Friday, December 23, 2022

The Smart and Easy Way of Cooking Your Noche Buena This Christmas


The holidays are always such a big eating season for everyone. It’s that one time of the year when we feel extra carefree about what we eat because seriously, have you really enjoyed Christmas without jumping from one banquet to another? 

But what if we tell you that you do not need to sacrifice healthy eating to enjoy the season? Even more, what if you find out that you can whip up your flavorful recipe in minutes in your own kitchen? 

Breville’s Smart Oven Air Fryer should be on every Christmas wishlist of all home cooks out there. Versatile, easy to use, and very durable, this oven from the premium home brand can give you the best of both worlds in terms of flavor and ease of cooking as you cruise through the holidays. 

One of the beauties of the Smart Oven Air Fryer is its ten cooking functions that can let you make to-die-for crispy treats and scrumptious slow-cooked meals. Toast, bake, roast, grill, and of course air fry without any fuss while shortening your cooking time. Equipped with Dual Speed Convection, this kitchen partner speeds up the cooking process by raising hotter air while sinking colder one. The result: 30 percent reduced cooking time as compared to regular ovens and air fryers! 

Richie Zamora, the vlogger behind The Pickiest Eater in the World makes a perfect case for this when he prepared a full spread of TV chow snacks for his family to enjoy in minutes. He shares, “All these amazing snacks were cooked in the air fryer with absolutely no oil. Everything was cooked to a beautiful crisp, but you don’t even realize that they aren’t deep fried.” 

Let’s Eat Pare also showed how fast and easy it is to make restaurant-level fried crispy wings with Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. In just 20 minutes, they were able to make a big batch of chicken wings in sour cream flavor! You can check out their recipe here if you want to try their version.

Of course, preparing healthier versions of dishes is another thing that makes this kitchen must-have from Breville essential. Air frying significantly reduces—if not totally removes—the use of oil in cooking, which means that you consume fewer calories and prevent weight gain and obesity when you air-fried food. Fortunately, for the Smart Oven Air Fryer, you don’t need to worry about sacrificing flavors just to go the healthier route. Chef Beng proves this when she made a Pinoy-style whole fried chicken using it. 

“Normally, I will have this deep fried, but using an air fryer is apparently so much better as the chicken is amazingly crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. Not to mention, this is a way healthier process than deep frying.”

She also shares that she loves the precision with time and temperature that this Air Fryer provides. “Just press a function and it automatically shows how long and high the cooking process will be.” This is made possible by Breville’s patented Element IQ System which is a smart algorithm that decides the ideal cooking environment for a range of different cooking techniques. 

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is definitely the kitchen partner to have this holiday season if you want to enjoy healthy, delicious meals minus the fuss. As Richie, Chef Beng, and Let’s Eat Pare say, respectively: 

“The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer proves that cooking doesn’t need to be greasy to be delicious, and preparing food with less guilt doesn’t mean less flavors either.” 

“It has 10 cooking functions which makes it a value-for-money purchase. I totally love it and I highly recommend this smart kitchen appliance.”

“It’s the ultimate kitchen tool you need to put on your Christmas shopping list, pare!” 
What are you waiting for? Add the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer to your holiday wishlist now. To know more about the product, visit the Breville website and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Cataract no more: 14-year old patient sees clearly again after EyeSite surgery


According to Dr. Lingao, the machines in the new EyeSite Mandaluyong operating room are more advanced. In particular, the one for removing cataract is more sensitive because of the parameters it requires medical professionals to follow.


“Wow! Nakakakita na uli nang malinaw ang anak ko!” 

Pilar Armina Bartolome was ecstatic after her son, Lucas, completed a surgery that removed cataracts in both his eyes.   

The 14-year old was the first patient to undergo an eye surgery in the newly opened operating facility of EyeSite, a full-service eye care medical clinic in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City. 

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that causes the eye lens to turn to white or change color and the vision to blur. The condition usually affects people over the age of 60 but can also develop in children. Childhood cataracts could either be congenital or related to other medical conditions. During a cataract operation, the cataract is removed and the lens is replaced with an artificial one. 

Lucas’s cataracts were diagnosed when he was 10. During that time the simplest activity became a challenge for him. He had to be guided when taking the stairs or walking in public places. There was even a time when he almost broke a mall's glass door because he walked straight to it, thinking it was a hole. In school, Lucas had to pull objects and books close to his face just so he could see them. 

Although Lucas’s parents consulted a few eye doctors in other prominent hospitals in Manila, they chose EyeSite Mandaluyong because its sole specialty put their main worries to rest. 

"Minor ang anak namin, tapos critical pa ang mata kaya takot kami,” Mrs. Bartolome explains. “Gusto ng husband ko manigurado. Gusto niya sa eye specialists na talaga. So when pandemic lockdowns eased, pumunta kami sa EyeSite for our son's cataract removal.”

Dr. Michelle Lingao, the ophthalmology surgeon who performed the cataract procedure on Lucas in EyeSite, is a pediatric ophthalmologist who also specializes in adult strabismus, comprehensive ophthalmology, and ocular genetics. She said when the nurse guided Lucas to the recovery room after the second of two operations, he kept pointing at things he was possibly seeing more clearly for the first time. 

“He kept on asking, ‘Uy, what’s this?’” Dr. Lingao recounts. “He was very jolly and inquisitive, asking a lot of questions about his eyes. Even minutes before surgery, he kept talking about a lot of things like his favorite TV shows and anime. He was very brave and cooperative during the procedure.”

Lucas completed a 2-visit procedure in a span of two months. His left eye was the first to be operated on in August 2022. The second procedure, for the right eye, was done in October to allow enough time for the left eye to regain full function.

Mrs. Bartolome almost immediately began to see the great improvement in Lucas’ eyesight after completion of the surgery. 

"Ang color daw ng leaves is green, at ang color daw ng car namin is totally black,” she notes. “Na-appreciate niya na lahat ng nakikita niya.” 

EyeSite continues to provide post-surgery care to Lucas, which is projected to last a year. 

Dr. Michelle Lingao is one of EyeSite’s pediatric ophthalmologists. Her subspecialties are Adult Strabismus, Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics.

According to Dr. Lingao, the machines in the new EyeSite Mandaluyong operating rooms are more advanced. In particular, the one for removing cataract is more sensitive because of the parameters it requires medical professionals to follow. In addition, the OR maintains a strict level of cleanliness to make young or adult patients feel more safe when undergoing a procedure. 

"It's more sensitive that it can detect the inside part of the eye to make sure everything is in balance while you're doing the surgery,” she notes. “The artificial lenses it uses for patients also have higher quality compared to several years back, making people see better.”

By opening its new operating facility to kids and adults needing sight-saving procedures like cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery, EyeSite Mandaluyong has firmly positioned itself as a one-stop shop for all eye care needs.

EyeSite Mandaluyong is a one-stop shop for all eye care needs, offering a 15% off promo on selected eye surgeries and procedures until January 17, 2023.

EyeSite Mandaluyong is a joint venture between the Asian Eye Institute and RelianceUnited, a company under United Laboratories (Unilab) that aligns with Unilab's mission to provide “Trusted Quality Healthcare.” The clinic directly addresses the changing health care needs of  Filipinos in the new normal and its services include general ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, and optical retail.

For consultations and other services, the clinic can be contacted via mobile number (0966) 9501-464 or visited at Level C, Williams Center, Williams St., corner Mayflower St., Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City. 

EyeSite Mandaluyong is offering a 15% off promo on selected eye surgeries and procedures until January 17, 2023

For more information about EyeSite’s #SerbisyongSulitAlagangMaaasahan, please visit eyesitemandaluyong.com

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

BDO Bags Asia’s Top Sustainability Advocate and the Industry Champion of the year for the 2nd Time

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) was named Industry Champion of the Year and Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia, both for the second time at the 2022 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


The Industry Champion award is presented to companies that have a distinct competitive advantage, set industry trends, and have commendable best practices in place. Winners in this category have shown the ability to evolve the focus of their enterprises along with the dynamic changes of the industries they serve to sustain as market leaders.

BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management. The Bank has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,600 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,500 ATMs nationwide. It also has 16 international offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The Bank also offers extensive digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and more secure for its clients.

“This recognition embodies BDO’s commitment to sustainability for the benefit of all its stakeholders, its customers and the hard work of its employees who are at the core of our business. We believe that our success as an institution is dependent on the growth and resiliency of the ecosystem we operate in.” said Nestor V. Tan, President and CEO of BDO Unibank. 

BDO also won the Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia award for the second straight year. The Bank recognizes the critical role of financial institutions to manage its environmental and social risks and finance the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2021, BDO financed a mix of 54 renewable energy projects for wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy sources accounting for 2,230 megawatts of total installed capacity nationwide. BDO continues to expand its Sustainable Finance initiatives, in place since 2010, towards funding new and existing renewable energy projects to increase their capacity, and support the country’s avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Bank also finances energy efficiency projects and green buildings.


The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES) recognizes successful companies and individuals in Asia across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility. The awards value and recognize services and achievements of businesses, both large and small, national and international, for their esteemed contributions to their communities and the world.

The ACES Awards is organized annually by MORS Group, an organization committed to assisting companies, corporate leaders, and eminent industrialists share a platform to exhibit leadership and sustainability excellence.

 

BDO is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with contact number (+632) 8708-7087 and with email address consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph, and webchat at www.bsp.gov.ph. Deposits are insured by PDIC up to P500,000 per depositor.

For concerns, please visit any BDO branch nearest you, or contact us thru our 24x7 hotline (+632) 8631-8000 or email us via callcenter@bdo.com.ph.




Monday, December 12, 2022

BDO starts mentorship of out-of-school youth in cloud services



BDO Unibank welcomed the first batch of on-the-job trainees on cloud-related work as part of its support to the collaboration of YouthWorks PH and Philippine Business Education (PBEd) with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which aims to give free cloud computing skills training for 600 unemployed and out-of-school youths across the Philippines via AWS re/Start. 

The Bank has committed the expertise of its experienced IT professionals to train 100 youths on cloud services, infrastructure and network monitoring, system administration, low-risk security operation activities, SIT/UAT testing, and automation scripting.

This December, the first batch will undergo a three-month mentorship and afterward, be eligible for employment opportunities in BDO. But before starting their onsite training with the Bank, the trainees completed remote mentoring, and employability skills and technical-vocational training with AWS re/Start in Quezon City last month.

“BDO is committed to delivering products and services that exceed customer expectations. As we take our financial services to the next level with the use of cloud technologies, it is vital that we have the right people for the job. Cloud talents trained by AWS re/Start through YouthWorks PH will play a critical role toward this big step towards the future,” said BDO Unibank President and CEO Nestor Tan during the contract-signing event.

BDO is the only bank to be part of this collaborative initiative with AWS and YouthWorks PH, a private-sector driven youth employability program of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and PBEd. Other partners include technology startups PROUDCLOUD and Launchgarage.


NEXT GENERATION. BDO Unibank proudly supports the collaboration between Philippine Business Education (PBEd) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) by providing on-the-job training on cloud-related services to participating unemployed and out-of-school youth across the country through YouthWorks Ph and AWS re/Start.

In the photo are (from left): BDO President and CEO Nestor V. Tan, US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d'affaires Heather Variava, PBEd Executive Director Love Basillote, AWS Philippines Country Head Stephen Thomas Misa, USAID/Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn, and LaunchGarage COO Jojo Flores.


Bdo Insure Offers Protection From Dengue Virus


More Filipinos this year caught the dengue virus than the same time last year. Based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) report, there have been 128,346 dengue cases in the Philippines from January 1 to August 20, 2022, 152% higher than the 50,982 cases recorded during the same period the previous year. More dengue fatalities were also registered this year with 422 from 179 in 2021.

BDO Insure recently started to offer an affordable dengue insurance plan for their and their family’s financial protection. For a premium amounting to P300 per year, Plan A provides cash assistance worth P20,000 when diagnosed with dengue. Meanwhile, Plan B provides cash assistance worth P40,000 for an annual premium of P500.

“As an insurance brokerage, we understand the medical insurance needs of our Filipino clients. Through the dengue insurance plans we offer in partnership with trustworthy insurance providers, we aim to protect our clients from potential financial losses due to dengue and be with them every step of the way, from purchasing the product to claiming its benefits,” said Ma. Theresa L. Tan, General Manager of BDO Insure.

Dengue insurance can easily be purchased via BDO Insure’s online channel which can be accessed using any mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer: https://www.bdo.com.ph/bdoinsure/dengue .

Earlier this year, BDO Insure started offering financial and emergency medical protection to travelers through its comprehensive travel insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage. The travel insurance plans include coverage for emergency medical treatment for COVID-19, travel inconveniences benefits, and access to a 24/7 emergency travel assistance hotline. Coverage varies and may be availed for domestic and international travel.

BDO Insure is a registered trademark of BDO Insurance Brokers, Inc., an insurance broker licensed and supervised by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines.

Clients can email at bdo-insure@bdo.com.ph or call at +63 (2) 8838-2364 or 1800-10-8382364 (Domestic Toll-free; available Mondays to Fridays, except holidays from 8AM-6PM). They can visit BDO branches where representatives are based.

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Try this Healthy Recipe for Noche Buena from The Goodwill Market

The holidays mean indulging in good food to celebrate traditions with family and friends. However, having too many rich foods may take a toll on your health. Serving healthy alternatives at your get-togethers can ensure that you are providing nutritious and delicious options that everyone can enjoy without missing out on the festivities.

The Goodwill Market shares this paella recipe by Chef Joel Tan Navarro that uses Duru Bulgur instead of rice. It packs more than twice the fiber and four times as much folate from bulgur, plus the umami goodness of mushrooms and the heart-healthy properties of olive oil.

Mushroom Truffle Paella (Duru Bulgur’s Vegetarian Paella)

Ingredients:

✓2 tbsp. Umbria Original Truffle Sauce

✓1 cup Duru Bulgur coarse

✓A drizzle of Umbria Tartufi White Truffle flavored oil

✓1/2 cup shitake mushrooms fresh

✓1/2 cup shitake mushrooms dried

✓1/2cup white button mushrooms

✓1/2 cup portobello mushrooms

✓1/2 cup arugula

✓1/2 cup olive oil

✓1/2 cup onions

✓2 cups vegetable stock

✓Salt

✓Pepper

Preparation:

1. Soak dried shitake mushrooms in hot water and let them bloom. Set aside.

2. Prepare, wash and cut other mushrooms and set aside.

3. Cut onions and set aside.

4. Wash the arugula and trim it into small pieces.

Cooking Time:

1. Heat olive oil in a paella pan

2. Brown fresh shitake mushrooms and set aside. It will be used as a garnish.

3. Add a little bit of olive oil then sauté onions.

4. Add the rest of the mushrooms until brown.

5. Add the truffle salsa.

6. Add Duru Bulgur coarse and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes.

7. Then add vegetable stock and let it simmer and reduce.

8. When reduced, place the fresh shitake mushrooms as garnish.

9. Cover with foil to continue cooking and adjust the heat to medium-low.

10. When the bulgur is cooked, crank up the heat to achieve the socoratt (crispy bottom layer of

bulgur).

11. When done, take it off the heat and garnish it with arugula. Serve.

Switch things up this Noche Buena with this filling and festive paella, made with Duru Bulgur that is conveniently available at The Goodwill Market online store. Shop smart and have your healthy goodies delivered directly to your doorstep through www.goodwill.market.


Friday, December 9, 2022

BDO Wins Top Investment House and Arranger


In Photo (From Right to Left): Sonny Marpuri, First Vice President of BDO Singapore branch accepts BDO Unibank’s award as Philippines’ Top Investment House and BDO Capital’s plaque as Top Arranger for Corporate Bonds at The Asset Benchmark Research Awards 2022 in Singapore. He is joined by Gail Pineda and Angelique Aquino from BDO Unibank’s Trust and Investments Group who have received the Most Astute Investor Awards.

ABOUT BDO UNIBANK, INC.

BDO is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail services such as traditional loan and deposit products, treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, cash cards, credit cards, and online and non-online brokerage services. 

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,500 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,500 ATMs nationwide. It also has 16 international offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The Bank also offers digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and more secure for its clients.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of March 31, 2022. For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph 

BDO Towers Valero, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Salcedo Village, Makati City 1226, Philippines

BDO is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with contact number (+632) 8708-7087 and with email address consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph, and webchat at www.bsp.gov.ph. Deposits are insured by PDIC up to P500,000 per depositor.

For concerns, please visit any BDO branch nearest you, or contact us thru our 24x7 hotline (+632) 8631-8000 or email us via callcenter@bdo.com.ph.

PCPPI champions quality excellence culture

Quality assurance and food safety are at the core of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.’s (PCPPI) operations. The organization recently reinforced their commitment to uphold excellence in line with PCPPI and PepsiCo’s observance of World Quality Month this November.

“Customer satisfaction drives our commitment to excellence at PCPPI. We encourage employees to perform beyond expectations in line with our vision to be the country’s leading beverage company,” said PCCPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.

Compliance to stringent safety regulations ensures quality at PCPPI. All facilities received the Safety Seal Certification from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), certifying all plants and offices practice public health standards and occupational safety and health standards set by the government. PCPPI was also recognized for its compliance and enforcement efforts of COVID-19 health standards.

Accreditation and Certification

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is among the various organizations conducting regular audits on PCPPI’s facilities. Aside from ensuring compliance to food safety regulations, the FDA reviews PCPPI’s implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and compliance to the provisions of the facilities’ Licenses to Operate.

Currently, six of PCPPI plants have retained their Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) V5.1 through a comprehensive audit by reputable testing, inspection and certification authority SGS in early 2022.  PCPPI’s plant in San Fernando, Pampanga also completed the first McDonald’s Social Welfare Accountability (SWA) and Supplier Quality Management System Audit (SQMS).

Quality and Food Safety Training

At PCPPI, development programs are in place to support ongoing learning for employees and business partners. Since 2015, over 1,800 employees and partners have enrolled in Level 1 Capability Building Program courses to broaden their understanding about quality assurance and food safety. Courses include Food Fraud Mitigation, Vulnerability Risk Assessment, and Statistical Process Control.

PCPPI’s pool of PepsiCo-certified site expert trainers have also conducted nearly 5,000 training hours. Certified training leaders have also completed courses focused on improving product quality and productivity.

Fostering Values through Engagement

Among PCPPI’s initiatives to further enhance the company-wide commitment to excellence are regular communication on policy updates, as well as best practice sharing across teams. Employees also undergo refresher courses on managing customer feedback in compliance with national regulations.

The organization’s focus on ensuring product and service quality goes beyond mere process. PCPPI upholds excellence as one of its core values. “Excellence is a shared responsibility. By holding ourselves accountable to our standards, we aim to continuously inspire our employees to remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the best value to all our stakeholders,” added Ong.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. It sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Milkis, Aquafina, and Premier.

Unli ang Saya this Christmas with J&T Express PH’s Huge Shipping Discount!


Leading e-commerce global delivery service J&T Express is giving away big discounts as an early Christmas gift to their customers nationwide. Get huge savings on shipping fees when you send your parcels via J&T Express this holiday season using its Unlisaya promo with a voucher discount, available on their mobile application.

The promo is offered to all J&T Express customers—especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Customers may pay as low as 39 pesos when they ship via J&T Express using Unlisaya promo with a J&T Express voucher. To avail of the promo, customers, whether walk-in or pick-up, must choose the Unlisaya promo and claim the daily voucher on the J&T Express mobile app.

“It is undeniable that most of us will purchase our Christmas gifts online. With the holiday craze coming, we are offering our lowest shipping fee yet as we hope to help lessen the shipping cost for consumers and to attract more businesses for the MSMEs. This is our early Christmas gift for everyone, whether our regular customers, business owners, or even those who ship via J&T Express for the first time. Now, they may enjoy shopping online for Christmas without worrying about the shipping fee,” says Zoe Chi, Vice President of J&T Express Philippines.

The promo aims to ease the hassle of paying high-shipping costs as Unlisaya offers a pouch-based rate fee, regardless of the weight of the item/s. Together with the Unlisaya promo and the J&T Express voucher discount, customers will save more budget for their Christmas shopping because of the affordable shipping rate.

J&T Express Philippines’ Unlisaya Promo is ongoing throughout the Christmas season, avail yours today!

Visit the nearest J&T Express or book a free pick-up via the mobile application or website to use the promo. To learn more about the services offered by J&T Express, log on to www.jtexpress.ph or visit www.facebook.com/jntexpressphilippines. 


Wednesday, December 7, 2022

PCPPI wins Corporate Excellence Award at Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

President and CEO Frederick D. Ong honored with Master Entrepreneur Award


Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) wins at APEA 2022. The photo shows PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong proudly showing the company’s Corporate Excellence Award and his Master Entrepreneur Award from the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2022. The annual recognition program honors the region’s best in business performance towards sustainable growth.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, was presented the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 for achieving operational and entrepreneurial excellence. Held last October 20, 2022 in Penang, Malaysia, the APEA ceremony also honored PCPPI President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick D. Ong with the Master Entrepreneur Award. This honor highlights industry trailblazers whose strong entrepreneurial characters inspire up-and-coming leaders.

Since joining PCPPI in 2020, Ong has led the organization in embracing digitization and organizational transformation. He was instrumental in driving the renewal of PCPPI’s go-to-market strategy and the strengthening of its distribution network and expansion of PCPPI’s product portfolio.

PCPPI has also demonstrated its resilience and agility in the face of adversity. Even at the height of the global pandemic, PCPPI remained true to its sustainability commitment with clear focus on developing talent, ensuring profitability, and being responsible stewards of the environment. The organization continued to drive operational efficiencies while ensuring employee well-being. PCPPI also supports health and safety initiatives in the local communities where it operates.

Ong attributed PCPPI’s success to the organization’s initiatives to uphold the ICARE (Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, and Excellence and Empowerment) values in how it conducts business and the manner in which employees interact and collaborate.

“Despite recent challenges, PCPPI‘s commitment to our values and our vision remains strong,” said Ong. “We extend our appreciation to the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards for recognizing our contributions to the country’s sustainable growth. These awards motivate us at PCPPI to continue driving business growth without compromise to our commitments to our stakeholders,” he added.

APEA is a regional recognition program spearheaded by non-government organization Enterprise Asia. The annual awards honor organizations and leaders that demonstrate remarkable performance and leadership while remaining true to their social responsibilities.

Aside from the most recent accolades from APEA, Ong was recently named among the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific by the Asia Leaders Awards. PCPPI has also received the 2022 Golden Globe Tigers Awards for Best Change Management Initiative (for Project SWIFT) and Excellence in the Production of Learning Content

(for the GREAT Playbook, PCPPI’s guide to the new normal).

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

Monday, December 5, 2022

BDO declares Cash & Stock Dividends


At its meeting held on December 3, 2022, the Board of Directors of BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) approved the declaration of regular cash dividends on common shares in the amount of P0.30 per share for the 4th quarter of 2022, payable on December 29, 2022 to all stockholders on record as of December 20, 2022

The Bank likewise received approval from the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on Nov. 29, 2022 for its stock dividends equivalent to 20% of current outstanding. To recall, BDO’s Board of Directors approved on March 26, 2022: the declaration of 20% stock dividends; an increase in its authorized capital stock (common shares) from 5.5 billion to 8.5 billion shares, and; the amendment to the Bank’s Articles of Incorporation to reflect the increase. These were subsequently approved by stockholders at the Bank’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 22, 2022, and by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on September 15, 2022. The record date for the stock dividends has been set for December 15, 2022, with payment date set for December 29, 2022.

The P0.30 cash dividend will also apply to the additional shares arising from the 20% stock dividend declaration. 

The cash and stock dividend declarations reflect BDO’s commitment to provide consistent, steady returns and value to its shareholders, while at the same time, continue to invest in its business. The hike in authorized capital stock provides flexibility to increase capital if needed during periods of rapid growth or should attractive opportunities arise. This will allow BDO to continue to expand its business, strengthen its franchise, and deliver quality earnings for long-term sustainable growth. Note that BDO’s ability to expand its business is dependent on business conditions and its financial position.

Saturday, December 3, 2022

A Simple Guide to Gentle Parenting



As poet and philosopher Rumi once eloquently said, “raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” Parenting is a challenging journey, and the truth is that nobody has everything figured out. One parenting style might suit others best, and some might favor other methods. 


However, children respond better to a calm demeanor, so it’s best to avoid dealing with them with anger. Gentle parenting is a transformative style that can help you raise confident, independent, and, most importantly, happy children. This method involves empathy, respect, understanding, and setting healthy boundaries. 


How can you incorporate gentle parenting into your daily life? Here are helpful tips to create a healthy relationship with your kids: 


  1. Comment on the action, not the person. When speaking to your child, try to separate the action from the person. Instead of saying, “you’re being mean to your brother,” rephrase it and instead say, “I don’t think your brother appreciates what you did. Let’s try something else and see how he responds.”

The former is focused on the child, while the second is focused on the action. Focusing on the action removes the finger pointing and blame, and emphasizes what he is doing wrong. 


  1. Walk the talk. Children follow what you do, not what you say. If you want your children to become kind and respectful, you should model all kinds of kindness. You should not only teach them how to be kind to others but also to themselves. 

One way to do this is by showing them how to do it. If you and your spouse are arguing, do it privately. Always be respectful to each other in your child’s presence. Exemplify kindness to yourself by taking care of your mind and body. 


  1. Reinforce positive action. Instead of saying no and making your child feel bad, try a different approach, set clear boundaries, and focus on the action that you are asking of your child. 

One approach to try is by stressing the desired positive action, rather than asking them to stop the negative action. If your child is being rough to other children in the playground or at school, you can try saying, “be more gentle with the other kids,” instead of yelling “stop that!” Treating them with kindness will encourage them to pass it forward. 


  1. Support their dreams. Gentle parenting involves a better understanding of your child’s hopes and aspirations. Show interest and nurture their interest and passion. Help them make their visions become reality by preparing for their future needs. 

All parents, in their great love for their children, want to give them everything they need, and most especially help them fulfill their dreams. Unfortunately, supporting these dreams can be costly. But with AIA Philippines’ Future Scholar, any parent who wishes to make those aspirations happen can be within reach. Future Scholar is an insurance product that gives guaranteed cash payouts that can help fulfill your child’s ambitions. There’s no better way to show your love for your child than ensuring that you can provide for their dream, no matter what happens in life.


Aside from guaranteed savings, Future Scholar has an investment component so you can look out for your child financially even after they graduate from college. Moreover, you can choose to build your child’s savings funds in five years or until he reaches the age of 17. 


In addition, Future Scholar gives you peace of mind. Whatever happens, your child will have money set aside for his future needs. Aside from that, your child or your chosen beneficiary can also be entitled to an additional lump-sum cash benefit should anything untoward happen to you.


“We know that the pandemic and the volatile economy has made everyone insecure about their savings. As a parent myself, I understand every parent’s desire to ensure that there are guaranteed benefits intended for their child’s future,” said Tennyson Paras, AIA Philippines’ Head of Products. “And this is what we had in mind when our Products Team designed AIA Future Scholar. We wanted to make sure that no matter what happens, a healthier, longer and better life awaits our children.”


Click here if you want to know more about Future Scholar and how it can help you support your child in fulfilling his dreams. 



My Takeaways from the Queen during the BSP FinEd Stakeholders Financial Self-Care 101: Boosting Your Financial Health

“I believe that through knowledge and discipline, financial peace is possible for all of us.” – Dave Ramsey

Last Nov 23 during the BSP FinEd Stakeholders Expo 2022, I was fortunate to have witnessed the Queen as a panelist who gave tips and advice toward the financial goal during the Financial Self-Care 101: Boosting your financial health. 

We usually get to watch Ms. Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach raises awareness on different important issues such as HIV and AIDS, mental health, and LGBTQ+ rights. But this time it is about financial health. 

She shared insightful and inspiring stories. She grew up as their family's breadwinner but was challenged when it comes to spending during her younger years. She got her first credit card after she won Miss Universe. Pia learned that it takes a lot of hard work to earn money, but it can take seconds for you to spend or lose it all. And because of the people she talked with and her advisers along her journey and her trusted bank - BDO, she became wise when it comes to spending and saving. 

Here are the tips she shared: 

1. Don't spend beyond your means. -

A lot are guilty of spending more than what they earn. Some have credit card limits that are really beyond their income. Remember that credit cards are not a monthly allowance, these are debts that must be paid. 

2. Don't put your eggs in one basket. - Invest in real estate, funds, and stocks. 

3. Save at least 10% of your income and put it in a bank. 

4. Insurance- She learned the value and importance of insurance because you'll never know what might happen. Insure your health, car, home, etc. 

The greatest financial victory she has is when she learned to save and how to make her money grow through investing. 

My favorite advice from her is :

"It's okay to help others but mag set ng boundaries".

Learn your limits. It's okay to help, but do not go beyond your limits because the time will come when you will need your finances. You have to think long-term. It's okay to help, but it's okay also to help yourself. Don't feel guilty when you set your boundaries. It doesn't mean that you are selfish. You need to protect yourself too. 

Care to share some financial tips and advice? 


Rex Education Launches “Little Explorers’ to Educate and Empower Homes on Early Childhood Education


Scientific studies have shown that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of five. From 1 to 2 years old, babies begin to explore and discover things. At 2.5 to 3 years old, toddlers start to develop their personalities and expand their vocabulary. When they turn 3.5 years old, they start to interact with other kids and adults.

This underscores how vital early childhood education (ECE) is for every child’s lifelong learning development. In fact, a 2019 study published by Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) found that learners who were reported to perform early literacy and numeracy tasks very well scored over one standard deviation higher than their peers who could not do these tasks well. This is proof that the urgency of calling attention to ECE is not just a local conversation, but something that is being championed on the international scene.

Mr. Don Timothy Buhain 
Chief Executive Officer - REX Education 

“As a lifelong learning partner to every Filipino, Rex Education has always believed that investing in ECE and the early development of foundational skills in our children is crucial in making sure they are ready for life. As we launch our newest brand, Little Explorers, we hope to fuel the conversation on the importance of early childhood care and development (ECCD) in the Philippines and empower parents and learning companions of our children with quality, research-based, and age-appropriate learning solutions to start their children’s learning even before formal schooling,” said Don Timothy Buhain, chief executive officer of Rex Education.

Little Explorers: Learning starts at home 




Parents are the most critical contributors and champions of education for children at home. Little Explorers hopes to inspire parents and guardians to be more purposeful about enhancing the learning environment of the kids and to observe ECCD practices at home, so children can start their journey early in becoming Filipino whole learners-healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented.

With over 100 titles for release, Little Explorers offers solutions to help children develop the six developmental domains identified as critical in the National Early Learning Framework (NELF) policy document of the government-mandated ECCD Council:

o Language Development: Develop and grow vocabulary and conversation skills through age-appropriate exercises

o Physical Health, Well-being, and Motor Development: Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

o Character and Values Development: Impart an understanding of honesty, manners, love, respect, and other good morals

o Cognitive/Intellectual Development: Boost critical thinking and attention skills

o SocialEmotional development: Develop and improve empathy, self-awareness, and social interaction

o Creative-Aesthetic development: Develop a child’s innate talent and Creative skills.

“We share the hearts of our Edukampyon parents and guardians, who want nothing but the best for their children, this is why we believe that the best learning experiences start at home.

Using REX’s wealth of research, experience, and partners on lifelong and early childhood learning, we carefully crafted Little Explorers to help establish strong foundations and promote proper holistic development in our children as early as possible,’ adds Buhain.

Unlock the potential of our little explorers 



To kickstart every Filipino child’s learning journey at home, REX launched Little Explorers on December 1, 2022, at Novotel, Cubao. With the theme, “Early Childhood Education matters: Strengthening the development and foundations for learning of young children,” the event aimed to spark conversations on the importance of ECE and put Little Explorers in the hands of every young learner and every Edukampyon parent and learning companion who wants to set their children up for success Media guests and influencers were invited to step into the world of our kids, so they can explore and understand better what young learners need-and how Little Explorers can help address those essentials.

Carnival Booth Games

During the event, carnival booth games and other activities were put up to encourage attendees to tap into their inner child. Young children were also present and had a fun time during the activities. Giant book covers of Little Explorers titles were set up for guests to scan so they can enjoy augmented reality experiences.

Atty. Dominador Buhain 
Chairman- REX Education 



A panel discussion with the Gender Studies Chairperson of the Philippine Social Science Council Dr. Excelsa Tongson, DSL Chief Operations Officer of Richwell Philippines Inc. Maye Yao Co Say, and Senior Sales Manager of WOOP Mama Club Stephanie Alviso was also held to share and exchange knowledge on the topic: “How to unlock our young learners’ potential by focusing on Early Childhood Education.”


To learn more about Rex Education’s early childhood education initiatives, visit rex.com.ph and follow their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


Friday, December 2, 2022

BDO at SM Supermalls, may pamaskong handog para sa mga OFW


Nagbabalik ang Pamaskong Handog events ng SM Supermalls at BDO upang maghatid ng saya at natatanging pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan para sa mga nagbalikbayang Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at kanilang pamilya ngayong Disyembre.

Naglalakihang pa-premyo, entertainment, at bonding moments kasama ang mga special guests ang dapat abangan sa 2022 Pamaskong Handog na may temang “Kita-kits na muli sa SM”.  Idaraos ito sa SM City Santa Rosa, Laguna sa December 3; SM City Iloilo sa December 10; at SM CDO Downtown Premiere sa December 17, sa ganap na 2PM.

Huwag palagpasin ang espesyal na pagtatanghal ng BDO Remit endorser na si Piolo Pascual, maging ang mga komedyanteng sina MC & Lassy na  magbibigay-katatawanan bilang hosts sa tatlong events. Kasama rin sina Ate Gay at Regina sa SM City Sta. Rosa at SM City Iloilo, at Divine Tetay at Tonton Soriano sa SM CDO Downtown Premiere.

Bilang espesyal na regalo, maraming ekslusibong deals at discounts ang inilaan ng SM affiliates para sa Kabayan Savings account holders. Halos araw-araw ay mayroong discount sa SM sa buong Disyembre! Tuwing Lunes ay may Php300 off sa Miniso; Php500 off sa SM Stores tuwing Martes; 10% off sa Surplus Shop sa Miyerkules; at sa Huwebes naman, may pa-FREE cheeseball sa SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, at SM Savemore. May Php500 off din sa Baby Company na nagsimula nitong November 15 hanggang December 31.

Ang BDO naman ay may ongoing promo para sa mga overseas Filipinos at kanilang beneficiaries. Waived fees of up to PHP20,00 sa Home Loan at up to PHP30,000 naman sa Auto Loan. Sa mismong Pamaskong Handog events naman, may chance manalo ng PHP1M worth of insurance coverage mula sa BDO Life, cash prizes, at freebies mula sa BDO Cash Agad at mga espesyal na regalo mula sa BDO Network Bank.

Maliban sa celebrity shows, may pa-bingo, games at raffle din ang BDO at partner sponsors na Western Union at  WorldRemit. Magbibigay rin ng financial tips sa savings at investment ang BDO para matulungan ang mga overseas Filipinos na iplano ang kanilang kinabukasan.

Papahuli ka ba? Tara na at makisali sa kasiyahang hatid ng SM at BDO. Ipakita lamang ang BDO Kabayan or BDO Network Bank Kabayan ATM card or passbook sa venue. Maaari rin magsama ng isang companion ang Kabayan Savings account holder.

At para sa mga Pinoy na hindi pa makakauwi sa Pilipinas, huwag mag-alala dahil mapapanood ang livestream ng Pamaskong Handog sa BDO Kabayan Facebook page. Pwede ring bisitahin at makinood sa BDO Remit at BDO Unibank representative offices sa Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, France, at United Arab Emirates.

Mula 2012, naging daan na ang naturang event upang magbigay entertainment at regalo para sa overseas Filipino families taon-taon. Bagamat naging virtual ang selebrasyon dahil sa pandemiya, tuloy-tuloy pa rin na nagbibigay-saya ang BDO at SM sa mga OFW at mga pamilya nitong nagdaang dalawang taon.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin ang BDO Kabayan Faceboook  www.bdo.com.ph/promos/pamaskonghandog2022 or BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

Thursday, December 1, 2022

MAKUKU Philippines held First Intimate PR and Bloggers event

Mommy Bloggers Philippines with Brand Department Head of Makuku Mr. Kyle Ye


Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Alodia Cueno-Mercado 

Last November 29, MAKUKU Philippines held their first intimate PR and Bloggers event in Seda Residences in Makati City together with friends from the media, bloggers influencers, and VIP Moms. The attendees learned about stress-free parenting tips shared by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Alodia Cueno-Mercado. 

(L-R) Princess Velasco,Ma. Margarita Villorente and baby Vinice (world's 8th billionth baby), Brand Department Head of Makuku Mr. Kyle Ye, Rita "Badjao Girl" Gaviola and Clinical Psychologist Maria Alodia Cueno - Mercado. 



Mommy Maria Margarette Villorente, and Baby Vinice Mabansag ,the symbolic 8th billionth baby from the Philippines

Kicking off the product launch, MAKUKU has gifted Maria Margarette Villorente, the mother of the world's 8 billionth baby a one-year supply of diapers. Baby Vinice Mabansag from Delpan Tondo, Manila is the symbolic 8th billionth baby from the Philippines and as such deserves one of the best brands in the market. 

Host Nikki Viola and Rita "Badjao Girl" Gaviola

Rita "Badjao Girl" Gaviola was present at the event as well to share her MAKUKU experience with her bubbly firstborn baby. 

MAKUKU was founded in Shanghai, China in 2020 and is devoted to the study and creation of products for moms and babies that are of the highest quality and durability. A premium user-oriented brand whose goal is to be part of their customers' lives by creating the ultimate products for mommies and babies all over the world. 

Diapers are one of the essential products that directly affects a baby's comfort, movement, and a mother's peace of mind. MAKUKU created its Slim and Comfort diaper series, especially for humid Asian countries like the Philippines. It is ultra-thin, lightweight, and made with Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP), providing babies the comfort they may need overnight. MAKUKU Slim Diapers are also incorporated with Vitamin C to protect the baby's skin from redness to irritation. Also, their newest product, the Balance Care diaper is out of the market that is made with bubble waist wrap preventing red marks, and skin irritation to make it more comfortable to wear for active babies.

Follow MAKUKU Philippines social media accounts and find out more about the high-quality, mom-and-baby products they'll be launching soon. 

Experience the amazing MAKUKU diapers available at Puregold, SouthStar Drugstore, Watsons, Divimart, Landers, All Day Mart, Metro Gaisano, Shopwise, or Hi-Top Supermarket. 

Exclusive discounts and coupons are also available to first-time customers through popular online stores through Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, and Edamama. 

Visit www.makuku.com.ph for more details.




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