“Juana’s Table” book launch delights guests at S Maison
Filipino cuisine with a healthier, modern twist took center stage as cookbook author and culinary enthusiast, Juana Manahan-Yupangco, unveiled her latest masterpiece, “Juana’s Table,” at the newly opened Villeroy & Boch Boutique in S Maison on September 20.
The launch was a feast for the senses as Juana walked guests through the plating of one of her favorite recipes, Rick’s Kadyos Salad, on Villeroy & Boch dinnerware.
Juana recently secured her master’s degree in food security and nutrition from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The recipes from her cookbook integrate clean ingredients with the rich tapestry of Filipino cuisine, infusing a healthier, plant-based take without sacrificing flavor and variety.
In addition to the culinary delights, the event also featured a captivating session on floral arrangements and tablescapes presented by floral expert, Maria Parsons. Using exquisite Villeroy & Boch products and local vegetables & flowers, guests were shown the art of table setting and creating stunning floral displays that complement Juana’s delectable creations.
Afterward, guests were treated to a delicious dinner courtesy of La Creperie. With a delectable array of dishes that cater to the most discerning palates, La Creperie added another level of artistry and elegance to the event.
The book launch event was a testament to the enduring appeal of Filipino cuisine and its ability to empower healthier choices among Filipinos. Through Juana’s cookbook, local vegetables were infused into the recipes to transform familiar ‘comfort food’ into ones that are plant-based.
Globe Group’s multi-awarded #MakeITSafePH campaign
Globe Group’s #MakeITSafePH anti-cyberbullying campaign has garnered two prestigious awards at the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA) Platinum 2023 Awards Ceremony in London, besting top-tier entries from Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
The campaign, which aims to provide both education and support on cyberbullying, won “Best in Digital and Social Media,” and the “Purpose Award.”
The campaign uniquely brings the stark reality of online harassment to the forefront for parents and guardians to understand how it affects their children. This approach is particularly relevant in the Philippines, which holds the second-highest global ranking for children’s exposure to online risks.
Campaign activities include the creation of the MakeItSafe.ph website, which offers resources such as a comprehensive Cyberbullying Glossary showcased via digital and physical flashcards.
There are also free mental health consultations via KonsultaMD for affected families as well as video e-modules of Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program included in DepEd’s K-12 curriculum to supplement learning on child online safety and responsibility.
#MakeITSafePH raised awareness on the impact of cyberbullying with the help of social listening and user-submitted content. The results were overwhelming: over 77,000 visits to the MakeITSafe.ph website, a 315% surge in mental health consultations post-campaign, a social media reach exceeding 147 million, and more than 22.6 million engagements.
The Globe Group’s efforts have been amplified by close to 300 content creators and celebrities who shared their personal experiences with cyberbullying, further driving home the campaign’s message.
Chevron Holdings Inc. recognized in HR Asia Best Companies to Work For
Chevron Holdings Inc. (CHI), a pioneer shared services company, was awarded as one of the Best Companies to Work for at the recently held HR Asia Awards — Philippines Chapter, at the Manila Marriott Hotel.
The HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards is an awards recognition program for organizations that have been identified by their employees as one of Asia’s employers of choice. It is held annually in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. HR Asia is Asia’s most authoritative publication for senior HR professionals.
This is the second time CHI has received this prestigious award, the first time being in 2020 during the pandemic. CHI was able to quickly adapt to the lockdowns and offered wellness support to its employees.
This year’s awarding ceremony had around 250 entries from Philippine companies and CHI was chosen for its best HR practices, high level of employee engagement, and excellent workplace culture. The award was primarily based on an employee survey.
CHI is also into social investment initiatives that support education, health, sustainable livelihood, and the environment. It has also been a long-time partner of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), supporting the latter’s disaster relief and recovery programs.
Cyberzone supports inter-school gaming community
Cyberzone, the largest chain of IT retail stores in the Philippines, continues to bring together an expanding tech community at various esports segments in the Country. Smart Communications held its University Clash Finals at SM City North EDSA last September 19.
Esports has rapidly transformed from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon, and the Philippines’ educational institutions are no exception to this trend. Embracing this change, Smart Communications made a significant stride in promoting esports within the academic sphere by launching the eagerly anticipated University Clash tournament on July 14.
64 teams from across the nation vied for supremacy in a nationwide playoff during the groundbreaking event. Smart’s University Clash represents a pivotal moment where esports and education converge to create a new frontier of competition and skills development.
From thrilling matches and intense rivalries to exposure of exceptional talents, eight teams have emerged victorious and reached the finals. These elite eight teams went head-to-head in a battle for the coveted winner’s title.
Here’s a closer look at the teams that have made it to the Quarterfinals:
1st Match: Teletigers Gold vs EAC Generals
2nd Match: HCDC B vs HCDC A
3rd Match: Viridis Arcus vs FEU Invicta
4th Match: Kabud Esports vs Excelsiors Esports
While the tournament aims to shape the future and recognize the potential of esports as a legitimate avenue for skills development and vast opportunities, Cyberzone continues to support gaming communities across all demographics and positively influence the youth’s growing passion in tech and the gaming arena. The Premier Tech Hub continues to partner with organizations and platforms that commonly support CCE tournaments.
LausGroup CEO wins AWEN award
Lisset Laus-Velasco, chairman and chief executive officer of the Laus Group of Companies, received the prestigious ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) Award last September 2, at the JW Marriot Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The AWEN Award recognizes the significant contributions made to their respective industries by female entrepreneurs in ASEAN member countries, as well as the advancement of women’s participation at all levels of economic activity.
Laus-Velasco was recognized for her exemplary leadership that has brought the LausGroup of Companies to new heights, as well as her strong advocacy for inclusive education and continuing her father, Levy P. Laus’s mission to support countryside development.
The AWEN Award is an annual ceremony presented by the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network, a network of businesswomen dedicated to elevating and empowering women in the ASEAN region. AWEN provides a forum for women to share their expertise and experience, network, and advocate for initiatives that support women-led businesses in the region.
Consumers split between cashless and cash payments, says foodpanda
Online food and grocery delivery platform foodpanda has observed a rapidly increasing number of their app users embracing digital payment methods, with their customer base now split between cashless and cash-on-delivery payments.
The actual results from foodpanda’s records are mirrored by a survey done by foodpanda’s Berlin-based parent company Delivery Hero. According to their survey on Filipinos’ payment method preferences, 51% of consumers prefer paying with cash, while the other half prefers various digital payment methods, with 27% using a mobile wallet app, 17% using a debit or credit card, and the remaining 4% using other digital payment methods.
For a simplified and faster checkout process, foodpanda introduced their e-wallet service pandapay that enables customers to store credits within the wallet.
Global Dominion Financing Inc. empowers Filipinos to achieve their dreams
For over 20 years, Global Dominion Financing, Inc. has been instrumental in providing Filipinos with the financial means to realize their dreams for themselves and their families.
Global Dominion has been instrumental in transforming aspirations into reality. Their unsecured and secured credit facilities cater not only to individuals but also to businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises by providing them accessibility without the strict loan requirements, which are not typically associated with traditional financial institutions or banks.
In its early years, Global Dominion Financing Inc. focused on serving the medical community, establishing itself as a financing company for doctors and medical entrepreneurs.
During the pandemic, Global Dominion stepped up and continued extending loans to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Global Dominion has collaborated with associations, technology providers, and other financial institutions to bolster its efficient process and network capabilities. This strategic approach enabled them to adapt swiftly during the pandemic, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance their overall operational efficiency.
Global Dominion Financing, Inc. is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
GSK shingles vaccine receives FDA approval in PH
GSK Philippines today announced that the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its shingles vaccine (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in people aged 50 and over or adults 18 years of age or older with increased risk of developing Shingles. The vaccine is a non-live, recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.
GSK’s shingles vaccine is designed to prevent shingles in adults aged 50 years and over and 18 years and older who are at increased risk of shingles in countries where the indication for this population has been approved. Since its first approval in the US and Canada in 2017 for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 years and older, the vaccine has been approved in more than 40 countries.
In several countries, including the US and European Economic Area (EEA), it is also approved for adults aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of shingles. Immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of shingles and associated complications and GSK’s shingles vaccine is the only shingles vaccine approved for this at-risk patient population.
