Hotel Sogo shines at Asian Business Excellence Awards

Congratulations, Hotel Sogo!

The country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company has been awarded as Asia’s Most Outstanding Hotel Chain of the Year and Philippines Most Leading Hotel Chain of the Year. Meanwhile, Hotel Sogo’s CEO, Mr. Reynaldo M. Malaca was recognized as the Philippines Most Outstanding CEO of The Year at the recent Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 held in Quezon City.

Hotel Sogo Marketing Director, Ms. Sue Geminiano shares her gratitude to the award-winning organization for recognizing the hotel’s goal in providing a clean, safe, and top-notch service to its patrons and guests.

“On behalf of Hotel Sogo, thank you Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 for giving us these recognitions. These awards are nothing if not because of the management and the hardworking staff of our operations. We will continue to give our all in providing our guests a safe and clean stay. Hotel Sogo will not be here without your love and support.” ~Ms. Sue Geminiano, Hotel Sogo Marketing Director

The Asian Business Excellence Awards (ABEA) is a prestigious International Citation in recognizing Asian excellence in corporate, products, services features and trademarks and/or brands founded by Young Asian Consumers Welfare Advocate.

Currently, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches nationwide located in key areas around the metro and provinces. The hotel anticipates expanding in more areas of the country and looks forward to many more recognition in the future. 

For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter, and Instagram.

Get a brand new car, other freebies from Araneta City this Holiday Season

Win a Geely Okavango or Coke merchandise at the City of Firsts

 

It’s raining treats and prizes this Holiday season at the City of Firsts! Get a chance to bring home your dream car or some cool Coke merchadise for every transaction anywhere in Araneta City.

 

Make your next visit and purchase at Araneta City more fun and rewarding by joining these exciting promos. Who knows, you might become one of the lucky Araneta City-zens to bring home cool holiday prizes from the City of Firsts!

 

Dream Ride Like No Other

 

Wishing for a brand new car? Well it seems like Santa’s heard your wish, because Araneta City is giving one lucky shopper the chance to take home a brand new car in its “Dream Ride Like No Other” promo!

 

This promo makes Christmas more rewarding for shoppers and diners at any Araneta City establishment. Just present a ₱1,000 receipt to redemption booths at the concierge located in Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza to get a raffle entry. 

 

Aside from that, receipts from any Araneta City food court, tickets from Gateway Cineplex, or even receipts from Petron can entitle you to a raffle entry. To read the full mechanics, you can access this link. 

“Whether you’re dining or shopping at Araneta City this holidays, we made it more fun and exciting with these promos that we’ve lined up for you, our loyal customers. So, we hope you’ll come and visit Araneta City this Yuletide season. Who knows, you just might go home riding a brand new car.” ~Marjorie Go, Assistant Vice President for Marketing of Araneta City

At stake is a brand new Geely Okavango, a seven-seater Mild Hybrid SUV which promises power and performance with much lower carbon emission than traditional vehicles. It’s a gift that will make your Holidays even brighter! 

 

Join now as the promo will only last until February 5, 2023!

 

On the Go Christmas Treats

 

Meanwhile, dining at any Araneta City mall food court or Dampa at Farmers Market also comes with gifts from Coca-Cola and the City of Firsts with the "On the Go Christmas Treats" promo.

 

All you need to do is present ₱350 single or accumulated receipts from Food Express, Food Gallery, Food Plaza, or Dampa in exchange for a premium Coca-Cola collectible ecobag or purse! Just make sure to have a Coca-Coca product in your order.

 

Promo runs until January 15, 2023 only, so don’t miss it.

 

 

 

Araneta City is managed by ACI Inc, one of the five business units of the Araneta Group of Companies. With a long history of pioneer business ventures, the progressive and diversified Araneta Group is anchored on property development, food service, leisure and entertainment, and hospitality. Visit the Araneta Group's official website for more details.

 

For updates on Araneta City, visit its official website, or follow it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tiktok. Download the Araneta City mobile app on Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android) to get the latest on promos and events.

Deaf advocate entrepreneur Francis Reyes is TOYM finalist

An entrepreneur whose advocacy is to provide equal opportunities and professional growth to the Philippine Deaf Community is one of the 21 finalists in this year’s The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards.

 

The TOYM honorees were announced during a gala night in Pasay City hosted by the award organizers Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCI) Philippines and the TOYM Foundation. Unlike previous iterations, the TOYM recognized 21 finalists for this year before disclosing the 10 awardees.

 

One of the finalists in the business, economics and entrepreneurship category was Francis Carl G. Reyes, founder of the Caravan Food Group Inc. (CFGI), a food and beverage company that aims to introduce new food concepts for the Philippine market as he believes that good is only as good as one’s overall experience.

 

Caravan Food Group carries three brands: Overdoughs, a homegrown pastry shop that offers the best selling OD Mini Chonky Cookies and other pastries like Crinkles and donuts, among others; Elait!, which offers artisanal rolled ice cream and the first rolled yogurt; and RAW Natural Juice Bar, an all natural juice that offers nutritionally designed cold-pressed juices.

 

Reyes’ advocacy was inspired by his experience when he was young. A deaf person assisted him while he was in a clothing store, and he was amazed by his sincere customer service. From then on, Reyes wanted to incorporate this in his food business.

 

This deaf inclusive advocacy is made possible through the partnership with orgnizations like De La Salle College of San Benilde – School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies and Hand & Heart.

 

To date, Reyes has employed 30 deaf partners and counting. The comprise more than 50 percent of the overall employee count. He always believed in their capabilities to help the company improve its service, products and food concepts.

 

Reyes believes in continually developing his people. Thus CFGI provides skills enhancement and leadership training programs for its employees. Soon he plans to promote his exemplary deaf partners to Team Leaders and Supervisors.

 

 

“It was one deaf guy who really showed me the epitome of customer service. I wanted to recreate the experience in this concept so I decided to hire deaf people. I wanted everyone to feel the warmth and realize how capable these deaf people are.” ~Francis Carl G. Reyes, founder of the Caravan Food Group Inc. (CFGI)

 

Health Undersecretary Beverly Lorraine Ho and comics artist Manuel Luis “Manix” Abrera were among the 10 TOYM awardees.

 

Ho was was named TOYM in the health and medicine category along with fellow physicians Ronnie Baticulon, a pediatric neurosurgeon and Ramon Lorenzo Luis Guinto, a public health advocate.

 

Abrera was one of the three TOYM honorees for literature, culture and the arts. Also awarded were Cordillera-based social entrepreneur Victor Mari Baguilat Jr. and Bicol Based writer and filmmaker Kristian Cordero.

 

Candon City councilor Joanne Ascension Valdez and Sustainability PH founder Shawntel Nicole Nieto received TOYMs for the humanitarian civil society or voluntary leadership category. Physician and medical anthropologist Paul Gideon Lasco and University of the Philippines-Los Banos, School of Environmental Science and Management Dean Rico Ancog rounded out the honorees for education and the academe.

 

Tanduay, Embassy, and Ginto Gift Boxes Now Available at SHOTS.PH

If you’re still looking for the perfect gift to give yourself and your loved ones this Christmas, head on over to SHOTS.PH for a great selection of Tanduay. Embassy, and Ginto box sets.

From only PhP150 and up, the institutional gift boxes come in four selections. There’s the 600 ml Ginto gift box that comes with a complimentary shot glass. Ginto is Tanduay’s barrel-aged gin that’s been gaining customers who want more than just the usual gin. It is a complex mix of sweet and spicy flavors with hints of fresh botanicals. Being aged in oak wood barrels for six months produces its golden sunset color.

For friends who love whisky, there’s the 750 ml Embassy Whisky gift box that comes with a branded rock glass. Embassy Whisky is a smooth blend of malt whisky and fine spirits aged in oak barrels. This aging process produces its distinct taste and aroma.

If you prefer rum, there’s the 700 ml Tanduay Select gift box that also comes with its branded rock glass. Tanduay Select is a unique blend of cane spirits derived from choice sugarcane and has a suave 60 proof.

One of Tanduay’s most-awarded rums is also available in a box set for a limited time. Tanduay Double Rum is made from a blend of rums aged for 16 years and 5 years. They are placed in bourbon barrels for two years. This ageing process produces its harmony of caramelized pineapple, toasted nuts, cherry, vanilla, and tropical fruit flavors. The Tanduay Double Rum gift box comes with a free rock glass.

The gift boxes are available until supplies last, so don’t wait until it’s almost Christmas to buy your gifts. And while you’re on the site, why not stock up on your gin, whisky, and rum supplies for the holidays as well? Any purchase from the online store comes with a freebie. Stocks are limited, so start shopping now.

Hotel Sogo lands two accolades at 10th Netizens Best Choice Awards

Hotel Sogo, the country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company with over 45 branches nationwide, has been crowned as the “Best Choice Philippines Leading Hotel Chain” and won the “Philippines Guest Choice Awards” by the acclaimed Netizens Best Choice Awards 2022.

The Netizens Best Choice Awards for Business Excellence play a vital role in promoting responsible use of the internet since it conducts online research and surveys for promoting the best brands, products and services that distinguished itself among its competitors by earning the Netizen’s Trust Seal.

Awardees are chosen through an online nomination and multi-criteria evaluation in a variety of category such as Product/Brand/Service Quality & Innovativeness, Image/Value Proposition & Pricing, Strong Brand Online Market Influence, and Proper & Responsible means of using the internet. 

“This award is for the management, (as well as) the operations people [who are also considered as frontliners]. They worked so hard for this in a good and very respectful way. If not for them, Hotel Sogo will not be this big, well known, and will have many branches nationwide.” ~Ms. Sue Geminiano, Marketing Director of Hotel Sogo

As of writing, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches nationwide located in key cities in the metro and provinces. Further plans for expansion in other areas are still expected and the hotel looks forward to many more wins in the future. 

For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter, and Instagram.

Up to 30% Discount Plus Freebies and More as Hanabishi Joins the 12.12 Sales of Lazada and Shopee

For the relative who loves to cook, the BFF who’s just moved in to his new condo, or the the colleague who’s trying her hand at baking for the first time -- Hanabishi Appliances offers a wide selection of products for you to give your family and friends this Christmas.

And from December 12 to 14, you can save on your purchases by buying them during the 12.12 sale on Lazada and Shopee. Hanabishi is offering up to 30% discount on select products. They are also giving away limited P50 shipping vouchers, so you can save more. Lazada, meanwhile, has its own P50 vouchers that you can use for a minimum spend of P500.

Free CDO Products

Select Hanabishi kitchen appliances come with complimentary food products from CDO. When you buy a griller, hotpot, or gas stove, you’ll receive a free San Marino Corned Tuna. All colored rice cookers, meanwhile, come with a free CDO Meatloaf.

Hanabishi’s popular multi-function cooker and food steamer include a complimentary CDO Karne Norte, and its microwave ovens and electric stoves come with free CDO Luncheon Meat.

When you buy a deep fryer or sandwich/waffle maker, you’ll also take home a CDO Vienna Sausage. Oven toasters, pop-up toasters, and coffee makers, meanwhile, come with free CDO Homestyle Liverspread.

Pre-Sales and Flexicombo Deals

Before the big sale on the 12th, Hanabishi’s best-selling items on Shopee will be on sale from December 1 to 11. The Hanabishi water kettle HWK317, Rice Cooker Silver Series, and HS1 gas stove will be sold at up to 25% off. One item a day will be featured, so make sure that you check the Lazada flagship store on those dates.

For the 12.12 sale, Hanabishi will also offer flexicombo deals. Buy two products and get an additional P50 off on select items.

The 12.12 sale is the last big sale for the year, so make sure that you don’t miss out on this one. Start making a list of gifts to give, add them to your cart, and don’t forget to checkout from December 12 to 14.

   

For more information about Hanabishi, please visit www.myhanabishi.com/shop/ and  like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyHanabishiAppliances/.

About Hanabishi: 

Sa Bahay at sa Business Mo, Hanabishi!

Hanabishi is a Filipino household name for appliances for over 35 years. It is a brand engineered to fit the lifestyle of the Filipino both for homes and businesses.  Hardworking, durable and resilient, are the attributes that personify Hanabishi making it the brand of choice of every Filipino mom and businessman when it comes to value and practicality. Hanabishi is the mark of quality that grows with you through the years.  Built with passion and an impeccable desire to uphold the quality of life in every Filipino home, Hanabishi will remain to be the PRACTICAL choice and KAPARTNER, today and for the many years to come.

SM Cares, SM Prime lead turnover of food carts to SM PadyaKabuhayan Program beneficiaries

SM Cares and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently led the turnover ceremony of bike food carts to the pioneer beneficiaries of the SM PadyaKabuhayan Program, an initiative that aims to provide sustainable sources of income to those in need with a focus on sustainable mobility. 

The ceremony was held last Dec. 5 at Pasay City Hall and was graced by representatives from SM Cares, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the City's local government unit, and Kalye Negosyo.

Six women beneficiaries were awarded SM PadyaKabuhayan bicycle carts by SM Prime and the Pasay City Government.

Among the attendees were Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Head Angelica Yu, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Officer Evelyn Marquez, DTI Chief of Trade and Industry Development and Area Director Olivia Rivera, Think Bizz Trading Corp. President Neil Sicat (for Kalye Negosyo) and SM Supermalls Senior Vice President & SM Cares Director for Bicycle-Friendly SM Bien Mateo.

PadyaKabuhayan is a livelihood program for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries that provides a means of earning for families in need, highlights the economic benefit of environment-friendly bikes, and enables the private sector to extend resources for the greater good.

To help start-up their new business, beneficiaries received training from Kalye Negosyo and financial assistance from DTI. 

During the ceremony, a total of six beneficiaries from Pasay City were each awarded with PadyaKabuhayan Carts, which are bike food carts outfitted with food storage and cooking equipment. They were also given cash assistance from the DTI amounting to P10,000 per recipient. The beneficiaries were selected in partnership with the Pasay City Social Welfare and Development 

Prior to the turnover, the beneficiaries were provided with free technical training through a three-day Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, where they were taught how to think like an entrepreneur, how to do product development, product costing, and food preparation, and how to do accounting and marketing while understanding financial literacy, among other topics.

SM PadyaKabuhayan carts promote how bicycles are a means for eco-friendly and sustainable livelihood.

SM PadyaKabuhayan carts promote how bicycles are a means for eco-friendly and sustainable livelihood.

"SM Cares is about ‘Supporting Communities’ and this project aligns perfectly to our advocacies for the Environment and a Bicycle-Friendly SM as we promote the use of bikes as eco-friendly means to improve the quality of life of Filipinos. Isang padyak ng bisikleta; Isang padyak patungo sa kaunlaran. For our beneficiaries, we hope to plant the seed of entrepreneurship, perseverance and hard work, as inspired by the story of our Founder, Mr. Henry Sy Sr. As he famously said, 'You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan well, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.'" ~Mr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and SM Cares Program Director

The SM PadyaKabuhayan Program is in line with SM Cares' Programs for the Environment and the Bike-friendly SM initiative, and supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, particularly "SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth," and "SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities." 

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, responsible for initiatives focused on sustainability and community development. Aside from its Program on Environment and Bike-Friendly SM initiative, its other Programs include those on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares. 

The Asian Banker recognizes UnionBank as 3-time Best Retail Bank in the Philippines and Best Digital Banking Services in the Philippines

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) received two major awards at The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services and Technology Innovation Awards 2022, the most rigorous, prestigious, and transparent country level award programme for consumer financial services and technology in the Philippines, at its first in-person event held at the Ballroom of Fairmont Makati.

Best Retail Bank in the Philippines

For ‘demonstrating a long-term, sustainable, profitable franchise with customers as its core proposition,’ The Asian Banker awarded UnionBank as the Best Retail Bank in the Philippines for the third consecutive year. 

Based on The Asian Banker’s research, UnionBank ‘sustained above-industry performance despite setbacks brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Bank achieved a double-digit growth year-on-year (YoY) in retail gross revenue. It also recorded a significant improvement in retail return on equity (ROE) at 33%, up from 20.4% in the previous year.

It has onboarded about 2.5 million customer accounts. Contributing to the bank’s performance in 2021 was the bank’s ecosystem-focused customer acquisition strategy and digital capabilities. 

“Winning the (Best Retail Bank in the Philippines) award is a validation of the efforts of every UnionBanker, each one contributing to bringing our vision to life. It gives us the resolve to continue innovation and digitization… as we bring the future of banking to the present by co-creating innovations for a better world.” ~Mary Joyce S. Gonzalez, UnionBank Retail Banking Center Head

Best Digital Banking Services in the Philippines

In addition to the above recognition, The Asian Banker also awarded UnionBank as the Best Digital Banking Services in the Philippines ‘for providing a unified and seamless customer experience.’ 

Based on their research, the Bank ‘provides a seamless, innovative, and simplified user experience to customers while ensuring a high level of security and reliability. 

The Bank built more than 100 robotic process automation (RPA) processes which cover account opening and know your customer (KYC), billing collection, cards, cheque deposit, anti-money laundering, data quality, credit investigation, document generation and management, document generation and management, fraud management, loans, reconciliation, and reports. 

With the help of its fintech arm, the bank gained further traction in signups and the volume of transactions across all its platforms grew by 30% YoY.  The transaction volume already breached the one million mark in a single month.’ 

“As our President and CEO said ‘luck favors the prepared, but more rightfully so, fortune favors the bold.’ If we did not take the first step to digitally transform over six years ago, then we would not have the accomplishments that we have today. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ‘Tech Up, Pilipinas’ and enable inclusive prosperity, making sure that no one gets left behind.” ~Cathy Casas, UnionBank Blockchain and API Head

The Asian Banker assess banks and non-banks in the Philippines on a product and business level through a comprehensive evaluation process. Previously, they assessed banks based on criteria and scorecards which it believed the retail banking proposition and technology proposition should be. However, in line with the rapid transformation the financial industry is experiencing today, it has also revamped its awards programme. For 2022, it has redefined categories, introduced new scorecards and opened the programme to financial technology (fintech) companies, marketplace platforms and other alternative providers. 

It is the region’s most authoritative provider of strategic business intelligence to the financial services community. The Singapore-based company has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Manila, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Dubai, as well as representatives in London, New York, and San Francisco. It has a business model that revolves around three core business lines: publications, research services and forums. 

Tanduay Christmas Barrel Tree 2022

Spirit of Christmas. Tanduay recently unveiled its Christmas Barrel Trees. First, the Tanduay Barrel Tree at Eton Centris in Quezon City. Another is the Ginto Barrel Tree at Eton City Square in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Made with barrels used for aging its award-winning rums, the Barrel Trees are a holiday tradition for the brand. Likewise, it is a reminder that there is an abundance of blessings we must be thankful for even the little things such as an old used barrel. Recycling or re-purposing is a strong advocacy of Tanduay to ensure the sustainability of its business. 

“Tanduay has a myriad of achievements to be grateful for as it successfully entered new markets such as Armenia, Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Poland and Slovakia. It has also maintained its standing for the fifth consecutive year as the World’s Number 1 Rum in Drinks International's The Millionaires Club Magazine for selling more than 23.7 million of 9-liter cases last year.” ~Marc Ngo, International Business Development Manager and Senior Brand Manager for Tanduay Distillers, Inc.,

Visit the massive trees and experience the spirit of Christmas with Tanduay. Both trees will be on display until January 14, 2023.

Work Smarter with the OPPO Pad Air

Work Smarter with the OPPO Pad Air

One of the recent additions to the IoT market and the first OPPO tablet to be made available in the Philippines, the OPPO Pad Air is the perfect device to add to your work set-up. You can experience a blend of smart technology and aesthetics with these features that will excite you to ace those tasks and exceed expectations. Here’s why the OPPO Pad Air is the right tool and device that may just be what you need to work smarter so you can win at work, in school, and beyond. Please see the press release and photos below for your reference.

OPPO Pad Air

A new device may just be the motivation you need to increase your productivity.

As the year comes to an end, the motivation to get things done may come as a struggle. Having the right tools and devices may just be what you need to work smarter so you can win at work, in school, and beyond.

One of the recent additions to the IoT market and the first OPPO tablet to be made available in the Philippines, the OPPO Pad Air is the perfect device to add to your work set-up. Experience a blend of smart technology and aesthetics with these features that will excite you to ace those tasks and exceed expectations.

OPPO Pad Air

Accomplish tasks anywhere with Ultra Slim and Light Body

Lightweight, exquisite, and comfortable. The OPPO Pad Air utilizes the brand’s signature OPPO Glow industrial finishing technique for a smooth and curved design. Featuring a cool Grey color, this device is a sight to behold and joy to hold while remaining fingerprint-free. 

The overall design of the OPPO Pad Air is perfect when you are on-the-go. Its 6.94mm thickness and weight of 440g makes this device a convenient alternative to a laptop especially on days when you are jumping from multiple meetings. 

See the bigger picture with a 10.36 inch 2K Display

The large screen of the OPPO Pad Air helps you see more - whether you are working on spreadsheets, designs, or documents. Its eye-care display prioritizes eye comfort and allows you to enjoy crystal-clear images and vibrant colors. The brightness of the screen also automatically adjusts depending on the light situation wherever you are, which helps lessen eye strain. 

Get more done with Multi-Screen Connect

The OPPO Pad Air can keep up with your workload because of its Smart Multitasking feature that allows you to run two apps for maximum efficiency. Its multi-screen connect also enables you to cast your phone’s screen to the tablet and transfer your files seamlessly, making it easy to do all your work on one device. 

Power up your productivity with Powerful Performance

Fire up your productivity with the OPPO Pad Air’s high-performance and power-efficient SnapDragon 8-core 6nm processor. This allows you to do all your work without worrying about any lags or apps crashing. With this kind of performance, the OPPO Pad Air also boasts of a big battery that will power you through a full day. You can get up to 15 hours of continuous video call meetings with a mega 7100mAh battery that supports 18W Fast Charging.  

For only Php13,999 you can stay focused and hit your career goals with a powerful device that will motivate you and enable productivity. To learn more, visit  https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or check OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. For more information about the OPPO Care Bundle, check the OPPO Support website at https://support.oppo.com/ph/ or the official OPPO Care Philippines Facebook page.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 5 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Tambunting (Tiwala Sa Padala Co. Inc.) partners with UBX to embrace open finance technologies

UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, has teamed up with Tambunting (Tiwala Sa Padala Co. Inc.) to transform the country’s leading Remittance Service company into a modern hub that offers a spectrum of digital financial services. 

Under the partnership, i2i, the banking banking-as-a-service platform of UBX, will be empowering Tambunting counters to roll out its Open Finance Platform to its branch network, connecting it to platforms and agents in over 10,000 locations in the country.

With its ubiquity and reach bolstered by the reliable digital solutions of UBX, Tambunting is set to expand its financial services with ease and convenience, especially for those in the countryside.

“We believe in the spirit of collaboration to deliver financial services to our clients. As a mature organization with a storied history, we believe that actively embracing digitalization is not just an option, but a responsibility. Our alliance with UBX is a strategy and a testimony to our commitment to continuously deliver best-in-class services to our customers.” ~Ramon Tambunting, Tiwala sa Padala Director

As the demand rises for more digital channels in everyday services, Tambunting brick and mortar branch, powered by i2i, can quickly deliver a wide range of financial services such as deposit taking, loan origination, remittance, e-wallet cash-in, bills payments, and other products and services to its clients with an added customer experience that is simple and reliable.

“UBX puts financial inclusion at the highest degree of importance. Powering Tambunting branches as it ventures into open finance is truly a great honor, as we both share a commitment to promoting accessibility of financial services and bringing these closer to the everyday Filipino. UBX is in the business of including everyone in the country’s financial systems. Our partnership with Tambunting (Tiwala sa Padala Co. Inc.) brings us a step closer to our goal, encouraging us to continue to pursue more meaningful collaborations to promote financial inclusion and provide better services to the Filipino people.” ~John Januzczak, UBX President

In a nutshell, i2i aggregates banking services and UBX’s ventures within one platform, allowing for a more democratized access to financial services for Filipinos through its network partners. Currently, i2i has three portals, a mobile application, a website, and a set of application programming interfaces (APIs). 

A cloud-based platform, i2i is built on blockchain and open finance technologies, enabling fast, reliable, and secure financial transactions, including but not limited to wallet transfers, domestic transfers, bills payment, mobile scoring, mobile ATM, and offline and online loan processing, among others. 

i2i has seen its transactions ballooning by 5.4x over the last three years, connecting customers to hundreds of financial institutions found in communities, such as rural banks and remittance centers with over 10,000 touchpoints, all over the country.  

To learn more about i2i and its services, please visit www.i2i.ph

About UBX

Originally the financial technology venture studio and fund of UnionBank of the Philippines, UBX is now the Philippines' leading Open Finance platform. UBX is predicated on a future where financial services are invisible: seamlessly embedded into the experiences and activities that truly matter to businesses and people. For partnerships, email us at hello@ubx.ph. 

 

For more information about the company and this article, please visit www.ubx.ph 

SM Cares brings its Plastic Waste Collection program to SM Dasmarinas, SM Rosario

If you’re in the Southern Luzon area, you can now drop off your plastic waste at the newly designated Plastic Waste Collection booths in SM Dasmarinas and SM Rosario in Cavite from 10AM to 5PM daily starting October 21. The program accepts most types of plastic waste excluding PVC pipes and tires.

Examples of acceptable plastics include plastic shopping bags, PET and HDPE bottles, Styrofoam, disposable containers, utensils and straw, sachets, snack packs, shampoo, conditioner and detergent containers, bubble wrap, and e-commerce pouches. All plastic waste to be dropped off must be empty, clean, and dry.

Plastic waste collection booths in SM City Dasmarinas and SM City Rosario receiving first batch of plastic donations

Plastic waste collection booths in SM City Dasmarinas and SM City Rosario receiving first batch of plastic donations

SM Cares' Plastic Waste Collection Program is a program in partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange and social enterprise HOPE. It aims to promote eco-stewardship among SM mall-goers by providing them with an avenue where they can dispose of their plastic waste responsibly. The newly designated Plastic Waste Collection booths in SM Dasmarinas and SM Rosario makes them 13th and 14th malls, respectively, to be used as sites for the program to date.

Instead of ending up in landfills or bodies of water, the materials collected through the initiative are processed into various resources: as components for cement, paver blocks or planks, and soon, recycled PET bottles, among others. HOPE handles the weighing and hauling of the plastics and brings them to valorizing affiliates for processing.

Through a multi-stakeholder approach and the support of the communities in its existing sites, the program so far has successfully diverted 27,287.15 kgs of plastic since its launch, which is equivalent to 35,193.128 kgs of CO2, and 45,569.5405 kgs of CO2 reduced by coal replacement.

This amount is equivalent to 140,587.46 km driven by an average passenger vehicle; 4,280,985 mobile phones charged; 11,067.65 kgs of waste recycled instead of landfilled; 1.1 garbage truck worth of waste recycled; 1,523 trash bags recycled; 1,334 incandescent lights switched to LEDs; or 582 seedlings grown for 10 years.

"With this program, part of our goal is to create a circular economy for plastics in the country that our mall-goers can contribute to simply by visiting our malls, reducing the barriers to participation for them. It's just one of our ways of being a responsible partner towards building sustainable communities." ~Engr. Liza Silerio, Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability

SM Cares’ other eco-stewardship and sustainability initiatives include the annual Green Film Festival, which promotes environmental awareness among the youth; the AweSMSeas project in partnership with the USAID and PRRCI, which promotes responsible plastic waste management to lessen marine plastic pollution; and the International Coastal Cleanup that gathers thousands of volunteers every year.

Through these SM Cares supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly "SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation," "SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities," "SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production," "SDG 13: Climate Action," "SDG 14: Life Below Water," and "SDG 15: Life on Land."

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, responsible for initiatives focused on sustainability and community development. In addition to its Programs on Environment, SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Children and Youth, and Bike-Friendly SM Malls.

Visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares and www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares/ to learn more.

The new Ultimate Cheesy 7 Pizza is Pizza Hut’s cheesiest pizza ever

Galing Pook Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Local Government Programs for 2022

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. recognizes the 10 winners of the Galing Pook Foundation 2022 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace. He commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top performing LGUs. With them in the photo are: Galing Pook Foundation Chairman Mel Sarmiento, Local Government secretary Benjamin Abalos, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Ten outstanding local governance programs were recognized in the 2022 Galing Pook Awards held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace last Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

Galing Pook Foundation with its co-presenters SM Prime Holdings Inc., and the DILG-Local Government Academy, and sponsors Cebu Pacific and Airspeed named local government units from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that promote innovation and excellence.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top performing LGUs. He stressed how strong collaboration between the public and private sector can lead to more meaningful and successful programs that truly benefit the Filipino people.

"The recognition that you give to cities and municipalities inspires them to accelerate their drive towards improvement and it encourages LGUs to adopt practices that make us paragons of excellence in public service. It is necessary for us to underscore the importance of strengthening partnerships between the government and private organizations, such as the Galing Pook Foundation, especially as we bring about meaningful progress in the country. It's truly inspiring to see the impact of the work that you do, and I'm sure you've brought value to many Filipinos all over the country. Our collaborations bring us closer to realizing our shared vision, na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino, may simple pero kumportableng buhay." ~Galing Pook Chairperson Mel Sarmiento expressed his gratitude to all the local executives and LGU teams that participated this year

The winners of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards were: The Green Wall of Alcala (Alcala, Cagayan); Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment (Basilan Province); Bataan Public-Private Partnership Programs (Bataan Province); Balik-Biñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation (Biñan City, Laguna); From Black to Green: Fishponds, Eco-Tourism and Full Employment (Brgy. Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal); Trekking to Unlock Community Ailments and Difficulties (TUCAD) (Goa, Camarines Sur); "I-BIKE" A Program Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture (Iloilo City); Yaru: A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management (Itbayat, Batanes); Libertad Fish Forever Savings Club (Libertad, Antique); and Basta Piddigueño, AgriHenyo: Consolidated Farm Production System (Piddig, Ilocos Norte).

The 10 winners were chosen from 18 finalists and a record field of 196 applications from different LGUs in the country.

Launched on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook Awards has recognized 329 LGU programs from 200 LGUs in the country that have been promoted for replication to benefit more communities.

UST’s Henry Sy Sr. Hall to boost health education

Leaders of Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI), led by the Sy family (L-R: Harley Sy, Hans Sy, Elizabeth Sy, Debbie Sy, Tessie Sy, Henry Sy Jr, Engr. Ramon Gil Macapagal (extreme right)) , formalize its partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas (L-R: UST Rector Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Domingo, Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP, Fr. Maximo Gatela, OP)

Pursuing its objective of driving Philippine social development by fostering the youth and the culture of excellence through education, the Henry Sy Foundation, Inc. (HSFI) recently inked a partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Research and Endowment Foundation to construct a building that elevates health education in the country.

Thumbs up! Leaders of the Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI) and the University of Sto Tomas during the Henry Sy Sr. Hall partnership signing. 

Named in honor of the late SM Founder, the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall of UST will rise on the main campus in Manila to respond to the needs of digital medical education.

 

The Hall will feature technologically advanced facilities and equipment that complement UST’s teaching, learning, and research practices. Focused on interdisciplinary collaboration in medical studies, it will also house the simulation and research facility of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (UST-FMS). 

 

Paragons with passion

 

Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Rector of UST, thanked the Sy family as they work together to provide the best education to future physicians and increase UST’s research productivity to fill the gaps where communities are disadvantaged.

“Your family consists of industry leaders who have visions for the Filipino community. Your choice to support this endeavor of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is a significant stamp of approval to the work and tradition of this medical institution. Your family’s Patriarch, Henry Sy, Sr., had principles in life that we, as an institution, give our best to also follow. We aim to lead as paragons with passion, integrity, far-reaching and optimistic vision, sensible priorities, and discipline. At the core of this is a deep sense of charity for God, the church, and the nation.” ~Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Rector of UST

 

Designed by C.A. Ventura & Partners, the upcoming Henry Sy., Sr. Hall in UST is envisioned to propel the health education of future physicians in the country.

UST’s future Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

Rising as an intellectual hub for future physicians, the building has a dedicated floor for the Faculties of Medicine and Surgery Research Center and the Medicine and Surgery Graduate Programs and Ethics Review Board. Here, medical education research and various medical-related specialty research will be reviewed and conducted. 

The building will include specialized centers, rooms, and laboratories, such as Medical Simulation Centers and Care Ultrasound Institute, and Otorhinolaryngology Laboratory. These will be equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology to develop medical students’ competencies in multiple simulated healthcare settings crossing the human lifespan.

The HSFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization inspired by SM founder Henry Sy, Sr.’s desire to aid educational institutions to drive Philippine social development. Its projects are undertaken in partnership with the SM group and its foundations to honor the SM founder by supporting educational institutions in promoting academic excellence as a key to a brighter future for the youth. Through the years, the foundation established and supported several academic infrastructures, such as the Henry Sy Sr. Primary School Building in Xavier School, Nuvali Laguna; Henry Sy Sr. Innovation Center in Miriam College, Quezon City; NU Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna; NU Nazareth School in Manila; and a Henry Sy Sr. Hall each at Immaculate Conception Academy, San Juan City, and Assumption College. 

#SamsungBestChristmas ultimate Galaxy gift guide

Filipinos have a well-deserved reputation as some of the most welcoming and thoughtful people on the planet. This is especially evident during the Christmas season, when people go all out to show their appreciation for their loved ones through thoughtful and practical presents.
 
With the spirit of the yuletide season upon us, finding the perfect gift for loved ones can seem more daunting than ever. Christmas only happens once a year, so every gift should be meaningful and should fit any personality type.
 
But worry no more, because Samsung has got everyone covered this holiday season. Get what everyone deserves and gift a loved one with a Samsung Galaxy device!
 
Looking for the perfect gift for a gamer? A vlogger? A workaholic? Here’s how to match a Samsung Galaxy device to every personality.
 

For the photographer

Perfect for the designated photographer, someone who loves to create content and cherish moments, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will tick off every photographer's wish list with its Triple-Camera feature, boasting a 10MP 10x optical zoom telephoto camera 1, a 10MP 3x optical zoom telephoto camera 2, and a 108MP wide-angle camera.
 
The Galaxy S22 Ultra's camera is notable for being Samsung's most advanced professional-grade camera to date, combining the power of professional cameras in a single compact device.
 
Aside from the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ can also be epic companions for shutterbugs thanks to its recent tech upgrades. The Galaxy S22 series sports big pixel sensors, which enlarge pixels to pull in more light. This allows for crystal-clear photo and video recording even at night.
 
Grab the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and get a FREE Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 WiFi worth Php 13,990. Meanwhile, every Samsung Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 purchase comes with a FREE Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite worth Php 9,490.
 

For the tech-savvy

 

Know someone who's on track with the latest trends? Well, here's a gift that demands to be flexed. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 are unmatched when it comes to seeing life in new perspectives.
 
The Galaxy Z Flip4 allows users to capture moments from every angle with its FlexCam feature. The 1.9-inch cover screen is also an eye-catching feature that can be customized anytime. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is an elegant productivity companion that allows users to smoothly multitask with its 7.6-inch main screen.
 
Get a FREE Samsung Tab A8 worth Php 13,990 for every purchase of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4.
 

For the gamer
 

For the mobile gamer—the one who loves scouting and taking on challenges in online gaming realms—, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the perfect armor. Gaming has never been this smooth, as this smartphone has a Game Booster feature that learns users' gaming patterns and automatically optimizes the device's battery life, temperature, and memory. The Game Booster also blocks activities from background apps and push notifications so users don't lose focus when in the zone.
 
Get the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G with a Php 1,000 token promo!  The 8GB/128GB variant is now available at Php 26,990 while the 8GB/256GB can be yours for only Php 28,990.
 
For the workaholic

 

Always busy and frequently canceling at the last minute, but still admired! For the loved one who’s devoted to hustle and bustle, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the perfect gift. Simple yet absolute, the Galaxy A23 5G has a Snapdragon processor and 6GB or 8GB of RAM for fast and efficient performance. Users can multitask anytime and anywhere without worrying about battery life as it has a 5,000mAh battery, allowing hustlers to continue what they do for hours on end.
 
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G for only Php 17,490! As part of Samsung’s Christmas campaign, every purchase will come with a FREE Samsung Keyboard for maximum productivity!
 

For the music lover

Any music lover will definitely get lost in listening to their well-curated playlist with the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. The audio experience will be crisper, and its Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology has been improved, eliminating even the softest sounds like wind.
 
Purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 at a discount of Php 1,500 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro with a discount of Php 2,000. The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 is also available at 30% off for every purchase of Samsung Galaxy A23, A33, A53, and A73 5G. Meanwhile, a 50% discount applies to every purchase of select Galaxy S Series and Galaxy Z Series devices.
 

For the fitness freak

Here’s an exercise buddy within arm's reach. Any gym junkie will be able to track every calorie burned with the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro. This smartwatch detects over 90 exercise routines and records users' progress. It also sports a powerful 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, which monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health.
 
Get a Php $,000 discount for Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro this holiday season!
 

For the creative
 

Write, sketch, or draw the wildest ideas because possibilities are limitless with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 5G. This smart tablet is a digital canvas and color palette that is easier to use and more accessible.
 
Samsung also made apps like Studio Paint5 to help artists with their work, giving each stroke the feel of a natural brush.
 
Grab the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra at Php 8,000 off! Price starts at Php 69,990.
 
Spread the holiday cheer because your friends deserve gifts as big as the galaxy. To know more about Samsung products and holiday deals, visit samsung.com/ph
 

Safe Samsung Shopping
Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.
 
Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.
 


















 
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, memory, system LSI, and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.