Metrobank is  Most Recommended Retail Bank in PH

Metrobank was voted as the Most Recommended Retail Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker (TAB), based on the results of the publication’s Annual BankQuality Consumer Survey, which gathered feedback from over 12,000 customers across Asia in January 2024. 

The Bank achieved a 65 percent BankQuality Score, based on the respondents’ feedback on its reliable service, competitive loan products, and responsive customer support. Specifically, respondents cited their satisfaction on Metrobank’s personal loan, car loan, and home loan products, as well as its delivery of secure and trustworthy services. Respondents likewise cited the Bank’s “good reputation, extensive branch and ATM network, and excellent service reliability. The overall banking experience is described as hassle-free.”

“Our clients are always at the front and center of everything we do. This recognition is a testament to that. We could not have achieved this recognition if not for the trust of our clients and the hard work of all Metrobankers to ensure that we keep our clients in good hands, while delivering consistent results for our shareholders,” said  Ramon Jaime Vivencio Del Rosario, head of Metrobank Consumer Business Sector.

SM launches expanded Share Shoes program

SM is launching an expanded Share Shoes program this October through the SM Store to support underprivileged students, aligned with the 100th birth anniversary of its founder,  Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr. 

The program will benefit 20,000 kids from 100 public schools nationwide, from the previous year’s 16,000 from 80 public schools. It will be coordinated through 100 partner organizations and beneficiaries. 

A key element of the program involves the participation of SM Store customers themselves: For a minimum P3,000 single-receipt purchase, customers have the opportunity to sponsor a brand-new pair of shoes for a student for only P100. 

Manulife Ph launches brand campaign

Manulife Philippines launched  “Manulife Stories,” a video series campaign that reinforces Manulife’s new brand strategy and global tagline, “Where will better take you.”

In this three-episode series, Manulife customers Peach Abella, Mark David, KL Fernando, Marielle Malaga, Yvonne Reyes, and Manulife brand ambassador and policyholder Anne Curtis share their personal stories of resilience and how investing in themselves paid off over time.

“At the core of every insurance policy is a very human story. No matter the situation, we want our customers to feel supported and know we are looking after their dreams and those of their families,” said Sonali Verma, chief marketing officer, Manulife Philippines. 

In her video, Fernando relayed how her Manulife policy’s  living benefits played a crucial role in helping her and her husband start a family. 

 Like KL, Anne Curtis credits her early financial planning for helping her better manage her pregnancy with her daughter Dahlia during the pandemic.

 Two families, those of Reyes and Malaga, shared how their lives were made more secure in the long term with a proactive insurance plan.

Abella and David meanwhile shared how Manulife financial advisors worked with them to find the right insurance plan. 

“Manulife Stories” is now available on Manulife Philippines’ YouTube channel, showcasing these inspiring journeys of courage and hope.

Lopez Group companies honored

Lopez-led companies First Philippine Holdings Corp. and First Gen Corp. (First Gen) have been honored by the Institute of Corporate Directors for their outstanding corporate governance at the 2024 Golden Arrow Award ceremony on Sept. 19, 2024. 

First Gen received two Golden Arrows, while FPH received one Golden Arrow.  Other Lopez-controlled publicly listed companies, ABS-CBN Corp. and Lopez Holdings Corp., were also recognized with awards, demonstrating the Lopez Group’s unwavering commitment to exceptional corporate governance.

The Golden Arrow Award is a prestigious award given by the Institute of Corporate Directors (to honor the top Philippine publicly listed companies  for exceptional corporate governance practices based on the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard  assessment results.

Alsons Power scholar wins bronze

Jhodie Peralta, a  scholar of the Alsons Power-Hidilyn Diaz (APHD) Weightlifting Scholarship Program, earned a bronze medal in the snatch category at the recently concluded International Weightlifting Federation World Junior Weightlifting Championships. 

Competing in the women’s 55kg division, Peralta impressed with an 85kg lift, securing a third-place podium finish. 

 Despite a tough competition in the clean and jerk, where her 102kg lift placed her seventh, Peralta’s total lift of 187kg earned her a fifth-place overall finish, making a mark on the global stage.

In addition to Peralta’s success, fellow APHD scholar Rose Jean Ramos  finished sixth in the women’s 45kg division. 

The Alsons Power-Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Scholarship Program, established in 2017 in partnership with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, aims to cultivate the next generation of Filipino weightlifting champions. Beyond athletic training, the program provides scholars with comprehensive academic support, covering tuition, school uniforms, and books, ensuring a well-rounded development in both sports and education.

Toyota is sustainable mobility partner for disaster risk confab

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) is one of the official mobility partners for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), hosted by the Philippines in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). 

The conference, taking place from October 14 to 18,  at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, will gather around 3,000 global leaders and delegates to address critical disaster risk reduction strategies in the Asia-Pacific region.

TMP recently inked its partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), co-chair of the APMCDRR’s Philippine inter-agency committee, during the APMCDRR Partners Briefing and Memorandum of Agreement Signing event in Makati City. Under this agreement, TMP will provide a fleet of 25 Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and two Toyota Coaster buses to support the transportation needs of the conference participants, including ministers of UN member states and various international stakeholders.

“Toyota believes that electrified mobility is one of the pathways towards a sustainable future for all. We are committed to supporting initiatives that address climate change and promote climate-related risk reduction,” said TMP President Masando Hashimoto.

PetroEnergy honored in ICD’s Golden Arrow Awards

PetroEnergy Resources Corp. (PERC) received a Golden Arrow Award from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) during the 2024 Golden Arrow Awarding Ceremony at Marriott Hotel, Pasay City, on September 19. 

This esteemed  highlights PERC’s dedication to exemplary corporate governance while driving energy innovation and sustainable solutions across the Philippines. This is the third time that PERC has been recognized by ICD for its good corporate governance program and practices. 

 The Golden Arrow Award is bestowed upon organizations that exemplify achievement in implementing the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability throughout their businesses.

Maynilad joins International Coastal Cleanup

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.  mobilized 130 participants to join this year’s International Coastal Cleanup  at SM By The Bay, Pasay City. 

The group successfully gathered 1,305 kilograms of garbage, including plastics and wood debris, during the cleanup drive, contributing to the global initiative to reduce ocean pollution.

Maynilad not only provided manpower for the activity but also supported the event by setting up hydration and washing stations at five cleanup sites— SM By The Bay, Baseco Beach, Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, Dolomite Beach, and Bagumbayan North Coastal Dike. To further assist volunteers, the company also deployed a shower trailer at SM By The Bay, allowing participants to freshen up after the cleanup.

EastWest Ageas launches new plan

Insurance company EastWest Ageas launched its new Life Advantage plan which  offers both insurance protection and guaranteed income payouts in one.  

EastWest Ageas’ Life Advantage plan offers a  lifetime guaranteed payout feature, which one can enjoy starting from the end of their sixth year of the policy until age 100.  

 Life Advantage provides coverage equal to 200 percent sum insured, added support with protection boosters, flexible add-ons, and guaranteed annual income payouts of 5 percent of the sum insured.

Policy owners can also customize their Life Advantage plan to cover financial assistance for hospitalization, critical illnesses, and accidental disablement or death benefits, among others.

SAFC, CARMA partnership

SAFC has partnered with  CARMA Philippines, a global leader in media insights and intelligence that will enable the former to  leverage advanced media insights  and elevate communications and strengthen stakeholder impact.

In today’s fast-paced media landscape, managing public sentiment is challenging.

The partnership with CARMA, known for translating traditional media and social media data into actionable insights,  goes beyond monitoring media presence, focusing on developing and producing data-driven narratives that align with SAFC’s mission to improve Filipinos’ financial well-being through its services.

This collaboration combines technological innovation with expert human analysis, delivering results-driven strategies beyond standard media monitoring. 

Honda Cars promo  extended

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.  has announced the extension of the ‘Download and Win’ raffle promo. 

The raffle will now accept additional entries until March 15, 2025. 

The Download and Win raffle gives all Honda CONNECT users the chance to win various prizes. Installing the app on its own already merits an entry to win Honda official merchandise. Additional prizes await those who will make the most out of Honda CONNECT and book a service through the app. These users will be granted an entry to the grand draw, in which the prizes are  a one-year Periodic Maintenance, an All-New BeAT, or  a brand-new Honda City 1.5 CVT Honda SENSING.

 The grand draw will be on March 17, 2025. 

Launched last September 2023, the Honda CONNECT app is Honda’s way to give its owners security, safety, and convenience all in the palm of their hand. Users can now enjoy greater control over their vehicles even while being away from it. 

Ministerial conference

Over 4,000 from 69 countries convened  are expected to join the upcoming 2024 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR). 

The event is hosted by the Philippines for the first time.

This year’s  theme is Surge to 2030: Enhancing ambition in Asia-Pacific to accelerate disaster risk reduction.

APMCDRR is a biennial event convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. This year’s event will be hosted by the Philippines on October 14 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center. 

APMCDRR is the main platform in Asia and the Pacific to monitor, review and enhance cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 at the regional level.

NutriAsia exec named Top Young Marketing Leader

Genesis Jarilla, consumer connections manager (brand manager) for young adults at NutriAsia, one of the leading food manufacturing companies in the Philippines, has been named one of the Top 12 Mansmith Young Marketers of 2024. 

This award, presented by Mansmith and Fielders Inc., recognizes the country’s most exceptional young marketing professionals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the industry.

The Mansmith Young Marketers Awards is a highly renowned program that celebrates innovation, creativity, and effectiveness in marketing.

Genesis’ recognition in brand management stems from the impact of his strategic initiatives that have significantly strengthened NutriAsia’s brand presence in a competitive market.

Under Genesis’ leadership, UFC Soups doubled its market share in 2022 and 2023.The UFC Korean Style Fun Chow Rice Mixes and K-Sarap Campaign drove substantial consumer trials for the new line of Korean Rice Mixes.