All-out support to WAABC Negros
Fernando Zobel de Ayala and other leaders of the Ayala group flew to Bacolod to support a full-set of activation events by the We Are Ayala Business Club (WAABC) Negros, including an Ayala group 400-strong employee townhall, a multi-brand trade fair, and a well-attended client appreciation night.
“Ayala is here to build businesses that enable people to thrive,” Zobel said. “WAABC Negros is a crucial piece of this purpose. We hope to demonstrate Ayala’s continuing commitment to the region’s development.”
Zobel and the group also paid a courtesy call on the office of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Abelardo “Albee” Benitez.
They also visited The Negros Museum, a hub that convenes all cultural and artistic activities in the region.
During his term as Ayala Corp. CEO, Zobel revitalized WAABCs to re-energize Ayala group’s business units and to promote the greater good of stakeholders in the region.
Zobel is currently a member of the board of Ayala Corp., BPI, and Ayala Land. He is also the chairman of Ayala Foundation and Ayala’s healthcare arm, AC Health.
“Negros is the fourth stop of a series of regional visits that we have done, focusing on provinces and cities where there is a significant presence of Ayala group employees and key stakeholders of the company. We plan to visit the other five business clubs in key areas across the country to also touch base with our Ayala Group partners, customers, valued clients, and local officials,” Zobel added.
Winningest PH telco
Accepting the award are Smart Communications head of Consumer Wireless Business Alex Caeg, PLDT and Smart Group head of Corporate Communications Cathy Yang, and Smart Communications head of Prepaid and Content Lloyd Manaloto
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. emerged as the top Philippine telco at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
The group copped a total of 12 Stevies–three golds, six silvers, and three bronze awards–for innovation in the areas of content marketing, customer service, diversity and inclusion, multi- and social media, product development, special events and stakeholder management.
Launched in 2002, the Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 markets of the Asia-Pacific region.
Grab PH country headnamed Business Leader of the Year
Grab Philippines country head Grace Vera Cruz was named this year’s Business Leader of the Year at Campaign Magazine’s Women Leading Change Awards Asia-Pacific.
The award-giving body recognized Vera Cruz’ pivotal role in achieving and maintaining the strong growth momentum of the leading superapp in the Philippines post-pandemic.
Under her helm, alongside Grab Philippines’ all-Filipino leadership team, the superapp grew its presence in over 100 cities across the country. This growth was instrumental in promoting a more balanced regional development, primarily through the introduction of GrabCar and GrabFood in more areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions — with offerings that are tailor-fitted to the needs of the local communities.
Vera Cruz is joined by female leader honorees in other categories, including fintech woman leader Geraldine Wong of GXS Bank in Singapore, CEO of the Year Kate Bayona-Garcia of Publicis Groupe Vietnam, and Young Business Leader of the Year Melody Laogan of Initiative Philippines.
Liloan women gain tech skills
Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Foundation, Connected Women, and the Liloan Municipality on May 16 inked a partnership in Liloan, Cebu to implement the Elevate AIDA program, which aims to provide underprivileged women with training in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and other tech skills.
This training is designed to enhance employment opportunities and foster long-term, flexible work for women in Liloan.
Elevate AIDA equips women with market-aligned digital skills, empowering them to thrive in the digital economy.
Connected Women and the Aboitiz Foundation have been partners of Aboitiz Land in implementing the Elevate AIDA program in local communities in Luzon, where they were able to hold two graduation ceremonies for 37 graduates from Nueva Ecija and Batangas. These trainees included full-time mothers aiming to earn from home, working students, and high school graduates with limited income options.
Mama Lou’s Group, Coca-Cola tie up
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI)–the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country–sealed its partnership with Mama Lou’s Group Holdings Inc., the brand behind Italian restaurant chain Mama Lou’s.
Diners can now enjoy a variety of Coca-Cola products–such as the iconic Coca-Cola, Royal, Sprite, A&W, and Wilkins–in all Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante, Nonna’s Gourmet Italian, FAMU | Filipino Flavors, and The Burger Club, their upcoming new restaurant concepts.
Mama Lou’s has over 26 outlets.
Tala awarded by media houses
Forbes and CNBC have recognized Tala once again for its significant contribution in providing personalized and tailored financial services to the underbanked population worldwide.
Tala has earned its place in Forbes’ prestigious Fintech 50 list for the eighth consecutive year and CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list for the fifth consecutive year.
This remarkable achievement underscores Tala’s continued impact and innovation in the financial services industry. As Forbes highlights, “In 2023, Tala rebuilt its data infrastructure to cut the time it takes for most customers to get approved for a loan from two minutes to just a few seconds.”
CNBC states, “Tala is out to disrupt legacy finance in developing markets by providing loans, credit, insurance and bill pay to consumers who lack access to banks, insurers and lenders, and who lack a financial track record.”
“At Tala, our dedication lies in advancing financial inclusivity for Filipinos through dependable and accessible financial solutions. Nearly three million individuals in the Philippines have gained financial visibility and empowerment through our services. As we persist in elevating financial stability and empowering aspirations, we actively advocate for financial literacy and forge partnerships with aligned organizations committed to enhancing financial service accessibility,” said Moritz Gastl, general manager of Tala Philippines.
