Media Wise Communications receives two IABC Gold Quills
Former UST FMS Regent Dr. Gabriel Pastrana, UST FMS Secretary Dr. Clifton Pe, M.D., and Media Wise Communications president Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz received the awards on behalf of UST FMS. Cruz also received the second award on behalf of Impress Philippines and Abanse Negrense.
Publishing powerhouse Media Wise Communications/MUSE Books powered to a rare two-gold harvest, in the 2023 IABC Gold Quill Awards.
This year’s awards were presented at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) World Conference on June 6, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Media Wise Communications’ golden harvest came in the publications category with two coffee-table books: Honora Medicum: 150 Years of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Santo Tomas, a collaboration with the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, led by UST-FMS regent Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P. together with UST FMS dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes Maglinao, M.D., UST FMS assistant dean Dr. Remedios Dee-Chan, M.D. and Sugar & Smiles: The Negrense Legacy Beyond 2020, the latter a collaboration with Impress Philippines and Abanse Negrense.
The two books are Media Wise Communications’ fifth and sixth Gold Quills, with previous golds in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Eight other winners in this year’s batch come from Philippines.
The IABC Gold Quill Awards recognizes and awards excellence in strategic communication, with hundreds of entries from around the world vying for the prestigious international awards every year. The 2023 IABC Gold Quill Awards received 395 entries consisting of 82 Awards of Merit and 52 Awards of Excellence, representing nine countries.
Cruz is a UST fine arts alumnus. He established Media Wise Communications, Inc., a graphic design and publishing company in 1993. Media Wise is a member of the United Print Media Group.
KonsultaMD partners with Generika and Healthway
KonsultaMD, the Globe Group’s innovative healthcare SuperApp, in partnership with AC Health, has joined forces with its sister entities, AC Health’s Generika Drugstore and Healthway Medical Network, to expand healthcare services for Filipinos nationwide.
The partnership was launched recently in an event at the Makati Stock Exchange, bringing together AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo, Healthway Philippines President and CEO Jaime “Jimmy” Ysmael, Generika Drugstore President and CEO Atty. Yet Abarca, KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay and KonsultaMD COO Beia Latay.
Through the integration of AC Health’s comprehensive ecosystem with KonsultaMD, patients now have the convenience of connecting with a wide network of medical professionals, hospitals, clinics, and an assortment of health services using online and offline platforms.
KonsultaMD members can now order medicines directly from Generika Drugstore and access the Healthway Medical Network’s comprehensive suite of in-clinic diagnostic services such as laboratory, imaging, and rehabilitation. The app will also soon feature a convenient hospital appointment booking feature.
Further enhancing its offerings, the newly launched KonsultaMD Online Pharmacy service powered by Healthway QualiMed Manila will ensure round-the-clock medicine delivery service within Metro Manila.
The KonsultaMD SuperApp currently has over 1,000 doctors and medical professionals nationwide, covering over 60 specializations and speaking over 16 dialects. It offers a one-stop shop for all healthcare needs, including 24/7 teleconsultations, mental health support, online pharmacy delivery, at-home labs and diagnostics, and wellness services.
Heineken Silver now on Drinkies PH
Heineken, maker of the world’s leading premium lager, is making the hottest season of the year cooler than ever now that the Summer Smooooth, Extra Refreshing beer Heineken Silver is available on the Drinkies PH flagship store on Lazada.
A smooth, easy-to-drink, refreshing beer that’s brewed to your palate, Heineken Silver is the perfect summer beverage, especially when you’re chilling with friends and loved ones. While it’s still made from Heineken’s own special A-Yeast that gives each brew the characteristic balanced taste, it only has an ABV of 4 percent and contains 35 kcal per 100mL and zero fat or sugar, so it’s effortless to drink with a crisp and subtle finish.
Heineken Silver beer in 330mL cans or bottles is available for as low as P439 for a pack of six or P1,619.00 for a pack of 24. Heineken Silver beers in 24-pack 500mL cans is available for P2,389 and Heineken Monobundle for 6 bottles each of Heineken Silver Beer, Heineken Original, and Heineken 0.0 for P1,299.
Good governance at PLDT Group
PLDT’s commitment to the principles of good governance and an effective Internal Audit function have been vital in its celebrated decades-long run as the country’s leading telco, with insights shared at a recent International Internal Audit Awareness Forum.
Organized by PLDT Group Internal Audit (IA), in coordination with the other IA units of the MVP and JG Summit Groups, the forum aimed to share best practices among the attending companies and recognize the transformative role of internal audit professionals in their respective organization.
PLDT and Smart president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio emphasized how PLDT and Smart continue to embark on a well-defined road map for the future while strengthening good governance across the group. “Our success has enabled us to weather strong challenges throughout 2022 and beyond. Good governance provides a solid foundation for the long-term business growth we are aiming for, and is embedded in our ways of working and core values that dictate our habits and attitude,” Panlilio said.
PLDT’s success is based on a solid business foundation, with good governance and an effective internal audit system as key components. Its governance framework ensures management decisions are based on ethical and transparent principles, and its internal audit function has provided independent assurance that the company’s operations are effective and efficient.
DEG is ‘Best Places to Work’ awardee
Dragon Edge Group (DEG), the company behind the popular Beach Hut Sunblock was certified as a “best place to work” in the country for 2023 by Best Places to Work, a world-renowned company certification program in partnership with Best Companies Group.
DEG is the only company of its size certified for this award in the Philippine FMCG industry in the last five years.
Since 2005, DEG has been creating remarkable brands that bring more joy to people’s lives. DEG also fosters a positive work environment with a unique and innovative culture for its employees. As a result, DEG employees and officers, also known as “DEGsters,” embody an edginess that ultimately spills over to their work and professional relationships.
At Dragon Edge Group, the top priority is giving DEGsters the chance to learn and letting their creative juices flow.
Founders Dennis and Emily Balajadia believe the best ideas come from “relaxed, informal settings,” such as meeting over drinks by their coffee bar, chilling by the office swings and their war room. This has led to some of the wildest yet brilliant Beach Hut ideas, like becoming the first sunblock to fly to space in 2017,
Rainy Day Rewards
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces its “Rainy Day Rewards” after-sales campaign until August 31.
Honda vehicle owners may avail themselves of any of the special deals offered at select authorized car dealerships and service centers nationwide.
These include free 50-point Safety Check-up with Tire and Battery Check-up and discounts on safety parts and services.
On top of these, customers are also entitled to a 30 percent discount on new car care products such as Leather Wax and Aircon Lubricant Agent, and a free water-repellent body coating kit (upon availing of major periodic maintenance service) starting June 15.
Viber Backstage Pass presents PLAYERTWO
PLAYERTWO, Davao’s homegrown rising hiphop group that’s behind the viral That’s My Baby track, is bringing their fresh sound to Backstage Pass Channel on Viber.
With 1.3 million subscribers, Backstage Pass is a great platform for up-and-coming artists like PLAYERTWO to get discovered and reach more fans through chats. It allows talented acts to personally share their projects to a community of engaged and supportive music enthusiasts. Having hosted established performers like Lola Amour and Arthur Miguel, Backstage Pass has been the go-to spot for the hottest music updates in the country, where featured artists usually share never-before-seen photos, videos, and other content. The Viber Channel also holds exclusive Q&A with artists, allowing fans to get to know their new favorite local acts better.
UBX beefs up SeekCap
UBX has forged a strategic partnership with Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in its lending platform SeekCap.
During the inaugural AI Summit PH 2023, UBX and ADI signed a partnership agreement to champion financial inclusion and sustainability through innovation and technology.
The partnership is a testament to how UBX and ADI embrace innovation and technology by unlocking cross-ecosystem opportunities, while ensuring compliance with data privacy and security policies.
Currently, UBX and Union Bank of the Philippines leverage an AI-powered alternative credit scoring solution, making it possible for them to offer loans to a broader range of individuals and small businesses who may not have qualified under traditional scoring methods.
“We identified a few years ago that the MSME segment is a big opening, since many of them are very underserved. A lot of these businesses don’t even have bank accounts, hence scoring them would be a challenge. By using alternative data, we are able to appropriately determine the credit score of MSMEs, allowing us to extend credit to those who couldn’t get it and give it to them at better rates,” UBX president John Januszczak said.
COS capsule collection
COS is pleased to announce its latest collaboration with Manchester-based, multi-disciplinary artist Stephen Doherty. Limited-edition pieces adorned with exclusive floral artwork, crafted using Doherty’s unique ink and water technique, evoke the epitome of summer dressing. Focusing on the flower in bloom, the collaboration celebrates the beauty of nature in its most exquisite form.
Embracing the synergy between art and fashion, the 17-piece collection embodies effortless elegance, with Doherty’s florals reimagined on canvas of silk and linen, transforming classic COS silhouettes. Set dressing is embraced throughout the capsule, with each garment designed to be interchanged and styled in endless ways, dressed up or down to suit the mood or occasion.
Exploring craftsmanship, delicately beaded embroidery embellishes bandeau tops, while unique waistband finishes provide versatile styling and a functional element to the collection. The floral print is also embraced on accessories, reworked onto a leather mule and silk scarves.
The capsule launches online and is available at the COS Store at SM Aura Premier starting June 8.
