Foundation supports education of Filipino priests
PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) has recently donated P1 million to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila (RCAM) to support the Pontificio Collegio Filippino (PCF) in Rome, Italy for the continuing education of Filipino priests.
RCAM priests Fr. Cesar Buhat and Fr. Mon Merino, who are former PLDT employees, joined the turnover of the donation with PSF President Ma. Esther Santos together with her team Elvira Gumangan and Odette De Guzman, and Pontificio Collegio Filippino Founding Board of Trustee Roberto Juanchito Dispo.
In keeping with PLDT and Smart’s core value of malasakit or compassion, PSF supports the mission of PCF to educate and develop priests to serve the church, the country, and communities. Opened and blessed by Pope John XXIII in Rome in 1961, PCF continues to be an avenue of continuous learning for Filipino priests who bring back knowledge to the seminaries and other specialized diocesan ministries they lead and belong to back home.
Priests sent to PCF for additional training and formation while doing further studies are carefully selected by bishops of their respective dioceses.
MCIA terminal transfer
Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced that beginning June 16, all Cebu Pacific and Cebgo domestic flights will be relocated from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Notifications have been sent to all affected passengers. Those who booked through a travel agent or any other third party are encouraged to update their contact details via CEB’s Manage Booking portal to receive email notifications on flight reminders and updates.
Before going to the airport, passengers are advised to check the travel requirements, safety protocols, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Peri Paints
Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains from Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., launched an art initiative project dubbed as “Peri Paints,” a collaboration with creative, young, local artists to develop specially commissioned art pieces featured at the restaurant chains’ stores.
Peri-Peri’s outlets are known for their eclectic, bright, and colorful design and ambiance, aimed at creating a special dining experience for its guests. The art initiative so far has given birth to several wall murals such as those found at Peri’s new outlets in Vermosa, Gil Fernando, and Manila Central University. Apart from the murals, several interior store frames have also been unveiled at Capitol Commons, Glorietta, SM North, Greenhills, Nuvali, Gil Fernando and Vermosa.
The chain aims to continue its expansion as it sees more opportunities for Peri-Peri in Metro Manila and key cities in nearby provinces.
RCBC sweeps major awards
The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has won numerous awards at the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Awards for its sustainability initiatives, pandemic response, aggressive digitization push and innovation, and steady business growth.
Among the recent accolades the bank received are Best SME Bank, Best Retail Bank, Best Cash Management Bank, Best Trade Finance Bank, Best Bank for Sustainable Development Philippines, Best Corporate Bank, and Best Banking Products.
On sustainability, RCBC was lauded for its sustainable financing solutions. The bank was also cited for its commitment to energy management and minimizing its environmental footprint, and stakeholder engagement and involvement in sustainable development in the region.
Through its Corporate Banking Group, the bank continued funding renewable energy projects not only in the country but across Southeast Asia. Sustainable portfolio grew by 29% in 2021with various projects focusing on renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency, clean transportation, access to essential services and affordable housing.
Mama & Baby Care
Bayer Philippines Inc. launched the “Mama & Baby Care: The First 1,000 Days” project, an initiative that formally trains at least 100 barangay health workers (BHW) with modules needed for maternity and infant care.
The training modules, developed by HFI, give prominence to practical information on properly and safely caring for pregnant women and their babies during the first 1,000 days from conception.
“Mama & Baby Care” also puts special emphasis on training healthcare workers in the local barangays to offer ready support for mothers closer to home, lessening the need for pregnant women to spend hours in transit just to make it to their regular check-ups in nearby cities.
By empowering BHWs with training on maternal and infant care, local governments provide access to safe motherhood in areas where such services are not available.
Rush update
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has revealed the latest update to its sub-compact SUV Toyota Rush, with the release of the model’s GAZOO Racing Sport (GR-S) variant.
The New Toyota Rush GR-S now serves as the line’s top-grade vehicle. A favorite among customers who are intending to buy their first 7-seater SUV, the 2022 motorsports-inspired Rush is now styled with the official emblem and enhancements from the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) line.
The new Toyota Rush GR-S catches attention everywhere with its GR-branded front bumper spoiler, rear bumper spoiler, and side body moulding. It comes in three TGR-matching colors: Dark Red Mica Metallic, Black Metallic 1, and White 2.
The new Toyota Rush GR-S retails at P1.176 million and is now available in Toyota’s 72 dealerships all over the country.
Employee-led innovation
Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz approved a P39-million exploration and experimentation fund to support team members in jump-starting their own innovative ideas. Every Aboitiz team member is allotted a seed fund that they can use to work on projects individually or in collaboration with others by pooling their funds together for a larger project.
For the Aboitiz Group, empowering team members to conceptualize and implement new ideas is the path towards opening minds further in the organization, thereby pushing creativity in design and development regardless of scale or complexity. With or without the use of technology, the innovation experiments proposed by team members can pave the way for opportunities that enhance or add value to the Group in the short- or long-term.
Buy now, pay later
Primer Group of Companies, has partnered with buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform Atome, to provide shoppers in the Philippines with this flexible option when purchasing online from Primer Group brands Res Toe Run, The Travel Club, Bratpack, Jansport, Columbia, Grind, Sneakpeek, Hydro Flask, Tumi, Quiksilver and The North Face, among many others.
Customers in the Philippines who shop online for the above brands can now split their purchases into three deferred, zero-interest payments by checking out with Atome.
To pay, users must download Atome’s app and register an account, before selecting Atome as the checkout payment option.
Extra Income, incentives
CIS Bayad Center Inc. is introducing an easy-to-use software solution that will increase the income potential of micro-entrepreneurs, who account for nine in every 10 businessmen, including sari-sari store owners across the country.
Called Bayad Asenso, it is a featured service in the Bayad App that empowers fledgling entrepreneurs to offer customers safe and convenient payment services, especially in areas where financial institutions and payment centers for utilities and other services are not easily accessible.
The prospective agent must have an existing business with a store front and owns a smartphone with internet access.
For sari-sari store operators, Bayad will not require any minimum capital.
Bayad Agents are offered multiple funding options for their wallet, account management, reports and transaction history, customer support, QR payment and rewards.
Selsun Blue shares reason why one should ‘skinify’ scalp care
Scalp health expert Selsun Blue stressed the importance of hydration in keeping the scalp free from itchiness, flakiness, and hair fall which are caused by dryness.
Selsun Blue shampoos are formulated with Selenium Sulfide 1 percent which attacks the root source of dandruff.
Selsun Blue shampoos are also made with hydrating ingredients like Selsun Blue Pro-X’s natural French honey to restore hair and scalp hydration and Selsun Blue Pro’s hyaluronic acid that can keep hair follicles hydrated to get rid of frizzy hair and give it more volume.
DHL Express PH appointment
DHL Express has appointed Maricel Bumanglag as the new human resources (HR) Director for the Philippines.
Bumanglag’s role is to provide HR advice and services as well as design HR policies and practices to ensure innovation thrives practically and cost-effectively. She is also tasked to provide a range of HR interventions and support the country management in developing a positive leadership style and skills to strengthen DHL’s position as an employer of choice.
Her role also includes ensuring a good employee climate; high morale and effective communication and designing a fair system of enforcing work discipline.
Prior to being named HR director, Bumanglag was the accounts and customer care manager for DHL Express Philippines.
