Philippines
Smart Holideals: Cebuano Breadwinner scores brand new ride
Via Smart Holideals
Jimboy Nuiñez, a 29-year-old from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, just wanted a new phone when he signed up for Smart’s Holideals back in December. Little did he know, the universe (and Smart!) had something way bigger in store for him.
Can you even imagine the shock? Out of literally millions who joined the promo, this dude ended up bagging the grandest of grand prizes: a shiny, brand-spanking-new Toyota Land Cruiser ZX! Talk about an upgrade!
“I actually joined the promo right after grabbing a new Smart eSIM. Honestly, the grand prize being a car totally flew over my head,” Jimboy confessed. He’s been a loyal Smart user since way back in 2017, so clearly good things come to those who stick around!
“When I got the call telling me I won, my first thought was, ‘Seriously? Is this some kind of joke?’ It took a hot minute for it all to sink in, and man, am I glad I picked up that call!” he added, probably still pinching himself.
For Jimboy, being the eldest of five and the one who takes care of the family, this isn’t just a new car – it’s a total game-changer.
“I’m just beyond grateful to Smart,” he said. “I’m so stoked for all the adventures my family and I are going to have with this car!”
There’s more goodness for Smart Fam!
Jimboy wasn’t the only lucky one. Thousands of other Smart subscribers also snagged some sweet prizes in this promo. It was Smart’s big way of saying “thanks” and giving back some awesome experiences.
From November to January, lucky folks were getting daily data freebies and winning weekly raffle prizes like the drool-worthy iPhone 15 Pro Max, the sleek Samsung Galaxy S24, and the budget-friendly ZTE Blade A75 5G. Plus, there were vouchers for Viu and Foodpanda for some extra entertainment and yummy eats!
“Here at Smart, we’re all about more than just a solid network. We’re serious about giving back to our loyal users with rewards and experiences that actually matter. This promo? It’s all about putting our customers first,” said Alexis B. Winters, the big boss of Smart Customer Development Group VisMin.
Smart’s commitment to making subscribers happy is part of the whole PLDT Group’s mission to empower Filipinos with the best mobile network and service, helping everyone live their best lives.
Want in on the next awesome thing from Smart? Make sure to grab the Smart App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and hit that follow button on Smart’s official Facebook, X, and Instagram. You won’t want to miss out
Automotive
The Changan Eado Plus officially lands in the Philippines
Its aggressive launch pricing challenges the compact sedan status quo.
Inchcape Philippines is officially shaking up the compact sedan segment.
The Changan Eado Plus has arrived on local shores, and it’s gunning for the top spot in your driveway.
Available in two trims — Luxe and Lite — the Eado Plus offers the Filipino driver a car that looks like a million bucks without the massive price tag.
Modern aesthetic inside and out
On the outside, the Eado Plus makes a bold statement with its prominent three-dimensional grille and streamlined body lines.
This polished, premium look relies on LED lighting to command a strong presence on the road. Inside, a meticulously curated cabin handles the daily grind with ease.
The Luxe variant carries a massive 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the Lite variant keeps you connected with a 7-inch display.
To beat the local climate, Changan included a PM2.5 air filter to keep the cabin air clean, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that puts all your vital driving data front and center.
Performance and safety without compromise
Under the hood, a 1.5L Bluecore gasoline engine powers both variants. This engine works with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission (WDCT) to deliver a stable, responsive ride.
For those who want more control, the Luxe variant offers selectable Eco and Normal driving modes to match your mood or the traffic conditions.
Safety remains a top priority, as the Eado Plus houses a comprehensive suite of protection. Beyond the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the car packs in practical features like rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX tethers for families.
Pricing, availability
To celebrate the launch, Changan offers the Eado Plus with aggressive introductory pricing through April 30, 2026.
During this period, the 1.5 Luxe DCT costs only PhP 749,999, while the 1.5 Lite DCT goes for just PhP 699,000. These rates offer a significant discount from the standard prices of PhP 799,999 and PhP 750,000, respectively.
Drivers can choose from four colors: White, Black, Andean Gray, and Titanium Silver Gray (via special order).
Deals
PLDT Home, Samsung team up for exclusive entertainment deals
Enjoy discounts on Samsung TVs, more with your Home Fibr plan
PLDT Home and Samsung have partnered to bring exclusive entertainment deals, making it easier for Filipinos to enjoy premium viewing experiences at home.
New customers who sign up for PLDT Home Fiber Plan 1299 and above can enjoy up to 15% off on select Samsung TVs. Special deals on sound devices are also available.
In addition, subscribers can receive stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 2,000, redeemable through PLDT MyHome.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Plan 1299: 5% discount on all TVs, sound devices, monitors
- Plans 1399, 1599, 1699, 1799, 2099: 10% discount on all TVs
- Plans 2499, 2699, 3199, 7999: 15% discount on all TVs
Meanwhile, existing PLDT Home subscribers who upgrade their plans can also enjoy even more rewards. This includes stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 3,000, on top of Samsung entertainment discounts.
To redeem the Samsung vouchers, simply register or log in via PLDT MyHome. Vouchers can then be used to purchase Samsung Vision AI TVs through the dedicated Samsung online store link.
Whether it’s K-drama, movies, sports, or gaming, customers can upgrade their entertainment setups with Samsung electronics for less.
Finance
Maya waives withdrawal, InstaPay transfer fees for Middle East remittances
Until April 10, for families relying on remittances from loved ones in the region
Maya is extending support to Filipino families receiving remittances from loved ones working in the Middle East. This is through rebates for withdrawal and InstaPay transfer fees until April 10 as developments continue to unfold across parts of the West Asian region.
From March 23 until April 10, Maya users who receive remittances from select Middle Eastern countries can unlock a set of transaction rebates. This is designed to help them access and use the funds more easily.
Select countries include: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The region remains one of the Philippines’ most important remittance corridors. There are an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos residing in the region, based from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) data.
These overseas-based citizens contribute over US$ 6.4 billion in remittances in 2025 alone, based on preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data.
Eligible Maya users who activate Maya XP will receive the following rebates:
- ATM withdrawals: PhP 18 credited back per transaction
- InstaPay transfers: PhP 15 credited back per transaction
In addition, eligible users may also enjoy cashback on mobile load purchases. The discount ranges from 1% to 3%, depending on their Maya XP level.
After receiving a qualifying remittance, eligible users will receive an invitation to activate
Maya XP. The invite will pop up within one to three days.
Eligible users can activate their Maya XP directly within the Maya app by accessing the Maya XP section in the Wallet Dashboard or Profile page and completing the quick “Get started” process, including providing the required consent.
Once activated, users can immediately begin enjoying rebates on eligible transactions.
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