First Metro dominates the fixed-income securities market
First Metro Investment Corp. was awarded its second consecutive Cesar E.A. Virata Award for Best Securities House (Investment House Category) by the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. Group (PDS Group) in its 2023 PDS Annual Awards.
The award is a testament to the company’s dedication to the fixed-income securities business, evidenced by its exceptional performance in trading, distribution, and settlement activities for the year.
Accepting the award during the awarding ceremony held recently, First Metro president Jose Patricio Dumlao said, “This second consecutive Cesar E.A. Virata award is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 60th anniversary this year. In the long history of First Metro, we have always found our humble achievements more meaningful and special in the robust fixed-income market under the stewardship of the PDS Group. This recognition is a testament not only to our relentless efforts to be among the best in the industry but also to our contribution to the development of the Philippine capital markets.”
First Metro was also recognized as the Top Fixed-Income Brokering Participant and among the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers.
KMBC marks 35th year in PH
Kitchen Beauty Marketing Corporation, the maker of Kyowa, celebrates its 35th anniversary in the Philippines brimming with success stories of innovation, market vision, and clear implementation of the company’s mission.
KBMC has Kyowa as its flagship brand for its small kitchen and household appliances. From launching the first rechargeable lanterns during the brownout years, to the introduction of the indispensable rice dispenser–we are after all a rice-consuming nation–Kyowa rode and crested with the waves of economic change and coming out winning.
Three decades on, it is the ability to smell the winds of change that spells the brand’s longevity. Kyowa quickly caught the change in the Filipino household, the new decision maker, and the type of residence. The brand is also quick to cash in on the young customer and its flair for new experiences, tastes, and hobbies. In short, it’s all about fully understanding the new lifestyle.
Kyowa celebrates this landmark with a new logo that better embodies its meaning. A rising sun symbolizes the brand as a reliable product that is innovative to address a lot of needs. A new day also exudes warmth and sincerity, and even optimism, all the positive feelings of a life worth living.
KBMC also carries Rossetti known for stainless steel kitchenware and food service items, catering and restaurant wares. Rossetti is designed to meet your culinary and cooking needs. Kyowa recently launched its Kuroshiro line of appliances that aptly depict sleek and classy in honor of its kuro (black) and shiro (white) definition.
“2023 is a big year for KBMC. We love the Philippines, and we hope to stay in the hearts and minds of Filipinos through their kitchen and their homes,” adds Mr. Marc Tee KMBC chief operating officer.
AXA PH bags gold seals
AXA Philippines has been named one of the country’s most Trusted Brands by global magazine Reader’s Digest, signifying consumers’ continued trust in the AXA brand.
AXA Philippines received Gold in the category of Most Trusted Health Insurance for 2023. For two decades, the company has provided dedicated quality health insurance services for many Filipinos, becoming one of the most prominent insurance brands in the Philippines.
With products like Global Health Access, Health Care Access, and services like the award-winning Emma by AXA PH mobile app, AXA Philippines has made a significant impact in improving the healthcare needs of every Filipino. Health Care Access was also awarded Health Insurance Initiative of the Year at the Insurance Asia Awards in 2022.
AXA Philippines bagged Gold as well in the category of Travel Insurance, with the help of its comprehensive insurance offer, Smart Traveller. This product provides 24/7 emergency travel assistance alongside top-tier medical coverage and compensation for travel-related inconveniences.
Promotions partner
Digital Pilipinas has been appointed as the inbound and outbound promotions partner of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Board of Investments (BOI) on technology and other priority investment areas of the current administration.
Digital Pilipinas is now the largest private sector-led movement for creating an innovation and technology ecosystem in the Philippines that is actively engaged in the global digital economy.
“Our mandate is to bring the best of the investment world to the Philippines and the best of the Philippine technologies cross border,” said Amor Maclang, convenor of Digital Pilipinas and co-founder of the One Asean Fintech movement.
Digital Pilipinas has also lined up events and activities this year including the Philippine Fintech Festival this October which will showcase leaders and key stakeholders in the technology and digital space.
LWUA launches ‘Patubig sa Buong Bayan at Mamamayan (PBBM)
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) recently unveiled its plans and targets for the next five years in its mission to promote and oversee water and sanitation projects in the countryside.
Speaking before the more than 1,000 delegates from water district groups across the country, LWUA Administrator Vicente Homer B. Revil said that for the next five years, the agency intends to complete 738 water supply and 43 sanitation projects worth about Php24 billion.
Revil said the package of projects has been dubbed as ‘Patubig sa Buong Bayan at Mamamayan (PBBM).
The LWUA chief said the goal is to expand service coverage to more families by activating non-operational water districts to cover more cities and municipalities.
“By 2028, we are looking at a 12.2% increase in coverage or an additional 2.4 million of our kababayan having clean, affordable and accessible water,” Revil said.
He laid out the plan in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent pronouncement that the country is facing a water crisis and need an immediate and cohesive response to battle climate change.
The speech was delivered recently during the 44th national convention of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Currently, LWUA and the 532 active water districts in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are serving 22.3 million Filipinos with potable water.
No bad takes
In their recent #NoBadTakes campaign launch held at Blackbird last April 19, Ultherapy introduces actress, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and self-love advocate Ellen Adarna as their new brand ambassador.
As the only US-FDA cleared non-invasive procedure with real-time visualization, Ultherapy takes pride in enabling health care practitioners to achieve precision in treatment with prominent results. Through innovative technology and techniques like the See-Plan-Treat protocol, Ultherapy allows doctors to see deep into the layers of the skin to ensure that the ultrasound energy is safely delivered where it will be most beneficial. It is done with safety and precision, unique only to Ultherapy’s micro focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V).
Ultherapy has over 2 million treatments worldwide, and the exceptional results are seen with a 95 percent patient satisfaction rating a year after treatment.
2024 Japanese government scholarship applications now open
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines is now accepting applications for the Undergraduate, Research, Specialized Training College, and College of Technology categories of the 2024 Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho)scholarship.
All Filipino citizens who meet the following qualifications are eligible to apply:
For Research (student, master’s or doctoral course)– College graduate, preferably with 16 years of formal education; Under 35 years of age; Clear and feasible research proposal; and Good academic.
For Undergraduate, Specialized Training College, and College of Technology– High school graduate, Good academic standing; andUnder 25 years of age.
Diagnostics partnership
AppleOne Medical Group (AMG), the healthcare arm of the AppleOne Group of companies, set out to upgrade the laboratory services and the medical arts of VisayasMed Hospital in Cebu City by formally signing a partnership with Singapore Diagnostics (SGD). Through this partnership, VisayasMed Hospital will be able to carry out its main goal of providing a holistic patient experience by offering a more convenient and personalized approach to healthcare as SGD is known for its global expertise and technology.
AppleOne Medical Group (AMG), the healthcare arm of the AppleOne Group of companies, has set out to upgrade the laboratory services and the medical arts of VisayasMed Hospital in Cebu City by formally signing a partnership with Singapore Diagnostics (SGD) on Wednesday, April 19.
Through its partnership with SGD, VisayasMed Hospital will be able to carry out its main goal of providing a holistic patient experience by offering a more convenient and personalized approach to healthcare as SGD is known for its global expertise and technology.
SGD will fully operate VisayasMed’s laboratory, both inpatient and outpatient, through their well-trained medical technologists and laboratory specialists. Additionally, SGD also aims to become a well-equipped training venue for the best scientists of Cebu for continuous improvement.
Santé expands global reach
Santé, a provider of premier natural health and wellness products and services, recently held its Salvo 2023 Gala Night at the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig City and Sizzle Night at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City. The events were attended by over 2,000 business owners, partners, and stakeholders.
Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé, said at present, the company is present in 10 other countries and aims to break all barriers this year.
Jane De Leon, actress and brand ambassador of Santé Barley, graced Sizzle Night.
Part of this year’s Salvo 2023 is the conferment of awards and incentives like the Santé Dream Quest, Starter Travel Qualifiers & Reload, Regional and Global Travel Qualifiers, Model and Top e-Branches, Employee Awards, New Millionaire’s Circle, and Global Elite Recognition among others.
The awards are given to honor and recognize the people behind the success of Santé.
Ninja Van Ph expands logistics services
Ninja Van Philippines has rolled out Logistics+, a suite of supply chain management solutions for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia.
Beyond last mile deliveries, Logistics+ by Ninja Van aims to help MSMEs navigate the complex and ever-changing networks of suppliers, manufacturing partners, transportation providers, and financial service providers. With Logistics+ solutions, MSMEs can focus on their businesses and reimagine their potential.
More than 30,000 MSMEs across Southeast Asia are already benefiting from Logistics+ solutions, which include warehousing and fulfillment, international cargo transportation, procurement support, and cross-border payment solutions.
