SM Development Corporation (SMDC) officially launched its Start-up Boot Camp with a forum on how to grow and start a business, held last May 28 at the Grass Residences clubhouse in Quezon City. Facilitated by top entrepreneurs from GoNegosyo, the SMDC’s Start-up Boot Camp was attended by 56 residents from various SMDC properties.
Championing an entrepreneurial mindset, SMDC plans to bring its Start-up Boot camp to its other developments to equip its residents with the right tools and knowledge to launch and grow their passion projects.
Hospitality changer: My Novotel Manila Boutique
Novotel Manila Araneta City has introduced its first resident hotel services cloud: My Novotel Manila Boutique, a fresh online retail concept where hotel guests and dedicated Novo-fans can shop for popular staycations, unique spa treatments, buffet goodies, and a variety of items from the hotel’s famed TakeMeOut menu.
All-time favorites, classics, and new delicacies are all available in one click at My Novotel Manila Boutique. In just a few taps of the finger, epicures can try Indulge Boulangeri’s chocolate chip cookies or pan au chocolat. Choose from a variety of salads, and artisanal sandwiches from Gourmet Bar’s from the hotel’s very own organic farm in El Dorado, San Mateo, Rizal. Or have one of Take Me Out’s specialty dishes, Butter Chicken Masala, or the 6th Manila’s premium drink menu.
TakeMeOut by Novotel Manila will cater to your cravings, whether it’s for a casual lunch, a special occasion, working from home, a romantic supper for two, or simply a quick excellent lunch in the workplace. Or for customized intimate gathering through the hotel’s Memorable Moments or a wedding preparation for a loved one through the Social tab. Soon, Novo-fans will also have a chance to order more signature hotel services online such as flower arrangements, chef’s catering at home and more.
The online boutique is available 24/7 daily and Take Me Out food and beverage offerings are available for between 9AM to 9PM daily, ordered directly through my.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com.
Yondu earns Acumatica Gold Certification
Information technology solutions company Yondu has earned the Acumatica Gold Certification, gaining a stronger foundation in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Acumatica’s Gold Certification represents high standards for ERP business consulting.
The partnership with Acumatica for the cloud-based, system-integrated ERP software allows Yondu to guide businesses throughout their ERP journey as well as empower and help them scale. Clients can access critical data anywhere, paving the way for improved business management and results.
This innovation is aligned with Yondu’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as part of the Globe Group.
The Yondu team has completed the needed education and staffing requirements of Acumatica including certified business consultants, sales consultants, marketing specialists, implementation managers, and support and technical specialists, among others. Yondu has also received the Support Best Practices accreditation, and partners with different organizations and provides webinars on business digitalization and automation.
Leader in sustainability
June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) chief finance, risk, and sustainability officer, was named as the 2022 Sustainability Leader of Campaign’s Women Leading Change Awards Asia-Pacific.
Recognized among the outstanding women who lead, inspire, and motivate greatness in their respective fields, Cabal-Revilla has transformed the business beyond being purely profit-driven, futureproofing its operations and its advocacies for generations to come.
With her holistic forward-looking perspective and her thriving passion for purpose, she has cemented herself as a catalyst for change towards advancing sustainable development goals and driving strategic growth.
“I gratefully share this recognition with my MPIC Family, the entire MPIC Group and the wider MVP Group. This is a testament that our collective efforts are bearing fruit as we live out our commitment to creating better lives for our countrymen,” said Cabal-Revilla.
Cabal-Revilla wears three vital hats as CFO, CRO, and CSO, giving her a distinct advantage of being at the center of all business matters and driving change within the company.
Insular Foundation backs ALS-CLC
(From left) Nicolas Butaya ALS mobile teacher; Rolly Ortiz. Jr., and Elbert Francisco, education program Specialist II; Audie S. Borres, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Division of Bukidnon; and Kathlea Kristine De Los Santos, District ALS Coordinator.
In partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation (CLFI) and the Department of Education (DepEd), the Insular Foundation recently donated information communication technology equipment to Tankulan Alternative Learning System-Community Learning Center (ALS-CLC) in Manolo Fortich, , its first adopted center in Mindanao and fourth throughout the country.
The Foundation donated laptop, printer, television set, wi-fi router, USB, headset and wi-fi load cards to this center where 200 out-of-school youth are enrolled.
The Insular Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Insular Life (InLife), first supported the Alternative Learning System in 2019 through CLFI. The Foundation provides five-year support through the donation of ICT equipment, reproduction of modules, and provision of learning materials to Pedro Guevara Elementary School in Manila, Muntinlupa City Jail, Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, and Tankulan ALS-CLC in Bukidnon. The three centers in Metro Manila cater to almost 1,000 learners.
Scholarship program now on its 3rd year
BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), is looking for a new batch of scholars for academic year 2022-2023.
The BPI Pagpupugay Program aims to support the next of kin of medical frontliners who contracted COVID-19 or who passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic.
“Pagpupugay” is a five-year scholarship program with an initial P1-million fund per school year. Five scholars were chosen in 2020 while 10 scholars were added in 2021, to be evaluated for renewal annually. For the Academic Year 2022-2023, eight additional scholars will be selected. Each scholar will be provided a maximum of P100,000 scholarship fund per academic year to cover tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Eligible applicants are the next of kin of the medical frontliners who contracted COVID-19 or who passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic. Interested students may apply directly to BPI Foundation’s partner schools
Innovation at Lazada
Lazada continues to develop new strategies and tools on a regular basis 10 years since its inception.
In the 2nd edition of Lazada Talks, Lazada Philippines Deputy CEO Carlos Barrera identified a few game-changing innovations introduced in the past decade: the development of a marketplace model that connects sellers and customers, and the launch of the LazMall platform, guaranteeing 100 percent authentic items from more than 10,000 local and international brands.
Barrera also highlighted innovations in logistics where Lazada has built sorting centers that automatically dispatch tons of items every day and introduced a Same-Day Delivery service.
In payment innovation, the brand introduced cash-on-delivery terms that democratized customer access to eCommerce.
The event also featured successful Lazada merchants Kyla Canete of accessories brand Tala by Kyla; Howard Paw of Digits Trading Inc., a lifestyle product distributor and Lester Cuneta of Synagie Philippines who shared their journey on the digital platform.
Kroll expands to PH
Kroll, a leading provider of data, technology and insights related to risk, governance, and growth, announced today its expansion into the Philippines with the opening of a new office in Manila.
The new office will be focused on the following areas of the company’s growth: create a global business solutions team allowing Kroll to strengthen its client service, realize additional operational efficiencies and invest in new technology capabilities for growth, and establish Kroll’s state-of the-art cyber security operations center, providing 24×7 detection, response and actionable threat intelligence to clients in the region
To respond to the rising demand for cyber risk and security advisory services in the Philippines and the APAC region, Kroll’s Manila office will also provide proactive services, such as managed detection and response (MDR) monitoring, cyber security vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, cyber due diligence, virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) and data protection advisory for organizations.
Art exhibit
Shangri-La Plaza is holding Sinag, an art exhibit happening at the Grand Atrium until June 18. With the participation of the local galleries at the Shang, the event aims to shine the spotlight on Filipino creativity and culture in time for the celebration of the country’s 124th Independence Day.
Art Circle Gallery is curating Tangkilikin Ang Sariling Atin featuring Otep Bañez Jef Albea, Ramon Cajipe and Glenn Cagandahan. Galerie Raphael is taking Kalayaan: Isang Parangal to Sinag, bringing together 25 artists to showcase the various aspects of freedom in the Philippines.
The exhibition also features works by National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz and Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso.
Clorox PH partners with PAL
Clorox Philippines has collaborated with Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the provision of Clorox products in PAL’s airport hubs and ticket offices across the Philippines.
PAL received Clorox Expert Disinfectant Sprays, Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes canisters, Clorox Clean-Up All-Purpose Cleaner, and Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaners to disinfect its vital facilities and amenities.
“We are always committed to making the lives of every Filipino better each day with our Clorox products amid these uncertain times. And with our collaboration with PAL, we are happy that we can assist in making their travelers safe,” said Monique Gonzales, Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia at Clorox International.
