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AXA supports Save the Children Philippines for IWD

Wednesday, April 20, 2022


In celebration of International Women’s Day, AXA donated USD5,000 to Save the Children Philippines as part of its pledge in a recentsocial media promotion that encouraged people to show their support and take part in the worldwide Break the Bias campaign. Save the Children, the world’s leading independent children’s organization, has been working in the Philippines for over four decades and is dedicated to helping children.

The promo also highlights AXA‘s partnership with Filipino-Japanese professional golfer and 2021 US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, who resonates with the brand’s “Know You Can” message, which underscoresthe brand’s continuing support for women in sports. This is rooted in the understanding that confidence is essential for people to achieve their goals.

Participants of the contest were encouraged topost a symbolic #BreakTheBias image with the hashtags #YukaSasoforSavetheChildrenPH and #BreakTheBiasWithAXA. 

The“Break the Bias” campaign is part of AXA’s commitment to embrace equality and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. Photo shows AXA Marketing Communications DirectorLaura Del Rosario(left) and Save the Children Senior Manager for Corporate Partnerships Natalia Tabal.

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Hamilo Coast remains committed to environmental and social sustainability







Hamilo Coast through its developer, SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. safeguards a 20-hectare mangrove forest, the largest of its kind in Nasugbu, Batangas. Together with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), Hamilo Coast continues to preserve over 50,000 mangrove trees to date as it remains committed to its advocacy for environmental and social sustainability.
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SM Supermalls will color you happy this summer!

Bursting with color starting April, SM Supermalls is giving its shoppers of all ages a spectrum of hope, happiness, and fun with delightful and safe activities that everyone in the family can look forward to when they visit their favorite SM mall.




Snap-worthy rainbow play areas! 


Multifunctional play pods in all colors of the rainbow await you at the indoor and outdoor play pods that kids and kids-at-heart will love. From rainbow staircases to larger than life displays, you’ll have no trouble getting the best and most colorful #POTD entry!



Sizzling hot summer deals! 


What’s summer without a mall-wide sale? Go on a shopping spree and get all your summer essentials, including must-have toys, at the nearest SM mall. Delight your kids with sporty knick knacks, inflatables, and bikes to amp up their summer activities even while at home. Visit the pop-up stores in select SM malls for great finds and exclusive deals!



Sweet treats and Summer Eats! 


Sip, eat, repeat, and satisfy those cravings with a wide array of food and drink choices at SM Summer Eats! A weekend al fresco market awaits you with delicious meals and refreshing drinks all in IG-worthy colorful dining spaces! Watch out for Summer Teas happening on April 16 to 30 where there will be lots of discounts on the best milk teas to quench your thirst too!



Summer fun under the sun! 


Time to flex that Tiktok talent! Be witty and wacky, colorful and bright, at the SM Summer Tiktok challenge which you can shoot at any of the the malls’ colorful outdoor and indoor displays. For pawrents, you can have a furry fun time with your pets when you join the pet olympics, go on a picnic with them, or treat them with a pampering session. For the fitness buff, there’s going to be a 7-day fitness blitz for adults and kids at select SM malls where you can blow off steam and sweat it out. Whatever your passion is, we have lots of summer fun activities lined up for you!



From safe dining to shopping and everything in between, make it a fun and colorful summer to remember at SM Supermalls! Make sure to visit www.smsupermalls.com or like and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms for the latest news, promos, and activities.
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Families can get up to 50% discount on EQ Super Brand Day on Lazada

Wednesday, April 13, 2022


Families are in for an exciting treat as JS Unitrade (JSU), the makers of the leading EQ Baby Diapers, hosts its EQ Super Brand Day on Lazada on April 18-22, 2022! For this Super Brand Day, JSU and Lazada give you and your family the chance to enjoy special discounts of up to 50% off on EQ & Genius Baby Diapersand other JSU’s best value products that are reasonably priced yet of great quality – Feminine Careproducts (Charmee Napkins, Pantyliners, and Feminine Wipes), Incontinence Care (Caress Adult Diapers and Underpads, Hy-Pants and Secure Adult Pull-Up Pants), Baby Wipes (Nursy and EQ Baby Wipes), Cleansing & Disinfecting Wipes (Hy-5), Household Paper Towels (Tidy & Kitchenmate), and Oral Care products (Jordan).

In line with JSU’s mission to enable Filipinos to improve and advance the everyday lives of their families, they introduced some breakthrough products which you can also avail of on the upcoming EQ Super Brand Day.

For first-time parents out there, you can ensure that your baby is mess-free and thoroughly clean with EQ Baby Wipes. It is made with 99% pure water and has no harmful chemicals, making sure your baby gets the gentlest care and utmost protection they deserve. 

On the other hand, for those women who want to go about their day with full comfort and confidence during their extra heavy flow period days, they have an ally with Charmee Menstrual Pants! It offers ultimate protection to prevent leaks and comes in an underwear-like design to help you feel at ease.

For those who are experiencing loss of bladder or bowel control, you don’t need to suffer in silence and let the condition control your life. You can enjoy your day to the fullest like spending quality time or enjoying a great time outdoors with friends and family, without having to worry about leaks with the help of Hy-Pants Adult Underwear. These pull-up pants are designed to help you manage your incontinence condition without any worries, with your dignity and self-esteem intact.

Other perks available on EQ Super Brand Day include shipping vouchers, promo packs, and freebies. Watch out for JSU’s Lazada LazLive on April 18, Monday, at 5 PM to score awesome deals on all JSU products and get a chance to be one of the lucky viewers to win exciting raffle prizes. 

You can follow and watch the livestream on the official Facebook pages of JSU brands: 


With this EQ Super Brand Day on Lazada, get yourself and your loved ones the best value products that will enrich your lives in small but meaningful ways. For more information and updates, visit https://jsunitrade.com/.

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Allianz PNB Life merges life security and social responsibility in latest insurance offering

Monday, April 11, 2022



Allianz PNB Life has launched Allianz Protect, the insurance company’s latest in their range of protection and health products, last March 21, Monday.

“Allianz Protect was created for people who are looking to secure their futures, while also making significant contributions to the futures of others,” said Allianz PNB Life President and CEO Alexander Grenz. “We know Filipinos have hearts that want to help. Through Allianz Protect, they will be able to do so, while also being insured themselves.”

Allianz Protect is a comprehensive insurance solution that provides full-spectrum protection for any life stage, while also fitting your needs and your budget. It is a package of regular-pay traditional protection products with a variety of coverages, and it also gives clients the flexibility they need to actually be able to avail it.

Some of the benefits included in this plan are the Death benefit, where beneficiaries will receive a payout if you happen to pass away; and the Accidental Death, Dismemberment and Disability benefit, where beneficiaries will get paid if you are permanently handicapped due to unfortunate circumstances.

Also, as part of Allianz PNB Life’s continued commitment to sustainability, the insurance company will donate a yearly contribution of Php 500 to a beneficiary of your choice among Allianz PNB Life’s partner communities or advocacies, such as the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines’ Foodshed Farming Enterprise. ”We’re looking at a win-win scenario, both for these communities and the environment. People need to eat. The environment needs room to recover. With the support of Allianz PNB Life in setting up these food sheds, both are possible”, said Monci Hinay, Project Manager of WWF-Philippines’ Sustainable Food Systems.

While anyone who is capable of availing the plan may do so, Allianz Protect was primarily created with young, growing Filipino families, breadwinners, and more importantly, solo parent households, in mind. The reason for this is because these segments will benefit most from the flexibility and well-roundedness of the product.

Coverage starts at Php 1 million, and you can also choose the most convenient payment scheme for you, whether it be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or even annually. Policyholders can choose to renew yearly, every five years, or every ten years, until you reach the age of 70.

“We want Filipinos to be confident no matter what tomorrow may bring. That’s the goal of Allianz Protect,” said Grenz. “We want our policyholders to know that they are contributing positively towards sustainability efforts, as well as the growth and development of Filipino communities. We also want them to be assured that they will be protected from the worst, and that their future is secured…especially when they choose Allianz PNB Life.”

For more information on Allianz Protect, as well as the products and services Allianz PNB Life offers, please visit www.allianzpnblife.ph.

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Smart Infinity rewards members with a luxurious escape at Shangri-La Boracay


luxurious escape at Shangri-La Boracay
 

Smart Communications, Inc.’s luxury postpaid brand, Smart Infinity, is about to send members to a piece of indulgent paradise as part of its commitment of providing limitless possibilities, rewarding experiences, and exclusive lifestyle privileges.

A complimentary 3 day and 2 night stay in a Deluxe Room for two (2) at Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Boracay—one of the island paradise’s must-visit destinations—is available to Infinity members when they sign up for a Smart Infinity Limitless Plan 5000 or 8000 from April 8 to June 8, 2022.

Part of the perks of the stay at the Shangri-La include daily breakfast for two, plus roundtrip land and speedboat transfers from Caticlan, so that members get to fully enjoy their leisure experience on the beautiful and pristine island.

“As the summer season draws even closer, the time also draws near to take that luxurious and revitalizing vacation that you deserve. There’s no better destination for a getaway than the clear waters and fine white sands of Boracay Island, and no better place to stay in than the Shangri-La Boracay. Smart Infinity’s limitless possibilities allow its members to enjoy the perks and pleasures that come with their lifestyle,” said Sofia Borromeo-Alvarez, Smart Infinity Brand Head.

Limitless rewards made simple, possible

This exclusive reward is but one of the many possibilities available to Smart Infinity members, which they deserve as high-powered individuals that make big waves and leave lasting impacts on society.

On top of limitless support and dedicated service, Smart Infinity also gives members the power to keep making the world better. Smart Infinity members can also make a positive impact on the world with a few taps on their smartphone through the Infinity Gives Back program. In the Infinity Gives Back program, members can choose to donate to a wide variety of advocacies focused on rebuilding communities, providing quality education and safety to children, and more.

To sign up or renew your Smart Infinity plan and to learn more about its various offers, as well as the limitless perks and privileges available to members, visit the Smart Infinity website at https://smart.com.ph/Infinity/plans, and follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Philippines’ fastest 5G mobile network

Limitless meets the fastest 5G with every Smart Infinity account as it is powered by Smart, the fastest 5G network in the Philippines as reported by Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.

Ookla recently declared Smart as the country’s fastest 5G mobile network and the winner of its Speedtest Awards for Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed Score of 201.95, while its closest competitor posted a Speed Score of 116.08.

To bag this award, Smart posted a median download speed of 218.82 Mbps and a median upload speed of 22.46 Mbps, while its closest competitor posted a median download speed of 116.92 Mbps and a median upload speed of 10.81 Mbps.

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Fun outdoor stuff for your fur babies from Pet Express

Friday, April 8, 2022



With summer ahead and easier travel, it’s the perfect time to have a pawsome break with your fur babies. Whether it’s just a stroll in the park, an afternoon in a mall’s Paw Park, spending a weekend getaway like swimming at the beach or a day hike with your dog, Pet Express has outdoor essentials that will keep your adventures safe and worry-free.


Pet Express, the one-stop shop for all your pet’s essentials, has a wide variety of outdoor accessories like collapsible pool and feeding bowls; tug toys and treat dispensing toys; and pet wagons and strollers, that will keep your dog active and safe this summer. Here are some practical tips to keep your active dog safe on your next adventure:

1. Create a checklist on your dog’s needs. Pack a lot of dog treats and meals that can be easily fed to your dog; and bring plenty of water and cool mat to beat the heat.

2. Have your dog checked with your vet before going on an outdoor adventure. Make sure that your dog’s flea and tick treatment and vaccinations are up-to date too. 

3. Try not to feed your dog for an hour or two before you travel, this can help prevent motion sickness during your ride. 

4. While on the road, have a bucket car seat for your dog to keep them in place while moving.

5. Start slow on your hike and always keep your dogs on a leash while walking on your trail. 

6. Make sure your dogs are always place in a fully shaded and cool area after a long walk and keep them hydrated. Always bring cooling collars, vest and mats that are very useful during hot summer days.

7. Watch out for signs of heatstroke brought about my extreme temperatures - heavy panting, difficulty breathing, glazed eyes, dizziness, profuse salivation, vomiting, and a deep red or purple tongue. 

Pet parents can now place their order online thru www.petexpress.com.ph and on their Call and Collect services in selected branches and shop thru a PAWSONAL SHOPPER at 0917.8091864. Also, Pet Express is now open at The SM Stores in SM Ortigas, SM Makati, SM Southmall, SM Bicutan, SM East Ortigas, SM Marikina, SM Novaliches, SM Bacoor, SM Marilao, SM Clark, and SM Cebu. For more info and updates, follow PetExpressPH on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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LRMC releases LRT-1 train schedule for 2022 Holy Week


LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is set to conduct its annual maintenance activities to continuously provide safe and reliable transportation system with a temporary suspension of LRT-1 operations from 14 April (Maundy Thursday) to 17 April 2022 (Easter Sunday).

The LRT-1 will follow normal operating hours from April 11-13 (Monday – Wednesday), having first trips to leave Baclaran and Balintawak by 4:30am, and the last trips will be at 9:15pm (LRT-1 Baclaran) and 9:30pm (LRT-1 Balintawak). LRT-1 operations from April 14 – 17 will be suspended to give way to the maintenance activities, which include the annual preventive maintenance works, rail replacement, replacement of wooden sleepers, and testing of all trains prior to the resumption of revenue operations.

“We are doing this annual maintenance activities to allow us to improve capacity and performance across the line, enabling us to serve our LRT-1 passengers with better, more reliable transport system. With this, we urge the riding public to plan their trips accordingly and request for their usual understanding.” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico R. Benipayo said.

Normal operations of LRT-1 along the existing line – Baclaran to Balintawak Station will resume on 18 April 2022 (Monday).

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.
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UnionBank, AEV to launch tech-focused training courses for Tourism Promotions Board MSMEs

MSME platform GlobalLinker

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the country’s leading banking partner of Filipino entrepreneurs, has teamed up with Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) for an initiative to ‘tech-up’ micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector. The drive is part of UnionBank’s efforts to help entrepreneurs thrive in the digital economy, pushing its Tech-Up Pilipinas advocacy.

The Bank through its MSME platform GlobalLinker (UBGL), together with AEV, will be offering technology-focused training courses to MSMEs who are with the Tourism Promotions Board (TBP) Membership Program. The said courses are designed to provide learning opportunities that will enable capacity-building and address various gaps in digital competencies for the tourism MSMEs.

“The country’s tourism sector was one of the hardest hit during this pandemic, which is why we want to offer additional training to help MSME owners in the sector, hone their digital entrepreneurship skills,” said Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank VP and SME & Micropreneurs Segment Head. “With this, not only will it become easier for them to acclimate to the growing digital economy, it will also help revitalize the tourism sector in general, and somehow the country’s economy.”

“Partnerships like this, where the private sector and the government join forces and work together, make great impact and clear results,” Christopher Camba, AEV First Vice President for Corporate External Relations said. “We are more than glad to share our expertise to the tourism industry MSMEs because we strongly believe that in order to achieve economic recovery, all stakeholders must collaborate. And in this case, building digital competencies is the way to go.”

Lined up is a webinar series, “Biyaheng Digiskarte: Angat Turismo Serye,” facilitated by experts in the field led by Eric Caeg, President and Founder of the Retail Academy Philippines (RAP). 

The initiative is also part of UnionBank’s GoBeyond Communities, the Bank’s corporate social responsibility and employee volunteering program that encourages UnionBankers to support their personal advocacies through active participation in select projects benefitting chosen communities.

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Shopee cultivates tech talent with overseas training and exposure

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Over the last decade, technology has radically changed the way businesses all over the world look and operate. Accompanying this meteoric change among businesses, is the need for different leadership traits.




According to Forbes[1], key traits that future leaders will need to possess include the ability to embrace technology and employ a global citizen mindset. This mindset includes celebrating diversity and understanding new cultures in order to gain knowledge on how to enter and succeed in new global markets. On the other hand, embracing technology will allow leaders to improve efficiency in the organization.



Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to instill these fundamental traits into young, tech-driven talent through the Global Leaders Program. This year marks its fourth iteration as it continues to mold tech leaders of tomorrow.



The Global Leaders Program is a 2-year graduate program consisting of four 6-month local and overseas rotations open to final-year students and young professionals with up to two years of working experience. Participants can expect to receive mentorship from senior management, a rigorous training curriculum under the various Shopee departments, and the opportunity to work on highly impactful projects. And one of the key experiences of the Global Leaders Program is the opportunity to work in different Shopee markets across the region and gain pivotal exposure to the tech industry. Throughout the overseas rotation, Shopee will provide mobility support to GLP Associates to ensure hassle-free overseas accommodations and seamless visa applications.



Karen Perez, Head of People at Shopee Philippines, said “At Shopee, we understand how crucial developing a global perspective is in pushing the Philippine tech industry forward. Through the overseas rotations of the Global Leaders Program, we believe that we can help broaden the horizons of young Filipino talent. We are deeply committed to delivering more opportunities to hone the skills of young Filipino professionals and support the growth of our local digital economy.”



Jan, a GLP associate currently completing her second overseas rotation in Thailand under the Marketing Department, has shared what influenced her decision to apply. “The promise of diverse rotation and regional exposure at such a young age attracted me to the Global Leaders Program. I believe the program brings in many unique opportunities that would allow me to launch my career and create immediate impact.” she said.



For Lance, another GLP associate that is also currently assigned to Thailand, the opportunity to gain regional exposure abroad has provided him with a better understanding of our local situation. He shared, “Being able to live and work in the same company, but in a different country immediately provides me with a new ‘perspective’. This is quite useful because it helps me notice the differences between Thailand and the Philippines in terms of the needs of our buyers and sellers, organizational structure, and working-style. These differences helped me strategize on how we can better tailor our solutions or ways of working to fit different local contexts.”



Koko, on the other hand, completed his overseas training in Singapore last August 2021. Being trained abroad gave him the opportunity to grow as both a professional and an individual. He said, “I was able to experience different work functions, roles, industries, and even markets in the short span of two years. I also had the opportunity to take on a lot of responsibility early on in my career, which helped me build confidence in my own knowledge and skills.”



Young Filipinos looking to challenge themselves and drive change in the tech industry are welcome to apply to Shopee’s Global Leaders Program here: https://careers.shopee.ph/GLP. The application period has been extended until April 30 2022.



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SM Turns to Rain Water Harvesting a key to Living Flood Free

Climate change is real and Filipinos are among those who can attest to the devastating effects it brings to everyday life. Faced with about 20 typhoons a year, the Asian Development Bank reported that the total impact from storms have reached about US$20 billion from 1990 to 2020. It causes a temporary disruption due to mass evacuations which bring about an average of 2-8% reduction in gross domestic product annually.




Despite the reoccurring devastation felt during calamities, Filipinos still manage to see the humorous side of life and are often reported as one of the happiest people in the world. However, this may soon be tested as, according to the latest report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, things are about to get worse as the planet heats up, accelerating the effects of climate change and making the Philippines more vulnerable to drastic changes in weather patterns.



On average, the Philippines receives about 2,400 millimeters of rainfall each year, one of the highest in the world. While this poses a problem for the country, there is a silver lining, as it can also be the solution for water scarcity. However, currently the Philippines only harvests around 6% of its rainwater compared to India which harvests around 60% of the 700-millimeter average rainfall it receives each year.



Rain Water – a friend or a foe?




Water is a scarce resource. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 6 identifies access to clean water as one of the global priorities to be achieved by 2030. Aligned to its environmental responsibility programs, SM takes a closer look at the use of water and how it can be turned from a foe to a friend.



SM builds its malls and integrated lifestyle cities with resilience and sustainability in mind. Understanding the value of water, SM builds rain water catchments in its malls to harvest large volumes of rain water particularly in flood prone areas.



“We approach it two ways: resilience – to help communities be flood free; and sustainability – to optimize water which is a scarce resource so we can use it for other purposes rather than just waste it,” says Architect Fides Garcia-Hsu, Vice President at SM Engineering Design and Development.

Vermont Park and Vermont Royale are two communities that once saw rain as a foe. Every time it rained, their neighborhoods ended up under water, damaging their homes. Today, home owners welcome the rain as water that can be harvested and stored for future use. The reason? SM City Masinag’s rain water catchment facility! It has a 17,681 cubic meter water capacity. The two communities connected their drainage systems to the mall which is equipped with three 30HP submersible pumps which are used to pump out accumulated rain water.



“Wherever SM is, we try to help our communities become resilient to changing weather patterns,” explains Arch. Garcia-Hsu. “Nationwide, we have 20 malls equipped with rainwater catchment facilities that help rain water management to avoid flash floods for surrounding communities.”



As a company SM invests 10% of its capital expenditure to integrate disaster resilient and sustainability features in its malls and integrated lifestyle city designs. “We take a long-term view on resilience and when we talk about sustainability, we look at how we can address perennial problems like flooding and address systemic change,” Arch. Garcia-Hsu expounds.



Serving as pioneers in the installation of rain water catchment facilities, SM was instrumental in the passing ordinances and inclusion of the installation of water catchment facilities for developments by regulatory bodies. In recent years, Senator Manny Pacquiao passed the ‘Rain Water Harvesting Act – Senate Bill 1309’ mandating the establishment, maintenance and management of rain water harvesting systems in the country.



“Aside from building resilient infrastructure, we also build the resilience of our stakeholders by providing disaster preparedness training through our SM Cares programs,” shared Chito Bauzon, SM Cares Marketing Asst. Vice President. “We have programs targeted to senior citizens and those with special needs as they are the ones left most vulnerable during times of calamities.”



With the threat of climate change looming, typhoons are only expected to get stronger with intensified rainfall. With more Filipinos moving to urban centers, the Philippines will need to retrofit its cities for resiliency or build new sustainability cities to finally live flood free.



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Mondelēz International partners with BEST to collect waste in Metro Manila

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The journey of waste from your home can sometimes be a treacherous one. Ideally, waste from your home is brought to a Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) where they are segregated according to type and diverted accordingly. However, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in the Philippines only 35% of barangays have established and operational MRFs. This scenario can lead to waste being dumped illegally or even ending up in the oceans. Thankfully there is something we can all do to provide the best case scenario for waste.




Starting April 2022, Mondelēz International and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) are partnering to provide you more ways to properly manage your waste. Here’s how you can join:

Just go to any of the 11 BEST waste drop off sites in Metro Manila from April to June 2022. You can view the list here.

Bring the dry waste from your home like plastic, paper, metal and others. Make sure they are dry, clean, and free from food or other materials.

For any type of waste brought in, you can earn environmental points. These points can be used to redeem select Mondelēz International snack products as well as other items and prizes from BEST.

This program will run for three months so you have plenty of time to collect waste at home and bring them to the sites. And you can do it regularly too as BEST runs their waste collection activities all year long! For a list of all accepted materials at BEST sites, click here. You can also redeem different prizes for your points, check out this list.

Mondelēz International is the maker of beloved snack products like Tang, Eden Cheese, Cheez Whiz, Oreo, Toblerone and Cadbury. The Company aims to empower people to snack right, with the right snack, for the right moment, and with snacks made the right way. “We believe in sustainable snacking, where we are able to produce our delicious products while lessening our environmental footprint, including the impact of waste,” shares Atty. Joseph Fabul, Country Manager for Corporate and Government Affairs of Mondelēz International in the Philippines. “We know that any waste, when not properly collected and diverted can end up in nature, particularly the oceans. That’s why we’re working with organizations like BEST to help support and strengthen waste collection efforts in the country.”




At the end of 2021, Mondelēz International and BEST partnered for a similar initiative where people received boxes of Cadbury Shots chocolate for the wastes they brought to collection sites. This resulted in the collection of 12,893 kilos of plastic waste alone, and the distribution of 10,800 boxes of Cadbury Shots chocolates.

BEST is engaged in contracting and consulting for waste management related businesses. Its primary mission is to provide avenues for comprehensive waste disposal systems, public cleansing, general hygiene and materials recovery that promote sustainable development through proper solid waste disposal and resource conservation.

“We thank Mondelēz International for their continued support to our waste collection initiatives,” ends Jan Vincent Mercado, Senior Vice President for Business Development of BEST. “The challenge of collecting waste is a big one, and we encourage everyone to do their part in ensuring we do not harm the environment. At home we encourage everyone to segregate their dry and wet waste. For your dry waste, bring them to our drop off sites and we can help you to properly divert them so they do not end up in landfills or the oceans. You not only help the environment, but you also receive rewards for the enormous good you are doing the earth.”
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‘We must make a continuous, conscious decision to keep going’: the Odette experience, three months later

Friday, April 1, 2022


After the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette, affected families are still struggling to get their life back together


The Philippines has always been vulnerable to natural disasters due to its archipelagic state and the fact that it is surrounded by warm ocean water. While this means the country is rich in aquaculture and aquatic resources, it also makes it prone to calamities such as typhoons, tsunamis, and floods.

In fact, according to the 2018 World Risk Report, the country was noted to be one of the highest-risk countries worldwide, ranking at an alarming third place.

What makes the situation of the Philippines even more dire is the state of poverty among its people. While already one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, the pandemic has caused the poverty incidence in the country to rise to 23.7%, or about 26.1 million Filipinos.

All these factors combined contributed to the devastation that followed when Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai, ravaged the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Odette made landfall nine times as it passed through the country, bringing even more rainfall and destruction than 2013’s Super typhoon Yolanda. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Odette inflicted over 29 billion pesos in damages, affected 2.2 million families, and left behind a death toll of 407.

That was in December. News outlets have reported on the tragedies, organizations from both the public and private sectors have done what they could to help, and the government has also provided relief efforts to the victims of the calamity. But three months later, the attention has died down, and any news regarding the aftermath is rarely heard.

This does not mean, however, that things have gone back to normal. Due to the extensive damage on agriculture and infrastructure as well as the number of families affected and displaced, it will take more than three months for the victims of Typhoon Odette to get back what they have lost. It is now that help and attention are most needed, when those who suffered are picking up the pieces, and trying to start all over again.

Allianz PNB Life, one of the fastest-growing insurance companies in the country, has continued to extend help by donating over Php 3 million to relief efforts, as well as joining SOS Children’s Villages in assisting these communities. The donation is expected to reach more than a hundred families, allowing them to rebuild their homes and start over.

SOS Children’s Villages is a private, non-government organization that aims to provide family-like care to children in need. Because of its belief that family is what builds a strong foundation in the lives of every child, helping the families affected by Odette is merely an extension of its mission.

Allianz PNB Life’s mission, on the other hand, is to secure the future of every Filipino, not just by offering insurance products and services tailored to their needs, but also by contributing to the community through various programs and action plans. These are principles that make this partnership - and this donation - significant.


One of the beneficiaries, Julia Navarro, came from a small village situated in Mabolo, Cebu. Hers was one of the first communities SOS Children’s Villages reached out to in that area, and she recounted how SOS Children’s Villages had helped them years before.

“We were the pioneer group that SOS chose in this area,” Navarro narrated in Cebuano. “When they first distributed school supplies [here], we were the only ones given in this area. Eventually, other communities became [SOS beneficiaries, too].”

Navarro also said that SOS Children’s Villages helped her family a great deal when it came to their livelihood and education. “[The livelihood assistance] was a big help to us, especially when the pandemic started. We used it as capital to sell goods, and even though we had to stop eventually, it still helped us a lot.”

When Typhoon Odette hit their small village, Navarro shared that she and her family were not prepared for the disastrous aftermath. “There were announcements on the radio, but we did not expect [the typhoon] to hit us this hard,” she said. “Our roof and gutter were blown away by the strong winds, and water flooded our house. We had to evacuate to my sister’s house to be safe…the wind was so intense. We were uneasy. It was like [the house] was swaying back and forth. Then [the winds] grew stronger, and water flooded in [to our house].”

When asked how Odette compared to the rest of the typhoons she had experienced, Navarro said that Odette was the strongest. “It has affected many people,” she said.


Another beneficiary, Ray Fortuna, had been living for nearly 18 years in a house that he built for himself and his family. When the typhoon first hit, only his children were in the house. “I was working that time,” he said. “My three kids were left alone at home.”

“My siblings and I decided to evacuate our house and go to our neighbor’s instead,” his daughter, Aileen, said, relating what was on her mind while the typhoon was ongoing.

“We still had communication at that time,” Fortuna added. “I told them to evacuate and not to worry about the situation of the house.”

Fortuna was only recently hired to work as a security guard, while Aileen works at a business process outsourcing (BPO) company located in one of the business hubs around Cebu. They were saving for house repairs since April of last year, and had started renovating their house prior to Odette, but because of the typhoon, all their progress went to waste.

However, Fortuna is determined to rebuild, even if it means starting over again. “We have to strengthen the repairs so that when the next typhoon comes, God forbid, we will not experience this situation again.”

He also mentioned that he and his family received house repair assistance from SOS Children’s Village. “We will use [the cash assistance] to repair the house. [We think] it will be enough to cover the repair of the house, from the flooring to the construction of the walls.” 

Fortuna said that his family became SOS Children’s Villages beneficiaries in 2017. Aileen, meanwhile, recounted how SOS Children’s Villages has been helping them ever since.

“Assistance was given several times throughout the years,” she said. “There was educational support, [like] school supplies, uniforms. For parents, they have livelihood programs, like vegetable gardening where they can sell their harvests. [For training such as financial literacy or leadership training], my father can’t attend them since he has to work, so I attend on his behalf. [All of it] has been a great help to me [and my family].”

Studies have shown that typhoons, especially in the Philippines, are becoming stronger and more catastrophic. This is because of higher sea temperatures and rising sea levels caused by climate change. As a staunch advocate of sustainability and environmental conservation, Allianz PNB Life is serious in its efforts to help fight global warming.

“Climate change is a real thing that is happening, and we see its consequences every time there’s a natural disaster such as this,” said Allianz PNB Life President and CEO, Alexander Grenz. “We advocate for a more sustainable way of living that can curb the effects of climate change and global warming significantly.”

Through its various programs and projects, such as its bike-riding initiative RideSafe, and its partnership with organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature, Allianz PNB Life is able to show its deep commitment to creating a greener, more livable world. 

“The effects of Typhoon Odette are truly devastating, and we want to help the Filipinos who are affected by it in any way that we can,” Grenz stressed. “These people deserve to have secure futures, whether it is through a stable home, a strong support system, programs that can help them develop their skills and talents, or even a healthier environment. That cannot be done in just a few months. Our efforts must remain constant, and we must make a continuous, conscious decision to keep going.”

With the acknowledgement that a problem such as this cannot be solved overnight, there is some comfort in knowing that Allianz PNB Life’s assurance of securing the Filipino people’s future goes above and beyond the usual attempts of other corporations.

“Our hope is that this donation, as well as the relief efforts done by our partner SOS Children’s Village, will make a positive impact on these affected families and go a very long way,” Grenz added.

For more information on Allianz PNB Life, as well as the products and services it offers, please visit www.allianzpnblife.ph.
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How Virtual Squad Started

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Only a year ago, Virtual Squad LCC started with its seven trainees to become a company with more than 300 employees nationwide. It now has 100 e-commerce stores and has been in service to over 200 real estate clients worldwide. Kai Karen Santos, the woman behind it, has accomplished this in only 12 months.



Before Virtual Squad


Before all of this, Kai had worked many jobs, but the one that has shaped her the most was the American company she has worked in.

Kai joined the company in its early stages. The CEO and Founder of the company was a genius, and he saw potential in Kai. Initially, they were only looking for a receptionist. Impressed by her excellent skills, the CEO entrusted Ka with the position of client-relations manager.




She handled all the complex projects and helped them build the company. Realizing her skills in the industry, Kai said to herself, “I could turn this into a business someday. I could run my own virtual assistance company." And, of course, she did.

The new management


March 2020, before the lockdown, the company had new management, and the former CEO sold part of his shares and had to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer. The new management decided only to hire locally and laid off the entire Filipino team without any notice.





That, however, didn't waver the spirit of Kai. The very next day, she immediately found work and got hired. From a client-relations manager, she became a cold-caller for a real-estate company. She was determined to learn all about it and had the motivation to establish her own.

“I had the tools and the skills to open a company. That was when I met my current business partner Quentin Flores. I knew that I could manage the virtual assistance here, but I needed someone in the US—a business partner to help me build the clientele.”

The partnership



Flores was the person she built her empire with. And their relationship with each other is very unconventional. To think that they have been doing business since 2020 and share an American bank account they have never met in person. But Kai was never afraid of something as uncommon as that. She has always wanted to break barriers and stereotypes. And she knows she has made a bond and trusts her business partner.



The Beginning of Virtual Squad


And so they built the company together with their combined wit, strong network, and impressive management skills. Kai and Quentin had great chemistry and got the company running. On September 15, 2020, seven trainees were recruited, trained, and mentored until ready.

Then came October 2020, the first set of virtual assistants were partnered and matched with the company’s first five clients.

“Virtual Squad learned how to run before it knew how to walk. Marami nang lumapit na clients sa’kin. Popular kasi si Q [Quentin]. So we started training. That’s the very first thing that I did. I started scouting people who could be on my team, and I had to reach out to an old friend because we needed a logo—branding. So he helped us with that. These were the three things that I did to put up the company. I was very particular with our branding. I don’t accept so-so output. Lahat ng ilalabas namin dapat high quality.”


The Company That Thrived Amidst the Pandemic


Virtual Squad emerged at a time when the entire world got confined in the comforts of their own home. Everything was complicated and devastating for many. However, amidst all of this chaos, the company has survived and thrived.

“Pandemic, daming nawalan ng trabaho, dun ako nag-succeed. Nahanap ko yung puwede kong gawin. Everyone was affected. Now, I was like, 'What can I do with this? During the pandemic, people are locked in their homes. So, mauuso ang mga work from home na trabaho.' Naisip ko, 'Ito ang aatakihin ko. Dito ako magb-build ng company sa ganitong klase ng trabaho.'”

Kai on what pushed her to start Virtual Squad


Virtual Squad LCC is not only a Virtual Assistance company but also an online BPO. They don’t only provide Virtual Assistants but offer business solutions. Currently, they have two lines of business. Firstly, real estate, where they vet, mentor, and manage virtual assistants for real estate investors. Second is e-commerce, where they are partners and co-owners of Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify online stores. The company provides full automation and manages the stores for its partners.




Starting headcount in 2020, they had seven virtual assistants and experienced a 5,000% increase in employees in just one year and six months. Meanwhile, starting headcount in June 2021, two stores hold 5,000% expansion in Amazon and Walmart in eight months and an additional 500% in Shopify in three months.

Virtual Squad has shown everyone that even adversity—a worldwide catastrophe—can be an opportunity to grow, build, and succeed.

“When we say ‘we got your back,’ it means ‘WE got your back.’ We’ll take care of everything for you. It means you can count on us. We’ll do our best to provide whatever you need. That’s how we are with our clients and with our VAs.”

Kai, assuring every client and their employees that Virtual Squad got their backs

This 2022, the company aims for significant business expansions, more career opportunities, and above all, giving back to the community.
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SM Supermalls lauded as government’s largest private sector partner for its national vaccination program

Monday, March 28, 2022


SM Supermalls was awarded for its continuous nationwide efforts by the DILG, DOH, DTI, and DICT for their unwavering support of the National Vaccination and VaxCertPH Programs, as well as carrying the DTI Safety Seal in all 76 of their malls.

In recognition of the vaccination efforts of the best performing local government units (LGUs), the DILG held an awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at the SM Mall of Asia, with the opening remarks led by Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in a video message, congratulated the winners for their strong leadership during the pandemic and for being valued partners of the national government in implementing important projects that contributed to the country's improved COVID-19 status.

"Salute to all the recipients of this day's awards for your robust commitment and partnership with the national government as we altogether implement these programs down to the grassroots. I know and acknowledge that without your support, we would have not surmounted the past two years of this pandemic. Kaya nais kong ipaabot sa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat," President Duterte said.

The winners have shown synergy with the government's implementation of numerous programs, according to DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes that the other LGUs can learn from the winners and should strive to emulate their victory.

"The victory of today's winners are founded on their cooperation and support to these programs which have changed the landscape of the country's COVID-19 response. Pagbati sa inyong tagumpay at hangad namin na kayo ay pamarisan ng iba pang mga LGU sa bansa," Año said.

'Bayanihan Bakunahan'

For the '2nd Doses Accomplishment' category, Zamboanga City was named first placer, while Ilocos Norte was the best-performing province in the 'A2 Doses' category. Nueva Ecija took first place in the 'Total Doses Administered' category.

In the VaxcertPH awards, Marikina, Iloilo, and Davao were named best performing LGUs in the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) category; in the Component City/Independent Component City (CC/ICC) category, Antipolo City, Rizal was named winner for Luzon; Roxas City, Capiz was named winner for Visayas; and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon was named winner for Mindanao. San Simon, Pampanga received the citation for Luzon; Caluya, Antique received the recognition for Visayas; and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon received the award for Mindanao.


Safety Seal Certification

The Safety Seal program grants a Safety Seal to public and private businesses or buildings, signifying that the building or establishment is in compliance with COVID-19 health guidelines.

With 5,800 Safety Seals awarded to enterprises in the HUC category, Quezon City topped the victors; Dasmarinas City, Cavite issued 500 Seals to take first place in the CC/ICC category. Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya was declared the winner in the Municipality category, receiving 807 Safety Seals.

DILG-Manila City, on the other hand, took first place in the HUC category for DILG-issued Safety Seals with 557. DILG-San Carlos City, Pangasinan, led the CC/ICC category with 284 Safety Seals. Last but not least, in the Municipality category, DILG-Santiago got first position with 289 Safety Seals granted, followed by DILG-Narvacan with 258 and DILG-Magsingal with 208.

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Lamudi and RLC Residences Renew partnership agreement

Friday, March 25, 2022


Driven by a force to elevate the ways of living of their patrons, Lamudi and RLC Residences inked a partnership agreement once again. The contract signing held physically marks the second year of partnership between the two firms.

 

2022 marks a rise in the property market as the industry sees a more positive outlook in the return of normalcy.

 

Top officials from real estate platform Lamudi and developer RLC Residences recently held a face-to-face gathering to renew their partnership. The contract signing happened at the City Life Gallery in Robinsons Galleria.

 

The executives that graced the event were Lamudi Co-Founder and CEO Kian Moini, Lamudi Philippines Managing Director and CEO Kenneth Stern, Lamudi Philippines Vice President-Operations Ramjit Lahiri, RLC Residences Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager John Richard Sotelo, and RLC Residences Director, Head of Marketing and Chief Integration Officer Karen Cesario.

 

According to Sotelo, Woodsville Crest and Amisa Private Residences are just some of the RLC projects that will be highlighted under the Lamudi-RLC partnership.

 

Growing from the Global Crisis

 

While thanking RLC Residences for their trust, Moini underscored the signs of recovery and normalcy that have been more evident in the past weeks.

 

He said, “We’re really happy to finally be sitting together again in person. It’s a reflection of what’s happening in the world and in the Philippines [...] We hear from developers that numbers are picking up very aggressively. People are going to viewings. People are transacting. We want to be at the forefront of bringing the industry together. We’ll be launching in-person events again that we can celebrate with RLC, with the industry.”

 

Expressing the same delight as Moini, Cesario thanked Lamudi for all its efforts to make RLC Residences’ brand and its launch more visible to the property market. More than a new beginning, the contract signing is a renewal of commitment, [a testament] to how much Lamudi and RLC Residences want to move forward together with all the innovations in tow, she said.

 

She noted the beginnings of the partnership last year, saying, “It’s critical for us to do something disruptive. We are so thankful that [Lamudi] rose to the challenge and gave us more than what we could actually ask for. It’s not just the initiative. It’s actually the relationship.”

 

Growing to Greater Heights

 

Lamudi CEO Kenneth Stern noted that the demand for condominium projects has increased by 20 percent since the government eased restrictions in February. He added that one of RLC’s condo developments is capturing the market’s attention, as it’s in a promising real estate hotspot.

 

“The Magnolia Residences in Quezon City is doing very well because QC has historically been our most viewed and most transacted area. It continues to be that way even through Q1 this year,” he said.

 

Stern forecasted that the strong property appetite can contribute to economic recovery, saying, “Overall, the pent-up demand has been somewhat released, but I do think that over the next quarter and even the second half of the year, we’ll see pent-up demand further drive the economy with a stable industry like real estate.”

 

Harnessing market opportunities and expanding their property portfolio, RLC Residences ventured outside Metro Manila for a groundbreaking project, Sierra Valley Gardens located in Cainta, Rizal.

 

According to Stephanie Anne Go, RLC Residences Business Development and Design Head, the company will continue venturing outside Metro Manila post-pandemic, following the growing preference of the market for open spaces.

 

For property seekers interested to know more about the residential projects under the Lamudi-RLC partnership, visit this page.

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