Alam mo ba ang #1 One-Stop Shop ng OFW families saan man sa Pinas?

Technology plays a major role in the lives of overseas Filipino workers, mainly because it’s their way to feel a little closer to their loved ones, even just virtually. It plays a crucial role to help communicate, overcome homesickness, and bridge the gap made by distance between OFW families.

Sa katunayan, in the year 2011, OFWs made the Philippines “Asia’s Most Hi-Tech” in the survey conducted by software giant, Microsoft! That’s just one proof that OFWs are indeed trend-setters and tech savvy!

Kaya naman over the past few years, OFWs have been seeking for the best way to take care of their family’s needs back home thru the internet, hanggang sa natuklasan nila ang BeamAndGo – the solution to misuse of pera-padala which are not being actually spent on its intended purpose.

This solution is completely made possible and definitely more convenient because BeamAndGo is in partnership with 7-Eleven Philippines. This means that OFWs can now send 7-Eleven gift certificates right at their finger tips for their loved ones’ convenient shopping experience! 

The very first 7-Eleven Convenience Store in the Philippines was established in the year 1984, located at the corner of EDSA and Kamias Streets in Kamuning, Quezon City! And today, out of more than 66,000 7-Eleven Convenience Stores across the world, more than 2,500 nito ay matatagpusan saan mang sulok ng Pinas!

One thing’s for sure!

Even just once in a person’s life, nakapunta na ang lahat sa 7-Eleven Convenience Store because it literally is located ANYWHERE at your reach! No doubt why it’s the world’s #1 convenience store!

Want a proof? Check it yourself by searching for the nearest 7-Eleven Convenience Store to your family in the Philippines here.

24/7 Shopping Convenience for OFW families!

One-stop shop ang 7-Eleven Convenience Store because they stick to their purpose and promise – to serve your families everything they need in the most convenient way! Here are the items your loved ones can purchase at the nearest 7-Eleven Convenience Store to them:

1. Served hot, ready-to-eat meals na perfect for students and employees who are always in the rush!

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2. For personal hygiene and household necessities, pumunta lang saan mang 7-Eleven Convenience Store.

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3. Sweet treats, gift ideas, and own-brand products na sa 7-Eleven lang mabibili!

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4. For students of all ages, maaari ka nang makabili ng school supplies, you can also charge your phones’ batteries thru 7-Eleven!

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GOOD NEWS for you, OFWs because you can now send 7-Eleven e-gift certificates for your friends, loved ones, relatives, family, or to anyone you would want! Dahil ano mang pangangailangan nila, tiyak matatagpuan sa 7-Eleven Convenience Store.

How to avail of 7-Eleven gift certificates at BeamAndGo?

Since BeamAndGo was born to help, registration here is FOR FREE! Simply visit our website www.beamandgo.com and click the “SIGN UP FOR FREE” button. You only need to provide some of your details (full name, location overseas, profession, valid email address and mobile number). Once you’re done, makakatanggap ka ng email from us na successful ang iyong registration. It will only take 2-3 minutes to register, less hassle lang ‘di ba?

Next thing to do is LOG IN your BeamAndGo username and head over to our STORE PAGE (upper right side). Select 7-Eleven Convenience Store as your chosen product and ikaw na ang bahala kung ilang worth PHP 100, PHP 300, PHP 500, or PHP 1000 GC/s ang ipapadala mo para sa ‘yong pamilya. Of course, sigurado namang magiging masaya sila kapag mas marami!

Second to the last step is you need to fill in your beneficiary’s FULL NAME and MOBILE NUMBER. Be careful lang sa pag-fi-fill in ng details para sure na matanggap nila ng maayos ang transaction codes.

Last step is you can now proceed to checkout. You can pay via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online bank transfer at kung gusto mong magbayad ng cash, pwedeng-pwede kang pumunta sa remittance centers na tumatanggap ng BDO deposit and through our partners – Pacific Ace (Hong Kong & Macau) and iRemit!

 

I-top up lamang ang codes sa CLIQQ mobile wallet app, papasok na ang amount ng gift certificates na iyong ipinadala!

When everything is processed, your recipient will receive transaction and confirmation codes via SMS. Right after na matanggap nila ‘yon, kailangan lamang nilang i-top-up ang nareceive na codes sa kanilang CLIQQ mobile app!

 

I-present lang ang barcode sa cashier for the cashless payment!

Once topped-up, maaari nang ipambili ng groceries, school supplies, ready-to-eat meals, drinks, o ano mang gustong bilihin sa 7-Eleven Convenience Store, without using cash!

I-present lang ang barcode sa CLIQQ app sa cashier for the payment. Hindi kailangang exact amount ang bibilihin, kaya’t ang matitirang amount sa CLIQQ app ay maaari pang gamitin sa mga susunod na pag-shopping!

Interesting? Cool! So ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Subok na rito sa BeamAndGo at simulan na ang wais na pagpapadala ng iyong perang kinikita. Pang-grocery shopping ng pamilya naman ba ang gusto mong ipadala? Huwag kayo mag alala dahil available narin ang BeamAndGo nationwide! Here are the Convenience Store, Gas Station, Supermarket, Department Store, Fast Food Restaurant, and pharmacy merchants of BeamAndGo!

Wanna learn more about the smartest way to remit? Don’t hesitate to watch this video!

Saan ang pamilihan ng OFW families na may Sari-Sari Store sa Butuan City?

Pinoys work abroad in hopes of landing a high-paying job > to pay for family’s expenses > and to save for future. And how is that often done? Nagpapatayo ng business ang isang matalinong OFW – most commonly, a sari-sari store.

📷 | CNN Philippines

Nasa probinsya o siyudad ka man dito sa Pinas, kaliwa’t kanan ang Sari-Sari Store na makikita. Ito na ang isa sa pinaka popular na negosyo sa mga Pilipino noon pa man, at ngayo’y isang mainam na investment na rin na madaling palaguin.

Kaya naman ito ang nangungunang negosyo na pumapasok sa isip ng mga OFW. Simple lang dahil ipinamamahala nila ito sa kanilang mga mister o misis na siyang magbabantay ng tindahan, magtitinda, at mamimili ng mga paninda mula sa pera-padala ng mga OFW.

Pero sa likod nito, gaano ka kasigurado na ang pera-padala mo, sa paninda talaga napupunta, at sa ikalalago ng negosyo ginagasta?

‘Yan ang suliranin na sagot na ng BeamAndGo para sa inyo – to make sure your families spend your hard-earned money kung saan ito’y dapat na paglaanan, wala nang iba!

At para sa mga OFWs na may tindahan sa Butuan City, that is made possible with Wing-On Incorporated e-gift certificates na available na sa BeamAndGo!

Punuin ang Sari-Sari Store ng pamilya sa Butuan City through Wing-On, Inc.!

Napakaraming dahilan kung bakit Wing-On, Inc. ang takbuhan ng sari-sari store owners pagdating sa pamimili. Tara’t isa-isahin natin!

1. Nangunguna na diyan ang bagsak-presyong pamilihin dito, lalo na sa mga wholesale na produkto. Below suggested retail price (SRP) ang halos lahat ng produkto dito, kumpara sa mga karatig na pamilihan. At dahil malapit din ito sa bayan, dito kumukuha ng mga produkto ang mga nagtitinda para mas malaki ang kita kapag ibinenta.

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2. Promo packs, discounts, buy 1 take 1, plus 1, exclusive at Wing-On, Inc. – mas malaki ang natitipid sa mga bilihin dahil ang mga produkto, halos lahat naka-promo. Presyong swak na nga sa bulsa, mas marami pa ang mabibili!

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3. Re-packed, own-brand, and “tingi” products. Wala mang tindahan ang pamilya, ang mga pangungahing pangangailangan, sa Wing-On, Inc., mabibili ‘yan! Wing-On, Inc. also produces their own products na mabibili sa mas murang halaga pero sa kalidad tulad ng iba! Pang-sari-sari store ang datingan, ‘di ba? Kapag biglaang kailangan ngunit hindi kailangan ng maramihan, Wing-On, Inc.‘s got your back!

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4. Last but not the least, it’s because of Wing-On, Inc. staff and crew na always ready to assist sa mga mamimili to make sure that every peso you spend is spent wisely! Parang BeamAndGo lang, ‘di ba?

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At dahil hangad ng BeamAndGo na matulungan kayo at ang mamimiling Pilipino, kaagapay ng aming trusted supermarket partner, makakapamili na ang iyong pamilya sa Wing-On, Incorporated! 

Wing-On, Inc. e-gift certificates at BeamAndGo can be used to purchase in their branch located at J. Satorre St., Langihan Road, Butuan City.

How to avail of gift certificates from Wing-On, Inc.?

Since BeamAndGo was born to help, registration here is FOR FREE! Simply visit our website www.beamandgo.com and click the “SIGN UP FOR FREE” button. You only need to provide some of your details (full name, location overseas, profession, valid email address and mobile number). Once you’re done, makakatanggap ka ng email from us na successful ang iyong registration. It will only take 2-3 minutes to register, less hassle lang ‘di ba?

Next thing to do is LOG IN your BeamAndGo username and head over to our STORE PAGE (upper right side). Select Wing-On, Inc. as your chosen product and ikaw na ang bahala kung ilang worth PHP 500 GC/s ang ipapadala mo para sa ‘yong pamilya. Of course, sigurado namang magiging masaya sila kapag mas marami!

Second to the last step is you need to fill in your beneficiary’s FULL NAME and MOBILE NUMBER. Be careful lang sa pag-fi-fill in ng details para sure na matanggap nila ng maayos ang transaction codes.

Last step is you can now proceed to checkout. You can pay via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online bank transfer at kung gusto mong magbayad ng cash, pwedeng-pwede kang pumunta sa remittance centers na tumatanggap ng BDO deposit and through our partners – Pacific Ace (Hong Kong & Macau) and iRemit!

JUST GO TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER, SHOW THE SMS THAT CONTAINS THE CODES, AND PRESENT A VALID ID!

When everything is processed, your recipient will receive transaction and confirmation codes via SMS. Right after na matanggap nila ‘yon, they are able to redeem their goods at the nearest branch for them. Dadalhin lang nila ang isang valid ID at ipapakita ito sa Customer Service ng Wing-On, Inc.. Since we have your recipient’s details, our beautiful and handsome Customer Service team will assist them.

Abot tenga ang ngiti ng pamilya sa pamimili ng pangangailangan nila murang halaga thru Wing-On, Inc!

Interesting? Cool! So ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Subok na rito sa BeamAndGo at simulan na ang wais na pagpapadala ng iyong perang kinikita. Is your loved ones not in Butuan City? Huwag kayo mag alala dahil available narin ang BeamAndGo nationwide! Here are the Convenience Store, Gas Station, Supermarket, Department Store, Fast Food Restaurant, and pharmacy merchants of BeamAndGo!

Wanna learn more about the smartest way to remit? Don’t hesitate to watch this video!

Bakit tinatangkilik ng OFW families ang NCCC Supermarket sa Davao at Palawan? Alamin!

The life here in the Philippines is undeniably hard. And as the breadwinner of your family, the last option you have is to work overseas for them. However, it is really fulfilling when you are able to provide their daily needs.

Ilang buwan o taon ang pakikipagsapalaran mo sa ibang bansa kasama ang iba’t-ibang uri ng tao. Mahirap, pero ‘yun ay tinitiis mo para sa ikabubuti ng iyong pamilya.

So, if you are an OFW that has a family in Davao and Palawan, keep calm, because this blog is for you! Tanungin niyo sila kung alam nila ang NCCC Supermarket! Siguradong alam nila! Kahit si Digong (President Rodrigo Duterte, alam na alam yan!)

Upgraded architectural design sa pinaka bagong branch ng NCCC Mall in Buhangin, Davao City!
📷 | PhilRetailers

NCCC Mall is Davaoeño family’s forever homegrown mall!

NCCC offers affordable prices to your household needs! Make sure you compare prices of local versus imported. Sa NCCC, malinaw ang price tags color yellow pati narin mga signage!

BeamAndGo’s mission is to help Overseas Filipino Workers to make their lives better. Hindi na bago sa amin na makarinig kung paano lang nawawaldas sa wala ang pera na ipinapadala nila. Kaya andito kami para mabigyan kayo ng best service even if you’re a million miles away.

Let your family shop at NCCC!

Founded in the year 1978, NCCC Supermarket has over 40 branches scattered across the Davao Region and in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  Tulad ng BeamAndGo, NCCC Supermarket is committed to serve people with all their basic needs at the best priced quality products. 

Suportado ng NCCC Supermarket ang local farmers, kaya’t ang mabbiling mga prutas dito, tiyak na fresh, organic, and more nutritious.

Summer just around the corner! Kaya’t panahon na ng paboritong prutas natin mga Pinoy! Kung safe at fresh na grocery items lang din naman ang hanap niyo, dito ka na sa NCCC Supermarket! Meron silang wide selection of products, and in addition to that, locally produced ang mga mabibiling prutas at gulay dito because NCCC advocates buying from our local farmers!

Kung ang kailangan naman bilhin ng pamilya mo ay ang pang-araw-araw na gamit sa bahay, sapatos, damit o pang-regalo, don’t worry! Dahil hindi limitado ang pag-sa-shopping dito.

Kumpleto ang brands na maaaring pagpilian ng pamilya dito – kumporme sa presyo, sa amoy, sa laki, sa dami, o sa tatak, mabibili nila!

At dahil nais kayong matulungan ng BeamAndGo at ng aming trusted merchant partners, through our digital gift certificates, makakabili na ang ‘yong loved ones ng grocery needs sa NCCC Supermarket. Hindi sasakit ang ulo mo dahil they will give you the highest quality of customer service!

✔️ NCCC Supermarket Main Magsaysay (Uyanguren) – R. Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Mall Tagum – National Highway Magugpo East, Tagum City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Lacao – 89 Lacao St., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Centerpoint – Centerpoint Matina Pangi, Davao City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Calinan – National Highway Across Public Market, Brgy. Calinan, Davao City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Panacan – Km. 13 Panacan, Davao City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Nabunturan – Public Market, Poblacion Nabunturan, Compostella Valley
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Sto. Tomas -G/F Chiu-Ta Bldg. Feeder Road 2, Tibal-og, Davao del Norte
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Cabantian – Km. 10 Brgy. Cabantian, Davao City
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Monkayo – Purok 5 Poblacion Monkayo, Compostela Valley
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Samal -Brgy. Villarica, Babak, Island Garden, City of Samal, Davao del Norte
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Lupon – E. Aguinaldo St., Corner Comara St., Lupon, Davao Oriental
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Sta. Cruz – Jose P. Rizal St., Sta. Cruz, Davao del Norte
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Mati – Madang St., Public Market, Mati, Davao Oriental
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Panabo – KSJH Building Quezon St., Sto. Niño Panabo, Davao del Norte
✔️ NCCC Supermarket San Pedro Palawan – San Pedro, One Asenso Shopping Mall, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
✔️ NCCC Supermarket Maa Sentro – Ma-a Road, Ma-a, Davao City, Davao del Sur

How to avail of gift certificates from NCCC Supermarket?

Since BeamAndGo was born to help, registration here is FOR FREE! Simply visit our website www.beamandgo.com and click the “SIGN UP FOR FREE” button. You only need to provide some of your details (full name, location overseas, profession, valid email address and mobile number). Once you’re done, makakatanggap ka ng email from us na successful ang iyong registration. It will only take 2-3 minutes to register, less hassle lang ‘di ba?

Next thing to do is LOG IN your BeamAndGo username and head over to our STORE PAGE (upper right side). Select NCCC SUPERMARKET as your chosen product and ikaw na ang bahala kung ilang worth PHP 500 GC/s ang ipapadala mo para sa ‘yong pamilya. Of course, sigurado namang magiging masaya sila kapag mas marami!

2^nd to the last step is you need to fill in your beneficiary’s FULL NAME and MOBILE NUMBER. Be careful lang sa pag-fi-fill in ng details para sure na matanggap nila ng maayos ang transaction codes.

Last step is you can now proceed to checkout. You can pay via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online bank transfer at kung gusto mong magbayad ng cash, pwedeng-pwede kang pumunta sa remittance centers na tumatanggap ng BDO deposit and through our partners – Pacific Ace (Hong Kong & Macau) and iRemit!

Just go to the customer service counter, show the SMS that contains the codes, and present a valid ID!

When everything is processed, your recipient will receive transaction and confirmation codes from us. Right after na matanggap nila ‘yon, they are able to redeem their goods at the nearest branch for them. Dadalhin lang nila ang isang valid ID at ipapakita ito sa Customer Service ng Redemption Center ng NCCC. Since we have your recipient’s details, our beautiful and handsome Customer Service team will assist them.

Cashless nang makakapag-grocery shopping ang pamilya mo sa pinakamalapit na NCCC Supermarket sa kanila thru BeamAndGo!

Gusto mo ‘yon? So ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Subok na rito sa BeamAndGo at simulan na ang wais na pagpapadala ng iyong perang kinikita. Not in Palawan or Davao, huwag kayo mag alala dahil available narin ang BeamAndGo nationwide! Here are the Convenience Store, Gas Station, Supermarket, Department Store, Fast Food Restaurant, and pharmacy merchants of BeamAndGo

Wais OFW asks: Anong paboritong pamilihan ng Pinoy sa Mega Manila?

Para sa mga OFW, totoong totoo ang kasabihan na “love knows no distance.”

Sino pa nga bang mas tatatag sa kanila na pinipiling malayo sa pamilya nang walang kasiguraduhan kung kailan makakabalik? Marami sa more than 2 Million na OFW ay umaalis ng bayang sinilangan nang sanggol pa lang ang anak, pero kapag nakabalik ay dalaga’t binata na sila.

Kayod lang ng kayod! ‘Yan ang pusong Pinoy.

Ito ang sakripisyo ng mga ama at ina sa pangingibang bansa – umaasa na maiahon sa ginhawa ang pamilya at nang hindi na kailanganin pang magaya sa sitwasyon nila ang magiging pamilya ng kanilang mga anak sa hinaharap.

Swertihan pa kapag napunta ang ating mga Kabayan sa mabait na amo. Hindi biro ang trabahong pinapasok nila dahil sa maghapong pagkakayod, kapalit ay perang hindi naman mapapasakamay nila dahil ito’y kaagad na pinapadala rin naman sa pamilya sa Pilipinas. Minsang maiisipang sumoko, pero titiisin ang hirap dahil kailangan.

Kaya mahalaga na ang perang hindi basta-basta lang kinikita ng isang OFW, sa pangangailangan ng pamilya mapupunta. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit nabuo ang BeamAndGo – to make sure your families spend you hard-earned money on their primary needs such as groceries, and food, before anything else!

That is made possible with Ultra Mega Supermarket gift certificates!

Dahil sa mga items na naka-promo sa Ultra Mega,

bultuhan na kung bumili ang BEAMERS!

More than 50 years ago, Ultra Mega began their success story. It was managed by a pair of hardworking and dedicated parents to their 9 kids, who were also motivated by the same motivations of our OFW – to provide a brighter future for their children.

Years later, Ultra Mega has become the go-to supermarket for every Filipino family, especially sari-sari store owners in Mega Manila. With their tagline, “Sulit sa Quality, Presyong pang Suki”, talaga namang naging suki na ang mga tindahan sa pagbili ng kanilang panindang sa Ultra Mega!

Dahil sa retail at wholesale na bilihin, hindi uso ang “out of stock” sa Ultra Mega para masiguradong bawat suki nilang sari-sari store owners, makakabili ng paninda sa murang halaga.

DISCOUNT CORNER for you, shoppers!

BEAMers are always excited to shop at Ultra Mega’s Discounted Corner!

Hindi lang basta mura ang paninda, discounted pa! Madali ‘yang makikita sa “Discount Corner” ng Ultra Mega!

Kaya ang mga suki, pili lang nang pili dahil sa napaka-raming bagsak presyo pero dekalikdad na produkto na pang-wholesale ang presyo!

One of Ultra Mega‘s mission targets their valued customers. They make sure to maintain a curated selection of goods that meet the highest of standards of quality while considering the most competitive price points to ensure that every peso is spent wisely to meet the needs of every family, small business owners and anyone who shop at their establishment.

Personal Care

Hindi lang pambaon ni bunso, pang-restock sa kusina ni nanay, o pang-handa sa birthday party ang maaasahan mo sa Ultra Mega!

Mahalaga na lagi ring kumpleto ang personal care items ng mamamang Pilipino, dahil ika nga nila, “health is wealth”. Para iwas sa polusyon, usok, alikabok, o bacteria, panatilihing malinis ang kamay at katawan gamit ang mga items na mabibili sa Ultra Mega sa presyong pang-sari-sari! Kaya naman ang iba, kung bumili ay maramihan na dahil presyong Divisoria ang nakahilera sa harap nila ngunit sa pang-mall na brand pero higit na mataas na presyo!

At dahil hangad ng BeamAndGo na matulungan kayo at ang mamimiling Pilipino, kaagapay ng aming trusted supermarket partner with their digital gift certificates, makakabili na ang ‘yong pamilya sa Ultra Mega Supermarket!

Abot tenga ang ngiti ng BEAMers sa pamimili ng kanila groceries sa Ultra Mega!

Here are the branches of Ultra Mega Supermarket available at BeamAndGo:

• Ultra Mega Naic. 268 Ibayo Silangan, Naic, Cavite
• Ultra Mega Rosario, J.B. Zuno Street, Brgy. E Poblacion, Rosario, Batangas
• Ultra Mega Muntinlupa, 888 Brgy. Tunasan National Highway, City Of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
• Ultra Mega Baliuag 888 Doña Remedios Trinidad Highway, Baliuag, Bulacan
• Ultra Mega Balagtas 888 McArthur Highway, Balagtas (Bigaa), Bulacan
• Ultra Mega Sapang Palay, Masipag St. Brgy. Bagong Buhay 1 Sapang Palay, City Of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

How to avail of gift certificates from Ultra Mega Supermarket?

Since BeamAndGo was born to help, registration here is FOR FREE! Simply visit our website www.beamandgo.com and click the “SIGN UP FOR FREE” button. You only need to provide some of your details (full name, location overseas, profession, valid email address and mobile number). Once you’re done, makakatanggap ka ng email from us na successful ang iyong registration. It will only take 2-3 minutes to register, less hassle lang ‘di ba?

Next thing to do is LOG IN your BeamAndGo username and head over to our STORE PAGE (upper right side). Select Ultra Mega Supermarket as your chosen product and ikaw na ang bahala kung ilang worth PHP 500 GC/s ang ipapadala mo para sa ‘yong pamilya. Of course, sigurado namang magiging masaya sila kapag mas marami!

Second to the last step is you need to fill in your beneficiary’s FULL NAME and MOBILE NUMBER. Be careful lang sa pag-fi-fill in ng details para sure na matanggap nila ng maayos ang transaction codes.

Last step is you can now proceed to checkout. You can pay via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online bank transfer at kung gusto mong magbayad ng cash, pwedeng-pwede kang pumunta sa remittance centers na tumatanggap ng BDO deposit and through our partners – Pacific Ace (Hong Kong & Macau) and iRemit!

When everything is processed, your recipient will receive transaction and confirmation codes via SMS. Right after na matanggap nila ‘yon, they are able to redeem their goods at the nearest branch for them. Dadalhin lang nila ang isang valid ID at ipapakita ito sa Customer Service ng Ultra Mega Supermarket. Since we have your recipient’s details, our beautiful and handsome Customer Service team will assist them.

Just go to the customer service counter, show the SMS that contains the codes, and present a valid ID!

Interesting? Cool! So ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Subok na rito sa BeamAndGo at simulan na ang wais na pagpapadala ng iyong perang kinikita. Not in Mega Manila? Huwag kayo mag alala dahil available narin ang BeamAndGo nationwide! Here are the Supermarket and pharmacy merchants of BeamAndGo.

Wanna learn more about the smartest way to remit? Don’t hesitate to watch this video!

Opinion: The middle class OFWs and the cost of higher income

It was the year 2010.

Having been voted by more than 15 M Filipinos, President Noynoy Aquino delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). His electrifying speech against corruption and the culture of “Wang-wang” or special treatment to VIPs was a hit in local press and the business sector.

A photo of President Noynoy Aquino. Credited for fixing the fiscal policy, reducing foreign debt, and tightening of spending. During his term, income taxes were unchanged. Good or bad for middle class?

Back then, I was working in one of the largest Universal Banks in the Philippines and was drawing a moderate salary but it was not enough for me to be financially free.

Related: Did you know that as OFWs, you can send remit smarter to your families’ household needs from groceries to medicine?  Register now for free and let BeamAndGo help support your family needs

Like many middle class college degree holder employees, my dream was to own my own house and be financially independent. I asked myself the question,” How long would it take for me to accomplish my noble aspirations? 20 years?”

So in January 2011, I finally boarded the cheapest flight to Singapore after months of deliberation with my family.

I armed myself with the very small stash of savings from the past 4.5 years. That’s it! #Bahalanasibatman ika nga but I was confident with my qualifications. So I bid goodbye to my parents, lola, and friends. It was painful, hard, and dramatic. A month after, I landed my first job to oversee the marketing and fundraising programs of a Singaporean NGO. I drew a salary more than 5 times my take home pay in the Philippines.

There were many things I learned while working overseas from cooking, washing of clothes, moving flats, and even dealing with abusive landlords (that’s a different story). But the most important is sending cash remittances back home and its enormous repercussions if not planned wisely. I could just imagine how much more I’d saved and invested if BeamAndGo was already available with its digital gift certificates on supermarkets, medicine, and other basic needs. If you don’t have an idea how it works, just watch this video below:

From my own personal experience and from the testimonies of dozens of OFWs whom I’ve personally met, many of us choose to work overseas because of better employment opportunities and lower taxes.

I will emphasize this because I want our next President to focus on the immediate welfare of middle class Filipinos. You can be assured, just like the millions of Filipinos who left their families, I will be watching your first State of the Nation Address! All of you promised to reduce taxes.  I will be taking down notes and I will hold you accountable. Tandaan niyo, sinabi ninyong lahat na babawasan niyo ang taxes. We are not endorsing any candidate but what we want is for the President to walk the talk, make the biggest sacrifices, and lead by example.  Don’t we all deserve this?

While OFW remittances has been widely acknowledged as the driver of the Philippine Economy (USD 29.7 Billion in 2015), the high costs of absentee parents, loneliness, and risks to life on both physical and mental are enormous. That subject cannot be brushed aside because their are serious concerns. Just read the story of a domestic helper who took her life a few days ago here.

We invite our fellow OFWs to become a member of the Beamer family. It’s a community for OFWs where we freely share stories and provide advice on a range of topics from saving, budgeting, and money allocation, to healthy nutrition.

Not long ago, my blood pressure went up to 160 / 100 in Singapore, when I gorged on chicken rice almost everyday. That was before I noticed that all of my Singaporean friends were eating vegetables and fish soup. Did you know that the mortality age in the  Philippines is 68.5 years as opposed to Singapore at 84.5 years? Stop the chicken rice,  friends!  If you want to learn practical tips on how to live longer, sign up at BeamAndGo now.

I was in Laoag, Ilocos Norte last Saturday delivering a workshop with Vanessa Cartera, our director of sales, to retired OFWs on the keys to claiming victory in both health and finances. One of the highlights was the subject on 8 dimensions of Wellness. I will discuss more on our findings and also learnings from the participants in my next blog. We will give you tips from Dr. Raymond Escalona, a lifestyle nutrition specialist, on how you can reduce the risk of cancer and live a healthy lifestyle. We thank the Laoag City LGU and its Community Affairs Division for inviting their OFW associations to attend.

But right now, since we only have less than 30 days before we elect a new Chief Executive, let’s  watch the debates attentively and cast our vote according to our conscience, wisdom, and knowledge on what is best for our country. There are more issues from poverty alleviation, crime, drugs, women’s rights, contractualization, and K-12.

We have less than 30 days before we elect a new President. Let’s move away from personality politics and focus on knowing how our presidential candidates will solve our nation’s issues.

I believe it’s time to lower income taxes. There are 1.3 M of us OFWs that can cast a vote and make a difference. We will never forget all the days when we thought about quitting, when we reluctantly left our families, and when we almost lost hope in life. But we can always choose to change the game. We may find the ideal president who can walk the talk.

If you are an OFW and you like what you read, join the Beamer Support Community now. We’re now helping 80,000 Filipinos and you could easily be one of them. Together, let’s cast our votes and be heard by our government.

Ayan. Nagsalita na sila. The Philippine Presidential Debates

We recently had the Presidential Debates with all five candidates present. Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago were there to present their case. The event was held in Cagayan de Oro City and shown through GMA 7.

BeamAndGo tends to agree with the recent Rappler report saying the event was more about personality. Ganoon naman talaga dito sa Pilipinas. Mahalaga ang personalidad at kahit pa maraming marurunong daw na nagsasabing dapat plataporma ang mas mahalaga, ang mismong pagkatao pa rin ang tinututukan ng mga Pilipino. Kahit ano pa ang tulong na maaaring maibigay halimbawa ng mga tulad ng BeamAndGo, marami lang talaga ang nakasalalay sa mga ihahal natin pagdating ng Mayo.

Hindi naman yata mali ito. It’s really just a matter of being able to balance the two. Una, kung hindi mo mapagkakatiwalaan ang tao, walang mararating ang kung ano pa mang plataporma. Parang lang ‘yang magiging palamuti sa damit. Porma lang.

Kailangan talagang mapagkakatiwalaan ang isang tao kasi sa loob ng anim na taon ng panunungkulan ng isang Pangulo, maraming bagay ang maaaring mangyari. Nariyan na ang mga biglaang trahedya. Nariyan din ang mga OFW katulad ni Albert Go na pumuntang Singapore dahil sa matinding isyu ng income tax at high cost of living sa Metro Manila. Ang kaniyang blog post Lowering Taxes and preventing a balikbayan controvery ay isa lamang sa mga kwento ng milyon-milyong kababayan natin na nagkaroon ng oportunidad sa ibang bansa.

Can this or that candidate react fast enough, effectively enough without pointing fingers?

Photo taken from GMA 7 video.

Pero, hindi rin puedeng personalidad lang. Mahalaga ang plataporma. Kung wala itong kwenta, para namang mangmang ang ating Presidente at madaling itulak dito at doon ng kung sinu-sino depende sa ihip ng hangin. Sabi nga ng bansag isang comedy show noong late 80s hanggang early 90s: Ang Pambansang Panggulo.

So how now brown cow?

Dapat balanse. Since the Presidential Debate is still fresh in our minds, let us deal with the personalities first. We’ll deal with the platforms in a later post. (Kalma lang, ha? Gagawin natin iyon. Wag mag-alala.)

Wala tayong kakampihan dito. Babalikan lang natin ang mga sinabi nila mismo noong Presidential Debate sa GMA 7. Hopefully, this will give us a good glimpse on who these people are and what priorities they have so that we can see if their priorities align with ours. We also won’t make comments here whether their claims are valid or not. We will just focus on what they said. It is up to you to determine if you believe something can be done or not given the time frame the candidates themselves give.

VP Jejomar Binay

For VP Binay, the main problem facing the nation is poverty.He asserts that he was able to help make Makati the way it is now – rich and prosperous. He stresses that he is a decisive and effective leader who is not bogged down by analysis-paralysis (ibig sabihin, hindi siya napaparalisa dala ng kakaisip). He also pointed out that there was underspending in government which led to under-performance. It is because of this underspending that some people have died without having received the necessary medicine.

On the issue of political dynasties, his position is that as long as a person is qualified and is willing to serve, this should not be a hindrance to public office.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

Mayor Duterte focused on the problems of crime and corruption. He promised to clean up the country and rid it of crime and corruption within three to six months. He explained that he will go after criminals and even put them to death as long as these actions are according to the rule of law. He said he would use the military and the police to go after these lawless elements.

He said that corruption was still the problem of the Philippines and that as long as there were incompetent or corrupt officials, things would remain the same.

Being from Mindanao, he also touched on two major issues: The national budget allotment of Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Basic Law. He complained that only 19% of the infrastructure budget was given to the area while 65% went to Metro Manila. He then asked how Mindanao was to develop with such a disparity. He is an advocate of federalism (allowing each region or state to have its own power without having to rely on the power of the central or national government) adding that he’d even offer this to Moro National Liberation Front chief Nur Misuari.

Senator Grace Poe

Senator Poe said her administration would allot 30% of the national budget for Mindanao adding that it was important for jobs to be created in the region. Her plan included the creation of a Mindanao Rail system, cementing around 2000 kms of roads, and the rehabilitation of dams to generate electricity. She expects these projects, especially the one for road creation, to provide temporary jobs but with the long-term benefit of attracting more tourists and investors to the area, which would then create a more steady job market.

Regarding the controversial BBL, she says there should be more transparent discussion of issues and should involve Maguindanaons, Tausugs, Badjao, and other groups like indigenous peoples and Christians.

She approached the issue of nation building from the point of view of being a mother. She admitted being the newbie of the bunch but insisted that she had already seen what was needed by the government. She continued by saying that one does not need a long tenure as an executive to realize that the government’s help in things like transportation was sorely lacking.

She advocates change in agriculture calling for free irrigation and the creation of agri-industrial zones where the Departments of Agriculture and Trade and Industry would work hand-in-hand to promote the products of farmers. Included here is replanting of coconut trees to maximize the yield per hectare and identifying what high-value products should be planted by our farmers so that they reap the maximum benefit for their labor.

Former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas

The former DILG Secretary opened up the whole affair with his “driver” analogy asking what kind of driver would be best for a country. Unsurprisingly, he ended the analogy saying that one with the proper experience and the confidence of his former employer would be best.

He touted the achievements of the present administration saying that the economy had improved as evidenced by the numbers of the National Economic Development Authority and that Mindanao has had twice the amount of infrastructure in the last five years as compared to the 12 years prior to that.

He also spoke on the need to help the country’s fishermen by means of granting non-debilitating loans, providing them with fish-finder technology, and setting up post-catch facilities in the areas where the fishermen operate so that fish are sold fresher and profits are bigger.

He did not deny that he, himself, has had a good life but shared that it was such a life that he also wished for all Filipinos, one that was free from hunger and fear and one that allowed a person to freely dream.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Senator Santiago was her fiery self though a little less than what most people were used to.

She lamented the fact that though there was so much corruption, hardly anything had been done about it. Regarding all the promises made by her opponents, she addressed this by saying it was so easy to make promises but it was much harder to talk about implementation. She focused on the poverty programs mentioned and asked where the money would come from to get any of this done.

She called for a bigger budget allocation for education, rural infrastructure, social welfare, and health care for the poor.

She also spoke on the issues of political dynasties and the problem with China. She advocated negotiations with China and other Asian countries adding that both the Americans and Chinese were merely trying to impose their will on the Philippines. She also expressed her opposition to political dynasties while admitting that a much clearer definition of what constituted such should be made.

 

Photo taken from GMA 7 video.

Okay na?

Elections are not one-shot deals. We need to keep a close watch on these guys who make a lot of promises but may just point fingers at other people when things fail, people are already complaining, and blame is being hurled. Sisihan na kumbaga.

Why is this important? The President of the Philippines can easily determine how good or bad the lives of your loved ones will be for the next SIX years! Just imagine what a lousy President can do to the education of your children. Di ba gusto mo ring makauwi sana at hindi na umalis sa Pilipinas? Kung magaling ang Presidente natin, baka maging totoo iyon. Kung hindi, baka matagal pa ang kalbaryo mo na malayo ka sa asawa’t anak mo.

Isipin mo na lang din: Kaya nga nandito ang BeamAndGo para makatulong sa iyo at sa iyong pamilya. Makapagpapadala ka ng pagkain, gamot, at kung anu-ano pa sa kanila. Hindi ba maganda kung sa gobyerno mismo nararamdaman mong panatag ka parati na maaalagaan mo ang mga mahal mo sa buhay?

Meron pa tayong mga panahon para magpasya. Wag sana nating isarado ang ating isipan. Itong mga debateng ganito ang isa sa mga maaari nating gamitin para kilatisin nang maayos itong mga taong gustong mamuno sa atin.

BeamAndGo friends in Hong Kong Salu-Salo event

Who can you trust? 6 things Filipinos want in our next President

Presidential Elections! One of the most important things in the life of a Filipino. Kailan pa ba tayo maaaring makapili ng mamumuno sa atin? Dito may pagkakataon tayong sabihing “Tama na!” sa isang politiko at itulak naman sa bagong uri ng paglilingkod ang isa pa. Fun times! Kadalasan nga, fiesta pa, di ba?

Paano nga ba tayo pipili ng tamang kandidato? Marami silang ipinagsasabi diyan – ipagpapatuloy ang isinulong at ipinaglaban ng ama, mahirap lang din daw siya, sa diretsong daan daw yung iba, may kamay na bakal naman ang isa, at kung anu-ano pa. Maraming drama at maraming kwentong isinusulong para lang isipin mong naaayon sila sa mga bagay na pinahahalagahan mo.

The latest Philippine Trust Index (the one for 2015) indicates that there has been a very noticeable decline in how much trust the President of the Republic now has. In 2012, it was around 28%. Now, it’s a much lower 15%. Amusingly, trust in the Senate and the Congress is even more saddening with 10% and 8%. Paano naman ang local government? Dito medyo mas maganda. Sa mga sangay ng goberyno, ito ang pinakamataas ngayon ang rating.

Ano ngayon ito sa iyo?

Panahon mag-prioritize! Kailangan nating isipin kung ano nga mas makabubuti para sa atin, sa ating pamilya, at sa ating buong bayan.

Sabi nga ng Philippine Trust Index, ito ang mga nangungunang pinahahalagahan ng mga Pilipino:

• Ensure national peace and security
• Help the poor address their basic needs such as housing, food, and education
• Improve Philippine economy
• Put corrupt politicians in jail
• Prepare communities for disasters and calamities
• Provide better job opportunities for Filipinos

Kita mo na? Tama naman ang pinahahalagahan natin. Gamit itong mga ito, una siguro nating gawin ay salain ang mga politikong nangangako ng kung anu-ano at tignan kung may tumutugon nga ba sa mga nabanggit natin sa itaas. Game? Game!

Itanong mo ang sarili mo ang mga sumusunod:

• May mga nagawa na ba siya ukol sa binanggit natin sa itaas?
• May plataporma ba siya para sa peace, security and order?
• Ano ang masasabi niya sa pagtulong sa mahihirap para matugunan nila ang mga pangangailangan para sa tirahan, pagkain, at pag-aaral?
• May kakayahan ba siyang ipinakita na sa pangangalaga ng ekonomiya?
• May lakas ba siya ng loob at kakayahang ipakulong ang mga tiwaling mga politiko kahit kaalyado pa?
• May programa ba siya para sa tunay na paghahanda sa mga kalamidad?
• May naipakita na ba siyang kakayahan o may nagawa na ba siyang proyekto para makapagbigay ng trabaho sa mga mamamayan?

Hindi puedeng sikat lang. We’ve seen the governments of the countries we’re in. We’ve seen how they work and how they are able to get concrete change done. Hindi ba natin puedeng ipangarap ito para sa sarili nating bansa?

Maraming Pilipinong nawalan na ng pag-asa sa mga dapat naglilingkod sa atin kaya iniisip nilang sila na lang ang bahala sa buhay nila, sa pamilya nila.

It can’t be like that. We have to do our work, do our part in nation building but we also have to make sure that we elect good people to office. Hindi puedeng yung sikat lang. Hindi puedeng yung anak lang ng kung sinong sikat din. Dapat siya, may nagawa na rin. Siya mismo. Hindi rin puedeng yung namimigay ng t-shirt, kendi, o kaya pera pa.

Part of our trying to make our lives better as OFWs even if our politicians are still trying to get their acts together is making sure our own families get fed and get what they need so that they’re healthy and able to do what they want to do with their lives.

Hindi ka nga politiko pero puede ka pa ring makatulong. Paano? Nandito ang BeamAndGo para siguruhing mas makakatulong ka. Dahil mas makasisiguro kang maayos ang padala mo sa mga mahal mo gamit ang BeamAndGo, panahon na rin na ipakalat mo ang balita sa mga kakilala mo. Share mo lang sa kanila ito: www.beamandgo.com o kaya panuorin niyo lang kung papaano makakatulong ang BeamAndGo sa mga OFWs na katulad niyo.

Kaunti lang itong tulong. At least sigurado ka na ang mga padala nila sa mga kapamilya nila ay makararating nang maayos at hindi maaaring lustayin sa maling paraan.

Lowering taxes and preventing another Balikbayan Box controversy

(Marketing Director, BeamAndGo, Albert Christian Go)

It was in August when the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced that it would start to impose taxes and inspect balikbayan boxes.

In less than a day, blood was boiling amongst OFWs demanding the government to scrap the plan or they would stop monthly cash remittances to their families.

Just search for the hashtag #notoBOCbalikbayantax. You will feel the pulse of angry Filipinos blurting out profane laden language (for good measure).

The controversy erupted like wildfire, deadlier than the haze in Singapore. Within weeks, the government had no other recourse but to strike down the plan to randomly inspect balikbayan boxes upon direct orders from President Benigno Aquino III.

Bottom line: Your voices were heard and the government responded (albeit miraculously).

I was once an OFW. I lived in Singapore for over 4 years because at that time, I felt that was my only way to escape the poorly thought out policies of the government. Just imagine. Taxes are at an astounding 32% compared to Singapore that gives tax relief to our first $30,000. I often asked myself, “Where can I earn the money to buy my own house, get married, or support my parents?”

Keep pushing! Lower Income tax pushed (Inquirer.net headline on October 21)

In January 2011, I took the leap of faith and got employed at a non-profit organization that provides mentoring for children and youth. If I factor in the taxes, my salary in Singapore was 6 times more than what I would get in the Philippines.  It didn’t help that I often read news of bogus NGOs and senators pocketing hundreds of millions. DAMN! This is hopeless, I said.

If I were to have it my way, I wouldn’t leave my country! Not by a long shot. I missed my mom, dad, and everyone who was there to provide support. Although my job was very noble (a non-profit organization for children and youth), I had to hustle at work and wrestle with my emotions every night. The distance could break your heart (literally) in many aspects, believe me. I had to cling to my goals and motivations and of course my faith in the Almighty.

But I had no choice. It became a necessity. If you think we left because we simply want to travel and explore the world, it’s safe to say you’re grossly mistaken. We’re not that shallow.

Like millions of Filipinos, we packed up simply because we saw a fair and equal employment opportunity in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and other countries. To be honest, every country seemed better.

BeamAndGo with officers of Mindanao Federation

For many OFWs, it seemed as if our talents are better appreciated overseas whether we are occupying a skilled profession or not.

Myrna Padilla, whom I recently met in Davao, spoke at the Mindanao Federation in Hong Kong last October 17. Her life is an inspiration to many OFWs. Having worked in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong for 24 years, she is now the Founder and President of OFW Watch and Mynd Consulting.

A Mindanao Federation member receives a LoadAndGo Gift Certificate from BeamAndGo

We also had the absolute pleasure of meeting Cindy Pesidas Encabo (Chairperson) and Aura Ablin (Treasurer), who spent more than decade in Hong Kong. Today, Mindanao Federation exists because it provides much needed support for Minadanaoans.

At that event, I also spoke about BeamAndGo and how we contribute to the financial freedom of Filipinos through our digital gift certificates. If you are an OFW, I’ll personally invite you to watch this short video.

Together with Raizza Encinas we spent hours interacting with dozens of Mindanaoans. Believe us, they want to return to the Philippines. One of them even angrily told me, “We are sick and tired of politicians promising to install generators, provide jobs, and end war.”  It’s almost as if they have all given up.

Having said so, 2016 will be the most important year for Filipinos. If you want your voices to be heard, at the very least, you should vote for national candidates who would enact genuine change – lower taxes, infrastructure, and promote quality education.

If we vote for the right candidates, we would never have to endure another BOC scandal. It’s election season and again we are reading news of lawmakers promising to reduce taxes. Click here for the Inquirer story titled “Lower income tax pushed.” My only piece of advice, if any lawmaker reads this (I wish!), is to follow through your talk in media. After you get re elected, just do it!

As a Filipino, let’s give it a shot! Let’s vote. Maybe…just maybe..we could all return home one day!