US-based Seafood City launches digital marketplace for global Pinoys

LOS ANGELES – Seafood City, the largest Filipino grocerant in North America with one million weekly in-store foot traffic, has recently launched a first-of-its-kind and innovative one-stop digital marketplace app for global Filipinos in North America.

Dubbed as SFC+, this comprehensive marketing platform brings together US and top Filipino brands and services, allowing SFC members to easily shop for authentic products, pay bills, send remittances, and even invest in the future of their loved ones in the Philippines.

Seafood City currently has over 400,000 active membership base, and the largest Filipino online and in-store collection of vendor partners. Initially starting a store in San Diego, California, Seafood City, a de facto community town center or hub for Filipino-North Americans, now has numerous operations in the United States and Canada including those in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Illinois, Hawaii, Arizona, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. It also has plans to expand in Midwest and the East Coast.

During the SFC+ launch on Oct.21, Seafood City partnered with leading Filipino brands like ABS-CBN, the SM Group, Philippine Airlines, SM Development Corp., BDO Unibank, Smart, Globe, East West Bank USA, and BayaniPay, among others, to enable its thousands of members to seamlessly connect and simplify global transactions and bring the best of the Philippines to North American shores.

“SFC+ is a digital hub for Filipinos in North America that gives them exclusive access to US and top Philippine brands, discounts, rewards, and a host of exciting benefits every time they shop, save, earn and pay with Suki Points using the app,” said SFC+ Inc. president and CEO Elewin Rebaya.

“We created this app to reach and serve more Filipinos globally and enrich and meet their ever-evolving lifestyle demands,” Rebaya said

“From purchasing items and services to paying bills and even investing in the future of families and relatives they support, SFC+ will make these experiences rewarding for every global Filipino through our membership program,” said Rebaya, who is also the executive vice president of Seafood City.

SFC+ members enjoy exclusive access, curated deals, discount savings, and Suki Points with every partner brand. SFC+ members further enjoy the privilege of paying with Suki Points for their purchases at any Seafood City store including online.

SFC+, now available on the App Store and Google Play, will add more brands to its roster to expand its service offerings to global Filipinos.

Some of the key features of SFC+ include: zero-fee remittance, bills pay and embedded banking services by BayaniPay with EastWest Bank USA and BDO Unibank; opening of BDO Kabayan Savings in the US; digital shopping for Seafood City locations; discounted iWanttfc subscription; converting Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles into Suki Points and vice versa; end-to-end purchase of SMDC condominiums including access to 91 SMDC prime properties while enjoying services from experienced specialists; premium access to thousands of SM brands and outlets through the SM Gift Pass Choice; discounted balikbayan box shipping with LOGO; and direct donations to the ABS-CBN Foundation International and Gawad Kalinga USA.

SFC+, Rebaya said, is also the official marketing and service partner of SMDC in North America.

SMDC head of corporate planning and development Jessica Sy said, “by partnering with SFC+, we are extending our reach to global Filipinos, offering them a seamless platform to invest in the good life, no matter where they are in the world.”

EastWest Bank USA chief operating officer Parker Shi said, We are proud to be part of SFC+ to deliver tailored banking solutions to the Filipino community in the US.”

“Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance the financial well-being of Filipinos by providing convenient access to essential banking services and exclusive rewards,” Shi said.

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Damarillo, who also helmed the creation of SFC+, also pointed out that, “We didn’t just build an app; we built a home, and its doors will remain open to Filipinos who long to connect and celebrate their Filipino roots wherever they are in the world.”

Moreso, SFC+ members can now book discounted Philippine Airlines flights and earn Suki Points by using promo codes upon purchase of PAL tickets. For business class purchases, 1,000 Suki Points will be awarded, while 500 Suki Points for economy class.

“We welcome SFC as our latest partner under the Mabuhay Miles program. Our shared values of promoting Filipino culture and tradition have made our partnership truly special and memorable,” said Philippine Airlines President and COO Stanley Ng.

“Surely the Suki Points of SFC+ customers can take them to exciting destinations and even help them fly home once they start redeeming with Mabuhay Miles or convert their Mabuhay Miles into Suki Points,” Ng added.