UnionBank is Asiamoney’s ‘Best Bank for SMEs’
Digital banking leader Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has recently been awarded by Asiamoney as the “Best Bank for SMEs.”
Asiamoney cited UnionBank’s steadfast commitment to leveraging digital solutions to empower businesses of all sizes, which has earned it this esteemed recognition.
The bank embarked on its digital transformation journey well before the onset of the global pandemic. Its groundbreaking ‘Tech Up Pilipinas’ platform was already making significant impact with the primary goal of harnessing the power of digital technology to expedite financial inclusion and cascade the benefits of economic growth throughout the Philippines.
Asiamoney highlighted the bank’s milestones in helping MSMEs including the first-of-its-kind MSME Business Banking mobile app, which was introduced in 2021, marking a pioneering step in digital banking for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
As a result, sole proprietors and entrepreneurs were provided with a versatile range of banking options, empowering them to navigate their financial needs with ease. In 2022, the Bank launched the ‘Power to Grow’ campaign or widely known as #WalangMaliitNaBusiness, to reinforce its commitment and support to MSMEs to help them with the means to take their business to the next level.
UnionBank’s president and CEO, Edwin Bautista, emphasized the urgency of ensuring that no business, regardless of its size, gets left behind in today’s fast-paced digital environment.
PCPPI, GMA Kapuso Foundation promote better eye care
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) recently partnered with GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMA KF) for the Kapuso 20/20 Eye Project last August to mark Sight Saving Month.
PCPPI donated 2,000 bottles of Premier Purified Water, which were distributed during the two medical missions held at the Sampaloc Elementary School in Quezon Province and GMA Network Studio in Quezon City. The medical missions included free eye check-up and a short seminar, which benefited more than 200 participants. There were also 48 students from Sampaloc Elementary School who received prescription glasses during the event.
The program aims at promoting eye health and care, in light of increased gadget and technology use, which affects one’s vision. Gracing the events were GMA KF Ambassador and Special Adviser Mel Tiangco and GMA KF Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog.
Sun Life Solidifies Client-centricity with Client Hour
Further concretizing its client-centered ethos, Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life) recently concluded Client Hour, a program that provides employees from various functions with opportunities to connect with clients and gain a deeper understanding of their needs.
With an initial focus on the Overseas Filipino and Business Owner segments, Client Hour consisted of a series of interactions where clients shared their concerns in their financial journey, allowing the employees to empathize with them better and recognize how their contributions matter. One of the core factors of client experience is that employees play a crucial role in ensuring the clients’ unparalleled satisfaction as they journey towards a bright future.
To keep the momentum going, Sun Life will hold more Client Hour sessions in the coming months, engaging different Clients to further explore ways that it can be a Partner for Life to its clients.
BDO joins Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela
BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) participated in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Brigada Eskwela” 2023, a nationwide school maintenance program which encourages local governments, communities, businesses, non-governmental organizations and individuals to help in the public-school clean-up before the opening of classes.
A hundred and seventy BDO employees volunteered their time and skills at Commonwealth Elementary School, one of the highly-populated elementary schools in the Philippines. BDO adopted Jun Simon Building where volunteers painted and cleaned ten classrooms for the incoming 900 grade two students. The other employees were at the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” for vegetable gardening. The day’s initiative was the main kick-off event for BDO’s “Brigada Eskwela” initiatives nationwide.
BDO’s partnership with DepEd is vital to advance the Bank’s sustainability initiatives in the country related to education.
Filinvest Group scion shares best practices at workshop
Isabelle Gotianun Yap, a third-generation steward of the Filinvest conglomerate and Executive Director at EastWest, recently offered a glimpse into the workings of this intricate world of Philippine publicly listed companies and conglomerates that are largely founded and significantly owned by families.
Isabelle was a featured speaker at the “The Significance of Governance and Family Engagement in Running a Business” workshop, hosted by the Ateneo Family Business Development Center and supported by EastWest Priority.
Isabelle shared that one of the cornerstones of the Gotianun family’s success is their commitment to ensuring that every family member understands not just the specifics of their family business but also broader business principles.
She emphasized the importance of periodic family conferences they plan, occurring every couple of years. Larger family businesses differentiate themselves in the expansion of key management roles to non-family professional business leaders.
Hands-on experience forms an integral part of the Gotianun family’s approach to business education.
Now working in the business, Isabelle stressed the importance of ongoing professional development and leadership.
Global Investment Firm onboards Aboitiz Foundation to Philanthropy Asia Alliance
Temasek Trust, a leading player in the global investment arena, is proud to onboard Aboitiz Group’s corporate social responsibility arm Aboitiz Foundation as one of the founding members of the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) dedicated to catalyzing positive change in Southeast Asia.
Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar recently met with PAA executives Chief Executive Officer Seok Hui Lim and Director Sylvia Lim to discuss the opportunities for collaboration with the aim of amplifying programs that can deliver substantial social impact. During this meeting, both parties expressed their shared commitment to driving positive change in the communities they serve. This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment in their joint mission to empower and uplift communities across Southeast Asia and they are excited about the meaningful initiatives that will emerge from this collaboration.
PAA is poised to leverage its resources and expertise by collaborating with the Aboitiz Foundation as well as other members, private individuals, and various foundations across Southeast Asia. This collaboration is aligned with its shared vision of Empowering the Future Generation of Leaders.
Aboitiz Foundation being inducted into the Philanthropy Asia Alliance represents a significant step towards a brighter and more sustainable future for the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. Together, they will work tirelessly to empower communities, nurture future leaders, and combat climate change across the region.
PLDT-Smart Foundation leads rebuilding Palawan communities years after Odette
The PLDT Group’s social outreach arm, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) continues to take the lead in assisting fisherfolk, students, and emergency responders in Palawan in their road to recovery from the devastation of super typhoon Odette nearly two years ago.
Just recently, PSF provided fishing boats to fisherfolk from selected barangays in Palawan capital Puerto Princesa City, as a sustainable and long-term source of livelihood. The specifications of these vessels can enable fishermen to travel farther into the waters, increasing catch and consequently, their income.
PSF worked with Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. (AKFI), the social development arm of TV5, and Fleet of Hope, a livelihood rehabilitation and recovery program that aims to provide motorized boats to disaster-hit communities.
PSF and AKFI also provided Sacks of Joy (SOJ), filled with school supplies and learning essentials to students at Manalo Elementary School, also in Puerto Princesa. ‘Extraordinary Manny’, a children’s book on PLDT Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan’s journey to success, was also distributed to motivate students to pursue their studies with renewed enthusiasm. AKFI also provided teachers and students with hygiene kits.
Additionally, two satellite phones were turned over to the Provincial Government of Palawan through Governor Dennis Socrates and to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) of Puerto Princesa. These phones are meant to serve as a lifeline during emergencies, enabling seamless communication and better response capabilities.
Solane LPG partners with GCash for cashless, credit payment options
LPG brand Solane has partnered with leading finance superapp GCash, enabling Solane LPG users to pay for their liquefied petroleum gas tanks and refill using their GCash wallet.
Under the landmark partnership, Solane LPG users may now pay using their GCash wallet at select distributor and retail partners through GCash Scan-to-Pay facilities or select GCash as payment method when placing orders through the Solane LPG app or the Solane web portal.
Eligible GCash users may also pay for their Solane LPG products using GCredit, GCash’s credit line powered by CIMB Bank, and GGives, its buy-now, pay-later installment option, enabling them to purchase their LPG refill even without available cash onhand or when budget is tight.
Solane LPG sees the partnership as a way of expanding its market further. GCash has over 80 million registered users, 85% of which come from C2DE or lower socioeconomic classes, and 70% which are based outside Metro Manila.
With the availability of GCash scan-to-pay facilities, Solane LPG also sees the partnership as a driver for its nationwide distribution system, which consists of more than 80 distributors and approximately 11,000 points of sale located in different parts of the Philippines.
