Get the best of digital and personal banking, your way

Who says you must choose between the ease of digital banking and face-to-face service? With BDO Unibank (BDO), you can enjoy both. It’s digital when you want it, personal when you need it.

Go digital in the BDO branch. Step into an enhanced branch experience at your favorite BDO branch in Bicolandia. 

At BDO, everything is designed to make your banking experience easy, simple, and secure. Here are some digital innovations to expect at any BDO branch in the Bicol region:

Service Assist Machine. Say goodbye to manual forms. Enter transactions digitally, sit back, and wait to be called.  

Account Assist Machine. Opening a new account? Simply fill out your details on-screen to get started.

Online branch booking. Skip the line by scheduling your bank visit ahead of time at www.bdo.com.ph/book-your-visit. Enter your transaction details, save the QR, and drop by the branch at your preferred time.  

Need help with financial decisions? BDO branches are also a great place to get personalized advice—whether you plan to save, invest, get insured, or improve your business efficiency. Nothing beats speaking to an expert in person, especially when it’s with the country’s trusted bank.

With over 1,200 branches nationwide, including nearly 75 BDO Unibank and BDO Network Bank branches in Bicol alone, the choice is yours right when you need it. You can bank your way, whether you need someone to talk to or prefer to bank through self-service machines. 

"Our customers are always a step ahead because we give them control through digital innovations, and care through in-person customer service,” shares Cora A. Mallillin, Head of Branch Banking Group at BDO. “It’s all about finding ways to make your BDO journey easy, simple, and secure.” 

Wherever you may be in the country, a new branch experience is waiting for you. To check your nearest BDO branch, visit the Find a Branch or ATM page at www.bdo.com.ph.

 

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Peñafrancia Festival 2025 Schedule

Peñafrancia 2025 Schedule

DATES TO REMEMBER

September 12, 2025 (Friday) - Traslacion Procession (Solemnity of the Divino Rostro)

September 22, 2024 (Saturday) - Fluvial Procession

Septemner 23, 2024 (Sunday) - Solemnity of our Lady Peñafrancia

For other activities, let us wait for the announcement of the Naga City Government Facebook Page

Official Theme as Posted by the Archdiocese of Caceres

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BDO Life urges Filipinos to rethink their Plan B

From 83% to 54%: Why Fewer Filipinos Prioritize Life Insurance

Only 5 out of every 10 breadwinners in the National Capital Region, Cebu, and Davao consider life insurance as important. This is based on a recent market survey by BDO Life and research network Acorn. More alarming is the declining sense of urgency even after the pandemic. From 83% in 2022, the 2024 survey shows only 54% of respondents believe owning protection is important.

Plan B is more than just a backup plan—it's a lasting promise that your family’s future stays protected even when life takes an unexpected turn.

The most cited reason why insurance penetration remains low is budget constraints. Many individuals prioritize more pressing bills over securing their future. Yet in the face of death, accident, or calamity, life insurance is not an option but a selfless act of putting loved ones first.

 

By being present at BDO branches nationwide, BDO Life has made life insurance more accessible to customers. While information is readily available online, many still prefer to speak with insurance specialists. This puts BDO Life’s Financial Advisors in a positive position to become lifelong financial partners of clients.

 

In these heartfelt stories, Financial Advisors share real-life experiences of beneficiaries who were shielded from life’s unexpected storms because they had a ‘Plan B.’

 

Being Ready with a Plan B if Plan A fails

 

BDO Life Financial Advisor Jimmy recalled an incident during a family outing when a client was involved in a vehicular accident, and sadly, did not survive. In a fateful coincidence, his wife found out he had life insurance only a month before, when he asked her to pay the premium. She wrote to say, “Akala mo di mo kailangan, pero kailangan mo pala. Dati para sa akin, dagdag expenses lang.”

 

BDO Life Financial Advisor Jonah shared a similar story that shows how unpredictable life is. "Nakita ko na kahit healthy ang isang tao, death can happen anytime.” One of her clients, who owned a water refilling station and construction firm, was gone too soon. Thankfully, he had a Plan B in place. Using the proceeds of his life insurance policy, his family was able to keep his businesses running. In turn, his family was able to continue receiving income and maintain their standard of living, even if he was no longer in the picture. 

 

The concept of having a Plan B is something BDO Life Financial Advisor Randy stresses to his clients. “We all have a Plan A, which consists of our present standard of living, as well as our plans and dreams for the future. But life has so many risks, anytime pwedeng may mangyaring hindi inaasahan.”

 

"It’s our job as Financial Advisors to help clients recognize the need a Plan B para ma-protektahan ang pamilya financially for unexpected events, at hindi ma-disrupt ang Plan A.” This was the case of one of his clients, who had the foresight to invest in a Plan B to ensure his children can finish their studies no matter what.

 

“You owe your loved ones a Plan B that will allow them to move on in life when you’ve ceased to be in the picture,” said BDO Life President and CEO Renato Vergel De Dios. “That takes tremendous financial maturity and responsibility to recognize that life insurance isn’t an optional choice. It’s the financially smart thing to do.”  

 

Time to start your Plan B conversation with BDO Life today. Visit your nearest BDO branch to speak with a BDO Life Financial Advisor. You can also visit BDO Life’s website at www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-life to explore life insurance solutions and get premium quotes based on your financial goals and budget.

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Payroll efficiency matters: How three businesses upgraded theirs with BDO

Payroll efficiency matters

How three businesses upgraded theirs with BDO 

For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), managing payroll can be a time-consuming and daunting task. Calculating salaries, handling taxes, and releasing bi-monthly pay can be prone to errors, especially when done manually. By choosing the right bank, businesses can streamline payroll management, freeing up time for growth expansion without distractions. 

Three SMEs—spanning beauty and wellness, real estate, and freight forwarding—turned to BDO Unibank's Cash Management Services (CMS) for effective payroll systems, each using digital tools for more seamless operations and financial management.  

 

Peace of mind. Prioré Beauty and Wellness can now relax knowing their payroll is automated.

Prioré Beauty and Wellness: Reducing payroll stress

Prioré Beauty and Wellness Center, a company advocating self-care, is not immune to payroll-related stress, taking a chunk out of its staff’s personal time. Finance Head Cherry Mia Lamanosa is left to handle all the load of issuing checks and approving payroll disbursements. "I had to sacrifice weekends to handle our payroll and check disbursements manually for our suppliers." 

The beauty industry demands continuous learning, making efficiency crucial to remain competitive. "There are always new treatment methods to learn or equipment to invest in. Most of the time, deliveries happen on a weekend so I have to go to the clinic to take care of that," Lamanosa lamented. 

Thanks to BDO Business Online Banking, Prioré’s processing of salaries and checks is no longer tedious, allowing Lamanosa to focus on business growth and personal well-being. 

Upgraded. Sequioa Inn signs up for a better payroll experience with BDO.

Sequioa Inn: Cutting payroll time in half

Hotel chain Sequoia Inn initially enrolled in the bank’s digital solutions before the pandemic hit but had to pause operations due to lockdowns.  

Now, co-owner Stephanie Lynn Hao is ready to reintegrate into the modern system and expects to cut its payroll time from two hours to less than 60 minutes. "Manually inserting cash into envelopes took me around two hours to complete. With BDO’s payroll system, I can do it in way less than an hour."

Remote management also became crucial especially when Hao had to negotiate with suppliers while abroad. "I had to talk to the vendors if we could delay the issuance of checks. Thanks to BDO, I can now disburse checks even while traveling,” she added.

World Concord International: Promoting better financial habits

Emylin Ubaldo, owner of freight forwarding and brokerage firm World Concord International, considers her business as an opportunity to help employees especially in advancing their careers. She sees payroll automation as a tool for financial empowerment. 

A win-win for everyone. With an automated payroll, employees of World Concord International get their own bank account.

If the salaries are in the ATM, employees become more mindful of their spending. When they receive their bonuses, they can easily keep track of how much they have in their account. Seeing their hard-earned money grow encourages them to save more as against spending it right away,” Ubaldo noted.

By adopting the bank’s digital solutions, these SMEs achieved three levels of success: improved operational efficiency, mental well-being, and financial discipline among staff through innovation and secure banking. To know more about how BDO CMS can help SMEs thrive, visit https://www.bdo.com.ph or the nearest BDO branch in your area

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EastWest Ageas Insurance Strengthens Presence in Luzon with Three Successful Agency House Openings

Manila, May 15, 2025 – EastWest Ageas Insurance, the fastest growing insurer in the country, kicked off 2025 with three successful agency house openings in Makati City, Angeles City in Pampanga, and Naga City in Camarines Sur. This expansion will help more Filipinos in Metro Manila and the surrounding regions achieve their purpose for their people. This strategic move will also strengthen its current sales forces by recruiting talent to help spread its PURPLE (Purpose + People)  message throughout the Philippines. 

(L-R) EastWest Ageas executives Sjoeard Smeets, President and CEO of EastWest Ageas together with Marlon Vicente, Chief Agency Officer of EastWest Ageas and Greg Martin, Chief Distribution and Marketing Officer of EastWest Ageas at the opening of EastWest Ageas Naga Agency house

Making insurance accessible for more Filipinos

Through its Luzon expansion, EastWest Ageas can reach out to more potential policyholders and guide them on the path to financial security. The three newly opened agency houses offer policyholders various insurance plans, including the new Life Advantage, Future Assure, and Future Assure MAX. 

“Our goal is to root ourselves where our people are,” EastWest Ageas Insurance President and CEO Sjoerd Smeets shares. “By opening our agency houses in key strategic locations, we get to bring our brand of financial solutions and advice closer to the customers. We want to make insurance easy to understand and appreciate for more Filipinos.” 

Growing in grassroots 

EastWest Ageas’ Luzon expansion will also provide career opportunities to Filipinos eager to start a career in financial consultancy. 

“Strengthening our sales force is a top priority for us this year,” shares Chief Agency Officer Marlon Vicente. . “A good sales force can drive and define our success, and a great one can propel us further and higher in the industry. And who else can best understand the needs of their community than those who live in and love them?” 

This localized approach of spreading EastWest Ageas Insurance’s PURPLE message has seen success in the market with strong profit returns for the business. This will also be replicated throughout the country in other key cities such as Cebu and Davao. 

PURPLE for the Philippines 

The three agency house openings for EastWest Ageas Insurance mark the company’s drive to serve Filipinos looking to pursue their purpose for the people that matter most to them.

“Our mission as an insurance company is really to help people,” Vicente explains. “And we are fueled by that drive to paint the Philippines with our brand of PURPLE so that more Filipinos can achieve a life that they deserve with protection that’s uncomplicated and works for them.” 

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Filinvest Land Breaks Ground for Futura Monte’s Building B in Naga City

Trusted property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) has officially started the construction for the latest addition to Futura Monte, Building B. With this in progress, Naga City’s first master-planned condo community is set to offer more opportunities as it becomes the standard for quality living within reach.

The recent milestone celebration was attended by FLI executives, sellers, local government unit officials, and other guests. It was held at the project site along Roxas Avenue in Brgy. Triangulo, an accessible location at the heart of the city.

Now on its second building, Futura Monte is opening more doors for Nagueños to achieve their ideal modern city home in a healthy and breathable environment. It is designed with the residents’ well-being in mind, dedicating 60% of the property to generous open spaces and refreshing amenities. 

From Left to Right:

Reuel Oliver - Executive Director of Naga City Investment Board (LGU)

Cecilia Veluz-De Asis - Naga City Vice-Mayor (LGU)

Gerard Marcelo - Regional General Manager (Filinvest Land Inc.)

Arthur Butac - Planning Head (Share Pro Inc.)

Nelson Talagtag - PMCM Area Head (Share Pro Inc.)

Niko Gallego - AVP Marketing (Superior BT Inc. (contractor))

Ronald Anselmo - Project Development Manager (Filinvest Land Inc.)

The charm of living in this community is its various venues for relaxation and recreation. Futura Monte’s clubhouse is where unforgettable memories take place—from hosting gatherings, celebrating occasions, engaging in spontaneous activities, and simply unwinding. It features a game room and a fitness gym inside for residents to keep track of their active lifestyle and exercise routine. 

Right beside the clubhouse is an invigorating swimming pool surrounded by lush scenery. And to complete the family bonding, kids also have their own safe and fun haven at the children’s play area.

Futura Monte’s 12-storey Building B is comprised of 76% Studio Units, while the remaining units are 2-Bedroom Units. These efficiently crafted living spaces have optimized layouts to offer for young professionals and growing families to comfortably embrace their independence. Additionally, this latest building features basement parking for the safety and security of the residents’ vehicles. 

With a prime location close to essential establishments and leisure destinations, Futura Monte is indeed the ideal community for settling down, pursuing passions, and nurturing family ties. Its attractive features and facilities create promising potential for property appreciation over time, giving homeowners a future-proof investment.

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Financial Security, Closer to Home: EastWest Ageas Insurance Opens Doors in Naga

Naga City, Camarines Sur, February 10, 2025 – For many Filipinos, securing their financial future can feel like a distant goal — something to think about "later." But what if expert financial guidance was within your reach? EastWest Ageas Insurance, one of the fast-rising insurance providers in the Philippines, is making that a reality with the opening of its first agency house in Naga City. This is the second agency opening of the insurance provider outside Metro Manila, marking a major step in EastWest Ageas Insurance’s mission to help more Filipinos take control of their financial future—bringing expert advice, insurance solutions, and investment guidance closer to home.

EastWest Ageas Insurance opens its agency house in Naga City to provide financial solutions to more customers in the Bicol region. In the photo: Sjoerd Smeets, President & CEO, Marlon Vicente, Chief Agency Officer and Greg Martin, Chief Distribution and Marketing Officer

The Naga agency house will serve as the hub of EastWest Ageas Insurance’s financial consultants. This will allow the insurance provider to connect with interested policyholders throughout the Bicol Region.

“We strive to extend our reach and touch more Filipinos,” shares Sjoerd Smeets, President and CEO of EastWest Ageas Insurance. “And with our agency house opening here in Naga, we are living up to our promise of helping more Filipinos build a financially secure tomorrow. We’ll be even more accessible to those who want to have expert financial advice and solutions that can protect their life, wealth, and health.” 

The newly-opened Naga hub will also allow EastWest Ageas Insurance to pursue its advocacy of spreading financial literacy. “For us to make a real impact, we plan to clear up misconceptions about financial literacy. We want to help more Filipinos understand that securing their financial future is more than just having a savings account or insurance –– it’s really about how they spend their money to bring them closer to their financial goals,” explains Marlon Vicente, EastWest Ageas Insurance Chief Agency Officer. 

To support this effort, EastWest Ageas Insurance held a client forum with expert speakers who shared the basics of investing and how to best maximize investments with a reliable insurance provider’s financial solutions. EastWest Ageas Insurance’s Investment Head, Mitch Lumabi and Product Management Head, Jessa Cuaresma led the forum.

This investment forum was held at the Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga, and was attended by select clients and VIPs.

“At EastWest Ageas Insurance, we strive to make investing and getting protected with insurance simple, more accessible, and easy to understand,” says Greg Martin, EastWest Ageas Insurance’s Chief Distribution and Marketing Officer. “Our ultimate goal is to cultivate even deeper and stronger ties, not just with the people of Naga, but with all Filipinos who are keen on building their better tomorrow. And we’ll be there ready to help them all the way.”

The EastWest Ageas Insurance agency house is located on the 2nd Floor TDM Bldg. Panganiban Ave. corner Dinaga St. Naga City.

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Fall in love with good fortune in Power Mac Center’s ‘Charms & Treasures’ promo

 

Power Mac Center (PMC) kicks off 2025 with its annual double celebration of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, setting the stage for a host of seasonal events throughout the year.

As the world welcomes the Year of the Wood Snake, the season of giving continues with abundant offers and exclusive in-store and Web Store freebies. With the theme “Charms & Treasures,” customers can look forward to an array of discounts, special gifts, exclusive offers, and a fun photo contest.

“The year of the snake is largely associated with transformation and rebirth, and it’s the same vibe we wish to see our customers continuously pursue. Power Mac Center will keep fostering an environment of creativity and community to support our customers’ journey to self-improvement and innovation,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management.

Show up in-store, enjoy exclusive promos

Ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on January 29, drop by any of the over 120 Power Mac Center or The Loop branches to enjoy up to 50% off on select Apple accessories and Apple TV when purchased with any Apple device via non-installment modes of payment. Offer is valid from January 25 to February 16, 2025.

Be one of the first customers to make any purchase on February 8-9 or February 14-15 in select stores and receive two complimentary Polaroid souvenirs.

Tap tap your way to free shipping, discounts, and gifts with purchase

Over at the Web Store <powermaccenter.com> and The Loop by Power Mac Center store on Shopee and Lazada, customers can enjoy up to 50% off on select Apple accessories and Apple TV from January 25 to February 2, 2025.

Shop online and get 14% off on participating premium accessories plus free shipping from February 3 to 13, 2025 and up to 50% discount on participating premium accessories plus free shipping from February 14 to 16, 2025.

Customers who check out select Apple devices online can also receive a gift from Power Mac Center from January 25 to February 16, 2025. Get the Anker SoundCore R50i True Wireless Earphones for every purchase of participating iPad models, Before Anything Else Dual Port 30w Wall Charger for every purchase of participating iPhone models, or STM NetGain Backpack for every purchase of participating Mac models.

Upgrade with UpTrade for additional trade-in value

If you’ve been planning to switch to the Apple ecosystem or upgrade your device this new year, take advantage of exclusive offers from PMC’s trade-in program “UpTrade.” From January 20 to February 20, 2025, customers can receive up to P3,000 top-up trade-in value they can use to purchase new items in PMC and The Loop stores nationwide.

Take a selfie with the giant Ang Pao, get a chance to win GCs

From January 25 to February 5, 2025, PMC and The Loop are having an online photo contest where customers get a chance to win up to P2,500 worth of Power Mac Center gift certificates.

Spot the giant Ang Pao at select Power Mac Center or The Loop stores including SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA – Annex, TriNoma, Ongpin, S Maison, Bonifacio High Street, U.P. Town Center, Alabang Town Center, SM City Sta. Mesa, Lucky Chinatown Mall, SM Araneta City, and Ayala Malls Feliz. Take a photo with it and share on Facebook and/or Instagram along with the hashtags #PowerMacCenter and #PMCCharmsandTreasures. Don’t forget to tag Power Mac Center!

Always be in the loop for exciting happenings by tuning in to the OFFICIAL Power Mac Center accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Viber, and YouTube, as well as The Loop Ph Facebook and The Loop Ph Instagram.

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