Fernando Zobel de Ayala receives Pope’s highest recognition for the laity
AYALA Corporation’s board director Fernando Zobel de Ayala has been conferred the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope), the highest honor the Pope bestows upon a layperson.
Zobel was nominated by Caritas Manila for his “outstanding contribution as one of the key figures who through the years were consistently behind the success of the programs and activities of Caritas Manila.”
During a Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila bestowed the Cross of Honor upon Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ramon del Rosario Jr., Manuel Pangilinan, Maria Goolsby, and Arnulfo Veridico, who are long-standing supporters of Caritas Manila.
The other recipients of the Cross of Honor were Roselina Quismundo, Elmer Sy, Tomasita Lim, and Corazon Rodriguez from the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph in Manila’s Sta. Cruz district.
The Cross of Honor was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee. Today, it is the highest honors bestowed upon laity and the religious for their services to the church and the Pope.
Converge CEO elected to PCCI Board
DENNIS Anthony Uy, chief executive officer and co-founder of Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
Uy will serve as the director of PCCI’s ICT Committee.
“It’s my privilege to serve the country’s most influential business group. The voice of the private sector is never as important as it is today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lend mine in the service of nation-building. I hope to bring my expertise in technology and digitalization to the table and steer crucial discussions shaping the future of innovation in the Philippines,” said Uy.
Uy recently joined the PCCI Executive Committee in a courtesy call with President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Joko Widodo, during his state visit to the Philippines. This was followed by a roundtable discussion with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Among the common areas of interest identified during the discussions were mining, transportation, information and communications technology and the digital economy.
BDO, NordCham hold forum
NORDIC Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (NordCham) in partnership with BDO Unibank Inc. presents “The Best of the Nordics: Ambassadorial Insights and Business Excellence”, a forum showcasing the Nordic nations’ renewable energy, education system, technological innovations and sustainability practices. Photo (from left) Marie Mariano, FVP and Europe/North America Desk head of BDO Unibank Inc.; Erik Nielsen, VP of NordCham; Jesper Svenningsen, executive director of NordCham; Bo Lundqvist, president of NordCham; John Stasig Moerk, regional director of NIRAS Asia Manila; Lotis Ramin, director of NordCham, Ambassador Annika Thunborg, Embassy of Sweden Manila; Cristina Silva, senior manager for Digital Transformation of Hexagon; Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin, Royal Danish Embassy Manila; Ambassador Juha Pyykkí¶, Embassy of Finland Manila; Eduardo Karlin, general manager for Asia Pacific of Mainstream Renewable Power and; Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster, Royal Norwegian Embassy Manila.
2GO continues expansion
2GO celebrated the opening of its 100th 2GO owned retail store at Greenhills Shopping Center, extending its services closer to consumers, entrepreneurs, and nearby residents.
The 2GO retail store is a one-stop destination, offering a wide array of 2GO services for seamless convenience. From ticket purchases for 2GO Travel and travel-related services to efficient document and parcel deliveries through 2GO Express and FedEx. 2GO stores also extend services such as package pick-up, cargo logistics, and forwarding services. The newly established location at Greenhills Shopping Center is intended to provide patrons with convenient logistics service options.
The recent expansion of 2GO Retail into bustling shopping centers aims to elevate the shopping experiences of both mallgoers and business owners by bringing 2GO’s services closer to busy locations.
Alsons Power eyes to skill 1,800 Mindanaoans
ALSONS Power Group is committed to enhancing its collaborative efforts with the Technical Education Skills Authority (TESDA) in SOCSKSARGEN along with the local governments, to meet the increasing demand for skilled technical-vocational graduates in the Mindanao region.
The partnership will offer free training and education to a minimum of 1,800 individuals from Mindanao in the next two years.
This year, Alsons Power Group is focused on talent development to meet the growing demand for a skilled workforce capable of adapting to a changing economic environment in the area.
In 2023, Alsons Power, in collaboration with TESDA — Sarangani, and TESDA-SOCSKSARGEN Manpower Development Center provided free technical education and skills training to 45 residents in Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Electrical Installation and Maintenance. In addition to the free TVET, the partnership has also taken the extra step of sponsoring the learners’ National Competency, Level-2 Assessment, supporting the newly minted graduates with start-up kits and allowances.
“Alsons Power is dedicated to more than just supplying electricity. We recognize that investing in technical and vocational training for residents is a concrete manifestation of our brand promise – We Power with Care. We want to unlock the potential of the Mindanaoans, by offering them avenues for employment or entrepreneurship,” said Ruben Tungpalan, vice president for Alsons Power Corporate Affairs .
Alsons operates four power facilities in Mindanao, providing electricity to over eight million individuals in 14 cities and 11 provinces.
FPIP unveils integrated ‘Kabuhayan’ CSR program
LOPEZ-LED economic zone operator First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) has lined up various community-oriented initiatives to further improve conditions in the cities of Santo Tomas and Tanauan in Batangas and underscore its gratitude to the cities hosting the company’s operations.
FPIP has consolidated the initiatives into one cohesive corporate social responsibility program that it launched recently as the “FPIP Kabuhayan” to encompass the company’s educational, occupational, and communal development projects.
“We believe that, as a unified CSR program, FPIP Kabuhayan will serve as a more efficient tool in delivering projects that foster a positive and lasting impact on our target communities that have consistently supported us over the past 26 years of our operations. This bold step also exemplifies our recognition that corporate responsibility extends beyond business operations,” said Ricky Carandang, FPIP external affairs vice president.
Under the FPIP Kabuhayan umbrella program, the company will extend scholarships to deserving students; assist residents in getting work through its job fairs; provide relief during disasters and emergencies; and support community healthcare and wellness activities, among other benefits.
Located in the thriving industrial CALABARZON area, FPIP was established in 1996 by local conglomerate First Philippine Holdings with Japanese global trading giant Sumitomo Corp..
Widodo graces PCCI-KADIN dialogue
INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo graced the joint roundtable discussion of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) held recently in Makati City as part of his three-day official state visit to the Philippines.
PCCI president Enunina Mangio said the joint meeting discussed the expansion and strengthening of Philippines-Indonesia bilateral economic ties in key areas beneficial for both countries.
“We are honored with the presence of Indonesian President Widodo, who attentively listened and welcomed the partnership of Philippines and Indonesia chambers in terms of increasing trade and investments as well as creating more business opportunities for its people,” Mangio said, adding that among the common areas of interest identified were mining, agriculture specifically on livestock management, trade, and the digital economy.
She said the meeting also discussed how both countries can leverage on their mineral resources with the development of new technologies that will need nickel, cobalt and other minerals that both countries have in abundance; strengthening the Halal ecosystem and developing the livestock industry to ensure food security; utilizing the Davao-Bitung Ro-Ro route to expand trade; and, actualizing the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on the creative economy, which also covers digital security. The meeting agreed to create specific working groups to work on these initiatives.
Over 100 entities vie for top honors at Anvil Awards
Almost 500 entries from over 100 companies and agencies, including local government units, will vie for the much-coveted Grand Anvil and Platinum Anvil at the Gabi ng Parangal of the 59th Anvil Awards this year, which will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport City on January 31.
The Anvil Awards, known to be the Oscars of Public Relations in the Philippines, will recognize the best PR campaigns and tools that were implemented and executed by the country’s biggest companies, public relations agencies, organizations, and institutions during a specified one-year period.
Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) for 59 years now, the Anvil Awards are regarded as a symbol of excellence in the country’s public relations practice, with entries going through a three-phase evaluation process by distinguished panels of screeners, judges, and multi-sectoral jurors, both from the Philippines and abroad. Lending credence to the judging process is SGV, Official Tabulator of the 59th Anvil Awards.
The 59th Anvil Awards adopted some of the best practices of international award-giving bodies to build on the prestige that the Anvil has continued to enjoy for almost six decades now. Among the new categories under PR Programs that were introduced this year include the Best Use of Digital, Best Use of Social Media; and Best PR-led Integrated Campaign.
Top entries will either get Silver or Gold Anvil Awards, where the Grand Anvil will be given to the most outstanding PR Program while the Platinum Anvil Award will given to the most outstanding PR Tool.
The Agency of the Year and Company of the Year will also be selected among the participants this year.
Smart strengthens partnership with TPC
PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. strengthens its partnership with Telepreneur Corp. (TPC), a leading direct-selling company of network load, by supporting its biggest event to kick off 2024.
“This is a testament to our long-standing partnership with TPC which has been supporting us to achieve our goal of improving customer experience by making prepaid load available through their extensive network and allowing us to reach more customers all over the Philippines,” said Chito Franco, Consumer Sales VP and Head of Key Accounts at PLDT and Smart.
Around 500 members of the direct selling company, together with executives and brand partners, gathered in Quezon City to share knowledge and lay out their exciting plans for the new year.
“Smart has been a valued partner of TPC through Muenchen since day one, and they have helped us and supported us in all our endeavors,” said TPC President Mariel Rellosa Astudillo on the sidelines of the event. “Because of the many opportunities to learn and improve livelihoods, our partnership with Smart has been a huge part in improving the lives not only of our members, but also of other Filipinos in the communities that we serve,” she added.
Aside from providing livelihood opportunities, Smart also helped upskill employees of Muenchen and TPC by teaching them how to use social media channels to boost their businesses.
