OFW Shopping Advice: Why Batangueños love this supermarket and department store!

Batangas is one of the lovely and peaceful provinces in Luzon, kaya naman hindi na nakakapagtaka kung bakit maraming turista ang  bumibisita rito. Sa dalawang milyong Pilipino na naninirahan sa Batangas, 25% of them ay Overseas Filipino Workers na nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa para sa kanilang mga pamilya.

Marami sa ating mga kababayan abroad, nasa Batangas ang pamilya. Halos lahat sa kanila ay nagpapadala para sa grocery needs ng mga ito. At dahil marami ang nagrerequest na mga Batangueños na magkaroon ng BeamAndGo sa kanilang lugar, happy kami na isa na ang Citimart sa mga trusted supermarkets namin.

Citimart offers the freshest produce straight from the farm!

Ala eh, balita namin na ang Citimart daw ang pinakaunang shopping mall sa Batangas na nakakapag-provide ng pinaka-da best na grocery products, clothings, kitchen utensils, appliances at iba pa. With their seven branches existing now, walang duda na incomparable ito sa pagbibigay ng excellent customer service all over the city.

Citimart Supermarket

Papalapit na papalapit na naman ang summer ngayon at sigurado ako na nag-reready na kayo at ang inyong pamilya para sa mga planong outing o picnic. Sino ba namang ayaw na hindi maging masaya ang magiging bakasyon kung wala silang handang pagkain diba?

Don’t forget to bring a shopping list! Do not buy  on impulse! Mauubusan ka kasi maraming selection!

Para sa mga kababayan nating Batangueño, Citimart lagi ang takbuhan nila. Sa sobrang dami ng kanilang pagpipilian, sulit na sulit ang pamimili dahil bukod sa fresh at bago lagi ang mga produkto, kayang-kaya ng budget nila.

Minsan okay lang mag snacks! Pero tandaan na unahin mo muna ang nasa listahan! Ano ba ang mga kailangan ng mga bata sa pang baon? Gatas, biskwit, orange juice, at tinapay. Bawas bawasan ang mga junk food!

Citimart Department Store

Pagdating naman sa magagandang kalidad na mga damit at kagamitan sa bahay, kumpleto ‘yan sa Department Store ng CitiMart. Dahil hilig rin ng ilan sa inyong pamilya ang pagsh

Ang mga polo at damit na pang office at lakwatsa ay sikat sa Citimart Department Store! Mura, maganda ang style, at de kalidad!

shopping, good choice ang CitiMart Department store.

 

Para sa mga OFW friends natin abroad, hindi hadlang ang layo para makapaghatid ng saya sa inyong pamilya. Thru BeamAndGo’s digital gift certificate, you can treat them as many as you want.

Ang masayang training with Citimart and BeamAndGo:

Ginanap ang official training na pinangunahan ng aming Senior Vice President, Mr. Albert Christian Go at Customer Service Representative, Mark Pencer Inopiquez nuong February. Ayon sa kanila, bukod sa kalidad ang mga produkto, approachable at organized ang customer service ng aming new partner supermarket. Kaya naman walang duda na tinatangkilik ito ng mga kababayan nating Batangueno!

The Citimart and BeamAndGo Team ready to serve over 500,000 OFWs from Batangas!

 

How to avail digital gift certificates?

Simple lang ang pagsali sa BeamAndGo! First is you need to sign up at www.beamandgo.com. Madali na,  libre pa! Saan ka pa? Pagkatapos mag log in sa inyong account, maari ka nang pumunta sa store at i-select lamang ang Citimart Supermarket GC at ang halaga na nainis niyong ipadala (minimum is Php 500).

At dahil ikaw ang sender, ikaw rin ang bahala kung ilang worth Php

Just tell your family member to show the SMS with the serial number to the customer service team! Bring a valid ID (Government, School, Senior Citizen, or Company)

500 GC/s ang gusto mo ipadala sa iyong pamilya at kung sino ang gusto mong makatanggap ng iyong padala. Ang last procedure ay ang payment, madali lang ito mga ka-Beamer dahil pwedeng-pwede ka magbayad via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online transfer, or pay cash over the counter thru our sales partners Pacific Ace, PayRemit, i-Remit o sa kahit saang remittance centers that accepts BDO deposit.

 

Ang padadalhan niyo ay makakatanggap ng SMS
na may serial code at confirmation number! Ipapakita lang niya ang SMS sa customer service representative ng Citimart branch na pinili niyo.

Madali lang ‘di ba? Ano pang hinihintay mo? Ito na ang chance mo para mas makasigurado na ang iyong perang pinaghihirapan, mapupunta sa magandang kalagayan! Log on to www.beamandgo.com or simply go directly to the Citimart Supermarket digital gift certificate page so you can take care of your family’s needs!

We welcome you Batangas OFWs! Take care of your family’s needs from groceries to department stores through BeamAndGo Digital Gift Certificates.

And if you’re not in any of those locations, don’t worry because we are available nationwide! Here are the rest of our partners.

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Mga sikat na Festivals in Davao: Adto ta Didto! Celebrations that make OFWs miss home!

Davao is home to a lot of our hard-working kababayans. Aside from being hard-working, kilala ang mga Davaoeño at Davaoeña sa pagiging malinis, disiplinado, masayahin, at festive. From family gatherings, such as birthdays and weddings, to community gatherings like fiestas, celebrations in Davao are definitely something to look forward to. Kaya nga hindi natin masisisi ang ating mga kababayang OFW for missing their hometown while abroad. Sino ba ang hindi makaka-miss sa masarap na pagkain sa handaan, sa sayawan at kasiyahan, at syempre, ang pagiging malapit sa mga kapamilya at kaibigan?

Related: Balik-Pilipinas: What Makes You Miss Home?

Kung kailangang mamili para sa mga handaan sa Davao, GMall ang dapat puntahan!

Send GMall Supermarket GCs using BeamAndGo!

Uuwi ka man sa Davao bilang balikbayan o bibisita bilang turista, heto ang mga celebration na hindi mo dapat palampasin:

Araw ng Dabaw

Kung uuwi ka ngayong summer, isakto mo na sa week-long celebration ng Araw ng Dabaw! Sa linggong ito, the people of Davao celebrate their foundation as a city. From March 10 to 16, kaliwa’t kanan ang kantahan, sayawan, cultural performances at competitions. Magsusulputan ang mga vendor ng local food and delicacies na siguradong nakakatakam. Hindi mawawala dito ang paborito nating Durian at iba-ibang pagkaing gawa dito.

Sa huling araw, may masaya at makulay na paradang magiikot sa Davao City. Ito ang pinakamasaya at nakaka-enganyong bahagi ng celebration na ito.

Kadayawan Festival

 

Sino pa ba sa atin ang hindi pa nakakarinig sa Kadayawan Festival? It’s one of the most popular festivals in the region and in the Philippines. Nagdadagsaan ang mga turista sa Davao para makisama sa kasiyahang ito!

Every third week of August, Davao celebrates its abundance of culture, harvest, life, and oneness of the people. Nakakatuwang masilayan ang mga tradisyon ng mga lumad, mga tribong muslim na binibigyan ng pagkakataong ipamahagi ang kanilang kultura sa Kadayawan. Makikita ang mga ito sa Tribuhaning Pasundayag Cultural Show at Tribuhanong Dula games. Sikat din ang sayawan sa street dance parade o Indak-indak sa Kadalanan. Dancer groups from all over Mindanao come to showcase their culture through music and dance. Another highlight of the festival is the pageant, Hiyas ng Kadayawan. This is where the smart and beautiful young women of Davao compete to become the representative of Davao’s colorful culture and tradition.

Like Araw ng Dabaw, Kadayawan also ends with a parade. Pamulak Kadayawan is a parade of flowers and fruits by communities, organizations, and businesses. The flowers and fruits symbolizes the abundance of bounty in Davao.

The parties and festivities don’t just stay on the streets. Different establishments, like GMall, participate during these festivals by having sales and bazaars. Mas marami kang mabibili, kahit may budget ka, kapag may piyesta!

‘Wag mong kalimutang magpadala ng BeamAndGo Supermarket GCs para makapaghanda ang iyong pamilya ng inyong mga paborito!

Related: Balik-Pilipinas 2: Kain Tayo Dito!

Aside from these festivals, the different communities in Davao and its neighboring provinces celebrate their heritage during different fiestas. Pagpapakita ito ng pasasalamat para sa mga biyaya. This is why a lot of festivals celebrate bounty and agriculture: Palay Festival, Banana Festival, Durian Festival, etc. Marami din ang fiesta para sa mga santo at santa, o mga sinaunang diyos ng mga ninuno sa Davao. But one thing Davaoeños and Filipinos are most thankful for is being with loved ones to celebrate life. Wala talagang tatalo sa piyestang Pinoy dahil nandito ang lahat ng makakapagpasaya sa atin.

Balik-Pilipinas: What Makes You Miss Home?

Missing home is a feeling we often experience, especially as an OFW living far away. Home is where the heart is, ‘ika nga nila. At para maiparamdam na mahal mo ang pamilya mo sa iyong hometown, subukan mong magpadala gamit ang BeamAndGo.

To learn more about BeamAndGo and our services, click here.

Tinanong namin ang ilan sa mga Beamers what it’s like to live in each of their hometowns — from their simple experiences to the memories they cherish the most. Ito ang kwento ni Raizza, Tom, Angela, at Shelly.

Raizza, Bicol

Raizza is from Albay, Bicol, home of the infamous Mayon Volcano. The last time she’s been there was a year ago, October 2016. Swerte raw kapag nakikita mo ang Mayon ng buo. Kadalasan kasi, natatakpan ito ng mga ulap. Fortunately, Raizza always gets to see Mayon’s true beauty every time she visits.

For someone who spends so much time in the city, Raizza enjoys the slow pace in Bicol — yung feeling na hindi nagmamadali o minamadali. She says it makes one appreciate the little things that go by your day even more. Here’s how she describes coming back to her hometown of Albay:

“As cliché as it sounds, maririnig mo sa umaga ang mga tumitilaok na manok. I’d still be half

Raizza’s favorite: tablea chocolate & binugtong

asleep by then, but I’ll always remember that my provincial home would be alive and bustling as early as 4:30 am. Maghahanda si Lolo at Lola para sa 5 AM mass at para mamalengke. ‘Pag 7 AM na, halos lahat ng nasa bahay ay gising na upang magsalu-salo. Siguradong nakahanda ang paborito kong tablea tsokolate at binugtong, a Bicolano delicacy made of glutinous rice with coconut cream wrapped in a banana leaf. Very similar to suman, only creamier.

After breakfast, I’d usually have somewhere to be in the city. Either bibisita ako ng mga friends ko from childhood or iikot lang ako para magliwaliw. Ang masaya diyan is there’s barely any traffic. I prefer going around the area via tricycle or jeep.

Raizza’s family at Biggs

‘Pag in the mood si Lolo at Lola, lalabas rin sila kasama ang rest of the family. Usually, in the afternoon mamamasyal kami sa LCC Mall in Legazpi. Sasamahan ko ang Mommy ko at Lola ko na mamili sa department store. Kapag dinner, walang tatalo sa iconic Biggs food chain. Meron nito sa LCC Mall kaya it’s good narin na nandun kami. Biggs is a famous diner (and the biggest fast food chain in Bicol) that serves western food with a Bicolano twist.

 

Maaga natatapos ang araw kapag nasa probinsiya. By 7 or 8 pm, handa na ang lahat na matulog at mapahinga para sa susunod na araw.  No pressure at all thoughout the day, kaya you always feel so relaxed.”

We also asked her what she misses the most. Sabi niya, it’s being around with her grandparents. Besides the satisfaction of having her favorite people around, the calmness and serenity of the environment. Fresh na fresh and hangin at hindi masyadong mainit dahil sagana ang mga pananim at puno sa paligid, as she would say.

Tom, Iloilo

Tom is from Jaro, Iloilo City. Ang huli niyang punta doon ay noong May 2016. Iloilo is known for it’s virgin beaches, batchoy,  heritage sites, and modern jeepneys that roam around the city. Coming back to his hometown always excites him. And whenever he does, he makes sure to spend a lot of time with his family and friends.

“Every time I visit Iloilo, I always make sure that I’m doing something each day. In the morning, Its either I try new restaurants, maybe visit the beaches or maybe just chill outside my home and enjoy the fresh air. At night, we go out and drink because the night life scene in Iloilo’s crazy.”

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Tom remembers how delicious the food is in his hometown, especially the seafood. He even says, “you can never go wrong with the seafood in Iloilo. They’re huge and you can get them for a very cheap price.”

Angela, Negros Occidental

Angela was born in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. The last time she visited was three years ago before she entered college. The province of Negros is quite known for their festivals: Pintaflores at San Carlos City, Panaad and Masskara at Bacolod, Manlambus Festival sa Escalante City, and a lot more.

Angela shares with us her favorite memories in Negros:

“I feel happy whenever I’m on a vacation in my hometown because I get to see my family and friends. Nakakapag-bonding kami. Catch up catch up, ganon. Andun ‘yung nostalgic feeling everytime uuwi ako. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

Simple lang ang buhay sa probinsya. Doon, kapag may vegetable garden ka, mabubuhay ka na! Ang hanapbuhay ng mga tao ay simple lang din, kumakasya lang ang kinikita nila sa pang araw-araw na pangangailangan. Laging kumakayod, bawal magpahinga. ‘Yung iba, umalis na papuntang ibang bansa para magtrabaho, tinitiis nilang malayo  sa kanilang pamilya para lang mabigyan sila ng magandang buhay. Kaya saludo ako sa mga mahal nating OFWs na kinkaya lahat matustusan lang ang pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!”

Para makatulong sa mga OFWs with families in Western Visayas, may partner merchants ang BeamAndGo sa regions na ito. Kasama na dito ang Gaisano Capital, Iloilo Supermart, at Prince Retail.

Marami ka pang ibang puwedeng pagpipilian dito!

Ang pagpapadala mo ng BeamAndGo Supermarket GC ay isa sa paraan ng pagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa pamilya mong, miss na miss mo na. Here’s what Angela misses most about her hometown:

“The spirit of Bayanihan. Sa probinsiya, madaling lapitan ang mga tao, lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan. Namimiss ko na din ang fiestas doon. May sayawan kasi doon sa ilalim ng buwan at mga niyog kapag fiesta, dito wala kasi di naman uso ang maingay na fiesta, at wala namang puno ng niyog dito sa Maynila, haha! One of the memories I cherish is nung nagpunta ako ng Panaad Festival sa Bacolod City, kasama ang kaibigan at pinsan ko. Pakiramdam ko halos nalibot ko na ang buong Negros Occidental!

Siguro kung may namimiss man ako ng sobra sa probinsya ay ang pamilya ko. Naalala ko, bago matulog ay ang pagdadasal namin ng sabay-sabay. Pag-gising naman sa umaga ang routine namin ng mama at mga kapatid ko is magwalis sa bakuran. Iba kasi talaga kapag kapiling ang pamilya, lahat gumagaan.”

Shelly, Davao

Shelly at GMall, Davao City

Shelly is a proud Davaoeña. Her hometown is in Davao City, a coastal commercial center near Mt. Apo, the Philippine’s highest peak. It is also notably famous for Philippine Eagle and a place where you can get a lot of fruits and crops. Shelly tells us that aside from the numerous beaches and resorts, maraming mall sa Davao: Abreeza Ayala, SM, NCCC and the famous GMall. We also asked Shelly how it’s like in living in her hometown. Ito ang sinabi niya:

“Waking up in the Land of Promise is a great feeling. You are truly home safe with the people you spend everyday with. You can just go around and plan what you need to do for the day without worrying too much because the city has friendly beautiful men and women who love peace.

A typical day for me would be waking up with my coffee, doing routines at home, going to the mall. I actually like going to GMall, the place has variety of items from their supermarkets, food chains, to department stores. It’s a one-stop shop. And this mall really has a lot of affordable things to offer. Jeepneys pass by the mall making it convenient for commuters and shoppers. Taxis are everywhere too. It’s amazing to be here and every place is definitely accessible in the city.

Sleeping at night is one of my favorite things. Karaoke is limited to 10 PM so you can sleep soundly, hearing the chirping birds and animal friends in the background. And yes, I am living in an urban city but I can still feel like I’m in the countryside too. That is what most of us desire, I guess.”

Shelly misses the peaceful environment in Davao the most — how people treat you kindly, how they follow rules, and the lovely weather to match.

Ito ang mga namimiss nila sa mga lugar na kanilang kinalakihan. It’s such a good feeling to look back on those moments and places that have significant places in our hearts. And just because we don’t come back regularly, doesn’t mean we can’t show the people we miss how much we care for them. Sending Supermarket GCs using BeamAndGo is one of the ways to do so. Kahit saan pa man ang hometown mo, siguradong may option ka dito!

Send Supermarket GCs now!