Marcos gives honors to JCI Senate Philippines’ TOFIL 2022 Awardees
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. congratulates this year’s TOFIL Awardees 2022 at the Malacañang Palace. Laureate awardee for Business and Resilience, Hans T. Sy, chairman of the executive committee of the SM Group, Engr. Maria Catalina Estamo Cabral for Government and Public Service, Dr. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta for Law and Justice, Nemesio R. Miranda, Jr. for Visual Arts and Sculpture and Dr. Ruben L. Villareal for Agricultural Science joined the President for a photo.
The Outstanding Filipino or TOFIL Awards is among the most prestigious awards given in our country to deserving Filipinos of good moral character, whose dedication to his or her profession or vocation has made significant contributions to the advancement of his or her calling.
Hans was recognized as a champion for corporate sustainability and disaster risk reduction. He continually advocates private and public partnerships towards nationwide resilience.
P&A Grant Thornton at 35
P&A Grant Thornton, a leading business advisor for scores of dynamic organizations across the country, last February 15 celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.
The partners also expressed their commitment to shape a more vibrant tomorrow by employing bold perspectives, utilizing divergent thinking, and forging paths with clients, government, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders.
“There is no firm that embraces our culture of collaboration, innovation, and quality service more than P&A Grant Thornton. That is why your anniversary’s theme of Shaping a Vibrant Tomorrow is so fitting, because it is exactly what you have been doing all these years and what we have no doubt you will continue doing in the years ahead,” Peter Bodin, CEO of Grant Thornton International, said in his message during the event.
Marivic Españo, the firm’s chairperson and CEO, said in her opening speech. “We are fortunate to reach this point of our history largely because of clients and friends in the business community and profession who have all bestowed their invaluable confidence and continuing support for our firm and our people.”
Japan sends disaster relief team
The Japanese government has sent a Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) expert team to help the Philippine government, particulary the Philippine Coast Guard to support the investigation of the extent of damage, as well as provide guidance on ongoing oil removal and control activities with regards the oil spill disaster off the coast of Mindoro island.
In a statement issued by Japanese Embassy in Manila, Ambassador Koshikawa said that this is in response to the Philippine government’s request for assistance in managing the disaster, “in view of the amicable relations between Japan and the Philippines, on humanitarian grounds and for marine environment protection.”
The JDR Expert Team consists of 8 members in total: 2 members from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines; 5 members from the Japan Coast Guard, 3 of whom belong to the National Strike Team, an expert unit in oil removal; and 1 member from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). NIHEI Daisuke, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, will lead the team.
PLDT, Smart embed ESG in strategy
PLDT and Smart highlight the importance and integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the group’s long-term strategy. As the country’s largest integrated telecommunications company, the PLDT group recognizes the importance of understanding and managing its impact to people and planet.
Speaking at the recent ESG SUMMIT: Future Roadmap for Net-Zero Economy organized by Trueventus Foundation, Melissa Vergel de Dios, chief sustainability officer and head of Investor Relations at PLDT and Smart, underscored the integration of sustainability in the group’s DNA, “It is embedded in everything we do — in our daily operations, decision-making, and engagements in and out of the organization.”
To operationalize this thrust, Vergel de Dios said PLDT and Smart have included sustainability in their CEO scorecard and have crafted ESG-focused key performance indicators across company units and functions. PLDT and Smart also crafted awareness programs and learning courses, as well as facilitated dialogues with employees to nurture a workforce that champions sustainability. Going beyond the organization, the PLDT Group also expanded its sustainability culture to include stakeholders in the value chain including customers, suppliers, and retailers.
With support of the PLDT Board led by chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT and Smart president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio has identified sustainability as one of the key pillars that underpin the PLDT Group strategy which includes a decarbonization roadmap which aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by around 40 percent by 2030.
Fish be with you
Chowking is offering Sweet and Sour Fish for a guilt-free meal this Lenten season.
This crispy battered fish in its signature, rich sweet and sour sauce is served three ways: Sweet & Sour Fish Rice Meal, Sweet & Sour Fish Lauriat, Sweet & Sour Fish Group Platter. Price ranges from P150 to P368.
The new offering is available in all Chowking stores or via the Chowking app, GrabFood or foodpanda.
Globe honors Robinsons Supermarket Corp.
Globe has recognized Robinsons Supermarket Corp.as its Most Outstanding Account Partner for 2022. This recognition shows the mutual support and commitment of both companies to achieving growth and excellence in their respective fields.
Robinsons Supermarket Corp. is the supermarket arm of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. and comprised of 324 stores under various trade names as Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, Robinsons Easymart and The Marketplace.
Despite pandemic-related obstacles, Robinsons Supermarket Corp. has persisted in establishing additional stores under all its brands. It opened 38 stores in 2022 alone, with most under the Robinsons Easymart brand.
The drive towards digitalization has also been a top priority for the company, ensuring that customers can access their products and services through various platforms. It has adopted an omnichannel approach, maximizing offline and online channels in generating sales.
Next level education
Digital and technical education and multimedia arts school CIIT College of Arts and Technology has launched two new next level courses for the coming school year that are tailor-made for a new generation of business innovators and technology entrepreneurs.
Sherwin O, CIIT president, in a briefing at the school’s Kamuning campus on March 9 said Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Senior High School-Accounting, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand complete the educational ecosystem of CIIT.
O said CIIT’s unique entrepreneurship and ABM programs will revolutionize the way a business is run using different technologies in its daily operations. Unlike most entrepreneurship and business management programs, CIIT goes beyond the usual expectation of discussing classroom concepts byadding digital platforms and business-level tools.
US steakhouse Ruth’s Chris expands in PH
One of the biggest steakhouse restaurant chains in the US, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, will expand its Philippine operations.
First opened in 1976 in New Orleans, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse had expanded to over 21 countries, now including the Philippines.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Philippines opened its doors in 2021 at ORE Central Tower BGC and is now eyeing an expansion to cater to a bigger market.
Most of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s ingredients are sourced from abroad especially the meats/steaks. The steaks at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse are custom-aged USDA Prime beef.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse prides itself of having great chicken, fish, and vegetarian. They also have desserts that now have a cult following.
Lexus LF-30 concept car at Mitsukoshi
The Lexus LF-30 Concept will be on display for a limited time at Mitsukoshi BGC, the home of Lexus electrified vehicles.
The LF-30 is a distilled version of Lexus’s DNA of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. This concept model also commemorated 30 years of Lexus.
When it was first unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, it proudly demonstrated the future of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with new technologies and features–many of which are already available in the current crop of Lexus electrified vehicles today. Its styling displayed the advanced image expected of a battery electric vehicle, yet with artistic qualities that result in a futuristic form. The LF-30’s interior assertively weaves in autonomous driving and other new technologies that aim to highlight the distinctive Lexus personality and worldview.
The LF-30 showcases features like Advanced Posture control, a Steer-by-Wire System, Wireless Charging, the use of sustainable materials and the “Tazuna” cockpit.
Shangri-La Plaza’s ode to summer
Shangri-La Plaza curates shopping, dining, and creative activities this month.
Shang marks National Women’s Month with the first solo exhibition of sculptor Karen Castrillo-Villaseñor, Glamorosa, at the East Atrium on March 9-19.
Panels of the Art Weave by HABI The Philippine Textile Council showcases the works of female visual artists and weavers from the Cordillera on March 10-12 at the Grand Atrium.
Ikebana Manila’s stylized works will be displayed at the Grand Atrium on March 21-26. Author Francis Kong is launching an open dated planner with National Bookstore. Pick up a copy on March 29, at the East Atrium. Rustan’s is showcasing its must-have fashion fits and accessories for women and kids on March 13-19 with the Summer Town Fair at the Grand Atrium.
Toys R US Kids of Summer is holding a bazaar on March 28-April 2 at the Grand Atrium.
Set to open at the Shang are United Colors of Benetton, Manila Diamond Studio and LEGO.
More restaurants will open at the Shang: The Manila Baker, Illo’s Buffet and Teppanya as well Bistro Group brands Fish & Co, Bulgogi Brothers, and TGI Fridays. Shang’s Food Forum will also be hosting a series of food bazaars all weekends of March.
RELX sets industry standards for quality
Experts at RELX International, the leading electronic cigarette company, are seeing wider adoption of e-cigarettes among adult vapers and smokers as a better alternative.
The group underscored the importance of reliable vapor products and quality testing standards for consumers’ best interests. It is boosting its capability to ensure that it is providing its consumers with products that meet international quality and reliability standards.
To meet global standards, all RELX’s products go through several stringent steps for quality control. At every stage of production and development, the process involves 58 inspection procedures, 18 rigorous quality control measures, and more than 200 tests to ensure consistency and reliability.
RELX pays close attention to the high-value ingredients that make up its e-liquids. Aside from quality, honesty and transparency are important to determine if a product is good or not.
