Security Bank Foundation repairs school buildings in Bacolod City
Security Bank Foundation’s two-story, six classroom school building in Emiliano Lizares National High School after the repairs
Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) pearheaded the repairs of its previously-donated two school buldings in Bacolod City, equivalent to 12 classrooms.
The initiative is part of the Foundation’s Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project. As a standard, SBFI evaluates its donated school buildings every five years to assess structural integrity and conduciveness for learning. Those that were heavily damaged by disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons are prioritized for major repair to ensure safety of students and avoid class disruption.
Upon evaluation, SBFI prioritized the repair of the two-storey, six-classroom school building in Emiliano Lizares National High School (ELNHS) and the two-storey, six-classroom school building in Antonio L. Jayme Elementary School (ALJES). Both schools were damaged by the earthquakes that struck Bacolod in December 2019 and June 2020.
The Foundation has repaired 215 of its previously-donated classrooms to address earthquake, typhoon, and volcanic activity damages as well as major wear and tear concerns.
SM companies win at the 57th Anvil Awards
SM Investments Corp. nets two wins from the recent 57th Anvil Awards dubbed as the Gabi ng Parangal last February 24 via a live online event.
Conferred by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), SM Investments gained the nod of the board of judges and won both Silver Awards for Website Refresh and its 2020 Integrated Report under the PR Tool categories of website or blog and publication, respectively.
“We are pleased to receive these awards recognizing our efforts to provide our stakeholders with up to date and transparent communication in interesting formats,” said Mr. Timothy Daniels, Consultant for SM Investments Investor Relations and Sustainability.
The award affirms SM’s continuing efforts to nurture its growing communities.
SM Development Corporation (SMDC) similarly received the Silver Award for the ‘The Good Guys Weekend Market,” under the PR Tool category for exhibit and special event, which has empowered communities and neighborhoods to thrive amid the health crisis.
“We are so honored to be recognized again by a prestigious award-giving body for our efforts to build and nurture happy, healthy, and thriving communities. Our residents and our partner cities and barangays can rest assured that we have lined up more programs to enable and empower them to grow and flourish here at SMDC,” said Jose Mari Banzon, president of SMDC.
Billed as the symbol of excellence in the public relations industry in the country, the Anvil Awards is held annually and given to outstanding public relations programs, tools, and practitioners, judged by select PR professionals and a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.
Free cloud skills training program
Edukasyon.ph has collaborated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide free cloud computing skills development and job training through the AWS re/Start program. This program is new to the Philippines and aims to bring upskilling and employment opportunities to the local community.
The free, full-time, 12-week program is aimed towards unemployed or underemployed Filipinos who have limited or no background in information technology, but are seeking to upskill in cloud and gain employment in cloud-related jobs. AWS re/Start covers fundamental AWS cloud skills through scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, and coursework.
The program also covers practical career skills, such as interviewing and resume writing, to help individuals prepare for entry-level cloud roles. AWS re/Start graduates have developed both technical and soft skills that will prepare them for success in entry-level technology careers. Cohorts in the Philippines will run virtually and be led by an expert instructor with a mix of both live classes and supplemental on-demand videos.
Any Filipino can apply to join the program, including those who are unemployed or underemployed. Edukayson.ph is also targeting potential learners in underserved communities such as women, single mothers, women returning to the workforce, LGBTQ+, displaced overseas Filipino workers, people with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.
Support and assistance to the learners will continue even after they graduate from the program. Leveraging on its partnerships with industry-leading institutions, Edukasyon.ph aims to provide placement opportunities to all graduates within six months after the completion of the program.
Shopee concludes Consumer Day
Shopee concluded a successful 3.15 Consumer Day, its first mega sale of the year with five times more items bought in the first two hours of March 15 compared to an average day.
About 36 million Shopee vouchers were claimed that day.
Brands saw a surge in traffic to Official Stores. Local businesses also saw a boost in sales. Rhian — a women’s apparel shop, WJF shops (grocerysale.no1 and no1.go) and albee_298 — all three offering home essentials and face masks, emerged as the top local sellers this 3.15.
Over 2.6 million engagements were recorded on Shopee Philippines social media channels during the campaign.
Local sellers saw a lift in traffic and transactions, with an electronics store clocking over P30 million in GMV on 15 March alone.
Users discovered and purchased more self-care and grooming essentials from brands on Shopee Mall, with Uni-Care, Tiny Buds, and FOCALLURE being crowd favorites.
The number of new ShopeePay users surged almost 1.5 times.
Almost 65 million views were recorded on Shopee Live, as users connected with sellers, brands and local celebrities.
Over 27 million plays were clocked on Shopee Prizes, as Filipinos continued to play and earn more Shopee coins and prizes.
Certified LPG only
As the country marks Fire Prevention Month, LPG brand Solane joins the Bureau of Fire Protection’s call to buy authentic LPG tanks from authorized dealers to prevent explosions and fire-related incidents.
Solane has made it easy for the public to be sure their purchase is verified Solane with three simple markers: the weight, the markings and the valve of its tanks.
Authentic filled LPG tanks’ weight corresponds to the total of its indicated tare weight and LPG content. To ensure such, Solane performs the ‘Timbang Challenge.’ Solane also ensures quality markings on its tanks, including the registered brand name and trademark of manufacturer, standard used and test dates, serial or code number, ‘Made in the Philippines’ mark, tare weight and LPG content, and expiry date.
Genuine Solane LPG tanks come with a safety cap and seal with a serial number for verification.
MRSGI upholds global certifications
Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) announced some of its flagship supermarkets have obtained the HACCP and GMP certifications.
HACCP, which stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, is a structured system for evaluating and controlling the various stages of the food production process, from the handling of the initial raw materials to how they are cooked, combined, packaged, shipped, and stored. GMP or Good Manufacturing Practice meanwhile is a complementary process to ensure that products meet food safety, quality and regulatory requirements. GMP is a must-have for every good food manufacturer.
MRSGI is the first retailer in the country to obtain both the HACCP and GMP certifications for the Fresh sections of four of its flagship supermarket chains. Metro Alabang, which obtained certification in 2013, is scheduled for recertification this year. Metro Ayala Cebu recently maintained its certification following a surveillance audit by global accreditor, BSI Group Philippines. The two other stores working on their recertification in succeeding years are Metro Market Market in Taguig and Metro Mandaue.
Fortima’s Power Hour
Actress Dimples Romana on March 18 led Fortima’s Power Hour discussions on the benefits of taking this vitamin daily to make Filipinas stay strong and keep their immunities in top shape.
Broadcast via YouTube and Facebook, Power Hour tackled how Fortima’s unique combination of Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin E can boost one’s immunity and keep the skin healthy.
Fortima doesn’t just include 500mg of Sodium Ascorbate (non-acidic Vitamin C) that keeps the body strong, it is also powered by 27.5mg of Zinc and 22 IU of Vitamin E.
PDAX introduces new prime service
PDAX, one of the Philippines’ leading regulated and licensed digital asset exchanges, launched PDAX Prime, a new exclusive service dedicated to sophisticated Filipino crypto investors and their growing needs in the dawn of digital assets.
The launch is part of the company’s broader effort to enable and empower crypto holders in the Philippines and bring more Filipinos into the crypto economy.
PDAX Prime provides direct access to the crypto market through an over-the-counter (OTC) service where they can trade more tokens faster and with competitive pricing. PDAX Prime clients can access 21 in-demand digital assets on TAXes Website, Mobile App and through Treasury OTC. The PDAX Prime membership, meanwhile, grants clients access to 30 additional OTC-exclusive digital assets.
RSK to help startups decentralize finance
Smart contract platform RSK offers Philippine startups the chance to grow their decentralized finance projects.
The platform offers startups various tips on how to rapidly grow their user base and allows businesses to build applications and scale using blockchain technology.
Through RSK’s solutions, startups can use blockchain to build applications enabling instant payment, securely and efficiently. The offered solutions are all part of RSK’s push for mainstream adoption of decentralized finance, also known as DeFi.
DeFi is the umbrella term for financial applications in cryptocurrency and blockchain meant to disrupt financial intermediaries. As its name suggests, DeFi means people will have greater control over their finances without having to worry about intervention from banks or regulating bodies.
