Alden Richards finds an ideal partner in BDO
Actor Alden Richards has been a BDO Unibank client for almost a decade. This year, he became the bank’s newest brand ambassador.
“It feels great to be a part of the BDO family and to speak on their behalf. I have been using their services for a long time, so I can speak from my experience,” he said.
Alden prefers visiting BDO branches for his transactions because he appreciates the help from the branch personnel. With BDO’s nationwide network, he can always find a nearby branch and ATM.
“I have seen how BDO has changed the banking industry in the Philippines. I’ve seen how it has improved products and services to meet our needs and goals, making our experience more efficient and rewarding,” he said, mentioning the bank’s digital innovations, such as the Service Assist Machine (SAM) available at all BDO branches.
The Service Assist Machine (or SAM) complements the branch with more digital services. Clients can input their transaction details here before engaging with branch personnel, reducing the need for forms and wait times.
Clients can use the BDO Online App if they can’t visit a branch or ATM. Alden appreciates how the mobile app consolidates all his financial information in one place–his savings, credit cards, investments, and loans. He finds it delightful that he can keep an eye on all these at any time and from anywhere.
Sustainable, accessible sources of nutrition
USANA Foundation, , the philanthropic arm of Usana Health Sciences, brought their Garden Towers to the island.
USANA Foundation’s Garden Towers is an innovative solution that provides sustainable, nutritious food for people all over the world. Each tower is made of durable material, can hold up to 120 plants, and uses 30 percent less water.
Aside from being a nutritional source, the Garden Towers also generate income, promote self-reliance, and foster community collaboration and bonding.
Each tower is expected to yield approximately 3,000 additional servings of produce annually which would benefit the people’s overall nutrition
BYD sessions
Pru Life UK is again setting the stage for aspiring financial advisors with its Build Your Business (BYB) sessions.
Throughout August, these sessions will provide a gateway for individuals eager to embark on a rewarding journey in the life insurance industry with a trusted market leader.
The BYB sessions offer participants invaluable insights and mentorship from seasoned financial advisors. These interactive sessions delve into the essentials of building a sustainable and financially stable business in the life insurance sector. Through compelling success stories and practical guidance, attendees will gain the confidence and knowledge needed to become the next wave of financial advisors.
This August, BYB sessions will be held in Metro Manila (Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City), South (Alabang, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna), North (Baguio, Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan), and VisMin (Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao). For those unable to attend physically, virtual sessions will also be available.
The BYB initiative by Pru Life UK is designed to develop skilled financial advisors who can guide clients in asset protection, retirement planning, and safeguarding against uncertainties.
Aspiring financial advisors are invited to kick-start their business journey with Pru Life UK by joining the BYB sessions. To be part of this transformative experience, visit bit.ly/JoinPRU2024.
Championing startups
Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines has forged a strategic partnership with QBO Innovation to launch the first-ever vGrow SHOWQASE in the Philippines aimed at harnessing the untapped potential of the Philippine startup ecosystem and finding innovative partners who share P&G’s vision for sustainable growth and serving Filipino consumers.
P&G, maker of trusted household brands like Safeguard, Ariel, Downy, and Pampers, launched the vGrow program to drive innovative solutions across multiple stages of its operations.
The vGrow program was first launched in 2017 and has been implemented in countries including India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand, fostering innovation and collaboration with startups, small businesses, and other partners in key markets worldwide.
The program is in partnership with QBO Innovation, a division of Ideaspace that consults for and engages with government agencies, academic institutions, international development agencies, and private sector enterprises in driving digital transformation strategies, developing innovation ecosystems, and accelerating technology startup growth. QBO curated a selection of 18 high-potential startups to present their innovative solutions to P&G’s top executives.
The vGrow program opened doors for business collaboration and networking opportunities to further explore partnerships within P&G’s extensive network.
The companies participating in the first vGrow SHOWQASE program are Amplify, Betterteem, Chamni’s Eye, CognitiveAI, DHL, Happy Benefits, LOCAD, Maya, MASA Inc., Margarett Enterprises Inc., MobileOptima-Tarkie, Ninja Van, Pickaroo, POLKA.PH, Shuttlerock, Storewise, and Xeleqt AI.
After the pitching sessions, three startups received special awards: CognitiveAI was awarded the Most Innovative Solution, Betterteem received the Best Pitcher award, and DHL was recognized with the Industry Leadership award.
Cobra Energy Drink empowers #TeamLakas beneficiaries
Cobra Energy Drink, in partnership with TESDA NCR — PAMAMARISAN District Office, recently launched the “Tatag sa Pagtupad ng Pangarap Kasama ang TESDA” program.
The initiative aims to support #TeamLakas beneficiaries with long-term livelihood opportunities, particularly the currently underemployed, unemployed, and disadvantaged workers who are part of the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers” (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
As partner, the TESDA NCR — PAMAMARISAN District Office offers scholarships or free training thru its partner tech-voc institutions to courses chosen by the 30 enrolled #TeamLakas beneficiaries who just completed employment under the TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment. The program allows the beneficiaries to select their preferred courses offered by TESDA which aligns with their qualifications and interests for a better shot at landing a sustainable job.
Cobra Energy Drink shows its support for the program by distributing #TeamLakas starter packs, or “panimula,” to the #TeamLakas beneficiaries, aiding them in their pursuit of long-term livelihood opportunities. Cobra will also give monetary and in-kind assistance to those who will complete their training, alongside limited-edition Cobra items for #TeamLakas idols for their inspiring displays of determination.
Fast, secure card-based money transfers
Mastercard and RCBC announced the introduction of Mastercard Send, a fast and efficient send to card service within the Mastercard Move portfolio of money transfer solutions.
By integrating with Mastercard Send, RCBC will now be able to provide cardholders with a new channel for secure, transparent, and convenient international payments.
The service allows overseas Filipinos to transfer funds from a licensed originating institution using approved funding sources such as an account, wallet, or card, directly into a receiving RCBC Mastercard card. This means that overseas Filipinos can now send money almost instantly from over 100 countries worldwide to any RCBC Debit Mastercard cardholder, allowing them to access their funds right where and when they need it.
“The introduction of Mastercard Send to the Philippines comes at an opportune time, as remittances are expected to increase by 5 percent this year,” said Martin Tirol, FSVP & head of RCBC Global Transaction Banking Group. “As we consistently explore ways to transform banking for our cardholders, this cross-border send to card service offers easy, seamless, and efficient transactions to Filipinos all over the world.”
Mastercard Send is part of Mastercard’s portfolio of money transfer solutions Mastercard Move. Mastercard Move enables people and organizations to move money quickly and safely, both domestically and internationally, across more than 180 countries and in over 150 currencies, with access to more than 95 percent of the world’s banked population.
Maynilad offers desludging services this August
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this August in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.
Customers residing in Barangay 1, 10, 81, 82, 84 to 88, 90 to 95, 97 to 99, 101 to 103, 105, 106, 108 to110, 112 to 115, 117 to 131, in Caloocan; Brgy. Pamplona 1 and 3, Panapaan 3, Pulang Lupa Uno, Pulang Lupa Dos, and Talon 3 in Las Piñas; Brgy. Catmon, Maysilo, Niugan, Santolan, Tonsuya, and Tugatog in Malabon; Brgy. Putatan and Sucat in Muntinlupa; Brgy. Bagumbayan North, Bangculasi, Daang-hari, Merville, San Rafael Village, Sipac-Almacen, Navotas East and West, and Tanza in Navotas; Brgy. Don Bosco and San Martin De Porres in Parañaque; Brgy. Batasan Hills, Bagong Silangan, Capri, Commonwealth, Gulod, Holy Spirit, and San Agustin in Quezon City; and Brgy. Balangkas, Lingunan, Mabolo, Mapulang Lupa, and Punturin in Valenzuela City may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service.
Some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly in Brgy. Aniban 2, 4, and 5, Dulong Bayan, Mambog 1 to 5, Molino, Molino 3, Molino 6 and 7, Niog 2, Panapaan 6 and 7, Pasong Buaya 1 and 2, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East, Real 1 and Salinas 1 in Bacoor City; Brgy. Kanluran, Muzon 2, Poblacion, Sapa 3, Silangan 1 and 2 in Rosario; and Anabu 2C-2F, Buhay na Tubig , Carsadang Buaya, Malagasang 1G, Malagasang 2-D, Medicion 1-A to 1-D, Medicion 2-A, Medicion 2-C, Medicion 2-D, Medicion 2-E and 2F, Molino 5, Pag-asa 1 to 3, Palico 1 to 4, Poblacion 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-C and 4-D, Tanzang Luma1-6, Toclong 1-A, 2-B, and 2-C in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around Php 4,700 per truck.
Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures.
Additional information is also available in the company’s website,www.mayniladwater.com.ph, and social media accounts (X: @maynilad, Facebook: /MayniladWater).
SB Capital bags multiple wins
SB Capital Investment Corp., Security Bank’s investment banking arm, won a total of five honors at the 9th Investment House Association of the Philippines (IHAP) Awards.
SB Capital won Deal of the Year (Large Cap) and Best Project Finance Deal (Large Cap) for its role as one of the lead arrangers of the San Miguel Corporation Mass Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) project, an upcoming 22-kilometer metro rail and 19-kilometer highway from Quezon City to Bulacan.
For its role as joint lead underwriter and joint bookrunner in ACEN Corporation’s P25 billion perpetual Philippine peso-denominated preferred shares offer, SB Capital was awarded Equity Deal of the Year – Philippines (Large Cap).
The investment house also won Best Fixed Income Deal (Small-Mid Cap) for its involvement as one of the joint issue managers, joint lead arrangers, and joint bookrunners in Asialink Finance Corporation’s fixed rate corporate notes. Moreover, SB Capital took home the award for Best Fixed Income Deal (Large Cap) for its role as one of the joint issue managers of the Bureau of the Treasury’s 2nd Onshore Retail Dollar Bonds offering.
Honda Foundation launches five-year reforestation project in Laguna
The Honda Foundation, Inc. (HFI) demonstrated its commitment to environmental preservation and community well-being through Honda’s Tree Planting and Livelihood program in Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna.
Honda has established a 5-year Tree Planting and Livelihood program, adopting 28 hectares of the Sierra Madre Mountains under the DENR’s National Greening Program. The reforestation efforts involve planting 14,000 fruit-bearing trees. Honda formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on March 12, 2024, collaborating with the Department of Environment & Natural Resources Region IV-A and the Magsaysay Coconut Farmers Association (MACOFA).
Honda joins the country in the celebration of Arbor Day during the month of June.
The tree planting activity was participated by around 100 volunteers, including Honda employees and support team members, personnel from the Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Office, Community Environment & Natural Resources, Philippine National Police and farmers from MACOFA. As of June 21, 2024, more than 2,000 trees have been planted.
ICCP garners multiple honors
Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) won the top awards in the Small-Mid Cap category at the 9th IHAP Awards held during the Investment House Association of the Philippines’ (IHAP) 50th Anniversary at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
ICCP won the Deal of the Year and Best Equity Deal awards for the initial public offering of Alternergy Holdings Corp. ICCP was the sole issue coordinator and one of the joint lead underwriters and issue managers of the P1.61-billion public offering.
The deal also included BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as joint lead underwriter and issue manager, while Unicapital, Inc. was co-lead underwriter.
ICCP was also awarded the Best Advisory Deal for the fundraising of Alternergy where ICCP acted as Financial Adviser and Sole Placement Manager for the private placement of Preferred Shares by the Government Service Insurance System . This fund-raising forms an integral part of Alternergy’s long-term capital-raising program.
