SM Tela Tales helps Tagaytay women
Pre-loved linens of SM Hotels and Convention Centers were turned into beautiful bags with handwoven patterns through Tela Tales, an initiative of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) with the communities of Barangay Bulihan in Batangas and Kalingap Casa de Sueno in Tagaytay.
SMHCC provided the preloved linens and other materials for the bags while designer and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan paid the community members who weaved the patterns on the bags.
Leah Magallanes, VP for Sustainability and Quality Assurance of SMHCC, said the Tela Tales program’s stakeholders are SMHCC, a group of women from Barangay Bulihan which is near Pico Sands Hotel. The other one is Kalingap, a place for abandoned senior citizens in Tagaytay near Taal Vista Hotel.
More than a month was devoted to production monitoring and quality checking to ensure the merchandise would be of top-notch quality. Available in two-toned blue, two-toned pink, and aqua-orange, the bags were made to highlight functionality and design.
This year, more Tela Tales stories are coming from Iloilo and Bacolod.
Tela Tales program is aligned with the SM group’s value of entrepreneurship and supporting the areas they are a part of.
Shell Mobility Stations Elevate Customer Experience
with Shell Café
Shell Pilipinas Corp. (SPC) has put up Shell Café in 14 locations to offer dine-in options, others with drive-thru alternative, to serve motorists.
Shell Cafe serves ethically sourced 100 percent Arabica coffee from Cavite, fruit teas, rich chocolate drinks, and freshly baked pastries, as well as their signature frankfurter.
“Our mobility stations aim to fulfill your needs, whether it is refueling your vehicle or recharging yourself for the long journey ahead. Shell mobility stations reflect Shell’s decades-long commitment to providing sustainable innovations and solutions in the country,” said Randy del Valle, SPC vice president.
The first Shell Cafe was launched in Tagaytay in January 2023.
Shell Café in EDSA Balintawak has become popular among online food groups and reviewers.
Motorists can also stop at the Shell mobility station on South Luzon Tollway (SLT) 1 in Muntinlupa. Shell SLT1 features a spacious, standalone Shell Café alongside a Shell Select section for groceries.
Shell Mobility TPLEX junction in Rosario, La Union is a welcome pit stop for northbound travelers and passengers. Adjacent to the Shell Café, the on-site Shell Recharge alleviates range anxiety for electric vehicle owners.
Select Shell Café locations, like the one at Tabang Toll in Guiguinto, Bulacan, cater to late-night workers and motorists by offering 24/7 service.
PLDT, Smart Fire Olympics
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. affirmed the group’s commitment to upholding disaster resilience with a display of their emergency response capabilities at the Eleven-in-One National Fire Brigade Competition organized by the Safety Organization of the Philippines Inc. held on March 9.
This is the first time the companies volunteer quick response team has joined the competition.
Held in ARCA South in Taguig City, the PLDT and Smart Fire Brigade joined three events under the Industrial/Commercial Division — Rescue Relay with Fire Extinguishment, Combination of Busted Fire Hose and Up the Ladder, and the Search for Fire Whiz/Fire Safety Ambassadress.
Composed of employee volunteers, the PLDT and Smart Fire Brigade was able to complete all the challenges and displayed the techniques needed to respond to fire-related incidents.
To prepare for the event, PLDT and Smart volunteers worked with the Bureau of Fire Protection – Palanan in Makati on the different skills needed to accomplish the tasks. Beyond preparing for competition, the workshops also upgraded the team’s emergency response procedures.
PLDT and Smart hold regular fire drills to reinforce fire safety procedures among employees.
GMA Network is most trusted network
GMA Network is once more recognized as the Most Trusted TV Network at the 2024 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards. This is the network’s its eighth Platinum Award in the category.
The Platinum Award is the highest honor conferred annually to shortlisted trusted brands in the Philippines.
Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, in turn, was honored for the second consecutive year as the “Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Affairs.”
Araullo co-anchors GMA Integrated News’ flagship newscast on GTV “State of the Nation” with Maki Pulido. He is also part of the long-running documentary program “I-Witness” and hosts the bi-monthly public affairs show “The Atom Araullo Specials.”
Skyro expands workforce, fosters a work culture centered on DEI
Fintech brand Skyro has expanded its workforce by three times to over 1,200 from just 42 when it started in 2022.
Skyro has experienced exponential growth, establishing an expansive network of over 500 partner merchants and a formidable presence in more than 3,000 stores across the country.
As the company prepares for its expansion this year, Skyro is committed to fostering a culture centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The company boasts a balanced gender with nearly equal representation of males (48 percent) and females (52 percent) across the company. It provides equal opportunities for Filipino executives to hold top management positions alongside expatriate leaders.
Skyro has 156 hires from Visayas and 103 from Mindanao, giving opportunities to other Filipinos across the country.
During the Skyro Day last March 25, employees showcased their experience on social media about what it is like working in a fintech company like Skyro.
Skyro also announced its recent relocation to a new headquarters in Robinsons Cybergate Tower 3 in Mandaluyong City.
Moneybees , Tambunting Kahera ng Bayan alliance
Over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency exchange Moneybees and pawnshop Tambunting Kahera ng Bayan have announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving access to financial services for crypto enthusiasts.
This collaboration encompasses a network of pawnshop brands under Tambunting Kahera ng Bayan, including JPT Central in Forbes Park, Aurotam Pawnshops, Prime Phil-Asia Star Pawnshops, Prime Quality Supreme Nation Pawnshops, Prime Sealand Pawnshops, and Reliance Prime Equity Pawnshops. The primary objective is to expand market reach, target new customer segments, and promote financial inclusion for underserved communities nationwide.
“Through our partnership, we aim to democratize access to financial services, particularly for those living in rural or remote areas, thereby contributing to the advancement of the financial inclusion goals set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” said
Jay Ricky Villarante, chairman and CEO of Moneybees.
Through this alliance, Moneybees will utilize 97 Tambunting branches across the Philippines to facilitate seamless conversion of digital currencies into pesos. This extended network will enable both new and experienced crypto traders to conduct OTC transactions, thereby broadening access to financial products beyond traditional banking services.
PSBank , RBI mark 2 decades of alliance
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) received a commendation from Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) an institution committed to empowering visually impaired children.
Through the partnership, PSBank has spearheaded sponsorship programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for marginalized children.
RBI provides holistic support to visually impaired individuals, offering counseling, education, and rehabilitation programs.
RBI endeavors to integrate visually impaired children into society by teaching them essential life skills, such as household chores and daily activities.
ScholaCOLORrun raises funds
Chevron together with American Chambers Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ACFPI or AmCham) recently co-presented the annual AmCham Foundation ScholaCOLORrun at Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
Now in its 10th year, the run-for-a-cause campaign is organized by ACFPI to raise funding for the formal education of underprivileged yet deserving youths. ACFPI is a private and non-profit association geared to help Philippine and American businesses in contributing to the Philippines’ civic and economic development.
This year, a total of 3,247 runners participated in the colorful event alongside 190 employees from Chevron Philippines Inc. and Chevron Holdings Inc. The event featured a 3-km, 5-km, 10-km and 15-km run as well as a 200-meter dash for kids 7 years old and below.
The proceeds of the run will help send 10 scholars to various colleges and universities across the country. The foundation has helped over 2,800 beneficiaries throughout its 38-year run.
