Making Your Christmas Travel Safe and Secured

Pasig, Philippines—December 18,2020— Like many traditional holidays, Christmas will be completely different this year as Filipinos brace for a non-traditional celebration since mass gatherings and parties remain restricted due to the pandemic.

As quarantine guidelines loosen, on the other hand, people can now visit malls, restaurants, and shops if they abide by specific safety protocols to prevent the further spreading of the virus.

With travel still possible for Filipinos, Prestone Philippines, the leading manufacturer of cutting-edge coolants and brake fluids in the country, reminds motorists of the importance of keeping their vehicles in good shape to have safe journeys this holiday season. Before embarking on your trip, the company encourages us to check on your vehicles and if possible, undergo preventive maintenance.

Following your vehicle's preventive maintenance schedule (PMS) can help ensure that it stays safe and in tiptop condition. It maintains that it has no engine leaks or irregular noises that can be signs of problems, as well as keeps its oil and coolant at the right levels. It also reminds you to charge your vehicle's battery and keep its terminals clean.

Other than engine parts, PMS also helps make certain other parts of your vehicle are in good shape. For instance, ensuring your tires are fresh or still in good condition, inspecting your vehicle's auto lights, and ensuring that your vehicle's brake is not too loose and ready for road travel.

Prestone also ensures that motorists' products are high-quality and dependable fluids to ensure your vehicle remains safe and in good condition. For instance, the company's Asian Coolant Range provides instant protection to all Asian-made engines. It optimizes engine temperature and protects parts from rust and corrosion.

They also provide an Auto Transmission Fluid (ATF) designed to meet or exceed many cars' needs on today's road. It can help delay or eliminate the need for costly repairs by assisting to stop leaks and condition dry and cracked seals. Their Power Steering Fluid (PSF) also helps maintain smooth power steering operation while fighting leaky seals for vehicles.

One of the company's best products is its Prestone DOT 4 Synthetic Hi-Temp Brake Fluid built for systems that require high-temperature DOT 4 brake fluid. It exceeds specifications, provides excellent performance in high-temperature braking systems, and provides corrosion protection for all metals within the braking system. It is suitable for disk, drum, and ABS brakes.

Prestone also wants to remind motorists to stay cautious with the products they use on their vehicles, especially brake fluids that are possibly old or counterfeit. Using fake brake fluids can permanently damage or overheat your vehicle's engine and cause it to lose its brake, leading to accidents.

To know its authenticity, check the product's details and look for any imperfections, and ensure it has a PS mark or ICC stickers issued by the Bureau of Product Standards of the Philippines. Many counterfeit products also have 900ml packaging.

"We all surely want a joyful and warm Christmas celebration this year, especially with all the challenges we have experienced. So, we should make sure the products we use in our vehicles are high-quality and safe. Watch out for brake fluid sellers whose products come from unknown sources. Familiarize yourself with the product's original price to know products with suspicious prices and discounts. High-quality products are more important than cheap but low-quality products to ensure safe travels," said Paolo Lao, marketing director of Prestone Philippines.

To know more information about Prestone Philippines, visit their website, https://www.prestone.com.ph/ and follow their Facebook page, Prestone Philippines.

A Much More Financially Mobile ‘Iponaryo’

As a champion for financial inclusion, Cebuana Lhuillier recently launched additional features to their existing Micro Savings Account, a product of Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, to help more Filipinos become financially mobile, especially during the onset of the new normal. When the Micro Savings was introduced last year, in 2019, to be exact, it provided unbanked and underbanked Filipinos with easy access to basic savings, regardless of who and where they are. It further empowered the vast majority to jumpstart their savings and directly steer their lives towards a better future. But when the pandemic hit, the progress of the program, along with everything else, was literally brought to a standstill.

Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB) saw this as an opportunity to make sure that account holders or “Iponaryos” as they’re called, continue to still have full access to their hard-earned money, at their convenience. CLRB president Dennis Valdes said that, “The many challenges and limitations in access, presented by the pandemic to our clients and countless Filipinos, made us look even harder for more opportunities in bringing Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings to the next level; pushing our myriad of services farther ahead to immediately answer the needs of our clients.”

And the challenge has been met successfully. The Micro Savings Account now has four (4) new features: Partnerships with two giant financial institutions; BancNet and UnionPay, a link to the eCebuana App, as well as, the addition of QR Technology, for added security.

‘Iponaryos’ now have access to the latest functions transforming their Micro Savings account from just a basic cash deposit account to an even more powerful and reliable, full-service savings account. By partnering with BancNet, they now have unrivalled easy access to their finances beyond CLRB's cash agent, Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches nationwide, using BancNet's roster of 21,000 ATMs, and 114 member banks.

A tie-up with UnionPay further allows account holders to make debit payments through over 350,000 POS terminals, as well as partner merchants nationwide. ‘Iponaryos’ can now get the benefit of an enhanced payment security with UnionPay chip cards’ quick payment process with just a tap, using UnionPay Contactless technology, plus the convenience of not having to carry cash and coins.

Full online access is likewise afforded to Ka-Cebuanas with the more efficient and more powerful eCebuana app allowing money transfers via Instapay, bills and utility payments, eLoad feature, insurance purchase, and coming soon are pawning ticket renewal and jewelry purchases. All these are made even more convenient since the adoption of online sign ups, now being allowed in the eCebuana app.

Lastly, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings steps into the future by enabling QR Technology within the eCebuana app. This feature will be able to make money transfers and retail payments seamless and secure. Money transfers and retail payments via QR code will be available by March 2021.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO announced, “We are now shifting into a tech-brick company, where our network of branches will take advantage of our proprietary technology to step into new grounds by adapting to the new normal using our enhanced digital business transformation. This will provide unprecedented financial access to millions more of Filipinos wherever they may be, anytime.”

Lhuillier further talks about how they plan to take Filipinos to the next step of their ipon journeys. “Our dream is to digitally and financially include Filipinos by implementing world-class and innovative digital financial solutions for them. This, we believe, is what the future of financial inclusion should be – a future where there is financial mobility for every Filipino, a future where we provide them the capability to manage their finances whenever and wherever they may be, at any time.”

McDonald’s brings fun and mischief with its new Minions 2 Happy Meal

PHILIPPINES - December 17, 2020 - From the hit Despicable Me franchise, the world’s favorite little yellow trouble makers are back with more mischief as they arrive in the nearest McDonald’s store near you!

Adding in to the fun of the family’s holiday celebrations, McDonald’s introduces its newest set of collectibles with the Minions 2 Happy Meal. These much-anticipated toys will come in 15 new designs, with their quirky yellow charm making it hard for anyone to resist. But the fun doesn’t stop there— each Minion comes with a rare Golden Minion version, making this collection all the more special. To add to the excitement each Minion toy comes in a mystery ball capsule for that surprise unboxing moment, making the hunt for each design all more thrilling!

Every purchase of the Minions 2 Happy Meal also lets you spread the happiness to others! Through the Happy Meal Buy 1 Share 1 Program, McDonald’s matches your purchase with a book or toy to be donated to another child from partner beneficiaries in areas affected by the recent typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. The program runs until December 31 so don’t miss the chance to make someone’s holiday a bit brighter.

What are you waiting for? Happiness awaits when you take home these yellow creatures. Head on to the nearest McDonald’s store to get your Minions 2 Happy Meal via Dine-in, Take Out, or Drive Thru, or order via McDelivery starting December 18.

For more information, follow McDonald’s Philippines official Facebook at fb.com/McDo.ph, Twitter at twitter.com/McDo_PH, Instagram at instagram.com/mcdo_ph, join the McDo PH Viber Community, as well as the following link for store updates: https://www.mcdonalds.com.ph/store-locator