SMDC is SEA’s best, PH brands in Germany, EY GDS PH recognition, J&J PH-BANTAY BATA day of care, HOLCIM digitalization, GCG is hiring, MANG INASAL deals, SPROUTat HR events, UNIONBANK tech course for youth, THERMA Mobile donation,CITYSAVINGS recognition

SMDC named Southeast Asia’s Best Developer

A testament to its continuous commitment to develop sustainable and inclusive communities, SMDC also received the Special Recognition for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Among the award-winning properties from the Filipino developer are SMDC’s Vine Residences, Sail Residences and Gold City. The awards come after SMDC’s triumph at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022, where it won eight awards for various properties. Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards, organized by the Dot Property Group, recognizes the best projects and developers across the Southeast Asia region.

SMDC’s Vine Residences won the Best Landscape Architectural Design title for its impressive outdoor spaces and amenities, such as the Sunken Garden and the Vine Nature Park. Strategically located within the SM City Novaliches mall complex, Vine Residences is steps away from restaurants, retail stores, and cinemas.

SMDC’s Sail Residences, which takes inspiration from world-class seaside resorts and luxurious cruise ships, was given the Best Condo Architectural Design award. Bordered by Manila Bay and minutes away from a plethora of commercial and entertainment options at SM Mall of Asia, the property exudes opulence and relaxation perfect for individuals, couples, and families.

Winning as the Best Mixed Used Development for its integration of residential, commercial, and residential-office developments was SMDC’s Gold City, an 11.6-hectare master-planned community, conveniently situated on prime land right across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

SM Development Corporation is the largest and fastest-growing real estate developer in the Philippines.

30 local brands featured in Germany

FAME, the Philippines’ longest-running export promotions program for micro, small and medium enterprises  and artisan communities in the home, fashion, and lifestyle (HFL) sectors brings the Philippine flag to the global map in its participation at Ambiente 2023, a trade fair held in Frankfurt Messe, Germany.

The sourcing event is slated on February 3 to 7 with 30 exhibitors in the HFL industries to be showcased under the DesignPhilippines Brand. Out of the 30 participating exhibitors, 10 are from Tarlac.

This participation is also geared to complement signature trade show Manila FAME’s return to the physical floor at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in October

EY GDS PH recognition 

EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Philippines has been recognized as one of the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia — Philippines Chapter in 2022.

The award recognizes the longstanding efforts of EY GDS to champion teamwork, employee engagement, and care and empathy for its people amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.

A day of care

 Johnson & Johnson Philippines, together with ABS-CBN Foundation’s child protection program, Bantay Bata 163, recently held a community outreach project at ABS-CBN Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

The outreach project is part of a long-standing partnership between J&J Philippines and ABS-CBN Foundation in providing care and support to different sectors in the country that need help.

During the visit,  volunteers from J&J Philippines participated in different activities that brought smiles to the kids in the Children’s Village.

The J&J volunteers also participated in a vegetable planting activity to help support the garden where the kids are. J&J Philippines donated care packages to ABS-CBN Children’s Village containing several personal care products so the kids can use them in their daily needs.

Holcim optimizes operations thru digitalization

Holcim Philippines is implementing digitalization programs to improve efficiency of operations.

In 2022, Holcim Philippines implemented over 70 projects to raise manufacturing performance through automation technologies under the Holcim Group’s Plants of Tomorrow program. Focused on automating production processes and predictive maintenance, the Philippine projects are designed to generate optimization gains and savings.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO Horia Adrian: “Digitalization is a key part of our innovation and sustainability direction to further make operations safer, more efficient and respectful of the environment. We have already realized several gains from these initiatives and excited to accelerate our transition to digitalizing our plants to better serve customers and ultimately deliver excellent business results.”

The Plants of Tomorrow initiative uses artificial intelligence for data-driven decision-making in operations. Sensors have been installed in key equipment for operators to use real-time data for guidance in operating within parameters.

Holcim Philippines also maintains facilities with a software that projects the state of equipment for 90-day periods based on data provided by sensors.

The company is deploying predictive tools to ensure product quality with a software that projects the strength development of its cement for different time periods. It uses drones for material surveying of storage facilities thus saving on valuable resources.

GCG is hiring

The Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) is opening its doors to aspiring applicants with a heart for public service to join its agency.

The GCG is accepting applicants for IT officers, lawyers, internal auditors, corporate governance officers, administrative officers, planning officers, and information officers.

Successful applicants will be part of a dynamic and passionate agency with plans and projects expected to commence in high gear. These new personnel will support the implementation and rollout of the GCG’s programs.

Details are available on gcg.gov.ph/career/.

AnniverSAYA Deals

Mang Inasal kicks off its year-long 20th anniversary celebration with the “2-in-1 AnniverSAYA Deals” at all its branches nationwide.

From January 1 to February 28, discounts can be availed by presenting  physical or digital coupons.

Sprout addresses growing HR needs

Sprout Solutions, the leading homegrown B2B SaaS company and HR tech leader in the country, continues to push for development in the local human resources landscape.

The company attended multiple events held last October 2022 as an opportunity to impart their insights and knowledge to the attendees with their expertise in the field.

Aiming to aid the country’s future leaders, the PATHWAY National Event and World of Work Café Activity, led by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) was held last October 14, in Dusit Thani, Manila.

The event was designed to help strengthen cooperation between universities and enterprises by promoting Filipino entrepreneurship and employability culture to help students, fresh graduates, and master candidates to meet labor market demands and support government reforms.

The First Payroll Summit was held at the Sheraton Manila Bay and hosted by IAM Consultancy on October 24 and 25 to showcase excellent practices in payroll and taxation that are executed by various companies.

A panel discussion on The Power of the Employees: Rethinking Traditional Work Models was held at the Contact Islands 2022.

The 59th PMAP Annual Conference brought together its members last October 12 to 14 to seek new ways of thinking and doing human resources, through its theme Co-Regeneration.

UnionBank techs up youth

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), through its Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Center of Excellence (AI & Innovation CoE), co-created a Data Science Development Program with the goal of educating students and young professionals on data science, in line with the Bank’s “Tech-up Pilipinas” advocacy that promotes improved literacy among Filipinos when it comes to technology.

The XCELLERATOR Data Science Development Program is a six-week course, free of charge to all who would participate, designed with the goal of introducing and empowering learners on data science foundations and principles. The program involves a series of hands-on learnings, live remote mentoring through intervention sessions, and a final requirement of a capstone project that participants will need to submit, present and defend. Exemplary participants may qualify for an internship opportunity at the AI & Innovation CoE.

The program has four modules that offer a holistic view of data science.

Learning equipment turnover

Therma Mobile Inc. (TMO), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), recently turned over brand new printers and other school supplies to Acacia Elementary School and Guillermo Sanchez Memorial Elementary School, as part of their celebration of Malabon Teachers’ Day.

TMO donated the items that will be used by the faculty members to print lesson plans and other learning materials. Acacia Elementary School, which is part of TMO’s host community in Malabon, was selected as one of the recipients, while Guillermo Sanchez Memorial Elementary School was the chosen beneficiary by the city government.

CitySavings gets recognition

City Savings Bank Inc., UnionBank’s thrift subsidiary, has ramped up its Teacher Care initiatives, earning them another recognition from the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd held its Partners’ Appreciation Ceremony last December 13 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City, where the agency gave a plaque of appreciation to CitySavings.

CitySavings has strengthened its Teacher Care initiatives through various corporate social responsibility programs.

Over the course of the year, CitySavings distributed learning and teaching resources nationwide to 580 beneficiary schools, divisions, and regional offices. Their various programs, namely Project ₱er@parasyon, which promotes financial literacy, Project Pink, which focuses on breast cancer awareness, and Project #BetterMe, advocating better mental wellness, have reached over 4,000 attendees from DepEd.