Balikbayan Box

Send Supports GILAS

2006-11-22T03:52:00.000-08:00

Send Supports GILAS

October 1, 2006, Send Company joins GILAS, Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students. Send Company announces that it will support GILAS's widespread campaign to reach Filipino-Americans throughout the US.

GILAS is an exciting project spearheaded by leading technology companies in the US and the Philippines to address a critical problem in Philippine education: the inadequacy of Internet connectivity in the Philippine high school system. Today, less than 10% of Philippine public high schools are connected to the Internet. In contrast, virtually 100% of public schools in Korea , Taiwan , Singapore and Hong Kong are wired to the Internet. The ramifications for the global competitiveness of our high school graduates are obvious.

GILAS aims to wire all 5,500 public high schools to the Internet within 5 years. Less than 1,000 schools are wired. GILAS Volunteers are reaching out to the Philippine expatriate community worldwide to participate in this national education development program.

To spread the word, Send Company will include GILAS in its website, flyers, posters and brochures. The GILAS logo will appear in future distribution of Send Balikbayan Boxes in select areas.

Visit the following sites for more info:

GILAS-USA Blog

GILAS-USA Website

GILAS Official Website

BALIKBAYAN BLITZ

2006-10-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Balikbayan Blitz!

Send Company Now Covers All States East of the Mississippi River!

For a flat introductory rate of $99.95, Send Company offers a super-size balikbayan box service to customers east of the Mississippi River. This specialized box measures 24"L x 24"W x 20"H.

This solution is meant for customers who are either looking for a more spacious box and/or customers who are hours away from a Send Balikbayan Box retail partner. This specialized box is available from UHAUL Centers nationwide.

Customers as far away as Alabama, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia can now send balikbayan box just as easily through Send Company, a fast growing firm in the consumer service sector.

This huge undertaking is part of Send Company's efforts to reach its customers across the US.

There are lots of Filipino-American workers and families in various states searching for reputable balikbayan service providers. Send Company continues to develop innovative ways to connect people with loved ones abroad.

Shipping Balikbayan Box in remote states has not been this easy. All the customer has to do is visit a UHAUL Center, purchase the box. and submit the request to Send Company for processing. The product description is UHAUL 19" TV/Micro. It complement Send Company's flagship Send Balikbayan Box.

Offer expires 12/31/06. Hurry! Send your package early before the holiday rush!

Western Union customers: Call 888.337.7363 or visit Send Balikbayan Box for your special rate.

OUT OF THE BALIKBAYAN BOX

2006-09-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

BALIKBAYAN BOX

PCIJ published an interesting article about balikbayan box entitled "Out of the Balikbayan Box". It's a feature story written by Luz Rimban, PCIJ Issue #2, April-June 2005.

BALIKBAYAN CASH VIA WESTERN UNION

2006-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

08/18/06:

SEND BALIKBAYAN CASH

Send Company, a leading customer service firm based in New Jersey, is pleased to announce its partnership with Western Union, the most recognized and trusted name in international money transfer. Send Company and Western Union will launch a series of initiatives geared toward their growing Filipino clientele. Their joint project nicknamed "Send Balikbayan Cash via Western Union," will emphasize the industry giant's services and years of commitment to the Filipino community.

Send Company continues its leadership as the most innovative and customer-centered company in the balikbayan industry. This partnership with Western Union is a major victory for the young firm. It is as meaningful as their agreement with UPS, according to Joel Belen, president of Send Company.

Western Union is a world leader in money transfer. It facilitates transactions through more than a quarter-of-a-million agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Its 6,000 retail positions in the Philippines give it the most area of coverage in the country. Its service is fast, safe and reliable.

"Western Union is more than a leading remittance company. It's an institution," says Belen.

155 years of service excellence is an impressive achievement. Like UPS, this world-class corporation is an American business legend. Few companies reach that milestone.

And Western Union's bold and pioneering spirit lives on. Throughout its history, it embraced changes in business trends and fostered innovative ideas in technology, long distance communication and commerce.

Western Union and its employees give generously of their time and talent to their community and various humanitarian causes. They continually raise millions of dollars to aid relief organizations around the globe.

Western Union works with civic and professional organizations to create career development and training programs for job seekers. They sponsor the Philippine Nurses Association of America and its sub-chapters. They award scholarships to hardworking, non-traditional students, immigrants, refugees and single-parents in the United States. Western Union is always looking for ways to give back to the community. Western Union recognizes those who demonstrate unwavering determination to reach their goals in spite of overwhelming odds.

"There are several companies offering remittance services to the Philippines. Western Union is in a league of its own. We are delighted they granted us this business opportunity. We take great pride in our ability to create highly personalized services for the Filipino consumers. To be chosen by a respected organization makes this project very special indeed," says Belen.

The balikbayan box industry has never been so exciting. With piercingly sharp slogans like How does your balikbayan box stack up? and original signature products like Balikbayan Boxers, Send Company has carved out a truly unique niche in this crowded field. They are capturing market share with first rate service plus a touch of wit and humor. Customers look forward to Send's arrival in their home state. To earn the support of Western Union and UPS is a profound testament to the dedication of entrepreneurs behind Send Company.

Starting September 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006, when a customer sends money to the Philippines via Western Union, he or she will receive $5 rebate for a Send Balikbayan Box via UPS. To qualify, the customer just needs to attach the original Western Union receipt to the Send Box declaration form plus payment for the shipment. Send Company and Western Union will offer the "Take 5" promotion to customers in the northeast, not including NJ and NY metro areas.

In the NJ and NY metropolitan areas, Send Company is offering amazing deals for the holiday season. Instead of paying the $79.95 normal rate to send a package to Visayas and Mindanao, eligible Western Union customers will pay just $44.95. That is a huge savings of $35 per shipment instantly.

Value and savings don't end there. Western Union customers get more perks. Senders will pay just $3 for each brand new Send Balikbayan Box during the promotion period. That is at least 40% less than regular price. To qualify, just use Western Union to send money to the Philippines between 09/01/06 to 12/31/06.

In addition, five Western Union customers from September to December will be eligible for free shipment of Send Balikbayan Box. The names will be announced on 01/12/07. For this promotion, all entries or Western Union receipts must be postmarked on or before 12/31/06.

Promotion offers vary by state. More special deals and discounts are featured in the Send Company website.

For more details, visit sendcompany.com or call 888.337.7363.

BALIKBAYAN BOX VIA UPS

2006-09-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

04/05/06:

SEND BALIKBAYAN BOX

Filipino-Americans in the NY-NJ area starting this spring can ship balikbayan boxes to the Philippines through United Parcel Service (UPS), the world's leading package delivery company.

This was announced by Joel Belen, president of Send Company, who said that his New Jersey-based customer service firm struck a partnership agreement with the shipping giant for it to pick up and deliver the balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. Send Company is launching the service in NY and NJ for a flat introductory price per box. Each box will be limited to 70 pounds, Belen said.

"While it is true that the balikbayan box business in the east coast is crowded, we are confident that our original business concept, value added service and with UPS' known efficiency and reliability we will still be able to get a major share of the growing market. Customers have diverse preferences. We cater to hardworking individuals who yearn for good personalized service," he said.

Specially designed Send balikbayan boxes will be made available in Filipino stores for $5 each. Once the box is ready to go all the customer has to do is call Send Company's toll free number to pay for the shipment and arrange the date and time for the brown UPS truck to pick it up.

The Send Company president said that customers will soon be able to track by computer the location of their boxes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For customers who do not know how to use computers they can call Send Company direct through its toll free number and speak with a representative in English or Tagalog, he said.

"Sending balikbayan box is a tradition for many Filipino families in the US. Family members take part in preparing the box for the trip half-way around the globe. Our mission at Send Company is to ensure your package is handled properly while in transit. We partnered with UPS to achieve that."

"Starting this spring, men and women in uniform will pickup balikbayan boxes, and transport them in big brown trucks. Send Company will follow your shipment like it is our own. We aim to provide the best customer care should problems occur. Your satisfaction is Send Company's highest priority. Our web site and professional staff will be available to answer your questions, comments and concerns," Belen said.

He disclosed that Send will expand in due time its operations to other states.

"This is just the beginning. Opportunities look bright and boundless. Filipino-Americans will soon beable to send balikbayan boxes from anywhere in the US. We will announce availability of service in the nearfuture."

"It is a privilege to be part of this exciting venture with UPS, and UPS looks forward to serving our kababayans throughout the nation. We hope to be our customer's first and best choice for all their shipping needs," Belen said.

For more information, call 888.337.SEND or visit the website: sendbalikbayanbox.com

--- MANUEL QUISUMBING wrote:

Filipino - Asian Bulletin - April 5, 2006