12.12 Shopping Season Hacks You Should Know

Well, it is time for the biggest sale of the year and online shops are all flashing on your screen non stop with deals so unbelievable you would think they're just giving it away! There are good and bad ones, so one should definitely be careful in seeing if the sale is indeed true. Lazada? Zalora? Brand stores? One or more of these guys will make you a casualty. I'm here to tell you what you can do to maximize your shopping spree.

1. Check out and compare prices. The last thing you would want to buy is a fake sale item. It’s always good to make sure that you are truly getting good deals on the items on your shopping list. Apart from checking out the price comparison on the store you’re buying from, do a bit of research on the value of the item you’re planning to purchase. Who knows, you might even get a better deal somewhere else!

2. Get FREE Shipping. Shopping apps have tons of vouchers for free shipping. Avail them or purchase the amount to qualify for it. Shipping is expensive these days and getting them for free can save you enough funds so you can splurge on an additional item or two!

3. Be aware of measurements. Make sure to ask or look up measurements of shirts, trousers, shoes even accessories before you hit that add to cart button because if it doesn't fit, how can you wear it?

4. Always, always check reviews. I always see to it that I read reviews of previous customers about the products I am purchasing. This is a good way to avoid sketchy sellers who either send you the wrong item or doesn’t send the item at all, after you send your payment. Secure yourself by only getting products from trusted sellers.

5. Use cashless payment methods to get better than cash rewards. While cash is still king in the Philippines, paying via cashless methods for our online purchases has brought me so much convenience over the past months. For years, you only get to enjoy cashless convenience if you have a credit card, but ewallets such as PayMaya, gives us a better alternative to credit cards and cash.

While credit cards give you points in exchange of your purchases and trips, PayMaya gives you actually money with their cashbacks for your purchases! This 12.12 sale, here are some of the amazing better than cash rewards PayMaya has in store for you.

•Get up to 100% cashback when you spend at least P500 online and in-store using your PayMaya virtual or physical card.

• Enjoy an additional P150 cashback when you accumulate a P5,000 spend with your PayMaya virtual or physical card

• Get up to 100% cashback when you #ScanToPay via PayMaya QR at your favorite establishments

• Rack up to P5,000 worth of accumulated purchase via PayMaya QR to get an additional P150 cashback

• Get two chances of earning up to 100% cashback when you spend at least P100 via PayMaya QR this weekend

• Redeem your PayMaya voucher at the Lazada app to enjoy a 30% discount of up to P150, when you spend a minimum of P500

• Get a 25% discount of up to P2,000 on your Zalora purchase when you use the code PYMYONLINEFEVER and spend a minimum of P1,500

Enjoy these awesome rewards by signing up to PayMaya. Use my code: KUMAGCOWPYMY to instantly get P50 on your account! Check out PayMaya’s latest deals and promos on https://www.paymaya.com/deals.

Mika Gorospe's Thanksgiving and Birthday Concert

To be a light for others, this is what GMA's latest campaign is for the holidays. This is why they call it "Love Shines!". They've been doing this a lot in the past few years, mostly not covered by media but today, we got to tag along in a benefit Birthday concert by Mika Gorospe, a very lovely singer from GMA's The Clash and now a full-time artist for the Kapuso network. She chose to do it in SOS Children's Village which is a home for abandoned, abused and neglected children in the country. They have been in the country for 57 years now, and coincidentally celebrating their 70th founding anniversary worldwide. This is an organization, not an orphanage so it is a different system. I might go back on other days because it would be a joy to do volunteer work for the kids and their family.

She's a very spirited singer, and in tow she got her friends girlgroup XOXO to also perform a few songs. 

They also began wishing her well as she was always a ball of sunshine during the Clash competition where some of them were also competing against her, but now they're all good friends. Mika shared how important it was to keep friendships because they can help you along the way. 

Another Clasher and GMA Music artist is gorgeous Kyryll Ugdiman. She also sang a few songs with Mika. Ky says "I am grateful you are part of my life, we have ups and downs but we have overcome them all. I am happy to see you again!"

Some of the kids went up on stage and gave Mika her 18 roses, this is after all part of her debut.

Anthony Rosaldo and Jong Madaliday also serenaded her after a few minutes. They're good friends too. The kids sang along with them which was quite touching to see.

Dave Bornea whisked in and provided the kilig the audience wanted. Are they a pair?  I wonder, but she called her baby girl lol.

Ohhh maybe Nikki Co... That song and dance was too close not to notice.

Mika is alone here in the PH as her family is all abroad, she's really trying to work hard for her dreams and they wished her well. 

They sang a happy birthday song in the end and it felt so good to see her so happy to have done this with kids and the whole artist center fam. Mika also spent hours at the SOS Children's Village and if you want to do the same or donate stuff, spend time with the families here because it is a really rewarding experience to do. You should do it, go contact them on their social channels if you want to schedule a visit and become their aunt's or uncles for a day... Or make it a regular thing. There are so many ways to help and they are so organized there. 

Golden Canedo also performed with Mika on stage their winning piece during The Clash 2018

I hope this inspires you to do the same. Happy Birthday Mika! 

 

Dimples Romana for CDO Premium Holiday Ham

It's Christmas Season and you know what that means, tons of food on the table and a family to share it with. Of course you would want the best if you plan to have a feast once or twice a year, and the gorgeous Dimples Romana suggests one thing in particular... It's CDO Premium Holiday Ham.

She serves the same to her family. With little to no prep work needed, this lovely chunk of meat are made in the best... world class plants of CDO. So you get the best quality for your money. Ms. Dimples adds "My family and I make it a point to all be in our home for the holidays. We create memories in the Christmas festivities. No matter what dishes we make in the kitchen, the ones that end up on the table ALWAYS has to have the CDO Premium Holiday Ham."

Whether I'm in the beach or at the dinner table, I want my ham with a little Pineapple sauce with it. The meat of this CDO Premium ham has already been pre-seasoned and boiled in the same juice, so you'll get lovely soft slices with hot white rice. Ooohh I can almost taste it! 

Noche Buena and Media Noche won't be the same without it. Make sure you get one in groceries this Christmas!

Michelle Dee Donning Francis Libiran's Sun Princess for Miss World

Absolutely stunning, absolutely gorgeous.

This is the official national costume to be worn by Michelle Dee come the Miss World competition at the ExCel in London UK.

Sketches and details:

Designer: Francis Libiran

Photo/Video: Mike Gella

Makeup: Dave Quiambao

Hair: July Vito

Location: Empire Studios

According to the literature, this design was inspired by the Sun of the Philippine national Flag. Francis Libiran does his very intricate Art Deco embroidery to signify optimism, positivity and courage. 

The embroidery patterns are all original, inspired by the historic Visayan tattoos called “Batek” found in the earliest illustrations of Visayan warriors in the 16th-century. It fortells bravery and triumph.

It is made of soft tulle, and all its beadwork are hand made.