SM investments for disaster resilience
SM, as a responsible member of the community, has taken disaster resilience as a necessary investment to help ensure that our communities thrive. SM allots 10% of its capital expenditures for disaster-resilient features, including water management design.
“It is not simply a matter of if, but when,” said Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings. “We already know that there will always be another typhoon, another earthquake, another natural calamity. Our best bet to avoid personal losses and damages is to be ready for when it comes… We don’t want to just build malls, but more importantly, we make sure that our developments improve the lives of the community.”
Some of SM’s notable resilient infrastructure is SM City Marikina and SM Mall of Asia, designed to help mitigate the effect of flooding in the community. SM Lanang Premier in Davao has a rain water catchment tank with a capacity of 600 cubic meters. Most SM malls feature disaster-resilient designs including, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan wherein the mall es elevated approximately 1.40 meters from the City Road, as protection from flooding. SM City Consolacion in Cebu has an adequately designed draining system discharging to adjacent creek and area surface drain along the perimeter walls.
Elanvital unveils Zaya Sta. Rosa
Elanvital, best known for offering quality homes in Laguna and Cavite for growing middle-income families, has just launched Zaya Sta. Rosa, its new development in the city’s Balibago district.
Raemulan Lands, Inc. CEO Eileen Uy-Doyle said, “Zaya Sta. Rosa is designed for those looking for prime properties at the right price–for the young urban work force seeking to have their first home, those who are just starting in property investment by putting their money in a growing asset, or typical investors who recognize the value potential of properties in Sta. Rosa.”
Elanvital COO Apple Hurtado joined Doyle and other executives in the formal groundbreaking ceremonies, which saw the laying of a time capsule bearing the blue prints for Zaya Sta. Rosa.
The executives were later joined by Elanvital Chief Sales Officers Wilhelm Chuacuco and Belle Manalo in the traditional laying of the brass Pi Xiu at the entrance of the development. The Pi Xiu is an image of a mythical creature that is believed to bring good fortune, wealth, and protection.
“The property value of ZAYA’s location is already prime, so it is a wise investment opportunity,” explained Uy-Doyle. “It’s cheaper and more rewarding to buy a unit at Zaya Sta. Rosa than to rent somewhere, as the monthly amortization is almost equal to the monthly rent in the area.”
Zaya Sta Rosa is positioned as the ideal city-home. Located along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, it is only 1.8 kilometers away from SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit and an 11-minute walk away from Balibago Transport Terminal.
Also at the event was Engr. Rod Isidro, chief construction officer as well as Robert Ignacio, president of Elanvital’s partner contractor ROBIG Builders, and his team.
Travel Fund for family, friends
Cebu Pacific (CEB) enhances its Travel Fund to allow passengers to use their fund to book tickets for anyone, making it possible to give the gift of travel to family and friends.
A passenger just needs to signs up for a MyCebuPacific account on the website or mobile app. Once logged in, he can go to the “Bookings” tab and type in the previous trip’s reference number and last name under Add Booking section. Once the name or email address of the previous trip matches the account details, the Travel Fund amount will be stored immediately.
“We know this will benefit all those who have credits stored in their Travel Fund because of the added flexibility. We have been listening to customer feedback and hope that this will encourage our passengers to use their Travel Funds to book flights not just for themselves, but even for their loved ones,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience.
More customers book online appointments for PLDT, Smart services
Even with the easing of pandemic restrictions, the Philippines’ largest, fully integrated network PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have seen a consistent volume of customers securing appointments via its online booking platform in the first quarter of 2022.
Launched by PLDT and Smart at the height of the pandemic restrictions in 2020 to ensure continuous customer service through digital means, the channel has proven to be effective and useful to customers and continues to gain ground. This development helps underscore PLDT and Smart’s broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience, and to digitally transform processes accordingly.
Thousands of PLDT and Smart from January to March used the booking platform for setting up in-store or virtual appointments for sales and after sales concerns, including inquiries on brand-specific services and mobile number portability.
Meanwhile, mall-based and non-mall-based hubs manned by fully vaccinated frontliners are open to cater to customers according to their regular operating hours.
Asticom bags three golds in 2022 TITAN Business Awards
Asticom Group of Companies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe, bagged three golds in the recent 2022 TITAN Business Awards. The international awards recognize innovative excellence across all global businesses and enterprises from wide-ranging industries.
The shared services group excelled in the Company & Organization category for its overall strategy and efforts to innovate and grow. It was also hailed in the Human Resources category as having the best health and wellbeing strategy. Lastly, Asticom’s technologies and systems were cited in the IT category for their efficiency in resolving issues in the organization.
TITAN Business Awards, hosted by the International Awards Associate (IAA), honors organizations, big and small, private and public, profit and non-profit, as well as people behind their success.
This year, the awards received over 800 nominated entries from all across the globe, with participating countries numbering up to 50, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Netherlands, and Canada.
Asticom is part of Globe’s ecosystem. It owns information technology and business services outsourcing company Asti Business Services Inc. (ABSI), HR and Digital solutions provider HCX Technology Partners Inc., engineering firm Fiber Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. (FINSI), and logistics provider BRAD Warehouse and Logistics Services Inc
Teleperformance receives ISO certification
Teleperformance (TP) Philippines has been awarded the ISO 45001: 2018 certification or the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification, the world’s first International Standard for occupational health and safety (OHS).
The certification promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows organizations to identify and reduce their OHS risks, reduce potential for workplace accidents and illnesses and improve legislative compliance.
TP Philippines worked together with Standard Global Services (SGS), testing, inspection and certification company, who helped audit the company. To achieve the certification, TP Philippines underwent intensive training and design, and put in place several health and safety precautions in their business sites such as training of personnel, including doctors, nurses, safety officers, and first aiders; auditing of welfare facilities such as clinic, gym, washing, and sleeping areas; and an emergency management plan development.
Insular Foundation donation

Insular Foundation recently turned over Emergency Sleeping Quarters to the medical frontliners of Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun).
As part of its COVID-19 response initiatives, the Foundation provided P1.02 million for the construction of the sleeping quarters for OsMun health workers.
Since 2020, the Insular Foundation has been providing assistance to neighboring OsMun through the donation of food supplies, personal protective equipment, vitamins and face masks.
The Emergency Sleeping Quarters, built inside Ospital ng Muntinlupa compound, will serve as their hospital staff dormitory or living accommodation. The 108-square meter facility is made up of fiber cements board enclosure, with concrete flooring and corrugated steel roofing. It has 14 rooms complete with bed frames, beddings, and electric fans, aircondition, two toilet rooms and two shower rooms.
Credit consciousness
Security Bank supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in celebrating Credit Consciousness Week 2022 from April 24 to 30, 2022.
This year’s theme is Wastong pag-utang, susi sa pagbangon ng bayan–a call that highlights one’s contribution in positively impacting the country’s economy by managing credit properly.
Staying true to their #DitoPwede tagline, SB Finance, Security Bank’s consumer finance arm and a partnership with Thailand’s Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), is set on offering loans digitally and conveniently through their new zukí¬ mobile app.
“We want to eliminate the intimidation brought about by applying for a loan. Filipinos should have access to safe and easy loans to make their lives better,” said Abbie Casanova, president and CEO of SB Finance.