Author: Rochelle Sy Chua

BPI Express Mobile App for Smartphones Launched

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011

I’ve been very impressed with BPI lately. Just a couple of weeks ago, I learned that BPI partnered with Globe Telecom to launch a commemorative Tattoo broadband stick that allows access to BPI Express Online and other BPI sites even without any prepaid load.

Last friday, I got to experience BPI’s slip-less service. I was totally blown away that we don’t need to fill up deposit/withdrawal slips anymore. We just need to go to the machine, enter the transaction and details by simply touching the screen, take the service number, go to the designated seats and wait for the service number to come up and proceed to the teller assigned. Everything was fast, convenient and efficient. I kept raving about it on my social media accounts.

Never did I realize that the Breaking Dawn Part 1 block-off screening I attended that same friday night was to publicly launch another new service of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). BPI just keeps thinking of ways to make our banking easier. I’m a very proud customer! 🙂

The newest service that unfolded was something mobile and it’s a BPI Express Mobile application for Apple iPhones and Android Smartphones! Whee! Finally, an application that is made specifically for our phones. Now, I don’t need to go to my phone’s browser just to go to BPI Express Online.

There’s an app for everyone. You see there are two types of online accounts on BPI Express Online: Personal and Business.

BPI Online Baking Login

BPI has launched BPI ExpressLink Mobile for Business users while BPI Express Mobile was made for Personal users. I’ll be showing you BPI Express Mobile for iOS as I have a personal account and an iPhone. I was excited as I downloaded the application…

BPI Mobile Apps

Contrary to what we are used to, the BPI Express Mobile application has a special way of installation. It’s not as easy as downloading from the appstore and logging in with our BPI Express Online username and password.

I’m not sure why BPI created it that way. I’m thinking that maybe they were trying to make it secure as finances are sensitive stuff.

In order to make the BPI Express Mobile application work, you need to log in to your BPI Express Online account using your PC and go to Other Services –> Express Mobile Registration –> Mobile Banking.

BPI Mobile Banking Registration

BPI mobile registration

You will then receive a text message with the download link. Once done, all you need to do is enter the same User ID and password that you use for BPI Express Online.

BPI mobile app download

Through the BPI Express Mobile application, you can enjoy the convenience of conducting banking transactions from your mobile phone. Features include:

getting real-time deposit and loan balances
transferring funds from your enrolled accounts to any BPI account
paying bills to more than 300 partner merchants
reloading prepaid phones and broadband sticks
ordering for a checkbook
email confirmation sent to your registered email address for every financial transaction done
Verisign security certificate which enables SSL for end-to-end encryption

bpi express mobile menu

BPI Express Mobile Features

With services like these, I surely am relieved to have chosen Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) as my bank. They are truly serious when they say, “Let’s Make it Easy.”. Bravo, BPI! 🙂

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Movie Review

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Last friday, I got to watch one of the most awaited movies this 2011, Breaking Dawn Part 1 (from the Twilight Saga). I read the book so I was more of interested how the story from the book will be portrayed in the big screen.

I’m not sure I was impressed but I wasn’t disappointed either. I guess the movie didn’t wow me that much.

Of all the Twilight movies so far, I’ve been looking forward to Breaking Dawn the most. Because this is where we’ll see Edward Cullen and Bella Swan marry, Bella transformed into a vampire and their hybrid baby coming out.

The wedding was awesome! I actually couldn’t stop checking out Bella’s dress, it was adorable! She was wearing a backless dress, I wonder who made her dress. I heard that it was made by designer Carolina Herrera. So beautiful, really.

While I liked the wedding ceremony and the bride’s dress, I somehow didn’t like the gory dream that Bella had before the wedding. It was kinda weird. Red petals, blood, blood, blood and full of human corpses, uhmmm.. I don’t know, I felt they could have made it much better. Instead of being scared by that scene, I ended up feeling “really?”.

Jacob Black’s heartbreaking scenes were a bit overacted. Still, I guess in real life, we do tend to overreact too, especially when we feel strongly about someone. Unrequited love is super painful. I feel for Jacob. Can I have him instead? 🙂

The honeymoon scenes, on the other hand, were well-made. Wow! I never thought they could make honeymoon scenes so kid-friendly! Well, we don’t expect the usual intimate scenes as it was between a human and a vampire. I won’t expound any further as I’d like to let you see it for yourself.

The most exciting part of Twilight: Breaking Dawn for me was the whole pregnancy story. How Bella fought for her unborn baby, the way Jacob protected her and the Cullen family, the way Edward tried to save his wife and child, how Bella transformed from being a human into a vampire and how the Cullen family proved what the word, “family” really meant.

Overall, I liked the first part of the final chapter of the Twilight Saga. Breaking Dawn has shown the story clearly. However, it was a bit too cheesy. There was a scene that I cannot get out of my head. It was too funny. Bella said when they were talking about baby names, “Let’s name our baby EJ if it’s a boy (EJ = Edward Jacob)”. OMG, I laughed so hard that I forgot I was inside a movie house full of strangers :))

My Rating for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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Crumpler The Carrot

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011

Crumpler The Carrot

If you know me, you’ll notice how huge the bag is that I carry everyday. You see, I have tons of things. This always makes it a struggle for me to find anything inside my bag. So I was really glad when I got my hands on The Carrot, an accessory created by one of my favorite brands, Crumpler.

Finally, I found a perfect bag to put the ‘lil stuff. If I need to find my lipstick/s, I’ll just reach over to get the Crumpler Carrot and there, I’ll find the small beauty accessories that I can no longer live without.

Since Carrot is made my Crumpler, you can rest-assured that it’s made of high quality materials. Due to this, you’ll notice the tag price (Php 950) which I think a lot of people may find expensive. For me though, sometimes we have to invest more for well-made products. In the end, we will be saving more as the product will last for several years (or maybe forever) compared to several months for cheaper, lower quality products.

Crumpler Carrot Inside

Here’s what Crumpler says about the Carrot:

BRASS REINFORCED EYELETS
Let your Carrot free-bag, or attach it to a key ring or even the accessory loop on another Crumpler.

WATER RESISTANT
The Carrot outer shell and interior lining are both made from water resistant materials.

GUARANTEED FOR LIFE
We construct the Carrot with a single piece of ultra durable material and reinforce the joining and/or stitching on all stress points. That’s why it carries Crumpler’s famous lifetime guarantee.

Crumpler Carrot make uo

We can use the Carrot as a case by itself, but we can also attach it to bags using the brass reinforced eyelet.

Crumpler Carrot Eyelet

With awesome color combinations available (black/red, dark purple/pink & yellow/black), you will surely love Crumpler the Carrot. I definitely love my black/red carrot and I have been carrying it everyday since I got it!

Crumpler Carrot Colors

The Carrot is available in Crumpler Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall and Trinoma branches.

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Crumpler The Limpet

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 18, 2011

Crumpler The Limpet

I’ve been traveling a lot this year. I went to Davao, Palawan, Bohol and Singapore (almost!). On those trips, I never used any luggage tags. I would just hope that no one who would have the same luggage as mine. It worked every time, but I never had any peace of mind. I thought about using luggage tags, sure, but most that were available were pretty ugly and seemed easy to tear or break.

Then there’s Crumpler Limpet. When I first saw the accessory, I immediately fell in love! I knew right there and then that I found the luggage tag that I’m gonna use from now on.

What makes The Limpet so special anyway? Why am I raving about it now?

Crumpler Limpet

Well, just like the rest of the awesome Crumpler products, The Limpet is made of polyurethane, polypropylene webbing and ripstop nylon ensures. We can rest assured that even if a luggage tag has been something we always take for granted, Crumpler definitely doesn’t. They made sure that this ‘lil accessory is as important as our luggage. We deserve the best, don’t we?

Crumpler Limpet ID Tag

When it comes to expensive stuff, I’m more on the conservative side. I don’t want any loud colors or designs. However, there are a bunch of people who love colorful designs! Crumpler definitely took care of that as they also created grey/orange-blue and grey/pink-yellow designs. It’ll surely appeal to yuppies and young people, or maybe most of the people in the world! Hahaha!

Crumpler Limpet Colors

I’ll be traveling to three different places for two weeks starting tomorrow. It’s such great timing that I got the Limpet. It’s perfect for my Crumpler Luggage (review coming up soon!). I’m so happy! 🙂

Crumpler Luggage

If you want the Limpet too, head on to Crumpler (Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall and Trinoma branches only) and buy one. Crumpler Limpet is priced at Php 750.

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Crumpler The Noose

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 18, 2011

Crumpler Noose

Ever since I bought the Nikon D7000, I became so addicted to photography. No matter how big and heavy the camera is, I didn’t care and continued bringing it every single day with me. I retired my point and shoot and stayed loyal to my excellent DSLR.

I’ve enrolled in several Basic Photography Classes. I also talked to photographer friends to learn some tips and tricks in photography. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been trying to improve my craft by taking better pictures (especially of food :P).

My camera came with a Nikon neckstrap which has been a vital accessory. I’ve never ever taken it off. However, I discovered something new today. There’s a good strap for the camera and it’s actually a wrist strap! Now, that’s cool!

It’s called Noose and it’s created by Crumpler. I’m a HUGE fan of the Crumpler brand. They produce high quality products.

Crumpler the Noose

Having tried the wrist strap, I realized that it’s more compact compared to the neck strap. I also remember that whenever I attend an event and most of the people have cameras, we would ask waiters to take pictures of the group. However, at least 4 or 5 in the group have cameras, so I saw how the waiter struggled trying to put on multiple neck straps around his neck hehehe 😛 So maybe, in my case, I can have the photographer sling my camera in his wrist with my super strong Crumpler Noose 🙂

Crumpler Noose with Camera

The Noose will keep your camera attached firmly to your wrist. It’s pretty secure and you don’t have to worry much about the strap breaking.

You see The Noose is made from ultra-strong polypropylene webbing and neoprene for soft moulded comfort.

Super Strength Webbing – keeps a vice-like grip on your camera.
Neoprene Cushioning – moulds to the contours of your wrist.

You know how they say big things come in small packages? Well, the Crumpler Noose has a big surprise for you: a small pocket where you can put your memory card! That’s a pretty nifty feature, especially for those of you who take so many shots that you need to carry a spare memory card. The Crumpler Noose is so well thought out that way.

Crumpler Noose SD card

You can get your own Crumpler Noose for only Php 850.00 at the Crumpler stores in Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall and Trinoma.

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