Friday, January 28, 2022

Unleash Your Inner Water Tiger: Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign January 28, 2022 at 12:26AM

Out of Town Blog
Unleash Your Inner Water Tiger: Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign

Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – In a few days, we’ll be celebrating Lunar New Year and ushering in the Year of the Water Tiger. Depending on the representative Chinese zodiac and element, it is said to impact one’s luck and chances to become successful. Take charge of your own destiny and learn the traits of the Water Tiger in order to become more financially savvy and prosperous in 2022.

Here are some financial tips to keep in mind this Lunar Year:

Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign
Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign

Don’t be afraid to be experimental and adventurous.

Water Tigers tend to be very open to new ideas. If you’re feeling stuck in an area of your life, this is the year to change things up. You can start small, such as listening to music genres that aren’t on your typical playlist, enrolling in a new hobby class, or taking on a new project at work. Soon you’ll find that you’re more courageous as you make bigger life decisions.

When it comes to finances, being receptive to non-traditional ways can help you become more prosperous and independent. E-wallets are a game changer in the financial world. This year, introduce yourself to ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet that enables you to buy load, pay bills, send money, and scan to pay at thousands of merchants nationwide. It only takes a few steps to enroll. Activate your ShopeePay account here.

Adaptability is key.

Water Tigers can quickly shift to improve their circumstances, making them ideal role models during a time of unprecedented changes. For businesses to continue thriving, entrepreneurs need to be more creative and strategic when it comes to running their operations. If you own a physical store, join ShopeePay’s growing list of Offline Partner Merchant’s for safe and convenient cashless transactions. ShopeePay’s Scan-To-Pay feature enables secure and real-time payments for your goods and services in-store via QR code. Enjoy the many benefits of ShopeePay by signing up to be a ShopeePay Partner Merchant. For those running an online business, chances are fund transfers are your primary means to get payments. Encourage your customers to transact using ShopeePay as it offers free and real time money transfers to any Shopee user or bank account.

Resourcefulness can help you go a long way.

Being resourceful like a Water Tiger means you’re able to find solutions to deal with problems or search for more efficient ways to perform a task. It’s actually one of the best traits to imbibe when it comes to money matters. Any good financial decision maker would weigh options and search ways to spend wisely and save more. Start by exploring your e-wallet’s features and keeping tabs on scheduled promos and ongoing deals.

Making sound financial decisions also means setting a budget and tracking expenses. With ShopeePay, you get access to exclusive promos and deals to help you stick to your budget. If you need to transfer money; whether it be to your family and friends, or to your own bank account, you can do so without the added transaction fees through ShopeePay’s free transfers feature. From January 26 to February 3, send personalized Angpaos and stand a chance to win up to P220,000 when you send at least P1 to any Shopee user with ShopeePay. You can even get the chance to win an additional P88 via ShopeePay when you cash in for free with your linked BPI Online Account. Finally, schedule your shopping and bills payments on January 30 in time for ShopeePay Day – where you can get up to 50% cashback on bills, discounts on load, and discounts on groceries and essentials with ShopeePay P1 Deals.

Those of the Tiger zodiacs portray courage and leadership. They’re determined to do anything to achieve their goal. 2022 is all about taking those traits and channeling them into opportunities to be more successful. After all, Water Tigers are action-based people who value hard work and don’t hesitate to make things happen.

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Read: Top 10 Items To Help You Fulfill Your 2022 New Year’s Resolutions

Original article: Unleash Your Inner Water Tiger: Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign

©2022 Out of Town Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Unleash Your Inner Water Tiger: Financial Tips from 2022’s Chinese Zodiac Sign
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Smart is Philippines’ undisputed fastest 5G mobile network in latest Ookla® report January 27, 2022 at 11:38PM

Out of Town Blog
Smart is Philippines’ undisputed fastest 5G mobile network in latest Ookla® report

SMART FASTEST 5G AWARD

Smart 5G sweeps Ookla® Speedtest Awards TM in H1 and H2 2021

PLDT mobile services arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) remains as the country’s undisputed fastest 5G mobile network as it delivered significantly higher speeds for its subscribers during the second half of 2021, according to the latest report by Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Using 325,396 user-initiated 5G tests, Ookla declared Smart as the winner of its Speedtest AwardsTM for Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed ScoreTM of 201.95, while its closest competitor posted a Speed ScoreTM of 116.08.

SMART FASTEST 5G AWARD
SMART FASTEST 5G AWARD

Sweeping awards for H1 and H2 2021

To bag the award, Smart posted a median download speed of 218.82 Mbps and a median upload speed of 22.46 Mbps, while its closest competitor posted a median download speed of 116.92 Mbps and a median upload speed of 10.81 Mbps.

Ookla also reported Smart’s median latency to be at 14 milliseconds while its closest competitor recorded a median latency of 19 milliseconds.

Having won ‘Fastest 5G Mobile Network’ for Q1-Q2 back in August last year, Smart’s latest accomplishment meant it effectively swept the Ookla Speedtest Awards for all award periods of 2021 amid its accelerated 5G rollout and continuous network improvement efforts across the country.

Huge speed gaps in Manila, Cebu, CDO

In its latest report, Ookla also showed huge speed gaps between Smart and its closest competitor in select cities.

In Manila for example, Smart recorded a median download speed of 263.67 Mbps while its closest competitor posted 98.44 Mbps. Smart also registered a median upload speed of 28.27 Mbps while its closest competitor hit 9.77 Mbps.

In the Visayas, Smart also dominated Cebu City with a median download speed of 214.27 Mbps while its closest competitor recorded 125.93 Mbps. Smart also led with an upload speed of 19.85 Mbps while its closest competitor clocked 10.34 Mbps.

In Mindanao, Smart led in Cagayan de Oro City with a median download speed of 217.83 Mbps while its closest competitor recorded 143.71 Mbps. Smart also posted a median upload speed of 21.82 Mbps while its closest competitor posted 12.20 Mbps.

Speed as key network performance metric

“As the pandemic sped up digital adoption across the world, we have made it our mission to provide Filipinos with the best customer experience through our superior network and innovative services that enable our subscribers to live the Giga Life and pursue their passions,” said Jane J. Basas,” SVP and Head of Wireless Consumer Business at Smart.

“Speed is the key metric when it comes to network performance and simply providing amazing digital experiences, and we are extremely proud that our 5G network has consistently been recognized as the fastest in the country based on the real-world experience by our subscribers,” she added.

Pioneering 5G services

Since it launched its 5G commercial service nationwide back in 2020, Smart has relentlessly pushed 5G revolution in the Philippines, deploying around 7,200 5G base stations around the country.

Smart also enables Filipinos to adopt 5G and enjoy its benefits through innovative products and services, such as the Rocket WiFi, Smart’s first and fastest 5G Pocket WiFi; and the Smart Bro Prepaid Home WiFi 5G, Smart’s first 5G-powered prepaid WiFi service that makes it easier for families to enjoy fiber-like wireless speeds at home.

Smart also introduced the groundbreaking Unli 5G data offer via the GigaLife App to give subscribers more data to enjoy all their favorite online activities powered by Smart 5G. Smart later brought this unlimited 5G experience to postpaid customers by launching the Signature Plans+.

Make the Smart move now

Through its superior network, Smart is gearing up to bring more exciting 5G experiences to subscribers.  To take part in these amazing experiences, non-Smart customers can now make the Smart move without having to change their mobile number through Mobile Number Portability (MNP).

To know more about switching to Smart via MNP, users may visit x.smart/switch or make the switch via the GigaLife App.

*Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q3–Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks are used under license and reprinted with permission.

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Read: Smart 5G Is Nearly Twice The Speed Of Competitor, According To Ookla® Report

Original article: Smart is Philippines’ undisputed fastest 5G mobile network in latest Ookla® report

©2022 Out of Town Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Smart is Philippines’ undisputed fastest 5G mobile network in latest Ookla® report
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Shopee gives you five days of deals and discounts this 2.2 Free Shipping Sale January 27, 2022 at 10:41PM

Out of Town Blog
Shopee gives you five days of deals and discounts this 2.2 Free Shipping Sale

Shopee 2.2 Free Shipping Sale

Shop your home needs safely while saving on shipping fees from January 30 to February 3

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Getting ready for another round of shopping for your essentials and budols? Lucky for you, you can shop without breaking the bank during Shopee’s 2.2 Free Shipping Sale. Prepare for five exciting days of Free Shipping with P0 minimum spend, P1 Flash Deals, and 10% off vouchers daily, as you shop for your stay-at-home needs from January 30 Payday Sale until February 3.

Shopee 2.2 Free Shipping Sale
Shopee 2.2 Free Shipping Sale

Score Free Shipping, Daily Midnight Sales, and Non-Stop Rush Hour Sales

This 2.2 Free Shipping Sale, make the most of the sitewide Free Shipping vouchers with P0 minimum spend for all your needs. On February 2, you can claim free shipping vouchers hourly and have all your home essentials shipped to your house safely without worrying about shipping fees.

For those eager to score the hottest deals at the lowest prices, check out Daily Midnight Sales from 12MN to 2AM from January 30 Payday Sale until February 3. Be one of the first to claim midnight vouchers, and exclusive deals from a wide range of brands and sellers.

If you’re an avid shopper who can sneak in checkouts during school and work breaks, then the Rush Hour Sales are made for you. Early birds can shop during the Big Morning Sale from 8AM to 10AM. If you’re taking your lunch break then check out the Big Lunchtime Sale from 12NN to 2PM. For those who thrive on last-minute shopping sprees, then the Last 3 Hours Sale from 9PM to 12MN is perfect for you. With each Rush Hour, expect limited-time vouchers and deals at irresistible prices to make your purchase rewarding.

Planning how to maximize the five-day sale this 2.2? Keep some of these incredible deals in mind:

Philips Vacuum
Philips Vacuum

For most, a clean home can help bring peace of mind. With the Philips FC9351/0 Vacuum, you get ultra-strong suction that takes care of all your dust and dirt problems so you can lounge around more comfortably.

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

For most of the day, your phone will be pretty much attached to you whatever you do and wherever you are at home. It’s time to upgrade your most prized gadget to the hottest one in the market, the iPhone 13. This 5G phone is powered by a super-fast A15 bionic chip that takes all your downloads, photos and video streaming to the next level.

Kyowa Dish Sterilizer
Kyowa Dish Sterilizer

Be extra careful that the dishes you use are clean and have no specks of food and bacteria that can harm your loved ones. With the Kyowa Dish Sterilizer, you’ll be serving your signature recipes in clean, sterile, and dry dishes.

Find Low Prices on Home Essentials this 2.2 Free Shipping Sale

Are you a bargain hunter on the prowl for the best deals for your home? Then check the Big Price Drop Sale on February 2, 6PM to 8PM for deals P222 and below. You’ll also find even more exciting low prices when you Add To Cart this January 31.

For home staples, check out these items below:

Lysol Disinfectant Spray Triple Pack
Lysol Disinfectant Spray Triple Pack

Being extra careful now goes a long way in protecting your family. With the Lysol Disinfectant Spray, you’re sure that the surface and air you breathe at home is free from harmful fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Apart from keeping your space clean, this also eliminates unpleasant odors, replacing them with a fresh, relaxing berry scent.

KF94 Face Mask
KF94 Face Mask

For a good quality mask that you can rely on, the Health Guard KF94 Face Mask is a must-buy. With 4 layers of thickness, this mask effectively filters disease-causing viruses so you can stay protected while on the go.

Memory Pillow
Memory Pillow

Say goodbye to restless nights and hello to sweet dreams when you get the Angbon Memory Pillow. Made from 100% rebound material, this soft memory foam pillow is designed to support your head and neck, relieving pressure points for a more comfortable slumber.

To enjoy 5-days of Free Shipping with P0 minimum. spend, P1 Flash Deals and 10% off vouchers daily, make sure to visit: https://shopee.ph/m/22

To enjoy more discounts on your purchases, use ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet where you can buy load, pay bills, send money, and scan to pay at thousands of partner merchants nationwide. This 2.2 Free Shipping Sale, enjoy more free shipping vouchers at P0 minimum spend, exclusively with ShopeePay.

This 2.2, you can also get up to 50% cashback on your monthly bills from participating billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Smart, Manila Water, and Converge. If you need to stock up on groceries or home necessities, get big savings with P1 Deals via ‘ShopeePay Near Me’ on the Shopee app. Redeem your discounts by paying with ShopeePay at partner merchants such as Puregold, National Bookstore, Ultra Mega, Metro Department Store & Supermarket,  FamilyMart, and many more.

With ShopeePay, you can also enjoy free transfers to any bank or any Shopee user. Until February 3, get a chance to win P110,000 when you send at least P1 to any Shopee user, or if it is your first time to send money with ShopeePay. Additionally, you can also cash in for free via InstaPay; get up to P25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in.

Activate and cash in your ShopeePay wallet for safe, cashless payments.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

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Read: Top 10 Items To Help You Fulfill Your 2022 New Year’s Resolutions

Original article: Shopee gives you five days of deals and discounts this 2.2 Free Shipping Sale

©2022 Out of Town Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Shopee gives you five days of deals and discounts this 2.2 Free Shipping Sale
Team Out of Town
Out of Town Blog

DOT: Philippines to accept fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries starting Feb. 10 January 27, 2022 at 09:21PM

Out of Town Blog
DOT: Philippines to accept fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries starting Feb. 10

fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Philippines will start to accept fully-vaccinated foreign leisure travelers from visa-free countries beginning February 10.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made the announcement today January 28 (Friday) after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the proposal of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries
fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries

“We at the DOT are very thankful to our partners in the IATF-EID for approving our proposal to allow the entry of foreign leisure travelers. The Department sees this as a welcome development that will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down during the pandemic,’’ Puyat said.

“With years of coordination between national agencies, industry stakeholders, and the various local government units (LGUs) to prepare our destinations for tourism in the new normal, we are confident that we will be able to keep pace with our ASEAN neighbors who have already made similar strides to reopen to foreign tourists,” added the tourism chief.

Puyat clarified that the recent IATF-EID decision will cover only leisure travelers from countries whose nationals are allowed visa-free entry to the Philippines.

It can be recalled that last year, the IATF-EID approved the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions starting Dec. 1, 2021, but was temporarily suspended due to the omicron variant.

Earlier today, the IATF-EID announced the suspension of the country classification system starting Feb. 1, 2022. Also starting Feb. 1, fully-vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos will no longer be required to undergo quarantine as long as they are able to present a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin.

Likewise, starting Feb. 10 and upon consultation with health experts, qualified leisure travelers will also no longer be required to undergo quarantine as long as they are able to present a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin.”

“We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus. We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments,” Puyat noted.

Based on the IATF-EID guidelines, leisure travelers from visa-free countries will be allowed to enter the country, provided that their passports are valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, and they possess outbound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination.

Leisure visitors must also carry proof of vaccination against COVID-19 that are recognized by the IATF-EID. They include certificates of vaccination issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), VaxCertPH of the Department of Health (available at https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph), and a national/ state digital certificate of a foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.

The list of countries whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa are those listed under EO 408 and can be found in this link: https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa

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Read:

DOT Clarifies Travel Guidelines For NCR Residents Under Alert Level 4

Original article: DOT: Philippines to accept fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries starting Feb. 10

©2022 Out of Town Blog. All Rights Reserved.

DOT: Philippines to accept fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries starting Feb. 10
Team Out of Town
Out of Town Blog

Free limited-edition, acrylic bottle with your next FamilyMart purchase January 27, 2022 at 03:59PM

Out of Town Blog
Free limited-edition, acrylic bottle with your next FamilyMart purchase

FamilyMart is giving away this limited-edition Kohi-san acrylic bottle for free until the end of January.

How to get a Free FamilyMart acrylic bottle

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The local franchise of Japanese convenience store brand, FamilyMart, is giving away free acrylic bottles for a minimum of Php 2,000 worth of products purchased at its Metro Manila stores.

FamilyMart is giving away this limited-edition Kohi-san acrylic bottle for free until the end of January.
FamilyMart is giving away this limited-edition Kohi-san acrylic bottle for free until the end of January.

Featuring Kohi-san, an original FamilyMart brand character, the limited edition bottle is available for redemption until January 31 at any of the 48 FamilyMart stores in the metro. It can be filled with water, milk, and other beverages, hot or cold.

“For the past years, FamilyMart has been actively improving its offerings and building better customer experience to be able to delight them beyond the typical convenience store transactions. Hence, in line with our goal of providing products and services at the best value, we are gifting our loyal customers with branded, limited-edition FamilyMart merchandise,” FamilyMart General Manager Celina Matias said.

Last year, FamilyMart offered limited-edition merchandise such as umbrellas and face masks featuring all the brands’ characters. The initiative was part of the company’s strategy to build a stronger relationship with its customers through a value-added brand experience.

True to its Japanese roots, the brand also started its own comics series regularly published on its official Facebook page, showcasing slice-of-life and daily routine depictions of FamilyMart characters.

About FamilyMart

The FamilyMart Company, Ltd. is a Japanese convenience store franchise chain. FamilyMart is Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain, behind 7-Eleven. There are now 24,574 stores worldwide in Japan, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Its headquarters is on the 17th floor of the Sunshine 60 building in Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo. There are some stores in Japan with the name Circle K Sunkus under the operation of FamilyMart.

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Read: FamilyMart Arrives In Davao

Original article: Free limited-edition, acrylic bottle with your next FamilyMart purchase

©2022 Out of Town Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Free limited-edition, acrylic bottle with your next FamilyMart purchase
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog