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Take the Pocky Heart-to-Heart TikTok Challenge

Monday, November 7, 2022

Glico Philippines, Inc. celebrates Pocky day (11.11) this November 11, 2022 with a new TikTok challenge that combines the Filipino culture of gift-giving with a cute Pocky 1 trend popularized in Japan. The Pocky Heart-to-Heart TikTok Challenge is perfect for those looking to showcase their love to the ones they hold dearest.



Every year since, Glico celebrates Pocky day globally on 11.11, because this popular Japanese snack that everyone loves looks like the number “1.”

The tradition of giving gifts or pasalubong to loved ones is an integral part of the Filipino culture. This generosity and thoughtfulness are traits that perfectly resonate with Pocky’s brand philosophy of sharing happiness with everyone. This is why Pocky has chosen to celebrate their biggest day of the year, 11.11, with a gift-giving challenge for everyone in the Philippines to show their utmost love to those closest to them in the upcoming festive season.

If you have someone you want to show your love and appreciation to, here‘s how you can join the Pocky Heart-to-Heart TikTok Challenge:

1. Create a heart with Pocky boxes — Using at least two Pocky boxes, put your creativity and skills to work, and shape them into a heart. You can even decorate the Pocky heart with ribbons, flowers or anything else that adds to the love you put into the gift.

2. Give your Pocky heart to a loved one — With your valid TikTok account, take a video of you giving your Pocky Heart to someone you want to show your appreciation for. Make sure to share your happiness with us by telling us why you’re giving this person the Pocky Heart.

3. Share your love to the world! — Post the video on TikTok with the hashtag #PockyHearttoHeart! 


Whether it’s a partner, an old friend, a teacher or your grandparents, there is bound to be someone dear to show your love to. Take the Pocky Heart-to-Heart TikTok Challenge and showcase your love in a Heart-to-Heart “Tok” with your loved ones. If you post the best entry, you’ll win a cash prize and a special limited-edition gift pack with “Pocky Happiness Flavour”!

You can complete the challenge in the comfort of your home, in a fancy venue of your choice, or at one of our Pocky day event booths coming soon to a space near you! Follow the Pocky Philippines Facebook and Glico Philippines Instagram to find out the locations of these events as they open up.

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Win Gold and more exciting treats at Shopee’s Mega Pamasko Sale

Expect big things this 11.11 and 12.12 with Shopee’s ‘Shop to Win Gold’ promo, a caroling challenge with Jose Mari Chan, and many more





Gear up for a dash of holiday fun as Shopee gives users plenty of exciting prizes this 11.11 and 12.12. From a chance to Win Gold or a year’s supply of essentials, to a caroling challenge with Shopee Christmas ambassador Jose Mari Chan, and a wider assortment of mas mura deals, here are a few things that shoppers can look forward to at Shopee’s Mega Pamasko Sale:

Win gold, groceries, or electricity when you shop on Shopee


Welcome Christmas with bigger, brighter prizes at Shopee’s ‘Shop to Win Gold’ promo. Claim your unique lucky code when you shop until November 11 for a chance to win either a gold bar, a year’s worth of groceries from Procter & Gamble and Rebisco, or subsidy for a year’s worth of electricity. Stream the grand draw via Shopee Live on November 12 and see if you're one of the 12 lucky winners who brings home gold or a year-long supply of groceries or electricity.

Win ₱10,000 and get a chance to sing with Jose Mari Chan 

Channel your inner Jose Mari Chan and let your inner idol shine at Shopee’s caroling challenge. Form a group with your best buds or be a daring soloist and record a 30-second video singing your favorite Christmas carol for a chance to interact with Shopee Christmas ambassador Jose Mari Chan on Shopee Live and  win ₱10,000 via ShopeePay. 

Fans of Jose Mari Chan can also check out his golden rendition of the Mas Mura Sa Shopee jingle on Shopee’s latest TVC. Visit Shopee’s official pages on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to stay updated on the most exciting content featuring the beloved Christmas icon. 

Play Spin & Win to win appliances from American Heritage 

Shopee and American Heritage are also treating lucky users with a chance to spruce up their homes with brand-new appliances. From November 5 to December 11, shoppers can test their luck by playing Spin & Win's Home Makeover Raffle and see if they stand a chance to win up to ₱500,000 worth of American Heritage prizes. Users just need to spin the wheel on the Shopee Prizes page in the Shopee app and collect as many golden tickets daily. Winners will be drawn on December 12, where a total of 11 winners can win up to ₱11,000 worth of American Heritage discount vouchers. 

Get up to ₱2,000,000 Worth of Prizes with ShopeePay

More prizes can be won on Shopee’s Mega Pamasko Sale as ShopeePay hands out exclusive deals and exciting raffle prizes worth up to ₱2 Million this 11.11. Users who send at least ₱50 to any mobile number or Shopee user can play the Lucky Draw and get a chance to win 5% off load vouchers, ₱1,000 off on bills payment or up to ₱10,000 cash prize. Each transfer and Lucky Draw transaction also earns users a raffle entry to win any of these Samsung products: a Galaxy S22, a Galaxy Tab S8 or a Galaxy Flip4. 

Shop and get mas mura discounts from your favorite brands

Stock up on go-to essentials or get a headstart on your holiday shopping at mas mura prices from leading brands like OPPO, Uni-care Hygienic Products Inc., Infinix, Unilever Beauty, realme, Johnson & Johnson, Enfagrow, Garnier, Maybelline and L’Oreal Paris. Visit and follow their official Shopee stores to know more about their latest promos this 11.11. 

Win gold this Christmas and experience holiday shopping like no other. Download the Shopee app from leading app stores and visit https://shopee.ph/m/11-11 for more details. 

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#GirlsCan make a difference as World Vision culminates initiative for young Filipinas

As the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl last October 11, World Vision Philippines successfully mounted its #GirlsCan campaign which highlighted the need to support and empower girls for a brighter future. The advocacy was able to gain over 700 sponsorships since its launch last August, with the help of various celebrities, partners, and sponsors.




Multi-awarded actress and World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate and fashion entrepreneur Ericka Evangelista and content creators Janina Vela and Lyqa Maravilla led in voicing out that empowered girls, empower girls.

The Women Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBiz) along with the other partners – Globe Kmmunity, Ever Bilena, Hello Glow, Lazada, Shoppee, Club of Marikina North Rotary, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Hera and Plus Network, made it big for the campaign. Adarna House pledged part of their sales to aid programs for girl empowerment.

Papemelroti paved the way for International Day of the Girl by offering an exclusive and personalized #GirlsCan articulated paper dolls as freebies when you visit their stores! You can collect the rest of the dolls each time you donate Php1,000 to World Vision’s #GirlsCan campaign.

Today, various issues surrounding girls in the country remain and violence against children is one of the major concerns, in fact there is an increase of 264% cases in online sexual exploitation. In education, over 2 million girls drop out from school while more adolescent girls get pregnant and give birth every day.

“Despite the many advances that we have achieved over the years in promoting the rights of children, unfortunately, there are a lot of issues still affecting girls around the world. The harsh realities faced by girls underpin the necessity for us citizens to advance their rights,” said Ms. Vanessa Retuerma, World Vision Director for Strategy Management, Impact and Learning.

While poverty remains to be the leading cause of these alarming problems, there are always ways on how to empower girls to break free. Just imagine what #GirlsCan do if we give them a better future ahead. They can be an influence for good and they can change lives.




To know how you can support #GirlsCan, visit https://t.co/RAUn2HPxP7 or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.
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Emirates SkyCargo and United Cargo announce landmark agreement

Thursday, October 27, 2022

 

Emirates SkyCargo and United Cargo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that follows on the heels of the new broader historic commercial agreement between two of the largest global airlines. This coordination will deliver benefits to air freight customers of both Emirates Skycargo and United Cargo around the world.

The MoU was signed at the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) – IATA event in London, UK by Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo and Jan Krems, President, United Cargo.

Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo and United Cargo will work closely on a number of aspects, which include expanding cargo interline options and blocked space agreements, pending regulatory approvals. This will build on existing cargo interline arrangements between both air cargo operators and offer freight customers access to more capacity on a larger combined global network.

"Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being the leading player in the global air cargo industry providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services. Cooperating with United, who is a leading airline in its own right with strengths and a network that are complementary to our own, will allow us to add value for our customers and help them reach new markets more speedily," said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.

"United is pleased to work with Emirates SkyCargo on this MoU. As one of the leading carriers worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo is an important player in the industry, and our supplementary capabilities allow us to provide new service offerings to our customers worldwide. We share a common commitment to providing industry-leading solutions for our customers and we look forward to working together in the future," said Jan Krems, President, United Cargo.

United Cargo will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s high frequency distribution network through the belly-hold of passenger flights to over 100 global destinations and 11 freighters, whilst Emirates SkyCargo will have access to over 200 cities in the US and 300 cities across five continents through United Cargo.
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CSMC bags top award for MIS training program at PMAP Awards 2022

 

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) was recently awarded National Exemplar under the People Program of the Year category at the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Awards 2022. The ceremony was held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on Oct. 14, Friday.

The award was given for CSMC’s exceptional training program under the Philippine Center for Advanced Surgery - Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Center (PCAS-MISTC). Prior to this, CSMC was already named Regional Exemplar in the same category. In 2016, the hospital bagged the Employer of the Year Award, making it the first private hospital to receive this accolade from PMAP.

The PCAS-MISTC is a world-class training center equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by leading medical experts in various surgical fields. It is the Philippines’ first, and only MIS training center, and its programs have been accredited by local and international organizations, such as the Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA), Asia Pacific Hernia Society (APHS), Asia Endo-Surgery Task Force (AETF), Philippine Association of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons (PALES), and Asia Pacific Endo-Lap Surgery Group (APELS). The center is headed by one of the leading MIS experts in the country, Dr. Alfred Allen Buenafe.

The PCAS-MISTC aids in nation-building by providing training opportunities for surgeons, particularly those who are based in the provinces. As a leader in the Asia Pacific region, the quality of training meets international standards, with foreign surgeons also attending workshops spearheaded by PCAS-MISTC.

“With much pride and great joy, we are extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award on behalf of our Caring Cardinal family. Yes, it is one of Cardinal Santos' own ways of contributing to nation-building in the Philippines,” said CSMC President and CEO, Raul C. Pagdanganan in his acceptance speech. “This award fires up our commitment to continue introducing innovations in healthcare and providing excellent training comparable to those in advanced countries to help make MIS and its benefits more accessible to a greater number of people across the country and the world.”

The PMAP Awards Program was established in 1977, with the goal of recognizing outstanding organizations and individuals that have made strides in the advancement and improvement of people management in the country. As an organization, PMAP helps members become effective people managers that are able to participate actively in nation-building. This makes CSMC’s win all the more significant.

To keep updated about the latest seminars and workshops at the PCAS-MISTC, please like and follow them at https://www.facebook.com/philippinecenterforadvancedsurgery. For more information about the programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.
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Learning Systems for Poverty Takes Center Stage at Education@theMargins

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

How do you tailor education to serve those who need it the most? To tackle this pressing global issue, multinational partnership Education@theMargins (E@TM): A Global Alliance invites aspiring and current educators, policymakers, and representatives of like-minded organizations to come together for a two-hour discussion on learning systems for poverty on October 28, 6 p.m., Philippine time.




In its second year, this year’s conference, “Serving the Underserved: Learning Systems for Poverty,” seeks to discuss what makes teaching students in circumstances of poverty different, and what pedagogical shifts can be taken to serve their learning needs.



“We believe that education experts and industry stakeholders must come together to discuss hard questions and encourage others to take part in creating solutions,” said PHINMA Education Chief of Corporate Affairs, Buen L. Bontigao.



The conference, spearheaded by PHINMA Education, will feature panelists from around the world. These resource persons include Dr. Nene Guevara, President of Synergeia Foundation (Philippines); Sujatha Muthayya, Vice-President of Policy and Partnerships-Asia of Bridge International Academies (Kenya); Jessica Rees-Jones, Founder of AfricaX Academy; and Dr. Charles Prince, Chief Higher Education Officer of Global Education Executives, Inc.



“When we launched E@TM in 2021, we envisioned a world where underserved youth are given access to quality education at prices they can afford, using the resources they have access to,” Bontigao explained. He noted that the world is still very far from reducing learning poverty, and by 2030, 43% of children will be learning-poor. The E@TM: Global Alliance hopes to drastically change that.



“We’ve already forged meaningful partnerships which show that many organizations across the world share our advocacy,” he added. Last year's conference featured Christopher Bernido and the late Ma. Victoria Bernido of Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF), Rafael Oliveira de Ávila of Ânima Educação (Brazil), Amanda Kelleher of Luminus Education (Jordan), Sandeep Aneja of Kaizenvest (India), Edna Novak of Teach for All, and Aape Pohjavirta of mobile learning app Funzi.



“We believe that country experts, global thought leaders, and technology pioneers together can positively impact more youth across the world, towards a future that is sustainable for all. That is why we hope to welcome more people to our Global Alliance,” Bontigao concluded.






Want to attend E@TM: A Global Alliance? Register for FREE at tinyurl.com/EATM2022 or visit the website https://www.educationatthemargins.org/.
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Planting dreams with ‘Grow Trees Community’ in Benguet

Like his father before him, John Dizon, Jr. and his family have been long-time stewards of protected trees in their community in Tuba, Benguet. When the time came for him to take up the mantle, he did so willingly to honor his father’s legacy.






“My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.



A year later, Mr. Dizon, who now heads Benguet-based environmental conservation group, Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc. (NAMALISA), started working closely with the SM Foundation for an inaugural tree-planting campaign back in 2013 to pick up where his father had left off in his advocacy.



With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.



He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.



To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign.



The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.






The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba.






Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga. Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.



It is in support of the SM Green Movement that seeks to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.



FR Foundation focuses on promoting research designed to help make the world a better place, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.




It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns well-loved casual wear brand, Uniqlo.





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SM Prime builds better, greener offices

E-com Centers at the Mall of Asia Complex



Many people have become more aware of the importance of sustainability in everyday living during the two years that the world faced the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental awareness has caught on through practices such as shifting to paperless, reducing plastic use and planting more trees. For property developers, taking part in this movement means transitioning into green buildings and developments.




Such is the case for SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a publicly listed subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) that is committed to building innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities. SM Prime is future-proofing its developments to be more responsive and adaptive to community needs and the effects of climate change in line with comprehensive sustainability goals ranging from energy to ecology.


Over the years, SM Prime has continued to elevate its approach to building and development of community spaces. All these green initiatives have been recognized by reputable and well-known organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which awarded Conrad Hotel Manila and SM Aura Premier the Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016 and 2017, respectively.


“When we build, we build with the community in mind. This is why it is important to integrate sustainability in our developments and operations. We remain committed as an environmentally-conscious and responsible integrated property developer ready to serve the ever-changing needs and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim.


Building green office spaces



SM’s Commercial Property Group is renowned for balancing green design features with operational and practical considerations, enabling more companies and locators to enjoy environmentally sound commercial developments.


The CPG’s flagship properties are its five E-com Centers – all future-forward buildings catering mainly to technological, business process outsourcing, and Fortune 500 companies. All five E-com Centers are located in the MOA Complex. Each building has a proportionate amount of green open spaces and communal areas where workers can socialize and decompress from work.


CPG further promotes sustainable practices with its LEED gold-certified office buildings, solidifying its foothold and commitment to building green offices and commercial developments. These certifications are a testament to SM Prime’s dedication to reducing its contribution to global climate change—all while enhancing the quality of life within its communities.


The ThreeE-com Center boasts architectural wonders and green features that eventually earned its LEED Gold certification. These include water recycling for landscape and non-potable use. The building is fitted with glass windows that minimizes heat from entering the building, allowing tenants to use less air conditioning. This 15-storey, semi-circular twin-tower office building features function and aesthetic complemented with state-of-the-art facilities. While it was the first office building in the Mall of Asia Complex to receive such an honor, the new FourE-com Center also recently achieved the same certification—designed with its tenants’ needs in mind, improving work-life balance and office culture accordingly.



Both designed by globally renowned firm, Arquitectonica, the Three and Four E-coms are unique amongst business centers. “We designed the E-coms to functionally meet the BPO industry’s need for large, continuous floorplates, but also sculpted them in interesting ways so as to allow views and airflows between the buildings, while also, of course, giving them interesting architectural identities. At the same time, their landscaped podium decks create attractive communal green spaces for the tenants; they are envisaged to be interconnected via landscaped skybridges in the future. The combination of all these factors, architectural design and green spaces, have made the E-coms highly attractive to multinational companies and brands,” said David Zaballero, Arquitectonica Director.


SM Mega Tower




Meanwhile, SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper located along EDSA will also join the company’s growing roster of LEED-certified green buildings. Called Mega Tower, the 50-story office building is future-ready as it provides spaces that respect both its tenants and nature itself.


Strategically located in the busy Ortigas Centre, the 50-storey LEED registered skyscraper is flexibly designed to meet the requirements of both corporate and BPO tenants. Though its design is highly sculptural, each floorplate remains efficiently planned – combining functionality and iconic identity.


“Incorporating sustainability in property development means having the whole life cycle of a building in mind. We invest a tenth of our capital expenditure to ensure that sustainability is integrated into our properties as we carefully plan our developments for our communities, the environment, and future generations ,” SM Prime’s Mr. Lim said.


In close collaboration with the SM Group’s other business units, the CPG’s multi-segment or mixed-use approach maximizes the socio-economic potential of its buildings and developments. As a result, SM’s commercial developments are connected to our malls, residences, and parks and civic spaces. Notably, they are all easily accessible to transport hubs to ensure mobility for pedestrians and the commuting public. This interconnectivity, alongside each property’s green and safety features, reduces the company’s carbon footprint, attracts more tenants and locators, and encourages greater productivity among its workforce.
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SM Prime Holdings hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup together with SM Cares, SM By the Bay

SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world's seas, oceans, and other bodies of water. The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.




A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year's ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected.


Among those who graced the event were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group Head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments President and CEO and 2GO Group President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY Mall Manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines’ Markets and Assurance Executive Director Allan Cao.


The ICC is a yearly global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Every year, thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities join the efforts to help ensure the cleanliness of the shorelines and waterways in the country.

“The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime’s various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So.

This year's event was made possible by SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines. DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard were also present to provide their support.



Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, just to name a few.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
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UNDRR, SM Prime laud women leaders in disaster resilience

SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) recently announced its support for the global search for women leaders in disaster resilience.





For the second consecutive year, SMPHI is sponsoring the Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).


SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said that the support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction. “This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience.”


UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, policies, plans, and programs in their regions. Their stories reflect the diversity of solutions required to meet the converging challenges of accelerating climate change and disasters in the region.”


“We look forward to continued collaboration with SM in our DRR agenda,” Secretary General Mizutori added.


The WIN DRR Excellence Awards 2022 sponsored by SM Prime has 15 finalists shortlisted from 420 nominations received from across 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane on 21 September 2022. US$10,000 will be awarded to an individual woman who has achieved exceptional professional success in DRR.


The WIN DRR partnership is consistent with SM Prime Holdings’ social commitment towards women empowerment, resilience, good health, and well-being of women. The company’s corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports programs that advance these causes.


The Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) is a professional network to support women working in disaster risk reduction, in all their diversity. Its overall goal is to empower women to attain leadership and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The WIN DRR Philippine Network is powered by SM Prime and Asia Pacific College.


Earlier this year, SM Prime through its SM CARES, partnered with UNDRR in celebrating women empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized “women’s equal participation and leadership in public life including disaster risk reduction is important and it is also essential to reducing disaster risk in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.”
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Allianz PNB Life reveals brand-new RideSafe Mural, upholds commitment to sustainable transport and health protection

Wednesday, October 19, 2022



Allianz PNB Life upholds its commitment to sustainable transport and health protection through the recent reveal of the brand-new Allianz Ride Safe Mural. The mural can be found at the Apartment Ridge Underpass in Ayala, Makati.

Prominent Allianz PNB Life executives like President and CEO Alexander Grenz and Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability Gino Riola were present at the unveiling, as were Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar Chua, AyalaLand Marketing Head Chrissy Roa, and LT Group Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Lucio Tan III. Other guests include Economic Counsellor of the German Embassy David Klebs, Cong. Jose Francisco Benitez from the Third District of Negros Occidental, Head of Makati Central Estate Association (MACEA) Engr. Getty Granada, and star athletes and Allianz PNB Life brand ambassadors EJ Obiena and Alyssa Valdez. Glendford Lumbao, the rising Filipino artist commissioned by the organization for the creation of the mural, was also in attendance.

“It’s a beautiful piece of art that really captures the depth of Ride Safe’s sustainability message,” said Riola. “Cycling is not just a lifestyle change that vastly improves people’s health. It also contributes greatly to the reduction of carbon emissions and vehicular pollution, and it encourages a sense of belonging in a community that shares in your advocacy. Seeing the mural, it’s a concrete reminder of all these things.”

Allianz PNB Life’s Ride Safe Mural project was done in partnership with AyalaLand, the Makati Business Club, and MACEA. The mural shows the organizations’ dedication to supporting initiatives that make a difference, as well as uplifting the work of local artists and their advocacies.

“I am so honored to be part of Allianz PNB Life’s sustainability advocacy, it is something I deeply care about and believe in, too,” said Lumbao. “The point of the mural is to make people, especially bikers and pedestrians, stop, look, and appreciate the beauty of the world they live in. Ride Safe is all about promoting sustainability through biking, so hopefully, the mural touches people enough that they start making little changes in their lives that will impact the planet in a good way.”

The Allianz Ride Safe Mural is not the first time Allianz PNB Life has shown its support, both for local art and sustainability. In 2021, Allianz PNB Life partnered with the City of Manila to install bike racks that were creatively designed to reflect the rich history and culture of locations like Rajah Sulayman Park, Kartilya ng Katipunan, and Intramuros.

Additionally, Ride Safe has birthed other sustainable projects, such as a solar-powered pit stop and Ride Safe Bike Lanes along Ortigas Avenue in partnership with the City of San Juan, and The BikeYard, a dedicated hangout place with bike repair facilities for cyclists in Bonifacio Global City.

Allianz PNB Life has also expressed plans to expand Ride Safe further to include skills improvement and livelihood opportunities through bike mechanic training.

“I am very thankful to Glendford for sharing his talent with us by creating such a striking mural,” said Grenz. “Likewise, big thank you as well to AyalaLand, Makati Business Club, the City of Makati and MACEA for coming together with us to make this project possible.”

“Art is a wonderful medium that we have used in the past to communicate the importance of prioritizing one’s health and taking care of the environment, first with the bike racks, and now through this mural,” Grenz added. “It is a creative and effective way of inspiring Filipinos to think about the state of the planet today, and encourage them to do what they can to secure the future, both on a personal level and on a large scale. I hope it touches many people and sparks a need for positive change.”

For more information on Allianz PNB Life’s Ride Safe campaign, as well as its other products and services, please visit www.allianzpnblife.ph.
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SM Foundation and Fast Retailing Foundation join hands to protect coastal villages

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Mario Flores Canilao thought his world was about to end when Typhoon Glenda (International: Rammasun) struck his village in the province of Pampanga in July 2014 and ravaged a fishing pond where he derived his primary source of livelihood.




“Yun ang pinakamalupit. Akala ko nga natapos na ang mundo sa akin noon (I thought life was too harsh. I thought that was the end of my world),” Mr. Canilao, a fisherman by trade, recalled.


Despite the blow he was dealt, he mustered the will and determination to move forward. Soon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources enlisted his help to plant Bakawan or mangrove trees.


As the president of the Samahang Makakalikasan ng Pampanga, Inc. (SAMAPA), Mr. Canilao has been working tirelessly with the government and the private sector in the last decade to help build a coastal forest for the natural protection of their community in the municipality of Macabebe, to avoid pitfalls in the wake of another storm like Typhoon Glenda.


This year, he is delighted to know that SM Foundation, the social good arm of SM and Fast Retailing Foundation, a general incorporated foundation in Japan, is providing extensive support by planting Bakawan trees in his coastal community under their joint 'Grow Trees Community' project. This reforestation initiative is set to introduce at least 100,000 mangrove trees of the Bakawan babae and lalaki species in Barangay Consuelo in the municipality of Macabebe, the second site after the project formally launched in Batangas last September 27.


“Malaking tulong itong mangroves para sa akin, para sa pamilya ko at sa aking mga kababaryo na magkaroon din po ng hanapbuhay. Sa darating na mga henerasyon, makakatulong ang mga bakawan sa dipensa sa malalakas na alon at hangin (Mangroves are a huge help not just to my family but to my fellow villagers, also in supporting livelihood. The bakawan will help the next generation gain protection against strong winds and waves),” Mr. Canilao said.


Aside from providing a natural coastal defense against storm surges, the Bakawan has been widely personified in Filipino fiction and many children's books for its role in nurturing environmental biodiversity.


"As visitors, we often see the beauty of the mangrove thickets, but for communities, this is nature's shield that protects them from natural calamities and serves as breeding grounds for fishes and shellfishes," Cristie S. Angeles, SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Programs said.




"A well-preserved mangrove forest can provide an ecosystem of interconnected benefits promoting biodiversity in marine life and a reserve of valuable resources. Beyond this, the community's collective efforts are vital to preserving the environment. As SM enables the growth of so many communities, we are also enabling these communities to lead the preservation of the environment in their areas," Ms. Angeles added.


"We are particularly drawn to this project which is a first in terms of our partnerships here in the country. Mangrove trees have an enormous capacity to absorb greenhouse gases, making them ideal for bringing about climate benefits and enriching biodiversity. After confirming this Pampanga project's success, we look forward to pursuing more of these types of projects soon in collaboration with our partner, SM Foundation," Mr. Yoshio Ishida, Secretary-General of FR Foundation," said.


As part of their community engagement strategy and to sustain the project, the proponents are tapping the expertise of the community and partner agencies in monitoring the propagules to ensure their growth as mature trees.


"What's good about this project is it goes beyond enriching the environment. We have an opportunity here to boost livelihood in the community while, at the same time, helping improve the disaster risk reduction capabilities of the locality," Ms. Angeles said.


The project's full impact will all go to the community as they look after the trees moving forward.


“Maraming benepisyo gaya ng sa air pollution na humihigop at nagbubuga yan ng mga magagandang hangin. Malaking bagay po ang bakawan sa pamumuhay ng mga taga barangay (Mangroves have many benefits like producing cleaner air while reducing air pollution. The bakawan is a big help to the livelihood of community),” Mr. Canilao said.


Apart from the two foundations, the Grow Trees Community initiative harnesses partnerships with SM Supermalls, various government agencies, and volunteers from the chosen provinces. These include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, DA-BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, the local government of Macabebe and Peoples' Organizations (POs) such as SAMAPA.


The Grow Trees Community supports the SM Green Movement, which aims to improve communities' quality of life through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living, and a green culture.


FR Foundation promotes research designed to help make the world better, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.


It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns the well-loved casual wear brand Uniqlo.

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New AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g in paper packaging!

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Prepare delicious meals sustainably with AJI-NO-MOTO®!


Seasoning products are essential for making tasty food. AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning is wellwell loved by millions of Filipino households and has been a kitchen staple through the years, providing delicious meals with just a simple Tak Tak Tak.




As a solution-providing company doing its part in shaping a more sustainable future, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC Group) is proud to launch a new milestone – the iconic AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g, seasoning in paper packaging.


This shift to paper packaging provides consumers with an alternative to plastic. AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g’s paper packaging is made from a natural and renewable paper material that can be planted, grown, harvested, and replanted. The paper that the APC Group uses is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a leader in sustainable forestry.


“We, at Ajinomoto, hope that the new paper packaging inspires homemakers and consumers to make everyday lifestyle choices that they and future generations can be proud of. We invite everyone to join us in our journey of taking small steps for sustainability because we believe that working together creates a big difference,” says APC Group Chief Sustainability Officer Ernesto Carlos.

Creating a greener future





The new paper packaging is part of APC Group's roadmap of providing solutions that help address social issues such as environmental sustainability. Its Ajinomoto Global Sustainability Goal has two targets by 2030: to extend the healthy life expectancy of one billion people and reduce its environmental impact by 50%.


APC Group has a comprehensive sustainability program that includes sustainable procurement of raw and packaging materials, plastic waste reduction - ensuring none are leaked out to landfills, reduction of food loss and waste through improving operation efficiencies and converting edible waste to feeds or fertilizer, and reduction of greenhouse gas emission by using solar power energy in the factory.


The launch of AJI-NO-MOTO® 45g paper package is a tangible effort of Ajinomoto’s commitment to zero plastic waste by 2030.

Empowering lifestyle change



AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning brand ambassador Iya Villania – Arellano shared her view as consumer advocating responsible earth-friendly consumption, “We cannot go through a single day without having an impact to the environment. I am glad that other than making delicious and healthy food for my family, I am also contributing to reducing plastic waste with the new AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning in paper packaging. Let’s be part of the solution by being a responsible consumer. One small step at a time can make a big difference.”


“Using seasoning that is both healthy for the family and the planet helps shape a greener future for generations to come. This is part of the APC Group’s ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ promise, which believes that meaningful and thoughtful initiatives can impact the health and well-being of Filipino families,” ends APC General Manager for Public Relations Roann Co.


For more information about the APC Group’s sustainability initiatives, visit ajinomoto.com.ph. The new paper-packaged AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g is available in the nearest stores and official online shops of APC Group.
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