Pinay & Money’s Pick: Myra E Daily Sun Protect

I just bought the newly launched Myra E Daily Sun Protect Facial Moisturizer. This is the newest offering of the Myra E line, manufactured by Unilab.

I’m not into moisturizing (I’m the worst nightmare of beauty experts) but I have to say that I like this product. It doesn’t leave my face, feeling dry, itchy or heavy. In fact, I feel a lot refreshed after applying it.

It’s also nice to note that Myra E Daily Sun Protect contains SPF 15 to protect users from the harmful effects of the sun. It’s perfect for everyday use and, for someone like me who always goes out of the office for lunch, it’s nice to know that my face is protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.

And consistent with the entire Myra E line (Facial Moisturizer, Myra E 300 and 400, and Hand & Body Lotion), the new Myra E Daily Sun Protect is enriched with vitamin E.

Myra E Daily Sun Protect comes in 50mL bottles at P90 each. You can buy them from any Watson’s, Mercury and grocery outlets nationwide.

13 Red Flags of a Fraudulent eBay Transaction

I have been a member of eBay—both as seller and buyer—for more than three years. I have been very fortunate that I have never been scammed. Truth be told, I have spent several thousands of pesos buying Archie comics outside of eBay but this is an exception because the seller inu_mktg turned out to be a very trustworthy person.

But others are not as lucky. In the discussion board of eBay Philippines, I always see threads warning others of scammers or desperately looking for a way to retrieve their hard-earned money. It’s always the same. Seller has low feedback scores, offers gadgets at dirt-cheap prices, and provides limited payment options.

I do my part in helping the eBay community be rid of scammers (and joybidders). Whether you’re an experienced eBayer, it’s still best to refresh yourself with the 13 red flags to warn a bidder of a fraudulent transaction. Credit is due to eBayers jenny_lake and silverstrad, who compiled and edited these materials. For a detailed explanation, please check this link.

Most people who are defrauded are victims of their own greed. When a transaction appears to be too good to be true, it likely is. Application of common sense can preserve your money.

1. A popular item is offered for a price which seems too good to be true
2. An ‘off-eBay’ transaction is conducted through email
3. Payment options provide little or no security for the buyer
4. Misleading claims of transaction security or buyer protection
5. Item is no longer listed on eBay
6. Item is listed on Craiglist or similar
7. Item is listed on a hijacked account
8. Escrow other than escrow.com is used
9. A fraudulent Second Chance Offer is sent
10. The seller’s location may be a clue to a fraudulent transaction (China, India, Nigeria, etc)
11. Free shipping from a distant country
12. No photo or stock photos are used
13. The bidder needs to be pre-approved or the item is listed in a private auction

To report a suspected fraudulent auction, go to the ‘Contact Us’ web form here:

Final word: Don’t be a victim of your own greed and be blinded by cheap prices. Practice common sense always. If it’s too good to be true, it must be. Let’s help keep eBay clean and safe.

Citibank to charge HK credit card holders almost 50% interest

Last night, while watching CNN, I was shocked to see that Citibank Hong Kong is charging its credit card holders almost 50% interest rate. According to Citibank, the interest rate is applicable to Citibank credit card holders who miss their cash advance payments.

It appears that in December 2008, Citibank announced that 44.73% will be imposed on cash advance customers who fail to make their first payments and 49.86% for those missing their second payments.

Because of the backlash and protests, Citibank issued another statement recently, stating that effective March 2009, it is lowering the rate to below 45% for customers, “whether they’ve missed the first, second or third payments” for cash advances (see full story).

As it is, the current interest rate in the Philippines for credit card holders is pegged between 24% to 42%, depending on what card you’re using. But still, the interest rate imposed by Citibank Hong Kong is enough to make you faint.

I somehow have the feeling that because the US government bailed out Citibank, it needs to make more money to pay the government. And one way of paying back is to jack up the interest rates for its credit card holders.

I wonder if Citibank Philippines will follow suit.. What do you think?

Congratulations to the 2009 graduates!

In just a few weeks, thousands of Filipino students will graduate, marching to a new phase in their lives. But with so much bad news on employment, recession and the financial crunch, what can our graduates look forward to?

Ruth B emailed to ask advice for her as she is going to graduate soon.

I see that you took up a business related course and the corresponding master’s. I have taken up elementary education (specialization in Special Ed) and will be graduating this March or April. I was wondering what you would recommend a soon to be graduate does in these very scary times. I come from a family that has all the means to let me take my master’s degree now, and I think its something I’d like to do… My idea is to take my master’s now and get a part-time job would be smart.

I am a strong advocate of further studies, whether it’s pursuing a master’s degree, learning another language, or just attending seminars and workshops. Knowledge is not only good in your professional life but also gives you a sense of fulfillment that no money can buy.

For the about-to-graduate, here are some tips for you to kick-start your career:

1) Send out your resumes as early as possible.
Even if your graduation ceremony is still in the next few months, start sending out your resumes. Check the job vacancies in Jobstreet, JobsDB and BestJobs to see if there are opportunities waiting for you. Don’t be afraid to apply to these positions even if you still haven’t received your diploma. The important thing is that you start attending interviews, taking employment exams, etc.

2) Start an emergency fund.
When you have finally landed a job, make sure you start saving money for your emergency fund. In my previous post (read here), an emergency fund will keep you afloat if you lose your job, you get sick, in case there’s a real emergency. You should also save some money if you want to pursue graduate studies in a few years.

3) Do your job well.
It goes without saying but you’ll be surprised at how many fresh graduates take this for granted. The workplace is not a venue to socialize with newfound friends, a dating service, nor a place to party. When you’re in the workplace, do your job well by coming in on time, being productive, performing well. Make sure you leave a good impression to your bosses and officemates as this is a great opportunity to build your personal brand. The network you maintain in the first few years of your professional life can help you later on.

4) Pursue higher learning.
Whether it’s taking a master’s degree or something else, decide where you want to go in your career. If you’re passionate about teaching, it’s might be good if you take up a master’s degree in your area of specialization. You can also attend seminars or workshops. Be purposive that everything you do is aligned with your goals.

Good luck, 2009 graduates! May you all be productive members of the society.

Globe responds to GCash scams

The last two weeks have been busy for me at my day job that I didn’t find the time to update Pinay and Money. This week is no different as I am still swamped with meetings but I tried to make time to update the blog.

If you are an eBay member like me, you might know someone who has been scammed by bogus sellers. And because eBay Philippines is still in its toddler stage, the auction site still lacks many security features that can go after bogus sellers. In one of the discussions I followed in eBay’s discussion board, eBay member lost_serafin posted that Globe has issued an advisory for those who have been scammed via its GCash facility. This is the email that lost_serafin received from Globe’s Customer Service:

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Due to legal issues, there is a specific process we follow for G-cash complaints. For proper handling of such complaints, fill out the attached Gcash complaint form. Please accomplish 2 copies of the form (one for the business center; one for the complainant). Submit one copy to any Globe Business center. Have the other copy notarized and return it to the business center within 48 hours from the date of complaint or the next business day if the complaint was filed on a weekend or a holiday.

You shall also be asked to present the following:

a.) valid ID
b.) G-Cash Acknowledgement receipt (GAR)
c.) G-Cash Service Form (GSF)
d.) Official receipt (if applicable)
e.) G-Cash SMS confirmation (for P2P transactions)

The business center shall then validate the contested transaction and shall do the necessary actions. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jenna Babasa
Globe Customer Service

This is the GCash Complaint Form that you can fill out if you paid a seller via GCash and that seller happened to be a scammer (download form).

Thank you to lost_serafin for emailing me the form. We hope this is a start for the eBay community to weed out scammers.

Seminar on Investment Opportunities at Ateneo

If you want to know more about investment opportunities, you can attend the seminar by The Mutual Fund Management Company of the Philippines, Inc (MFMCP) entitled “Philippine Investment Opportunities: Shining through the Global Gloom.” This will be held on Feb. 25, Wednesday, from 5:30 to 8 PM at the Ateneo de Manila Professional Schools Auditorium in Rockwell Center.

Speakers for the seminar are Jojo Gonzales, Managing Director and Research Head of Philippine Equity Partners, Inc.; Gerald Baldivia, MFMCP Executive Director for Marketing and Sales; and MFMCP President & CEO Phillip Hagedorn.

To reserve a seat, visit www.mutualfund.com.ph and register.

Jeepney fare cut underway

As a Valentine’s Day gift, a group of jeepney operators has agreed to cut the fare from Php7.50 to Php7.00. The fare cut was announced by Federation of Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP).

This is a welcome news as everybody seems to be tightening their money belts. We hope that there would be no more fare increase in the succeeding months as the price of oil remains stable.