Starbucks Destinations Series: 2017 Maligayang Pasko Card

Officially released for the Christmas holiday season on November 2nd, 2017 and exclusive to the Philippines is Maligayang Pasko - the Filipino translation of Merry Christmas.

Yes, this is not an official Philippine regional card but it is exclusive to the Philippines so that alone makes it on my list. Hopefully Starbucks will also do a Happy New Year card which is Manigong Bagong Taon in Filipino in their next reiteration of the holiday cards.

This design with an old-fashioned Christmas ornament is the universal "Merry Christmas" template for 2017 Christmas Cards. It would be amazing if we have a card that displays Pinoy elements during the Christmas season like the Simbang Gabi, Puto Bumbong, Noche Buena, Carolling, Parol Making and the like. Hopeful this year.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Infographic: Secured Credit Card

As a follow up to my post, I came across an infographic from iMoney way back from March 2015 which I believe is still relevant at the moment except for Metrobank's Save and Swipe program and Unionbank's secured credit card. I believe those two are not being advertise publicly and you have to visit a local branch or at least open or have a savings account with them. Worry not, here are two more banks where you can apply for a secured credit card. 

Security Bank's Fast Track Programme

Required Deposit for Hold-Out: Php 15,000

Limit: 80% of the hold-out amount

Conversion: No

More information here. 

Asia United Bank (AUB) Secured Credit Card

Required Deposit for Hold-Out: Php 25,000

Limit: 80% of the hold-out amount

Conversion: No

More information here.

BPI - More information here.
RCBC - More information here.

What is a Secured Credit Card?

Though it has only been more than two years since I have acquired my first ever credit card, I've noticed lately that some people from work approach me asking for tips on how to avail of one. Being from a BPO company, I'm very much familiar on how hard it is to apply for one especially if you  have less than 2 years of tenure on your company or your salary doesn't meet the minimum requirements. I've had my share of rejection and one thing that I'm sure of is it's easier when starting with a secured credit card.  With this, here are some things I knew about secured credit cards.

What's a secured credit card?

A secured credit card is just like a regular credit card, but the main difference is that you're required to make a deposit which will be held against its credit limit. Your credit limit will usually be a percentage of your security deposit usually 80-90% or it may be the same as your deposit. Many banks place your deposit into a savings account where it stays until you close your account, upgrade to a regular credit card or default on your credit card balance which in this case, it would be used to pay for the unpaid balance. A secured credit card is often recommended for those who are constantly being declined a regular credit card, those who haven't yet established a  good credit or financil history or those who have damaged credit.

Secured credit cards vs. regular credit cards

Aside from the held deposit, secured credit cards are like most other types of credit cards. Every swipe that you make on a secured credit card reduce your available credit and you're required to make at least a monthly minimum payment toward your credit card balance. If your card issuer has a grace period, you can avoid paying finance charges by paying your balance in full before your next statement. Late payments and over-the-limit transactions are penalized with a fee just like any regular credit cards.

Even though your credit limit is secured, you're still required to make at least minimum payments on your balance every month. Not doing so may taint your credit score, and if you default from paying by at least three months depending on the card issuer, your account will be closed and your held deposit will cover the unpaid balance.

Why start with a secured credit card? 
Regular credit cards have stricter credit qualifications like a minimum tenure in a company or a minimim gross monthly or annual salary which make it hard for most to be approved for these cards. Personally, I know few people who have trouble getting approved for regular credit card that they have settled for a secured one.  for a secured credit card much easier than a regular credit card. After a few months of  proving that they are financially responsible, the regular credit card came in succesion, even without them applying for it.

Converting to Regular Credit Card
Most card issuers review your account after a certain amount of time, most likely 12 months at the time you will be charged an annual fee. Of the 4 banks who offer secured credit cards (BPI, RCBC, AUB and Security Bank) though I also heard that Metrobank, Eastwest and BDO offer their clients a version of their secured card, and based on my personal experience, only BPI allows conversion without reapplying. Even if your secured credit card issuer doesn't upgrade you to an regular credit card, you may qualify for one with another credit card issuer after six to twelve months if your secured credit card has reported your credit history to one of the major credit bureaus.

On my next post, I will try to consolidate my experience with 2 of the three secured credit card issuers.  Will do.

Cheers!

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2017 Philippines Special Edition Kape Vinta Card

Officially released with the 2017 Christmas and holiday Cards last November 2, 2017 and exclusive to the Philippines is the Kape Vinta card. Kape Vinta is Tagalog for Coffee Boat.

This special market exclusive card is inspired by the Starbucks Kape Vinta whole bean artwork. This Philippine-exclusive card is included in every 2018 Starbucks Planner, a first in the history of Starbucks planner promotions, at least in the Philippines. This means that this card is not available at a store level and you would need to avail of the 2018 planner to have one.

To capture the essence of shared passions for great coffee between Starbucks and the people of the Philippines, one of the country's most distinguished painters, Mr. Mauro Malang Santos, created the stamp for the coffee.

"The Kape Vinta Blend artwork, a new and distinct Starbucks design, embraces the proud traditions and cultures of Filipinos. It is my gift to the Starbucks coffee experience," said Mr. Santos. "Starbucks conscious devotion to its people and coffee greatly inspired me in producing the artwork."

I really like this card. Directly competing for my fondness with the Agila Card, I feel this particular card design captured what a Philippine exclusive card should be.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2017 Edition Pilipinas Starbucks Card | Philippines

Image from Starbucks.ph

To celebrate its 4th year in the country, Starbucks released the 2017 Edition Pilipinas Card. Its design is inspired by the coffee aroma moving through the air and depicted in graceful patterns and fluid movements like folk dances that symbolize the traditions of Philippine culture.

Too girly for my taste but great design nonetheless.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2016 Cebu Card | Philippines

Released along side the Manila card last August 8, 2016, the Cebu Starbucks Card highlighted the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge as viewed from the hilltops of Cebu that are decked with Sinulog flowers.

I liked the Manila version better. I'm not actually fond of the color blue and though the design is an iconic one and does represent Cebu, I still think of the Magellan's Cross whenever Cebu is mentioned.

Cheers!

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2016 Manila Card | Philippines

A Starbucks city card!  For 2 years now, Starbucks has kept its customers on their toes with regular releases of beautifully-designed Philippine editions of Starbucks Cards. Last August 8, 2016 and in celebration of its 3rd anniversary, Starbucks Philippines offered these cards with designs evoking a sense of pride about the rich history of their respective cities.

Inspired by “Summer Night in Manila,” the Manila Starbucks Card design focuses on the iconic Philippine commuter jeepney travelling the busy city at night. The colorful and intricate designs on the body of what is dubbed as the king of the roads in Metro Manila represent the vibrant culture of the Filipinos. This, along with Cebu are the first region specific cards from the Philippines.

Another personal favorite. I just hope they won't stop with Manila and Cebu. Just like what they did with the Global Icon and the You Are Here Series, I hope they will also come up with more region specific cards. The above mentioned series got at least 15 designs plus there are limited edition merchandise every now and then especially during festivals like the Panagbenga. China does it on their cards. I hope we do too. You can never run out of ideas. :)

Cheers!

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Starbucks Destinations Series: 18th Anniversary Philippines Limited Edition

Released December 4, 2015, this Card celebrates Starbucks' 18th year in the Philippines. The card features a chalkboard scribbled with greetings in different local translations of "have a nice day" or "good day" such as “magandang araw”, “maayong adlaw ”, “mayap a aldo queca” and came with a matching envelope. This was also the second Philippines-inspired card for the year 2015. I personally liked this better than the 2015 Pilipinas Card and it ranks among my top three favorites. I really liked the chalkboard motif as it brings a sense of nostalgia in a time where modern advertising is the norm.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2015 Edition Pilipinas Starbucks Card | Philippines

Image from Starbucks.ph

Released July 2015, this is the second year for the Pilipinas Card, made exclusively for the Philippines. It is inspired by the colors and elements of fiestas and festivals in the Philippines which are some of the most exciting, diverse, and colorful celebrations in the world.

Personally, this is my least favorite of the editions of Starbucks Pilipinas cards. Maybe because of the fact that the Philippines has so many festivals (Ati-atihan, Sinulog, Panagbenga, Moriones, Dinagyang, Masskara, Kadayawan just to name a few) that this card didn't embody any of it. Hopefully this idea may bring forth future festival inspired as well as region specific designs.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted.

Starbucks Destinations Series: 2014 Edition Pilipinas Starbucks Card | Philippines

Image from Starbucks.ph

The Philippines had its first taste of the Starbucks Experience with its very first branch at the 6750 Ayala Building in Makati City way back December 4, 1997 but it was only in the Summer of 2013 that the Starbucks Card is introduced to the Philippines.

This specific card is very memorable to me not only because this card celebrates the Starbucks Card's 1st year in the country, but this was the very reason I got hooked on collecting Starbucks cards in the first place. Back then, from the the time this card was released, I always see to it that I avail all Philippine issued cards until such time that I my collection turned to city or country specific designs. Hence, the birth of this series.

Released July 2014, this is the first Starbucks Card made exclusively for the Philippines, and was inspired by the colors of the Philippine national flag and the Philippine Eagle. Its design is quite unique with a basket weave background and the eagle outlined in yellow, blue and red.

From Buckscard:

The subject is the Philippine Eagle - one of the largest, rarest and most powerful birds in the world. It is also known as the monkey-eating eagle, the great Philippine eagle, the haribon or Haring Ibon (king of birds). Other local names have been given to this species that can grow up to 1.021 meters from the tip of its bill to its tail and its eyes are a dusky blue color. This species' nests can be found in trees 120 feet from the ground. Philippine eagle eggs are typically little smaller than a fist. Courting starts as early as July and the building of nests typically lasts from September to December. The female eagle becomes lethargic and refuses to eat eight to ten days before laying an egg. It will then lay an egg between the afternoon and twilight. Incubating the egg takes 58 to 68 days and both parents participate. After hatching, the chick remains in the nest for five months.

The design is until now, one, if not my most favorite of all Pilipinas edition cards.

Cheers!

One from eBay.

Blogger's Note: Starbucks Destinations Series is my attempt to chronicle my thoughts on different city and country specific Starbucks Cards. Most photos and some descriptions are taken mainly from both official and non official Starbucks pages. I do not claim ownership of the photos unless otherwise noted. 

BDO - Korean Visa Multiple Entry Privilege

Just got the above photo on my inbox and I was surprised that it says "Promo is extended until December 31, 2018.". Back in March 2017, I posted about this promotion and it definitely says that the promo was until December 31, 2019.

Though I already have a 3 year multiple entry visa to Korea which will expire August of next year, having a 2018 end date means that I won't be able to take advantage of this promotion and renew for another 3 years. There goes my plan in renewing my visa by December next year. Bummer.

You can see more details here.

Will call BDO about this but I'm pretty sure that I will just be slapped with some corporate terms and conditions on how they can change their promotion without prior notice. Hopefully BPI's similar promotion is still good until 2019.

*cross fingers*

Cloud Mining Scam - Aurora

This has been on my draft since October 2017, making it a "Year Later" post. I've tried cloud mining and learned the hard way that it does not work and it is most likely a scam. That, or I'm didn't really know what I was doing at that time.

Here it goes:

This is a "One month later" post.

Of course, this started last October 20, 2017. Through mindless browsing, I got interested in cloud mining, specifically via Aurora.

What?!

A quick Wikipedia search would say that: Cloud Mining is the process of bitcoin mining utilizing a remote datacenter with shared processing power. This type of cloud mining enables users to mine bitcoins or alternative cryptocurrencies without managing the hardware. Since Cloud Mining is provided as a service there is generally some cost and this can result in lower returns for the miner. There are many cloud mining scams.

Huh?!

I don't know if I have a dumb moment a month ago but I did try. In my own understanding, much like an investment, I let go of my PHP500 hoping that after a month, I would get a much higher return on investment. Cross fingers.

First, I created a Coins.ph account, and loaded PHP500 via 7-11. This would serve as my bitcoin wallet.
Damage: PHP510 (PHP10 for payment service fee)

Then, I created an Aurora account. This was my chosen cloud mining site. I purchased PHP400 worth of hashpower which made my hashpower from the free 100 GH/s to 658 GH/s.
Damage: PHP415.56

Day 0, technically October 21, 2017. Before I went to bed, here are my stats:

Total earned balance: 0.10 USD
Daily earnings: 0.90 USD
Weekly earnings: 6.32 USD
Monthly earnings: 27.47 USD
Total hashpower: 658 GH/s
Earned ref-hashpower: 0 GH/s
Total withdrawn: 0.00 USD

Wait, there's more. In an act of greater stupidity, I created another account. LOL. This time, no purchasing of hash power. I just want to have a comparison on the difference buying hashpower would make.

Here's the stats of my free account which is created almost 3 hours after my first one:

Total earned balance: 0.00 USD
Daily earnings: 0.14 USD
Weekly earnings: 0.96 USD
Monthly earnings: 4.19 USD
Total hashpower: 100 GH/s
Earned ref-hashpower: 0 GH/s
Total withdrawn: 0.00 USD

Will update after a week. Goodluck to me!

I never reached that week. It looked promising for the first few days and I really restrained myself from investing more. Thank you, willpower. Aurora disappeared into nowhere along with my PHP415.56. Even though deep inside I know that it would not work, at least the experience gave me a first hand look on such modus operandi and it made me value my hard earned money even more. I'm pretty sure that there legit sites out there and I'm just one of those who didn't review his homework first, but never again.

Lesson learned.

I'm Back. Again.

Ten months of no posts. What happened?

1. I got tired of writing, or I'm still uncomfortable pouring my heart out on this blog where I'm not so sure about my anonymity.
2. Got busy with personal life.
3. My laptop broke.
4. Binge-watching Netflix's Once Upon A Time and American Horror Story.
5. Everything else.

Hopefully, now that I got myself a new Chromebook, I would be excited enough to blog again.

Cross fingers.