BDO Foundation finds ways for Filipinos affected by Typhoon Fabian
In line with its disaster response advocacy, BDO Foundation recently assisted communities hit by heavy rains triggered by Typhoon Fabian and the southwest monsoon.
Supported by the St. John the Baptist Parish Church and St. Michael Parish Church, the foundation provided aid for more than 5,000 families in nine barangays in Calumpit, Bulacan and Masantol, Pampanga. Local officials and volunteers led by parish priests Fr. Ventura Galman and Fr. Roland Moraleja distributed the relief packs containing food, rice and drinking water to disaster-stricken beneficiaries.
The corporate citizenship initiative was also backed by BDO branches. BDO Waltermart-Malolos branch head Emelita Crisostomo and BDO Pampanga San Fernando-MacArthur Highway branch head Rowena Evaristo helped the foundation coordinate the delivery of the relief goods.
BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, mounts relief operations for victims of natural disasters or armed conflict, and pursues long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in disaster-hit areas.
Finding ways for Filipinos. Backed by the BDO Unibank community and church volunteers, BDO Foundation found ways to support thousands of families in Bulacan and Pampanga affected by Typhoon Fabian and the southwest monsoon.
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URC products among ‘most chosen consumer brands in Asia
Global consulting firm Kantar has named segment-leading products made by Universal Robina Corp. (URC) as among the “most chosen consumer brands across Asia”, amid a shift in consumer behavior as a result of challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Payless instant noodles was named as the Philippines’ “fastest-rising brand”. The brand reached 2.3 million more homes last year.
“Payless’ proposition played a large part in its success,” Kantar said. “Positioning the brand as value for money, yet still delicious, is proving to be a winning formula for Payless”.
Great Taste, meanwhile, was among the Philippines’ most chosen brands in the beverage sector, as instant coffee, like instant noodles, remains a household staple, especially now. The coffee brand also ranked 13th in the most chosen FMCG brands in the country.
Kantar also highlighted snacking brands Nova and Piattos as among the “fastest risers” and most chosen food brands.
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Nestlé distributes P110M worth of products
This year, on its 110th anniversary, Nestlé is distributing P 110 million worth of its products to families in 110 cities, municipalities and provinces across the Philippines with the help of its partners.
As of mid-August, products have been delivered to the cities of Tanauan and Lipa in Batangas and Batangas province; Calamba, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa in Laguna province; Caloocan, Pasig, Manila, and San Juan in Metro Manila; and Tarlac City in Tarlac province.
The initiative comes in the face of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, with recipients living in communities where Nestlé operates, as well as coffee farmers, waste pickers, and Wellness Campus teachers.
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#AmbagKo harnesses digital platforms
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines bolsters efforts to enjoin more Filipinos, the youth in particular, to register as voters at the Commission on Elections.
To engage with the youth in a more organic way, JCI’s #AmbagKo Rehistro. Boto. fuses social media trends and pop-culture with campaign activities to spark conversations about the 2022 polls and get more Filipinos to register online until physical registration processes resumes.
#AmbagKo calls on Filipinos to register before the September 30 deadline.
To reach more young Filipinos across the country, JCI brings its campaign to TikTok.
The recently concluded #AmbagKo TikTok Challenge was open to all Filipinos who are eligible to vote. Entries can be anything from a dance video, a short skit, a storytelling or anything creative as long as they educate and encourage the youth to register.
#AmbagKo also launched its weekly podcast over Facebook live last July. The podcast runs every Tuesday, 7 p.m.
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Understanding One Health approach
In January this year, Chevron partnered with Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) and other public agencies to increase health literacy and an understanding of the One Health approach, with the launch of a program called, “Strengthening One Health Education in Southeast Asia”.
The two-year program covers One Health education for school children and their teachers, university students and their professors, as well as healthcare professionals who are solving complex issues in their communities.
The program, which runs through December 2022, aims to improve public health literacy in children to lay the foundation for effective public responses to infectious disease threats in the future, foster One Health University Networks and develop One Health leaders in the region and train health professionals from all member countries to apply the integrative One Health approach with active community engagement. Member countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Malaysia’s halal trade showcase in virtual format
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), scheduled from September 9-12, will for the first time be presented in a virtual format.
MIHAS will showcase 12 key pillars representing growing halal markets across the globe. These include long-established sectors such as food and beverage, education, pharmaceuticals, services and enablers, and franchise. While the more contemporary sectors comprise modest fashion, Islamic finance, cosmetics and personal care, media and recreation, Muslim friendly travel, e-commerce and food technology”.
MIHAS is organized by MATRADE under the patronage of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia.
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AIM empowers business leaders to thrive
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) offers flexibility through hybrid learning and prioritizes immersive learning.
Utilizing the Harvard case study method of teaching, students are encouraged to hone their decision-making skills through analysis of actual scenarios. This method, adapted directly from Harvard Business School’s system, allows AIM to design practical, localized programs that students can use in the real world.
The programs are then taught by AIM’s diverse faculty, which is composed of star professors and practitioners with impressive credentials and valuable experiences in Asian business management.
With an unrivaled network of over 45,000 alumni working in different industries all over the world, AIM continually contributes to building a sustainable society by transforming young learners into the leaders of tomorrow.
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Sparking IoT revolution
PLDT Enterprise, Smart, and Nokia have teamed up to introduce a powerful solution that will transform the way Internet of Things (IoT) applications are deployed and managed in the country, allowing businesses to accelerate their digital transformation goals and provide next-level customer experience beyond just connectivity.
The Smart IoT Platform, powered by Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) will further enhance businesses to have full real-time visibility and control to up to hundreds of thousands of connected devices. With an easy-to-use web interface and APIs, enterprises will be able to effectively oversee to automate the connectivity and usage of their mobile assets to ensure optimum performance, increasing operational efficiency.
Nokia has been a longstanding systems and network partner of the PLDT Group. In 2016, they showcased the capabilities of 5G (fifth generation) with the speed of 2.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) and latency of one millisecond – a first time showcase of such advanced technology in the Philippines.
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Eastern Communications expands footprint to Davao City
Eastern Communications, one of the premier telecommunications companies in the Philippines, takes its first flight to the southern region of the country and Mindanao’s business hub, Davao City.
In a virtual launch event called “Via Eastern,” Eastern Communications officially announced the availability of their world-class products and services, ranging from connectivity, data, and collaboration solutions for all Davaoeños.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Monteverde, President of Davao Chamber, welcomed Eastern Communications and said, “The entry of Eastern Communications provides a boost to the business sector since with this pandemic, one’s business relies heavily on the digital platforms.”
Eastern Communications’ expansion in Davao marks the beginning of the telecommunication’s support for the enrichment of local businesses.
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Cebu Pacific transports another batch of hand-carried vaccines
Cebu Pacific transported another batch of hand-carried vaccines inflight to two key provinces in Mindanao. A total of 412 vaccine doses were flown to Davao last August 11 and 12, while Cagayan de Oro received a total of 200 doses on August 11.
CEB was the first airline to make this service available on July 27 when it safely transported its first batch to Dumaguete City, which was immediately followed by another shipment for General Santos City on July 29.
These shipments were done with the assistance and approval of the OTS (Office for Transportation Security), coordinated through Cebu Pacific and Reliance United, their partner health care services provider.
All necessary storage protocols were practiced including the use of insulated bags with ice blocks to ensure its potency and efficacy are maintained throughout the flight. These were subject to strict security measures and have all passed necessary inspections for acceptable carriage in the cabin.
This type of special courier service is pre-arranged and is ideal for small shipments of vaccines, while large volumes will continue to be accommodated as cargo in the belly of the aircraft.
