Month: August 2015

Did Cebu Pacific Cash In On the AlDub Phenomenon Without Paying or Even Asking for Permission?

AlDub (stands for the love team of Alden Richards and Yaya Dub) is breaking all sorts of social media records recently. Ratings for Eat Bulaga, the show that features the two, are at their highest in years. 

It is expected that many companies will cash in on the popularity of the AlDub phenomenon. To get the business of the millions of AlDub fans, these companies (especially the larger ones), should compensate Eat Bulaga, Alden and Maine Mendoza (who plays Yaya) for riding on the trend. This is especially true if the likeness of “AlDub” is used.

#ALDUBest seat sale Cebu Pacific
Did Alden and Yaya Dub even know about this promo? #ALDUBest seat sale Cebu Pacific. Screengrab from Cebu Pacific twitter account

 

Wait…. Did Cebu Pacific just sign Alden and Maine as endorsers? Did Cebu Pacific even ask permission from the producers of Eat Bulaga?

Continue reading Did Cebu Pacific Cash In On the AlDub Phenomenon Without Paying or Even Asking for Permission?

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#ParaSaEkonomiya : Philippine Finance Social Media Roundup

Social media is in everything this days, even in finance and investments. Unfortunately, finance related stuff doesn’t really trend in social media; at least here in the Philippines. The hashtag #ParaSaEkonomiya (For the Economy) is often used these days, but most of the posts don’t really relate to the economy. Sadly that hashatag has become a punchline.

Beginning with this post, Finance MD will regularly feature social media posts related to Philippine finance and investments. #ParaSaEkonomiya indeed.

 

Balikbayan boxes Change.org petition - Confirmed Victory
Confirmed Victory! – Change.org petition to stop new Customs rules on Balikbayan boxes. Screengrab from change.org.

First up is the petition against the new Bureau of Customs rules on “Balikbayan” boxes. Why are a lot of people opposed to these new rules?

Continue reading #ParaSaEkonomiya : Philippine Finance Social Media Roundup

Are We “Bear” Yet?: The Assets That Have Entered the Bear Market in 2015

The markets are not doing good right now. The Philippine Stock Exchanged (PSE) just experienced “Bloody Monday” on August 24 (news here). A down market doesn’t necessarily mean that it is already in a bear phase. Unfortunately, there are investments that have already entered bear territory in 2015,

 

Bull and Bear Statues near Frankfurt Stock Exchange
The bear seems to be winning in 2015. Bull and Bear Statues near Frankfurt Sock Exchange. Image by EvaK from wikipedia.org

 

What does “Bear Market” mean anyway?

Continue reading Are We “Bear” Yet?: The Assets That Have Entered the Bear Market in 2015

Book Review: You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It – by Andrew Stotz

For new investors, I suggest reading investment related books. Unfortunately, many of the books available are either thick, difficult to understand textbooks or self-help, motivational, “get rich now” books that offer no real-world value.

That’s why it is a joy to come across a book that reaches out to new investors, that uses simple terms, and that doesn’t promise the reader that he will be on the expressway towards riches or financial freedom.

You won't get rich in the stock market until you change the way you think about it by Andrew Stotz
You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It by Andrew Stotz. Image from Andrew Stotz

 

Here’s what’s good about the book:

Continue reading Book Review: You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It – by Andrew Stotz

How Much Do You Really Save from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Bucket Meals? KFC’s Math is Out of Whack

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Philippines always have great meal deals going on. Why are people drawn to combo meals? There are savings when you buy a combo meal than buying all the components ala carte. Savings from a promo is a very important factor in purchase decisions.

However, the computations that KFC uses for what you save with its meal deals are confusing and inconsistent. 

Here is one of the deals being heavily promoted recently by KFC:

KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket

KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket Promo
I love spaghetti and I love KFC chicken… What I don’t like is the measly PHP 70 savings with this deal. KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket Promo. Image from kfcdelivery.com.ph

 

Do you only really save PHP 70 with this combo instead of buying everything separately?  KFC messed up the computation on this one. Here’s why:

Continue reading How Much Do You Really Save from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Bucket Meals? KFC’s Math is Out of Whack

Celebrities Promote MLM Suspected of Being A Pyramid Scam

Celebrities Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez and Daniel Matsunaga promote GoldXtreme, an Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company, that is a subject of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advisory against illegal investments.

In your opinion, why do you think these celebrities are promoting GoldXtreme? Type your answer in the comments section

 

 A. They think this is legit, and they are probably investors themselves

B. They may not be that smart

C. They don’t read or watch the news

D. They’ll do any gig that pays a lot of money

E. All of the above

 

See the photo proofs, courtesy of Instagram

Continue reading Celebrities Promote MLM Suspected of Being A Pyramid Scam

Why Konsulta MD Seems Like a Terribly Bad Idea

Globe Telecom, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Yondu, has formed a joint venture with Salud Interactiva to launch KonsultaMD – a 24/7 health hotline service manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who provide medical assessment and advice, including basic healthcare and permissible medication over the phone. – from press release at Globe website here

Konsulta MD logo
There’s a new doctor in town! Konsulta MD logo. Image from konsulta.md

 

“KonsultaMD is our response to the pain points in Philippine healthcare. The growing population puts further pressure to an already-strained healthcare landscape which is suffering from lack of experienced healthcare professionals, under-resourced public hospitals, poor health infrastructure and limited accessibility”  said Gil B. Genio, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Business and International Markets.

Though coming from good intentions, Konsulta MD seems to be a terribly bad idea. Here are the reasons why:

Continue reading Why Konsulta MD Seems Like a Terribly Bad Idea