Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Nestlé Wellness Campus | Raising environmentally responsible children

 

 In celebration of Earth Day, Nestlé PH highlighted the importance of teaching proper solid waste management to public school students through the Nestlé Wellness Campus (NWC) program. Photo shows (top row, from left to right): Dr. Wilma Soriano of Pinagbuhatan Elementary School in Pasig City, Teacher Sheena Lyn Briones of Naga Central School II, and Mommy Maricel Marimat and her daughter Crishel, representing San Miguel High School in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental. Bottom row: Christine Ponce-Garcia, Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé PH, and Kevin Carpio, NWC Program Lead.

Raising environmentally responsible children: Nestlé Wellness Campus promotes solid waste management in public schools

Education is key. This belief drives Nestlé PH as it highlighted its efforts on Earth Day to teach proper solid waste management (SWM) to young students in public schools across the country.

These efforts are a component of Nestlé Wellness Campus (NWC), the company’s flagship advocacy program in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), that aims to uplift the lives of Filipino families through nutrition, health, and wellness, as well as environmental education. Under NWC, Nestlé PH is helping students to learn and apply seven healthy habits: choosing nutritious and varied options; managing food portions; choosing to drink water and milk; enjoying meals together as a family; playing actively; keeping good hygiene; caring for the planet.

Christine Ponce-Garcia, Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé PH

Christine Ponce-Garcia, Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé PH, said modules on SWM, developed in collaboration with the National Solid Waste Management Commission, were designed to teach Grade 1-10 students to practice the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. “As we celebrate Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to raising happy, healthy, and environmentally responsible children. They are the future stewards of our planet. We need to educate them as early as possible to be more mindful of the waste we generate and to become more aware of ways to properly segregate and manage waste in school, at home, and in their communities.”

Nationwide reach, the overall impact

Kevin Carpio, NWC Program Lead

Kevin Carpio, NWC Program Lead, said all of the program’s modules are available and easily downloadable by any public school through the DepEd Commons portal. “The Solid Waste Management modules were rolled out as part of the NWC for the first time this school year 2021-2022. We are grateful to the DepEd for providing us a platform that can reach millions of students, helping to shape their understanding of health and wellness while instilling the importance of caring for our environment.”

Sheena Lyn Briones, Teacher
Naga Central School II 

Teacher Sheena Lyn Briones of Naga Central School II said the SWM modules have inspired their students to make eco-bricks from segregated waste. “It’s one thing to be able to teach our students the value of proper waste disposal. But what brings me more pride and joy is the fact that they were eager to create something useful out of the plastic waste and other trash collected in our school. Nakakaproud na makita ‘yung end-products na upuan at iba pang kagamitan na pinaghirapan ng aming mga estudyante.”

Maricel and Crishel Marimat

At home, Mommy Maricel Marimat’s bonding with daughter Crishel now includes learning and practicing the 3Rs. “Dahil sa modules ng Nestlé Wellness Campus, natutunan namin bilang isang pamilya ang reduce, reuse and recycle practices. Sa tulong nito, mas naging malinis at nabawasan ang mga insekto sa ang aming kapaligiran.”

Dr. Wilma P. Soriano, School Principal
Pinagbuhatan Elementary School

As this school year’s NWC Champion, Pinagbuhatan Elementary School shared best practices in promoting the seven healthy habits. School Principal Dr. Wilma P. Soriano described how their initiatives have spread outside the classroom. “The true measure of our program’s success is seeing our students lead the change in their own homes and barangays. We have seen this in our Gulayan sa Paaralan Hanggang sa Tahanan as well as in their active participation in the search for the cleanest streets in their neighborhoods,” she said. 

According to Ms. Ponce-Garcia, the commitment of Nestlé PH to be a Kasambuhay sa Kalikasan goes beyond classroom walls as it strives to create a real impact in the lives of Filipinos. The company has expanded the development of SWM modules for use by local government units to educate their constituents. “We at Nestlé Philippines recognize the importance of coming together and working closely to achieve a waste-free future for our kids, our families and our communities,” she said, calling for a collective approach to benefit the environment and the planet.

Got any lessons learned from mom? Say it with Canva


From free templates to photos and graphics, Canva Philippines empowers Filipinos to design something special for Mom this Mother’s Day


‘Tama Ka, Ma’ campaign spotlights unique lessons learned from mom.

Moms know best, and when it comes to navigating life, they never run out of lessons to teach us. This Mother’s Day, Canva Philippines continues its #SayItSaCanva campaign, this time inspiring us to appreciate our moms who imparted their wisdom and experiences to us by saying 'Tama ka, Ma.'

From simple cooking tips to heartwarming love advice, moms never fail to comfort us and tell us what we need to hear.

“Moms are unsung heroes. They manage the households, look after the family, and some even do it while having a full-time job or running their own business. They’re also our first teachers who equip us with life lessons that will make us thrive in life. What better way to honor them than to let them know that we appreciate and heed the lessons they taught us,” says Yani Hornilla-Donato, Canva Philippines’ Country Manager.

To share your own “Tama Ka, Ma” statement, visit the Mother’s Day content hub and choose from the featured templates, elements, and photos. Share your design and story on social media using the hashtags #TamaKaMa and #SayItSaCanva.


From April 29, the content hub will include a Virtual Hall of Fame featuring select stories from the campaign.

More ways to express love and gratitude for mom using Canva


Aside from sharing your own “Tama Ka, Ma” design, there are other creative ways to show love and appreciation for mom on Mother’s Day using Canva.

Design a touching presentation for Mom using Canva’s free Presentation templates. Upload your favorite photos with her and take a trip down memory lane on her special day.

For those who want to remind mom how amazing she is every day, print out stickers from Canva’s free photos and graphics made exclusively for Mother’s Day. Whether it’s an uplifting quote or a colorful bouquet, she’ll surely have fun sticking them on her favorite things.

If you have videos of your travels with mom or the days you shared during the pandemic, pull them together and make a high-quality Mother’s Day video in minutes using Canva’s simple drag-and-drop tools and pre-made video templates.

In celebrating your mom this Mother’s Day, remember that it’s always the thought that counts. Whether it’s for nanay, mama, mommy, or inay, with Canva’s diverse content library, you’ll be able to express your love and gratitude for mom in creative and unique ways.

To learn more about Canva, visit www.canva.com or follow Canva on Facebook and Instagram. Canva is also available for download on App Store and Play Store.



About Canva
Launched in 2013, Canva is a free online visual communications and collaboration platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast range of templates ranging from presentations, social media graphics, posters, apparel to videos, plus a huge library of fonts, stock photography, illustrations, video footage, and audio clips, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on desktop, web, iOS, and Android.



Monday, April 25, 2022

Four Exciting, Yummy, Nutritious And Easy-to-cook Recipes For Your Next Summer Outing Salu-salo

 


Summer is arguably the favorite season for many. It’s the time of the year when Filipinos enjoy trips to the beach, long vacations with friends and family, or simply more time relaxing at home. All of these could only mean one thing—summer is the season for eating. Yum!

What’s a summer outing without equally exciting food? After all, a huge part of bonding during summer activities is the salu-salo. While grilled fish and hotdogs are stapled favorites during summer outings, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has curated recipes that you can try on your next trip to make your salu-salo experience more fun and memorable.

These four recipes are not only delicious and easy to prepare, but they are also less in sodium too, so it’s good for you and the family. 

●        Simple Lemon Herb Chicken

Rich in protein and great for quick cooking, this recipe is perfect especially when you’ve got kids (you can’t go wrong with chicken when youngsters are around). Quick and easy, you’ll be done in less than 30 minutes with a savory dish made yummy with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning.  Check out the full recipe here : Simple Lemon Herb Chicken Recipe

●        Thai Pork Barbecue

A must-try recipe to level up your barbecue experience. Not only is it easy to prepare, but BBQs are also ideal for outdoor cooking and get-togethers because they aren’t messy to eat and people can just grab a stick or two before diving back into the water again. Full recipe here: Thai Pork Barbecue Recipe

●        Kalabasang Okoy na may Hipon

If you’re into seafood, here’s a recipe that should excite you. The regular okoy already tastes great, but adding this twist should bring the dish to another level. With the kalabasa providing a layer of crunchiness and sweetness, this simple dish should be a nice addition to your summer-ific menu. Kalabasa which contains Vitamin A and beta-carotene not only helps maintain healthy eyesight but also helps strengthen immunity. All you need to do is mix AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning to the batter, stir in beaten eggs, kalabasa, bean sprouts, and shrimps. Mix well, and fry. Voila! You’re done. Learn the full recipe: Kalabasang Okoy na may Hipon Recipe

●        Lumpiang Baboy at Carrots

Amongst all Lumpia variants, Lumpiang Baboy at Carrots, or what we commonly know as Lumpiang Shanghai, will always be a crowd favorite. This dish is almost always present during birthdays, fiestas, or even during summer outings. They’re easy to make, carry around, and don’t spoil easily. You can pre-make the lumpia at home (or even cook it there). Try this less sodium version with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, which helps turn this rather ordinary food item into a bestseller on your summer outings. Click here for the full recipe: Lumpiang Baboy at Carrots Recipe


In its pursuit of helping Filipinos achieve a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing their hearty diet, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) Group recently launched its BawAsin® or Bawasan ang Asin campaign, an effort that encourages consumers to reduce their sodium intake without sacrificing the deliciousness of their meals. Ajinomoto has created a BawAsin® section on its official website. It provides information that reducing sodium in a diet is not difficult or will result in bland food. The site features 100 less sodium creative recipes that help individuals enjoy meals that contain less sodium yet enjoy the same deliciousness. According to the World Health Organization, a “reduced salt intake can blunt the rise in blood pressure that occurs with age and reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events and congestive heart failure.”

The BawAsin® or Bawasan ang Asin campaign is a reflection of the brand’s “Eat Well, Live Well” promise, which aims to help families improve their health by providing ways how to prepare healthy and delicious meals.

For more fun and healthy recipes, visit the Less Sodium Recipes section of Ajinomoto’s Cookmunity website: ajinomoto.com.ph/whats-new-archive/sodium-recipes/

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Epic Travel Tips for the Next Escapade with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Series

 

As summer starts to kick in, everyone wants to keep a memory of their trips with families and friends. To make their adventures epic, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S22 Series, the gold standard for mobile innovation perfect for travel creators and adventurers out there.

Here are ways to make your summer travels more epic with Galaxy:

1. Empower your trip with a powerful pro-grade camera - Travelers will always keep memories as souvenirs of every trip they take. With the Galaxy S22 Series, they can capture the gorgeous views of the mountains, the soothing waves of the ocean, the breathtaking sunset, and even the starry night sky. These new smartphone devices include a next-level camera system capable of producing high-quality images and videos. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22+ offer a 50MP Wide camera, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra boasts an even more impressive 108MP Wide camera. This function captures much more of the scene than the standard lens, making it ideal for landscape photography. So when travelers camp, they can perfectly capture the lush forest in stunning detail. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the Strawberry Farms in La Trinidad, Baguio, and the Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue are the best tourist destinations to try out this feature. 

Super Steady, which stabilizes the scene of activities such as ATV, trekking, and exploring the city on bikes, allows travelers to vlog their trip without having to worry about shaky video outputs.


2. Be camera-ready even at night - The Galaxy S22 has a Nightography function that enables astronomy enthusiasts to take incredible images and videos of the bright city lights. This device has a Big Pixel Sensor that eliminates grain, allowing it to take crisp and detailed photos even in low light.

3. View and capture moments with an immersive screen - When traveling in broad daylight, it can be difficult to see what's on the screen because of all the glare. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s incredible 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display addresses that concern. It's also not a problem with the Galaxy S22 and S22+, which have 6.1-inch FHD+ and 6.6-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, respectively. These devices now feature a Vision Booster that can beat intense light exposure when browsing files or creating content, making any beach trip fun and easy to capture epic moments. 

4. Boost all-day traveling with a long-lasting battery. Fast-charging compatibility and an all-day battery are essential for travelers. The 3,700mAh battery in the Galaxy S22 and the 4,500mAh battery in the Galaxy S22+ make them excellent travel companions. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery life is even more remarkable, as it can last the whole day. A 45W super-fast charging is available, so travelers can recharge their gadgets quickly after a long day at the beach or hiking. Having no worries about running out of power enables travelers to capture unforgettable memories at any time of day or night.

5. Beat the heat with a water-resistant phone. A quick dip in a pool is a must-do every summer vacation. With the Galaxy S22 series, travelers who enjoy aquatic activities can now capture their adventures without fear of accidental spills and splashes. It has an IP68 rating that makes it water and dust-resistant, making it ideal for taking epic poolside shots with friends and family.

Grab an epic smartphone and travel buddy now!


The Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and Burgundy. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22+ and S22 come in Phantom Black, Phantom White, and fun colors like Green and Pink Gold.


Galaxy S22 Ultra - PHP 68,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 72,990 SRP (256GB) / PHP 80,990 SRP (512GB)

Galaxy S22+ - PHP 56,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 60,990 SRP (256GB)

Galaxy S22 - PHP 45,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 49,990 SRP (256GB)


Users can also take home the Galaxy S22 Series for as low as PHP 1,916.25/mo at 0% interest for up to 24 months via Samsung Authorized Stores Nationwide. Citibank cardholders can get up to 36 months of installment at 0% interest for as low as PHP 1,277.50/mo.  On the other hand, PNB cardholders can get their first installment month for FREE and pay 0% interest for up to 24 months in select Samsung Experience stores and Abenson Stores.  


Trade in an old smartphone for the Galaxy S22 Series to get tokens worth up to PHP 8,000 in participating Samsung Experience Stores and Authorized Stores.  Customers can also trade in their devices via Globe and Smart to receive discounts worth up to PHP 7,200.  


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.

To find the nearest Samsung Experience Store, visit samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations.



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, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Keep your family extra cool and germ-free this summer season!

 


Cool down the heat with the new Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel! 


The summer season is officially here which can only mean one thing: outdoor family fun for everyone!

The hot weather pushes more families to have more quality time while cooling down—enjoying frozen treats at home, watching movies again at the cinemas, going on beach trips, or simply playing with one another outdoors.

But with the pandemic still, not over, it’s going to be double the effort for parents as they keep their families safe not only from intense heat but also from germs. Fortunately, both of these worries can be eased with the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel which is perfect for the hot summer season!

Dermatologically tested and formulated with menthol and eucalyptus, the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel instantly soothes and calms the skin with long-lasting freshness and cooling sensation against the heat of the season! It also helps to fight 99.9% of disease-causing germs that thrive on the skin, all while retaining moisture with Avon’s Germ Defense + Moisture Lock Technology—leaving the skin moisturized all day long!

Since the lotion gel is lightweight and quick-absorbing, the skin won’t feel greasy or sticky, wherever the season takes you—whether you’re lounging at home, enjoying the beach, visiting the amusement park, spending time at the playground, or exploring the great outdoors!

Get ready to plunge into a hot new season and keep everybody in the family cool and germ-free with 400mL or 250mL available sizes. Shop for the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel and more of your favorite Avon products at www.avonshop.ph or contact your local Avon representative.

Check out Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Emergency fund, mahalaga ba talaga?

 


Noong pumasok ang COVID-19 virus sa bansa, karamihan sa mga nagkasakit ay hindi ready sa malaking gastusin dahil walang emergency fund. Ano nga ba ito at bakit importanteng magkaroon ng pondo para dito? 

Ang emergency fund ay ang itinabing pera na maaaring gamitin anumang oras na kailanganin ito. Ito ay tinatawag din na “contingency fund” kung saan ang kabuuang halaga ay maaaring pang-tawid gastos ng tatlong buwan hanggang isang taon. 

Ayon sa mga financial expert, mahalaga ang may emergency fund para hindi mahirapan kung saan kukuha ng pera pag nagkaroon ng hindi inaasahang pangyayari gaya ng pandemya.

Mainam na may naitabing pondo para walang pag-aalala sa gastusin kung mayroon mang magkasakit na isang miyembro ng pamilya, may nawalan ng trabaho, o masalanta ang bahay o tanim dahil sa mga natural disaster tulad ng bagyo, lindol, tagtuyot o pagbaha.  


Guide sa pagbuo ng emergency fund

Payo ni Albert O. Quiogue, first vice president ng BDO Network Bank (BDONB), “Mahalagang simulan ang pag-iipon ngayon. Ang tamang pagba-budget ng pera o kita ay dapat ding matutunan. Kung nais magnegosyo, aralin munang maigi kung anong business ang papasukin.” 

Nais ng BDONB, ang community bank ng BDO Unibank, na maibahagi ang kahalagahan ng pag-iipon at pagbuo ng emergency fund para maging handa sa panahon ng pangangailangan.  Maaari itong simulan sa pagkakaroon ng account sa bangko para masiguradong safe ang inipon. Ang perang inipon ay lumalago mula sa kitang interest lalo na kung hindi bababa sa Php500 ang savings kada buwan.

Simple lang ang proseso para magbukas ng account. Maghanda lamang ng valid I.D. at 100 pesos bilang initial deposit. Pumunta sa pinakamalapit na BDONB branch sa inyong lugar at i-submit ang mga requirements para magkaroon ng BDONB Kabayan savings account. 

Para naman sa nais magkaroon ng ATM card, kailangan lang maghanda ng Php100 at pwede ng maka-withdraw ng pera sa BDO and BDONB ATMs nationwide at Cash Agad partner-agents. 

Para sa iba pang mga impormasyon tungkol sa produkto at serbisyo ng BDONB, bisitahin ang www.bdonetworkbank.com.ph o ang official facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/BDONetworkBankPH.         


Friday, April 8, 2022

SM Supermalls will color you happy this summer!

 


Bursting with color starting April, SM Supermalls is giving its shoppers of all ages a spectrum of hope, happiness, and fun with delightful and safe activities that everyone in the family can look forward to when they visit their favorite SM mall. 

Snap-worthy rainbow play areas! Multifunctional play pods in all colors of the rainbow await you at the indoor and outdoor play pods that kids and kids-at-heart will love. From rainbow staircases to larger-than-life displays, you’ll have no trouble getting the best and most colorful #POTD entry!

Sweet treats and Summer Eats! Sip, eat, repeat, and satisfy those cravings with a wide array of food and drink choices at SM Summer Eats!  A weekend al fresco market awaits you with delicious meals and refreshing drinks all in IG-worthy colorful dining spaces! Watch out for Summer Teas happening from April 16 to 30 where there will be lots of discounts on the best milk teas to quench your thirst too! Sizzling hot summer deals! What’s summer without a mall-wide sale? Go on a shopping spree and get all your summer essentials, including must-have toys, at the nearest SM mall. Delight your kids with sporty knick-knacks, inflatables, and bikes to amp up their summer activities even while at home. Visit the pop-up stores in select SM malls for great finds and exclusive deals!

S Maison

Summer fun under the sun! Time to flex that Tiktok talent! Be witty and wacky, colorful and bright, at the SM Summer Tiktok challenge which you can shoot at any of the malls’ colorful outdoor and indoor displays. For pawrents, you can have a furry fun time with your pets when you join the pet olympics, go on a picnic with them, or treat them with a pampering session. For the fitness buff, there’s going to be a 7-day fitness blitz for adults and kids at select SM malls where you can blow off steam and sweat it out. Whatever your passion is, we have lots of summer fun activities lined up for you!

From safe dining to shopping and everything in between, make it a fun and colorful summer to remember at SM Supermalls! Make sure to visit www.smsupermalls.com or like and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms for the latest news, promos, and activities. 

Planting seeds, harvesting progress


Julius Sulit, Country Finance Head for East-West Seed Philippines (EWPH) and, 
 Irene Sion, Seed Production Operations Manager


East-West Seed (EWS) is a global seed company that develops, produces, and markets hybrid tropical vegetable seeds to some 20 million smallholder farmers worldwide.

Founded in 1982 in Lipa City, Batangas, Dutch seedsman Simon Groot and Filipino seed trader Benito Domingo had the vision to improve the income of smallholder farmers in the tropics through their high-quality seeds. But just like a seed that began seeking fertile ground to thrive in, EWS struggled at first to gain the confidence of the Filipino farmers. Irene Sion, Seed Production Operations Manager, first began her career in EWS as a seed production technician in 1984. She said that the company’s office in the Philippines spent years not only researching, developing, and producing hybrid seeds but also had to gradually convince Filipino farmers to switch to using hybrid seeds.

“As a farmer’s daughter, I know the mindset of Filipino farmers. For them, it’s a matter of “to see is to believe”. Most of them were used to planting one-parent traditional seeds as they were used to planting and growing them for decades.

EWS has since grown to become one of the 10 largest vegetable seed companies in the world. 

Hesitant over innovation

Hybrid vegetable seeds are made by mixing the traits of two or more “parents” to produce a new generation of seeds that contain advantageous traits: the seeds produce crops that are more resistant to diseases, better suited to thrive in tough weather conditions, and also yielding bigger harvests that also have better quality in terms of taste, color, nutrition, etc.

While the science behind this has been around since the mid-1800s, many farmers were hesitant at first about using hybrid vegetable seeds; to them, it seemed risky and unproven. Furthermore, hybrid seeds cost a little bit more than traditional seeds. Irene said the company made the effort over many years to explain to farmers that even with the slightly higher cost, the assured returns of the bigger harvest provided by innovations like hybrid seeds make it more than worth it. 

Milestones and partnerships

As one of the pioneering employees, Irene saw how EWS evolved and grew by embracing technology and innovation to become an important partner to Filipino farmers.

“It’s very gratifying to hear from the farmers themselves how East-West Seed has become instrumental in uplifting the lives of their families. They were able to earn more from the bigger harvests of the hybrid seeds. They were able to send their children to college. They earned enough to buy farming supplies, farming equipment, and even brand new vehicles for the families to use. When I hear these stories, I feel the strong bond between East-West Seed and the farmers, like our partnership, improved the lives of these very important people in our countryside,” said Irene.

Using superior vegetable breeding combined with a carefully cultivated nurtured relationship with local farmers wherever it operates, East-West Seed has grown exponentially over the many years and holds a market leader position in not just the Philippines but also Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, while also expanding its business activities in India, China, South America, and Africa.

Boosting cash management

Amid the pandemic, East-West Seed also hit a milestone on the financial side of things: the company recently switched to digital platforms for handling most of its financial transactions and processes.

According to Julius Sulit, Country Finance Head for East-West Seed Philippines (EWPH), the pandemic posed constraints on the way the company accesses its funds, collects payments, and issues checks. Before the pandemic, a lot of these processes were done manually by him and his team. But when the pandemic hit, many bank branches were closed; it was no longer possible to physically transact with banks.

“Then our treasurer and cashier had to work from home, so writing out checks and having these signed and sent out became a pain point—not only because of concerns about overexposure to the virus but also because transportation was limited. Physically transporting checks, and having our farmers send their checks to us via courier, these all became difficult to do,” he explained.

Like many other businesses, EWPH had to adapt to the new normal of virtual operations. This meant quickly switching to digital processes and improving the information technology infrastructure of financial operations. Julius and his team hit a snag in this area; with the uncertainty that came with the pandemic, they could not get an additional IT budget. “We could not invest a lot when it comes to expertise and equipment that would allow us to migrate our many manual financial and administrative tasks to a digital and virtual system,” said Julius.

Faced with this problem, Julius opened it up with their partner bank, BDO. “After a discussion with BDO, we decided to avail ourselves of some digital and non-digital cash management services provided by the bank,” he said.

Digital and non-digital support

The cash management services provided by BDO to East-West Seed Philippines included the automated check writing facility that allowed the company to hand over the tasks of check writing to BDO. “Without automated check writing, we would have had to require our treasurer or cashier to physically write and process checks at the office, which would have put them at risk for COVID,” said Julius.

Switching to automated check writing also meant that the record-keeping and access to financial information became digital as well. Julius said that this is more convenient since he could now quickly access the information he needs on his laptop with just a few clicks. Once the nominated authorizer of the company approves the transactions, the checks are printed by BDO and then picked up by the payees at a BDO branch, making for a convenient and stress-free customer experience. Additionally, not only check-writing but even processing of customer payments is made so much easier.

“Thanks to BDO’s cash management services, our customers also now have more options to send payments. They now have a choice to either physically send us their checks or to pay us through other channels including digital online payments using BDO’s platform. This is very useful during the pandemic and even moving forward as we adjust to the new normal. Overall, BDO cash management helped us become more efficient in terms of time and monetary cost for our financial operations. We save so much time, money, and effort now that many of these financial administrative tasks were integrated into a cash management system,” said Julius.

For more information about BDO’s cash management services, go to BDO’s official website or Facebook page. You may also call or visit the BDO branch nearest you. 

 


Jolly Spaghetti Is Still The Best Meal For Your Happiest Bonding Moments

 


Ensure memorable bonding experiences with your kids with Jollibee’s meatiest, cheesiest, sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti!


One thing that’s been keeping a lot of families sane during tough times is the opportunity to bond with their loved ones, especially their kids. Spending time doing things that put smiles on everyone’s faces helps people stay happy and positive.

Nothing makes these moments more special than eating together food that everyone loves. For a lot of Filipino parents and their kids, one great meal to bond over is the tried-and-tested favorite—Jollibee’s Jolly Spaghetti.

That’s because Jolly Spaghetti has everything that both parents and kids love during mealtimes. It’s certainly the meatiest with filling ground meat and hotdog slices, cheesiest with generous grated cheese toppings, and sweet-sarap for its signature sweet-style spaghetti sauce that everyone can’t get enough of. It’s a meal that’s sure to deliver Pinakamasarap for Pinakamasayang bonding moments.

“Everything about the meatiest, cheesiest, and sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti makes it the perfect companion for bonding moments with your young ones. It just doubles everything that makes you and your child happy during quality moments with them,” says Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee Philippines Assistant Vice President for Bestsellers and Ready-to-Cook Categories.

Jolly Spaghetti is available for only PHP 50 Solo and PHP 200 for a Family Pan in all Jollibee stores nationwide. Have it safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, or #87000. Also available in Drive-Thru and Take Out!
For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.


 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

ANO MAN ANG CHALLENGE MO SA BUHAY, KAYANG-KAYA ‘YAN KABAYAN!


Take it from Hidilyn: ANO MAN ANG CHALLENGE MO SA BUHAY, KAYANG-KAYA ‘YAN KABAYAN!

CERTIFIED overseas Filipino ngang matatawag si Hidilyn Diaz dahil maraming beses na siyang umalis ng Pilipinas para mag-train ng weightlifting at lumaban ng competition sa iba’t ibang bansa. 

Naka-byahe na siya sa Amerika, London, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, South Korea at Indonesia -- mga bansa kung saan maraming OFs ang nagta-trabaho at nakikipagsapalaran para sa mga pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas. 

Bago siya sumabak sa 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, lagpas isang taon ang inilagi ni Hidilyn sa Malaysia para mag-training. Doon na rin sya inabutan ng lockdown dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic, isang pangyayaring sumubok sa kanyang katatagan. 

“Tuwing naaalala ko yung challenges na pinagdaanan ko at ng aking team sa Malaysia, talagang naiiyak ako eh. Napakahirap magpalipat-lipat ng lugar doon para lang hindi matigil ang aking training. Ang taas ng anxiety kase iniisip namin saan kami titira, saan kami pupunta, at saan ako mag-te-training?” pagbabalik-tanaw ni Hidilyn. 

May mga oras din na umiiyak na lamang siya at tinatanong ang sarili ng: “Ano ba itong hinaharap ko ngayon? Di ko na yata alam kung paano solusyunan.” Pero sa kabila nito, kinumbinse ni Hidilyn ang sarili na kayang-kaya niyang lagpasan ang mga pagsubok at magiging okay din ang lahat.


Paano nga ba siya naka-survive? 

“Iba kapag may nakakausap ka. May kasangga ako hindi lang yung coaching team ko kundi pati na rin friends ko. Napakalaking tulong nila. At syempre, hindi mawawala ang inspirasyon na galing sa aking pamilya at ang prayers ko kay God,” diin ng Olympic gold medalist. 

Aware si Hidilyn na ang kwento niya ay hindi naiiba sa kwento ng mga OFs. Mas matindi pa nga raw ang nararanasan ng mga kabayan abroad lalo na noong nagsimula ang pandemya. May ibang natigil sa trabaho pero hindi pa rin umuuwi sa Pilipinas dahil iniisip ang kalagayan ng pamilya at may iba namang nagdodoble-kayod para madagdagan ang income – bagay na hinahangaan ni Hidilyn sa kapwa Pinoy. 

“We take it day-by-day and we continue with our dreams. Talagang akma yung linyang we find ways eh. Hindi ka dapat bumitaw kase may paraan para maitawid ang buhay,” paliwanag pa nya. 

Kahit hindi pa tapos ang laban ng mundo sa pandemya, naniniwala pa rin si Hidilyn na darating din ang happy ending. “Ang challenge naman hindi binibigay kung hindi kayang lagpasan. Kaya advice ko sa ating mga kabayan, tuloy lang ang buhay. Kayang-kaya ‘yan kabayan!” 



UN Women celebrates female sustainability champions National Women’s Month 2022

UN Women celebrated the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women and International Women’s Day 2022 by hosting “Eco-Fluencer", a virtual panel discussion to spotlight female leaders championing sustainability and gender equality in their organizations. 


This year, in honour of the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women and the International Women’s Day theme, UN Women put a spotlight on the intersectionality of gender inequality and climate change with an event on the theme: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” underscoring how women and girls continue to bear the burden of climate change while leading empowerment and sustainability efforts across the globe. 

Through “Eco-fluencer”, a virtual round-table discussion on female leaders and sustainable businesses, UN Women brought together Filipina champions of sustainability and gender equality to talk about achieving sustainability for women, by women in the Philippines.

The event, hosted by Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) Youth Leadership Champion awardee and AGREA CEO Cherrie Atilano, featured ECHOStore CEO, Chit Juan; Messy Bessy CEO, Krie Reyes-Lopez; and Unilever Philippines Head of Digital Commerce, Anna Mangilin, who shared their visions towards a more sustainable future and their advocacy in promoting women’s empowerment in their organizations. 


Making sustainability a lifestyle

“When we founded ECHOStore, we wanted to show others that it is easy to live well while we make others live well,” explained Chit Juan. “Since the founders are all women, we wanted to create more opportunities for women producers, suppliers, and partners.” 

The sustainable lifestyle brand, ECHOStore, led to the creation of its non-profit arm, Empowering Communities with Hope and Opportunities through Sustainable Initiatives (ECHOSI), which supports marginalized groups, women entrepreneurs, and cultural communities to create their products through the sustainability value chain. 

“Sustainability should always be reflected in the leadership. In the course of our daily business at Echo Store, we make sure that all of us — from the CEO and board members to the staff — live it, eat it, drink it and see it every day,” said Ms. Juan. 


Creating scalable change for women

Messy Bessy, a pioneering local brand that produces eco-friendly personal care and home goods, creates social impact innovation through sustainable products and poverty-alleviation programs. 

“The future of sustainability is in regeneration – being able to replenish and restore what we use up, and building economies and communities that thrive while allowing the planet to thrive as well,” said Krie Reyes-Lopez. 

While creating products that are friendly to the environment, Messy Bessy also empowers underprivileged young women to become self-reliant through education and work opportunities under their work-study program.

“These past two years, we shifted our focus to scaling and replicating our programs. Faced with the reality of our sustainability during the pandemic, we pitched our model to bigger organizations to ensure that we can continue providing opportunities for women in our communities,” said Ms. Lopez. 


Building brands that care

As one of the world’s largest and most influential consumer goods companies, Unilever also places sustainability at the core of its business and operations.

“Unilever is driven by a purpose of making sustainable living commonplace,” said Anna Mangilin. “Our brands are our gift to the people, and we make sure that our products are made and created with sustainability in mind. We do this by sourcing materials responsibly and shifting to renewable energy.” 

Through its Condition for Greater Online Learning program, Unilever leveraged its wide network of partners to provide women access to learning and resources at the beginning of the pandemic. “We always pivot our advocacy to serve the needs of our communities and consumers. At Unilever, we believe in both equality and equity and that everybody should be given what they need to succeed,” said Ms. Mangilin.

“Our focus now should be more on intergenerational well-being,” said Cherrie Atilano. “Business is no longer transactional. More importantly, it should be transformational. It should help transform us to be better, make us more mindful of our business and individual actions, and it is in this way that we can convert sustainability to resiliency in our communities.”

Eco-fluencer was organized by WeEmpowerAsia, a UN Women program funded by the European Union that aims to increase sustainability and women's participation and leadership in business. 



About WeEmpowerAsia

WeEmpowerAsia is a UN Women program funded by and in partnership with the European Union that aims to increase the number of women who lead and participate in business in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Launched in 2019, its purpose is to advance inclusive and sustainable growth and build gender-sensitive trade and supply chains between European and Asian markets through its focus on the Women’s Empowerment Principles.


About UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, the organization was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on women’s rights worldwide. UN Women’s efforts are based on the fundamental belief that every woman has the right to live a life free from violence, poverty, and discrimination, and that gender equality is a prerequisite to achieving global development.


About the European Union

The European Union is made up of 27 Member States that have gradually linked their know-how, resources, and destinies. Together, during 50 years of enlargement, they have built a zone of stability, democracy, and sustainable development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance, and individual freedoms.




Friday, April 1, 2022

The Banker names BDO the Bank of the Year in the Philippines




BDO Unibank won the Bank of the Year in the Philippines at the recently held Bank of the Year Awards 2021 of The Banker.

The London-based financial publication has commended the digital solutions deployed by BDO Unibank in 2021, stating that the modernization prompted better customer service, increased resiliency, and enhanced cybersecurity.

The deployment of digital solutions has allowed bank clients to open accounts online, make paperless in-branch transactions, and do card-less ATM banking using biometrics or QR Codes. Moreover, they can now link together their BDO accounts in one mobile wallet called BDO Pay and make online peer-to-peer and consumer transactions easier and faster.

The Banker pointed out that all these efforts allowed “[greater efficiency and] faster turnaround time on transactions as well as greater access to banking systems through an increased number of channels and touchpoints.”

It also lauded BDO’s continued efforts to cater to various customer segments, through the bespoke wealth management products of its subsidiaries: BDO Private Bank, BDO Trust and Investment, BDO Prime, and BDO Securities.

BDO President & CEO Nestor V. Tan added, “We will continue to broaden our market reach to improve customer access and strengthen our presence in underserved areas through BDO Network Bank’s branch expansion outside Metro Manila, complemented by our digital capabilities.”

This is the 4th time BDO received the Bank of the Year in the Philippines Award from The Banker. Previously, it held the title in 2013, 2017, and 2019.

Finding ways for Filipinos. London-based financial publication The Banker named BDO Unibank as the Best Bank in the Philippines in 2021 for deploying digital solutions that allowed better customer service, increased resiliency, and enhanced cybersecurity.


Make your family’s day special with the real deal

 

Make your family’s day special with the real deal— Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie


Real peaches and mangoes in a deliciously crispy crust!

Family time is so precious, even on a regular day. But with busy schedules and personal pursuits, it’s not every day that family members can spend time together, even when they’re just at home.

You don’t need a special occasion to bring sweetness to your family’s day. Bring the family together with the real deal—Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie! A winning snack that is unique from the usual fare, the Peach Mango Pie combines its signature filling made with real peaches and mangoes with its golden pie crust cooked to a perfect crisp.

“While family days are already special on their own, there are simple ways to create real experiences which make these days even better. Our Peach Mango Pie Family Pack is great for those who want to treat their families to the best snacks, as it comes with a sweet blend of real fruits in a crispy crust,” said Bea Bediones, Jollibee Marketing’s Brand Manager for Pies. “Its real peach mango goodness will surely make your family’s day and have them look forward to it time and time again!”

Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie retails at P35 (Solo), P100 (3 Pies-to-Go), and P199 (6-pc. Family Pack). Have ‘em safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and foodpanda! Also available in Drive-Thru and Take Out. 

For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook and follow @jollibee on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.