Sun Life dominates
A report posted on the website of the Insurance Commission (IC), Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. is once again ranked No. 1 in both the Total Premium Income and New Business categories.
Sun Life topped in Total Premium Income, with earnings reaching more than 52.6 billion as of December 31, 2022. The top position has been held by the company for 12 straight years.
Sun Life also led in the New Business category by generating more than 9.7 billion worth of new business.
“More than anything, being No. 1 reflects the confidence of our clients who have chosen Sun Life to be their partner in securing their future. We thank them for the privilege,” says Sun Life President Alex Narciso.
Sun Life CEO and country head Benedict Sison lauded the company’s advisors and employees. “This accomplishment is the result of everyone’s concerted efforts, as we strive to bring our clients a delightful experience throughout their financial journey,” he said.
Now on its 128th year, Sun Life pioneered life insurance in the Philippines and remains to be the longest-standing insurer in the country. At the Trusted Brand Awards, Sun Life has earned the Platinum Award in both the Insurance and Investment Fund Company categories for 13 years in a row.
Toyota offers motorist assistance
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is offering a free pre-Holy Week vehicle safety inspection service.
Motorists can avail of a free 21-point Vehicle Safety Inspection at any authorized Toyota Dealer and Service Center (excluding Body & Paint Centers) nationwide until April 5.
Toyota owners can set an appointment by contacting their preferred dealer or service center. To find a dealer or service center near them, they can go to toyota.com.ph
The inspection includes a checkup of the tires, windshield wipers, brake fluids, drive belts, engine oil, coolant, battery, and more.
Toyota owners who will bring in their vehicle for checking will also receive a free Caltex Saveplus Card when they avail of additional services. This card can be used to get a fuel discount of P2 per liter for Gasoline (Platinum or Silver) or P1 per liter for Diesel at all card-accepting Caltex stations nationwide (except Caltex stations located in Landers Superstores).
Capital formation roadshow
Financial services company Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) highlighted the role and importance of investment banks as issue managers and underwriters during the SEC Roadshow on Capital Formation for MSMEs and Start-Ups.
The roadshow is an initiative of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) organized and designed to educate MSMEs and start-ups about legitimate capital raising avenues.
ICCP president and CEO Valentino Bagatsing made a presentation titled “The Issue Manager and Underwriter: Your Partner in your IPO Journey” at the Cebu leg of the roadshow.
The event also showcased reports from both the SEC and the Philippine Stock Exchange on the regulatory environment for capital raising.
Digital transformation
PLDT Enterprise partnered with Ospital ng Parañaque District II (OsPar II) to build smart hospitals that would better optimize patient care and hospital operations, and improve overall hospital resilience.
PLDT Enterprise will be providing OSPAR II with a Unified Communications platform to improve communication for all hospital personnel and patients. Data will also be used in all departments, especially in the Emergency Room and auxiliaries, to give health care providers easier access to real-time information, and ensure better patient experience.
PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., will also provide signal boosters to keep connectivity at an optimum level—eliminating dead spots and improving overall quality of calls and data connectivity while in hospital premises.
OsPar II, a level one hospital, was built at the height of the pandemic initially as an isolation facility and a COVID-19 vaccination site. Now, it welcomes an average foot traffic of 500 daily.
Online courses for MSMEs
Globe has partnered with Singapore-based Proxtera, lead operator of the SME Financial Empowerment (SFE) program, and the Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), the training arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, to champion the SFE Program, which provides online courses designed to equip micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide with financial literacy and skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.
Globe’s partnership with the SFE Program involves supporting the production of localized content for Philippine MSMEs and extending free passes to its network of MSMEs.
The SFE program in the Philippines currently provides three courses: Foundational Financial Literacy course, Global Financial Literacy Course, and the latest addition to the program which is the Green Financing for SMEs Course, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable development for SMEs. It covers green vs traditional financing and provides learners with the tools and options to incorporate green financing into their business operations.
The courses include a series of modules with videos by industry experts explaining different concepts followed by a short quiz. Each module has a content summary downloadable as PDF so users can refer to it as an additional resource.
Data innovation award
Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) announced its chief executive officer and Union Bank of the Philippines’ chief data and AI officer, Dr. David Hardoon, has been named CDOTrends Reader’s Choice Awards: 2022 ASEAN Edition’s Chief Data Officer of the Year.
As digital enablement and data transformation reach new levels of maturity across Asia Pacific, the CDOTrends Reader’s Choice Awards recognizes leading solutions and executives that have played a determining role in driving digital transformation and data initiatives across their organizations.
Hardoon was recognized for his exceptional leadership and contribution to ADI’s mission of leveraging data and operationalizing Data Science and AI (DSAI) to help businesses understand the value of data-driven innovation in solving complex business problems and unlocking new opportunities.
Robinsons Supermarket donates to World Vision
Robinsons Supermarket Corp. (RSC) recently turned over P650,000 worth of donations and support to the humanitarian organization World Vision Philippines.
The in-kind and monetary donation will be aiding the 120 sponsored children of RSC, providing assistance for their basic life and educational needs. In cooperation with its vendor partners Nivea, Mondelez, NutriAsia, and Lysol (Reckitt), RSC has been running various initiatives to raise funds to strengthen World Vision’s child sponsorship and community development campaigns.
Pre-sale of Hamilton tickets
UnionBank of the Philippines is an official sponsor and ticket pre-sale partner of the award-winning and record-breaking Broadway musical, Hamilton, when it makes its Asian premiere in the Philippines with
UnionBank, in partnership with GMG Productions for Hamilton’s Asian premiere, will hold an exclusive booking period to give its credit cardholders early access to tickets.
The Manila premiere will play at The Theatre at Solaire starting September.
Anticipating sold-out shows, UnionBank will open the Hamilton exclusive booking period to its credit cardholders before the public ticket selling period starts on April 24. There will also be an extended pre-sale offered to both UnionBank credit cardholders and those who sign up for the Hamilton Waitlist.
Meralco Biz empowers businesses to manage electricity bills
Meralco Biz, which provides end-to-end energy solutions for businesses with a power demand below 500kW, empowers its customers to make energy efficiency a way of life through Power Ideas.
Through this program, Meralco Biz guides businesses in choosing, using, and maintaining appliances and equipment. They also offer innovative technologies and solutions that can help them operate more efficiently.
For starters, the Energy Management Pyramid serves as a guide for business owners in managing their energy consumption. It involves initiatives that gradually increase in cost and complexity as the journey progresses.
Through these Power Ideas, Meralco Biz continues to empower businesses to operate efficiently.
Joy P. Mendoza, AVP & head of Meralco Biz, shared, “While energy efficiency practices in businesses should be done all year round, our partners can be more empowered during this summer season through our reliable and future-ready energy solutions that can support their requirements — whether that’s saving on costs, increasing productivity, promoting environmental sustainability, or all of them at the same time.”
FWD relocates CDO business hub
FWD Life Insurance has relocated its Cagayan de Oro (CDO) business hub, the first ever FWD branch outside Metro Manila, to the second level of SM City Cagayan de Oro Uptown.
In celebration, FWD treated the City of Golden Friendship and the Kagay-anons with a series of activities geared toward nation-building.
“The relocation of our CDO business hub aligns with our objective to reach more Filipinos by providing them with access to life protection and addressing their financial needs as they pursue their life goals. As such, we’re reinforcing our commitment to Northern Mindanao for the higher purpose of contributing to nation-building through financial inclusion and poverty alleviation, while providing innovative financial products and job opportunities,” said Antonio Manuel De Rosas, FWD PH president and CEO.
FWD welcomed guests through Cocktails and Conversations.
FWD also conducted Get Set with FWD, a business program for 60 aspiring financial wealth planners in CDO. Prior to the grand opening, FWD, through Innovation Think Tank, engaged in conversation with the young generation of CDO to empower them to become better leaders of the future.
Women-powered Airbnb
Airbnb revealed that women make up for two thirds of all Airbnb Hosts in the country making the Philippines its second-largest women-powered host community in the world after New Zealand.
Hosting provides a significant financial opportunity amidst rising costs of living, with Filipina Hosts collectively earning over P2.5 billion in 2022.
Women are a cornerstone in Airbnb’s guest and Host community and comprise 55 percent of all Hosts globally. They also comprise 40 percent of Airbnb’s 1 million Superhosts, who provide guests with outstanding hospitality in more than 200 countries and territories. Solo travel is also gaining momentum in the Philippines. In the Philippines, 56 percent of all solo traveler nights in 2022 were booked by women.
Timed to International Women’s Month this year, Airbnb launched its inaugural #WomenInTravel industry dialogue discussing how travel is challenging stereotypes and breaking boundaries. Speakers included Mich Goh, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan; Honorable Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City; Anne Jeaneth Casalme, Philippine Commission on Women Gender and Development representative; Noelle Wenceslao, Philippine Coast Guard officer, mountaineer, and the first Filipina to summit Mount Everest; and Colleen Vidal, tourism entrepreneur, Airbnb Host, and Filipina content creator.
