VALENTINE GOLD RUSH PROMO

PROMO MECHANICS

1. Jewelry sale with 5% discount on all items.
2. Items across the following Cebuana Lhuillier jewelry selling channel
a. 2,500 Branches
b.Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Online

3.Sale is valid on January 29 – 31, 2021.
4. Sale is not valid in conjunction to other ongoing promotions of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Per DTI-Fair Permit No. FTEB 112417, Series of 2021.

The Help Never Ends: Sending Money for the New Year

In spite of the current pandemic, we Filipinos still made sure to send our love and support to our loved ones. We made sure that we are always here to show our love and care, that we would provide for them with all of our heart and energy. You may have seen the courageous acts of our kababayans on the evening news, all of them clad in protective clothing and PPEs, straggling along the different barangays and providing a heavy package full of relief goods and daily sustenance. Indeed, many of us Filipinos are the modern angels of our society. You would be forgiven to think that the only frontliners we have would be the doctors, nurses, and the authorities who would usually control the crowd, after all, that’s what you’d usually hear on the news and on social media. But the thing is, anyone who is authorized to go out of their homes and serve the Filipino people may be considered a frontliner as well. Money remittance employees, for example, would brave the risk of the pandemic just so they may process the different transactions within the branch, and in doing so, we would all be able to remit money towards our loved ones who reside in the province. Of course, proper measures are taken to ensure that all of the customers would be protected against the virus, and so far, it has been quite effective, even with the long lines of people who are looking to make their remittances within the day.

It’s all in the numbers

A data released just last year showed the following statistics:

“September remittances are up by 9.3%. Philippines overseas remittances grew by 9.3% in September, while the expectation was -4.3%. After falling by 4.1% in August, this rise is probably due to the rise in migrants sending savings prior to repatriation and the temporary reopening of economies post lockdown.

For the year, Filipinos based abroad sent home a total of $21.9 billion, down 1.4% compared to the same period last year with the central bank expecting remittances to dip by less than 2% for the year. Remittances from land-based migrants, which comprise up to 75% of the total, sent home 10.2% more remittances while sea-based migrants posted their first increase in five months, up 6.5% as global trade picked up after the strict lockdowns in 2Q across major markets.”

Take note that this just pertains to international remittances. The nature of local remittances is yet to be released and taken into account, but judging by the current pandemic and economic standing, you can expect it to be as similar to that of the international data. Yes, many people lost their jobs, but that is exactly the point, their relatives who were able to maintain their jobs would be able to send cash remittances within the timeframe of the pandemic, thus, the numbers (while admittedly lower than last year) may still hold significance within the data once released.

Do remittances still contribute to the growth of the country, even during the pandemic?

Yes, they still do. If that still sounds unbelievable at this point, let us elaborate with this statement released last year:

“Remittance flows contracted by 19.3% in May but have since stabilized, posting growth for 4 out of the last 5 months. Remittances managed to expand despite the repatriation of more than 300,000 OFWs who were sent home after job losses in their host countries. The surprising resilience of remittances in the face of the pandemic may be traced to the appreciation trend of PHP, which is currently stronger by 5.5%. Funding the Philippine domestic consumption needs of their families, OFs may have been forced to compensate for the dollar’s relative weakness against PHP by sending home more remittances in dollar terms.”

Take note of the second sentence, “remittances managed to expand despite the repatriation of more than 300,000 OFWs.” As long as the cash flow maintains its momentum, remittances will never fail to provide for our country, no matter how little the numbers may be, and even then, such a small number would still hold a great value in the long run.

That’s good and all, but which remittance center can I trust the most, in terms of quality service and safety?

There is no better remittance center than Cebuana Lhuillier. They have their Pera Padala 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:

  • You may visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala form.
  • Then, present the accomplished form, valid ID, and 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
  • Give the total amount to be paid.
  • Secure the Pera Padala form (and count the change received, if there is any).

Provide the 10-digit control number to the receiver/beneficiary of money transfer.

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)?

  • The same high-standard approach is applied with international remittances, hence, you can expect that no scam can get through whenever you’re sending money abroad as well:
  • Visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch and fill out the Pera Padala form.
  • Present the accomplished form, valid ID, and 24k card (if you are a 24k cardholder) to the branch personnel.
  • Give the total amount to be paid.
  • Secure the Pera Padala form (and count the change received, if there is any).
  • 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 during the pandemic and be the light that shines all throughout.

Risk or Reward: Decisions Worth Making this Year 2021

2020 has ended and we are finally at the pinnacle of a brand new year. 2021, as many people hope, may be the fresh start that we’ve all been craving for. Things, didn’t exactly go as planned last year, as a matter of fact, nothing went according to plan at all. COVID-19 came by and the world experienced a crisis like never before. People lost their jobs, many lost their loved ones, and the economy has never been as tarnished as now. Even up to this day, we are all still clinging on to hope, crawling our way up towards a full recovery. For those who lost their jobs, the goal of finding employment is still within reach. For those who lost a loved one, the process of recovery is still an ongoing effort. And last but not the least, for all of the countries affected by the virus, the economy is currently shifting towards a more resilient condition, albeit a more cautious outlook than before.

Indeed, these things may make us doubt the certainty (or the opposite thereof) of our future. The current pandemic is a darkness that we weren’t even prepared for, and the fight against COVID-19 isn’t even over yet. But due to the fact that it is now the year 2021, the prospect of facing a brighter tomorrow is just around the corner, and the possibility of a much better life is something that we’d all love to experience. Many of us may be still be limited by our current situation, but the courageous few are still ready to take on the challenge of acquiring that success amidst a much complicated economy. You might be thinking, “Is it worth the risk? Would it be safe to try out new ventures during these trying times?” These questions, believe it or not, may be answered by a definite “Yes!” However, you should analyze your current situation. Check to see if you still have “something left in the tank,” if you’re willing to go the extra mile to prove that you may achieve more in life even during the pandemic. If you are still undecided, we have a few suggestions and ideas that may help you decide.

  1. Should I try looking for a new job?
    We may separate this into two categories, for the people who lost their job during the pandemic and the people who were able to retain it, yet, would like to progress with a better job. Let us talk about the first category. It is understandable for people to look for a new job if they’ve been laid off, especially if they have a family to support. While others have the luxury of taking a few months off after being fired, many do not share the same standing in life. A job stable job would be the difference-maker when it comes to having food on the table versus struggling to feed your loved ones. Of course, we would all like to go for the former instead of the latter, but once you find yourself at the most disadvantageous side of life, it might be time to look at the back page of the classified ads and check to see if you’ve missed any job openings. The good news is, you’d at least have various options with the advent of technology, with classified ads and job openings being posted on a daily basis within online forums. Don’t hesitate to go for a position which you haven’t applied for before, since a change in scenery may just be what you need. Don’t leave any stones unturned and watch your brighter future unfold.

    For the second category, it would be wise to check if you’d still manage even after quitting your current job. Our present economic standing isn’t going to do wonders for you as well, since our laid-off kababayans are also looking through the same classified ads, hence, the competition for a much better position is a bit tight. If your savings is already enough to feed your family for a few months, then by all means, go for it. But if your current budget would not permit you to live off even for a weeks, then perhaps you may stay put for now in your current job.

  2. Should I establish my own business for now?
    Again, this is divided into two categories, sharing a similar situation with that of the first pointer. The first category is for those who were laid-off and are in need of a new means to earn regular income. The thing about establishing a business is that you are not only motivated by the need to put food on the table, but you are also required to go for a business that you will love, otherwise, what’s the point? You’ll end up dreading and being too lazy to pursue that venture. Now, thinking of a business to establish during the pandemic wouldn’t be much of a challenge. No, the real challenge comes from your fellow laid-off kababayans who are also looking to have their own means of income. Think of a business that would set itself differently from the others. You need to be unique and creative about your venture, so feel free to go crazy with your ideas.

    The second category is a bit more carefree, in the sense that the business idea you’d have would be established and implemented while you are able to maintain a regular work schedule. Think of this business venture as a part-time job, an extra channel of income to add to those family savings. This is easier to execute since any mistake doesn’t spell the end of your monthly income (you still have your regular job, after all). As with the first category, be unique and creative about your business, something that would give your business its personality.

So, these are just a few examples of the major life-changing decisions you may make this year 2021. With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re looking for ways to further protect your family’s future and financials. The current pandemic has taught us to be vigilant and prepared, and indeed, it is a lesson we will put to heart even when the pandemic is over. 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.

Leaving Behind Bad Habits in Favor of the Good

2021 is finally upon us! Admittedly, 2020 has been a tumultuous year. People went through a rollercoaster ride of emotions, physical stress, and health scares, all brought about by the sudden occurrence of the pandemic. People lost their jobs, their well-being, and most painful of all, their loved ones. If that isn’t enough, people’s homes were also ravaged by the continuous influx of storms and typhoons, all culminating at the last quarter of 2020. Is it any wonder that the Filipino people are on their knees, hoping for the best after a year full of hardships? Understandably, any obstacle in life (including the whole mess that was 2020) can be conquered by a change in perspective. Aside from the usual encouragement brought about by faith, hope, love, and prayers, we are also motivated by the fact that we made it to 2021; we survived and we are given a brand new path to pursue towards a brighter tomorrow.

This certain fact doesn’t come without a few conditions of its own, however, and one such condition is to uphold a firmer grip on resolutions. We usually hear about the long list of New Year’s resolutions that ought to be checked before the year ends, determining whether or not we were able to stick to it all, but that repetitive promise of change has long been a ship that has sailed, as this current pandemic pushes us to stay true to our words of being better people, being healthier overall, and being cautious with our every move. Perhaps you’re still trying to sort out your priorities, thinking about the bad habits of old which you plan to eliminate in exchange for the good habits that would better your life this year 2021. If you still haven’t figured it all out, its okay, we have a few vital ones which may help you in the long run.

  1. Going for a greener diet.
    If the current pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t take our health for granted. Indeed, vaccines are being made to combat against COVID-19 even as you read through our helpful lists of resolutions, but that would not be enough to eradicate and protect you from the virus itself. You should consider doing your part as well by strengthening your own immune system. You may ask, “How would I even do that?” Simply put, going for a much greener diet would give you a better fighting chance against the virus. Remember, even if the vaccines are already said or advertised to effectively deflect the virus, they still have their own variety of effectivity, percentages, if you may. Your best defense would still be your very own immune system, that, and your urgency to follow all of the safety protocols being implemented by the LGUs of your barangay.

    What do I leave behind?
    All of the junk foods, salty, and oily delicacies which may have tickled your taste buds in the past, but are now the main contributors towards the decline of your own immune system.

  2. Organizing your mess.
    One result of the pandemic would be that you and your other household members may have been holed up at home for the past nine months or so. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, as it is better to avoid the virus overall just by staying at home, isolating yourselves from the risky crowd outdoors, however, there is also a certain disadvantage that goes along with it, and that is the continuous use or utilization of the household items and resources in your home. This in turn may have created a mess that might have displaced a couple of these household items from their usual spots. In such case, what better way to start the New Year than to find and organize all of them? You may even find other broken appliances or gadgets which are just taking up space and should have been allocated towards your other valuables. Feel free to throw away any clutter or items which has long passed their usefulness. Concentrate on maintaining a minimal approach. Remember, less is always more, and clutter would just be an obstacle towards a much cleaner look for your home. The visuals of your surroundings can also affect your outlook in life, and a cleaner environment and setting could just set your perception towards a brighter future, a brighter tomorrow, and a clearer goal in life.

    What do I leave behind?
    Simply put, the habit of leaving your clutter unattended. It’s okay to forget every once in a while, but what’s not okay is to leave them off for such a long time, thus, accumulating your clutter and hiding the important items from your grasp.

  3. Lessening your social media consumption.
    All of us need to be informed about the current happenings in our country. If it wasn’t for social media, the Filipino people would not be aware of the current pandemic. We’d also be unaware of its nature, the preventive measures, and the new policies that were implemented by our local government. Indeed, social media can be a lifesaver at times. However, too much of anything good can also be bad, and social media consumption is no different. The continuous influx of bad news, fake news, and trolling has been a nagging problem for quite a while now. The social media operators (in spite of their efforts) aren’t able to control and ban all of these fake news and trolling due to the fact that they are all made by an army of people who prefer to spread chaos and misinformation rather than to be pillars of truth in our society. This made a majority of the internet a murky and sad place to be in, thus, forcing many to quit from their social media accounts as well. There used to be a time when a certain social media platform was utilized merely for building friendships online, but it has since shifted its focus towards marketing (and unbeknownst to it) political agendas, thus, making it a huge pile of misinformation and arguments. Lessening your social media consumption would not only save you from these problems, it would also lessen your stress and worries in life. You may visit credible news websites instead, for your daily dose of good news, informative tidbits, and inspiring stories.

    What do I leave behind?
    The tendency to believe fake news, as well as the possibility of getting into a worthless argument that would just waste your time.

So, with all of that being said, it is much better to leave behind bad habits in favor of the good. One bad habit would be to waste your time in long queues, risking your health amidst the current pandemic. If you happen to be a Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account holder, then we have very good news for you. 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. Through their eCebuana App, you may access the eLoad Top-Up functionality, the Bills Payment section, the Insurance Purchase (New) section, the Fund Transfer function via QR code (New), and the Pawn Renewal (New) functionality, all at their fingertips. This is also more of a safety feature, promoting home isolation rather than risking outdoor activities and transactions which may further result to the spread of the virus. Try it out and enjoy the amazing features of the eCebuana App!

Investments Worth Keeping

We are always given a choice to invest our resources in various endeavors. These resources may include (but are not limited to) time, money, effort, and even ideas. Depending on how you were able to prepare and think about these choices, you may either be successful in the end or find yourself learning a valuable lesson about bad decisions. For the most part, making mistakes should not be a bad thing, since you gain experience from it. However, some mistakes can be very costly, especially during the current crisis that we are facing right now. As informative as every mistake may be, they also put your efforts into waste, so as your time and money, and such resources are scarce nowadays, so in order to save yourself from the headache of starting all over again, it’s may be better to do things right the first time.

Now, you may ask, “How would I know if I’m about to do the right thing? How would I know if my planned investments are going to be successful in the long run? Are these investments in front of me even worth it?” Well, worry no more, as we’ve prepared a couple of suggestions that may help you along the way. Remember, every person is entitled to their very own ideas and opinions, and these may not necessarily work for you. But it is still good to take note of these, since they may jumpstart your future ventures as well.

  1. Capitalize on your opportunities.
    Let’s face it, many limitations were brought upon us by the pandemic. Many people lost their jobs, their bread and butter,  and their livelihood. Tragic as it may be, let us not forget that the closing of one door only spells the opening of another. Never give up and pursue another venture or opportunity which may help you regain your footing and financial security. Think about it, everyone’s instructed to isolate themselves at home, which means that they may need or crave food and sustenance which they may no longer acquire due to the varying lockdowns and pandemic curfews. If you happen to have a particular set of skills in the kitchen, perhaps you may offer these delicacies at a reasonable price. Have the items delivered at their homes and watch your start-up business “boom” in no time. The same goes for potted plants, aromatherapy candles (to be honest, everyone needs them due to the stress caused by the pandemic), and even cellphone loads. Take time to strategize about your business ideas and get help from your family members at home. They’ll be more than happy to be a part of the venture.
  2. Invest on your tools.
    One of the major changes caused by the pandemic has something to do with your usual office work process. There used to be a time when you’re required to be physically present at the office in order to do your job. Nowadays, working from home would suffice. This is most applicable with jobs that would only require you to submit documents. Apparently, this can all be done digitally, as long as you have an internet connection, a laptop or a desktop computer, and the ever-flowing electricity from your wall sockets. In lieu of this, you may need to invest on all of these resources in order to survive and maintain your employment. If you were fortunate enough to keep your job, even after the virus has blown out of proportion last year, then congratulations, you now have the opportunity to keep your livelihood as long as you have the essentials.

    When it comes to electricity, there isn’t really much to worry about, as long as you were able to pay off your bills. The same may not be said about the other resources, mainly, the internet connection and the gadget (laptop or desktop). Some people are just living by mobile data as it is more affordable and practical, but ever since the pandemic made its presence felt, the influx of new applications at your local phone company has rapidly increased, and understandably, it would reach its peak when the need for “work-from-home” was first announced. A stable internet connection is more reliable than a very limited mobile data subscription, hence, why a majority of Filipinos chose to upgrade. Of course, a faster internet connection would incur a higher bill every month, but that is worth investing into if you want to accomplish your work at the very comfort of your home without any interruption. Speaking of a higher price, gadgets like laptop computers and tablets do not come cheap. At the very least, you may need to invest thousands of Pesos in order to avail one, and we haven’t even started yet on desktop computers. If your work-from-home job happens to involve video editing and other graphics extensive task, then a desktop computer (commonly known as a PC) would be your top choice, but take note, they are higher-priced than your typical laptop computers, thus, you may need to sort your budget and canvas for more affordable options.

  3. Be wise about your food consumption.
    In spite of the fact that our government is already in the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines to the Filipino people, we still have to be vigilant about our very own health. The food that we eat would play a vital role when it comes to our own immune system. The aforementioned vaccines can only do so much, we should still raise our own body defenses and strive to go for healthier options this year. Your usual intake of fruits and vegetables should be your top priority, get rid of all the junk foods and soft drinks from your kitchen shelves. Green, leafy vegetables were proven to provide all the needed nutrients for an average day’s work, the same goes for fruits which are high in Vitamin C. At the risk of sounding like an elementary school lesson, these tips should be taken by heart if you want to survive through the pandemic. Be vigilant, be wise, and stay healthy.

Well, we’ve mentioned a couple of tips to help you survive this 2021 with a well-needed budget and extra source of income. However, managing 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’s Micro Savings product. 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 now!

Cleaning Out the Mess

2020 was such a mess of a year, wouldn’t you agree? We have the burden of the pandemic on our backs; we’ve been ravaged by storms, we even had to go through ash fall, unemployment, and many political issues, and yet, here we are, we’ve managed to make it to 2021. A new year only spells hope, anda new beginning for us all. You may ask, “How can I even start anew? What would I do to make things right? How do I take things in with a fresh perspective?” Well, as they say, change always begins with oneself, and what better way to practice a new beginning than to start at home. Everything that you’ve seen this past year, the news about the pandemic, the various limitations brought about by the lockdowns, the consecutive calamities near the end of 2020, all of them had an impact that understandably roused fear and anxiety among everyone.. In this case, the need to “detox” the fear and anxiety is a commodity that everyone deserves, and your home would be a great place to start.

A certain organizing consultant from Japan once said that you should only keep the things that “spark joy, and indeed, she is right. You may begin to heal from the various wounds caused by 2020 by simply decluttering your home, decluttering your surroundings. You deserve to be happy, you deserve to heal, and you deserve to be organized.

With that, here are a few vital tips in decluttering your home at the start of the year. Keep in mind that you should do these regularly in order to maintain the cleanliness of your home. Anything in life that requires effort on a regular basis would yield nothing but success and goodness, and cleaning is definitely close to the top of the list.

  1. Set a weekly and monthly schedule just for cleaning.
    At first glance, this may seem like overkill, but think about it, the more that you leave off cleaning from your regular activities, the more accumulated the mess would get. That pile of paper clip on the table may seem innocent at first, but after a week, it would be covered by a pile of memos, then a pile of pencil shavings, then an empty paper cup, and so on. Just imagine if you were able to clean that first pile of paperclips at first, then your momentum of clearing that very same spot would continue throughout the days, weeks, and even months, hence, it would remain clean and spotless. The same thing can be said about the other parts of your home, so don’t just ignore that small spot of dust under the table, sweep it, throw away the scrap papers, and live in a dustless and tidy home. You don’t even have to schedule your home cleaning every consecutive week; you may do it in an alternate manner.
  2. Feel free to ask for help.
    The task of decluttering your home would be easier to accomplish with the help of your other family members. You can even help them out in decluttering each of their rooms, so as long as you wouldn’t have to invade each other’s privacy by avoiding those personal items which they’d prefer to go untouched, the more hands, the better. Of course, you may have to plan out, coordinate, and speak with them in advance, so everyone may clean in unison. A well-coordinated decluttering session would go smoothly than a sudden order of “go clean your room, otherwise I will throw it all in the trash.” Remember, you are only going to dispose of the things which are no longer useful, and you may not know which is which if you do not talk with the other members of the household. What may seem like a tarnished shirt may otherwise hold a sentimental value, so keep that in mind as well. If your question is, “May I set National Holidays as a cleaning and decluttering day?” Yes, you may, but again, you should talk with your family if whether or not they’d like to spend that time in cleaning the house or they’d rather have quality time with you.

  3. Decluttering is done better by segregation.
    This is true, for the most part. Take two big plastic bags, one should contain the things which you will 100% throw away without any hesitation, and for the other plastic bag, the things which may still need a bit of thinking before you may decide to either throw them out or to keep them. After sorting everything out, empty the first plastic bag in the trash can and re-use it for the next step. The other plastic bag which contains the things which may require careful thinking would have to be emptied in a much slower manner, taking a minimal approach as you sort out the things you may still need and the things which may add useless clutter in your space.
  4. Handle the small things first, then, work your way up towards much bigger items.
    This would make your decluttering easier and well-organized, as you would follow a process which make sure that no unnecessary mess be left untouched. This is also vital since other smaller valuables, like earrings, necklaces, and other forms of jewelries may get lost in the mix, and you definitely wouldn’t want that to happen. The bigger items, you wouldn’t miss as they are visible even from a few meters away, but the smaller valuables are a whole different story. You wouldn’t want to throw away family heirlooms by mistake, so as with other small gadgets and receipts.

After decluttering all of the unnecessary items, you may still find a couple of things which may have high financial value, but is no longer useful or is something you no longer like. This is true, especially for jewelry. In such case, why don’t you pawn them off for extra cash? At this point, Cebuana Lhuillier has you covered! 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 through its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. And did we mention that they implement some of the most secure and the safest way to transact during the pandemic? Proper social distancing and disinfection procedures are followed in all branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Brand New Health Tips for the New Year

COVID-19’s impact is something that all of us were not able to predict, even beyond our wildest dreams. Before the pandemic hit, everyone was going through their daily routines, minding their own business, focusing on their own dreams, goals, and aspirations. Once the virus struck, lives were left in disarray, looking for answers and guidelines on how to protect themselves during the pandemic. Indeed, it is something that caught the whole world off-guard, with many innocent onlookers relying on the news as the main source of information. What everyone knows so far is that COVID-19 originated from China, making its presence felt within the last few months of 2019 and making its waves during the first quarter of 2020. We now find ourselves in 2021 and many things have changed since then, not with the rapid progress of the virus, but with the implementations and safety measures taken to ensure that everyone stays safe during these trying times.

To further invoke a feeling of change and vigilance throughout the world, governments began to roll-out policies that are tailor-fitted to deal with the current pandemic at hand, a handbook in facing the “new normal,” as it was dubbed on the news. You may ask, “Did these regulations help out people in the long run? These were implemented during the first quarter of 2020, and where do we stand now?” Well, here are just a few highlights which aims to remind you of these policies and the possible changes which may have been implemented along the way.

The following is an official excerpt from the Department of Health’s (DOH) handbook, “A Guide to the New Normal.”

“The new normal revolves around the four strategies of the DOH’s 5-point strategy to reduce COVID 19 related and non COVID 19 deaths – (1) increase resilience, (2) stop transmission, (3) reduce contact, (4) shorten duration of infectiousness. With this, the DOH has developed minimum public health standards across different settings to aid the general public and the different sectors as we transition into the new normal.

Further to this, the DOH’s policy development and program planning initiatives remain aligned with the Minimum Public Health Standard s. The Department will continue its other services and programs considering that the primary goal of its COVID-19 response is to prevent both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 deaths.”

It is important to note that the DOH at least had a preliminary plan which contributed to curbing the spread of the virus. Of course, at the time of writing, there are over 500,000 cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 466,993 people recovering and over 10, 000 deaths. Indeed, the numbers are high, but just imagine how worse it could have been if guidelines weren’t rolled out. The thing about the DOH’s guidelines is that they were at least effective in cutting down the numbers at the first sign of trouble.

Now, you may have noticed from the excerpt that DOH mentioned a 5-point strategy to reduce COVID 19 related and non COVID 19 deaths. We will be discussing them next, what they are in essence, and their functions.

  1. Increase Resilience
    According to the DOH’s handbook, this pertains to our health, our body, our immune system and how we may best strengthen them further during the pandemic. A particular excerpt states that the first strategy hopes to “ensure access to basic needs of individuals, including food, water, shelter and sanitation.” They also aim to “promote adequate nutrition and balanced diets.” For the most part, prevention is always better than cure, but that doesn’t mean that we should stop caring for our body. Eating your fruits and vegetables would greatly help with the fight against COVID-19.
  2. Stop Transmission
    You may have heard of the saying “cleanliness is next to godliness.” That is true, especially during our current situation. The very nature of COVID-19 itself is enough reason to implement handwashing and sanitation throughout the country. The DOH explicitly states this within their handbook: “To encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water and refrain from touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.” They also wish to “ensure access to basic hygiene facilities such as toilets, handwashing areas, water, soap, alcohol/ sanitizer.”
  3. Reduce Contact
    The pandemic definitely tested people’s patience and discipline. While many of us still prefer to enjoy our weekends outdoors, we may have to leave it off for now due to the severity of the current pandemic. The virus is no joke, and the number of people around the globe who’ve succumbed to the dreaded COVID-19 is hard proof of that. The handbook states that they aim to “implement strict physical distancing at all times, especially in public areas, workstations, eating areas, queues, and other high traffic areas.” As unfortunate as it may seem, they also opt to “restrict unnecessary mass gatherings,” so the recent Holiday season saw a massive drop in sales, with regards to the businesses which usually depends on the influx of Christmas shoppers.
  4. Shorten the Duration of Infectiousness
    This is pretty critical in essence, which is why we prefer to cite the main guideline as a whole:

    • Identify symptomatic individuals through temperature checks, health declaration or symptom monitoring.
    • Refer symptomatic individuals to appropriate health system entry points such as primary care facilities or teleconsulting platforms.
    • Trace and quarantine close contacts of confirmed individuals consistent with DOH guidelines.
  5. Enhance Quality, Consistency, & Affordability of Care Provision
    Simply put, DOH aims to provide intervention whenever it is needed in order to assist with the various sectors of the country. These sectors may include (but aren’t limited to) the health sector, the local barangays, the law enforcement units, etc.

What has changed since then?

A couple of important occurrences, actually. For one, there has been varying offsets of lockdowns, community quarantines, and recurring implementations which yielded differing results per barangay. You may have witnessed them within your tight-knit community at the span of 9 to 10 months. Some barangays implemented strict curfews, perhaps more stern than others due to their high-recorded numbers of positive cases. Classes were suspended, then continued, albeit an online setting. There were suggestions within our government to implement face-to-face classes again, but perhaps, due to the refusal of many students and parents, that suggestion was scrapped. Other changes were rolled out by the DOH within the timeframe of the pandemic as well. Thus far, the following is their actual provision:

The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its interim guidelines on expanded risk-based testing of COVID-19 cases. Department Memorandum No. 2020-0258 was adopted in view of the increased RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing capacity of the country.

The new subgroups broadens the coverage of persons to be tested to include suspect cases, individuals with travel history and exposure (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic), and healthcare workers with possible exposure (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic).

The following list of subgroups of individuals are considered at-risk and are eligible for testing, arranged from greatest to lowest need for testing:

  • Subgroup A: patients or healthcare workers with severe/critical symptoms, and relevant history of travel or close contact;
  • Subgroup B: patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, with relevant history of travel or close contact and who are considered vulnerable. These vulnerable populations include the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions that predispose them to severe presentation and complications of COVID-19;
  • Subgroup C: patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, and relevant history of travel or close contact;
  • Subgroup D: patients or healthcare workers with no symptoms but with relevant travel history and close contact;
  • Subgroup E: frontliners indirectly involved in healthcare provision in the response against COVID 19; and
  • Subgroup F: other vulnerable patients such as those with comorbidities, those who will undergo high-risk, elective surgical procedures, those living in confined spaces, and others.

So, these are all the updates with regards to our current situation and the updated guidelines from the official DOH handbook. With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re looking for ways to further protect your family’s future and welfare. The current pandemic has taught us to be vigilant and prepared, and indeed, it is a lesson we will put to heart even when the pandemic is over. 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.

Sangla Blowout 2021 Promo

SANGLA E-RAFFLE

  1. Ang promo na ito ay mula January 15 hanggang July 14, 2021.
  2. Bukas para sa lahat ng clients ng Cebuana Lhuillier
  • Lahat ng clients ng Cebuana Lhuillier na maga-avail ng mga sumusunod na services ay makakakuha ng e-raffle entries.

RAFFLE ENTRY EQUIVALENT

MONTHLY RAFFLE PRIZE

GRAND RAFFLE PRIZE

4. Ang draw ay gaganapin sa J Lhuillier, Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor., Bel-Air, Makati City 1209. Ito ay gaganapin saksi ang isang DTI representative.

5.Lahat ng entries na hindi mananalo ay maari paring isama sa mga susunod na monthly draw. Sa grand draw, lahat ng entries mula January 15 hanggang July 14, 2020 ay isasama.

6.Ang announcement ay mangyayari sa branch at sa Facebook page ng Cebuana Lhuillier.

7.Ipagbibigay alam sa mga nanalo ang kanilang prizes sa pamamigitan ng registered mail. Ang kanilang prize ay ide-deposit sa kanilang Micro Savings accounts.

8.Ang P.J. Lhuillier Inc. ang magbabayard ng 20% tax para sa mga prizes na higit Php10,000.

9.Ang isang pangalan ay maari lamang manalo ng isang beses kada draw date. Kung ang isang pangalan ay mabunot ng higit sa isang beses, makukuha nya ang premyo na may mas mataas na halaga.

10.Ang prizes ay maari laman i-claim sa loob ng 60 na araw mula sa araw na makuha ang registered mail.

11.Ang mga empleyado ng J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies at services at kanilang mga kamag-anak hanggang second degree ng consanguinity o affinity ay hindi maaring sumali sa e-raffle.

SANGLA  BLOWOUT INSTANT GRATIFICATION

  1. Ang promo na ito ay mula January 15 hanggang April 14, 2021.
  2. Ito ay para sa lahat ng bagong pawning clients ng Cebuana Lhuillier at magsasangla ng kahit anong amount
  3. Makakakuha ng instant regalo ang mga magsasanglasa loob ng promo duration.

PER DTI-FAIR TRADE PERMIT NO. FTEB-111732, SERIES OF 2020.

eCebuana Micro Savings Fund Transfer Promo Mechanics

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.

CORPORATE AGENT PARTNERS

  • ACTION.ABLE, INC.
  • ALL ACCESS GATEWAY INC.
  • ANTRECCO (AGUSAN DEL NORTE TEACHERS, RETIREES, EMPLOYEES & COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE)
  • ACM VIP
  • ALL CASH
  • AGRILIFE/ AGRIVET
  • ASENSO PINOY STORE, INC. (EASY DAY SHOP)
  • AVICOM ENTERPRISES
  • AYALA ALABANG VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
  • BAUG CARP MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • BAGUIO BENGUET COOP
  • CARD BANK INC
  • CARD MRI RIZAL BANK INC
  • CARD SME BANK
  • CARITAS BANCO NG MASA, INC.
  • CEBU PEOPLE’S MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • CIS BAYAD CENTER, INC
  • COOPERATIVE BANK OF BOHOL, INC
  • COUNTRY BUILDERS BANK
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • AEON CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (VIA ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ALLIANZ PNB LIFE INSURANCE INC.
  • ALPHA FUND SAVINGS & CREDIT COOPERATIVE (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMADEO WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMYA POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, INC. AND FINANCING CORPORATION (LENDPINOY)
  • ANGAT WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANGELES ELECTRIC COMPANY ANGELICUM SCHOOL , INC. ILOILO CITY (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANJELMAN REAL ESTATE LEASING
  • ANTIQUE ELECTRIC COOP, INC ANTRECCO (BILLS PAYMENT)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (via ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (via ECPAY)
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

List of Accepted Government/ Valid IDs

  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
  • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  • Police Clearance
  • Postal ID
  • Voter’s ID
  • Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) 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)

IDs Accepted

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 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.

Forms of identification accepted are the following;

Pawn Accepted IDs
1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
5. Police Clearance
6. Postal ID
7. Voter’s ID
8. Philippine Identification (PhilID) card
9. Social Security System (SSS) Card / Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
10. Barangay Certification
11. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
12. Senior Citizen Card
13. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
14. OFW ID
15. Seaman’s Book
16. Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration (for foreigners)
17. Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
18. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID)
19. Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
20. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
21. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
22. 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
23. ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)