BDO Online Banking Fast Fact

Do you know that if you don't have your phone (maybe you left it at home), you will not be able to transact or even inquire about your balance via BDO online. It doesn't matter if you know your password. You are still required to key in an one-time password that is sent via SMS to your phone before you can log in.

That is very convenient!

Essential Oils In Metro Manila

It's hard to review essential oils. The effect can vary from person to person. The oil itself can vary from bottle to bottle. Essential oil manufacturing is not standardized. Whatever terms they use like "pure", "therapeutic", or "organic", that cannot assure the buyers that their problems will be resolved. As the effectiveness of these oils are not proven, this is mainly a review on the packaging.

It's already a gamble in trying out oils, sellers could be more responsible to lessen the risk on the buyer's part. For starters, essential oils have expiration dates. It would be helpful for the buyer to know the expiration date. If the expiration date is not determined (since oils are not standardized), sellers could indicate the extraction or the manufacture date. Of the oils above, only Foreverstrong has an expiration date indicated on the label.

Plants have different species. In the photo above, cinnamon, frankincense and chamomile oils can have a number of variants. Giga's chamomile essential oil has no indication if it is Roman or German. (Each have their own set of benefits.) In general, Giga does not indicate the name of the plant used in extraction of the essential oil. I hope Giga will be more informative for the buyer's sake.

Some oils are very strong and are not very versatile, like cinnamon essential oil. I may have made a mistake in buying a 15ml bottle. It might take me 5 years to empty it. I bet it will be expired by that time. A 5ml bottle would have been more reasonable. Sellers should offer smaller bottles.

It would also be nice to have a sticker label on the caps. This will make it easier to identify the oil without lifting the bottle, especially if they are stored in a box.

(The essential oils pictured above are from Sesou, Shopee and Lazada. Giga also have their own stores in selected malls in Metro Manila.)

Related Post(s):

Questionable Frankincense Essential Oils from Shopee

Clio Economy Toothbrush with MicroFine Soft Bristles

Toothbrushes with fine soft bristles are usually expensive costing over PhP30 per piece. Luckily, Philusa Corporation, the makers of Cleene tissue, cotton alcohol, etc., are offering Clio toothbrushes. In our local grocery, this item only costs PhP13! I love brushing my teeth with it. 

Questionable Frankincense Essential Oils from Shopee

One of my favorite essential oil is frankincense, specifically the Boswellia carterii variant. The first bottle I bought was from Lazada. It was on the expensive side so I searched for cheaper options. I tried Shopee and I was very disappointed.

Shopee gives a very limited time to review a product. Most reviews are done even before they try the product. That is why I don't trust Shopee reviews for some products. (Lazada allows a buyer to edit the review even months after the review was made. I was able to turn my positive review to negative when the gadget I bought broke after a few months of use.)

I was tempted by the cheap price and the high product rating from reviewers. That is why I bought the frankincense oil offered by JS Essentials. I was so excited after finding an inexpensive option. I couldn't wait but when it comes to Shopee, waiting is part of the price one pays. Aside from the long wait, I was so disappointed with the product. 

Frankincense oil is supposed to be thin in consistency and has a unique scent. The JS Essentials Frankincense Essential Oil is very thick. It is so thick that it doesn't come out of the dripulator. The consistency is that of castor oil. It also has a very faint smell, unlike the one I bought from Lazada. I throwed the oil away. I didn't want to risk my well-being. I decided to no longer buy from JS Essential.

I tried looking for other option. I came across Cedar Alley's ad for its frankincense oil. I was again very tempted to buy it. Luckily, a satisfied customer posted a review describing the oil as "thick". Thanks for that review, I don't have to waste my time and money for Cedar Alley's product.

I have another bottle of frankincense oil coming from another seller. I will update this blog once I receive it. Frankly, I'm expecting it to be "thick", too. 

Online sellers of essential oils abound in Shopee. They import the oils in bulk and rebottle them into small vials. The problem with these sellers is that they are as educated as the next person when it comes to essential oils. I doubt if they have enough resources to scrutinize the products they bought before reselling them. I doubt if they can verify how the oils are actually produced. I doubt if they can even identify the oils if they didn't come with labels.

Related Post(s):

Essential Oils In Metro Manila

Comparing Shopee vs Lazada

(As Lazada's and Shopee's systems are constantly getting updated, some details on this blog might no longer be accurate.)

Choosing one over the other may be pointless as we can have both apps on our phone. I still would like to point out how one is better than the other in some aspects in the hopes that both apps can eventually improve on those areas.

App Performance and Speed

Lazada and Shopee can be slow especially on peak hours but each site differs on how they handle loading info on your screen. 

Lazada screen while ad details are loading

Lazada shows a black template for the ad while it is loading. Once all details are ready, they are simultaneously displayed.

Shopee screen while loading (left) and completely loaded (right)

Shopee on the other hand, is quick to show basic info first and other details later. The incomplete information gets confusing especially if the download speed or site traffic is slow. Shopee generally takes longer to display complete info on the screen.

While Shopee may be slower, searching for items is more accurate in Shopee. Lazada often shows items that did not satisfy the search parameters, especially if you sort the items according to price.

Product Information Presentation

Lazada can easily display if an item is on hand and can be readily shipped. If the item is not available, adding to cart or buying options are not available. One can only add it to their wishlist.

Shopee allows a pre-order status on their items. This is different from their "sold out"status. One can still buy pre-order items. If you add it to your cart, you can see the available stocks left. This is highly confusing since the item is on pre-order.

In Lazada, questions about the product are posted for the public to read. This prevents users from asking the same questions over and over. In Shopee, asking about the product is done via private chat.

One good thing from Shopee is that you can easily know where the item will be coming from. In Lazada, there is no quick way of knowing if the item will be from overseas. You have to click the delivery details to find out.

Delivery

Lazada is consistent when it comes to delivery as it uses its own delivery service. Shopee uses a number of delivery services including LBC, 2Go, NinjaVan and Black Arrow. Each company associated with Shopee has their own systems but slow delivery has been a known fact about Shopee.

Courtesy of delivery personnel is also consistent with Lazada. Their system automatically sends notification via email and SMS that a package is on its way. On top of that, the delivery personnel also calls or texts the buyer that they are on their way. The delivery status in the app is updated in a few minutes after the delivery.

NinjaVan and 2Go only has SMS notification from their system. The delivery men don't call or text. The status in Shopee takes a few hours or up to a couple days until it is tagged as delivered.

Returns and Rating

I haven't processed a return using either system. I did encounter unreliable sellers using both platforms. In Lazada, I refused to accept a delivery because it wasn't what I ordered. I was able to do so because that specific item was packed in a semi-transparent packaging. One can also refuse accepting a delivery in Shopee, but this will adversely affect your privilege to buy using cash-on-delivery. I don't know if Lazada does the same.

Ratings will help the next buyer to decide whether to buy or not. Both Shopee and Lazada uses a 5-star rating system for the items. In Shopee, the seller and item are rated as one. In Lazada, the sellers are rated separately using a smiley or sad face. 

Ratings and product reviews are nicely presented in Lazada. It is sorted according to helpfulness of the review. Buyers tag the reviews with a like or tag it as spam. Reviews with the most likes are shown first. A buyer can still review the items months after accepting the item. A buyer can change a positive review to a negative review if the item breaks.

Shopee's ratings page is annoying with the blank reviews (with star ratings only) mixed with generic and repeating reviews. The latest reviews are shown first. Buyers cannot tag a review to be helpful or spammy. In Shopee, the buyer has a short amount of time to test the product and post a review. The reviews may be unreliable since the product was not tested for a long period of time. That is why I don't buy electronic gadgets in Shopee.

In Shopee, buyers are rated by the sellers as well. This means that sellers can use this as basis for refusing to sell to a certain person. Lazada has no buyer blocking. Buyer ratings in Shopee are being used by some sellers to manipulate the ratings given to them. Just see the image below.

Summary

The following is what we liked about each platform, as a buyer.

Lazada
- faster app
- good delivery service
- buyers are not rated
- no pre-orders
- public questions and answers
- more helpful rating system
- no suspension of COD privilege

Shopee
- more informative ads
- better item searching
- lower price (including free shipping)
- holding payment until disputes are settled
- sells pre-loved items

Update:

(14Nov2018)
11.11 Sale Review
I participated in the 11.11 sale from both platforms. After 2 days, I have already received all of the items I ordered from Lazada.

I haven't received any item from the Shopee 11.11 sale. There was even an error in the Shopee app indicating that pick up from the seller failed even if I received an SMS from NinjaVan that my item will be shipped.

Alternative to Hua Mulan Combs

Hua Mulan combs claim a lot of health benefits. It's so tempting to try it for yourself but the prices seem unreasonable. The good thing is that there are alternatives to these combs.



Just check your favorite online selling app. Search for horn combs and find less expensive options. Each of the ones above costs less than 300. There are shops that offer free shipping if you order a minimum amount.

These are not made of plastic that produces static electricity. If you want to test if the comb produces static electricity, rub the comb against plastic or your clothing. If bits of paper stick to it after rubbing, it produces static electricity. It will be more difficult to use that comb in styling your hair.

As for the other health benefits claimed by Hua Mulan combs, they can also be claimed by these combs, as they are made of the same materials, although it's hard to prove if they are true. Why pay more for something you can't be sure of if you can pay less?

My favorite is the one with the sandalwood handle and black ox horn teeth. It smells good.  These combs feel good on my hair, like the Hua Mulan comb I have. It's just that the price of the three combs above is cheaper than the Hua Mulan comb I bought.

Lemon Mini Humidifier

I have been testing a number of essential oils recently but I only apply it topically. I learned that one can use a diffuser for essential oils, too. When diffused, oil gets wasted in the air so I don't do it often, but there are times when oil is best inhaled. That prompted me to buy a small one.

The Lemon Mini Humidifier can be bought from Shopee and Lazada. While labeled as a humidifier, it can also be used to diffuse essential oils, as long as you use an emulsifier. It can be had for as low at PhP220 + shipping fee or up to over a thousand peso per piece, depending on from whom you buy. I got mine from Divisoria for PhP270. I didn't want to take a chance in buying a defective item. I was able to test it first before I paid for it.

It came in a box containing the humidifier, the cable without an adaptor and an extra filter (the cigarette-shaped object in the photo above). The bottles of oil in the photo are not included. The humidifier comes in four colors. The yellow looks like lemon. The green looks like lime. The pink one looks like pomelo. An aqua variant is also available but it doesn't look like any citrus fruit.

When connected to a power supply, a click on the button turns the spray on or off. Long pressing it will turn the light on or off. This also has an automatic shut down feature. I leave it running before I sleep. By the time I wake up, it is already turned off.

(On the side of the box)

When the filter gets dirty or deformed, less mist or none at all will be produced. The filter can be easily replaced but in case the spare gets ruined, there is no supplier for spare filters.

(On the side of the box)

This is a small filter and is good for personal use only. It won't fill the room will mist but may help in distributing a strong fragrance. It may work inside a car.

While sellers will tell you that you can use essential oils with this humidifier, know that you have to emulsify the oil and water mixture. I usually add some alcohol (like isopropyl or ethyl) to disperse the oil in water. If there is a thick layer of oil surrounding the filter, the mist will be minimal, making the humidifier seem broken, and the top of the humidifier will be oily. Some diffusers can diffuse oil without an emulsifier but this unit can't as it is not really a diffuser.

Human Nature Tea Tree Oil, 100% Natural But Not 100% Pure

At PhP295 for 30ml, Human Nature is one of the cheapest brands of tea tree oil in Manila. It is a lot cheaper than my favorite brand, Giga, which costs PhP180 per 10ml bottle. The Human Nature product is easier to dispense since it comes with a glass dropper. The Giga bottle uses european style dropper which is more difficult to control.

The price and the dropper are the main factors that made me consider buying Human Nature Tea Tree Oil. I was majorly disappointed when I got the item and read the label. The oil has an ingredient other than tea tree oil! It is not 100% pure.

The label saying "100% Natural Tea Tree Oil" is so misleading. The more accurate label should be "100% Natural Tea Tree Oil BLEND". I really feel cheated by Human Nature. It doesn't even say how much tea tree oil is in their product!

I understand that using pure tea tree oil can harm the skin. That is why we use a carrier oil. I personally prefer a certain carrier oil that is lighter on the skin unlike the one used by Human Nature. I feel like they have taken away my right to choose the carrier oil I want.

Tea tree oil is useful for different applications like dandruff solution, acne cure, or athlete's' foot remedy. Each requires different amount of tea tree oil. Not knowing how much tea tree oil is in the Human Nature bottle can make the new mixture ineffective.

Related Posts:

Tea Tree Oil

Essential Oils In Metro Manila

Is Bibliorganics' coconut cider vinegar better than Bragg's apple cider vinegar?

While apple cider vinegar is said to have health benefits, local prices can be high, especially the popular imported brand, Bragg. That is why I decided to try coconut cider vinegar.

PhP 215 for 750ml (29 centavos per ml)

I am not here to vouch for the health claims of each type of vinegar. I would like to compare the labels and how it can help one decide which option to choose.

Bibliorganics Coconut Cider Vinegar Nutrition Facts
(Note that other brands of coconut cider vinegar may have different nutritional values.)

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Nutritional Facts
(Note that other brands of apple cider vinegar may have different nutritional values.)

Php 305 for 946ml (32 centavos per ml)

Comparison:

1. The calorie content of the above coconut cider vinegar is higher. This is due to the fat, protein and carbohydrate content. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar has zero calorie.

2. It is surprising to see that Bibliorganics' vinegar has zero potassium while Bragg's has a measly 11mg. Coconut cider vinegar normally has higher mineral content so this is suspicious.

3. Sodium is higher in Bibliorganic's vinegar. This may not be a good option for those who monitors their sodium intake. Bragg's is better with zero sodium.

4. Bibliorganics' has calcium and iron but there is no information about Bragg's vinegar. (Other sites claim it to be zero.)

5. Bibliorganics claims that their product has FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS) which has health benefits but that nutrient can easily be consumed with fruits and vegetables. Vinegars are not supposed to replace food anyway.

Personal Choice:

Since I monitor my sodium intake, Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar is my choice. The other nutrients not present in Bragg's, I can get with a healthy diet. The price difference between Bragg's and Bibliorganics' is not that much.  Bibliorganics is still on the expensive side. Their new product with little good feedback from consumers is not appealing when Bragg offers a tried and tested vinegar.

If calorie and sodium content is not an issue, Bibliorganics' vinegar is a better choice because it is cheaper.

SureBuy Stevia Powder from Rustan Supermarket

There are products that seems to be healthy indicating zero calorie/carb/fat/cholesterol on the label but contains possibly dangerous substance(s). One such product is the SureBuy Stevia Powder from Rustan Supermarket. While stevia leaves extract are generally safe, another ingredient may pose risks to certain individuals.

Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index and can spike the blood sugar making it dangerous to diabetics. Also, it has been linked to an increase in the incidence of Crohn's disease in one study.

While the label maybe right to claim that stevia is a healthy substitute to sugar and is completely natural, maltodextrin may be the opposite. Maltodextrin can be produced from genetically modified corn making it unnatural.

Lazada Watch Winder Model JA-1621E

June2021: This is already broken after 3 years. The rotating plastic watch holder became brittle over time and broke.

The problem with an automatic watch is that it stops if it hasn't been worn for some time. When this happens, you'll have to wind or shake the watch then set the time (and the day/date) before you can use it again. This can be annoying especially if you are in hurry. That is why I decided to buy a watch winder.

Rustan's offers a number of watch winders but the prices don't come close to what is being offered at Lazada. Buying online has its cons, however, like the lack of warranty and after sales service.

The item came five days after I placed the order.  It came in a big box, properly padded with foam. I assumed "JA-1621E" (as written on the box) is the model of this particular watch winder as searching this can lead to the GearBest and Amazon ads of similar winders. Inside the box, the contents are further separated in two boxes. The smaller box contains the power adaptor and the battery case. Batteries are not included. The bigger box contains the actual watch winder. The winder has a smooth glossy finish with a wood grain pattern. While the cloth bag helps to protect the item from scratches, there are still some scratches on the acrylic cover.

The operation is quite simple as described in the instruction manual. The slider switches are on the top of the box. One switch is for the direction of the rotation while the other is for the frequency of the rotation. The manual estimates the number of turns per day for each option but I cannot verify if the specifications are met.

The winder operates quietly as it should but I did notice some areas that could be improved, aside from the scratches mentioned earlier. For starters, the plug cannot be inserted completely into the box. I did not try to exert extra force in inserting the plug as it may ruin the winder.

The acrylic cover also does not seal the box tightly. Dust particles can go through. Cleaning the inside of the box can be difficult.

The watches inside are Seiko SNZG07 and Orient Ray II.

The pillow where the watch rests on is made of foamy rubber with a leather texture. It smells bad although the smell won't fill the room. In time, the material can disintegrate. I would have prefered it to be covered in a soft cloth pillow case so that if the foam material disintegrates, the pieces will not be scattered inside the box.

The aluminum sheet for the switch panel does not lay flat on the surface of the watch winder. This could be a starting point for breakage. It seems like the panel could easily be deformed or stripped off from the box.

Despite the shortcomings, I am satisfied with the product so far. I don't know for how long. I will update this blog in case my perception on the product has been altered. This is from an unknown brand so brand reliability is unknown.

This watch winder design comes in four skins. I picked the wood grain skin but it also comes in what seems like leather and glossy black skin. The prices for each vary a little even if they all came from the same seller. 

JML Stone-ware 28 cm frying pan from SM Department Store

Non-stick pans are more expensive compared to regular pans but a lot of them don't last very long. The usual problem is the non-stick coating can easily be scratched off even if nylon cooking utensils are being used. We bought the Stone-Ware Professional Culinary Cookware 28 cm frying pan by JML since the package and the SM Department Store salesman told us that it is scratch resistant apart from being non-stick.

This costs PhP2,099.75. The back of the box also mentions a guarantee for 1 year but SM can only accept returns within 7 days according to the salesman.

We have been using it for a few days now. It is indeed non-stick, although we don't know for how long that will last. The heat distribution throughout the pan surface is also good. While we rather not test if it is scratch resistance, we are questioning its durability. In less than one week, the handle has become wobbly. It feels like it will detach without warning. The wobbliness of the handle has left scratches on the side of the pan where the handle is screwed.

I found similar stone coated non-stick pans being sold on TV like the ILO Rainbow Pan Series. For P2995, one can get not just one 28 cm pan but a set of 5 cookware for different cooking needs. The ILO set is not for induction cooking but it not a problem for us. I kind of regret buying the pan from SM.

While looking for non-stick cookware, I saw Happycall products being sold in SM Department Store. They are a lot more expensive than the TV shopping offer. I wouldn't recommend buying from them.

08Dec2017 Update
After around two weeks of use, the following signs of use have been observed:

BDO debit cards, are they secure?

While debit cards offer some convenience, some debit cards, like BDO's, doesn't feel secure. Debit cards from other banks, specifically Metrobank, requires a PIN code before any transaction can be processed. BDO does not require PIN codes.

If somebody was able to pick-up a BDO debit card that was accidentally dropped, he/she can use it instantly to make purchases. He/she will not be required to present any valid ID nor to key in any PIN. Although one can block a lost card from making any transactions, it might be too late. The card may already be used even before the owner realized it was lost.

Debit cards also doesn't have the perks of cash purchase discounts especially if you're buying expensive appliances. That is why I rarely use my BDO debit card.

World Balance EasySoft Waterproof Office/School Shoes

As early 2013, the EasySoft shoes have been available locally but it was only this month that the brand caught my attention. I may have came across them before, but the style options were initially limited (mostly loafers) and not my type.

I came across the shoes in the suggested items from the Lazada app. The low price of P399.75 for a decent looking pair of office/school shoes intrigued me. While there was no mention of any leather material (genuine or synthetic), it's hard not to expect from the pictures. The ad indicated that the shoes are made from Vicrotech, but what is it? Why is it so inexpensive?

After a few searches on Google, I found out that it's not made from the usual shoe materials and does not undergo the normal shoe manufacturing process. There is no leather, wood, cloth or the likes. There was no need to hammer, dye or sew. They have made the manufacturing as simple as injecting the VicroTech into a mold, let it harden and remove it from the mold. That means the upper and the sole are made from the same continuous material. It's similar to the process of making plastic toys, like doll shoes. That explains the cost. The insole is separate, though. Some styles have shoe laces that also has to be attached manually. 

Despite the material and manufacturing process, the shoe doesn't look like a toy. It looks like a leather shoe. It doesn't feel like one, though. It feels like silicon or rubber. If worn with appropriate socks, the shoes feels comfortable. The flexible Vicrotech bends with the foot. The manufacturer also claims some shock absorbing properties of the shoe. The best part is it is waterproof.

EasySoft Rome model

While the ingenious shoe manufacturing process allows the price to be lowered, the injection molding process leaves unwanted witness marks on some models. Models with more fake stitches are usually free from these marks. Despite the marks, I still bought the Rome model as the marks are negligible. The sole is thin compared to the heel, thinner than rubber slippers. This makes it uncomfortable when walking on rocky surface. The wearer will feel the rocky surface he/she will step on. I believe that we can still criticize the things we support.

Although I saw the shoes at Lazada, I opted to buy from a physical store to get the right fit. I'm satisfied with this shoe. I will probably buy again if I find a style to my liking.


UPDATE AFTER 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH:

The left shoe developed a tear as shown in the picture below. I used this pair for about 3 times a week and I'm satisfied with the durability knowing the price. I decided to buy another pair of the same model. The price has increased to PhP499.75. That's a 100 pesos (or 25%) increase in 1 year!

A Commuter's View on the Jeepney Phaseout

While I believe that there are many problematic jeeps and jeepney drivers on the road, I don't think that the phaseout of the jeepney is a good solution to our transportation problem.  I do think that we could benefit from the use of modern, safer and more efficient public transportation like the proposed modern jeeps, but I also believe that they can co-exist with the older jeeps. I'm in favor of change and modernization but not the kind that commands something to stop existing, like the plan to phase out the old jeeps.

If the modern jeeps are indeed better, the consumer will support it instead of the older jeeps leading to the extinction of the old jeeps. There is no need to enforce a phaseout. Imposing the phaseout leaves the commuting public with less choice. I value my freedom of choice. The consumer should be given the choice between both jeeps.

#TransportStrike #NoToJeepneyPhaseout

Casio Standard Solar-powered Watch

Aside from the nondescript look, I wanted a watch with a the light colored dial and black Arabic numerals for readability. A case diameter of 37 to 40 mm is appropriate for my wrist size. I didn't consider buying the Timex Weekender because I don't want to have to change batteries. The solar-powered Citizen Chandler won me over, but this specific Citizen watch is not locally available. That is why I looked for other options.

I was close to buying a Chinese watch with a hand-winding mechanical movement. I also liked its blue hands. I haven't found any reliable review of the Winner watch so I decided not to risk buying a relatively unknown brand. Servicing the watch locally might also be problem for an obscure brand.

Luckily, I found a watch from a reputable watch company that satisfied all my requirements and is available locally! The Casio MTP-VS01L-7B1 model costs a lot less than the Timex Weekender and Citizen Chandler and the Casio watch has an added date complication.

While the Citizen Eco-drive can last for 8 months on a full charge the Casio solar-powered watch can last for only three. The steel hands of the Casio makes it a little harder to read at some angles due to a low contrast with the watch face (as shown in the photo above). It it also difficult to tell the time to the exact minute since there are no minute markers.

This Casio is relatively thicker (at 10 mm) for a quartz watch.  The lugs don't curve down so it doesn't rest well on the wrist. The watch will look chunkier with a NATO strap. Despite the shortcomings, this is still a good buy priced for less than PhP2,000 (US$40).

22Nov2017 Update:
After sitting in the watchbox for a couple of weeks, the battery has been depleted. I thought that it can last for three months. The solar charging works, though. After placing it under a table lamp, the watch worked again.