Emirates shines at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards taking home four gongs, and capturing the top honor of ‘Best Airline Worldwide'

Emirates shines at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards taking home four gongs, and capturing the top honor of ‘Best Airline Worldwide'

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Airline also named Best Premium Economy Class, Best Economy Class and Best Frequent Flyer Programme

Emirates has once again been crowned as ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the ninth consecutive time at last night’s Business Traveller Middle East awards.

At a ceremony attended by key travel industry executives, the airline also swept three other categories, including airline with the "Best Premium Economy Class", "Best Economy Class" and "Best Frequent Flyer Programme".

The awards are a recognition of Emirates’ unrelenting commitment to delivering on its ‘Fly Better’ promise through multi-billion dollar investments in customer experience initiatives, products and services in the air and on the ground during a year of rebuilding and recovery. Even when others were cutting back, Emirates continued to introduce new offerings and enhancements, giving it the strategic advantage to further differentiate its signature customer experience from booking to boarding.

Just a year after its debut, Emirates’ Premium Economy has shown that it’s a cut above the rest, and has been highly sought after by customers thanks to its 19.5 inch spacious seats, 40 inch roomy pitch and relaxing 8 inch reclining position, rounded off by soft leather finishings, 6-way adjustable headrests, a footrest and luxurious wood paneling inspired by the airline’s Business Class cabin.

The airline has taken the experience full-circle and will be rolling out the complete Premium Economy experience onboard and on the ground from 1 August with dedicated check-in at DXB, uniquely designed amenities including soft, sustainable blankets and generously sized pillows, complimentary amenity kits, fine glass and chinaware, curated dining and beverage choices and thoughtful culinary touches throughout the meal service including premium wines and chocolates. Customers can also enjoy hours of entertainment with the best IFE in the skies with up to 5,000 channels.

The full Premium Economy Class experience will be available for sale from 1 June for travel from 1 August for Emirates customers venturing to London, Paris, Sydney, as well as Christchurch from December.

To ensure more customers get to experience this cabin class on more routes, Emirates will begin its retrofit program in November to install Premium Economy on 67 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. At the end of the program, Emirates will have 126 aircraft fitted out with Premium Economy cabins, as well as the airline’s newest interiors across other cabins.

Over the last year, Emirates has also rolled out a series of customer-focused initiatives including accelerating and scaling up its digital initiatives for smoother journeys through more biometric and contactless touchpoints in Dubai.

Emirates Skywards, the loyalty program of Emirates and flydubai, has over 29 million members, and continues to lead the industry with world-class offerings like providing members with more opportunities to spend Miles on an extensive range of benefits and privileges. Members can earn Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands in addition to hospitality at sporting and cultural events, and money-can’t-buy experiences. Over the last year, Emirates Skywards launched an online subscription platform "Skywards+" to offer its members easy access to customized rewards and privileges throughout the year and enjoy benefits such as bonus Skywards Miles, bonus Tier Miles, discounted upgrade rewards, airport lounge access, preferential Cash + Miles rates, and much more.

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Super8 Grocery Warehouse joins MetroMart

Super8 Grocery Warehouse joins MetroMart

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Popular supermarket chain Super8 Grocery Warehouse now available for delivery with MetroMart mobile app and website

Online grocery shopping is made even more convenient and affordable, as MetroMart - the #1 online grocery delivery platform in the Philippines - adds Super8 Grocery Warehouse (Super8) to its leading supermarket partners.

Starting this May 2022, customers may shop from Super8 Grocery Warehouse on the MetroMart mobile app and website for a wide range of grocery needs like frozen and dry goods. Shoppers can enjoy the same, affordable in-store prices on groceries from Super8, and avail of convenient online delivery from MetroMart, making it conducive for retail traders, resellers, or budget-savvy buyers.

The Super8 branches available this month include Makati Square, Masinag, Sucat, Muntinlupa, and Ortigas Extension, with more locations coming soon.

New and Existing Users of MetroMart can also get an exclusive discount when shopping and ordering from Super8 Grocery Warehouse. Use the code SUPERFREE to get FREE Delivery for a minimum spend of ₱2,500. Promo runs from May 23 to June 26, 2022, and valid for one-time use only.

All customers of MetroMart also have a wide selection for modes of payment on their online shopping. These include Cash on Delivery, via e-wallet through GCash, or via Debit/Credit cards with leading banks nationwide. Even more promos and discounts will be available through the different modes of payment availed by the customer!

“With the addition of Super8 Grocery Warehouse to our platform, so many more Filipino families now have access to convenient, affordable, and a wider variety of options in their online grocery shopping from the MetroMart mobile app and website. We are pleased to announce this new partnership with a great brand, joining our ever-expanding MetroMart family.” Stefano Fazzini, CEO and co-founder of MetroMart, said. “Watch out for more updates on even more new supermarket partners and specialty stores, new locations throughout the Philippines, and lots more discount deals from MetroMart this 2022.”

"We're happy and excited to join the MetroMart network, and make Super8 Grocery Warehouse even more accessible for Filipino communities and entrepreneurs." Armand Mendoza, Business Group Head of Super8 Grocery Warehouse, said. "We are able to serve our customers better and further with an online delivery service like MetroMart, that also believes in giving exceptional service for our amazing customers."

MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Robinsons Supermarket, S&R Membership Shopping (with or without membership card), Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, AllDay Supermarket, MerryMart and over 500+ specialty store retailers like PetExpress, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys”R”Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug, and Marks and Spencer. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in less than 2 hours! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/MetroMartPH. Order groceries online or download the app via http://metromart.app.link/

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COMCO's Ferdinand Bondoy wins PR Champion of the Year Gold Award in the regional PR Awards

COMCO's Ferdinand Bondoy wins PR Champion of the Year Gold Award in the regional PR Awards

Monday, May 23, 2022

COMCO Southeast Asia (SEA)’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director, Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, bagged the Gold Award for the PR Champion of the Year (Agency) – at the Marketing Interactive PR Awards 2022 in Singapore.

Marketing Interactive's PR Awards is the definitive awards programme for PR practitioners on both the client and agency side, designed to recognize outstanding work in the PR and communications industry across Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australia - New Zealand regions.

For the PR Champion of the Year (Agency) award, Mr. Bondoy won for outstanding leadership and excellence from an agency-side leader who has made a significant impact on their PR campaigns, executions and results.

At this year's PR Awards, COMCO SEA’s initiatives "Dear Survivor: COMCO Southeast Asia's Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2" and "Blazing Sapphire: COMCO Southeast Asia's 5th Anniversary Celebration” are finalists in the Best Use of Micro/ Niche Influencers and Best Anniversary Campaign categories respectively. COMCO Southeast Asia also received finalist citation for the PR Team of the Year (Agency) award.

Mr. Bondoy started as a PR academic scholar of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Mass Communication.

Now an award-winning communications practitioner, industry trailblazer and thought leader in the communications field, Mr. Bondoy has been recently elected as an International Committee member of the United Kingdom (UK) based Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) composed of PR leaders from across the world – Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. He is also the Corporate Secretary of the International Association of Business Communications (IABC) Philippines and Co-Chair of the organizaiton’s Philippine Student Quill Awards.

Mainly, Mr. Bondoy is COMCO SEA’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director of COMCO Southeast Asia, a powerhouse and global award-winning integrated communications agency he co-founded. Last year, they launched the COMCO Middle East & Africa (MEA) and COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, the umbrella group for all of COMCO’s existing and upcoming ventures, initiatives and advocacies.

Through Mr. Bondoy’s leadership, COMCO Southeast Asia has won recognition garnering a total of 100 awards in six years from various prestigious local, regional and international award-giving bodies, such as IABC Quill Awards, MarCom Awards in USA, Mumbrella Awards, Marketing Event Awards in Singapore, Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong, Spikes Asia, Anvil Awards, Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, Kidlat, ARAW Advertising Values Awards and PRCA APAC Awards.

“Thank you, Marketing Interactive for this recognition. This is not just my win but also my COMCO Squadron, my COMCOys and COMCOwans (Camp COMCO apprentices and alumni), who have been with me in fulfilling the mission of meaningful storytelling and doing the best work of our lives. This win is for all of us,” Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy shared.

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comco-hq and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

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Home Credit makes its customer service available 24/7

Home Credit makes its customer service available 24/7

Thursday, May 19, 2022

True to its commitment to providing Filipino consumers excellent customer service experience, the country’s leading consumer finance company Home Credit Philippines has officially made its customer service available 24/7.

HCPH is the first non-bank financial institution in the Philippines to make its customer support available round-the-clock, allowing its existing and potential customers receive 24/7 support for their concerns and other service inquiries. This is the latest among many developments that HCPH has implemented to ensure customers’ easy access to its various digital touchpoints.

“We at Home Credit Philippines are proud to provide our Filipino consumers with a seamless customer experience by making our customer support available day and night. Being the first local non-bank financial company to offer round-the-clock customer service, we at Home Credit are confident that we’ll be able to address our customers’ service concerns in the most convenient and efficient way possible and, at the same time, further strengthen our relationship with them,” shares HCPH’s Head of Operations, Pratim Bhattacharya.

With this initiative, HCPH’s customers will now be able to send their concerns and questions any time of the day, including during graveyard hours. This, in turn, will enable HCPH to learn about customers’ needs faster and resolve concerns in product and cash loans, payment status, account balance, product availability, partner brands, retail stores, gift payments, among others.

Running on multiple touchpoints, this new 24/7 service allows customers to seek assistance from a customer service representative about their concerns by sending a message through the official Facebook and Twitter accounts of HCPH.

Customers who are browsing HCPH’s official website may click the “Chat with Us” icon at the lower right side of the website to send in their queries. While for those customers who prefer to coordinate via email, they may send their concerns to info@homecredit.ph. More details are found on the “Contact Us” page of HCPH’s website.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit their official website www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow them on their official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are encouraged to download the My Home Credit app on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

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Use ShopeePay to send money to any bank or e-wallet for free

Use ShopeePay to send money to any bank or e-wallet for free

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

We already know how easy it is to send money online—all it takes is a few taps on your phone and you’re done. Convenient and ideal, right? Yes, but only if you’re sending money to someone with the same bank account or e-wallet as yours or else you need to pay extra fees. That’s not very practical so we’ve got a solution for you. Did you know that ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, actually lets you send money to any bank, e-wallet or Shopee user for free? Yes, no hidden fees because we want to enable all Filipinos to fully enjoy the benefits of sending money online.

It’s inconvenient to create and maintain multiple apps just to avoid additional transaction fees. To minimize the hassle, all you need is ShopeePay, which is part of the Shopee app—simply activate and verify your ShopeePay account. With ShopeePay, enjoy free and instant bank transfers with 40+ banks and e-wallet partners, including the country’s major banks like BDO, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metrobank, Security Bank, UnionBank, and more. With this integrated service, you no longer need to jump from one app to another to make your fund transfers.

Watch the video below to know how to send money for free with ShopeePay.

On top of convenience, ShopeePay also makes sending money more fun and exciting through promos where you can qualify to win rewards and cash prizes. Get the chance to be a ShopeePay Milyonaryo—register at this link, send at least P50 to any bank, e-wallet or Shopee user for a chance to play and win up to P1,000,000 on Shopee Live. In addition, be sure to check in during ShopeePay Happy Hour so you can win up to 100 coins daily when you send at least P50 to any Shopee user.

Activate ShopeePay now and start enjoying its benefits. To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Download Shopee for free through the App Store or Google Play.

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Solane seizes PHP 408K worth of illegal LPG tanks in the first quarter of 2022

Solane seizes PHP 408K worth of illegal LPG tanks in the first quarter of 2022

Leading LPG brand Solane has confiscated 146 counterfeit and illegal LPG tanks in the first three months of the year as it doubles down on preventing LPG-related fires in the country.

Conducting 11 raids in several areas in Metro Manila, Camarines Norte, Cagayan, Sorsogon and Quirino, Solane was able to seize PHP 408,800.00 worth of LPG tanks along with marked money, transaction receipts, fake plastic seals and other items.

In Metro Manila, 53 tanks were confiscated in four different raids in Taguig City, Caloocan and Valenzuela, 23 of which came from a raid in Valenzuela City. Packs of counterfeit Solane valve seals where also recovered.

In one raid operation in Diffun, Quirino, Solane confiscated a total of 43 tanks, as well as paraphernalia such as air compressor, spray gun, spray paint, fake plastic seals and plastic tracers.

Two consecutive operations in Sorsogon were also conducted last Feb. 17, where 22 tanks were confiscated in Brgy Layog, Barcelona and 7 in Sorsogon City. Aside from this, 11 tanks were confiscated in raids in Camarines Norte, from the towns of San Vicente and Basud, while on Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, two counterfeit tanks were seized.

Arrested persons and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of each local government unit for documentation and proper disposition prior to the filing of appropriate cases in court.

The recent raid operations are an extension of Solane’s long-standing efforts to stop illegal LPG at the source. In 2021, Solane was able to confiscate a total of 1,486 tanks, amounting to ₱4,012,200.

Solane reiterates call for safer homes and communities

The country’s most trusted LPG brand Solane reaffirms its pursuit of making Filipino homes and communities fire-free by cracking down on malicious sources of counterfeit and substandard LPG products. In the first two months of 2022, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported a 13% increase in fire incidents compared to the same period last year.

Through consistently conducting raid operations nationwide, Solane seeks to reinforce the LPG Law, which calls for action against against illegal sources of LPGs. Complementing the government’s action for LPG consumer safety, Solane’s raid operations serve as immediate action against the sale of illegal LPG products by putting perpetrators behind bars and confiscating dilapidated and fake LPG tanks to prevent them from reaching unsuspecting households.

Aside from enforcing on-ground solutions, Solane also sees raid operations as an opportunity to strengthen vigilance among homes and communities by spreading awareness on the harmful consequences of using substandard or fake LPG, which run the risk of having leaks that can lead to massive fire or LPG explosion.

Along with this, Solane reminds households and small businesses to choose only LPG products sold by authorized dealers. The entire weight of authentic filled Solane LPG tanks correspond to the total of its indicated tare weight and LPG content.

Genuine Solane products also have quality markings on its tanks, including the registered brand name and trademark of manufacturer, standard used and test dates, serial or code number, ‘Made in the Philippines’ mark, tare weight and LPG content and expiry date. Verified Solane LPG tanks also come with a safety cap and biodegradable seal with a serial number for verification. To bring human error down to the minimum, Solane’s AS valve (de salpak) is also equipped with a snap-on auto shutoff feature.

While being constantly on guard for dangerous sources of LPGs through its bust operations, Solane is delivering time-tested safe, sustainable and innovative LPG solutions as part of its unwavering commitment to keep Filipino kitchens, homes and communities free from fire incidents.

Consumers may order verified Solane LPG by sending a message to 0918-887-5555 or 0917-897-7555, or to the Solane Facebook page. They can also place their orders through the Solane Mobile app.

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Emirates launches full Premium Economy Experience

Emirates launches full Premium Economy Experience

Saturday, May 14, 2022

• Emirates Premium Economy will be deployed on high-traffic A380 routes to London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Sydney, and Christchurch

• Announces at Arabian Travel Market that this new cabin class will be open for sale on June 1, for flights from August 1

Flyers can look forward to another distinctive Emirates travel experience as the airline unveils its full Premium Economy offering onboard and on ground, and announces it will open this highly sought-after cabin for sale from June 1, 2022.

The new cabin class, which offers luxurious seats, more legroom, and a service to rival many airlines’ business offering, will be available to Emirates customers travelling on popular A380 routes to London, Paris, Sydney from August 1, and Christchurch from December.

Emirates is the only airline in the region to offer a Premium Economy cabin.

"As with everything we do, Emirates Premium Economy will be exceptional in its class, with minute attention given to every aspect of the customer experience. Customers trading up from Economy will be getting excellent value,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

"Since we first introduced our Premium Economy seats in January 2021, the positive response and demand has been tremendous. We currently have six A380s equipped with this cabin class, which limits our initial deployment, but our intention is to offer this experience to many more markets across our network. This November, we will begin our retrofit program to install Premium Economy on 67 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. At the end of the program, Emirates will have 126 aircraft fitted out with Premium Economy cabins, as well as our latest interiors across other cabins. It is a major investment to ensure our customers continue to have the best experience in the sky."

Emirates Premium Economy is in a class of its own, offering a signature experience unmatched in the industry. 

Dedicated airport experience: Customers can look forward to a dedicated check-in area for Premium Economy at Dubai International airport, or utilize one of the many convenient self-service check in kiosks in the hall to avoid queues.

Luxurious seats: Once onboard, customers will immediately notice the quiet luxury in Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin. A wood panel finishing similar to Business Class sets the cabin’s mood, and each seat is designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests. 

The cream-colored leather seats have a generous pitch of up to 40 inches, is 19.5 inches wide, and reclines 8 inches into a comfortable cradle position with ample room to stretch out. It also offers calf rests and footrests for additional comfort, in addition to many other thoughtful touches such as easily accessible in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table.

Comfort: Customers can get comfortable under soft, sustainable blankets made from recycled plastic bottles, and snuggle into the generously sized pillow, both designed uniquely for Premium Economy. They can also refresh themselves with the complimentary amenity kits which come in reusable, sustainable bags, and contain items which are all made with some element of recycled or sustainable materials.

Dining experience: Incorporating elements inspired by Business Class, customers will be welcomed onboard with a welcome drink in fine glassware. During meal service, a selection of generous meals made with seasonal ingredients and regional influences will be served on chinaware, accompanied by stainless steel cutlery wrapped in linen napkin. The drinks menu will include a selection of beverages including premium wines and a sparkling Chandon wine. There are also liqueurs available after meals, with chocolates.

Unmatched entertainment at 40,000 feet: Each seat has a 13.3" screen, one of the largest in its class, to enjoy the unmatched array of up to 5,000 channels of music, movies, TV, news and other content on Emirates’ award-winning ice.

On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in 2-4-2 configuration. On the Emirates Boeing 777, up to 24 Premium Economy seats will be installed in a dedicated cabin section between Business and Economy.

For more information on Emirates Premium Economy, click here.

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Plastic waste collection drive now in SM Telabastagan and SM Pampanga

Plastic waste collection drive now in SM Telabastagan and SM Pampanga

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, recently added SM Telabastagan and SM Pampanga to the growing list of SM malls that are part of its Plastic Waste Collection Program.

Customers from nearby communities may now drop off their clean and dry plastic waste at Parking D, near the SM Store Entrance in SM Telabastagan, or near the steel deck parking in SM Pampanga, every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Plastic materials such as PET bottles, grocery bags, e-commerce pouches, food containers, dishware, plastic utensils, and alike are accepted, except for PVC pipes.

Launched in 2021 in partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCEx), SM Cares' Plastic Waste Collection Program promotes responsible and proper plastic waste disposal by making plastic waste collection points accessible for everyone. With this, SM continuously expands its plastic waste collection to more SM malls nationwide.

Since its launch, the program so far has collected 14,436.25 kgs of plastics, equivalent to 23,416.641 kgs of carbon dioxide (CO2). This in turn is equivalent to: 93,543.12 km driven by an average passenger vehicle; 2,848,462 smartphones charged; 8.1 tons of waste recycled; 1.2 garbage trucks of waste recycled; 1,1014 trash bags of waste recycled; 888 incandescent lamps switched to LEDs; or 387 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

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Haptik has signed up with leading Philippine ICT solutions provider MDI NOVARE

Haptik has signed up with leading Philippine ICT solutions provider MDI NOVARE

Friday, May 13, 2022

Haptik is delighted to announce its new strategic partnership with MDI NOVARE to solve CX challenges in the Philippines. This partnership will enable MDI NOVARE to provide personalized CX experiences to their customers with Haptik's AI chatbots.

Jio Haptik Technologies Limited (Haptik), one of the world's largest conversational AI companies and a subsidiary of Reliance Jio Platforms, today announced a strategic partnership with MDI NOVARE, a leading Philippines-based information, and communications technology solutions provider to facilitate widespread use and value of AI chatbots for businesses in the Philippines.

Anila Rao, VP & Business Head, APAC at Haptik said, ”With the launch of our conversational partner program a few quarters back, our focus in APAC countries has been mainly to look for strategic partners who can add value and help elevate customer experiences for their clients through Haptik's AI Chatbots and Enterprise CX platform."

With MDI NOVARE’s strong focus on digital transformation for enterprise customers, Haptik's Enterprise CX solutions fit beautifully with the company’s current services offerings which they deliver to their customers. With this partnership, Haptik benefits by having a strong local partner to improve and solve customer experience challenges in the Philippines market. Haptik and MDI NOVARE will jointly transform customer experience across sales, customer support, co-marketing, sales enablement, and training with AI-powered virtual assistants.

Anila added, "Thanks to MDI NOVARE’s presence, scale & strong reputation of over 30 years in the Philippines region, it did not take us long to decide, collaborate and jolt this strategic agreement together. With Haptik's industry-leading virtual assistants & chatbots built using the best NLP architecture we feel it's a great win not only for MDI NOVARE and Haptik but also for businesses in the Philippines”.

"We are happy to team up with Haptik to bring AI solutions to more businesses in the Philippines,” said Allan So, Chief Commercial Officer, MDI NOVARE. “Growing our footprint in AI with best-in-class partners like Haptik is part of our mission to be the National Champion in Technology as we bring the power of AI chatbots to deliver next-level Customer Experience.”

Haptik announced a few quarters back that it was doubling down investment in APAC on the back of strong customer growth, market demand, and expanding its partner network with multiple domestic players to understand region-specific business needs. With MDI NOVARE’s vast regional presence and industry experience in the Philippines, the partnership strives to help businesses automate customer support, boost lead generation, generate revenue, and at the same time deliver uninterrupted and delightful CX experiences across every channel using Haptik's cutting-edge AI/ML NLP technology.

Haptik’s proprietary NLU leads the industry with the most human-like conversational ai experience for businesses. Its tailormade industry-specific NLP, Machine & Deep Learning models ensure maximum accuracy as compared to other NLU engines and reduce bot fails.

Recently, Haptik has been recognized as a ‘Leader’ in the Bots Platform & Live Chat categories in the G2 Spring 2022 Report. Haptik is also ranked as a ‘High Performer’ for Live Chat, Conversational Marketing, and Customer Support, winning 12 badges collectively across segments.

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Best in Pinoy blogs recognized in 1st BDO Blogger Awards

Best in Pinoy blogs recognized in 1st BDO Blogger Awards

BDO Unibank recognized the best online content creators in the first-ever BDO Blogger Awards.

The BDO Blogger Awards honors bloggers and influencers for sharing useful information, insights, and positivity with their followers and viewers. The awards honor bloggers’ contributions not only in spreading awareness about the bank’s advocacies, but also in initiating important public discussions for a more financially-inclusive industry through content creation.

The Awards feature two segments: the recognition ceremony, which awards the top-performing content creators in terms of the quality of content they published online from 2020 to 2021; and the content creation contest—a thematic activity that challenges participants to come up with unique and creative ways to talk about various topics.

This year, BDO challenged participants to discuss the bank’s innovative digital solutions, which served as an alternative option for clients to perform their bank transactions especially during the height of the pandemic.

And the awards go to…

The Digital Storyteller of the Year award was given to Mary Lorraine Llorin of Super Momma Blog.

For Excellence in Digital Engagement category, the winners were Lally Gonzales of Lally Reflections (3rd place), Berlin Domingo of Momi Berlin (2nd place), and Reylen Castro of Made it Through Mum (1st place).

Awardees for the Influential Blogger of Year category were Mary Lorraine Llorin of Super Momma (3rd place), Reylen Castro of Made it Through Mum (2nd place), and Berlin Domingo of Momi Berlin (1st place).

The winners of the Special Award for Exemplary Initiative were Ruby Caberte of Pinay Mommy Online (5th place), Lhyzie Bongon of Life with Lyzie (4th place), Roselle Toledo of Snapped & Scribbled (3rd place), Sylver Sy of Iconic MNL (2nd place), and Richard Mamuyac of The Newsmakers blog (1st place).

Meanwhile, Fitz Villafuerte of Ready to be Rich was named BDO’s Online Advocate of the Year.

For the Content Creation Contest, winners were Berlin Domingo of Momi Berlin and Reylen Castro of Made it Through Mum for Luzon; Sigrid Lo of Lovingly Momma and Clarice Lao of My Metro Lifestyle for Visayas; and Ruby Caberte of Pinay Mommy Online for Mindanao.

Content Creation Excellence. BDO Unibank virtually staged the 1st BDO Blogger Awards to honor bloggers and influencers nationwide for starting relevant discussions online about financial inclusion through creative content creation.

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Sharp levels up our summer entertainment experience

Sharp levels up our summer entertainment experience

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Sharp's new Aquos 4K Smart Android TV and Party Box make every day feel like summer vacation. Today's technology has played a significant role in providing comfort, recreation, leisure, and ease of work to people of different lifestyles as they look for a chill and cost-efficient vacation experience. As a result, Sharp elevates our entertainment experience with its new Premium Aquos 4K Android TV (4T-C70DL1X & 4T-C60DL1X) and Party Speaker (PS-929). Both fit every occasion, may it be for a home entertainment, intimate events, work purposes, or simple time alone.

Nowadays, many are upgrading their viewing technology. After all, television isn't for watching purposes only. It also provides help in school learning, work, recreation and entertainment, and gaming experience. And for that, Sharp continuously innovates its product by giving new set of features to serve the purpose of every lifestyle. In fact, its latest 70" and 60" Premium 4K Android TV (4T-C70DL1X & 4T-C60DL1X) feature the all-new X4 Revelation processor with faster CPU performance (147%) and faster graphics (up to 10x).

The new Aquos 4K Premium TV model, on the other hand, is perfect for gamers with its fully supported HDMI 2.1 for a spectacular gaming experience matched with the latest game console. In addition, Sharp's original X4 Revelation processor provides Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These features significantly support a seamless visual and smoother gameplay.

Additionally, this model stands out because of its Deep Chroma Display Technology. Originated by Sharp, the Deep Chroma Display Technology enhances Chroma backlight and UV2A panel color filter to make more than 1 billion colors and provide extraordinary picture quality to every viewer. This technology can give viewers an immersive and magnificent viewing experience with its real-life colors.

The new model is also perfect for everyone's work needs as it provides a more reliable partner during meeting, planning, and other activities. It is equipped with the latest Android TV OS, built-in Google Play Store, and support for Google Chromecast – cast or mirror PCs.

This model is our all-in-one partner for our everyday needs, such as home theater experience, school and work activities, gaming, etc. With Sharp's new DL1X model, experience an extraordinary viewing experience and upgraded comfort and lifestyle to suit our needs.

A great viewing experience wouldn't be complete without a holistic music partner. Aside from the new 4K Smart Android TV, Sharp also releases its latest Bluetooth Party Speaker (PS-929) for party-on-the-go or intimate celebrations. This party speaker is an ideal party buddy with its portability and re-chargeable battery feature. It also supports guitar and microphone input that will surely give the best jamming experience matched with flashing LED and strobe light that syncs to our music's beat.

With the model's compact design, we can bring it anywhere conveniently. Furthermore, it is splash-resistant, so we may enjoy more and worry less if we plan for a pool party or beach event. Moreover, the PS-929 can be wirelessly paired with another PS-929 unit for a more powerful music experience at larger gatherings with its True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Feature. This will keep the party going as it is designed under IPX4 standards.

Indeed, every day feels like summer vacation with the upgraded experience of Sharp's DL1X Series and the PS929 Party Speaker. These new products will surely be our new favorite with their multiple innovative features providing a spectacular experience that brings life to every occasion.

The new models are now available at leading stores nationwide, including Lazada and Shopee. For more information, please visit https://ph.sharp/.

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CARTOON NETWORK AND AYALA MALLS PRESENT "REDRAW YOUR SUMMER" AT A MALL NEAR YOU!

CARTOON NETWORK AND AYALA MALLS PRESENT "REDRAW YOUR SUMMER" AT A MALL NEAR YOU!

Friday, May 6, 2022

Cartoon Network and Ayala Malls bring kids a fun summer full of adventure with the launch of the Redraw Your Summer program. Built on four pillars - “Craft Your World”, “Move Your World”, “Create Your World”, and “Imagine Your World” - malls become “worlds” where kids can explore creativity through arts, theater, and dance.

From May 1 to June 30, the program starts with a meet and greet with iconic Cartoon Network characters. Kids can also participate in designing community art murals featuring specially made Tweety 80th anniversary artwork at select Ayala Malls.

"Kids are going to love all the activities we have planned for them. Together with Cartoon Network, we've designed a full program that entertains through artistic expression – it promises to be plenty of fun," shared Tintin Enriquez-Yabao, Ayala Malls Consumer Marketing Head.

With Crayola as the official creativity partner, the program comes to life through partnerships with Steps Dance Project, SOFA Design Institute, The Mind Museum, Global Art Philippines, and Make Believe Productions.

Craft Your World

SoFA Design Institute is the Philippines' leading educational institution committed to the art and business of design. Program workshops to be offered in Glorietta, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Greenbelt, and Market! Market! are designed to encourage kids to jazz up their summer style by crafting their own Cartoon Network themed mask lanyards, headgear, tops, and tote bags.

Move Your World

As one of the most innovative dance studios in the country led by Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, Steps Dance Studio takes pride in developing Filipino talent. The studio will hold workshops for kids to groove to their favorite Cartoon Network tunes! Workshops will be held at Glorietta, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Greenbelt, Market! Market!, U.P. Town Center, and Ayala Malls Cloverleaf. Marquee, Abreeza, and Solenad will also work with community partners for dance and martial arts workshops.

Create your World

Established in 1999, Global Art is the largest international art enrichment program for children. To be held at Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Abreeza, and Greenbelt, Global art will lead workshops for kids to discover their inner artist by coloring their favorite Cartoon Network stars. U.P. Town Center, Solenad, Ayala Malls Serin, Centrio Mall, and The District Imus will also work with various artists and organizations.

Imagine your World

Make Believe Productions is a leading creative arts group that ushers children into worlds of wonder through imaginative play. Kids can enjoy Cartoon Network theater workshops at Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Trinoma, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Feliz, and Market! Market! The Mind Museum will partner with Glorietta, The District Imus, Marquee, and Harbor Point for science shows for kids looking for fun ways to learn about science.

A Fun and Adventurous Summer Awaits!

There'll be plenty of games, prizes, and meet & greets featuring super stars from We Bare Bears, Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, and The Amazing World of Gumball.

"This year, we will empower kids to rediscover the fun of summer while honing their skills and making new friends–all within the safe and secure space Ayala Malls offers," said Eunice Velasco Ayala Malls Marketing Director.

Visit www.ayalamalls.com for full details. Health and safety measures will be implemented.

For more cool experiences online, follow @iloveayalamalls and @cartoonnetworkasia. Share all your Redraw Your World moments by using the hashtags #AyalaMalls #WhereAmazingIsReal #CartoonNetwork #CNRedrawYourSummer #AmazingCreativityCamp

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Reckitt, Cynthia Villar empower the healthcare sector through 800k worth of Lysol products

Reckitt, Cynthia Villar empower the healthcare sector through 800k worth of Lysol products

Lysol, a Reckitt cleanliness and hygiene brand, has partnered with the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar to distribute ₱800,000 worth of products to Las Piñas General Hospital (LPGH). Comprising disinfectant sprays, multi action cleaners, hand sanitizers, and liquid hand wash, among others, the Lysol products will benefit more than 300 patients and healthcare workers to sustain cleanliness and safety from COVID-19 as people return to their normal activities.

Since the start of the pandemic, Reckitt has been a staunch supporter of the country’s healthcare sector by partnering with public hospitals and disseminating information that helps curb the spread of the virus. Now, as the alert level recedes to 1, Lysol continues with its commitment to be the gold standard of disinfection to keep Filipino families and medical frontliners safe and healthy.

“We are very honored to partner with Senator Villar, the City of Las Piñas, and Las Piñas General Hospital who stand at the forefront of this community. It is through opportunities like this that we are able to reach out to more people and fulfill our mission to contribute toward breaking the chain of infection,” said Sachin Budhraja, General Manager of Reckitt for the Philippines.

“We are pleased and grateful that Reckitt chose to partner with our city hospital. Hygiene and health are truly crucial amid the continued presence of the virus, but through the allocated Lysol products in Las Piñas General Hospital, our beneficiaries — from patients to healthcare workers — will be protected so that they may give and receive the best medical services,” said Senator Cynthia Villar.

The Las Piñas General Hospital received more than 6,000 Lysol products, aimed at helping LPGH in increasing its efforts in disinfecting and sanitizing its hospital units.

Reckitt executives together with the Las Piñas public officials also outlined the proper process of handwashing. They amplified people’s hygiene education by performing the seven steps of handwashing promoted by the Global Handwashing Partnership.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Lysol has been such an important product in our lives. We should carry on in our movement of keeping our surroundings clean not just during the pandemic, but even now that we are in relatively safer times, to avoid potential surges in the future as well as other health threats,” said Congresswoman Camille Villar.

The safety in the community starts with the safety of every Filipino in their homes. By keeping houses and healthcare centers clean through the pediatrician-recommended Lysol, families and healthcare workers can take on the collective responsibility of putting forth a safe and clean country for all.

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Cebuana Lhuillier Nationwide jewelry sale for Mother's Day

Cebuana Lhuillier Nationwide jewelry sale for Mother's Day

Gawing extra special ang Araw ng mga Nanay at i-treat ang inyong moms to choice pieces offered by Cebuana Lhuillier’s Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale. Bumili ng murang alahas sa darating na May 6-14 sa higit 3,000 branches ng Cebuana Lhuillier o bisitahin ang Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium at Just Jewels branches.

Get 10% off on all items and up to 50% discount on selected items when you buy in any Cebuana Lhuillier branches or get up to 15% off on selected jewelry items when you buy in any Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium and Just Jewels branches, nationwide!

Maaari rin kayong makakuha ng discounts when you shop online through Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Online, Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium website, Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora o abangan lamang sa mga Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry community pages ang kanilang Facebook Live Selling.

“Cebuana Lhuillier celebrates all moms for their tireless efforts and everlasting care and love. This Mother’s Day, be sure to make her day extra special by giving her something that could last a lifetime. Remember that jewelry items are not just fancy accessories but this is also a good investment – a perfect gift for every occasion,” Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

Para sa iba pang detalye ng Cebuana Lhuillier’s Mother’s Day Sale, magpunta lamang sa kahit saang Cebuana Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium, o Just Jewels branch o kaya ay bisitahin ang Cebuana Lhuillier’s official Facebook page sa www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop or cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com at cebuanalhuillierjewelrypremium.com

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LRMC starts trial runs of LRT-1 4th Generation trains

LRMC starts trial runs of LRT-1 4th Generation trains

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has announced the start of dynamic test runs for the brand-new 4th Generation (Gen-4) train sets along its existing line.

The Gen-4 trains will be seen running along the LRT line 1 beginning Wednesday night 04 May 2022 and thereafter, during off-peak hours and weekends to demonstrate reliability and performance including their compliance with the technical and operational requirements.

“We would like to inform our passengers that they will now start seeing brand-new Gen-4 trains along the LRT line 1, but they still cannot ride these Gen-4 trains yet. We are conducting these trial runs to simulate regular commercial operations and to make sure that these trains are safe for the passengers once we put them to commercial service soon,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico S. Benipayo shared.

A total of 30 Gen-4 train sets – each consisting of four (4) light rail vehicles (LRVs) – will be put to a series of dynamic test runs in phases with two to three train sets crossing the main line per day. LRMC train operators will be driving the new train sets manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrorcarriles (CAF) of Spain.

Each Gen-4 train set needs to complete a total of 1,000 kms prior to acceptance by the Grantors and their eventual handover to LRMC for commercial use.

“We would like to assure our passengers that this activity will not affect the normal operations of LRT-1. We are very excited to share this positive development and our target for the commercial use of the first Gen-4 train set is by end of May 2022,” Benipayo said.

The state-of-the-art Gen-4 train sets, with total capacity of 1,300 passengers, measure 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, with maximum design speeds of up to 70 kph. It has destination signs to inform passengers if the trains are heading north or south. The driver station inside features a modern design, with a monitor that shows the temperature. The new train sets are also PWD-friendly with special areas for wheelchairs.

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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Allianz PNB Life awarded the Philippines’ Most Outstanding Life Insurance Company of the Year

Allianz PNB Life awarded the Philippines’ Most Outstanding Life Insurance Company of the Year

Allianz PNB Life was recently named the Philippines’ Most Outstanding Life Insurance Company of the Year by the International Business Magazine (IBM) for its performance in 2021. 

The prestigious recognition is given to the best industrial talents, global leaders, and corporations across different fields of international business and finance. The award by IBM strives to showcase companies and individuals for their quality services, business ethics and more.

CEO and President Alexander Grenz dedicated the award to the men and women behind Allianz PNB Life for making the recognition possible through their unwavering commitment to providing the best services to customers.

“We at Allianz PNB Life are honored to have this award, and I credit my colleagues who, with their steadfast support and hard work, deserve this recognition. Every day, we vow to provide only the best to our clients because they will first and foremost always be our priority,” Grenz said.

“We only want our customers to experience the best of what life has to offer through our comprehensive insurance services and products. Thank you, International Business Magazine, for acknowledging our passion and devotion to securing the future of Filipinos,” Grenz added.

Allianz PNB Life is the fastest growing life insurance company in the last two years based on its premium income. Its Annualized Net Premium rose by 34.2% from Q4 2020 to Q3 2021 and by 27.7% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020.

The company’s sustainable projects and achievements have also been recognized via programs such as Allianz Ride Safe, a CSR effort aimed at building a cycling culture among Filipinos. Its initiatives to help those struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic has also given confidence to its employees, customers, and their families in building a brighter future during a time of crisis and uncertainty.

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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Takeda Philippines is Top Employer for 6 consecutive years

Takeda Philippines is Top Employer for 6 consecutive years

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. was re-certified as a Top Employer in the country for the sixth consecutive year by Top Employers Institute. This serves as an acknowledgment of Takeda’s excellence in people practices.

“I believe that one of the reasons why we continue to be recognized as a top employer is because we provide our employees a work setting where the job serves a deeper meaning and purpose,” shared Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. “We are driven by the possibility that what we do on a daily basis can make a difference not only in the lives of our stakeholders, but all the more in the lives of many Filipino patients.”

She added, “Our focus is on reaching out to patients who need our medicines through our Patient Access Program (PAP). This is a source of inspiration for our employees because we believe that the work that we do benefits hundreds of Filipino patients facing barriers to accessing life-transforming treatments.”

Takeda Healthcare Philippines also takes pride in its various Engagement Programs to ensure the holistic well-being of its employees. These efforts include monthly TGIF, sending of quarterly care packages, weekly prayer and exercise sessions, and even coffee catchups with the Country Manager. In addition, the company has talent development initiatives, which include Mentoring Program, Lunch and Learn sessions, online training programs, and internal and external workshops to keep its employees purposeful in their development, and resilient and agile especially during uncertain times.

Recently, Takeda also launched “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma,” a campaign that aims to raise awareness about lymphoma and to improve access to lymphoma treatments in the Philippines by providing free testing to patients, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions, and sponsoring talks and seminars to educate the public about the disease. Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the world, and in the country, there were over 4,000 new patients were diagnosed with this disease in 2020.

Takeda also bagged the Global Top Employer award for the fifth year in a row for its achievements in the areas of ethics and integrity, values, business strategy, organization and change, and employer branding across the globe. This makes them one of only 11 companies to achieve global Top Employer certification for 2022.

In addition, Takeda is also recognized as a Top Employer across four business regions and 39 countries and regions, reinforcing its steadfast commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive organization that enables its people to thrive.

“This serves as a testament to Takeda’s long-standing values,” shared Villanueva. “It also recognizes our initiatives to support and develop talent in all levels of the organization.”

Takeda Healthcare Philippines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company. Its headquarters in Makati City is home to its employees who all share the same passion, drive, and commitment to delivering life-transforming treatments, sustainable patient access programs, and vaccines in the areas of oncology, gastroenterology, and rare diseases.

Established more than 30 years ago, Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognizing excellence in people practices. Currently, it has close to 2,000 organizations in 123 countries and regions.

For more information on Takeda, visit www.takeda.com.

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Cebuana Lhuillier offers PERA PADALOWEST RATES promo

Cebuana Lhuillier offers PERA PADALOWEST RATES promo

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the prices of goods in the country continued to increase. This includes the cost of food items, electricity, transportation, LPG, and diesel which saw a significant jump amidst the rise in oil prices.

To offer Filipinos ease, Cebuana Lhuillier announced its PERA PADALOWEST RATES promo, allowing clients to send money anywhere in the Philippines for only P1 for every P100 money sent. The promo is available in any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,000 branches across the country. Meanwhile, clients can also send money for free through the micro-savings account linked to their eCebuana app to any Cebuana Lhuillier branches; or via branch-to-branch transactions.

“Cebuana Lhuillier understands how important every peso is and making money sending fees more affordable helps our kababayans extend their money for more important expenses. By offering our PERA PADALOWEST promo, we hope to provide Filipinos with a more affordable means to send their hard-earned money anywhere in the Philippines. This remains part of our commitment for financial inclusion in which we continue to be one with our fellow Filipinos in finding affordable, effective, and convenient solutions for their financial services needs,” Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier shared.

“As the country’s leading micro-financial services provider and as the leading innovator in the industry, Cebuana Lhuillier will continue to find new ways to make transacting with Cebuana Lhuillier always a win-win experience for our kababayans. Aside from our products and services, we will continue to come up with promotions that will bring further bang for our clients’ bucks – especially during these difficult times when the price of goods is going up,” added First VP and Integrated Marketing Communications Group head Michael Sena.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s PERA PADALOWEST RATES promo will run until July 31, 2022. For more information, visit the Cebuana Lhuillier page on Facebook or go to www.CebuanaLhuillier.com.

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Charlie Agatep wins IABC Asia Pacific 2022 Communicator of the Year Awards

Charlie Agatep wins IABC Asia Pacific 2022 Communicator of the Year Awards

Grupo Agatep Chairman and CEO is first Filipino Executive Leader to receive the award

Grupo Agatep Chairman and CEO Charlie Agatep was named 2022 Communicator of the Year under Executive Leader category at the recently-concluded International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Asia Pacific 2022 Communicator of the Year Awards. The winners were announced via Facebook livestream on April 26, Tuesday.

Agatep is a veteran of the Philippine PR industry and is considered to be the “Godfather of Philippine PR”. After the formation of his integrated marketing communications agency, Grupo Agatep, Agatep continued to facilitate award-winning campaigns, and was given recognition by different local and international award-giving bodies. He is the first Filipino to nab the IABC title which honors the most outstanding communication professionals in the Asia Pacific Region who have demonstrated strategic leadership and excellence in the field of communication.

“I am highly honored to be given this Communicator of the Year Award. It represents the triumph of honest communication over dishonest propaganda,” said Agatep. “The task of communication is to spread the truth for social change; to provide truthful information to citizens in order for them to be free and self-governing; to make the truth truly meaningful; and to render an entire population receptive to it, ready to secure its benefits and apply them to our daily life.”

The IABC Asia Pacific Communicator of the Year Awards has two categories, Executive Leader and Senior Communication Professional. The recipient of this year’s Communicator of the Year Award under the Senior Communication Professional is Aniisu Verghese, Ph.D. of India. 

According to IABC Asia Pacific Chair James Howe, the winners have inspired many people in the industry over the course of their long careers.

“As we recognize these excellent individuals in the field of communications, we also hope that other communication professionals will be inspired by their example and emulate them. In IABC, we believe in being stronger together, and these awards are the perfect way to build a circle of excellence that we need for all communication professionals in the Asia Pacific,” said Howe.

On the other hand, IABC Asia Pacific Recognition Director Kane Errol Choa said the winners exemplify the high standards, dedication, values, and longevity of communication professionals who truly shine in this field.

“We wish to instill in our community the same qualities that our winners have exhibited in their successful careers. Through these awards, IABC Asia Pacific demonstrates its commitment to honoring excellent communication leaders who bring positive change to our society,” said Choa.

To watch the announcement of this year’s IABC Asia Pacific Communicator of the Year Awards, please visit this link: https://fb.watch/cECvpw4e-W/. Charlie Agatep also sat down with James Howe of IABC Asia Pacific for a one-on-one interview, the entire video is here: https://fb.watch/cECzZAyIMq/. For more information about Grupo Agatep, please visit www.grupoagatep.com. You may also like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

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