Araneta Hotels awarded as Dream Employer Of The Year
The Philippines’ Best Employer Brand Awards 2023 has awarded Araneta Hotels Inc., doing business as Novotel Manila Araneta City with the support of Araneta Group and Accor Hotels, the award “Dream Employer of the Year” at the 18th Employer Branding Awardsâ„¢ which happened on the 7th of June 2023. The selection process for Dream Employer follows an evaluation by a panel of judges. In an initial screening, nominees were evaluated based on five categories: (1) Employee Satisfaction; (2) Talent Development; (3) Work-Life Balance; (4) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and (5) Measurable Results.
Novotel Manila Araneta City dedicated this victory to their own Heartists® whose mission is to create meaningful experiences for our community of travelers and nomads all around the globe to keep us all aligned and connected.
GSIS ready to help members, pensioners
As the hazardous eruption of Mayon Volcano looms, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager (PGM) Wick Veloso announced the pension fund’s readiness to aid members and pensioners in Albay province who will be displaced by the natural disaster.
The announcement was made after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology announced the possibility of raising the alert level for Mayon Volcano to 4. Hot gas, debris, and rocks are being spewed by the crater, which warns of a catastrophic eruption any time soon.
Under the loan, members who have existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous emergency loan balance and still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Those without existing emergency loan may apply for P20,000. Pensioners are also eligible to apply for a loan of P20,000.
Eligible applicants must be active members residing or working in the calamity area, not on unpaid leave, with a minimum of three months’ paid premiums within the last six months; and have no due and demandable loan. They should have no pending administrative or criminal cases and maintain a net take-home pay of at least P5,000 after all mandatory monthly deductions.
Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan as long as their resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension.
The loan has a low interest rate of 6% and a three-year payment term. With a redemption insurance feature, the balance will be deemed fully paid in the event of the borrower’s death, as long as payments are updated.
Independence Day seat sale
Cebu Pacific celebrates the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence with its signature Piso Sale.
For as low as P1 one-way base fare (exclusive of fees and surcharges), every Juan can book select domestic and international destinations until June 15. The travel period is from Nov. 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.
CEB flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Mapúa launches programs
Mapúa University has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) for the School for Health Sciences.
This was announced at the official launch event held June 6 at the Mapúa University Makati Campus. The event also served as an announcement of Mapúa University’s partnership with the Ayala-owned AC Health.
The School for Health Sciences is part of Mapúa’s commitment to providing a world-class education that helps graduates succeed in their fields and serve society.
Mapúa University has invested in state-of-the-art simulation tools and integrated training to develop practice-ready healthcare graduates.
Mapúa has partnered with Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, and St. Clare Medical Center. The new partnership with AC Health will also allow Mapúa’s students to train in Healthway Medical Network – AC Health’s clinics and hospitals group consisting of 12 outpatient centers, 4 general hospitals, and the soon-to-open Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the first of its kind in the country.
The integrated teaching simulation models will recreate authentic hospital, out-patient, and community scenarios and enable them to gain confidence and experience even before they meet their first patients. “It trains the graduates to be ready-to-practice and the first choice for employment while providing a delightful learning environment,” says Dr. Francisco.
Digital transformation lies in people agenda
True transformation means elevating lives and fulfilling dreams, and not just breaking ground in the technological aspect, according to the chairman of UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines.
In the latest episode of the Orange Chair, a web series featuring today’s thought leaders and influencers, Henry Rhoel Aguda, who also sits as the chairman of UBX as well as president and CEO of UnionDigital, debunked the misconception that digital transformation in finance is all about tech.
Cost and investment figures, as well as programming, are only second to the customer service aspect, Aguda said.
“If you get the people, you have the fighting chance of implementing your digital transformation. If you don’t get the ‘People Agenda’ right, no amount of technology or change process will result in something significant from a digital transformation standpoint,” Aguda emphasized.
Having led UnionBank’s digital transformation journey in 2016, making it the leading digitally-enabled bank in the Philippines, Aguda said digital transformation need not be as expensive as many would think.
“The question should be: what do we want to become as an organization? What would be the value creation we want for our customers?” Aguda said, sharing lessons from his experience in building UBX.
Tetra Pak webinar
Tetra Pak held a webinar “From Milk to MYLK: Unlocking Plant-based Opportunities.” The event was attended by over 150 individuals from Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia.
Providing webinar participants with a comprehensive background on the topic, Tetra Pak marketing director of Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia (MSPI) John Jose opened the webinar with the market outlook for MSPI. Jose shared some information related to how plant-based products are received in the region.
“This plant-based boom is happening across food categories as you know. The main driver across markets for plant-based products is the health and wellbeing trend,” said Jose. “There are plenty of opportunities to get into this plant-based space, but we need to know where our market is at so we don’t act too late or too soon,” he added.
For F&B manufacturers interested in starting a plant-based line, Hemang Dholakia, Tetra Pak Center Of Expertise manager shared an overview processing solutions that are required to be set-up, including Tetra Pak’s extraction system for soya, downstream processing, and flexible line solution for grain/ bean beverages.
Those who are in the dairy business seeking to explore plant-based opportunities also learned from the presentation of Tetra Pak Senior Upgrade Sales Support Tatang Ruhendi. Using the example of oat drinks productions, Tatang discussed how to convert an existing UHT milk line to be able to produce oat milk.
In summary, Jose emphasized that as a global processing and packaging company, Tetra Pak is equipped to help F&B manufacturers succeed in the plant-based category.
Tour De McDo
McDonald’s Philippines president and CEO Kenneth Yang together with cycling participants at McDonald’s Quirino Mabini for its 2nd Tour de McDo last June 4.
After the success of its first Tour de McDo, McDonald’s Philippines hosts its second community bike ride in celebration of World Bicycle Day. The latest ride brought together several cycling communities and personalities simultaneously in three key areas across the country — Pampanga, Intramuros, and Tagaytay.
Tour de McDo is a multiple-stage bike challenge introduced under McDonald’s Green and Good campaign — the QSR giant’s initiative to do better for the environment by implementing sustainable and alternative solutions in their restaurants and operations.
Earlier this year, Tour de McDo’s first round highlighted McDonald’s fifth flagship Green and Good store—the McDonald’s Nuvali, Sta. Rosa branch. McDonald’s Nuvali, the QSR giant’s 700th store nationwide, boasts its bike-friendly features, utility-efficient solutions, and green building solutions.
Following its success and strong demand from cycling communities, the sophomore ride now features three new scenic routes to cater to the different levels of cycling: Manila, Intramuros for the beginner route (20KM), Clark, Pampanga for the intermediate route (34KM), and Tagaytay for the advanced route (48KM).
Almost 100 participants joined the event and received Tour de McDo kits, which include an exclusive Tour de McDo Dri Fit shirt, Tour de McDo limited-edition stickers, and a McDonald’s breakfast meal, all for free.
PCCI 49th conference and expo
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) announced the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) will be held on October 25 and 26 at The Manila Hotel.
This year’s PBC&E is chaired by architect Felino “Jun” A. Palafox Jr.
This year’s conference will gather thought leaders, policymakers, national and LGU executives, top business leaders, and international leaders in what could be an interesting two-day discussion and sharing of insights geared toward achieving the 2050 vision of the Philippines’ becoming a first-world economy.
Traditionally, the PBC&E, the largest business conference in the country, opens with the Vice President of the Philippines and concludes with the Philippine President receiving a set of policy recommendations emanating from the various regional and industry consultations.
Family Relief on Lazada
Malayan Insurance Co. Inc. has launched its Family Relief product on the Lazada LazMall platform.
Family Relief is a specialized non-life insurance policy that shields families from unexpected financial burdens brought about by accidents and misfortunes. It is the first product offered by the country’s leading non-life insurer on the online shopping platform.
For as low as P500, the Family Relief Basic package helps households cope with unbudgeted financial needs caused by the untimely demise of a loved one. This non-transferable, one-year policy is renewable annually. It provides beneficiaries with a lump sum death benefit of P1.05 million if the policyholder passes away due to an unforeseen accident.
Through this affordable package, policyholders and their families are assured of burial expenses assistance of up to P500,000 to help them contract the services of air and ground ambulance service providers and secure a memorial lot or columbarium.
Beneficiaries will also receive a funeral service expense benefit of up to P200,000 to cover the costs of cremation and embalming. They will also receive a casket or urn expense benefit of up to P100,000.
