Xoom.com and BPI enhance partnership by offering cash pickup in the Philippines
Xoom.com and BPI enhance partnership by offering cash pickup in the Philippines
San Francisco, CA, February 7, 2011 – Xoom.com, the fastest growing online money transfer company, is proud to announce its new partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands for its Cash Pickup service. This new offering is in addition to Xoom’s Bank Deposit service that allows remitters to send money quickly to a BPI deposit account.
In the Philippines, BPI has by far, the largest bank network, with over 800 branches and more than 1,500 proprietary Automated Teller Machines (ATM) linked to over 9,000 ATMs of Bancnet, Megalink and Expressnet. The inclusion of BPI in the Cash Pickup service boosts the strength of an ever-increasing Xoom.com network, which now stands at over 9,000 cash pickup locations in the Philippines.
Cash pickup at BPI branches is available in either peso or dollars. BPI branches are open from Monday to Friday; from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Branches located in Ayala Malls are open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Considered a banking pioneer in the Philippines, one of BPI’s key focus is the Overseas Filipino market. It offers a broad range of financial products and services linked to remittances and its productive use, to help Overseas Filipinos take care of their families like they never left home.
“BPI values the hard work and sacrifice by the Overseas Filipinos, and what they provide to the local economy,” said Antonio Paner, BPI Executive Vice President and Treasurer.
“One of our goals is to put in place products that best serve our kababayans working abroad. Our new cash pickup service with Xoom.com provides a more convenient way for our Expat Pinoys to remit. BPI gives an enthusiastic thumbs up to Xoom.com,” adds Raul Dimayuga, Senior Vice President of BPI Global Remittance Division.
“Our partnership with BPI provides more choices and flexibility for our customers to receive money,” said John Kunze, Xoom.com President and CEO. “We are proud of this milestone.”
More than just another reason to switch to Xoom.com, the enhancement to the cash pickup service is a welcome addition to the portfolio of services of Xoom.com and BPI, where customer convenience always comes first.
“We’re very pleased with our cash pickup service with BPI,” said Gene Gutierrez, Xoom.com Regional Vice-President for the Philippines. “In addition to independently-located BPI branches nationwide, there are special BPI branches that are also conveniently located inside Ayala Malls.”
For more information about the Xoom.com money transfer service to the Philippines, please visit the Xoom.com website or call 1-877-993-7966 for customer service in English or Tagalog. Customers can also send e-mail to Xoom customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting the Xoom Customer Service Help Center.
About BPI
Established in 1851, BPI was the first bank in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. BPI’s long and proud history boasts of many “firsts” in Philippine banking. BPI has distinguished itself by catering to the ever-evolving needs and lifestyles of the public. Today, BPI has created its outstanding mark in the remittance industry, continuously providing Filipinos with complete remittance services and guaranteeing ease and convenience in sending and receiving remittances through its over 800 strategically located branches nationwide, remittances offices worldwide and partners, linked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BPI earned the ultimate recognition of the industry when its regulator, the Central Bank of the Philippines, bestowed upon it the First Hall of Fame Award for winning the Top Commercial Bank for Overseas Filipino Remittances for three consecutive years (2005-2007).
About Xoom.com
Xoom.com enables individuals to send money from any Internet-enabled computer to family and friends. Xoom Corporation was founded in 2001 in San Francisco and is backed by leading venture firms Sequoia Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Fidelity Ventures. For more information on Xoom.com’s money transfer service to the Philippines, visit www.xoom.com/philippines.
Contact:
Ringo Macabenta
ringo@fuelcels.com
First-time in You Jie Xiao Chao Restaurant
by: firsttimetravel
It was another holiday in the Philippines as we commemorated the Day of Valor, celebrating the bravery of Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II. Supposedly, my friends and I were scheduled to go to Corregidor Island, the fortress of Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, the cruise liner called the day before our trip to inform us that the vessel taking us there experienced mechanical trouble, thus, our schedule was canceled.
Not to waste such a good day, we decided to visit various churches in Makati, Pasay, and Taguig, cities in the National Capital Region of Metro Manila. It was an extended Holy Week for us, minus the crowd and throngs of pilgrims.
But the highlight of our day was a dinner in a hole-in-the-wall eatery that one of our companions recommended. When you’ve been living in a place for a long time, you seem to look for unfamiliar places to eat, to try something novel, and to enjoy a newly discovered joint. It’s like finding out a secret and then you’re dying to share it with only your close circle of friends, but careful not to shout it out to the whole world. Nevertheless, it was a good secret to tell, and I’ll explain why.
by Claire Algarme
We went to a modest neighborhood in Makati. The restaurant was inconspicuous with only a simple facade, looking as if just another apartment door. It was until we approached the entryway and read an announcement from their management that confirmed we found the right place. The note stated that the restaurant, named You Jie Xiao Chao, would be undergoing renovation a few days after, a symbol that it was gaining a following.
As we swung open the frosted glass door, we were surprised to find all seven or nine tables full. Most of the customers were Chinese. A framed paper with Chinese characters hung on the wall, giving us a hint of the kind of cuisine we would expect from this restaurant.
by Claire Marie Algarme
The waitress handed us a compilation of photos of their menu. Enthusiastically, we perused what she handed us, huddled in the center of the tiny eatery. While customers were focused on their food, we were equally busy getting our pick and placing our order.
When one table became available, we immediately took the recently vacated chairs as more people arrived, peeking behind the restaurant’s door and waiting for their turn. After a few minutes of waiting, our rice orders came along with the fried string beans and chicken with peanuts.
What followed was a large bowl of steamed fish covered with red hot chili, which we mistook for tomatoes. The fish was truly tasty. Despite its spicy flavor that stung our mouths, we gorged the delectable fish head.
by Claire Algarme
A plate of spare ribs and another one of dumplings were placed before us. We never realized we had so much food! But what can we do when we have so many mouthwatering offerings shown to us?
So, a few days after I found out this little secret of my friend, I’m sharing this hole-in-the-wall, You Jie Xiao Chao restaurant, with you. Be sure to try it out yourself, and keep this little secret close to your heart.
Now, here are some other little secrets that can be whispered to your ear.
Top Ten Reasons Why GMA Is Going to Visit the US, Vietnam, and Spain
GMA to visit US, Hanoi; eyes Spain – The Philippine Star
Dalawang buwan na lang at ihahalal na natin ang bagong pangulo ng Pilipinas. At ilang buwan pa pagkatapos noon siya ay manunungkulan na.
At kung walang aberyang mangyayari, si GMA ay bababa na sa pagkapangulo, ilang buwan na lang mula ngayon.
Kaya naman laking gulat ko na may pahabol na official business itong si GMA. Sabagay, ‘yung iba kailangan. Tulad ng pagpunta n’ya sa Vietnam para sa isang summit ng mga heads of state ng ASEAN. ‘Yung lakad n’ya sa US, eh, inimbitahan s’ya ni P’reng Barack, alangan namang hindian n’ya. At ‘yung sa Spain…wala pa raw maibigay na dahilan ang Malacañang.
Alangan nga namang sina Noli at Gibo ang kanyang papuntahin; hindi na nga sila pinapansin dito sa ‘Pinas, doon pa kaya sa abroad? Hindi naman n’ya pwedeng si Villar ang kanyang ipadala; hindi pa pwedeng ibulgar na secret candidate ni GMA si Manny. At lalong hindi pwede si Noynoy; i-snob-bin lang s’ya n’un.
Kaya, no other choice but her.
Pero, bakit nga ba siya aalis, ngayong paalis na s’ya sa pwesto? Eto, sa aking palagay, ang sampung dahilan kung bakit kailangan (gusto) pa n’yang maglakwatsa:
Reason Number 10
Hindi pa nakakapunta ng Spain si FG.
Reason Number 9
Naghahanap-hanap na s’ya kung saan s’ya pwedeng makahingi ng political asylum.
Reason Number 8
Sa Switzerland talaga ang punta n’ya; panggulo lang ang Spain.
Reason Number 7
Miss na n’ya ang pagkain sa ‘Le Cirque’.
Reason Number 6
Nawawala ang mga lumang pictures nila ni Obama.
Reason Number 5
Para wala s’ya sa bansa kung i-anuns’yo na ang kanyang napiling papalit kay Chief Justice Puno.
Reason Number 4
Mangangampanya talaga s’ya; baka ang mga OFW ang magpapataas ng rating ni Gibo.
Reason Number 3
Mangangampanya talaga s’ya; baka ang mga OFW ang magpapataas ng rating ni Manny. (Check!)
Reason Number 2
Titignan n’ya kung gaano kabilis ang pag-angat ng Vietnam, na malapit na tayong malampansan, pagkatapos ng siyam na taon ng kanyang panunungkulan bilang pangulo ng ‘Pinas.
At ang Reason Number 1 kung bakit s’ya aalis:
Wala s’yang magawa sa kanyang pera…Teka! Teka! Teka! Pera natin ang gagamitin n’ya, ah! Parang mali. Parang hindi check.
So, ano nga ba ang dahilan at aalis pa s’ya ng bansa?
Source: Bulalo Soup for the Pinoy Soul
“How To Correctly Start An Internet Marketing Business” Workshop
After Organizing 3 Hands-On Internet Marketing Workshops In Cebu and Cagayan De Oro, My mentor, Jomar Hilario and I came up with an entirely brand new concept of Internet Marketing Workshop. The Cebu “How To Correctly Start An I.nternet M.arketing Business” Workshop is designed for you who are starting off in the internet business or those who have already started but can’t seem to progress.
Find Out: How To Correctly Start An Internet Marketing Business
Rent 3G Water Splash Resort in Calamba
3G Water Splash Resort is a hotspring resort located in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. The property is a duplex resort, each with 3 rooms, 2 swimming pools and a videoke. This hotspring resort is perfect for small groups or family. Located in a private PrivatesubdivisioResortn for hot spring resort, guest are in a safe and secured resort and will definitely enjoy their vacation.
For details http://3g.water.splash.resort.wowph.com
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The Difference Between ‘Ng’ and ‘Nang’
To better understand the differences between ‘Ng’ and ‘Nang’, we need to know first its history, how it came to be, what was the original meaning of these two words. That was what I’ve been digging for the past year or two, and now I have published what I unearthed.
Do You have a Lifestyle Design Mindset?
Few people get the opportunity to experience a moment of clarity but when they do its usually a life-changing experience for them. I think I had mine in late 2008.This was after I closed down my second brick and mortar business. The entrepreneurial life was exactly as advertised – exciting, challenging, and frustrating all at the same time.
My wife and I had just put in a year’s worth of backbreaking work with our business in which we endured long hours of dealing with demanding clients and stubborn employees. Bootstrapping a business is never easy. I’ve had it with employees, I said to my wife. The next business we start I want it to be with as little or with no employees at all.
For my next business venture I wanted something different. I told myself. I want a source of income that will not raise my blood pressure beyond what the BP monitor can measure. I wanted to have a business with no employees, that will operate on its own, while I am out playing my favorite sport. I would prefer it if I get to play everyday. I jokingly told my wife. With a skeptical look on her face she replied – What kind of business is that? Does it even exist?
Circumstantial Culture
Being away from home allows one an opportunity to look at his own people with a detached perspective. It is with that note that this blog is being written.
Because I am overseas, I only manage to get fresh news from home by watching the news in TFC. It is very refreshing to hear news of Filipinos achieving so much in the fields of boxing, entertainment/music, fashion and sometimes, even science, but it is quite disconcerting to hear news about the degenerating political and social climate in the Philippines. But I am not a political science expert nor am I an authority in social analysis. I speak of what is simply on my mind right now, as I also think of the future of the Filipino people.
Do not wait for extraordinary opportunities
Most people are waiting for the big breaks. But waiting does not ready a man for big breaks. If you want to make it big in life, I dare you not to wait for extraordinary opportunities. Grab every opportunity you have, even the all too common small ones, and make them great.
Only those who welcome small opportunities into their lives can truly recognize the big one when it comes. The world is filled with stories of successful people who persisted, seized the day, and make the most of what they have.
The first time I offered my seminars to school teachers, I sent letters to 100 schools. Many teachers are not confident speakers and I thought I could help. Only one school invited me to share my “speaking secrets”. But they did not send their teachers. They asked me to share it to grade 5 and grade 6 student leaders. Of course, I shared my speaking secrets to elementary students. I was secretly hoping that they could share their newly found confidence to their teachers.
During my first public seminar, only two participants came. They attended because they were friends. I did not earn money on that day. But I was able to rehearse my Speak with Confidence workshop. There is no small opportunity. Grab the first opportunity, no matter how small it may seem, for that is an opportunity to the next one. So the next time you are invited to speak to a hundred and only 10 come, speak like you are speaking to millions. Those ten persons can create for you hundreds, thousands, and even millions of audiences. Just be great and do your best every time.
When was the last time you missed an opportunity? Take action. Today is an opportunity to share your experience with other people.
About the author: Jef Menguin is a starfisher. He believes that making a difference, small or big, starts with a decision to change oneself. He is a training consultant, motivational speaker, and trying hard blogger. Visit his website – http://jefmenguin.com – today.
Nominate your 100 most inspiring Filipino teachers
The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called “truth.” ~Dan Rather
I like you to join me in celebrating the teachers who believed in us, those teachers who showed that we are valuable even when we thought otherwise. Those who touched and moved us.
Starting today, we are going nominate those teachers who inspired us the most. I encourage you to write a blog entry of no less than 150 words. Tell us how your teacher inspired you and show us the impact she or he made in your life.
You may write about your teacher many times in your blog, but your can nominate your teacher only once. You may also nominate as many as three teachers; each teacher must have a separate blog entry. For your entry to be counted, Write in the comment section below and include a link to your entry, or simply insert this trackback: http://jefmenguin.com/2010/06/100-most-inspiring-filipino-teachers/
No blog? Set up one in wordpress.com. It is as easy as 1-2-3. Email me when you need help.
On October 29, 2010 we shall honor the 100 Most Inspiring Filipino teachers.
Who is your most inspiring Filipino teacher?
Blog it now.
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Yours truly,
Jef Menguin
Starfisher
About Jef Menguin:
Jef Menguin is a starfisher. He believes that making a difference, small or big, starts with a decision to change oneself. He is a corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and personal leadership blogger. Visit his website – http://jefmenguin.com – today.
