Empowering the academe through communication excellence
Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga (left) shared his expertise on the importance of authentic and purposeful communications to faculty and researchers of the De La Salle University — The Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance last September 24. The activity was part of “Communicating with Clarity and Confidence: A Media Relations Workshop for Academics” — a 2-day training that aims to equip the academe with knowledge and skills to communicate with the public effectively. In the photo with Zaldarriaga is Prof. Ador R. Torneo, Director of La Salle Institute of Governance (right)
Win customers this mega sales season with GCash Partner Solutions
Through “GCash Insider: Mega Holiday,” the fintech giant once again proved that it is more than just an e-wallet but also an enabler of business success as it discussed the latest trends, insights, and marketing strategies under its Partner Solutions Suite which businesses can utilize to expand their market reach.
The latest GCash Insider in Xylo BGC became an avenue for industry experts, thought leaders, and business enthusiasts to discuss best practices and exclusive tips on using technology to grow brands and businesses.
GCash takes geotagging a step further by improving its location feature for its GEO-TARGET ADS.
Users within a targeted radius as close as 100 meters can get real-time updates and alerts through hyperlocal push notifications of their favorite restaurants, establishments, and brands within their vicinity.
The daily transactions of GCash’s millions of active users have allowed the super app to curate over 50 unique customer profiles, which businesses can choose from when blasting out their brand messages with its solution, AFFINITY TARGETING.
Through data analysis, consumers were categorized into persona sets such as K-fans, foodies, eco-warriors, pro gamers, medicine buyers, parents, and more.
GCash enhances the overall promo experience by enabling businesses to conveniently roll out discounts and freebies with the introduction of VOUCHER ADS, a customizable disbursement solution allowing users to click on ads and instantly claim vouchers.
Knorr PH partners with GMAKF for nutrition program
Knorr Philippines joined GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) in its ‘Give A Gift Feed A Child’ project to help communities in General Nakar, Quezon. Over 300 children from across three schools, between kinder to third grade, graduated from the six-month-long nutrition program partnership in July.
Together with GMAKF, Knorr stepped in as among the main sponsors to run the nationwide 2021 Operation Timbang conducted by the National Nutrition Council program in the local community.
Through the ‘Give A Gift Feed A Child’ program, about 88% of the beneficiary students’ weights improved through a 120-day in-school supplementary feeding program, and 85% have recorded an increase in height over the period. It was also observed that students had increased alertness and energy in their classes.
The initiative was also boosted by the active involvement of the mothers who prepared nutritious meals for the in-school feeding program, nurtured the gardens, and put into practice the knowledge gained from Knorr’s nutrition education modules.
Knorr is Unilever’s biggest food brand and is committed to using its scale and reach by inspiring people to make more nutritious, more planet-friendly food choices every day. Through products, programs, and partnerships, Knorr champions a sustainable way of eating.
UST FMS, Media Wise feted at IABC Silver Quill Awards in Bali
Fresh from its IABC golden triumph in Toronto, Canada in June, Media Wise Communications/MUSE Books received another prestigious IABC award–this time the IABC Silver Quill Awards at the recently concluded IABC Asia-Pacific “Fusion 2023,” an international conference for communications professionals, held just this September in Bali, Indonesia.
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Silver Quill Awards Asia-Pacific recognizes and awards excellence in strategic communication, with hundreds of entries from around the world vying for recognition every year. Media Wise president and CEO Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz, an awarded UST Fine Arts alumnus, received the award for UST-FMS’s landmark sesquicentennial coffee-table book Honora Medicum: 150 Years of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Santo Tomas, which earlier this year won a gold in the 2023 IABC Gold Quill Awards in Toronto.
The 380-page Honora Medicum celebrates the 150-year history of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and highlights the institution’s major contributions in medical education and in public health in the Philippines, including its pivotal role in the country’s response to the Covid epidemic. In making the tome, Media Wise and UST-FMS involved 45 interviewees/contributors and 23 writers, plus the UST-FMS dean Ma. Lourdes P. Domingo-Maglinao, the UST-FMS regent Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P., and the former DOH secretary Francisco T. Duque III.
Media Wise Communications /MUSE Books is a member of the United Print Media Group.
VFS Global awarded global biometric collection service
The Department of Home Affairs, Australia, has awarded the global biometric collection service across seven regions to VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions.
The agreement spanning Australian biometric collection centers (ABCC) at 165 locations worldwide include new geographies in addition to existing locations operated by VFS Global. Awarded regions comprise Americas, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. According to the agreement, VFS Global’s core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance on the Department’s ImmiAccount portal.
The company would also provide additional (as required services) such as remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery. The roll out would take place in two broad phases with 59 centers to be operational by January 1, 2024 and the rest under phase two in line with the department’s directives.
The agreement also marks the maiden opening of Australian biometric collection centers (ABCC) by VFS Global in the Americas region.
Smart transforms ‘GigaLife App’ to ‘Smart App’
Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has rebranded the ‘GigaLife’ App with the ‘Smart App’ to give subscribers more value-packed offers and rewarding experiences with every tap.
The Smart App is now the go-to app of all Smart Prepaid, Smart Signature, Smart Infinity, Smart Bro, TNT, and PLDT Prepaid Home WiFi subscribers to effortlessly manage their account.
Get the Smart App now by updating the GigaLife App installed on your phone, or by downloading it on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Upon successful login, the Smart App displays all your crucial account information on the Home Tab — your load balance, your existing promo subscription and its expiration, and your points — so you can check and manage your digital life effortlessly at one glance.
If you are a postpaid subscriber, the Home Tab lets you see your Plan details.
The Smart App also lets you receive important advisories notifications as well as conveniently link your Maya account, and credit or debit card for easy online payments within the app with just a few taps.
It also lets you easily buy load and access Smart Prepaid’s complete list of value-packed offers to cover all your online activities.
The Smart App also has a Pasa Tab, which lets you link your family and friends to conveniently pass on and share load, promos, rewards, or data with them.
McDonald’s PH commits to employ more PWDs, senior citizen hires in Manila
With them are, from left, McDonald’s Philippines assistant vice president for Corporate Relations & Impact Adi Hernandez; McDonald’s Philippines vice president for Human Capital Group Ben Marasigan; assistant regional director for Department of Labor & Employment NCR Atty. Olivia Obrero-Samson; Manila City Vice-Mayor Yul Servo; secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marlon Lacson; and head of Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Manila Fernan Bermejo, during the MOA signing for the Alternative Workforce partnership between McDonald’s Philippines and the city of Manila last September 7.
Quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant, McDonald’s Philippines, strengthens its commitment to being an equal opportunity employer by officially returning its Alternative Workforce program, signing an agreement with Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna to resume hiring of eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from the city of Manila this year. The company’s program initially began in 2019 but had been temporarily halted due to the pandemic.
Qualified applicants will undergo a training program approved by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Manila, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Hired senior citizens and PWDs will be assigned to perform tasks complementing those of existing crew members which includes being an order presenter, drink drawer, table manager, and overall guest relations.
Under the agreement, senior citizens will be assigned work for not more than four hours per day for five days a week, with shifts set at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Meanwhile, PWDs will perform work in shifts also applied to regular crew members, but not to exceed eight hours a day.
Ayala’s #SaludoSaSerbisyo goes to Cebu
Ayala’s flagship program for uniformed personnel held a caravan at the Queen City of the South to bring its various initiatives closer to thousands of potential beneficiaries in the province.
Four hundred officers and staff from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection attended the #SaludoSaSerbisyo caravan held at the City Sports Club Cebu last week.
On behalf of Ayala Corporation and ACEN, #SaludoSaSerbisyo Program Director, Gen. Emmanuel Bautista (Ret.), turned over 400 “CareCards,” which provide free unlimited consultation with primary care physicians in Healthway Medical Network facilities across the country. A CareCard also entitles card holders discounts on hospitalization, diagnostics and laboratory services, as well as select pharmacy products. CareCard holders can also avail of one-time flu vaccination or annual physical exam.
Apart from CareCard distribution, #SaludoSaSerbisyo also hosted a caravan, where uniformed personnel could fast-track their home and car loan application as well as receive exclusive rates from Ayala Land properties and Ayala-owned car dealerships. AC Health and Makati Development Corporation also offered free health & wellness consultation, while Generika Drugstore offered product samples. Meanwhile, BPI conducted a financial wellness seminar as well as loan and account opening assistance. Globe offered discounts on products and services, while Entrego and KonsultaMD distributed discount vouchers on delivery and medical services, respectively.
