‘Wave, pay & go!’

Market innovations mean empowering the public.

Citi Philippines and Visa have teamed up to introduce the newest payment technology for cashless and contactless transactions with the Citibank Visa payWave card. Top retail establishments joined the celebration, partnering with Citi to bring innovation to their stores and to their clients.

Citi Philippines CEO Batara Sianturi said, “Citi is committed to be the leading digital bank in the Philippines, Asia and the rest of the globe. We are proud to once again be at the forefront of customer banking innovation in the Philippines, taking the lead with promoting a new way to pay with credit cards where consumers simply wave, pay and go,”

With this new technology, paying for purchases is easier and faster, reducing queuing times for cardholders and retailers. Cardholders simply need to tap their card on the payWave terminal and go — the card never leaves the user’s hand! The machine can issue receipts in six seconds! No signatures are required for transactions below P2,000 making the payment process even more seamless. The card’s new chip technology also gives an enhanced protection against fraud, allowing for a more secure transaction. It really is much quicker.

When I was in London last month, I used my Citibank Visa payWave card. With regular purchases, they swiped my card and I had to sign to verify my signature. With purchases less than £20, I just had to tap my card, no verification needed!

Citi consumer business manager Bea Tan added, “We understand our customers and know the demands on their time and how their lifestyles are changing. Our latest innovation will empower our clients to access the latest technology in credit card payments — all while enjoying best in class rewards that they can only have with Citibank credit cards.”

Executives from partner merchants joined the Citibank Visa payWave launch at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati. Citi has partnered with Robinsons Supermarket, Mercury Drug, Eastwood and Lucky Chinatown cinemas, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to offer their clients the convenience of contactless transactions. The payWave technology can also be used at McDonald’s, Newport Cinemas and Rustan’s Supermarkets.

All new applicants for select Citi Visa credit cards will get the payWave-enabled card when they are approved.

(To apply for a Citi Visa credit card, log on to www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone hotline at 995-9999.)

Hear it roar!

Penfolds toasts the latest addition to the luxurious sporting line up of Jaguar sedans in the Philippines.

Jaguar Cars Inc. (JCI) unveiled its all-new F-Type at the Jaguar Lifestyle Centre in Bonifacio Global City recently. This two-seat sports car is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that goes back to more than 75 years. These cars have always been defined by its sinuous, muscular elegance; and the F-Type continues and advances this tradition with new, assertive design language. One of its simple yet stylish features is the hidden door handle that automatically deploys by either unlocking the car with the key fob or touching a touch-sensitive area of the handle.

The unveiling of the F-Type was accompanied by a song number by Carla Dunareanu. Introduced during the event was Jaguar Philippines brand ambassador Georgina Wilson, who invited guests to take a closer look at the new car model.

Chairman and president of Jaguar Cars Inc. Wellington Soong said, “The ownership of a Jaguar has never been a stronger statement globally. Its performance is all about the aspects of engineering and technological excellence. This is also a tribute to Sir William Lyon’s ‘Poetry in Motion’.”

Spotted at the event were British Embassy-Manila’s Chargé d’Affaires Trevor Lewis and Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific Importer Markets managing director  Russel Anderson.

Guests at the event enjoyed Koonunga Hill Chardonnay and Shiraz Cabernet by Penfolds wines, Australia’s most iconic wine brand.

Launched in 1993, Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay mirrors its sister red wines as one of Australia’s best value white wines. Penfolds has long been cherished by wine lovers the world over as one of Australia’ most prestigious wine brands. Founded in 1844 by Christopher Rawson Penfold, it is one of Australia’s oldest wineries, which has grown and flourished through the years to develop an extensive range of wine portfolios.

Holiday hangover

The Christmas season is over but it is still inevitable to feel the hangover. Can’t get enough of the holiday cheers?

Party with The Ramp Crossings’ Holiday Collection, which offers drama and glam through black and white pieces in sophisticated cuts, Neoprene fabric, lace and leather cutouts. This collection is available until the end of the month.

Go for The Ramp’s flounce skirts over a crisp all-white ensemble with a lace jacket over a lace sweater pairing. Mix fabrics and incorporate a new silhouette into your wardrobe by trying an ovoid sleeve top, match it with lace leather skirt and cloth-caged heels. Put a Neoprene vest over a sheer midriff top and balance it with a high-waist midi skirt that’s sleek, feminine and party-ready! The perfect accents to these cosmopolitan sporty outfits are The Ramp’s metallic sculpted heels, pointy croc stamp, pointy flats and zebra clutches and kitten heels.

The Ramp Man offers the same effortless style with party jackets, animal print hoodies, track pants, two-tone oxfords and lace-up sandals. The Ramp Kids, on the other hand, gives your little ones their own style to enjoy like the reversible cape toppers, party dresses, suede boots, fuzzy wool berets and smart long-sleeved shirts.

(Available at The Ramp Crossings in Glorietta, TriNoma, Quezon Avenue, Shangri-La Plaza and online at www.therampcrossings.com.)