PLDT, Smart cultivate Filipino resilience with inclusive communication technology
Building disaster-resilient Filipino communities, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communication, Inc. (Smart) further cultivate a culture of resilience among Filipinos, through their network and technology, as well as initiatives and partnerships.
PLDT Group also continues to maintain and upgrade its network infrastructure to ensure its accessibility and reliability during disasters and emergencies.
With communication as a lifeline, which has become as vital as food, water, and shelter, PLDT and Smart have offered and will continue to activate their free call, charging, and WiFi stations to help reconnect communities to their loved ones during disasters.
To date, PLDT, Smart, together with their partners such as PLDT-Smart Foundation and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, have delivered 58 Ligtas Kits to vulnerable communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Recognizing the vital role of communication and information during disasters, PLDT and Smart also maintain long-term partnerships with organizations that share a common goal of building disaster-resilient Filipino communities.
PLDT and Smart’s #SafeandSmart advocacy promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions and activities, and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risks. The initiative also underscores the commitment of PLDT and Smart to attaining UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Bayad, Sun Life Grepa make insurance services more accessible for Filipinos
Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, officially seals its partnership with Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the Philippines.
As Bayad beefs up its partnership with Sun Life Grepa, its mobile application – Bayad App will now be able to directly make available a variety of insurance plans to its subscribers, apart from enabling the acceptance of monthly payments for insurance premiums.
Cebuana Lhuillier Bank continues to empower Filipinos as it reinvigorates presence in Batangas
Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, the dynamic banking arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s largest pawnshop chain and one of the country’s leading microfinance service provider, is embarking on a significant expansion to better serve the community of Calatagan, Batangas.
The strategic relocation to Kabayanan, a more accessible area, aligns with the Bank’s aim to better serve the public. The grand launch of the branch was celebrated in the presence of esteemed officials such as Calatagan Mayor Peter Oliver Palacio.
The opening of the Calatagan branch expands Cebuana Lhuillier Bank’s national network, marking a significant milestone in its growth. Notably, the bank witnessed a substantial rise in customer loans and deposits which both showed remarkable surges from 2018 to 2023. Additionally, the Bank secured a considerable portion of Total Basic Deposit Accounts in the Philippines that solidified its position as one of the most distinguished industry leaders in banking. In the past three years, the Bank has bagged no less than three consecutive wins from 2021 to 2023 as the Rural/Cooperative Bank of the Year at the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Awards.
Security Bank, recognized at ESGBusiness Awards
Security Bank Corporation (PSE:SECB) won the Workplace Wellness Award-Philippines at the inaugural ESGBusiness Awards for its employee wellness programs, including its industry-leading Future of Work (FoW) hybrid work setup. The Bank’s investment banking arm, SB Capital Investment Corporation, also took home the award for Renewable Energy Financing Programme-Philippines Award for its green bonds’ issuance.
The Workplace Wellness Award underscores Security Bank’s integrated approach to cultivating a healthy culture through forward-thinking initiatives that prioritize wellness such as stress management, work-life balance, reduced financial stress, and personal growth.
By implementing its Future of Work (FoW) Program, which embraces a role-based hybrid arrangement blending remote and in-office work, the Bank guarantees heightened employee satisfaction and retention rates.
SB Capital’s recognition for Renewable Energy Financing highlights its contribution to sustainable development by backing transformative projects in the renewable energy sector. Its pivotal involvement in financing ACEN Corporation’s PHP10 billion ASEAN Green Fixed Rate Bonds, representing one of the highest percentages of renewables in its portfolio (among energy companies in Asia Pacific), has earned them this prestigious honor.
Security Bank remains at the forefront of responsible banking and sustainable business practices, aligning its operations with global standards. The Bank was recognized as the Best Retail Bank in the Philippines by Alpha Southeast Asia and the Best Corporate Bank in the Philippines by Asiamoney. It also ranked as the #2 best employer in the Philippines and #54 globally on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2023 list.
QBO, U.S. Embassy in PH unite entrepreneurs, angel investors for startup success
The excitement was high as the “AQTIVATE: Angel Investing Short Course” kicked off with a dynamic summit in Makati City, Philippines, a collaborative initiative powered by QBO Innovation Hub, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and IdeaSpace Investments. The summit gathered the most influential players in the world of Angel Investing to emphasize the role of mobilizing funding for emerging startups.
QBO Innovation Hub underscores the critical role of Angel Investors to bridge the gap and enable these visionaries to bring their ideas to life. In this process, not only do Angel Investors seize the opportunity to yield profit, but also significantly influence the trajectory of promising startups.
QBO Innovation Hub is known to be the chief organization for startups in the Philippines. Through its AQTIVATE program, the company is geared towards building the angel investing community in the country – ultimately developing the next 1,000 angel investors in the Philippines.
#tACboForACause: Ayala kicks off 190th year with a meaningful, inclusive run
To jumpstart its 190th anniversary celebration, Ayala Corporation (AC) welcomes 2024 with tACbo, a run for the benefit of Ayala Foundation’s education programs.
tACbo is happening on January 14 at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Net proceeds of this event will support Ayala Foundation’s education programs, including The Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX), which provides holistic, quality education for bright children from poor families.
Around 6,000 runners from diverse backgrounds are expected to join the tACbo. Runners can sign up for any of the categories: 21K, 10K, 5K, 3K, 1K. Runners and their beloved dogs can also participate in a special 1K run.
Meanwhile, Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative is also sponsoring select PNP cadettes, persons with disabilities, and child runners to join tACbo. Ayala Foundation will also invite child runners from CENTEX schools in Manila and Batangas to join tACbo.
Established in 1998, CENTEX was designed to break the cycle of poverty in some of the most vulnerable communities in the country. It focuses on the essentials for lifelong learning, including classroom pedagogy, development of critical thinking skills, values clarification, and use of technology in the classroom. It promotes collaboration among teachers, parents, and other family members in honing students’ confidence and competencies not just inside the classroom but also through after-hours learning.
CENTEX also holds teacher training initiatives that promote student development and community engagement. Present in 19 locations, CENTEX, through its Training Institute, has trained and mentored 10,644 public school teachers since 2011.
Aboitiz Foundation empowers women with techvoc programs
In the ongoing recovery from the profound impact of the pandemic in the Philippines, the strategic empowerment of women takes center stage. With this in mind, the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, has collaborated with the Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD) to empower young girls in marginalized sectors of Cebu by cultivating practical skills in both home and institutional technology.
BCPD’s Vocational Technical Educational Assistance Program spearheads this transformative journey, dedicated to shaping a new generation of responsive young women attuned to the evolving needs of the service industry. Through a concerted effort involving education, skills training, and economic opportunities, this initiative not only accelerates the nation’s recovery but also lays a strong foundation for long-term stability.
Among the educational tracks is the BCPD’s Hotel and Restaurant Services Program which provides a comprehensive platform, concentrating on essential programs such as Food and Beverage Services, Cookery, Bread and Pastry Production, and Housekeeping. These courses go beyond theoretical knowledge, offering practical skills that directly align with real-world demands.
The Aboitiz Foundation is significantly expanding its support by sponsoring a total of 20 scholars in the Hotel and Restaurant Services program–10 in HRIS 1 and an additional 10 in HRIS 2.
Through the techvoc program, the Aboitiz Foundation is committed to contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, specifically focusing on quality education and gender equality. Since establishing a partnership with BCPD in 2005, the Aboitiz Foundation has supported over 300 students, boasting an employment rate exceeding 83%. Of these graduates, 80% have successfully secured positions in the thriving hotel and restaurant sectors, while the remaining 20% have embarked on the entrepreneurial path, establishing their own micro-enterprises.
Entravision and Snap Inc. enter into a Strategic Partnership in APAC
Entravision, a global advertising solutions, media, and technology company, has entered into a sales partnership with Snap Inc. The partnership aims to leverage Snap’s innovative advertising solutions and consumer reach in emerging markets such as South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Snapchat continues to grow its community and business operations across Asia-Pacific and this strategic partnership with Entravision will enable brands in these new markets to engage with Snapchatters around the world. Through innovative technology and advertiser solutions, Snapchat allows brands and marketers to connect with 750 million users per month.
Snap’s partnership with Entravision will enable brands and advertisers across APAC to access Snapchat’s highly engaged and hard-to-reach audience from around the world.
