranking at the top of your head, with the essentials going at the top of the list and the gadget at the bottom. Perhaps it’s our practical nature, telling us what we’d need to survive on a daily basis, rather than the things that we may call luxuries. Either way, ranking your shopping list would not only be a practical thing to do, it would also be very responsible, as you’d be wise to go for the needs before the wants. Segregate them and watch your money grow with each passing payday.

3. Time your budget wisely.

People often overlook the fact that time and money goes hand in hand. Both are very crucial resources, and if you were to mishandle any one of them, it may affect the other and leave you with lesser resource than before. This is true, especially with your monthly dues. We all have bills to pay, that’s a fact. We also have a limited time to pay them off before receiving penalties. Now, similar to the very first pointer, timing your payments would not only leave you with a “ready amount” on-hand, it would also allow you to sort through your dues and determine which should be paid first. This may become a bit tricky, especially if your bills were to intertwine with your grocery days. “Which one should I pay first? Should I buy less in order to pay for my bills? Perhaps I can still buy this essential item, but only after my next salary arrives.” These thoughts are pretty much the reason why timing your budget would be beneficial, as it gives you more time to think and strategize about your well-earned money. This is far more crucial when you have your own family, as you’re not the only one who’s going to enjoy the fruit of your wise financial decisions.

With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but does not require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful MicroSavings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Every month we receive various bills which correspond to the utilities and subscriptions that we have at home. Whatever we consume within the whole month, may it be water or electricity, we have the obligation to pay for the consumption fee. Now, depending on how you’ve utilized these important resources, your bill may either be low or high. If you’ve managed to conserve water, then your water bill will reflect a low consumption rate. If you’ve wasted too much water, however, then the opposite rate can be expected towards your next bill. In such case, it would be safe to say that only you and you alone would be the catalyst of your monthly bill reflection. Your actions may either bag you savings or consequences, and you’d definitely go for the former rather than the latter. In such case, let us discuss the different types of bills you receive on a monthly basis, their possible content (usage rate), and how you can best utilize them without breaking the bank, so to speak. As always, these tips may vary depending on your monthly budget and income, but if you’re looking for alternative ways to save up on your utility bills then feel free to apply the following:

1. The Electricity Bill

Electricity, energy, power, whatever you may want to call it, only one thing is certain, it is one of the most vital thing within a household. We all need our daily supply of electricity. Your TV, your fan, your computer, your cellphone charger, all of it requires electricity. Can you imagine a world without it? None of the technology we have today would even function without a helpful jolt of power. With all of that being said, it would only be appropriate to pay your monthly power bill, after all, you were able to consume all of it to your heart’s desire, you were able to enjoy all of the comfort brought about by electricity in all its glory. Now, if you’re scared of receiving a high energy bill every month, we have a solution for you – conserve your energy consumption. It may seem like a hard task, as understandably, you may never get enough of your computer screen during the weekends. But no worries, we are not here to deprive you of your hobbies, rather, push you towards the right direction in not overdoing it. Here are a just a few helpful tips:

1. Turn off the lights during the day. Feel free to open your window curtains and let the sunlight in.
2. Turn off the air conditioner once the surrounding air has cooled down. Open a fan to circulate the cool air. In this way, you consume less electricity, since the electric fan isn’t as power hungry as the A/C unit.
3. Take your cellphone off its charge once the battery has reached a 100%. Contrary to popular belief, a cellphone charger still consumes energy even when the unit battery has reached full charge.
4. Don’t leave the television on at night. If you feel that you might fall asleep on the couch, set the TV timer at least an hour while tuning in, in this way, your TV will automatically turn off, even after you’ve lulled off to sleep.

These are just some of the things to apply towards your daily routine in order to help you conserve electricity for the whole month. Some of them may seem like a small, simple act, but these simple things, when done on a regular basis, would yield big savings.

2. The Water Bill

We probably do not need to mention this, but water is the most important substance on earth. You may need food and air, but without water, it all amounts to nothing. It isn’t called the universal liquid for nothing. Now, just like your monthly consumption of electricity, water should be conserved as well. The thing about water is that it runs on a meter, so the amount reflected on your bill would only be an indicator of how you were able to utilize this essential substance. Of course, no one is going to stop you from brushing your teeth, taking a bath, getting a glass to quench your thirst, washing your clothes, etc. These are all normal activities, everyone does it, so there is nothing wrong about consuming water this way. However, the process in which you execute these activities, that is where the neglect and overuse happens. These following tips may very much explain that, while at the same time, provide an idea of proper water consumption:

1. Patch up any leak that may appear on your pipes.
2. Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. Doing this will save you six (6) liters of water per minute.
3. Use a watering can to water your plants. Do not use a hose, as the water drops would be continuous and wasteful.
4. Always use full loads in your washing machine. This eliminates unnecessary washes in between.

3. The Phone Bill

Communication is vital nowadays. During these hard times, you may find yourself working at home, and that can only be possible if you have your own laptop/computer, phone line, and internet connection. Unlike your average supply of water and electricity, the phone bill usually does not adhere to “consumption” rates, but rather, they rely on “Plan Subscriptions” to determine how much they’d charge you every month. This is made evident with your bundle plans. Most telecommunication companies prefer to offer their phone services bundled with their internet services. This was implemented as it is somehow more affordable than availing them separately. In terms of budgeting for such a fixed monthly rate, the best that you can do would be to choose a plan that fits your budget and provides all the main features that you’d be needing for your daily activities. You do not need a very fast internet speed if all that your work would entail are documents and files. The opposite can be said about jobs which would require a consistent cycle of online calls and video conferences.

With all of that being said, it is only understandable that sometimes, we may not be able to pay for all of these monthly bills in one go (we’ve all been there). Yes, you may be able to pay off one or two bills, but the remaining bills that goes unpaid beyond the due date would surely garner a penalty fee, thus, giving you more expenses than you’ve ever bargained for. In such case, it may be time to ask for help, to ask for financial assistance from your loved ones or most-trusted friends.

Never be embarrassed to raise the white flag and pick a well-trusted remittance center to receive the well-needed financial help. At this point, every centavo counts, and no other remittance center would value your trust and finances more than Cebuana Lhuillier, with their most reliable Money Remittance service ever. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.

Filipinos are trying their best to gain extra money during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some circumstances, people tend to consider pawning their valuable possessions in order to meet their needs. Because of this, Cebuana Lhuillier wants to help in any way to make pawning faster, more reliable, and safer. The microfinancial services giant introduced a new platform called the Pawn from Home Service where you can pawn your precious items from the comforts of your home.

Below are the three (3) steps on how you can pledge.

• Scan the QR code or visit Cebuana from Home website
• Choose PAWNING and enter your contact information, jewelry details, and upload a photo of your jewelry for appraisal.
• Submit your fully accomplished e-form and wait for Cebuana Lhuillier’s agent for further instructions.

The Pawn from Home Service can accept up to 5 items that may be pawned in every transaction. The items accepted include:

• Diamond
• Gold
• Platinum jewelry
• Watches
• Cellphones
• Laptops
• Computers

You can enjoy a 30% higher appraisal rate on your gold items when you pawn it because the value of gold is continuously rising in the market. You can also be more protected from the virus because as part of the new service, Cebuana will be the one who will collect your item and give your loan amount.

Here are their onsite pawning procedures.

• Confirmation

Cebuana Lhuillier’s rider will confirm your request by giving you your reference number for your transaction. You should be able to confirm it to be able to proceed with the delivery.

• Offsite Prep

Expect that the rider will do the following for safety procedure:

• Ask for a secured place within the gated wall of the customer’s residence.
• Set up a mini table and chair
• Ask the customer to place the valuable item to be pawned on a tray.

• Disbursement

Once the item is appraised and agreed to the amount, the rider will give you the loan money through the following options:

• Cash for any amount maximum of P5,000
• Remittance number or credit to your micro-savings account for any amount exceeding P5,000

Cebuana Lhuillier provides the leading pawning services in the country today and it will continue to make your life easy especiallyduring the  quarantine period. It has more than 2, 500 branches nationwide that will cater to the Filipinos by accepting different valuable items in exchange for a fair loan amount—even when you’re staying home.

If you want to know more about our services and products, visit us at  www.cebuanalhuiller.com

You may be experiencing a hard time figuring out how you can send or receive money from your loved ones abroad and the Philippines, especially today that fewer banks are operating due to the pandemic. There are also longer lines because of the health protocols implemented in different banks. It’s good to know that, somehow, other businesses are teaming up to accommodate the people’s needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Two of the famous money-sending companies in the country and abroad joined forces for cross-border remittances.

Cebuana Lhuillier and Western Union have come together to give their customers a more convenient way to connect with their loved ones. This partnership allows CebuanaLhuillier customers to transact through its 2,500 branches and send and receive money via Western Union’s global network in more than 200 countries and territories. The wider reach and more accessible remittance process will meet the needs of the Filipinos locally and internationally.

According to Cebuana Lhuillier’s CEO and president Jean Henri Lhuillier, “This partnership with Western Union is a prudent step in ensuring accessibility for the millions of Filipinos around the world and in paving the way for a future-proof network with presence in almost all parts of the globe.”

Cebuana Lhuillier, as one of the microfinance services providers, and Western Union believe that they can help many Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic as people find it challenging to get their needs, including financial services. Both companies know that their strategic collaboration will be reliable and a quick cash solution to reach more customers.

“In an age when speed, reliability, and convenience mean everything, we are increasing the number of touchpoints where our customers can access our services and connect with their loved ones around the world,” said Jean Claude Farah, president of the Western Union Global Network.

Because of the significant alliance between the two companies, Cebuana Lhuillier continued to put forward its vision to empower Filipinos through financial services. Western Union, on the other hand, can help other businesses to expand their global reach.

To guide you in sending money from abroad to the Philippines, you may follow these simple steps:

• Visit Western Union and fill out the r form.
• Along with your valid ID, submit the accomplished form.
• Give the total amount to be paid to the branch personnel.
• Remember to secure the official receipt or your proof of remittances.
• Give the remittance number to the receiver or beneficiary from the Philippines.

We advise that the receiver should provide the control number and present it with an ID upon claiming of remittance.

For those who need to send money from the Philippines to a loved one abroad,

• You should visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala
• With your form, present your valid ID and your 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
• Give the total amount to be paid to the branch personnel.
• Secure the Pera Padala form.
• Don’t forget to provide the receiver or beneficiary the 10-digit control number.

Aside from remittance, Cebuana Lhuillier acts as a cash agent for its rural bank and provides micro-savings bank account to millions of Filipinos. It also provides digital access such as eCebuana for a faster and more convenient way in transactions.

About Western Union

Meanwhile, Western Union serves customers worldwide through innovation– from a fast-growing digital network of web, app, and the largest number of Agent retail locations across the world. They also help not only the consumers but businesses offering convenient options to meet their business needs.

Lhuiller believes that their partnership will help nurture their growing clientele, as well as give more people a chance to be part of  faster and easier transactions to help each other financially, “We are more than thrilled to collaborate with Western Union as their company values line up perfectly with our core of facilitating financial inclusion for the underserved Filipinos and expanding our reach makes that all the more possible.”

As the Philippines is the fourth largest remittance-receiving country globally, the collaboration will surely help a lot of Filipinos. Giving them access to Western Union and vise versa, anytime and anywhere in the globe, will save a lot of time and can ensure safety during this health crisis. Through the simple procedure of Pera Padala and the use of digital applications, you can now send and receive money quickly.

To make it more convenient, Western Union provides you with their Agent Locator to help you find the nearest accredited remittance locations for your transactions. It will guarantee your convenience as you don’t have to travel and expose you to places with COVID-19 cases. In addition to this, you may visit the Cebuana Lhuillier website for their open branch locator and make an online transaction appointment before visiting your preferred branch. In this way, you won’t have to wait in line for your turn, and you can skip filling out the tedious forms. How easy is that? So, what are you waiting for? Transact with us now!

We bet that you’re longing for an adventure or a relaxing getaway! But because of the quarantine, many air, land, and water transportation have been banned bans and restrictions to travel both locally and internationally have been placed. This health crisis has left people around the world with limited travel options. We’ve seen as well that the government is putting guidelines before you’ll be allowed to travel.

With that, here’s what you should know before going on a trip.

Get yourself tested

Before you decide to go out of your house, you should make sure that you don’t have any of these following COVID-19 symptoms.

• The most common symptoms are:
  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness
• Less common symptoms:
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Aches and pains
  • Diarrhea
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
• Serious symptoms:
  • Loss of speech or movement
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms you should isolate yourself first and intend not to go out anymore. You may also call the Department of Health (DOH) hotline ((02) 894 COVID (26843) or 1555) or your barangay for their instructions and/or medical care.

Wear protective equipment

People are required to wear protective equipment especially if you’re taking public transportation. These are highly recommended to use as everyday protection when going outside of your house. Such equipment includes the following:

• Face mask – place it carefully to cover the mouth and nose and tie securely to minimize the gaps between the face and the mask. Avoid touching the mask when outside,
• Face shield – this should cover your forehead down to your chin, and both your ears.

You may also put on a pair of gloves, if you want, so you can avoid direct handling of possibly contaminated items while you go shopping. Then, make sure that the equipment you used will be cleaned and washed after. If you’re using a disposable face mask, you should properly dispose of it by putting it in a separate ‘yellow color-coded plastic bag’ (for biomedical waste collection). This will help you prevent the virus from spreading into your house and helps protect garbage collectors too.

Carry all the essentials

Make sure that you all have with you the necessary things that you need for your hygiene. You can pack up some pairs of gloves, masks, wipes, alcohol, and hand sanitizers. Regularly use your alcohol when you’re not wearing gloves. You should treat everyone as a potential carrier to be more cautious. With that, you should avoid passing any of your essentials to another person.

You can also take some toothpick with you and use them to push the elevator or ATM buttons without directly touching them. Remember as well that it will be helpful if you put your devices and documents in polyethylene bags or containers while passing through security checks in different establishments.

Get medical and travel history

Part of the travel guidelines issued by the Philippine government and other countries, you should be prepared to show your medical and travel histories before allowing you to enter their province or country. These will prove that you haven’t been ill that might indicate that you were a virus carrier and their record in contact tracing. Make sure to have at least updated records from the past 14 days to help you get through the checks.

It’s understandable that most of us still need to go out for work and for some errands especially now that most of the cities and provinces are in a more relaxed quarantine. Just make sure that you will practice social distancing and know what you need to do and have.

Moreover, if you are part of a few who are privileged to have their own vehicle, you still need to be careful (not just with the COVID-19) as accidents may come in the way. To make you protected, Cebuana Lhuillier offers you its innovative microinsurance product for your vehicle. This vehicle insurance is called Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance ready to provide you financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury caused by vehicular accident. Plus, if you get insured, you may have a chance to win a new motorcycle to help you and your loved ones in their solo travel. With every purchase of CTPL, you can have a one (1) e-raffle entry.

If you want to know more about our services and products, visit us at our www.cebuanalhuiller.com

It is in the nature of a Filipino to help his or her loved ones during a time of crisis. Whenever they’re in need, we are always the first ones to act. May it be night or day, rain or shine, we are always first on the scene, always ready to help. Sometimes, the help they require aren’t really in the form of material things, such as a helpful advice or a listening ear towards their daily stress. However, one main concern that usually pops up is always something that involves financials. Of course, this concern isn’t new at all. You may have had relatives in the past who were urged to borrow a few amounts from you due to unforeseen circumstances, and you, the kindhearted loved one is always happy to comply. The act of sending money towards another region is a typical activity within the Filipino culture, after all. Hardworking parents would send money towards their kids in the province for their education, while middle-aged working class people would remit money towards their parents as well in a reverse form of this act, though the latter is more common than the other.

Now, at first glance, money remittance may look to function in only a singular process, namely, the sender would have to go to their nearest money remittance branch, fill in a form, submit that completed form together with the money, then wait for the teller to provide them with the receipt and control number, which in turn would be given to the receiver of the cash via text message. It all looks permanent and simple, so much that even the youngest member of your family would be able to describe the very same process for you if you were to ask. However, the advent of technology brought in alternative processes which definitely made it much easier for people to receive their money in no time. These processes utilized the different forms of technology, which in turn forever changed the singular image of “money remittance” as a whole. Don’t believe us? Here are just a few major examples.

• Via bank to bank transfer

In 2017, the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) found that 15.8 million Filipinos have their own bank accounts. Years had since passed, and obviously, that number may have grown in the thousands (and even millions) in that short span of time. In such case, one of the alternatives to the usual money remittance process would be a bank to bank money transfer. This can be done in one or two ways, but basically, the sender may send over the amount from his account towards the account of the receiver. Now, this process used to be singular too, in a way that the sender has to go to his nearest bank branch and deposit the money in the bank account of the receiver. Nowadays, he or she may simply log-in in his/her banking app, then transfer the money with only a few clicks on their smartphone. This is even more flexible due to the fact that both the sender and the receiver of the money do not even need to be using the same bank. If the receiver has a different bank than the sender, they would still be able to receive the deposited or transferred cash amount, though inter-banking transactions may cost the sender a little bit of fee. Either way, this seems to be a well-accepted alternative nowadays, since it would save everyone time. Just think about it, if you have the app installed on your phone, you no longer have to line up in the bank, with just a few clicks, the money would be wired towards your friend or loved ones.

• Via online money remittance

Now, as flexible as bank to bank money transfers may be, no one can ever replace the main purveyors of money transfer services, which is the remittance centers. Cebuana Lhuillier has been at the forefront of this service since the beginning (aside from their pawning service, of course), which is why they are the go-to option if you’re aiming for a more traditional, yet, modern take on money remittance. Cebuana Lhuillier’s online money remittance is done via an app as well, but instead of an online banking app, it is done with an online pawnshop and money remittance app, namely, the newly introduced eCebuana App. It’s fairly easy to use as well, with a lot of options. The sender can either choose to send the amount towards a money remittance branch, towards a Micro Savings account, or towards the recipient’s own bank account. Again, this may be as convenient and flexible as an online money transfer. The only downside may be that the recipient would need to go outdoors to withdraw the amount from an ATM or a money remittance branch, but the process is fast and reliable so they wouldn’t be outdoors for a long time, reducing any risk of being caught up in the pandemic.

• Via bank to money remittance partner

Cebuana Lhuillier isn’t new to developing and evolving their services for the convenience of the Filipino people, which is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that they’ve recently signed up in partnership with one of the leading banks in the Philippines, namely, with BPI or Bank of the Philippine Islands to introduce the new BPI to Cash. This is great news for BPI account holders who do not have the time to visit their nearest branch, especially during the pandemic. The process is fairly simple as well:

1. The sender may go to https://bpitocash.com/ and select Cebuana Lhuillier from the options.
2. He/she would then need to enter the full amount to be sent, followed by the full name of the receiver.
3. The sender would then need to log-in to their BPI online account and choose fund source.
4. They would then need to enter the OTP sent to the number registered to their BPI online account.
5. After that, they may send the cash reference number to the receiver. The receiver would need to present this cash reference number to the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch in order to acquire the cash.

With all of that being said, nothing beats the Filipino spirit of camaraderie and love. After all, it is the duty of every Filipino to look after each other, especially during the time of crisis and the pandemic. Of course, Cebuana Lhuillier is always there to back them up with the arduous task of sending money to the people that they care about, evolving their businesses and services to cater to every Filipino’s needs.

The rainy season is finally upon us. After months and months of extreme sunlight and unbearable heat, you can finally feel the relief, knowing that you would no longer (at least for this particular season) wake up full of sweat. Now, the relief from the extreme heat isn’t just the positive thing that people are expecting out of this change of weather. No, there is something far better, more critical, and noteworthy about the arrival of the rainy season – savings. The thing about the summer season is that we’d usually do everything within our reach to stay cool. Whether you’d do it manually (a handy folding fan) or mechanically (an electric fan), the goal is fundamentally the same. You want to get rid of that unwanted heat, everyone does. So the rainy season provides an opportunity for us to do away with most of these. Still skeptical? Well, here are a few examples of these opportunities in saving during the cool, windy, and drizzly season. Keep in mind that this isn’t really the most comprehensive list of examples. We might miss a few along the way, nonetheless, this is the most common ones during this particular season.

• Time to turn off the fans.

The only reason you’re using electric fans during the summer is because you wouldn’t want to retain your surrounding’s hot temperature. There is no breeze, no wind, no cool circulation, unless you turn on your electric fan. Yes, others may argue that the wind generated by the fan may also come out hot, but that is still better than nothing. At least you’d be able to circulate that hot air well enough for your living room to be somewhat cool around sunset. This all changes during the rainy season, when you no longer need to turn on your fan. The thing about rain is that, it’s not only wet, but it also brings with it strong, cool winds, as if it came straight from your refrigerator. The circulation begins to change, with your surrounding air becoming more comfortable, more tolerable, and more acceptable than summer air. Now, are you able to save just by turning off your electric fans? Yes, of course! Believe it or not, electric fans, when all utilized simultaneously, may consume the same amount of electricity that an air conditioner does. Recent studies have shown that all it takes is nine (9) electric fans, all nine of them to be working simultaneously to be able to generate at least the same amount of electric consumption that one air conditioner does. Just think about that. If you happen to live in a spacy house with multiple rooms, and your family members aren’t able to tolerate the heat during summer, then you’d probably have to turn on your fans all the time. This doesn’t bode well for your budget, knowing that you consume all of those electricity on a daily basis. At least, during the rainy season, you can turn off all your fans and let the cool wind flow in. Not only would you be able to conserve energy, you’d also sleep at night comfortably, knowing that you’d finally be able to save when the next bill arrives.

• A free wash for your home.

Water has always been the most important resource for everyone. We may need food, electricity, and money to get by each day, but without water, that all amounts to nothing. Of course, we don’t just use water for drinking, we also use it for cleaning. You’d do your laundry with water, you’d wash your front yard with water, and you’d rinse your roof with water. Now, as with every available resource we use on a daily basis, there are monthly fees to be paid. Same as with electricity, our government charges us for water usage. The more you use or consume, the more that you’d have to pay. Even if it wasn’t you who opened the tap directly, even if it was a careless family member, you still have to pay for it as a whole. The good news is, there are always alternatives to consuming water from your tap or faucets. Rain water, for example, would be very abundant during the rainy season, hence, why you should think about gathering a bucket or two each time it rains. You can also forget about trying to wash your roof or front yard during a hot, sunny weather, as rainfall would be your natural lifesaver, especially if you wouldn’t want to exert extra effort in cleaning the whole house. One heavy drizzle would be enough for your outdoor yard to look sleek and clean after a high-pressure wash. Just think about the gallons of water you’d save each that it rains. Subtract that from your usual monthly usage of water and you’d be able to save a couple of hundreds from your next water bill.

• Avoid the rain, stay home.

Believe it or not, almost everyone would be able to save on transportation expenses whenever it rains. There is something about rain that affects a person’s motivation to travel outside.  Even if they were planning to do so, the cold, rainy weather may bring in that feeling of laziness and sleepiness, thus eliminating any urge to go outdoors. This is similar to how students feel during a rainy school day. Even in spite of their examinations on that very day, they would be reluctant to go to school. Somehow, we adults never grew from this, hence, why you may sometimes feel hesitant to go to work at the very sight of a cloudy morning. Now, due to the pandemic, people haven’t really gone out of their homes, except for when they need to fetch groceries, but that wouldn’t stop others from going about to do some unessential errands, which isn’t really a good idea when there’s a virus on the loose. At least the rain would stop them from committing that fatal mistake. Just think about it, the transportation fare has been high even before the pandemic began, so just imagine how high it is now, especially as there is a scarcity of rides and PUV. Think of all the hundreds you’ll be able to save just by staying at home during a rainy day, both in the context of your budget and of your community.

With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during the rainy weather. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. So what are you waiting for? Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Cebuana Lhuillier has always been at the forefront of every Filipino’s financial needs. Whenever someone needs cash, Cebuana Lhuillier is here to help. Of course, they’ve been around for decades, and their business has evolved in many ways, offering more services as the years went by, so is it any wonder why they are one of the most recognizable brands in the Philippines? The thing you should know about Cebuana Lhuillier is that, in spite of their many offered services, they haven’t forgotten their roots – Pawning. While other brands started out strong, faltering along the way due to the loss of their own business identity, Cebuana Lhuillier avoided this pitfall by playing to their strengths, maintaining their pawning service, in large part due to the demands of the people. People will always have to reach out to acquire financial help, the very same people have a few jewelries and heirlooms that they can pawn off for a reasonable amount, and those very same people are satisfied with the outcome, thus, we have a longstanding name that is the staple of every Filipino. It doesn’t matter if you were to ask a children or an adult if they recognize the name Cebuana Lhuillier, they will always be familiar with it.

A brief history of its humble beginnings and its current business goal

Cebuana Lhuillier was established in 1988 by the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLGC). Not limited by their main business of pawning, they have since branched out into many financial services such as remittance, microinsurance, micro savings, and business to business micro loan solutions. There used to be a time in which all of these transactions were done in person, with the client or customer needing to be in line at their nearest branch to undergo the process, but Cebuana Lhuillier evolved their business and services, and as of this writing, incorporates their eCebuana App to cater to our fellow Filipinos who do not have time to stand in line. Most, if not some of their offered services can now be accomplished with just a few clicks on their smartphones. Now, in spite of all these changes, Cebuana Lhuillier’s mantra of serving the Filipino people hasn’t changed. It has and still is about serving the Filipino people, anytime, anywhere, and the fact that there are over 2,200 branches all around the Philippines says so much about their goal to reach out to every Filipino who are in need of their services.

Of course, the fact that Cebuana Lhuillier, being established and handled by the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLGC) while achieving their current business goals wouldn’t be much of a surprise. PJLGC attributes their dominance in the industry towards their habitual innovation, to their robust network of local and international partners, and to their commitment to nurture their ever-growing list of growing clientele. This says so much about their culture, as they always aim to evolve their business and to achieve what other companies may have not achieved before. In due time, Cebuana Lhuillier’s parent company also ventured into other industries such as retail, hotel and restaurant management, IT, sports management, and real estate, so is it any wonder that Cebuana Lhuillier itself can relate to the needs of the average Filipino? They have a certain level of consciousness with regards to the demands of the people, and they have played their part in providing just that.

Playing to their strengths

Cebuana Lhuillier, in spite of the fact that they have branched out into many other services, haven’t really forgotten their main course of financial service. You see, pawning has always been etched with the name Cebuana Lhuillier. Try this out, ask anyone what they think about the name, and they will straight up tell you that it is a pawnshop. Of course, that’s just natural, as it is indeed the main identity of Cebuana Lhuillier, and that is one of the main reasons why they’ve been a success throughout the years. They haven’t forgotten where they came from, and neither have they forgotten their main goal of assisting the Filipino people with their financial needs. Any company or industry that stays true to its roots had so far shown a powerful resilience throughout the many challenges brought about by the ever-changing climate of the economy. Many have failed, many have run out of business, and many just gave up, but not Cebuana Lhuillier. They’ve been alive for many decades, and they will continue to flourish as the years go by.

What is the secret to their success?

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pawning service, being at the forefront of their other offered services has definitely made its mark within the Philippine society. But that is made more obvious by how the Filipino people trust their business practices. You see, while others may have taken the route of charging their services too high or cheating their customers out of their money for their own gain, Cebuana Lhuillier took the higher ground and continued to serve the Filipino people with nothing but honesty and exemplary service in mind. You may ask, “How do they even do that?” Well, look no further than their current appraisal in pawning. Cebuana Lhuillier actually offers a 30% higher appraisal on gold items. Just imagine that. Not 10, not 15, not even 20 or 25, but a definite 30%. You would not be able to find a more honest and a more customer-friendly deal than that. Of course, as the customer, it is your responsibility to ensure that the item/s that you’re going to pawn off are in great condition, and in doing so, you may get a good appraisal on those very items. And as we’ve mentioned, much better if it’s made of gold due to the higher appraisal. No cracks, no dents, no strange markings other than the intended ornaments on your jewelries.

So with all of that being said, you can never go wrong with Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pawning Service. They lead the pawning industry by offering only the safest and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. You may visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now for more information.

Vehicle insurance – everyone needs them. Whenever you’re riding down the road, you are certain that anything can happen, and indeed, many unexpected things do occur on the on a daily basis. Even the most seasoned drivers, riders, and even commuters are faced with unforeseen circumstances, so much that many would prefer to prepare for the inevitable. The good news is, there is such a thing as a vehicle insurance, a form of protection for when the unexpected were to happen. Now, you may ask, what is vehicle insurance? Simply put, vehicle insurance is defined as:

“The insurance for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise from incidents in a vehicle.”

So the next time you’re on the road, you no longer need to fear about big expenses due to collisions, as you can pretty much be sure that an insurance will cover all the expenses for you. Now, in spite of the fact that the definition seems a bit generalized, there are actually multiple types of vehicle insurances. We wouldn’t like to lull you to sleep, so, we will only be discussing one major vehicle insurance that may very well catch your interest.

What is a CTPL insurance?

The abbreviation CTPL stands for Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL). Within the insurance industry, it is also known as Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability insurance or CMVL. Before we proceed any further, take note that the CTPL coverage is mandated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines for all motor vehicle owners. This means that it is at least one of the preliminary requirements that you must acquire before even heading out to LTO to register your newly bought vehicle. With that in mind, let us proceed with its main purpose, which is, “to protect the owner of the vehicle from financial obligations to anyone who is injured or killed by the insured vehicle.” Keep in mind that all of this applies to owners of both cars and motorcycles, so whether you’re riding a delivery van or scooting through on two wheels, you are required and entitled to own such insurance.

Now, the definition and the purpose itself may sound simple, however, there are a few technicalities when it comes to the implementation of the CTPL insurance. To be clear about these technicalities, here are just a few of the major ones. Keep these in mind for when you are about to acquire this particular insurance in the foreseeable future to avoid any confusion.

• The CTPL only covers third parties, and that does not include the driver.

You may ask, “Who are these third parties?” How would I determine which is which? Well, third party members may refer to any unsuspecting person outside the vehicle and is not a member of your family, including household members. For example, if (by accident) you were to hit an innocent bystander or a pedestrian, your insurance will pay for the expenses of that injured person. However, if you accidentally hit your maid or your brother, your CTPL will not cover their medical expenses. It’s a bit tricky to understand at first, but always remind yourself that the insurance mostly caters to “strangers,” rather than your “relatives and loved ones.” Doing so would make it easier to comprehend.

• The CTPL also has benchmark for whom to provide compensation for, if they are within the vehicle.

Of course, CTPL doesn’t just cover bystanders getting hit and injured outside the vehicle, it also covers the expenses of the passengers within the vehicle itself, though this may get too technical, so we will segregate them through a simple chart:

Now, we understand that a CTPL may not seem too inclusive at first, but it is only because it is a different type of insurance, which people may misinterpret for other comprehensive personal insurances. A general consensus even clarifies this:

“A CTPL is NOT a comprehensive car insurance, and it isn’t a substitute for what that insurance offers as well. A comprehensive car insurance offers more coverage than a CTPL, in terms of loss and/or damage of vehicle, excess bodily injury, property damage, no-fault indemnity cover, and auto passenger personal accident.”

This means that a CTPL is more of a complimentary insurance to a comprehensive vehicle insurance rather than being a standalone. This may seem too much of a process (not to mention, financial expense) from a glimpse, but there is a good news to this.

• The CTPL insurance is affordable, more affordable than the expenses that you may acquire just by being involved in a road accident without having bought any coverage at all.

We might have mentioned this before in one of our older write-ups, but the one-year coverage of CTPL usually entails a PhP560.00 fee for private cars and PhP250.00 for motorcycles. If you opt for a three-year coverage, private cars can pay PhP1,610.00 and for motorcycles PhP720.00. As you can see, it isn’t really much of a hassle when it comes to the budget. Just imagine the thousands you’d have to spend if you were not able to purchase a reliable CTPL insurance.

Okay, so is there anywhere in the Philippines where I may acquire this CTPL insurance?

Yes, as a matter of fact, the nearest source may just be one tricycle ride away from you. Cebuana Lhuillier offers their very own CTPL insurance. Don’t let the name fool you, for many years, Cebuana Lhuillier has branched out towards other services such as microinsurance and microloans. And within those years, they have proven that they can deliver outstanding service even beyond their main offering, which is pawning.

If I were to avail a CTPL insurance from Cebuana Lhuillier, does it entail any benefit for me?

Yes, it actually does. The great thing about Cebuana Lhuillier is that they offer more than the usual ins and outs of their services, as they also offer various promos that would greatly benefit their patrons. For example, they recently introduced their CTPL E-raffle Promo.

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s CTPL E-raffle Promo and what are its mechanics?

1. This e-raffle promo will run from July 1 to October 31, 2020.
2. This is open to all clients of Cebuana Lhuillier.
3. For every purchase of CTPL, clients will be entitled to one (1) e-raffle entry and will have a chance to win a brand new motorcycle.
4. There will be one (1) winner of Motorcycle per region for a total of eight (8) winners in the grand draw.
5. Deadline of entries is on October 31, 2020, 11:59 PM.
6. Qualified entries will be electronically drawn on November 4, 2020, 10:00 AM at PJ Lhuillier Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor., Bel Air, Makati City 1209.
7. Winners will be notified through notification letter/SMS.
8. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited sixty (60) days upon receipt of notification.
9. Employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies and services and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join the e-raffle.

So, what are you waiting for? Have your rides insured or renew your CTPL now at Cebuana Lhuillier! Feel free to visit the branch nearest you. We ensure a fast, easy, and convenient transaction.

There should always be a balance between your overall budget and the money that you’ll utilize to help others. We Filipinos are known to be one of the most helpful and charitable people in the world. Whenever someone is in need, may it be a family, a friend, or a loved one, we are always the first to react to their heed for assistance. For the most part, helping out a family is seen as an obligation, as blood ties will always be stronger than any other bond in the world, however, it is also mainly due to the Filipino spirit of camaraderie and unity. Now, the same thing may apply towards friends, as we definitely treat our closest friends as part of the family. No matter how much of a stranger a friend can be towards your other family members, they can be as close to you as your very own brother or sister, so it is only understandable for you to treat them all in equal footing. With all of that being said, there will always be limits, with regards to the amount of assistance that you may provide towards all of them. While the word “assistance” may come in many form, usually by a piece of advice or as a shoulder to lean on, our current economy may entail that assistance to be made of materials things, specifically, money.

Things haven’t been easy for everyone as of late. It was already tough before the pandemic even began, so much more that now, the very same pandemic has taken away the source of income and livelihood of many of our kababayans. You may have a few relatives under that belt, those who were suddenly let go as the pandemic ravaged their businesses, leaving them with nothing to live by. And just to make ends meet, they try to capitalize on opportunities which would jumpstart their goal of making a living again, but in order to initiate that, they need a capital, and who better to ask that from than you? Of course, if you have more than enough, you can help them out by providing that financial assistance. If it wouldn’t be much of a bother (since, understandably, you might have been affected by the economic blow of the pandemic as well), then by all means help your relatives out. But ready as you may be to jump into action, before even taking a step towards remitting your money, make sure that you balance things out first. The thing about sending financial help is that, if you’d send too less of an amount, your budget may remain intact, but that very small amount would not be able to help out your relatives. The opposite thing happens when you send too much financial help, as your relatives may be given more than enough capital to start all over again, but you will be left with nothing to make your very own ends meet. There should at least be proper balance when helping out even the person closest to you.

You may ask, “Is there any way for me to determine how to balance out my budget and my remittance?” The good news and definite answer is “Yes, there is.” Since you’re going to be the one to send over that financial assistance, it is your responsibility to even things out between your budget and the amount to be sent. There are many ways to achieve this, but we’re just going to cover the more significant ones, as they are the most efficient and the more commonly known when it comes to balancing out financials.

• Plan out your own budget before sending over any amount for assistance.

One way to determine the perfect balance between your household budget and the money that you’re planning to remit would be to take a look at your very own budget plan. If you don’t have it already, formulate one. Plan out your budget for the upcoming months. Of course, never forget to include the essentials, such as the expenses for your groceries, your bills, your emergency funds, and even for the enrollment of your kids (online classes are now ongoing, and your kids may very much encounter the same situation). Now, after sorting out your budget, plan out in detail your expenditures, make sure that no amount would be wasted, make sure that everything will be accounted for, that no bill would be left unpaid. If you’re able to plot out the budget for the upcoming months at least, then you’re on your way to segregating the amount you’re willing to remit towards your loved ones. If it’s just enough, don’t worry, everyone’s in a hole right now financially and they’ll get by even with only the exact amount that they’d ask for.

• Put into consideration your needs versus your wants.

Especially now that everyone’s in a tight spot, people would need to be more conscious about their spending. We’ve mentioned before about plotting out your budget for the upcoming months, but this is only for the pre-determined parts of your daily living, such as the essentials. There are other things which may catch your attention, and we must tell you that not everything you may see deserves too much of your attention, well enough to be bought. Food, water, electricity, communication utilities, these are all very important, and to be able to avail them, you must not overspend on the unnecessary things. If you were to practice ample amounts of self-control, you’d be surprised at how big of an amount you can save in the long run. Of course, savings would mean being able to have the amount to send over to your loved ones, and that would be more worth than any purchase that you may have online.

• Discuss and possibly negotiate the amount in question.

Sometimes, it can’t be helped. Everyone’s in a struggle right now due to the present situation of our economy, so understandably, you may not even have enough for the amount that your relatives or friends are asking for. If that’s the case, be honest, feel free to discuss your current situation as well. If your friend or relative happens to be living in the province, let them know of the current situation in your place. Life is tough all around, and the urban areas of Manila are in equal footing with the provinces when it comes to the current economic situation. Make them realize that your own family may be experiencing the same situation that they have back at home. Negotiate the financial amount if you must. Your honesty can go a long way.

So, these are just some of the many ways to balance out your own budget and the money to be sent towards your friends or loved ones. Pick whichever would work best for you and plan your every move before making a decision. At this point, every centavo counts, use it well and manage it wisely. Choose Cebuana Lhuillier for their most reliable Money Remittance service. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.

Sa BPI to Cash, makakapag pera padala ka conveniently from your BPI Account. In just 1-hour, ready na ito for payout at any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2500 branches, nationwide!

VIA WEBSITE: Pumunta sa https://bit.ly/BPItoCebuanaLhuillier para sa mas pinabilis na pera padala, through BPI!

VIA BPI Mobile App: https://bit.ly/BPItoCLMobileApp

Cebuana Lhuillier has always been at the pinnacle of serving the Filipino people for over three decades. While many still see the company as a mere channel for pawning services, they actually offer more, in terms of financials. One of their main services is Microsavings, which aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines and doesn’t require a maintaining balance (albeit, a minimum of P500 Average Daily Balance for interest to incur). Even Filipino citizens as young as 7 years old are qualified to open an account, which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account, which makes it very accessible to anyone who are in need of a savings account of their own.

Not to be limited by the usual financial services, Cebuana Lhuillier often provides opportunities for Filipinos to get more out of their accounts, namely, their timely promos. Throughout the years, they’ve had a few memorable ones, which were very beneficial to the Filipino people, especially during times of crisis and dire need. The current pandemic is no different, hence, why they recently launched Cebuana Lhuillier’s Instant Savings Promo 2020.

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Instant Savings Promo 2020 and what are the Promo Mechanics?
Cebuana Lhuillier’s Instant Savings Promo 2020 is a raffle promo implemented within Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microsavings service. The promo mechanics are as follows:

1) The promo period is from June 15 to September 14, 2020.
2) New and existing Microsavings account holders are eligible to join the promo.
3) Participants would be able to obtain an e-raffle entry by doing the following transactions and maintaining at least a minimum of P1,000 Average Daily Balance (ADB) within 30/31 days:

4) Eight (8) lucky winners of P50,000 will be drawn each month.

5) Each draw will be held in the P.J. Lhuillier Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor. Bel-Air, Makati City 1209, under the supervision of a DTI representative.

6) Undrafted entries in the previous months will not be included in the next draw.
7) Winners will be announced through Cebuana Lhuillier’s Official Facebook Page.
8) Prizes are non-transferrable, and each participant is only eligible for one raffle win.
9) Winners will be notified via SMS/text message and registered e-mail address.
10) The prize money will be deposited in the winner’s Microsavings account. Any amount which exceeds the Microsavings maximum account limit of P50,000 will either be given in cash or will be deposited in a Cebuana Savings account, if ever the winner will prefer to upgrade his or her own account.
11) PJ Lhuillier Inc. will pay the 20% tax fee for the prizes which will exceed P10,000.
12) The cash prize may only be claimed within sixty (60) days upon receiving the SMS/e-mail confirmation.
13) All employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies and services and their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not eligible to participate in the e-raffle promo.

The promo is a perfect way for Filipinos to catch up to their planned budget. Understandably, the pandemic has caused a major change in everyone’s financial standings. Earning cash is hard enough, but trying to earn more of it during a period of crisis is tougher. Many had lost their jobs, many were sent home after only a few years of working abroad, and a majority of our fellow Filipinos still haven’t found their footing after only a few months of the quarantine period. In such case, Cebuana Lhuillier’s continuous goal to support every Filipino during the time of the pandemic is unwavering and will continue all throughout.

“I am not a Microsavings Account holder. How would I be eligible to join the promo?”
If you are not a Microsavings account holder yet, no worries, as it definitely easy to apply for one. You may visit any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,500 branches nationwide and fill-out the Client Customer Information File Sheet and bring the following:

• 1 Government issued ID
• Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
• Student ID (applicable only if student is currently enrolled)
• P50 minimum initial deposit
• P100 card fee (for clients w/o 24k card)

“Okay, but how do I deposit the required maintaining balance in my account?”
Cebuana Lhuillier formulated their transaction processes with the customer’s convenience in mind, which is why the process itself is easy as 1-2-3.

• Fill-out the form indicating the money you will deposit and give it to the branch personnel
• Insert your 24k card in the PIN pad
• Get the completed deposit slip

“What if I want to withdraw the cash prize after winning?”
Well, you surely wouldn’t want to withdraw the whole amount after winning. But if ever you’d need to withdraw for your grocery errands, the process is simple:

• Fill-out the form with the desired amount you wish to withdraw
• Insert your 24k card in the PIN pad and type your PIN number.
• Receive the money from the branch personnel

You can even check your remaining balance after each withdrawal. You have two options to choose from:

Option 1: You may visit any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,500 branches and use the PIN pad to check your balance.

Option 2: You may log in to your account on the eCebuana app and tap on ‘Micro Savings’

Preferably, you may want to go for option 2 if your main goal is to only check your account balance. It would save you a lot of time, and would also enable you to check your account within the comfort of your home. So what are you waiting for? Feel free to communicate with our authorized personnel through our online channels or you may visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch for more information.

The Filipinos’ endurance and resiliency are immeasurable. Say what you will about the economy, but Filipinos will always endure, no matter what. But these amazing feats of strength are not without its supporting traits, mainly, the Filipino camaraderie and love for family. Often, we find ourselves engulfed within a financial crisis, yet, we still have enough to help out our loved ones. This is evident through the endless streams of cash remittances during our country’s toughest days, and even more noticeable as COVID-19 made its presence felt during the early months of 2020. The thing about sending your loved ones financial help is that, not only are you helping them survive throughout the whole ordeal, but you are also making it known that you care for them, and you would never leave them hanging during times of need.

Now, no other establishment has made it easier and more convenient for every Pinoy to send out their remittances but Cebuana Lhuillier. Being formally established more than three decades ago, their mantra of helping out the Filipino people with their financial needs and transactions remains true up to this day. Introducing different services along the way, garnering solutions to smoothen out every transaction, and opening its doors to opportunities that may better the lives of its long-time customers, Cebuana Lhuillier has always been at the pinnacle of providing unrivaled service and honest financial transactions. With the money remittance aspect of their service, things may just get better along the way, with the introduction of the International Payout Cash Panalo.

What is the International Payout Cash Panalo?
Cebuana Lhuillier’s International Payout Cash Panalo is a raffle promo implemented within Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance/Pera Padala service. The promo mechanics are as follows:

1) This promo is open to all clients who will claim their international remittance sent thru the participating partners abroad in any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,500 branches. Clients will automatically earn an e-raffle entry based on the following qualifiers below:

2) The promo will run from March 1 up to December 31, 2020. Lucky winners will be drawn to win the following prizes:

• March – 100 winners of PhP 5,000 cash
• April – 100 winners of PhP 10,000 cash
• May – 30 winners of PhP 20,000 cash
• June to September – 10 winners of PhP 100,000 cash
• October to December – 1 winner of PhP 1,000,000 cash

3) All qualified entries during the promo duration will be drawn thru a computer-based random generated system of Cebuana Lhuillier. The raffle draw will be held on the following dates at the ICT Office 3/F The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor. Comet Sts., Bel-Air, Makati City, with the presence of a DTI representative.

4) All qualified clients can only win once every raffle draw date.
5) All clients must update their personal information (e.g., name, address, active mobile/telephone no. and birthday) in their transacting Cebuana Lhuillier branch as this will be the basis of the marketing team in sending the registered mail and SMS to the winners.
6) All winners will receive a registered mail bearing the procedure on how they will be able to claim their prize. They must present the letter to their winning Cebuana Lhuillier branch together with a valid ID and tax identification number during the redemption period.
7) Announcement of winners will be shared thru the in-branch mini poster and social media pages of Cebuana Lhuillier.
8) Cebuana Lhuillier shall not be liable if the winners did not receive the registered mail due to outdated personal information.
9) All winners will only have sixty (60) calendar days to redeem their prize upon receipt of the registered mail. All unclaimed prizes will be forfeited in favor of Cebuana Lhuillier with prior approval from DTI.
10) Cebuana Lhuillier will shoulder the 20% tax in all cash prizes exceeding PhP10,000 in amount.
11) All employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, Ad/ Creatives Agency, PR and Media agencies and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining this promo.

“Okay, that sounds like a good promo, but how is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance/Pera Padala service in general?”
Simply put, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala service is an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money within and outside the Philippines. You may claim the money as soon as the sender completes the remittance process in the branch! You may visit 2,500 branches nationwide and its wide network of accredited international partners. With decades of experience, you can expect Cebuana Lhuillier to safely send your hard-earned money towards your loved ones. It isn’t just about the smooth transaction at hand, it’s also about the experience of convenience and safety. While other establishments aren’t secured enough to handle money remittance with no or hassle, Cebuana Lhuillier always guaranties that their customers would not run into any hassle, may it be by technical or human error.

With the convenience and safeguards put in place, there is nothing left to do but to participate in the International Payout Cash Panalo. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Feel free to visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier b

Pawning – Looking up its mere definition would lead you to the sentence which describes it as the act of “depositing (an object) with a pawnbroker as security for money lent.” This act is most common here in the Philippines, with many of our fellow Filipinos facing an insurmountable heap of expenses, debt, and bills. This is most evident with the current pandemic, with many people losing their jobs, their businesses, and their usual source of income. No matter your status in life, surely, you may have felt the financial blow of the pandemic as well. Luckily for us, pawnshops are very accessible and are always around the corner. But out of all the pawnshops in the country, there is one which stood the test of time, and is always ready to serve the Filipino people, come rain or shine.

Cebuana Lhuillier has been around for decades, complementing its many innovations and developments throughout the years. Not to be mistaken for a mere pawnshop, it has expanded its reach towards other financial transactions and services as well, such as Microinsurance, Microsavings, Microloans, etc. In spite of its many changes, however, it still hasn’t loss its footing when it came to its main offered service of pawning. The excellent service and efficient transaction just improved overtime, thus, making itself a mainstay in the hearts of Filipinos nationwide.

Now, with our country’s current situation, Cebuana Lhuillier stuck to their mantra of helping out the Filipino people, especially during these trying times. Which is why they’ve introduced a certain promo that may very well help out our lucky Kababayans who are in dire need. Introducing, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Sangla Papremyo 2020!

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Sangla Papremyo 2020?

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Sangla Papremyo 2020 is a raffle promo implemented within Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pawning service. The promo mechanics are as follows:

1. For first-time pawning clients (New Sangla):

• Promo duration is from May 18 to Dec 31, 2020.
• This promo is open to new and existing new prenda clients.
• There are two components for this promo:

1. Instant Gratification – open to new clients who will pawn for the first time.

-All new clients who will pawn for the first time. Each qualified new prenda client will get one (1) instant prize depending on his/her principal amount

1. Raffle – This promo is open to new and existing new prenda clients.

-Each client who will have any of the following will earn one (1) e-raffle entry depending on the transactions availed.

4) Drawing of winners will happen at P.J Lhuillier, Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor., Bel-Air, Makati City 1209. This will be done with the presence of DTI representative.

5) Non-winning entries in the monthly draw can still be drawn in the succeeding months. In the grand draw, all entries from May 18 to December 31, 2020 will be included.

6) A client may only win once for the duration of the promo. In case a name is drawn more than once in a draw date, he/she gets the prize of higher value.

7) Winners will be announced on branch and thru digital platforms.

8) All winners will be notified via SMS and thru registered mail.

9)Prizes will be deposited to the client’s Micro Savings Account. For winners without the Micro Savings Account, they must proceed to the nearest branch and present a valid ID and the registered mail and a branch personnel will assist them in account opening.

10) PJ. Lhuillier Inc. will pay the 20% tax for the prizes exceeding Php10,000.

11) Unclaimed prize within 60 days upon receipt of notification will be forfeited upon the approval of DTI in favor of Cebuana Lhuillier.

12) Employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies and services and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join the e-raffle.

II. For existing Cebuana Lhuillier clients (Renewal):

• Promo duration is from January 15 to December 31, 2020.
• This promo is open to all existing Cebuana Lhuillier pawning clients.
• To join, all existing Cebuana Lhuillier pawning clients must renew their pawned items within the promo duration.
• Number of entries will depend on the kind of renewal transactions availed.

5) Drawing of winners will happen at P.J Lhuillier, Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor., Bel-Air, Makati City 1209. This will be done with the presence of DTI representative.

6) Non-winning entries in the monthly draw can still be drawn in the succeeding months. In the grand draw, all entries from January 15 to December 31, 2020 will be included.

7) Winners will be announced on branch and thru digital platforms.

8) The winner/s will be notified via SMS/registered mail. Prizes will be deposited to the clients’ Micro Saving aaccounts.

9) PJ Lhuillier Inc. will pay the 20% tax for the prizes exceeding Php10,000.

10) Unclaimed prize within 60 days upon receipt of notification will be forfeited upon the approval of DTI in favour of Cebuana Lhuillier.

10)Employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies and services and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join the e-raffle.

So, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this once in a lifetime promo. Feel free to visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now!

Stay Safe! – A common statement that you’d usually receive from your family, friends, and loved ones during the quarantine period. If you were already cautious even before COVID-19 hit our nation, then obviously it may be easier for you to adjust to the “new normal,” but if you were as carefree and complacent as in the previous years, then perhaps there are more steps that you must take in order to prevent acquiring the virus at all cost. Now, you might have been reading news articles, magazine interviews, and social media notifications from health experts about the indications and precautionary measures that you must take when going about your daily life. While some of them are simple enough to follow, most of them may have been explained better, owing to the fact that not all health experts are fluent speakers when it comes to translating complicated keywords into layman’s term. But no need to worry, as we at Cebuana Lhuillier have always been concerned about the welfare and safety of our beloved customers and patrons, and we have compiled a few of the dos and don’ts when it comes to adjusting to the “new normal.”  Here are things to consider before, during, and after going about your daily errands during the pandemic.

young Asian woman wearing protection mask against Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or Wuhan coronavirus at public train station,is a contagious virus that causes respiratory infection.Healthcare concept

Before heading out:

• Prepare the necessary protective gear and items.

By now, you may have already been oriented about the importance of wearing a good, protective mask when heading outdoors. Some would choose re-washable cloth masks, while others may prefer to avail N95 masks for their daily ordeals, but out of all these choices, a surgical mask would always be a better option. Experts would always tell you that each side of the surgical mask has a purpose, and they’re not wrong. Wearing your mask properly would protect you in the long run. Aside from that, planning out your route before heading out would save you ample time and money, especially as the government has implemented various reroutes and policies when it came to outdoor activities, so be informed at all times. Prepare a shopping list before going out for restocks, consult your family members about the things that they’d need for the upcoming weeks and months. No do overs, no repetitive travels, as the longer you stay outdoors, the bigger your chances are of catching the infection. And also, do not forget to bring a small bottle of alcohol, make it a habit to disinfect your hands every once in a while. Do the same with your money, spray a bit in your coin purse just to be sure.

• If you’re heading outdoors with a ride, make sure that it’s in perfect condition to travel, regardless of distance and weather.

May it be a car or a motorcycle, make sure that it’s fueled up and well-maintained. If not, you may find yourself stranded in the middle of the road, and it’s the last thing you’d want to happen, especially during a pandemic. Check if the engine’s running well, check if the tires have an ample amount of air, check the emission, etc.

While outdoors:

• If you happen to come across friends or familiar people while outdoors, avoid hugs or handshakes.

We know, it’s frustrating and you haven’t seen them for a few months, but not shaking their hands would at least protect you both, giving you more healthy opportunities in the future to meet up and finally shake hands once the virus dies down. A simple nod, short conversation (while social distancing, of course), and even a salute would at least let them know that you miss them and that you are looking forward to meeting them again after the quarantine period.

• Avoid touching any surfaces as much as possible.

All establishments (including malls and groceries) were mandated by the government to disinfect their areas regularly. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should confidently and carelessly touch all of the railings and tables that you’d come across outside your home. As much as possible, avoid holding or touching anything else other than the items that you’re going to avail when going for supplies. Remember, COVID-19 isn’t an airborne virus, it is transmitted by touch. If an infected person were to touch or cough towards a particular surface, the virus would remain on that same surface for a certain amount of time, and being in contact with that would be very dangerous (even fatal) to any unsuspecting bystanders.

Before re-entering your home:

• Make sure that you’ve properly disinfected your hands before touching anything else indoors.

The thing about viruses is that they can’t be seen by the naked eye, and by the time that you or others have been fully infected, it may already be too late. COVID-19, in particular, has a certain incubation period, meaning that you wouldn’t feel the symptoms until after a week or two. When that happens, the virus may have already spread among your loved ones. To avoid that, make sure that you spray a lot of disinfectant on your hands. Wash them again with soap just to be sure. If that’s not enough, immediately put your outdoor clothes in the laundry basket and take a bath to fully clean off any unwanted germ or microbe which may have attached itself on you while you were outdoors.

• Spray and disinfect the grocery items before taking them indoors.

Of course, you can’t do this with fast food items, unless you want your chicken to taste like isopropyl alcohol. What you can do for fast food items, may it be delivered, picked up or bought for take-out, you can re-heat it in the microwave or oven as advised as a safety precaution to prevent getting the virus. Spray those canned goods and plastic-wrapped items such as chips, pasta shells, sugar, etc. Any item which is well-covered could be disinfected, any food item bought with openings should be wiped clean instead. Just make sure that you left no stones unturned. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Now, understandably, you may want to handle all of your errands within the comfort of your home. Of course, who would want to get out if there’s a rampant virus on the loose? Many of us have been “working-from-home” since the quarantine period began, but not a lot of errands would allow you to accomplish that. There are still many paperwork tasks which may require you to get out of the house, wait in line, and wait for your name to be called by the cashier or establishment representative. One major example would be money remittance, a process etched in traditional means that the average Filipino can only dream of accomplishing it in other convenient ways. Fortunately, Cebuana Lhuillier came up with a solution that would cater to all of their long-time customers and patrons. Introducing the all-new Cebuana from Home! It is an online service which would enable customers to accomplish Cebuana Lhuillier’s financial transactions remotely. No longer would people even need to leave their homes for financial transactions such as domestic remittance, insurance applications/consultations, and payments. All of these can be accomplished in just a few clicks. So instead of risking your health and well-being outdoors, check out Cebuana from Home at https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/.

Unprepared – a word which would best describe everyone when COVID-19 first hit our shores. Yes, we’ve been hearing news about the virus since the beginning of 2020, but the tough realization came at a rapid pace around the middle of March. Many Filipinos did not expect the viral infection to spread that fast, not even by today’s strict travel and hygiene standards. Of course, almost everyone’s first reaction towards the virus was panic, fear that anyone of us may be infected anywhere, anytime. Some were even preparing themselves for the inevitable, stating that “it isn’t a matter of how, but when.”

This doesn’t mean that no one has a fighting chance against the virus, of course. No, as a matter of fact, as of this writing, 11,453 people had already recovered, with only 1,290 casualties in record. However, the positive cases are still up by 41,830, which begs the question, “How unprepared were we before the virus even hit our nation?” Were we really that unperceptive towards international news? Were we too complacent, not believing that such a rampant virus would hit Philippine waters? Alas, it would be too late to contemplate on that. After all, the best that we can do right now is to make the most out of what we have, and what we have may not be enough to support us for the unforeseeable end of the quarantine period.

So, the question is, what can we do to protect our finances during the pandemic? How may we survive our family with whatever’s left of our budget and remaining finances? The answer? By availing a good insurance service, of course.

What are the advantages of having an insurance during the quarantine period?
1) Helps lower your medical expenses.
Let’s get this out of the way first, the most efficient way to save during the pandemic would be to reduce your expenses, unfortunately, medical expenses in the Philippines would always be at an all-time high. At least having an insurance would help cut your medical cost, enabling you to set aside a few amounts even after the whole ordeal.

2) Insurance coverage isn’t limited to you and you alone.
Depending on your availed insurance package, some would include your family and loved ones within the same coverage, thus, cutting down on their medical expenses as well. Think of it as an extension of your love and concern for them. No longer would you have to worry about rushing anyone of them towards the nearest hospital if the need were to arise, you have your insurance to cover for them.

3) Insurance companies usually update their coverages.
Some, if not most insurance companies would usually update their coverage packages, hence, even if COVID-19 were a fairly new virus strain to begin with, any infection by the said virus would still be covered by your chosen package. Of course, you’d still have to survive the ordeal and hope for the best if worst comes to worst, but at least your insurance would cover the expenses for you, after which your only concern would have to be about your recovery.

Okay, now that we’ve learned about the advantages of having an insurance during the pandemic, you may ask, “Are there any good and affordable recommendations out there when it comes to insurance?” Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s ProtectMAX.

What is ProtectMAX?
Cebuana Lhuillier’s ProtectMAX is a microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance. For as low as P50, each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured.

Simply put, it is your very affordable alternative to those other well-known, yet costlier insurance packages.

Okay, such micro insurances usually allow me to have a beneficiary. Is my family qualified to be some of them?
No worries, they absolutely are. The qualified beneficiaries are your legal spouse, your kids who are of legal age (18 years old), your parents (which includes your mother and father), and your siblings (should be of legal age as well, married or single would still count).

As you can see, the list of beneficiaries isn’t really very limited, and it is understandable, as Cebuana Lhuillier is very much aware for the average Filipino’s need for a good insurance that would cover them in times of need, especially during the quarantine period.

What are the Premiums?
You just need to pay P50. That’s it, no tricks or gimmicks. For as low as P50, you may avail this amazing Microinsurance.

Of course, that’s not the only available premium. For just the price of P250, you may acquire a higher coverage:

Regardless of the premium that you’d avail, you’re sure to find value for your money and security for the future of your family. But even that would just be the tip of the iceberg, as the claiming process itself isn’t even difficult, unlike other establishments who are offering their insurance services. For Cebuana Lhuillier’s ProtectMax, the process would entail the following:

The Claiming Process:
1) In the event of a claim, the claimant shall submit the complete claim at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch nationwide.
2) Cebuana Lhuillier Branch Personnel shall review the completeness of all claim documents and submit to Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) (depending on the type of claim) for claims evaluation and approval; the review shall be done in accordance with the guidelines of Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation (PISC).
3) CLIS will submit final advice, within 48 hours to the BP and claimant the status of the claim.

a. If a claim is approved, CLIS Head Office will pay the claimant in advance thru Pera Padala.
b. If the claim is Denied, CLIS Head Office shall send letter of denial to the claimant.

For the requirements, be sure to transact with authorized Cebuana Lhuillier personnel for more information.

The current pandemic brought many changes, not just in our country, but throughout the world as well. Our lifestyles, our work routines, our commute, and even the way we spend our money has dramatically changed overnight. Understandably, it may take a while before people can fully adjust to these changes. It is never an easy task, after all. But out of all the things that people need to change and improve on, the aspect which involves financials will always be the one to garner resistance among others. People have a certain relationship with money that makes it very difficult to both attain and maintain. On one hand, people always have the urge to earn more money while dreading the hard work that goes with it, on the other hand, they tend to forget all of that hardship once they already have the cash in their pockets, going for expensive purchases rather than the most affordable ones. This is an evident case of a person’s bad habit, lack of discipline, and shortsightedness.

Admittedly, the current pandemic became somewhat of a wakeup call. People began spending less, setting aside a few hundred for upcoming purchases and planning out the essentials that would be re-stocked for the foreseeable future. However, even if people were to save up, it still wouldn’t be enough to survive the never-ending quarantine period. Yes, you did the right thing by not emptying out your bank account, but that would amount to nothing if you’d still avail expensive and unnecessary items. “What are these unnecessary items?” you may ask. Look no further than our list of essential must-haves and must-avoid purchases during the quarantine period.

The Essential Must-Haves:
1) Disinfectants and Hygiene Products
When we say disinfectants, they’re the usual lineup of products that are manufactured to deal with a huge amount of germs and microbes. Your bottle of isopropyl alcohol, no matter how small it is, can definitely pack a punch when it comes to getting rid of the surrounding germs. The same thing can be said about other cleaning agents such as soap, hand wipes (the ones formulated in rubbing alcohol), bleach (for your home surfaces), and detergents (a bucket full of them may be used to wash away dirty surfaces).

2) Fruits and Vegetables
The riskiest thing about the rampant virus is that no cure has been found yet. Neither has there been any vaccine either, so everyone’s survival would all really depend on the strength of a person’s immune system. If you have a strong immune system, then you’d at least have a fighting chance when going up against this deadly virus. The same thing can’t be said about everyone, unfortunately, which is why fruits and vegetables are a must-have essential part of everyone’s meals. We’ve all been taught by our parents and teachers from a very young age to value nutritious food, to always include them in our daily meals, and to choose them over junk foods. This lesson definitely made its presence felt, especially now that we need our immune system to function like one of those ancient armors we see in our favorite historical shows. A knight is only strong as his valiant sword and his strong, shiny armor, and unfortunately for us, the only thing standing right between us and the virus, is that shiny armor (the immune system), with no sword (cure/vaccine) in hand. We used to take healthy food for granted, but due to the current situation, it’s about time to take things seriously and to include green, leafy vegetables and fresh fruits in our daily intake, that is, if we even want to have a fighting chance at the rate of the current pandemic.

3) PPEs and Protective Gears
This is a bit tricky, as not only is it difficult to find a complete PPE set nowadays (thanks to the shortage caused by the pandemic), it may also be a bit costly (due to the law of supply and demand, lesser supply means a higher cost). Now, you may find a few local stores selling face masks per piece (some would even sell them by tens), and they’re very much accessible. However, face shields, gloves, and protective robes, may require you to look a bit further than your nearest store if ever you were in need of a whole set. Understandably, manufacturers are prioritizing frontliners, so PPE sets in general aren’t going to be found in stores, but in hospital laboratories and wards. The best that you can do is to at least buy yourself a few pieces of masks and be cautious when travelling. Incomplete gear means that you should do your best when social distancing. If you do get an opportunity to avail a whole PPE set, however, go for it! Nothing is more valuable than being protected at all times.

The Nonessentials to Avoid:
1) Flashy and Expensive Clothing
At this point, buying expensive apparel is like throwing away your money. There used to be a time when you’d buy flashy, trendy clothes to show off your friends in the mall, but that may no longer be part of the “new normal,” due to the fact that a) you may not be able to see your friends for a long time, due to the travel restrictions set in place b) malls are usually closed these days, only opening their doors for limited hours, after which you may have already completed your grocery errand c) everyone is too busy and cautious to even notice the clothes that you are wearing, so wearing something trendy is useless. The thing is, people are too busy minding their own business while social distancing and buying their supplies, so they may not even take a second look at you, especially if you’re not an acquaintance or a familiar face.

2) Expensive Gadgets
You must prioritize functionality over fashion. Instead of buying expensive cellphones, go for cheaper alternatives which would still enable you to communicate with loved ones from faraway places. Remember, there is nothing wrong with availing communication devices, such as cellphones, tablets, or even small laptops (especially if you’re work-from-home), the problem lies within the price tag. There are always more affordable options when buying gadgets in the market, and as long as they function the way that they are supposed to, you have no need for the well-known brands which will only eat up a huge amount from your budget and savings.

3) Junk Foods and Sweets
While not expensive when it comes to their usual price tag, junk foods and sweets may not be the best choice when it comes to shopping for food supplies. They offer nothing of value when it comes to nutrients, they cause more cavities than your average fruits and vegetables, and they also do nothing when it comes to strengthening your immune system. Sure, they are the most accessible types of food and snacks, even during this time of shortages and factory shutdowns, but the fact that they are least prioritized at a time when hunger is just around the corner says a lot about their current standing when it comes to people’s nutritious needs.

Now, at this time of crisis and uncertainty, the proper use of your budget is a must. It may not be an easy task, but if you’re the breadwinner and provider of your family, your focus towards an efficient way of budgeting would help in the long run. Of course, it isn’t just about the efficient use of money, it’s all about setting aside a few amounts for your future. Luckily, your most trusted pawnshop is here to stay and is always open to serve you with your dire needs when it comes to savings. Look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, with the main difference of requiring at least a P500 Average Daily Balance for interest to incur. So what are you waiting for? Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Insurance, what would we do without them? Insurance is the soft cushion that catches us just when we’re about to fall towards the hard pavement of debt. There are various types of insurance, and supposedly, one insurance is enough to cover a few of your expenses. For the most part, people have a general idea of what an insurance is, however, not many are familiar about the ins and outs of an insurance plan. Especially with the current influx of COVID-19 cases, you may need one or two insurance plans to cover any of your unforeseen expenses. Uncertainty is always a part of life, and expenses are always around the corner. In such case, allow us to introduce you to the world of insurance, its different types, and the advantages that you may get from these different insurance plans.

First of all, what is an insurance?

An insurance is defined as a contract, characterized by a policy, in which an individual or a group of people receives financial protection or reimbursement against losses from an insurance company. The company pools clients’ risks to make payments more affordable for the insured. Insurance policies are used to hedge against the risk of financial losses, both big and small, that may result from damage to the insured or her property, or from liability for damage or injury caused to a third party.

Simply put, if you have insurance and something unfortunate and unexpected were to happen, your insurance would make sure that you wouldn’t need to spend a lot of money to cover the expenses resulting from that sudden occurrence. You may ask, “What are these sudden occurrences?” Well, they are some of the things that people fear the most, accidents, calamities, bankruptcy, property damage, you name it. All of the things that may cause huge expenses, these are the “unexpected occurrences” that you may come across at least once in your life, and insurance plans would be there to take a majority of the blow, much like how a bulletproof vest would take much of a damage for a law enforcer during a heated situation.

Okay, but what are the requirements to get an insurance?

Different insurance companies and establishments would usually have varying lists of requirements and benchmarks. It would be best if you were to discuss this with your preferred insurance company, so as not to confuse one pre-requisite from the other. Sometimes, these requirements are tied to their policies, so feel free to ask questions whenever you need to clarify the details.

What are the different types of insurances?

There are many insurance plans, each corresponding to a coverage that they are focused on. We’ve mentioned earlier that there are certain occasions in which a single insurance may be flexible enough to cover other incidences, but for the sake of clarity, we will discuss them in variations and their purposes. Aside from that, we will stick with a familiar establishment when it comes to affordable insurance types. For this, we will focus on Cebuana Lhuillier and their Micro Insurance Services. Their variations are also accessible and affordable, so you may be able to relate with a few of our sample scenarios and their offered Micro Insurances:

1. Individual Insurance Like Cebuana Lhuillier’s ProtectMAX

Cebuana Lhuiller’s ProtectMAX is a microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance. For as low as P50, each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured.

The Qualified beneficiaries are:

• Legal Spouse
• Child of legal age (18 years old)
• Parents – Mother/Father
• Siblings – of legal age and single; married

This is fairly a new addition to Cebuana Lhuillier’s plethora of Micro Insurance services, but make no mistake, it provides a whole lot of protection, considering that it covers everything, from accidents to unprovoked assault. Even property damage is covered, with their Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance. Isn’t that amazing?

2. Business Insurance Like Cebuana Lhuillier’s MicroBiz Protect

Cebuana Lhuillier’s MicroBiz Protect is a comprehensive Property Insurance with Personal Accident coverage, Comprehensive General Liability and AXA Assistance made specifically for micro enterprises. It covers the property and its contents against perils fire and/or lightning and other allied perils such as earthquake, typhoon, flood and others. It also covers MSMEs against burglary and robbery, accidental death, permanent disablement and accidental medical reimbursement. Fees for the micro-insurance policy covering up to 12 months can go as low as PHP540. Aside from that, it is also underwritten by AXA Philippines.

So, if ever you’re the owner of a simple “Sari-Sari” store, never worry about the welfare of your business, as Cebuana Lhuillier’s MicroBiz Protect is here to provide for any unforeseen property damage or accidents.

3. Group Insurance for our Brave Barangay Officials Such as Cebuana Lhuillier’s TanodCARE

“What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s TanodCARE?” you may ask. Well, it is a Group Personal Accident Microinsurance specially designed for barangay tanod officials and its members/personnel. This Micro Insurance requires a minimum number of 30 enrollees aged 18 to 65 years old, enrollees above 65 years old will be accepted subject to 50% cover of the Sum Insured for all Benefits.

Insured members under TanodCARE will be covered with the following occurrences:

• Accidental Death, Disablement & Dismemberment (ADD&D)
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
• Unprovoked Murder & Assault (UMA)
• Accident Medical Reimbursement (AMR)
• Burial Benefit (accident/sickness)
• Accident Daily Hospital Income (DHI)

Of course, even our local guardians need a safeguard against sudden expenses, more so that they have a risky occupation, keeping the peace and tranquility of our local community in check.

4. Group Insurance for the Future Pioneers of Our Country Such as Cebuana Lhuillier’s StudentCARE

Cebuana Lhuillier’s StudentCARE is a Group Personal Accident Insurance that protects students from various perils 24/7 worldwide. Of course, under the current ECQ, students are allowed to be home-schooled, but after the whole ordeal ends, you may want your kids to be insured, especially if they happen to travel daily towards school. You may never know what lies around the corner. Keep them safe and insured.

Insured members under StudentCARE will be covered with the following:

• Accidental Death, Disablement & Dismemberment (ADD&D)
• Unprovoked Murder & Assault (UMA)
• Accident Medical Reimbursement (AMR)
• Accident Burial Benefit (ABB)
• Daily Hospital Income (DHI)
• Ambulance Fee and Fire Assistance

5. Group Insurance for Our Hardworking Citizens Such as Cebuana Lhuillier’s EmployeeCARE

Cebuana Lhuillier’s EmployeeCARE is a Group Personal Accident Insurance specially designed for employees. Obviously, people working under the various umbrella of corporate work also needs their own insurance plan, as even the most sophisticated office places aren’t safe from hazards.

Insured members under EmployeeCARE will be covered with the following:

• Accidental Death, Disablement & Dismemberment (ADD&D)
• Unprovoked Murder & Assault (UMA)
• Accidental Medical Cash Aid, Burial Benefit (Accident/Sickness)
• Motorcycling and Personal Liability

So, those are just a few examples of Micro Insurance plans you may avail from Cebuana Lhuillier. If you’d notice, they cater to the various members of our modern society, whether you’re working within the private sector or the local sector, or even if you aren’t working at all (as evident with the StudentCARE Micro Insurance), insurances are always a viable choice when it comes to avoiding major expenses. You may visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now for more information – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

The recent COVID-19 event caught everyone off guard. What was once a small blink on the international news turned into a sudden case of the pandemic, much so that everyone’s stuck right at home. Of course, we were all given our outdoor schedules to fetch a few supplies every once in a while (all are designated days within a week, depending on your Barangay’s announcement), however, the act of stocking up on rations is just one of the many necessary activities that the average Filipino does during such trying times. We Filipinos always had the “Bayanihan” principle, the motivation to help others whenever they’re in need.

This isn’t limited to our loved ones as well, as you may have heard of strangers giving a share of their supplies to the homeless during the evening news. Indeed, we are bound by our moral obligation to help others, no matter the cost. When there is a pandemic or economic collapse, we just tend to feel the need to reach out and lift others to safety, much like how a lifeguard lifts a drowning straggler. Now, the act of helping our fellows isn’t limited to providing them with clothes and supplies. No, as we can also provide them with financial assistance. If, however, you happen to have friends or loved ones in the province and you want to send over a financial assistance, you may understand the potential concerns in doing such a simple task. How on earth would you be able to send over the money?

Thanks to the modernization of money transfer processes, these concerns have been already dealt with, leaving you with nothing but convenience and assurance that any amount that you’d send over would be received in full. Not convinced yet? Here are just a few perfect examples on ways on how to immediately send money to your loved ones:

1. Via Your Local Money Transfer Channels

Understandably, our government made the sudden, yet, efficient decision of closing down establishments for the time being. This was done to control the spread of the virus, flatten the curve, as it may. The only establishments left often are groceries, pharmacies, food markets, hospitals, etc. All of these essential channels are needed to provide nourishment and care for the people during the pandemic. Now, one of the more notable establishments left open during these trying times was none other than the local money transfer branches. The thing is, the government understood that we Filipinos are heroes in our own right, always helping out those who are in need, even when we ourselves are affected by the current situation. This might be the reason why money transfer branches were considered as an essential establishment, due to the fact that it has been identified as a resource of assistance from one Filipino to another, and indeed, it has cemented its own reputation over the years. Why wouldn’t it be? Even the money transfer process is quick and easy. People from Manila may just line up (while observing social distancing, of course), fill out a short form, submit the cash assistance, take note of the control number, and send that control number to their loved ones via text message. It’s that simple. Of course, it doesn’t come without its own disadvantages as well. For one, people would still need to go outdoors in spite of the epidemic. The same goes for the ones who are going to receive the money. They need to reach their nearest local money transfer branch in order to present the control number and other important details. And even before that, they would still need to line up properly, again, while observing proper social distancing.

2. Via Online Money Transfer

While ATM machines were left functional during the pandemic, so as to provide withdrawable cash for everyone’s needs, many of our local bank branches were closed without further notice. As of the writing of this article, only a select few were opened to the public, and even then, these branches were far from the urban landscape of Manila. Luckily, modernization has its perks. Even before the pandemic, people were already using the bank’s official apps in order to transact and process their cash, may it be for payments or for money transfers. The current situation is no different, with many people using the same app in order to send money to their loved ones without ever needing to go out of their homes. With just a few clicks, the amounts would be received by people from miles away. However, it also comes with its own disadvantage. To start off, the one receiving the money should already have a bank account within the same bank as the sender. There is a leeway for some other banks, but that isn’t always the case, as some are very strict with their financial policies. Another possible concern is that the ones receiving the money would still need to go outdoors in order to withdraw the amount. This may not be much of a worry, however, especially if proper precautions are taken when lining up for the ATM machine.

3. Via Online Money Remittance

This is somewhat similar to the process above; however, the good news is that this has more flexibility within it. For example, while online banking transfers require the recipient to have a bank account within the same bank as the one sending the money, online money remittance would not force the recipient with such technicality. Online money remittance is done via an app as well, but instead of an online banking app, it is done with an online pawnshop and money remittance app. A perfect example would be the eCebuana App from Cebuana Lhuillier. It’s fairly easy to use as well, with a lot of options. First of all, the sender needs to have an active MicroSavings account to enroll in the eCebuana App. Once enrolled, the sender can either choose to send the amount towards a money remittance branch, towards a Micro Savings account, or towards the recipient’s own bank account. Again, this is more convenient and flexible than an online money transfer. The only downside may be that the recipient would need to go outdoors to withdraw the amount from an ATM or a money remittance branch, but the process is fast and reliable so they wouldn’t be outdoors for a long time, reducing any risk of being caught up in the pandemic.

If the sender has not yet availed a MicroSavings account and he/she is not able to download the eCebuana App on mobile due to OS restrictions of the app, the sender can now try Cebuana Lhuillier’s Remit From Home. Through this service, you will be able to transfer money locally.  All you have to do is visit https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com to send your money transfer requirement. This service is available for customers residing in the Philippines; Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 4PM.

So, these are just some of the many ways to transfer money towards your loved ones. Pick whichever would work best for you and plan your every move before making a decision. At this point, every centavo counts use it well and manage it wisely.

With the current rise of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, our usual routine suddenly encountered a long halt. Everyone is instructed to stay at home, stay healthy, and to stay vigilant amidst the stress and panic brought about by the pandemic. For the most part, people seem to be doing okay, save for most of our kababayans who are in no condition to handle the sudden offset of the E.C.Q. Yes, going through scheduled set of days for groceries and lining up for hours outside a pharmacy may seem like an unneeded occurrence, especially for us Filipinos who have no patience or tolerance for long lines, however, it cannot be helped, especially as we are all expected to comply with the rules and regulations of the enhanced quarantine period. Now, the extended quarantine period isn’t the only concern that most Filipinos have. The financial intake of employees seems to be taking a huge hit as well, due to the fact that work and productivity has been lessened due to the quarantine. Of course, work-from-home has been implemented for most corporate jobs (including online meetings and task dissemination), but even with that implementation, not all of the work projects can be accomplished, especially for those which would require logistics and physical appearance.

In such case, many of us are looking for ways to add a few amounts to our already dwindling savings. Some of us are even going as far as to borrow money from our neighbors, just to make ends meet. Borrowing money is absolutely an acceptable and understandable plan, but surely, there must be better ways to acquire a helpful amount without any risk of a high interest or an earful from impatient neighbors (you wouldn’t want to disturb the peaceful, neighborly relationship, after all). Well, worry no more, as we’ve enumerated a few secure ways for you to acquire a loan. Especially during this long quarantine period, no other resource is as critical as cash, since it is well-needed for purchasing food supplies and hygiene products. Choose one which would best work for you and plan out your steps accordingly, as this may either make or break your budget during the whole ECQ period:

1. Through Bank Loans

We know what you’re thinking, this is probably the most obvious choice. Of course, where else would you be able to borrow money from, other than a bank? But obvious as it may seem, in reality, not all people are really familiarized with the process of a bank loan and with the current situation, most banks are closed or on a skeletal work schedule so your loan application might get long delays. So to start off, we will begin with the basics.

What is a Bank Loan?

Simply put, it is the extension of money from a bank to another party with the agreement that the money will be repaid. When we say “another party,” it may either refer to an individual or to a group of people who are hoping to borrow a particular amount. Nearly all bank loans are made at interest, meaning borrowers pay a certain percentage of the principal amount to the lender as compensation for borrowing. Think of that percentage as a form of transaction fee. This is usually how banks earn money from managing loans, they charge a certain amount, taken from a chunk of the loan. Take note that most bank loans have a maturity date, somewhat of a deadline to which the borrower must have already repaid the loan. Another word for bank loan is bank advance.

How Do I Get a Bank Loan?

The process and requirements differ from bank to bank, however, there are a few common factors to consider when applying for one. A few of these generalized requirements are:

• Proof of Income for Salaried Employees – Also known as the BIR Form 2316 or W2, it is critical for it to be signed by your employer’s authorized representative.
• Proof of Identification – This may include your passport, your driver’s license, your voter’s ID, your company ID, etc.

It is important to note that depending on your earnings and proof of income, the amount you’ll be allowed to loan would vary. There is nothing to worry about, however, as surely, you may already have an idea of the amount that matches an average of your earnings. The bank would make sure that you’ll be able to pay back the amount in installments, interest included, so do not panic about being given a loan which may either be too low or too high. Remember, applying for a loan isn’t just about submitting a bunch of requirements, you’ll also be screened or interviewed by an authorized bank representative. Listen to the rules and technicalities, to avoid any confusion with the payment options.

2. Through a Government Loan

Mostly focusing on the business aspect of things, a government loan (also known as a government-backed loan) is a program by the government to provide the needs of individuals, businesses, and communities. These loans provide capital for those who may not qualify for a loan from a private lender. A similar thing about bank loans and government loans is that they do not just cater to individuals, but rather, to groups of people as well. This was formulated by the government to help improve the overall national economy and quality of life of its citizens, encourage entrepreneurship, and to provide protection against and relief from disasters (as with the current pandemic, caused by COVID-19).

How Do I Get a Government Loan?

The following may be required in order to apply for a government loan:

• A Filled Up Application Form
• Income Tax Returns for the last three (3) years (if applicable), with positive income in previous year
• Latest interim financial statements (if applicable)
• Simplified Bio-data of key officers (Major Owners and President/Manager)
• Proof of billing for business and residence
• Copy of last six (6) months Current Account statements
• Copies of two (2) valid government issued IDs with pictures

Again, this may vary, depending on policy changes within the government itself. Be sure to inquire with your local officials for more information.

3. Through Quick Cash Loans

Now, we will be cheating a bit here. Unlike the first two options, this isn’t really much of a loaning process, but more of a pawning process. If you really are running out of cash, be sure to check out your pre-loved jewelries and visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch near you. Cebuana Lhuillier provides the country’s leading pawning service to Filipinos in need of instant cash, offering a 40% higher appraisal rate VS other pawnshops hence, higher take home. Their 2,500 branches accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as a collateral. The company’s core business has evolved with the needs of its clients and thus, made itself well-known, even across the globe.

Commonly accepted items are:

• Gold
• Diamond
• Platinum jewelry and watches
• Cellphones
• Laptop computers

How is the Process?

• Visit any Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop branch and present the item to be pawned.
• Advise the branch personnel if you agree with the appraised value and net proceeds.
• Sign the pawn ticket on the space provided.
• Count the money received and secure the pawn ticket, which is required to be presented during renewal or redemption of the pawned item.

You may also check out Cebuana Lhuillier’s official website for more information: https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pawning/.

The enhanced community quarantine implemented within our country took everyone by surprise. On one hand, it may be an efficient way to lessen the spread of the virus, on the other hand, it may also restrict everyone from going about their daily lives, disrupting work, study, and even play. Now, as boring as it may seem, being indoors does actually help with “flattening the curve,” slowing down the spread of COVID-19 and preventing people from being infected. However, as positive as the effects may be, the ECQ also limits the earnings of the Filipinos, due to the fact that every work task seems to be cut short. Yes, corporate jobs can be done at home, as with online conferences and paperwork, but not everyone has a corporate job. Many of our hardworking laborers are still left out in the dark, grasping for ways to make a living amidst this pandemic. Well, no need to worry, as in spite of the many limitations brought about by the enhanced community quarantine, there are still ways to make a living. May it be by the whole family or by an individual, there are alternatives to the usual labor work that the average Filipino does. Don’t believe us? Check out these following quick money examples:

1. Via an Online Garage Sale

At the advent of technology, people are given the freedom to sell stuff online, may it be brand new or second hand. Even before the ECQ, many Filipinos were already thriving though their online shops. Now, more than ever, they can still thrive, as all the shopping malls are closed down, save for a few branches where only the essential stores are open. With this in mind, you can definitely start your own venture without leaving the house. Of course, such modern venture may require the usage of more than one app, but at least you’ll be able to make a living in spite of the quarantine period. Here’s how you can do it. First, download two major apps, one for delivery and one for showcasing your products. Your products to sell may either be second hand (given that they still function well) or brand new (whatever brand new item you’re planning to sell, make sure that it’s in perfect working condition, and not pre-used). You may then proceed to take pictures of your product and wait for any orders via the buy and sell app. Take note that these “buy and sell” apps would usually streamline customer payment through various payment channels that you’d be most comfortable with, so do not worry about receiving your well-earned cash in the end. Once an order has been placed, you may use the other app, a “pick-up and delivery” app that literally sends a motorcycle rider to your address, where they may pick-up the item for sale, then, deliver it afterwards towards the buyer. Most of the time, the delivery charge would be covered by the buyer, so you (the seller) would just need to notify the buyer once the item is on the way.

On any normal day, the procedure would seem simple enough, however, we are still living under the implementation of an ECQ, so you may need to tell your customers that the item may arrive later than expected. This is understandable, as your delivery man would have to go through various checkpoints, so the time of delivery may be uncertain.

2. Via a Micro Loan

First of all, a Micro Loan is a loan of smaller amounts, typically lent towards small businesses. They are meant to help these small businesses grow. Now, for those who do not have a business yet, that’s okay, micro loans are also lent for startups, just as long as you’ll be able to present the requirements. Now, the said requirements may vary, so you may have to clarify that with the loaning company of your choosing. Did we mention that the amount would also depend on your planned business? Since you’re just opting for a small venture, you may just be given a small slice, well enough for you to start, while providing you with easy and flexible payment options. Don’t forget to pay back of course, unless you’d want the interest to pile up.

Now, due to the enhanced community quarantine, you may have to clarify the dos and don’ts of your planned business. Discuss it with your local government and make sure to study the details. The ECQ has quite a strict implementation of rules, and you wouldn’t want to break any of them.

3. Via Pawning

There is one term which would best describe our heroic health workers during such perilous times, and that would be the term known as “frontliners.” But did you know that the term frontliner doesn’t just apply to doctors and nurses? As a matter of fact, each and every one of the personnel who are still going out of their homes to provide essential service to our fellow Filipinos during the pandemic would fall under the category of frontliners as well. Our security guards, our grocery cashiers, our checkpoint officials, our pharmacy experts, each and every one of them are frontliners in their own right. Surprisingly, the same can be said about our pawnshop personnel. You see, establishments like Cebuana Lhuillier understands the need of the average Filipino to acquire quick cash, especially during the whole pandemic. People need money to restock on supplies, people need money to avail disinfectants and face masks, and people need money to purchase medicines. Quick cash is hard to come by, and much harder it is to formulate a business plan with no capital, as the COVID-19 ordeal came out of nowhere. Much so that even our government officials were caught off guard, but had since recovered by implementing the ECQ. With all of that in mind, Cebuana Lhuillier has opened its doors to those who are in need of a quick financial fix. We Filipinos always believed in the mantra of “Sangla” as a last resort, and Cebuana Lhuillier is aware of that. With 2,500 branches nationwide, Cebuana Lhuillier is one of the most accessible pawnshop chains in the Philippines. Alongside safety and world-class service, Cebuana Lhuillier also gives one of the highest appraisal rate in the industry for items such as jewelry and gadgets, offering up to 40% more than other selected pawnshops.

So, with all of that being said, pawning may be your best option after all. Be sure to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch for more information.

It’s been a rough few weeks for everyone, especially with the rampant increase of COVID-19 cases. Families around the world are quarantined within the confines of their homes, counting down the days until the whole commotion subsides. For the most part, this is a perfect opportunity for everyone to catch up with their loved ones. A perfect chance to talk about their experiences within work and school before the whole pandemic even began. But with the looming extension of the quarantine period, many are concerned with their budget for the whole month. Sure, the quarantine period may have contributed to the families having more quality time, but quality time with your loved ones would amount to nothing if everyone goes hungry. This is  why it is important for everyone to do their part when it comes to managing the family budget.

However, that would not be much of an easy task, as due to the pandemic, work and productivity has been lessened. Of course, our heroic frontliners are working around the clock to provide utmost care and service towards the people who are in need of it, but for those who are not frontliners, their compensation and means of income is currently under wraps, and the notion of getting back to work as soon as possible seems like an afterthought at the moment. In such case, the proper ways of budgeting should be put into action. If the parents aren’t earning anything for the whole month, the kids should at least help out in lessening the overall expenses. Here are a few valuable tips in achieving just that:

1. Time to unplug!

Being in quarantine can bore a lot of people. We all need our daily dose of social media and television in order to connect with the outside world. This is well-recommended, as remember, being alert about the whole pandemic means being informed about the various safety measures done to avoid getting infected. But, these communication channels, in spite of them being well-recommended, doesn’t mean that they should be subject to over use. Almost all of the things that we use on a daily basis require electricity, your phone, your computer, your appliances, you name it. The impending arrival of your electricity bill would do much to help appease your stress towards the whole pandemic, as nothing is more saddening than to see a ballooned energy bill. With this in mind, it would be wise to lessen your electricity consumption. Use your cellphone to get a glimpse of the outside world, watch the daily news to get updates about the whole situation, but after such use, turn them off, unplug and take time to clear your thoughts. What usually makes a pandemic worst is panic, do not let fear get a hold of you. It is healthy to be informed with the daily news, but watching too much of it isn’t conducive to your mental health as well, especially when the negativity starts to sink in too deeply. Be informed, but do not get paranoid. Budget your energy consumption, budget your news intake, organize your thoughts, and get a low energy bill at the end of the month.

2. Conserving Resources.

Due to the enhanced quarantine implemented by our government in order to slow down the spread of the virus, every community has to abide by a given schedule. This schedule would give everyone a chance to stock up on supplies, at least for a few weeks, or until such time that the schedule would rotate for another round of restocks. Now, given that there are at least three (3) to four (4) days of interval until the next restock period, it would only be wise for every family member to not waste any portion of the supply, may it be food, hygiene products, or disinfectants. It isn’t just about running out of supplies, it’s also about running out of cash. Grocery shelves would usually be refilled by the next restocking period, but the same cannot be said about everyone’s salary, especially with the pandemic decreasing everyone’s productivity at work. You would not be able to work at your fullest if you are at home. Sure, you can work from home, but other transactions which would require your physical presence (such as contract signings and other logistic tasks) would not be possible, thus, affecting your performance rating for the month. The best thing that you can do would be to explain to your kids that the whole situation right now is very critical. They should not panic, but, they should also be cautious about the way that they spend the family resources. For example, if they want to take a bite out of the watermelon that you had recently purchased, they may do so, but they should be responsible enough to store any leftovers in the refrigerator, to avoid any spoilage. A leftover that is well-preserved would do wonders, providing everyone enough food to last a whole week. The same can be said about toiletries and hygiene products. When brushing your teeth, you should make sure to not squeeze any excess toothpaste. Just use enough for one brushing.

3. Purchasing Items Which Would Last Long

The best way to manage your budget would be to buy things which may last for a long time. There are food products which has a long shelf life. Opt for those instead of easily-perishable goods. If you prefer to buy fruits and vegetables, make sure that they are well-refrigerated. For other food products, canned sardines and meat loaf would be your go-to choice. Fresh products such as raw meat, chicken, and fish may last you a few days, but be cautious of their appearance as well. Even when frozen, they may still spoil fast, depending on how long they were displayed in the frozen section of the grocery store. Perhaps you may go for the ones which already underwent the process of curing, fermenting, pickling, and drying, just to name a few. Availing these food options would mean that you wouldn’t have to keep on buying a whole bunch whenever going to the grocery, thus, saving you a lot of cash in the long run.

These are just some of the most valuable tips in budgeting your resources (especially your money) during the pandemic. It is a must-do especially if you are at the receiving end of a financial assistance. Those who are managing and handling money remittances are frontliners, after all. Be sure that their efforts (along with the efforts of those sending over the cash assistance) would not go to waste. Practice proper budgeting.

A Microsavings account – an affordable and accessible option than your average bank account. You may be wondering why this is the case, well, let us elaborate further on that. Microsavings accounts are basically accounts which consist of a small deposit account offered to lower-income families or individuals as an incentive to store funds for future use. Microsavings accounts are somehow similar to a normal savings account, however, they are tailor-fitted for smaller amounts of money. The minimum balance requirements are often waived or very low, allowing users to save small amounts of money and not be charged for the service. In such case, we can say that a majority of the Filipinos would be able to afford this, but let us clarify on that. As accessible and affordable as it may be, a majority of Filipinos aren’t really familiar with the concept of a Microsavings account yet. Many Filipinos are not informed about this fantastic alternative to a mainstream bank’s services, owing to the fact that well-known banks would spend countless amounts in marketing and ads just to flood out any news of this more affordable option. With that in mind, allow us to orient you about the features of a Microsavings account, the basic ins and outs, and the requirements in acquiring one.

How different is a Microsavings account from a normal bank account?

Purpose, that’s what differentiates a Microsavings account from the usual savings account. Let us put this into perspective:

A normal savings account has no limits. You can deposit any amount of cash, and at the same time, you can also withdraw any amount of money. You may do so as you please. If you were to deposit around 1 million Pesos, you can withdraw that 1 million Pesos the very next day. Indeed, it’s limitless, but that lack of limitation would make it conducive to abuse. Think about it, you can deposit and withdraw any amount, with no discipline in mind. A Microsavings account, on the other hand, has its own definite pro, in that it aims to end the stigma and proceed to discipline people about their spending habits. It would limit people who has the tendency to consume and spend more than they can save. It also aims to be more inclusive, being flexible and accessible by our fellows who are not fortunate enough to have the complete requirements needed in opening their own savings account in a bank.

A financial expert even gave his two cents when it came to the disadvantage of having a savings account: “The terms of traditional savings accounts may limit the ability of individuals with small funds to open such accounts, particularly if they do not have the minimum amount to get started. The stipulations of traditional savings might make the benefits of starting such an account limited or nonexistent for someone with a small amount to get started as well. For instance, a traditional savings account might incur regular fees if a minimum balance is not maintained. Furthermore, the account might generate negligible interest if the balance does not meet a certain threshold. The process of opening a traditional savings account could also prove to be intimidating to individuals who have little to no experience with banking institutions.”

So you can just imagine the struggle of people who are hoping to save up for their future, only to be stopped by the technicalities of opening a savings account in the first place, that technicality being the cost of opening the account itself.

Now that we know of their main difference, we may proceed with the advantages of choosing to open a Microsavings account over the typical savings account. For the purpose of clarity, we will be using Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microsavings service as an example. They are easily one of the best options when opening a Microsavings account. They also offer one of the most comprehensive Microsavings account to date.

1. No maintaining balance needed.

A Microsavings account would not require its account holder to maintain any form of balance within the account itself. While a normal bank would at least require you to leave P100 to P200 within your savings account, Cebuana Lhuillier understands the current situation of the Filipino people, wherein, every centavo counts. If Microsavings accounts were to require a maintaining balance, that would result to an extra P100 to P200 decrease from the average Filipino’s budget. That extra P100 to P200 would have been a great addition towards the food and grocery fund, instead of being used as untouchable filler within your savings account.

2. Microsavings accounts have more flexibility and leeway when it comes to their account holders.

A mainstream bank’s typical savings account has many restrictions. For one, the age limit is a bit problematic, not allowing kids to open their own account, until such time that they have reached a legal age. Microsavings accounts are way different than that. Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microsavings account, for example, qualifies children as young as 7 years old to open their own account (with the help of their parents, of course), which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account. Remember when we said that Microsavings accounts are more focused on disciplining its account holders when it comes to financial management? This is where it is most distinguishable, as training your kids to properly manage their finances at an early age has a positive outcome once they grow up into responsible adults.

3. The requirements are easier to accomplish and present.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microsavings service is very inclusive, as indicated by their list of requirements. For example, in order for you to apply, you just need to visit any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,500 branches nationwide and fill-out the Client Customer Information File Sheet while presenting the following:

1. Government issued ID
2. Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
3. Student ID (applicable only if student is currently enrolled)
4. P50 minimum initial deposit
5. P100 card fee (for clients w/o 24k card)

Take note of the initial deposit amount. Yes, you’ve read that right, only P50. The list of IDs you may present also makes the application process welcoming in its very own way, as the list of accepted Government/Valid IDs are:

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
• Social Security System (SSS) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• OFW ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
• Barangay Certificate or ID (with picture and signature)
• Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
• Firearm License
• Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Marriage License
• National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
• New TIN ID
• OWWA ID
• Student ID
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
• Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
• Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

Even owning one or two of these would be enough to qualify you for a Microsavings account.

So, that is basically it. Microsavings accounts are indeed, the future of affordable banking. They have established themselves as the most accessible banking option ever, while still improving their services, offering a lot more in the long run. The features, the options, and the perks are just way too impressive to ignore. So, what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now and feel free to inquire about their amazing Microsavings services.

Service fees for donations made to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Operation Bayanihan: Labanan Ang COVID-19 campaign to aid medical frontliners is now waived.

Cebuana Lhuillier decided to forego its remittance fees for donors who would like to contribute to GMA’s donation drive to purchase face masks, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and gloves which will be provided to frontliners at public hospitals as well as personnel stationed at checkpoints for the entire duration of the enhanced community quarantine.

“Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to serve Filipinos will always be in place, and right now our noble men and women who are bravely tackling this pandemic head-on, need our support. I hope we are able to send a clear message that now, more than ever, we must work together as a nation to combat COVID-19.” said Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

GMA’s Kapuso Foundation launched its Operation Bayanihan: Labanan ang COVID-19 campaign to aid frontliners who are in need of protective personal equipment given the swiftly dwindling supplies in hospital as COVID-19 cases are on a steady rise in the country and distribute grocery family packs for vulnerable families in Metro Manila whose means of income have been halted due to the enhanced community quarantine.

Cebuana Lhuillier implores everyone to work together to ease the plight of the many Filipino individuals, families, and communities affected by the threat of COVID-19 as well as the effect of the enhanced community quarantine. For all cash donations, you may visit Cebuana Lhuillier branches near you.

GUIDED by a mission of promoting greater financial inclusion among all Filipinos through innovative and affordable financial solutions, microfinancial services giant, Cebuana Lhuillier and growing chain of non-bank financial service stores, USSC (Universal Storefront Services Corporation), have recently formed a partnership.

Through this partnership, Cebuana Lhuillier and USSC will be able to extend their money transfer services to more Filipinos all over the country. Customers may now claim their remittances at USSC’s more than 1,500 outlets around the country and Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches nationwide, as well.

With these two brands uniting their efforts, Filipinos will have more convenient payout options when it comes to their local remittance. “This partnership will definitely have a positive impact towards the lives of the Filipinos who rely on money remittances for their everyday needs. Through this partnership, we are simply extending our hands to assist and remind them that the country’s most recognized brands in the domestic money transfer business are now closer to them than ever,” said Jose Xavier Gonzales, USSC’s chief executive officer.

Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President, Philippe Andre Lhuillier, adds: “The combined dominance of Cebuana Lhuillier and USSC will enable for better delivery of services to our clientele. With both companies working together, Ka-Cebuanas regardless of their location in the Philippines will have access to additional domestic remittance outlets available nationwide through USSC’s network.”

The summer season is a perfect opportunity for us to get closer to our loved ones. Aside from the fact that the school year has ended for the kids, the weather is perfect for out of town trips and family gatherings. For the most part, some of us can afford such vacation plans, due to us being in very close proximity with our loved ones, sharing a home with our spouse, kids, and even our in-laws. However, not everyone has the same opportunity or privilege of achieving that. Many hardworking Pinoys in the urban cities of Luzon aren’t really originally from Manila, instead, many of them were born and raised in the province. Because of that, they might have not seen their loved ones for a long time, enduring homesickness while working hard and trying to make it big in Manila.

You might think that just because its summer, they’ll be able to leave their work and beeline straight home to meet their family again, but that cannot be further from the truth. Many Filipinos, especially under strict contract conditions cannot just up and leave without salary deductions and technical policies, thus, putting their occupation at risk, even after returning from vacation. In such case, the most sensible solution would be for their loved ones to pay them a visit. But such solution requires cash, especially as most of our provinces are a whole day’s length away, so much that in fact the fare expenses would reach up to the thousands or more. And we’re just putting into account the expenses that may involve one travelling family member, so if your spouse were to bring along your kids for a visit here in Manila, you may expect the fare expenses to multiply. They would not be able to shoulder the expenses, as remember, you are the breadwinner, you are the provider, and they’re just waiting out for your financial remittances in order to pay for the bills and tuition fees back in the province.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service as a bridge towards reuniting with your family again.

You’d no longer have to worry, as Cebuana Lhuillier’s Money Remittance Service would be your helping hand when it comes to sending your loved ones the well-needed amount to travel in Manila. The Pera Padala service is quick, easy, and safe way to send and receive money within and outside the Philippines. Your family may claim the money as soon as you’ve completed the remittance process in your local branch.

The process of sending money in the province is easy and can be done in just a few minutes:

• Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala form.
• You may then submit the filled out form, together with a Valid ID and a 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
• Give the total amount to be sent. Count it well before presenting it to the branch personnel.
• Secure the Pera Padala form (and count the change received, if there is any).
• Take note of the 10-digit control number, and then, send it to the receiver/beneficiary of money transfer, in this case, the receiver would be your loved ones.

NOTE: The receiver/beneficiary should provide the control number and present a Valid ID when claiming the remittance.

For your loved ones back in the province, the process of claiming the remitted amount is also simple.

• They may visit any nearby Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop branch and fill out the Pera Padala form. All of the details should be written down correctly, so it would be consistent with the details provided by the sender as well.
• After presenting the accomplished form they need to present a Valid ID and a 24k card (if they are a 24k card holder). All requirements should only be presented to the authorized personnel.
• As with all transactions that involves money, the receivers should count the amount received before leaving the branch.

If your loved ones in the province would not be able to reach their Cebuana Lhuillier branches due to unforeseen circumstances, they may instead coordinate with the authorized Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala Agents (for domestic remittances). The authorized agents are:

• ADB Lending Company, Inc. (Pasamonte)
• Expresspay, Inc.
• Global Pinoy Remittance and Services (GPRS)
• Orient Asia Lending, Inc. (Prime Remit)
• Jewelhouse Pawnshop and Jewelry
• Ayala Alabang Village Association-Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AAVA-EMPC)
• FILHAI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FILHAI MPC)
• Republic Pawnshops Corporation (H Lhuillier)
• Quickloan Pawnshop
• Cardbank, Inc.
• Tiaong Rural Bank, Inc.
• China Bank Savings, Inc
• Cantilan Bank, Inc
• Enterprise Bank, Inc
• ABS-CBN E-Money Plus, Inc (myREMIT)
• Opportunity Kauswagan Remit, Inc. (OK Remit)
• Dalton Pawnshop and Jewelry, Inc.
• Inter Asia Development Bank
• Gata Daku Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GDMPC)
• Sun Gate Pawnshop
• Card SME Bank
• Viaexpress Travel & Tours, Inc.
• Philippine Postal Savings Bank
• Bayad Center
• Tanglaw Pawnshop
• Golden Rural Bank
• Pazalonia Pawnshop
• Country Builders
• Rural Bank of Kiamba (Sarangani) Inc.
• Common Wealth Rural Bank
• Via.com

They may visit any of these authorized agents once you’ve given them the control number. You may simply call, text, or chat the important details, but remember to remind your loved ones to bring a Valid ID, and also, to never share the control number with anyone else other than the branch personnel inside the Cebuana Lhuillier branch or the authorized agents.

Now, all of these are made possible only by a well-trusted remittance center, and nothing indicates a more trusted name than Cebuana Lhuiller. With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala Service, you are ensured an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money. With more than 2500 branches nationwide and accredited international and domestic partners, this money transfer service is made available to clients within and outside the Philippines. All transactions are real time, which enables clients to claim the money as soon as the sender completes the sending process in the branch. So feel free to visit any nearby Cebuana Lhuillier branch for your money remittance needs – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

While the summer season may be a great opportunity for you to have a fun and relaxing quality time with your kids, it also presents a certain disadvantage at best, and that is, conditioning your kids to prepare for the next school year or semester. Now, this isn’t apparent at the first few weeks of their summer vacation, as indeed, they deserve a well-needed rest, away from stress brought about by assignments, school projects, and foundation day performances. However, during the last few days of summer vacation, you might come to realize that there should at least be enough time set aside in order to prepare them for the upcoming academic year. Of course, suggesting this to your kids out of nowhere would earn you their ire or resistance, so knowing when and where to reiterate the importance of preparation is the key.

For the most part, at least one week away from the new school year would be a perfect chance for you to set them up for the challenges ahead. Setting their expectation and familiarizing them with the advantage of preparation would not only make them flexible to change, but also, make them realize that every new school year or semester presents a challenge that they may have not encountered before. If you were to deliver this message effectively, not only would they be able to face the new school year with courage and an invigorated interest in learning something new, they might even thank you in the long run.

Now, if like most parents, you have no idea on how to prepare them firsthand, then look no further than our valuable tips:

1. Review their older lessons.

The thing about the new school year or semester is that it may contain a lesson plan that involves a much updated and advanced form of knowledge or principles which were already taught before. This is where reviewing your kid’s older lessons would come in handy. If they were to return to the basics, they would at least be able to piece the puzzle when it comes to a more advanced version of that particular lesson. Take Mathematics, for example. The simplest lessons would involve addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. Perhaps at your kid’s recent school year, they were taught separately, focusing on one equation first before proceeding to the other. Now, imagine if the next school year would tackle an equation that involves solving a Math problem that has all of the recent equations combined. If your kids were to go to school unprepared, they may experience outright confusion, an offset that is further described by a modern term, “information overload.” Now, imagine if your kids were to review the recent equations from the past year, and then be presented with the newer, much complicated equation, they may be able to comprehend it at first glance, and even have a “Eureka!” moment – “Oh, so I just have to follow the MDAS procedure in order to solve this advanced Math problem.” Take it from us, reviewing helps a lot.

2. Mentally preparing them for the new school year/semester.

You might think that this is similar to the very first pointer, since reviewing older lessons may indeed stimulate your kid’s memory and analytic skills. However, when we say mental preparation, it also has something to do with their studying habits. The way we handle habits with our kids would determine if they’ll be able to successfully set them up to overcome newer lessons in class. Think about it, mental preparedness provides that well-needed edge and focus that your kids may need to concentrate on their studies. If they are motivated to learn in a very timely manner, you can expect that they’ll never struggle when it comes to studying routines and lessons. Think of it as motivating them to think that they can achieve anything, and that they can comprehend anything that the teacher says, as long as they listen, and listen hard. This motivation would not only help with their grades, but with their overall future as well. Some of history’s prominent figures such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, etc. showcased confidence and resiliency, even when under pressure. The confidence to present what they know and the resiliency to show that what they’ve known and learned throughout many years would stand with no argument may prove beneficial for your kids in the long run.

3. Socially preparing them for any possible new friends in the upcoming school year.

Kids often shy away from new acquaintances, especially if they’re quiet and lonesome. This is normal for most kids, but such qualities should not be left unchanged. Many kids grow up to be introverts due to the fact that they struggle to interact with others. This is the result of parents not orienting their kids about the “outside world.” Teach your kids to be sociable, friendly, and kind. Let them know that it is okay to be shy, but not to the extent that they’d shy away from everyone they’d meet. Tell them that no man is an island, and that everyone needs a friend. Of course, you should also teach them to be wary of who they’d hangout with, so as to avoid any bad influences along the way. Teach them to be vigilant about the people in their surroundings, to be cautious of the company that they’re letting themselves into, and the kind of personalities they might want to have around. Remember, it is easier to teach your kids about the dos and don’ts of hanging out and making friends during their early years. Do this effectively and you may never have to experience any hassle once they reach their teenage years.

4. Preparing all of the right tools for the upcoming school year.

This is just one of the most typical ways of preparing for a new school year. Buying a new bag, notebooks, crayons, pencils, erasers, etc. Understandably, every new school year brings forth expenses in the form of school supplies. Of course, as a parent, it is only right for us to provide our kids with the best tools to help with their education. Buy everything in high quality and do not cheapen out on any writing materials that they may need, unless you’d want your kids to come home with a broken pencil, snapping in half just when the notes on the blackboard starts pouring in. Let them enjoy the advantage of high-grade supplies and watch as they do academic wonders with these materials.

Now, for OFWs who value the education of their kids back at home, they’d go through any obstacle just to send every well-needed amount for their education. OFW parents aren’t just focused on sending their spouse the monthly budget after every payday, but they are also motivated on providing for their kids, may it be for the tuition fees or the purchase of school supplies. In such case, a very reliable money remittance service is needed, to ensure that the tuition fees will be paid in full, every time. No need to worry, as that is made possible by a well-trusted remittance center, and nothing indicates a more trusted name than Cebuana Lhuiller. With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala Service, you are ensured an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money. With more than 2,500branches nationwide and accredited international partners, this money transfer service is made available to clients within and outside the Philippines. All transactions are real time, which enables clients to claim the money as soon as the sender completes the sending process in the branch. So for our beloved OFW patrons, feel free to visit any of our international partners – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

For a complete list of our international partners, you may visit our website at https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pera-padala/.

The summer season is what many people may see as a perfect opportunity to seat back, relax, and enjoy the warm, sleepy weather at the comfort of their homes. For others, it is also a perfect opportunity to getaway towards a tropical island, among the cool breeze and the sandy beaches. For the most part, that is true, as most would love to take a few days or weeks off from their current jobs. However, this is only achievable if one has enough budget or finances to actually be able to book a flight or avail a vacation package. The thing about vacations is that, filing for one would already provide two main assumptions; that you have already planned everything out ahead of time and that you already have the appropriate amounts to set that plan in motion. If you’ve already submitted your “leave forms” without any solid plan ahead of you then that may just very well be a wasted opportunity. In such case, not only do you have a lack of plan for the summer, but you also have a lack of budget to go with it.

With that in mind, you may be wondering how you’d best get by this summer while trying to fit your budget, even before the warm season ends. Well, look no further than some of our valuable tips. While some of these may prove more efficient than the others, you have the option to choose which tip would best work for you. Remember, you only have a tight budget to work with, so make the most out of it. You might even make a few extras along the way.

1. Control and be responsible with your expenses.

This is one of the most basic tip that anyone with a tight budget should be focusing on. People need the usual necessities in order to survive, food, water, medicine (if ever they feel sick), cellphone load, etc. However, these necessities (if left unchecked) may still be subject to abuse. Food, for example, may be overbought, resulting to many of your supplies going to waste. It isn’t to say that you shouldn’t have an extra loaf of bread on your shelf, because surely you might need a midnight snack. However, buying too many raw products would leave you with too much spoils thus, wasting a lot from your budget. If you happen to live on your own, purchase groceries which would last you for at least one to two weeks, but estimating that it would never be less or more than what you already need. Preserve water as well. Leave no tap running, unless you’d want to have staggering water bills at the end of the month. You may also want to watch your medicine or first aid kit purchases, as medicines have expiration dates. It’s great to have a handful of pain killers and fever capsules, but buying three bottles of these capsules would be too much. Manage your limited finances in a way that your purchases are just in the right amounts and that you’d never waste any of your available resources.

2. Plan out your own summer business.

The thing about having limited finances is that it would at least inspire you to think of some way to double it. The summer season is a perfect opportunity for you to be able to come up with your own small time business. Think of all the possibilities! For the average Filipino, a “Halo-Halo” store would be the most obvious answer. Either that or you’d prefer to sell popsicles or blocks of ice wrapped in plastic. The thing is, you are presented with the opportunity to make a living out of the small budget and summer heat that lies before you. Some locales would usually require a business permit in order for you to start your own small time venture, but even that is as simple as filling up forms, paying the appropriate fee, and presenting other documents which may show that your location is safe for the business.

3. Stay at home.

Limited budget would always result to limited activities. If you do not have the cash to go on a luxury cruise, then better just stay at home. You wouldn’t have any other choice, either way, as travel would cost money, and we aren’t even touching on the accommodation fees per scheduled vacation. Now, it may seem like a drag at first but sometimes fun comes from the most unexpected places. Staying at home also has its perks, for one, you can sit the whole day, relax, only to stand every meal time, turn on the TV after washing the dishes, then proceed to watch reruns of your favorite shows. If you aren’t fond of TV shows, then perhaps you can make the most out of your internet connection, watch countless livestreams of foreign shows or movies. The thing is, you are your only worst enemy, not boredom, and you are the only thing limiting you from having some fun, so do not let limitation of funds get you down.

4. Sell off some pre-loved items.

This is like hitting two birds with one stone. Have the energy to clean out any unnecessary or pre-loved items from your home and sell them off in a garage sale. You’d not only be decluttering your own space, but you would also be able to make a few amounts out of the sale. This is somewhat similar to the second pointer, with the slight difference of not having to get a permit for your garage sale, and having your pre-loved items to sell off instead of popsicles. Now, if you don’t feel like having a garage sale but would still prefer to offer your items in exchange for cash, then you might want to visit a pawnshop. Jewelries are your best friends when it comes to situations such as this, and the higher the appraisal of your pre-loved jewelry, the higher the amount that you’d get in return. Cash in exchange for your old accessories would always be a better deal than doing nothing at all for the summer.

With all of that being said, you may be looking for a pawn shop that would provide you with the most secure, reliable, and honest service and highest appraisal rates possible. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount (especially with a tight budget), as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Mobile applications are the future of financial transactions. Instead of spending your time in line, waiting for your name or number to be called, mobile apps would enable you to do it all in just one click. You aren’t even limited to just one transaction, as you’ll be able to transfer funds, validate received amounts, and pay your bills via your app. Cebuana Lhuillier, a pawnshop that knows the importance of time, proclaim its openness to innovation with its eCebuana App.

What is Cebuana Lhuillier’s eCebuana App?

Cebuana Lhuillier’s eCebuana App is one of a kind, in the sense that it further extends the functionality of one of their main services, namely, Micro Savings. All of the transactions that you can do in your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch, with regards to your Micro Savings account can now be done using this new app. Cebuana Lhuillier is aware of the average Pinoy’s need to accomplish tasks in a timely and direct manner, hence, why they came up with this amazing solution to connect everyone to one of their vital services in order to help cut time in processing their transactions and to enable them to avoid the hassles of long lines as well. No longer would you need to spend fare money for commute, and neither would you ever need to waste time in lining up for your Micro Savings transactions.

What are the functionalities of the eCebuana App?

Basically, every transaction which involves their Micro Savings services, but are not limited to other minor functionalities such as:

1. Send Money
2. Micro Savings
3. E-Loads
4. Electronic Bill Payments

Minor functionalities as they may, they are also vital transactions which people undergo on a regular basis. While e-loads and bill payments are a different story altogether. Everyone uses their cellphones, which is why loads are consumed and bought regularly, the same thing goes for electronic bill payments, with people paying their monthly charges via app in order to avoid long lines within the local “Bayad Centers.” Some may even argue that the minor functionalities of the app are more utilized than its main functionalities, but that is still up for debate.

Now for the main functionalities, those of which are integrated into their Micro Savings system, the following may be accomplished:

1. Checking of their Micro Savings Account Balance.

For people who already have a Micro Savings account with Cebuana Lhuillier, they may check their balance via the app. Oftentimes, people line up in front of ATM machines just to check the amount in their account, the same thing happens within the Cebuana Lhuillier branches, with people lining up just to inquire their Micro Savings balance. Cebuana Lhuillier, being the catalyst of convenience for their customers, came up with the eCebuana app in order to prevent this hassle in the long run.

2. Transferring of Amounts between Micro Savings Accounts.

Understandably, we find ourselves in the brink of financial need sometimes. If it isn’t us, it may either be a family, a friend, or even a workmate. In such case, Cebuana Lhuillier thought of an innovation which would ease up on the process of helping each other out with a simple click. Transferring amounts between two Micro Savings account is now made easier with the eCebuana app. Especially during trying times, where money transfer should be immediate or real-time, the eCebuana app enables you to have complete control of your Micro Savings account, having the functionality to send or receive an amount from another Micro Savings account within the system.

3. Transferring of Amounts between a Micro Savings Account and a Bank.

This is identical to the previous functionality, except that instead of sending money to another Micro Savings account, you’d be sending money to a bank instead. The receiver would still have to line up in their local bank in order to receive the amount (either that, or they’d have to access their bank account within their own app, if their bank has one). The main catch from this is that you’d still be able to do it all from the comfort of your home, using nothing but the eCebuana app.

4. Transferring of Amounts between a Micro Savings Account and a Cebuana Lhuillier Branch.

Now, if the one receiving the amount has neither a bank account nor an eCebuana app installed in their phone, you may still transfer money towards a Cebuana Lhuillier branch. They will have to receive it the way it was usually done, by lining up in their nearest branch and filling out a form for their transaction. This may be time-consuming, depending on how long the line is, but that would be on the receiver’s end. If you were the one to send the amount, again, you’d be able to accomplish all of that in one click. No need to leave the comfort of your home.

Key Summary:

To simplify, the eCebuana App has two (2) minor functionalities and four (4) major functionalities. The minor ones involve e-loads and bill payments, while the major functionalities include:

• Checking of Micro Savings account balance.
• Money transfers between two Micro Savings account.
• Money transfers between a Micro Savings account and another bank.
• Money transfers between a Micro Savings account and a Cebuana Lhuillier branch.

Of course, you’d have to apply for a 24k card first in order to accomplish such transactions though the app, but even that is a simple process that would not take much of your time. You may prefer to the official Cebuana Lhuillier website for more information about their 24k card .

With all of that being said, you can probably say that such an app is a lifesaver. Indeed, Cebuana Lhuillier does most of the heavy lifting, proving that unbeatable service is best seen with an innovation. Here in Cebuana Lhuillier, service is our top virtue, may it be online or in-branch. So, what are you waiting for? Download the eCebuana App now! Available at the Google Playstore.

A clean home is a serene home. When you are surrounded by mess, it is much harder to feel calm, noticing all of the bundled clothes, unorganized magazines, and dusty shelves. For the most part, it isn’t conducive to do or accomplish anything at all, which is why we were brought up by our parents to value the importance of cleanliness and proper hygiene. Without these two important things, we may never get by in life, struggling to concentrate on our goals and failing to do all of the necessary things as we are distracted by all of the mess that overwhelms us.

This is even more evident during the summer, as the heat index rises due to the lack of circulation within your home. The air passages from outside are either blocked out by unorganized mess or by clear inches of dust, all of which may contribute to irritability and anxiety. With this in mind, it is safe to say that nothing would ever signify a much better home than by decluttering every mess out of existence. Decluttering may just solve that longstanding problem of disorder and mess within your household, not counting the allergies and psychological problems brought about by a gloomy place. Don’t believe us? Here are a few examples of the advantages when it comes to decluttering your home:

1. Decluttering provides a wider space within your home.

Admittedly, clutter tightens your moving space. If your path is often blocked or constricted by disorganized furniture, unhanged clothes, and sprawled out toys then you might as well need to take hold of the broom and start sweeping. This is critical, especially during emergency situations, in which you’d have to move fast in order to either escape out of the house or to avert the whole incident. The perfect example of this would be during a fire, where a messy room may prove to be hazardous, with everything catching on fire and your pathway being blocked off by all of the burning clutter. Things may go from messy to risky, hence, why you should clear out any unnecessary trash, items, and dirt from your home. This is more critical when you’re not the only person at home, as your kids and loved ones may be at risk during such times. Do what you must and clear everything out to create a movable, breathing space indoors.

2. Decluttering helps you relax and relieves stress.

There is a famous decluttering expert that once emphasized the healing effects of cleaning out mess. According to that expert, decluttering “sparks joy,” and indeed, that is the truth. Don’t you find it hard to concentrate when you are being bothered by the awful sight of messy tables and shelves? Aren’t you irritated by the dust and odor coming from your bundled clothes on the floor? All of these may have harmful effects on your physical and psychological makeup, and it may prove unhealthy in the long run. Do something about the mess as early as now, do not wait for others to clean up the mess, especially if you’re the one with the ample time to do just that. With the summer season now on the horizon, your other family members may have ample time to help out in the cleaning. You may even teach them the proper ways of decluttering, based from your own experience. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, basically, teaching them the importance of cleaning and disciplining them about hygiene and cleanliness. No longer would you have to worry about anyone leaving their mess again for that matter.

3. Decluttering helps you find long-lost items.

This is definitely true. Have you ever found yourself looking for that souvenir you received a few years ago from a workmate? How about trying to find your keys from the pile of unwashed pants in the bedroom? Or how about trying to find your pet cat from beneath the bundles of torn magazines on your living room floor? These valuable things may get buried beneath the bundle of mess if you aren’t cleaning up on a regular basis. The thing is, the more that the mess piles up, the harder would it be for you to find small, important items. Items such as keys, mini-phonebooks, calling cards, and even Swiss army knives may get lost deep within the pile that you wouldn’t even know where to begin looking for them. Avoid having to spend hours rummaging your house for just a single key, clean it all up, organize everything, and get rid of all the bundles of mess that were built up overtime. Keep everything in place and immediately have access to your treasured items.

4. Decluttering helps in making extra cash during the summer.

You’ve read that right. The thing about clutters is that they’d often mix your belongings so much that you’d never realize which item is still useful and which item is no longer being used at all. The latter is usually left untouched within the pile that you wouldn’t even notice its mint condition, in spite of all the recent years of use. Gadgets, apparel shoes, and even jewelries can get lost in the mix. When you buy yourself newer versions of these things, you wouldn’t even bother to have a second look at your pre-loved items, thus, leaving you with a goldmine that you never even realized that you had. Declutter your home, gather all of your pre-loved items which are still in mint condition, then sell them off via a garage sale or a pawnshop. The best thing about this isn’t just the cleanliness and orderliness of your home, but it’s also about the extra cash you’d make once you’re able to sell off your old stuff. Just make sure that the items you’re going to sell or pawn off are still in good working condition, unless you want to be accused of selling off broken items, and that would be illegal.

Now, after you’ve decluttered your home and are ready to make extra cash out of your old belongings, you may be looking for a pawn shop that would provide you with the most secure, reliable, and honest service and highest appraisal possible. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500branches nationwide. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Mobile applications, they make everything faster and more convenient to accomplish. There used to be a time when paying your utility bills meant that you’d have to wait in line between thirty minutes to over an hour. Nowadays, that very same transaction can be accomplished faster with the push of a button. Of course, that’s not the only tasks that would require a huge chunk of time to process, activities such as submitting government paperwork, reserving tickets to an event or movie, and job applications are also known for this type of wait length. And we haven’t even touched on the time of your commute yet, as the time spent in line doesn’t even account for the time that you’d invest on your travel to and from the process venue. In such case, the rise of mobile applications which offers to ease up every tasks has everyone hooked, to the extent that they’d never have to experience waiting for thirty minutes or more amongst hundreds (or sometimes, even thousands) of onlookers.

Indeed, mobile applications (or apps, as they are now called) have become the “partners” of the average Filipino in their everyday lives. For the most part, apps are used for communication purposes, enabling their users to message or call their family, friends, or loved ones without having to spend too much on call and text rates. There are also instances in which they may send videos and pictures over apps, letting their “audiences” and followers know of their current or most recent activities. Definitely, this would only be limited to the people who has access to their personal pages, nonetheless, they would be updated in real time. If that isn’t enough, apps are also used as references for on-the-fly information. When we say on-the-fly, we are talking about information in need of sudden validation by the users. If an app user wants to find out the correct spelling of the word, a dictionary app would be most appropriate for the task. If that very same user wants to confirm the soup of the day from a specific restaurant, there is also an app which would indicate that. So overall, apps are like your daily human companions. They help you out in times of need, without breaking a sweat or wasting precious time in determining validated information.

Answering with valid information, is that all an app does?
No, as a matter of fact, most apps out there does more than simply telling you the correct spelling and definition of a word. There are apps that schedule your vacation itinerary, there are apps which calculates your electricity usage, and there are even apps which determines which delicacy has the highest calorie count, enabling you to avoid said food. This is the reason why some people consider mobile apps as daily companions, due to the fact that it does most of the tedious task for them, saving them a lot of time in doing more important things like their regular work and routines. Considering that even the simplest task may require a huge amount of time in analyzing the outcome, you may think that they are vital for an average person’s daily activities, and you may actually be right.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s eCebuana App
With all of that in mind, there is a particular cellphone app which has recently been making the waves due to their easy functionality and accessibility. The amount of things which this app can do definitely amazed a lot of people, going as far as revolutionizing the way that they’ve undergone the usual processes when it came to their financials and payment obligations. We are talking about Cebuana Lhuillier’s newly introduced eCebuana App. Now, you may ask, “What exactly is the eCebuana App? What are the things that I’d be able to accomplish using this app?” Well, look no further than the following info.

What kind of app is it exactly?
Cebuana Lhuillier’s eCebuana App allows Filipinos to access the different features of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings wherever they are and whenever they want to. Cebuana Lhuillier is aware of the average Pinoy’s need to accomplish tasks in a timely and direct manner, hence, why they came up with this amazing solution to connect everyone to one of their vital services in order to help cut time in processing their transactions and to enable them to avoid the hassles of long lines as well. So you’d never have to invest fare money for commute, and neither would you ever need to line up as well just to have your preferred transaction processed.

Okay, it sounds good, but what are its main functionalities?
The Micro Savings service from Cebuana Lhuillier is definitely recognized as one of the establishment’s main services, so much that they came up with the app to avoid the build-up of people within their branches. People who are hoping to pawn off their pre-loved items would still need to bring their said items personally in order to have them appraised, but Micro Savings patrons may just simply handle their transactions using the app, as such transactions can be accomplished, even with no physical appearance. The following are the things you may accomplish in-app:

1. It allows the app user to check their balance.For those who are hoping to check the total amount of their current savings, they may do so within the app. No longer would you have to go outdoors just to do that.
2. It allows the app user to perform money transfers.Have a relative in the province who is currently in need of financial assistance? You may transfer whatever amount you’d want to provide from your own account towards their own Micro Savings account. You can also transfer money towards their bank accounts, given that you’ve been given their bank details.
3. It allows the app user to send money.This is similar to the previous functionality, with the exception that the ones receiving the cash amount doesn’t have their own Micro Savings account. In such case, they may have to visit a Cebuana Lhuillier branch to receive the money. You, on the other hand, do not need to go outside your house in order to accomplish this, as this process can still be done through the app, given that your account has the appropriate amount.
4. It allows the app user to load prepaid credits to their phones.It does what exactly the description says. You no longer have to stroll towards your local sari-sari stores just to have your cellphone number loaded. You can just reload directly from your Micro Savings account.
5. It allows the app user to pay their bills by integrating it to their micro savings account.One of the most time-saving things you can do through the app is paying your utility bills. No longer would you need to commute and stand in line for minutes or so. You can do that at the comfort of your home, with the help of the app.

Download the eCebuana App now! Available at the Google Playstore.

Love has many forms, the same way that love may be expressed in various ways. The Valentine’s season is the perfect opportunity for us to express that love, whichever way we may choose. For the most part, everyone has already planned and sorted out their own ways in showing their love towards the people that matter to them. That certain thing is easy to do, especially if they happen to be in the same house as their loved ones. But how about the OFWs who live abroad? How would they be able to show that they care? How can they reciprocate the love that their family has been showing them throughout the routine overseas calls and Social Media chats? The answer is very simple, and has been a staple activity of OFWs for many decades. Simply put, through the noble act of sending money from abroad.

Money remittance has stood the test of time, ever since the very first influx of Filipino workers abroad. People tend to forget that OFWs have a definite reason as to why they would endure long periods of time being away from their families, and that isn’t even for their own personal gain. No, it is all because of their loved ones, the very family that they hold dear in their heart. They’re the reason, they’re the priority, and they’re the catalyst.

Why do OFWs prefer to work abroad?
Everyone has their own reason as to why they would prefer to work abroad. The thing is, it isn’t even a matter of having a deeply-rooted plan with regard to working in a faraway place.. If given the choice, our beloved OFWs would have chosen to work here in the Philippines, just so they may see their loved ones every day. However, major factors such as job shortages, the dwindling economy, the low pay, and even the hefty travel commute would usually get in the way of a good lifestyle and livelihood, hence, they would have to make one of the hardest decisions of all, in one way or the other, and that is to leave their family here in the country in order to provide for them sufficiently.

How many OFWs are there as of late?
Data gathered from the 2018 Survey on Overseas Filipino showed that there were at least 2.3 million Filipinos abroad. The Overseas Contract Workers, those of which who has an existing work contract comprised 96.2% of the total number of OFWs during the period of April 2018 to September 2018. To be more specific, Saudi Arabia was the leading country where our OFWs flock to, with 24.3%. Other popular destinations were United Arab Emirates (15.7 %), Hong Kong (6.3 %), Kuwait (5.7 %), Taiwan (5.5 %), and Qatar (5.2 %). Take note that these were data gathered from 2018. The numbers may have changed up until the time of writing of this article (year 2020), but the government is working non-stop, in order to gather and compute for that updated data. It’s either the numbers going up, or some of the percentages going down, only for other countries to come into equation as the new destination for modern OFWs. In such case, even small percentages in comparison are still worth thousands, if not, hundreds of Filipinos who are giving it their all in order to provide for their families.

With OFWs being far away from their families, how do they express their care even without their presence?
This is best done by the very purpose that motivated them to go abroad, and that is to provide for their loved ones back at home. We Filipinos regard our OFWs highly, and that is for a very good reason. The sacrifice that they do on a daily basis is an epitome of their unwavering motivation to give their families a good life. In the modern era, countless Filipinos are stationed abroad, giving it their all, with no regard for their own safety and well-being, most of the time. Even in countries which are on the verge of war, you may have seen news reports of Filipinos not wanting to come home, as it may lower their chances of ever going back once everything settles and reforms are made. They’d prefer to be in the heat of the action, going as far as sacrificing their own well-being, just to ensure that their kids would are provided for back at home to pursue their education.

It may seem impractical and senseless at first glance, but remember, these sacrifices are done for their loved ones to have a good life. No amount of money or sense of self-preservation may compare to the happiness that they’d incur once they see their families enjoying a full and bountiful future.

If being an OFW is the perfect job to convey that care, through the wonderful world of money remittance. What is it like being an OFW?
Unfortunately, being an OFW doesn’t protect you from the possibility of employment abuse. It was once said that employment conditions abroad are relevant to the individual worker and their families, as well as for the sending country and its economic growth and well-being. Poor working conditions for Filipinos hired abroad include long hours, low wages, and just a few chances to visit their family. With that being said, it’s not all fun and games for our beloved Overseas Filipino Workers. We’ve mentioned on multiple occasions how being an OFW has its risks as well, that they put their bodies on the line just for a fair wage. There may even be injustices to their regular pay grade, so even if they wanted to, their remittances are limited according to the pay that they’ve received. Of course, we’ve got lots and lots of regulations put in place in order to protect the OFWs from abuse, however, not all of them are being implemented, let alone being checked or updated to fit the context of the modern OFWs.

Giving credit where credit is due
We Filipinos always value our families. If that’s the case, then even the Overseas Filipino Workers themselves know that the surefire way of showing their appreciation would be sending back money to those who’ve shown unwavering support for them during their woes and triumphs. It just so happens that Valentine’s Day is a day that amplifies that deed, as everyone is more than aware of the kindness and concern they’ve received from others, and that they are more than willing to show them back. A round of applause and a standing ovation for the OFWs who are consistent in doing this, with no months skipped, thus, continuing to help their loved ones out with the expenses while also providing more cash within the economy’s circulation.

However, that is made possible only by a trustworthy remittance center that has stood by OFWs for more than 30 years, and nothing indicates a more trusted name than Cebuana Lhuiller. With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala Service, you are ensured an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money. With 2,500 branches nationwide, 6,500 established domestic partners, and 1.5 million physical and virtual touchpoints their money transfer service is made available to clients within and outside the Philippines. All transactions are done in real time, which enables clients to claim the money as soon as the sender completes the sending process in the branch. So for our beloved OFW patrons, feel free to visit any of our international partners – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

For a complete list of our international partners, you may visit our website at https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pera-padala/

Insurance – everyone needs them, yet, not everyone is aware of that fact yet. People know the word, but do not have any idea about what insurance is and the advantages of owning one. The thing is, people always tend to get too complacent in life, not knowing that unexpected occurrences may happen from time to time. In such case, those people who were prepared would definitely get a huge cushion when life hits them hard. With that being said, investing on something important would ensure that the future of your family would not go to waste. It is always better to be prepared than sorry, and Cebuana Lhuillier is here to help you accomplish just that with ProtectMAX, with a little extra Grand Prize on the side.

What is ProtectMAX?
Cebuana Lhuiller’s ProtectMAX is a microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance. For as low as P50, each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured.

For a better understanding of what ProtectMAX is, just think of it as a more affordable alternative to those other insurances and micro insurances that you may have been hearing of before. Of course, they always come at a high cost, the thing is, ProtectMAX is the opposite of that, albeit the high-quality service and assurance they offer towards their customers/clients. You are better off investing in this particular Microinsurance than if your main priority is attaining an insurance that’s affordable and worth your hard-earned money. You may ask, “Well, that sounds great! But is my family qualified for this?” The definite answer is yes! The following are qualified beneficiaries for ProtectMAX:

Okay, such micro insurances usually allow me to have a beneficiary. Is my family qualified to be some of them?
No worries, they absolutely are. The qualified beneficiaries are your legal spouse, your kids who are of legal age (18 years old), your parents (which includes your mother and father), and your siblings (should be of legal age as well, married or single would still count).

As you can see, the list of beneficiaries aren’t really very limited, and it is understandable, as Cebuana Lhuillier is very much aware for the average Filipino’s need for a good insurance that would cover them in times of need.

What are the Premiums?
You just need to pay P50. That’s it, no tricks or gimmicks. For as low as P50, you may avail this amazing Microinsurance.

Of course, that’s not the only available premium. For just the price of P250, you may acquire a higher coverage:

Regardless of the premium that you’d avail, you’re sure to find value for your money and security for the future of your family. But even that would just be the tip of the iceberg, as the claiming process itself isn’t even difficult, unlike other establishments who are offering their insurance services. For Cebuana Lhuillier’s ProtectMax, the process would entail the following:

The Claiming Process:

1) In the event of a claim, the claimant shall submit the complete claim at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch nationwide.

2) Cebuana Lhuillier Branch Personnel shall review the completeness of all claim documents and submit to Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) (depending on the type of claim) for claims evaluation and approval; the review shall be done in accordance with the guidelines of Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation (PISC).

3) CLIS will submit final advice, within 48 hours to the BP and claimant the status of the claim.

a. If a claim is approved, CLIS Head Office will pay the claimant in advance thru Pera Padala.

b.If the claim is Denied, CLIS Head Office shall send letter of denial to the claimant.

For the requirements, be sure to transact with authorized Cebuana Lhuillier personnel for more information.

That’s great and all, but do they have any current Promos that goes along with the micro insurance?
Yes, as a matter of fact, they do. From February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020, you’d be able to participate in their “Bagong Taon, Bagong Motorsiklo E-Raffle Promo.” For every purchase of four (4) ProtectMAX micro insurance in a single transaction, a client would be given one (1) e-raffle entry. That e-raffle entry is for the chance to win one (1) Motorcycle on their grand draw! They will be giving away a total of eight (8) motorcycles, one per region, hence, eight lucky names will be drawn on May 4, 2020. The deadline of entries is on April 30, 2020, 11:59 P.M, so be sure to visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier as soon as possible.

Promo Terms and Conditions:
a) How many times may I participate in this promo?
-Only once, as you’d only be eligible to avail a total of four (4) ProtectMax per name.

b) How many e-raffle entries can I get after availing four (4) ProtectMax?
-You are only entitled to one (1) e-raffle entry.

c) How would I know if I won the e-raffle draw?
-Authorized Cebuana Lhuillier personnel will be sending the lucky winners a notification letter towards their address, which is why it is highly advised for the clients to update their complete address from time to time.

d) How will the winners acquire their grand raffle prize?
-All winners are advised to visit their nearest branch and present the notification letter which was sent to them, along with a valid ID (complete with their photo). From there, they would need to fill out an Acknowledgement Receipt and provide a testimonial towards the branch manager regarding the win.

With that being said, you may very well be on your way to availing this wonderful insurance offered by Cebuana Lhuillier. You may visit your nearest branch to know more about ProtectMax and the “Bagong Taon, Bagong Motorsiklo E-Raffle Promo.” Remember to transact only with our authorized personnel. All transactions are safely done within the safety of our establishments.

Valentine’s Day is always the perfect opportunity for us to give our loved ones the perfect gift. In such case, giving them something valuable and shiny may be the go-to idea. It’s been a norm to give jewelry on Valentine’s Day, after all. Husbands and boyfriends would often do that in order to please the woman of their lives. Giving them a gift that would last a lifetime definitely brings a very positive vibe to a lasting relationship. And not to be mistaken for materialistic importance, it’s all in the effort of coming up with something that would make an impact. You may have heard of other guys giving their loved one a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, etc. And admittedly, they do not come cheap. The amount of money you may be able to spend on Valentine’s Day is understandably limited, as there are far better things that you should be investing your money in, and shiny gifts shouldn’t be your top priority, especially if it’s going to be given in a seasonal event. No, you should set aside amounts for your future needs and investments, separating your seasonal expenses (Christmas gifts, Valentine’s Day gifts, etc.) from your vital funds.

With that being said, it’s possible that you may still be thinking about what to give your loved ones. Jewelry is an obvious choice, but as we’ve said, it may not always be practical, budget wise. “Then what may I give her instead?” you may ask. Well, we have a couple of tips that may resound better with your budget in the long run. These ideas, when done correctly would definitely put a smile on your loved one’s face. Aside from that, your wallet will be kept safe, without any need of ever breaking out any huge amount in order to impress your loved one. Of course, results may still vary, depending on your loved one’s preferences and lifestyle, but isn’t love all about taking risks? Shouldn’t you be more motivated in knowing that impressing her takes a bit of a challenge? That’s what true love is, after all.

1. A simple dinner.

The value of a particular gift isn’t always about the longevity of the items itself; it’s all about the experience that comes with receiving that very gift. The thing about the word “gift” is that it often comes off as a much generalized concept. A gift may be in the form of an item, a gift may come in the form of a song, a gift may come in the form of a memory, and it may also come in the form of an experience. This very first tip actually takes advantage of that very last form. You see, there is a saying that goes, “The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” In such case, wouldn’t the same thing apply to women as well? If you opt to prepare a romantic dinner for your loved one or significant other, wouldn’t they value that more, due to the fact that you’ve visibly put as much effort as winning her heart before the start of your relationship? Great things always come in small packages, and even a simple romantic dinner would melt even the coldest heart of a woman. This is further amplified if you happen to cook for her, no hired waiters, no cooks, just invite her over at your home and cook her favorite delicacy. May it be local or foreign food, learn it, master it, and impress her with your skills. Trust us, she’s bound to remember it for a lifetime.

2. Going to the movies/cinema.

This tip would work to your advantage due to one simple fact, movie producers and studios would often time their movie releases during seasonal events. Haven’t you noticed, during December, there are a ton of Holiday themed movies? Some of them are even signed up for the country’s film festival within the same month. The same thing would usually happen during Valentine’s season. There are a ton of romantic comedies and tearjerkers being shown in the theaters to capitalize on the season, and the movie producers are very much aware of their possible profits. This isn’t a one way window of advantage for them though, as even the movie goers (including you and your loved one) are given multiple movies to choose from. Multiple movies would mean countless choices to enjoy during Valentine’s Day. The combinations of love story and other genres (just to pass them off as a legitimate Valentine’s Day release) somehow even gives you the chance to watch multiple movies with your partner. Take note, however, that seasonal movie releases would also garner a huge crowd in the theaters, so if you’re going to treat your loved one to the movies, be sure to reach the venue early, to avoid the long lines when buying tickets.

3. Going out of town for a short vacation.

Now, “Hold on!” you might say. “Aren’t vacations expensive? I thought these tips are supposed to help me treat and impress my loved one without breaking the bank?” Well, you are absolutely right. The first two tips are open alternatives to treating your special someone to a unique, yet, affordable Valentine’s Day experience. However, this third tip is all about the allowance. When we say allowance, we are referring to an extra amount that you are willing to shell out, without affecting your savings in the process. If you happen to have a huge amount that is leftover from your Christmas bonus, and you’ve managed to set aside an amount for your savings account already, then by all means, think outside the box and plan an out of town vacation with your loved one. Vacations do not necessarily have to be expensive, as remember, this is the Valentine’s season. Just like the movies, airline and travel companies are aware of the huge influx of lovers hoping to spend quality time together, so they’d plan out a couple of affordable packages for “two-person” travels. Take advantage of these “promos” and spend an unforgettable vacation with the woman that you love.

Now, these are just a couple of suggestions on how to spend your Valentine’s Day with a loved one, an appropriate gift of unforgettable experience for your significant other, if you may. The thing is, you may still find yourself scraping at the very last amount of savings in your account, hoping that it may fit your budget for this season of love. Don’t let that get in the way of your plans to impress her. There are always alternatives to receiving extra cash without having to borrow from a friend or a family member. Why not try pawning off some of your pre-loved items at home?

Cebuana Lhuillier has always been the leading establishment when it comes to pawning. Their Pawning Service ensures that you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its 2,500branches nationwide. So visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

We all want to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. In one way or another, we go out of our way in order to express our love, even in the most random way possible. This is further amplified during Valentine’s Day, because not only is it the most appropriate time to gift them with chocolates and flowers without seeming too pompous, but it would also show them that you are always there to make them feel that they are valued, regardless of the day or season. In such case, you may have been trying to come up with an appropriate gift that they would appreciate. Chances are, you are willing to spend a huge amount in order to impress your loved one. However, it is understandable that things may still seem a bit too tight at the moment, after all, the love month doesn’t really entail any form of bonus. No, all the bonuses have been given during the holidays, and you might have already spent them by now. In such case, your best bet would be finding alternatives to show your love and care towards your loved one. There are many affordable options for you to try out, but just in case you’re still clueless as to what these alternatives are, here are a couple of suggestions:

1) A tumbler.

It may not look much, but a simple drinking tumbler would be greatly appreciated by your loved one. Gifts do not always need to be full of hearts in order for you to show your care. Chocolates may give off that strong first impression, but that’s just exactly what it is, a first strong impression. Once the chocolates are eaten up, there may be nothing left to indulge on. A tumbler, on the other hand, would go the extra mile, in the sense that it isn’t meant for one-time use. They can be used after a workout, they can be used during lunch break at work, and they can even be used for a peaceful afternoon sip during the weekends. In this way, the recipient will always be reminded of your love and care whenever they do their tasks and work towards a better life. Now, if your goal is to really show that love during Valentine’s Day, the good news is, there are customizable tumblers out there which can be fitted with any image, thus, you may insert an image of your unforgettable date or a few fancy heart shapes. Most tumblers will only cost you a few hundred pesos. There are some tumblers sold in the market today which doesn’t even break the P400 to P500 mark.

2) A key chain.

If a drinking tumbler isn’t really your preferred type of Valentine’s Day gift, then perhaps you may give your loved one something more compact. Everyone always keeps their keys in the safest place possible, not wanting to lose it, unless they want to be locked out of their homes. Keys are a vital item that anyone may keep in their bags, in a drawer, or even in their wallets (though that would not really be advisable). More often than not, people forget where they put their keys, and that’s just normal, especially for people who have a lot on their mind. Luckily, key chains would make things easier by standing out from a plain background, so that their owners may see them immediately. Some key chains are even decorated with so much color, just so they would be recognizable at first glance. Key chains are a good gift for your loved ones, especially if they have the tendency to forget where they keep their most-valued items. The thing about key chains is that they are both affordable and customizable. You may gift one which has a picture of your loved one or their favorite cartoon character. It also comes in a very affordable price, so be sure to get one for your special someone this Valentine’s.

3) A greeting card.

This may be one of the most obvious choices when thinking of a Valentine’s Day gift. Often times, people underestimate the cheerful implications of a greeting. The thing is, what people need right now is to know that they are not forgotten. There are times in which we forget to greet our loved ones due to our busy schedules, always running against time, trying to catch the bus or jeep to work, not even hinting a smile or a warm “good morning!” This Valentine’s Day would be a great opportunity for you to express that they are loved, that you notice them,and that you are aware that they’re always there for you. A greeting card may seem too simple, but it’s not that you’re giving your loved ones a piece of thickened paper with fancy colors and fonts, it’s you giving them a reminder that you care. Greeting cards may be bought in your local bookstores or school supply shops. If you’re really saving up and are on a tight budget, then you may simply make your own Valentine’s Day greeting card. The more effort you’d put in your creation, the more that you’d be able to show how much they mean to you.

4) Take them out on a simple dinner.

Most gifts do not come in ornamental forms. Most of the time, it’s the hang outs and the dining experiences that counts. Why not take your loved ones on a dinner date? When we say dinner, we do not mean those expensive restaurants you’d usually see on Social Media advertisements. No, if your budget is limited, you don’t have to take them there. You may simply opt for a more affordable option, such as your local diners and fast food chains. After that, you may walk about and enjoy the romantic moonlight. Valentine’s Day gifts are like Christmas presents, it’s the thought that counts, not the form or price of the item. Your loved one will always keep your company, kindness, and care at heart, and making moments will be at the top of their head when looking back towards those precious memories, not on those expensive gifts.

Now that you’ve managed to know about these affordable Valentine’s Day gift options, you may very well be on your way to acquiring a significant amount of savings. The more you save, the more that you’d have in your bank for other events and expenses. With that in mind, you may be looking for a banking option that can manage all of your savings in a very secure manner. Well, we have a very trusted recommendation for you. Look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings product. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. Filipino citizens as young as 7 years old are also qualified to open an account, which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account. In a way, it is very much optimized to serve the average Filipino in general, as it is very accessible. So what are you waiting for? Show your savings some love this Valentine’s Day. Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier with the 2019 International Service Excellence Award.

Cebuana Lhuillier has received the 2019 International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA).This is the third gold certification that the country’s largest microfinancial services provider has received from CSIA—an organization which monitors and evaluates companies based on the world’s most recognized international customer service standards.

Cebuana Lhuillier bested other organizations around the world for the recognition in the large business category as it garnered a score of 9.22, the highest in the history of the International Customer Service Standard certification audit.

“We are extremely impressed with the innovations with regard to the products and service support for customers that they have put in place and their score reflects that,” said Christine Churchill Burke, CSIA founder and CEO.

“Having earned the highest score in the history of the ICSS is a manifestation of our unrelenting desire to provide our clients with only the best service they could get from a financial services company like Cebuana Lhuillier,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO.“This is indeed a wonderful way to kick off 2020, and I am proud of what we have become over the years. I am grateful that we are being recognized internationally year after year for our efforts to ensure that our customer service stays relevant, innovative and world-class,” Lhuillier said.Guided by its vision of empowering more Filipinos to have access to financial solutions, Cebuana Lhuillier has grown to become one of the country’s formidable financial services companies. It has expanded to 2,500 branches and 4,000 partner outlets nationwide, and 1.5 million combined physical and virtual touch points worldwide since it opened its first branch in Manila more than 30 years ago.

Brokerage makes insurance accessible for Filipinos. Cebuana Lhuillier has transformed its 20-year Ce-buana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Inc. to Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB), effectively becoming an insurance broker, to provide Filipinos with better access to more inclusive and affordable insurance. In partnership with insurance providers, CLIB will of-fer life and non-life insurance products through more than 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches and 6,500 domestic partner outlets nationwide. The products will be offered digitally through the eCebuana mobile app, digital insurance marketplace ProtectNow, and online stores Lazada and Shopee. Photo shows Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa (center), flanked by Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier and President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, unveiling the CLIB at the “Move with the Future” event in Shangri-La, Makati City. Joining them are Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers First Vice President and Group Head, Jonathan Batangan, and Cebuana Lhuillier First Vice President and Integrated Marketing and Communications Group Head Michael Sena.

Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s largest microfinancial services provider, has introduced a new insurance brokerage company—Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB)—that aims to help provide Filipinos with better access to more inclusive and affordable insurance products and services.

2018 data from the Insurance Commission reveals that almost 40 million or only 37% of the country’s 105 million total population are covered by insurance. Further highlighting how getting insurance can be a challenge, owing to most Filipinos’ ineligibility for insurance, the inaccessibility of products, and high cost of premiums.

With CLIB, which transforms the 20-year-old Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions into a future-ready insurance broker, providing even more Filipinos with access to insurance that is affordable and designed for their everyday life. Moreover, Cebuana Lhuillier will offer an array of life and non-life insurance product made possible by their partnerships with an unlimited number of insurance providers and accessible through their state of the art digital platforms. The transformation into a brokerage company further highlights Cebuana Lhuillier’s capability to help Filipinos overcome the challenges in availing insurance.

“Today marks a new and exciting chapter in the history of Cebuana Lhuillier as we continue to champion financial inclusion—no longer just an agent, but a broker—providing Filipinos, regardless of their socioeconomic class, access to insurance products that fit their needs, financial capabilities and at the comforts of their own home,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO.

Cebuana Lhuillier is also expected to offer its newest portfolio of personal, health, property, group, loan, and business and liability insurance products through CLIB. These include CL Personal Accident Basic, CL Travel Prime, CL Pamilya Max, CL Health Dengue and Leptospirosis, CL Fire, Typhoon, Flood, EQ Care, CL Drive Lite, CL Tourista Protect, CL Hotel Guest Care, CL Passenger Care, CL Employee Care Plus, CL MicroBiz Protek, CL AgriCare, and Cyber Insurance.

CLIB aims to bring prospective insurance providers and buyers together through different touch points, including the eCebuana mobile app and ProtectNow, a digital one-stop insurance shop which allows clients to compare the lowest prices of insurance offerings and monitor their insurance policies and claims in real-time.

The insurance broker will also bring its partner products, along with Cebuana Lhuillier’s flagship Protect Max, to some of the country’s biggest online stores, including Lazada and Shopee.

On ground, CLIB will offer products in more than 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide as well as through their 6,500 domestic partner outlets, giving their insurance partners a unique advantage of establishing their presence in most urban and rural communities, which is still considered a largely untapped insurance market.

During the launch event, dubbed “Move into the Future”, Lhuillier, together with Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions first vice president and group head, Jonathan Batangan, paid tribute to several insurance companies who have been their trusted partners through 20 years.

Representing some of the industry’s most prominent insurance companies were Pioneer Insurance group head and CEO David Coyukiat, Prudential Guarantee chairman and CEO Robert Coyiuto, Malayan Insurance Company president and CEO Paolo Abaya, Federal Phoenix Group Insurance president and CEO Generosa Pia de Rosa, Western Guaranty Corporation EVP and general manager Claire Chua, Standard Insurance Company Inc. chairman Patricia Chilip, AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, and Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company president and CEO Kelvin Ang.

Cebuana Lhuillier senior executive vice president Philippe Andre Lhuillier (right) and Worldwide Cash Express Ltd. general manager Rashed Al Ansari sign the agreement to formalize the partnership.

Microfinancial services company Cebuana Lhuillier has partnered with Worldwide Cash Express Ltd. to further serve the money remittance needs of overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates.

The tieup provides OFWs with wider touch points for more convenient money transfers.

The remittances can be claimed in any of the 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide.

Our OFWs are the modern day unsung heroes. All of them go through rigorous paperwork just to prove that they got what it takes to make a living abroad. After that, they have to go through the heartbreaking process of saying farewell to their loved ones for the time being, promising to come back after a year or two, with the hope of providing financial assistance back at home. Yes, we’ve heard this story countless times, with many success stories of families having bountiful lives thereafter and their patriarch or matriarch coming home safely to their families, yet, there are also those who do not come back unscathed, suffering low pay and abuse from their foreign employers. As sad and heartbreaking as these stories may be, our fellow Filipinos are not intimidated by the risks, still strengthening themselves for the tough job prospect ahead in order to give their loved ones a good, bountiful life. This is further supported by recent data gathered by the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), with the number of OFWs reaching an all high estimate of 2.3 million during and between the periods of April to September 2018. Take note that the data was gathered back in 2018, more than a year has passed, hence, the number may have grown by then. In such case, you can imagine the amount remitted by our beloved OFWs, reaching millions every month, thus further contributing to the economy. After all, the money sent to their loved ones are utilized to avail their daily needs, and these needs contain the usual taxes, hence, they go straight to the government, which would then use these funds to provide a much improved economy to the people. No wonder our OFWs are known as one of the unsung heroes.

With that being said, there is no doubt that they contribute more to the country than most of us could possibly know. There is a common misconception that these remittances helps nobody but their loved ones, but that cannot be any further from the truth. Remember, every time that their family would spend these remittances, they include taxes which the government can use to provide us with helpful economic programs. Even tuition fees have a particular amount dedicated to tax, so there is no way that these remittances are only helping an OFW’s family members. Now, you may say, “Okay, since these remittances are important to the economy, then it would only be reasonable enough that the remittance process itself should be well-secured and trustworthy.” Well, you are definitely correct. The thing about most remittance centers is that they are convenient to interact with, yet, have countless loopholes, in terms of their security and privacy. You may have heard stories of an OFW’s family back at home not being able to receive any amount, as the money has been swindled out of their reach. This isn’t a new thing, as this has been happening for decades. The good news is that, with the enhancements in technology, the remittance process has been made more secure than ever, with thieves only ever getting away with the money due to human error on the part of the receivers.

In certain cases, the error isn’t even on the part of the receiver, but on the one who is sending the money back at home. Take note that when we say “human error,” this usually means not being careful when it comes to sending or receiving the money. There are proper procedures when undergoing the remittance process, and once these procedures aren’t met or followed, people who do not have your best interest in mind may take advantage. But don’t worry, we had prepared a few tips for you to follow just in case you are unsure of what to do:

a. Transacting with unauthorized agents and unverified remittance centers.

The rule of thumb for OFWs would be to validate whether or not they are dealing with trustworthy individuals. Do not give your amount to any person claiming to be a representative of a remittance company outside of the main establishment. Be sure that you are within the premises of the remittance center, and that they are behind the transaction counter, complete in uniform and valid work ID. Remember, there will always be those who do not have our best interest in mind, and being a wise and cautious sender would be the best way to avoid them. Also, take note of the main establishment, and whether or not they are verified remittance partners. If not, it would be best to avoid them and to search for a much trusted option. This same rule goes towards the ones receiving the remitted amount. Only speak with authorized personnel, and not those who are claiming to “ease up the transaction process.” The common term for these types of people would be “fixers.”

b. Sending the wrong control number.

For the usual money remittance process, your loved ones at home should have a few valid IDs and the control number ready. While valid IDs are an easy thing to have around, regardless of transaction types, the control number should be a 100% correct. You will be given the control number from your end, after which, you should immediately send it to your loved ones, either by text or online message. Make sure that every digit is sequenced correctly or your family would not be allowed to receive the amount. Of course, the authorized remittance personnel are only doing their job in making sure that the right person would receive the secured amount, hence why utmost care should be taken when sending and receiving the control number. If you are the receiver of the financial assistance, never give your control number to anyone, let alone share it with strangers or post it on Social Media.

c. Providing the wrong details.

Understandably, everyone goes through rigid stress every once in a while. That usually causes loss of focus and concentration. If you happen to be experiencing that while trying to remit or receive money, take time to settle down and gather your mind. You function better when taking deep breaths. Double-check the details that you’re going to provide for the remittance transaction. Check if the names are correctly spelled, make sure that they can be easily read by the remittance agent, and that the contact numbers are in place. For OFWs, your recipients would have a hard time receiving the cash, especially if there are spelling errors, as the remittance agents from their end would usually require a valid ID for verification, and if the spellings don’t match, then they will refuse to release the amount to your loved ones.

Remember these short tips and you’re all set to complete the remittance process, whether you’re the one sending the money or you’re the one receiving it. Of course, you still need to look for a well-trusted option, in order to ensure the smooth processing of the transaction. Speaking of a much trusted option, you may be ready to send your hard-earned money to your family back at home; however, you are still undecided as to which remitting center you should transact with. Well no need to look any further. With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala Service, you are ensured an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money. With 2,500branches nationwide and 1.5 million global touchpoints, this money transfer service is made available to clients within and outside the Philippines. All transactions are real time, which enables clients to claim the money as soon as the sender completes the sending process in the branch. So for our beloved OFW patrons, feel free to visit any of our international partners – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

The New Year has finally landed and you are given the option to either make it big or not this year. If your previous year has been a very bountiful one then good for you, at least you were lucky enough to raise your savings and accomplish your recent resolution, something that most, if not all, has a hard time achieving even once or twice through their lives. If your recent year has been a downer, whatsoever, no need to feel bad about it, as this would only mean that you have more chances of accomplishing it this year. 2020 marks a new beginning, a new year, a new decade, and a fresh start for your investments. Speaking of which, have you already thought about expanding your horizons this year? Have you already planned out on which venture you’re bound to invest your savings from the previous years? The thing about 2020 is that many companies and institutions are hoping to expand. If you happen to have the right amount, investing in one of them would land you a good regular income. If that’s not your thing, however, and you decide to go solo and invest on something that you can solely capitalize on, then these following ideas and recommendations may just be the right ones for you:

1. A small business

This is always the first option when it comes to proper investments. Now, you may ask, “Why is it just a small business? If I have the money, why don’t I establish a big business model right away?” Well, you have a point, indeed, you may have the appropriate savings to go big from the very beginning. Everyone wants to earn big right away, so starting big would mean getting back something big as well in return, right? Well, that would actually be unwise. Any business consultant and professional would tell you to establish it small first. Yes, risk is always part of a business venture, but there are also appropriate risks which should be taken at the right time. Taking on a big risky business model right away without any Plan B would be too disastrous for your funds if things do not go according to plan. This is true, especially for beginners. Big risks doesn’t always equate to big success. After all, there’s a reason why it’s called a “risk” in the first place. Start out small, test the waters, gain experience, and once you’ve found solid ground and foundation for your business model, increase your venture, slowly but surely. Be wise about every step. You can also secure your business MicroBiz Protek, a microinsurance product for only P540.

2. An insurance plan

One of the best investment that you may give both to yourself and to your loved ones would be an insurance plan. In the Philippines, there is a negative belief that getting an insurance plan would mean that you are either inviting accidents or something worse into your everyday life. That is a common misconception and should not be believed at all. An insurance plan is a wise investment, as it would cover any expense that may arise, just in case something unfortunate would happen. The thing is, in spite of our alertness and vigilance, accidents and calamities may still happen. Most of the time, it’s not even our fault, we just end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. In such case, avail an insurance plan that may cover accident, illness, death, property damages, etc. so that you wouldn’t have to spend too much on the expenses. These occurrences cost a lot, and insurances would cover them, enabling you to cut cost and save for the foreseeable future, may it be for needs or wants. You do not even need to avail the most expensive premium, as there are insurance plans which are flexible enough to fit your current budget. Feel free to discuss further with authorized insurance personnel to know more about your options. This may not seem like a proper way to double or triple your money, but think about it, wouldn’t it at least save you hundreds and thousands? Wouldn’t that be equivalent to earning money as well in the long run? For personal insurance, you can check out Protectmax, a microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old.

3. House funds and savings

Everyone wants to own a house. You may be thinking of buying a plot of land for your family, and even planning on having a well-structured home on top of it. The thing is, these would require huge amounts. If you happen to win the lottery one day then all of your troubles are now gone. Congratulations! But that certain type of luck doesn’t really come to people like drops of rain on a bad weather. Most, if not all, have to work really hard in order to have enough for a home, a house and lot that they can shelter their loved ones in. For the most part, it would take countless years in order to attain a completely made and furnished home. It takes decades for the average Filipino to even own a house under their very own name, let alone, the whole plot of land itself. The good thing is, there are stutter payment options for Pinoys who would like to invest a part of their earnings each month towards a home developer. There are flexible choices out there, allowing people to either invest monthly or annually from their very own pockets. Yes, it would still take years and years of investing to finally own a house, but think about this, the younger you start, the quicker you’d have that house well-invested enough to be ready by the time you’re into your mid-30’s or 40’s. Some would even plan it out as a retirement option, so after they quit and acquire their pension, they’d just simply settle down in their home and enjoy the benefits of their long tenure. If you want to build your own house now, you may be interested to avail of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Home Loan.

4. A Micro Savings account

For those who are not familiar with Micro Savings accounts, they are basically “a branch of microfinance, consisting of a small deposit account offered to lower-income families or individuals as an incentive to store funds for future use. Microsavings accounts work similar to a normal savings account, however, are designed around smaller amounts of money.” Since they are designed to cater “around smaller amounts of money,” they have a much simpler list of requirements, which means they are more accessible than your average bank account. Believe it or not, recent data has shown that not all Filipinos have a bank account of their own. Understandably, it is due to the complicated list of requirements by well-known banks around the Philippines, thus, making it too intimidating for the average Filipino. Micro savings aren’t like that. They are simpler, more accommodating, and easier to manage than normal bank accounts. With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. So what are you waiting for? Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Cebuana Lhuillier has done it again! Back in 2017, they launched their #Kaya Na: Unbanked Filipinos No More campaign, and in a matter of months, they were able to successfully motivate 2 million Filipinos to open their very own micro savings account. Now, in 2020, that number has gone up to 3 million micro savings account holders. Such a surge in numbers is definitely a crowning achievement for Cebuana Lhuillier, as in the recent years, they have been monitoring the data from the BSP (Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas), with the regards to the ever dwindling number of Pinoys without bank accounts. Understandably, people are having second thoughts about opening their own accounts due to the fact the requirements can be overwhelming, but not with Cebuana Lhuillier. Micro Savings has been a major forefront of their service recently and that certain factor has been going strong as we enter a new decade. You may ask, “What makes Cebuana Lhuillier a more efficient “bank” than the average bank itself? What did they get right that other banks didn’t?”

For someone new to Micro Savings, what is it and how significant is it for the financial growth of people?

Micro savings is “a branch of microfinance, consisting of a small deposit account offered to lower-income families or individuals as an incentive to store funds for future use. Microsavings accounts work similar to a normal savings account, however, are designed around smaller amounts of money.”

From that definition, we may conclude that it is indeed in the best interest of Filipinos to apply for a Micro Savings account. While that may be a simple equation at first, it isn’t that simple. Many are still doubtful of this concept, as more people trust banks with well-known names rather than your average pawnshop handling their finances. But that is exactly the point, a pawnshop that knows the value of your jewelries and appraisals would have a better idea of your budget since they happen to know the everyday struggles of Filipinos. Surely, no one would pawn off their items if they aren’t short on money.

Breaking through the barrier

With that being said, the next best thing to do would be to offer their Micro Savings services, however, the doubt that we’ve mentioned before seems to be a barrier that used to prevent Filipinos from applying for their own account, all of that seems insurmountable until Cebuana Lhuillier launched their campaign a year ago which, as everyone knows by now, was a complete success. That certain degree of success didn’t stop until the introduction of a new decade. 2020 seems to be the continuation of this campaign as 3 million Filipinos were able to put their trust in Cebuana Lhuillier’s capabilities to manage their finances. And rightfully so, as they were able to show their efficiency when handling people’s money, while at the same time maintaining the high amount of quality service that anyone would be proud of. But that’s not only the deciding factor. Remember when we said that Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services was a much easier option than the average bank? We were not lying about that. For example, here are a list of requirements for a micro savings application:

• 1 Government issued ID
• Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
• Student ID (applicable only if student is currently enrolled)
• P50 minimum initial deposit
• P100 card fee (for clients w/o 24k card)

Of course, there are a wide list of  accepted valid IDs. Since the main aim is to make the service as accessible as possible, the other accepted valid ID are:

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
• Social Security System (SSS) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• OFW ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
• Barangay Certificate or ID (with picture and signature)
• Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
• Firearm License
• Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Marriage License
• National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
• New TIN ID
• OWWA ID
• Student ID
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
• Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
• Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

After preparing these, interested applicants may simply go to any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill-out the Client Customer Information File Sheet. If you have kids which are below eight (8) years old, the good news is that you may also apply an account for them. Filipino citizens as young as seven (7) years old are qualified to open an account, which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account.

Other than that, what are the main details about Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings account? Look no further than this chart:

Everything seems to be reasonable from this standpoint, so it’s no wonder that Filipinos continued to support this service. That continued support may have spread more about Cebuana Lhuillier’s efficiency with their services, which is why many were convinced to apply for their own account. The amazing thing about this is 3 million wasn’t even a golden number, a goal that the acclaimed pawnshop hoped to achieve, as their main focus was on helping as many Filipinos as they can with regards to financial security and stability. Throughout the years, Cebuana Lhuillier has evolved from being just a mere pawnshop to an institution that utilized its many years of experience to assist Filipinos with their budget and needs. Yes, the mainstay pawning service still remains, but services such as the micro savings definitely cemented their legacy, even for years to come. If you aren’t convinced yet, don’t just take it from us, let the numbers speak for itself and experience the high-quality service that only Cebuana Lhuillier can provide.

With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings services. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. So what are you waiting for? Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now!

What a mess?! 2020 has arrived, and yet, you haven’t thrown out the unnecessary clutter over the past few weeks. The thing about clutter is that they often distract you from the things that you should be more focused on. You are given the opportunity to start the New Year right. You have to freshen up and initiate on your resolutions, yet, you can’t do that with items obstructing your path and attention. There may be old clothes, bags, shoes, gadgets, etc. lying around your room and you do not know what to do with them. You can either give them away or completely throw them out. Of course, giving them away to people in need would be a great course of action, but the opposite can also be said about throwing them out, especially if the items in question are still in good, working condition. Albeit these two choices, there is a third option that may better interest you, pawning them off. Pawnshops have since evolved from merely accepting jewelries to accepting a good, working cellular phone. Some pawnshops even accept TVs and appliances, depending on the terms and conditions. In such case, allow us to provide a few tips, with regards to getting rid of your accumulated clutter, while also making a few extra amounts in the process:

1. Pawning off your jewelries

Let’s start with the basics. When pawning off jewelries, the very first question you should be asking is whether or not you’d still use it. If the jewelry is still in great condition and it still catches your eye even after many years of possession, then by all means, keep it. Original jewelries last longer than fake ones. Keep the original and get rid of the fakes that you may have bought just for the fun of it (and temporary aesthetics). Fake ones tend to break easily, so you’re better off throwing them out. If you’re the type to organize your accessory drawer then at least you’d have no accumulated clutter, but if that’s not the case then at least have the sense to clean it up, declutter your drawers, and decide on what you’ll do with your old jewelries. Pawnshops like Cebuana Lhuillier would usually provide a fair and high appraisal on pawned items, depending on the condition of the item itself. It is for this very reason why you should visit them one of these days, or immediately after cleaning up your home, in order to gain a few amounts in the start of the year.

2. Pawning off gadgets

Every year, cellular phone manufacturers would introduce a new make or model of their flagship phones. While every iteration of these device would seem fantastic at first glance, the sad reality remains that they are just mild upgrades, yet, are still being sold at a high price. If you happen to have your cellphone with you, think carefully about whether or not you’re ready to buy a new one. If your phone still functions like a charm, then by all means, keep it. If you think that it has ran past its well-needed use, however, then you may still pawn it off. As with jewelries, you may need to inspect its efficiency and condition even before asking for an appraisal. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention. If you happen to have a clutter of old cellular phones lying around, test them out and validate if they still work. If they are working fine after all these years, perhaps you may try to pawn them off instead. Do not stock cellphones in your drawers, by the way. There are certain dos and don’ts regarding this. If you’re no longer using a cellphone unit, take off the battery and keep it at a safe box. Regularly check the batteries as well for any forms of leaks or air bubble. They tend to explode when left unchecked, it is also for this very reason why you should inspect them carefully before running straight to the pawnshop, as you wouldn’t want an exploding device to go off during the appraisal process. Maintain them when not in use so you may still pawn them off at the right time.

3. Pawning off appliances

What else can we say about appliances? While not all pawnshops accept them, there are still some who do. Television, refrigerators, washing machines, you name it. As with all items which can be pawned off, make sure that they work well. Refrigerators which no longer freezes, washing machines which no longer spins, and televisions which only gives off sound are a perfect example of appliances which shouldn’t even make it to the appraisal stage. You might even be rejected at the items first glance, if the outer aesthetics do not meet well-regulated item standards. Remember, if it’s broke, you’re better off giving it to the junk shop than to the pawnshop, at least the junk shop would accept it with no hesitation.

Now that we’d discuss the various possible items that you can pawn off from your clutter, let us discuss the negative effects of having them around with the huge mound of mess in your home. Here are the negative effects of clutter:

a.  It may aggravate your senses – Clutter gives you that certain senses overload. You have lots of items around you that it almost becomes unbearable to focus on one thing.

b.  It may hinder your progress – Have you ever encountered a tasks which would require you to move from one place to another? Imagine how long it would take if your every move is obstructed by a clutter?

c.  It may trigger your allergy – Clutter has a certain way of housing germs and pests. Do not make the mistake of creating an unwanted ecosystem indoors. Clutter would shelter these germs and allergens which may irritate your senses as well. Be sure to clear everything out before that happens.

d. It may trigger stress, resulting to weight gain – You’ve read that right, stress is equals to weight gain. We know that you’d be more worried about and focused on the weight gain part and not the “clutter causes stress” part, so we thought of emphasizing on your biggest worry. Avoid weight gain, avoid accumulating clutter.

e.  It prevents you from starting anew – A New Year means a fresh start, and you would not be able to achieve that if you still have a lot of old stuff lying around. This doesn’t mean that you should spend money on buying new items, but rather, getting rid of all the old items that you no longer use on an everyday basis.

With all of that being said, you may be looking for a pawnshop that would provide you with the most secure, reliable, and honest service and highest appraisal possible. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and a high appraisal rate in the industry in its 2,500 branches nationwide. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Hindi lang mataas ang appraisal, may chance ka pang mag-uwi ng up to PhP50,000 sa grand draw o di naman kaya ay instant prize kung ikaw ang first time pawning client! Magsangla lang sa kahit saang Cebuana Lhuillier branch nationwide. See posters for more details. Per DTI-FAIR TRADE PERMIT NO. FTEB-24733 & FTEB-24735, SERIES OF 2019.

Promo will run from January 15 to April 14, 2020 for new pawning and until July 14, 2020 for renewal.