BigMK: A Commission Free Online Marketplace in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The people who gave us Mars Kingdom, a popular bike shop located in Binondo, Manila, has now gone beyond bikes and into everything else. Specifically, it now aims to be at the center of online shopping transactions with its online marketplace designed to become more convenient for our local merchants.

The online shopping portal that they have conceptualized is more innovative and easy to use, plus the assurance of a better experience for both buyer and seller. It also caters to even new and emerging entrepreneur, businesses or even startups who could easily put up their products and services online.

At a grand launch held at the Bayleaf hotel in Intramuros, Manila, the management of BigMK led by Noelle John Enriquez, VP and Head of Sales, gave us a lengthy discussion of what BigMK is all about and how it could possibly be the next big online shopping portal which boasts of commission free services.

It's always great news for merchant to find new ways to sell their products and equally beneficial for consumers to experience better platforms that would help secure their transactions. This is especially significant when it comes to delivery and after service activities since the overall experience should include those that happen after the purchase. As a consumer, I would want a site who will still engage with me even after it has convinced me to patronize its products.

Lamudi Launches Biggest Housing Fair This November

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lamudi Philippines, the biggest real estate portal in the country today is organizing another milestone event for the property sector.

Slated on November 18 to 20, 2016, the Lamudi Housing Fair will be the largest housing event in the country to feature the widest selection of properties and offer exclusive discounts to home buyers and property investors. To be held in Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, the housing fair is expected to attract more than 5,000 attendees.

But more than just a show of various real estate projects and a shower of home-buying discounts, the Lamudi Housing Fair is also a venue to learn the latest trends in the industry. The Lamudi group will facilitate investment and home buying seminars, foreclosure property auction with partner banks and brokerages and will showcase the most modern technology application in real estate such as Virtual Reality.

The global property website is staging the event not only to highlight the different projects to choose from all around the country but to be an avenue for the public to know more about the workings of the industry. Both real estate sellers and buyers can take advantage of the offerings in store at the fair.

“The Lamudi Housing Fair will bring together the top players of the real estate landscape in one venue; property buyers can feast their eyes on various realty selections that will suit their budget and preferences best. Top of all, home buyers can finally acquire their dream house in discounted prices that they can only get here,” shared Jacqueline van den Ende, Managing Director of Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty.ph, two of the Philippines’ largest real estate portals.

#StayNegatHIVe Boomerangs to Win

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LoveYourself and its partners, Dentsu JaymeSyfu and Rappler, won two bronze awards during the Boomerang Awards 2016 held at the PICC last night for the online campaign #StayNegatHIVe.

In particular, the #StayNegatHIVe campaign won Bronze Award for Digital Campaign under the sub category NGO's, Govt Institutions, Advocacies (Loveyourself and Rappler) and another Bronze Award for Digital Campaign Effectiveness under the sub-category Awareness (LoveYourself and Dentsu JaymeSyFu). Meanwhile, the campaign was also a finalist in the Digital Craft Category under the sub-category User Experience and Functional Excellence (LoveYourself and Dentsu JaymeSyFu).

#StayNegatHIVe is a comprehensive online campaign focusing on HIV awareness in time for the World AIDS Day celebration on December 1, 2015.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan echoed the campaign’s tagline that “HIV can appear in anyone’s story, and as advocates of HIV prevention, we have to do something about it.” He emphasized that greater awareness and education on HIV among other sexually transmitted infections are mostly needed by our fellowmen to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

#StayNegatHIVe gave a refreshing twist to HIV awareness by strategically incorporating the discussion on HIV basically to everyone’s story or write-up.

According to LoveYourself Deputy Head of Communications Paul Junio that it is a humbling validation that the organization’s efforts, by reaching more people through its digital campaigns, are not only recognized within the HIV advocacy but in mainstream media as well.

“There are still so many people who have not been reached and must be encouraged to get tested. That is why we will continue our HIV awareness initiatives in the digital space," Junio added

The #StayNegatHIVe campaign had one simple execution: The power of a Typo. LoveYourself website, Rappler and other media sites has shared 'HIV-fied' articles by turning the words with ‘HI’ or ‘IV’ to 'HIV' through the use of www.hivfy.com. The campaign also gained support from social media influencers and celebrities by sharing ‘HIV-fied’ articles on online platforms.

In 2008, the Boomerangs was incorporated by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), which represents advertisers, advertising agencies, publishers, content creators, and web developers. Since then, it has recognized Philippine advertisers and agencies whose campaigns and programs exemplified digital marketing effectiveness.

LoveYourself, a non-profit and 100% volunteerism group, is the leading organization in promoting HIV testing and awareness in the country. It offers free and confidential HIV testing, counseling, and peer education in its established community centers/clinics -LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.

The above photo shows LoveYourself Volunteers Kurt Silvano (2nd from left) and Paul Junio (3rd from right) are priding the Boomerang trophy together with (L-R) representatives of Dentsu JaymeSyfu Dom De Leon, Tabbi Tomas, JR Ignacio and the editorial staff from Rappler Krista Garcia and Mia Gaviola.

For more details on LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.