BPI celebrates cultural milestones in Cebu
Representatives from the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on August 4 unveiled a marker declaring the building of BPI Cebu Main branch as an Important Cultural Property (ICP).
In 1924, the bank opened its third oldest branch in Jakosalem street. It relocated to a new building at the intersection of Magallanes and P. Burgos streets in 1941.
This historic building is now home to BPI Cebu Main and the BPI Museum Cebu.
BPI, the first bank in Southeast Asia, remains committed to being a reliable financial partner to Filipinos, helping build a better Philippines while upholding cultural and traditional values.
BDO Insure streamlines insurance access online
Clients can easily purchase their needed insurance solutions from BDO Insure’s most trusted health, travel, pet, and vehicle insurance providers by accessing BDO’s official website, bdo.com.ph/bdo-insure/personal.
“At BDO Insure, we understand that every individual’s insurance needs are unique. We offer comprehensive coverage tailored to clients’ needs, preferences, and financial capabilities. As the preferred site for insurance needs, we are committed to providing them with the best possible protection,” said the brokerage insurance arm of BDO Unibank.
The platform has a wide selection of insurance products, which are curated in partnership with leading providers to ensure the highest standards of reliability and value. These are:
Travel Insurance: worry-free plans covering medical emergencies and other travel inconveniences.
Health Insurance: policies for financial security during medical emergencies, critical illness, or loss.
Vehicle Insurance: comprehensive car coverage, including protection against natural disasters and theft.
Pet Insurance: financial assistance for veterinary expenses, surgeries, and preventive care.
User-friendly website
Watsons, Punlaan School hold graduation for 1st batch of scholars
Newly graduated scholars of the Watsons Punlaan School Apprenticeship Program’s pioneer batch with executives from Watsons Philippines, Punlaan School directors and Beiersdorf representatives
Watsons, in partnership with Punlaan School, held the first commencement exercises for the apprenticeship program’s pioneer batch of 20 scholars who have successfully completed a six-month pharmacy assistant apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship program began with the hopes of Watsons fulfilling their commitment to provide job opportunities for the youth and to address the gap in employing pharmacy assistants. To fill the gap, Watsons entered into a partnership with Punlaan School with the goal of providing underprivileged young women adequate training to be pharmacy assistants, which would provide them with a steady career.
The Watsons-Punlaan School apprenticeship program lasts for six months, including three months of in-school learning and three months of practical application conducted in Watsons stores. Apprentices receive an allowance for the duration of their training , and those who have successfully completed the program are employed by Watsons. The program is also supported through a donation made by Beiersdorf Philippines.
Watsons has set a target of 400 scholars spread across different partner schools,. By November, the partnership aims to reach 434 scholars who have fully accomplished the apprenticeship program.
Palawan Group partners with eTap for smoother cash-ins
The Palawan Group of Companies has entered into a collaborative partnership with eTap, which offers self-service payment machines and kiosks, through their digital wallet, the PalawanPay.
PalawanPay’s sukis can now conveniently cash in their accounts by using any of eTap’s over 2,777 kiosks nationwide.
This year, the Palawan Group of Companies has forged several partnerships that have allowed them to become closer to the masses. With the addition of eTap, their products and services have become more accessible to the Filipino people. Because of this, more people can be more aware about the services and features of the PalawanPay app and eTap kiosks, allowing more users to have easy access to sending and receiving money wherever they are in the Philippines.
AIA Ph launches product for seniors, retirees
AIA Philippines recently launched a new product ideal for those who are starting to save for their retirement later in life. Whether their goal is to secure oneself or to have a guaranteed sum passed down to their loved ones, the life insurer’s new offering provides protection as one gets older.
AIA A-Life Prime, a product payable in just two years, benefits for both plan holders and their families. At the end of the second year, policy owners will start receiving cash payouts equal to 10 percent of their policy’s minimum face amount. These will be given out every other year, providing assurance of regular disbursements to cover expenses or act as savings.
AIA A-Life Prime can be purchased by individuals up to age 70, and provides coverage until the policyholder reaches the age of 100.
On top of the payouts, there is opportunity to receive more cash benefits through potential bonus dividends, which, while not guaranteed, can serve as additional funds when available.There is also a death benefit amounting to 200 percent of the plan’s face amount, or the total premiums paid less the cash payouts released (whichever is higher at the time of claim). For policyholders who reach age 100, a lump sum maturity benefit of 200 percent of the face amount will be given.
CitySavings joins Brigada Eskwela
City Savings Bank partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and other community partners for the weeklong Brigada Eskwela from July 22 to 27.
The bank participated in the national kick-off at Carmen National High School in Carmen, Cebu, with the theme “Bayanihan para sa MATATAG na Paaralan.”
This year, CitySavings assisted 240 schools nationwide by providing learning and teaching supplies, painting materials, technology equipment, emergency Go bag kits, and construction materials.
Brigada Eskwela, which the Bank has actively supported since 2008, aligns with CitySavings’ goal to co-create a safe, empowered, and more sustainable teaching and learning environment.
Students awarded scholarships
Two bright minds from the Philippines emerge as the top two winners at the Next Generation Innovations international student competition.
The three victors have been awarded scholarships worth over P1,578,900. The competition, which was hosted by leading international education specialist, Study Group, concluded its finale at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with 8 students from schools across Southeast Asia.
Next Generation Innovations, Study Group’s inaugural international student competition, aims to provide opportunities for driven students to secure scholarships for their higher education in the UK.
Students were required to create a 5,000-word project proposal showcasing how they plan to use their higher education to make a difference in the world. These projects spanned topics from engineering to health sciences and business.
The winning project, Divorce Dialogue, was written by Stephanie Jane Magbitang from the Philippines.
The second runner-up project, Superheroes Need Saving Too: Innovative Dual-Chip Tracker and a Cross-Border Protection System for Overseas Workers, is written by Crescia San Angel
The third runner-up project is Pangéstu, by Vanessa Shannon Suryandi from Indonesia,
Araneta City holds learning session
Araneta City held a seminar on digital marketing for its lessees last July 29.
Rochefel Rivera, Chairperson of the Filipino Online Professional Service Cooperative (FOPSCo) and Head of Business Development of Professional VAs discussed the various tools entrepreneurs can use to expand their reach online.
Araneta City senior digital marketing manager Madel Cervantes, shared updates about the company’s loyalty mobile application and invited lessees to take part in its rewards program.
“We developed our first-ever loyalty app to create a more inviting Araneta City community.
It aims to keep all netizens updated on our promos and events, and facilitate transactions for purchases and services. Also, it will reward customers with points for everything they do here at the City of Firsts, with points redeemable for exciting rewards from our partner brands. With this app, we’re fostering an exciting experience in Araneta City, and we want our lessees to be part of it,” Cervantes said.
Held at Cinema 17 of Gateway Cineplex 18 at Gateway Mall 2, the event is part of a series of seminars aimed at equipping and informing Araneta City lessees about new trends and techniques to keep their businesses in tip-top shape.
Astara PH inaugurates JMC Butuan
Astara Philippines recently inaugurated the second Jiangling Motors Corp. (JMC) dealership in Mindanao.
JMC Butuan is located at Samping’s Place, J.C. Aquino Ave., Butuan City and is operated by multibrand distributor Globalcars Inc.
JMC Butuan is the second dealership that the automaker has formally inaugurated since Astara Philippines relaunched the brand at the Manila International Auto Show last April.
JMC Butuan offers customers in Mindanao with an additional location to see and experience the brand’s high-quality pickups.
JMC Philippines offers two pickups, the Grand Avenue and the Vigus.
All JMC vehicles come with a 5-year/150,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first), a lifetime engine warranty for total peace of mind and free 24/7 roadside assistance for the first year.
The Grand Avenue starts at a highly competitive P1,221,000, while the Vigus starts at just P959,000.
Salmon completes loan channeling agreement with Netbank
Netbank, a Filipino bank specializing in embedded finance, has signed a loan channelling agreement with Salmon, the leading fintech company in the Philippines.
The agreement, signed by Salmon’s financing company, Sunprime Finance Inc., will allow Salmon to assign its consumer loans to Netbank.
These consumer loans will be booked on Netbank’s balance sheets and will be secured via First Loss Default Guarantee (FLDG) by Salmon. This will allow Salmon to further accelerate the growth of its loan portfolio and extend product offering in the Philippines, leveraging its existing network of around 2,000 locations across the country.
With Netbank’s loan channelling solutions, secured via First Loss Default Guarantee, partner fintechs can access funding to grow their loan book, without the attached cost burdens or strategic constraints. Partners can also easily manage their disbursements as well as streamline their collections through the Netbank Virtual Dashboard.
Yondu first in PH to attain AWS Migration Competency Program certification
IT solutions provider Yondu has become the first Philippine company to achieve AWS Migration Competency Program designation.
This recognition validates Yondu’s deep expertise in guiding businesses through seamless transitions to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform.
The AWS Competency Program recognizes AWS Partners demonstrating exceptional technical expertise and proven customer success in building software or delivering services across various industries, use cases, and workloads. By attaining AWS Specialization, Yondu joins a group of AWS Partners recognized for their ability to deliver innovative cloud solutions.
This milestone positions Yondu as a strategic partner for Philippine businesses seeking to optimize operations and improve efficiency through cloud migration.
With its dedicated AWS Partner Development Team, Yondu is well-equipped to deliver tailored cloud solutions that address the evolving needs of the market.
