Caltex gives brand-new SUVs to Fuel Your Fortune winners

Lucky winners from Luzon, Visayas, and Metro Manila received their brand-new Toyota Fortuner at Caltex station located at JP Rizal, Makati City

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), recently announced the winners of their ‘Caltex Fuel Your Fortune’ raffle promo. For every Php500 single receipt purchase of any Caltex Fuel with Techron, Delo, Havoline lubricants, and Techron Concentrate Plus customers were entitled to one (1) raffle entry for a chance to win a brand-new Toyota Fortuner and Php5,000 Caltex StarCash. The promo ran from August 8, 2022 to October 30, 2022.

“We at Caltex are more than grateful to give back to our customers for the continued trust and support they’ve been giving us. We will continue to strengthen our service offerings to ensure that our customers will always have a smooth and wonderful journey. Our warmest congratulations to all the winners of the Caltex Fuel Your Fortune promo,” said CPI Country Chairman, Billy Liu.

Winners together with the Caltex executives

The three lucky winners of a brand new 2022 Toyota Fortuner are Benzen Llamado from Iloilo, Jupiter Bacaoat from Baguio, and Leopoldo Concel from Taguig City. The awarding was held at a Caltex station in JP Rizal, Makati wherein all three winners got the keys and papers for the formal turnover of their Toyota Fortuner.

Bacaoat shared, “I have been a user of Caltex products and services for almost 2 years now since there are a lot of Caltex stations in Baguio which is very convenient for me. I’m thankful to Caltex for this promotion and of course for winning the grand prize that we will surely make use of.”

Aside from the Toyota Fortuners, 200 lucky motorists won Php5,000 Caltex StarCash that they can use for fueling up.

HONOR Foldable Phone Coming to PH soon?

Honor has entered the Foldable Phablet game with the announcement of its next-gen Foldable Flagship phone Honor Magic VS. To add to the growing excitement while checking specs and features inside Honor's newest foldable phone, we're also curious on what colors the Honor Magic Vs will be available with and its retail price once it hits the Philippine market

Bulakeños rally around PLDT, Smart's digital wellness movement in mental health summit

The Mental Health Awareness Summit is attended by over 230 participants from different universities, including Bulacan State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines. 

PLDT and Smart recently supported San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan’s mental health summit, a Better Today conversations on digital wellness. It was attended by over 230 youth participants from various universities, including Bulacan State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

The summit invited mental health advocates and professionals to share their stories on hope and provide practical tips on self-care, self-kindness, and self-love. Mark Averilla, more popularly known as “Macoy Dubs”, shared his personal mental health journey, which inspired the participants to be more open about their mental health experience.

Mark Averilla, more popularly known as Macoy Dubs, shares his story on hope as a mental health survivor. 

Macoy shared that he was diagnosed with Dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder in 2016. “I needed to find myself and find ways to help me get through and to heal,” he shared. “Marami tayong pinagdadaanan pero kailangan nating tulungan ang sarili natin maging okay, and this begins by practicing self-care and self-love. We need to remind ourselves that the power is in our hands. We can choose what affects us and what can positively impact our own mental wellbeing.”

Dr. Gia Sison shares practical tips on self-love and self-kindness as a way to heal and cope throughout one’s mental health journey.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gia Sison, who serves as the Head of Makati Medical Center’s Wellness Center, also joined the conversations series and shared practical tips on how to best help people who are experiencing mental distress. “We need to practice empathy and not sympathy. Being there for someone doesn’t always mean that we need a space to talk, but instead showing up and actively listening can be of great help and make a difference,” Sison said.

Jelo Andres, who is a Digital Tayo Program trainer, also provided insights on advocacy and youth empowerment. Digital Tayo program by Meta provides accessible digital learning modules and resources to build skills for a digital world in the Philippines.

With the help of volunteer facilitators, the participants post-process some of the their key takeaways and learnings from the summit through two breakout sessions.

 

To strengthen the program, the local government also invited volunteer facilitators and guidance counselors to help participants process the different talk segments through two breakout sessions.

 

Participants also created mental health ‘manifestos’, which represented the youth’s commitment to become mental health advocates that emanate from the level of the self, family, and the larger community.

The youth participants present their “mental health manifestos”, which serve as their commitment to becoming mental health advocates.

 

Better Today’s emphasis on mental health is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #3, which stands for good health and well-being.

Smart partners with MPIC’s mWell app to bring Gift of Wellness to subscribers

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with mWell by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) to bring the gift of wellness and health at the fingertips of subscribers.

McDonald’s Philippines opens 700th Store in Nuvali!

QSR giant McDonald’s Philippines, owned and operated by Chairman & Founder Dr. George T. Yang, and President & CEO Kenneth Yang, celebrates another milestone of the Golden Arches in the country with the opening of its 700th McDonald’s Store in Nuvali—its fifth flagship Green & Good store in the Philippines.

Bayad and Peppermint Innovation relaunches partnership, driving innovative bills payment solutions

In photo (L-R): Rosette Carrillo – Peppermint Innovation Philippines General Manager, Dennis S. Gatuslao – Bayad Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Bob Conrad B. Aquino – Bayad Commercial Group Head and AVP, and Christopher Kain – Peppermint Innovation Limited Managing Director and CEO

Bayad, the pioneer and most trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines beefs up its partnership with Peppermint Innovation, an Australian company with a fintech enterprise arm in the Philippines that provides innovative, convenient, and easy-to-use payment technology platforms.

Under the partnership, Bayad will continue to boost the bill payment services of Peppermint Innovation through its mobile application Bizmoto. The Bizmoto App can both be accessed by direct users as well as accredited agents who will enable a one-stop-shop bills payment solution in their respective communities.

As Bayad and Peppermint Innovation recalibrated to a more robust system integration, the number of billers is expected to increase in the Bizmoto app, and process real-time and seamless payment transactions. Today, Bizmoto App already accepts payments for electric and water utilities, cable and internet, government contributions, loan payments, credit cards, school tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others.

In addition, Peppermint will also soon be able to issue a Visa or pre-paid Visa card directly linked to a Bizmoto wallet, thereby empowering recipients to make regular e-commerce and online transactions.

Peppermint Innovation Managing Director and CEO, Christopher Kain said “Through our strengthened partnership with Bayad, we are able to further deliver on our commitment of amplifying digital financial inclusion in the Philippines.  We are thrilled to see the heights that we are yet to reach as we share the same commitment with Bayad in bringing convenient and reliable financial services for to more Filipinos.”

“Bayad’s endorsement of our Bizmoto App as an ‘easy, go to, 24/7 access platform’ reflects Peppermint’s objective of being a convenient and easy-to-use bills payment facilitator for Filipinos.”. added Kain.

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer also shared, “We are one with Peppermint Innovation in enabling convenient and reliable financial products and services. We will further intensity our partnership as we scale up our real time bills payment services in the Bizmoto App. Ultimately, all our efforts in Bayad are anchored on our mission of providing quality of life by bridging people and businesses as we help accelerate the country’s economic recovery.”

For financial institutions and digital enterprise like Peppermint Innovation that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing.

Binance Joins Chamber of Digital Commerce to Support Building a Regulatory Framework for Crypto

Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest exchange, today announced it has joined the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency trade association. Binance joins the Chamber’s Executive Committee with other industry players to move the blockchain industry forward. 

“As an organization at the crux of the industry’s rapid growth and complex regulatory environment, working hand in glove with policymakers, regulatory bodies and industry groups like the Chamber are imperative to our mutual mission of fostering the sustainable development of sensible regulations for cryptocurrency and blockchain which ensures protections for users,” said Binance VP of Public Affairs Joanne Kubba. 

“Blockchain technology is the future of finance,” said Blain Rethmeier, VP of Public Affairs, Chamber of Digital Commerce. “Our members represent the leading organizations that are committed to building the necessary infrastructure to enable a more sound and inclusive financial system. Binance has established itself as a leader in this emerging ecosystem and we are thrilled to welcome them and their contributions to our Executive Committee.”

“The Chamber has established itself as a leading voice in blockchain technology policy. We are looking forward to working with the Chamber and finding solutions together for the long term as we usher in Web3 and a new era of the global economy,” said Kubba. 

Binance will work closely with the Chamber of Digital Commerce, its team and members to educate, advocate and bring forth solutions for some of the most pressing issues impacting the industry. Binance will participate in research, roundtables, working groups and discussions with policymakers and regulators to help bring sensible regulations and policies that benefit society and users.  

The Chamber’s Executive Committee sets the organization’s priorities and strategy.  As the world’s first and largest trade association representing the blockchain industry, its mission is to promote the acceptance and use of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies.  Through education, advocacy, and working closely with policy makers, regulatory agencies, and industry, the Chamber is working to establish a pro-growth legal and regulatory environment that fosters innovation, job creation, and investment.

Meralco partners with ARTA to support government streamlining efforts

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to help local government units (LGUs) automate their business permit and licensing systems in line with the government’s thrust to promote ease in doing business.

PLDT Enterprise and PH Digicon 2022 Bigger, Bolder, and Boundless

From left: Oscar Visaya, Palo Alto Networks PH Country Manager; Marlon Zhang, FiberHome Account Director; Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Managing Director, Cisco Philippines; Jojo G. Gendrano, PLDT & Smart SVP and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups; Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Group President and CEO; Noel C. Lorenzana, PLDT & Smart Chief Commercial and Information Officer; Victor S. Genuino, ePLDT President and CEO; Carlos Reyes, Head of Nokia Philippines; and Ferdie Saputil, Google Cloud Sales Lead

The country’s largest fully integrated telco services provider PLDT, through its business arm PLDT Enterprise, concludes the highly anticipated Philippine Digital Convention 2022 (PH Digicon) with invaluable insights from industry experts and an inspiring live interview with NBA Hall of Famer, philanthropist, and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson who epitomized this year’s theme of being ‘Boundless.’

SVP & Head of PLDT Enterprise & International Business Groups at PLDT & Smart, Jojo G. Gendrano, took the audience to a journey into the metaverse

SVP & Head of Enterprise & International Business Groups at PLDT & Smart, Jojo G. Gendrano, opened the two-day event with a powerful statement, “There is no way back to the old world, a revolution had started,” before showing the audience the endless possibilities of virtual spaces. “Whatever part we play in the Metaverse, it requires the collaboration and co-innovation of the ecosystem to make it a success.”  

Gendrano’s immersive presentation was followed by a profound talk by PLDT & Smart President & CEO, Al S. Panlilio, as he called on infinite leadership, challenging to lead ‘with an understanding of the long haul and the need to proactively shift gears.’ 

He put PLDT as an example, from a traditional telco that offered landlines to now being the Philippines’ largest fully integrated telco company. “As an enabler of digital transformation, I am proud to say that the PLDT Group has always been at the forefront of change,” he says. “We have been enabling enterprises in their transformation goals through innovative solutions and world-class infrastructure.”

PH Digicon further tackled the definition of being ‘Boundless’ with this year’s headline speaker, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a successful basketball legend turned businessman and philanthropist. He talked about his amazing career which included being part of the 1992 “Dream Team” that won the Olympic gold medal, his philanthropic work through the Magic Johnson Foundation, and being a successful businessman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. 

From bringing businesses into Urban America, creating jobs and giving opportunities to minorities, and working with women-owned firms, Johnson continues to build his empire while staying rooted in his core values of hard work, discipline, and faith.  “My life is boundless,” he says. “When I think of my journey, that’s the word I would use. I did everything that was not supposed to be done. When I think about boundless, I think that’s Magic Johnson!”

From all these talks of transformative technologies, infinite leadership, and the metaverse, to Magic Johnson making history in the world of business, the future of post-pandemic entrepreneurship is truly Boundless.

For more information, visit https://pldtenterprise.com/.

Airbnb reveals 2022 top destinations for Filipinos and next year’s travel trends

Airbnb lists down  Filipinos' 2022 top destinations and the upcoming travel trends for 2023.

• This year, Filipino travelers sought out Airbnb Stays in Tropical, Amazing Pools and Nature Parks categories 

• Looking ahead to 2023, Filipinos are planning trips to domestic spots including Cebu City, El Nido and Baguio; and international destinations including Singapore and Australia 

This December, Airbnb is wrapping up the year with a bow by revealing its top destinations and Airbnb Categories of stays in 2022, and providing a sneak peek at what 2023 has in store.

In 2022, Pinoy guests on Airbnb found themselves most enjoying a tropical getaway, or relaxing by the poolside. The Tropical and Amazing Pools Categories of stays ranked top in terms of Filipinos’ most-booked homes, with outdoor categories including National Parks, Golf, Lake Houses, Beachfront and Surfing just close behind.* 

2022 saw an unprecedented eagerness to travel, particularly as borders across the world began to reopen. Notably, the Philippines welcomed a significant influx of inbound tourists on Airbnb this year with Singaporeans topping the list. Latest data revealed that the top origin cities of guests visiting the Philippines in 2022 are Singapore, Seoul, Los Angeles, London and Sydney.**

Looking ahead to 2023, Pinoys are definitely hoping to put their passports to good use. According to Airbnb data, the top trending travel spots for international travel in 2023 among Filipino guests are Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea. 

Still, domestic destinations also remain top of mind for Filipinos, with top trending domestic destinations in 2023 being Cebu City and Lapu Lapu City in Cebu, El Nido and Coron in Palawan, Baguio in the north, and Pasay and Mandaluyong in Metro Manila.***

As the holiday season rolls around, this presents a unique opportunity for Filipinos to take advantage of the travel surge and earn some additional income, and perhaps even pay for a trip to a trending destination. 

Earlier this month, Airbnb made it even easier to Airbnb one’s home through its new Airbnb Setup featuring one-to-one guidance from an Airbnb Superhost, the opportunity to host an experienced guest as one’s first guest, as well as one-tap access to specially-trained Community support agents. Together with even more AirCover for Hosts, with tripled damage protection to USD3 million and expanded guest identity verification, among other top protections for both inside and outside your home, there’s no better time to become an Airbnb Host and share one’s home for the holidays.

All bookings included in this press release are intended to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not endorse or promote these listings or any other accommodations or experiences on the platform.

*Top Categories of 2022 (PH) nights booked by PH guests in any destination with check-in dates from May 11, 2022 thru September 30, 2022

**Top origin cities, states and countries, by nights stayed for PH travel by international guest with travel stays between January, 1 2022 thru September 30, 2022

***Top trending travel spots for 2023 travel by Filipinos, based on searches made in Q1-Q3 2022 for future 2023 check-ins

Far Eastern University welcomes Brunei Minister of Health in nursing school visit

From left to right: FEU Center for the Arts Director Martin Lopez, FEU Vice President for Facilities and Technical Services Engr. Edward Kilakiga, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Second Secretary of Brunei Khairul Hazwan Nor, Brunei Minister of Health Hon. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar, FEU Chief Finance Officer Juan Miguel Montinola, Director General of Medical and Health Services of Brunei Dr. Khalifah Ismail, Assistant Director of International Affairs of Brunei Noresamsiah Hussin, and FEU Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing Dean John Anthony Yason

Brunei Minister of Health Hon. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar visited Far Eastern University as part of a Nursing program partnership with Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and Darussalam Assets. The JPMC College of Health Sciences (JCHS), the first private health science college in Brunei, was established.

The recent visit further explored FEU’s Nursing curriculum and facilities, as well as its learning modalities in the post-pandemic education setup to strengthen JCHS’s Nursing program. Prior the Brunei Minister of Health’s visit, other delegates from JPMC also toured FEU Manila, FEU Alabang and its industry partners St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City and Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Mandaluyong City to observe the internship program of its nursing students and to expand their knowledge on the country’s health industry.

Brunei Minister of Health Hon. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar (right) examines FEU’s Nursing program.

JCHS opened the first school term this October 2022 to students based in Brunei. Through this joint venture, it aims to produce globally competent nurses and medical leaders to address the growing demand in the healthcare sector.

Start your 2023 savings journey with Maya, the all-in-one digital bank app!

Now is the best time to save your 13 month bonuses and kickstart your 2023 ipon goals as Maya continues to give up to a 6% interest rate p.a. on your savings account! 

Open Beta for Free-to-Play-and-Earn Game “JANKEN” begins December 15!

JANKEN, the world’s easiest free-to-play-and-earn-game based on rock-paper-scissors, enters the open beta stage starting December 15, 2022, giving fans of this classic hand game from Japan more time to download, enjoy, and get a better feel of its unique gameplay elements.

Meralco Receives International Recognition for Customer-Centric and Data-Driven Digital Transformation

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest electric distribution utility, has received a recognition for its customer centric and data-driven digital transformation program at the 8th annual Talend Data Masters Awards.

Eight Tech Trends to Watch in 2023 - Kyndryl

Kyndryl reveals 8 Tech Trends to Watch in 2023

More female linecrew set to join Meralco workforce

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is set to welcome new female linecrew as part of its continuing efforts to champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Thirty-four (34) aspirants, including 13 women, have completed the six-month Meralco Linecrew Training Program (MLTP) that started last May. They will be endorsed for further assessment and possible hiring and deployment. 

The MLTP is a comprehensive training course open to both men and women that involves a series of lectures, thorough physical conditioning, critical assessments, and on-the-job training (OJT) program geared towards Meralco’s efforts to continuously develop a pool of skilled linecrew. 

“All of the new MLTP trainees are equipped with the necessary training and tools so that they can safely perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. I am confident that the latest batch of MLTP graduates will use their new learnings to help deliver excellent service to Meralco’s customers,” MLTP Manager Roman Leandro Manlapaz said.

Traditionally operating in a male-dominated industry, Meralco pioneered the training and hiring of female linecrew in Southeast Asia back in 2013. A total of 11 women from the first batch are still working in the company in various capacities, helping deliver stable and reliable electricity service to Meralco customers.

 

This year’s relaunch of the MLTP forms part of the power distributor’s goal to increase women representation in the workforce to nearly half or 40% by 2030.

Zuzette Castro, a 32-year-old overseas Filipino worker who is part of the newest batch of MLTP graduates, said the MLTP gave her an opportunity to return to the Philippines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to raise her one-year-old son.

“Being a linecrew is hard but what motivates me is the thought that this job will allow me to provide for my family and be of service to the public,” she said in Filipino. 

From working as a gasoline station cashier in Dubai, Castro is now equipped to climb utility poles to ensure a steady power supply. During her OJT, Castro was among those who helped restore power in Rizal province following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng. 

Like Castro, John Dexter Alonte also joined the MLTP in hopes of finding a stable job so that he can better provide for his family. 

The 27-year-old, who worked as a contractual hardware salesman for three years, takes inspiration from his fellow female linecrew trainees for their dedication to the craft.

“Seeing women take on jobs that are typically done by men motivates me to excel in my work since I can see them all striving to do well,” Alonte said in Filipino, adding: “When I feel discouraged or tired, I tell myself that if women can do it, so can I.”

The inclusion of female linecrew aspirants in the MLTP is part of #MBrace – Meralco’s overarching diversity and inclusion program aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 5 on Gender Equality and UN SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Meralco also partnered with Don Bosco College-Canlubang for a technician scholarship program for the benefit of 15 aspiring female electrical technicians. The program covers the tuition and allowances of students undergoing the Technical Vocational Education Training Program for the dual NC II Program on Electrical Installation and Maintenance and Mechatronics that started in August.

PA Properties commits to contribute in PH govt’s efforts to curb housing backlog from reaching 10-M

Laguna-based property developer P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) dedicates itself to be a partner of the government in its efforts to curb the country’s housing backlog that is now at 6.5 million units. Recently, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reported that it could reach the 10-million mark by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term if not addressed properly.

For the country’s backlogs to ease slowly, the government would need to produce at least 1 million units. To add, the current program budget only supports about 17 percent of the country’s housing needs and housing production.

Given this possible scenario, P.A. Properties is committed in its goal to help the government’s efforts toward relieving the plight of the country’s housing backlog with nearly three decades of providing Filipino families with quality affordable housing units. 

P.A. Properties has been recognized as one of the country’s fastest growing real estate developers spanning almost three decades of dedication in the industry. It has developed over 180 hectares of land and has built more than 20,000 housing and condominium units in over 40 communities in Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga and Metro Manila. 

As the company progresses to provide its residents with the best quality housing, they also partnered with Japanese property developer Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corporation (HHPC) in 2017. Since then, P.A. Properties and HHPC have launched five joint venture companies and developed Idesia, which are a series of township projects located in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Lipa, Batangas; Cabuyao, Laguna, and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The homes in these communities have proved to be not only affordable for average-earning Filipino families, but also reliable as they can withstand extreme weather conditions in the Philippines. 

In order to provide fast and hassle-free housing, P.A. Properties has adapted tech-forward mechanisms. One is its fast and efficient construction technology, which makes it possible to construct single storey units in 45 days and two-storey units in 60 days. It has also espoused customer-friendly innovations such as the “Home Info Plus” mobile app where home buyers can check their account information from reservation to moving in.

These mechanisms fast-track the construction and turnover to families who have worked hard to achieve their dream homes. 

P.A. Properties believes that the housing backlog in the country can be addressed without having to sacrifice the quality of each construction project. 

“In true P.A Properties fashion, we remain faithful to our objective of providing affordable quality homes that a great percentage of Filipinos can afford. Now more than ever, we also need homes that they can trust to protect them during calamities, and that is a promise that we intend to keep,” said Atty. Marianne Reyna Lina - Cruz, President and Chief Executive Officer of P.A. Properties.

P.A. Properties is set to build 20 more housing communities in the next five years that will benefit families in major provinces in the Philippines. These communities will not only help solve the housing gap in the country, but it will also greatly contribute to the growth of the economy.

HONOR 70 5G now available in Emerald Green color, still at PHP 26,990

The #BestVloggingPhone HONOR 70 5G is now available in 3 elegant colors. Indulge w/ the new color of HONOR 70 5G in Emerald Green, Honor has announced and still the same retail price. 

Coaches in the Workplace: Cultivating a Culture of Peer Learning and Mentoring

Early this quarter marked World Teachers Day, and it merits mentioning that the concept of teachers ought to be considered beyond the classroom. Mentors in the workplace are teachers too. Thanks to them, starting and experienced technology professionals at TELUS International Digital Solutions Philippines—the technology division of TELUS International Philippines—keep growing, adapting, and transforming. Multiple paths enable these, from peer learning to on-the-job coaching to training enrollment. 

“Our Digital Solutions roles in TELUS International Digital Solutions currently need Filipino tech talents who eventually immerse in the Software Engineering, Information Technology, and Financial services industries. Because TELUS International Digital Solutions methodologies cover the Info-Tech lifecycle, from design and construction to delivery, operation, and optimization—including intelligent automation for digital transformation—those who potentially join TELUS International Digital Solutions’ over 3,000 team members in the Philippines can expect exposure to real-world challenges and resolutions that cultivate seasoned tech professionals,” said TELUS International Digital Solutions Philippines, Vice-President, Nalakumar “Nala” RS.

Because of this, employee preparation can range from further specialization in areas such as Cloud Computing, Structured Query Language, Python, and React to technical training in a self-paced format by externally accredited institutions. “Even as developing one’s core skills to be the best, at TELUS International Digital Solutions we offer multiple tracks in tech. This way, anyone with the passion to learn can change paths to the next level of specialization as professional interest evolves in pursuit of a robust tech career,” added Nala.

Multiple paths to professional growth

Service Delivery Project Manager John Emmanuelle E. Maunes said that part of why he joined TELUS International Digital Solutions 14 years ago, was because of his impression that “those who get accepted by TELUS International Digital Solutions are top-notch.” True to his experience, the culture and friendships built over time with colleagues were a great support through professional transitions, personal adjustments and real-time problem solving. “I benefited from mentoring alongside ‘learning on the job’ and I particularly appreciate two mentors who enabled and equipped me with the necessary know-how to deliver on my daily tasks,” John said.

Colleague Cris Advincula acknowledges that joining TELUS International Digital Solutions for him came with the built-in expectation of professional growth. “TELUS International Digital Solutions’ unique learning environment gives us the freedom to choose from many offerings–perfect for those keen to deepen and expand their IT careers. I have had the opportunity to study at my own pace, and have availed of peer learning, OJT, apprenticeship, shadowing, UDEMY, TIU/iAspire, iExcel, 6Sigma, and more.” These have fueled his 13-year journey within the company, where he transitioned and gathered expertise through various roles such as Customer Service Representative, Tech Support Representative, Quality Analyst, Trainer, Service Desk Manager, Team Lead, Team Supervisor, Operations Manager, Service Desk Project Manager–the latter being where he currently drives the management of projects. “Along the way, team members have also sought mentoring from me, so I hope that means I have become an inspiration to others to give back,” said Cris.

Cris elaborated that his early role as Customer Service Representative started in TELUS Assure, a frontliner for TELUS ISP (TELUS Internet). “I was inspired by the Filipinos working onshore as network support. When they mentioned that the Network File System was going to operate in Manila, I applied and fortunately became part of the pioneer batch.Then Single Point of Contact opened its doors, which became my opportunity to join TELUS International Digital Solutions.” 

Workplace learning as continuing journey

For John, “The starting point was opening myself to possibilities and mulling over what I really want to be in the future. From there, I sought guidance from my supervisors and senior leaders, and the rest, as they say, is history. Staying in the ‘learning-in-position’ phase remains key for me.” 

Workplace learning being lifelong, and teaching moments being everywhere, Cris and John consider themselves both mentees and mentors. Cris said, “My field of specialization is IT on the technical side and networking, but also videography and photography which I can mentor on as well. The freedom to choose opportunities is also enabled by leaders supportive of career growth.” 

John added, “I am also a mentee and I continue to learn from my immediate supervisors. The beautiful thing about this is that I am able to share the lessons with my team members, and advise them on their career goals. TELUS International Digital Solutions has various learning avenues and platforms for team members, from Udemy to personal mentoring, the important thing is to be committed to learning. Learning depends on the learner and at TELUS International Digital Solutions, we are always evolving our platforms for all types of learners.”

Epson releases data on climate change perception in the Philippines

The Philippines is uniquely vulnerable to climate change, with the country ranked as one of the nations most affected by extreme weather events. Despite this, awareness and action towards the climate crisis is moving at a glacial pace, as reported by Epson in its 2022 Climate Reality Barometer. The global technology leader has recently released its annual Global Climate Reality Barometer, which surveys a diverse group of people from different backgrounds to gain a deeper understanding of climate change perception.

In the Philippines, the survey was conducted online and distributed to over 1,000 Filipino consumers. Local findings presented how attitudes and awareness are changing as the climate crisis unfolds, but slowly and inconsistently. To better understand and address gaps in climate change perception and awareness, Epson has outlined key findings and insights in the Philippines.

Key market findings, global and local comparisons

In the second half of 2022, the mayor of Makati declared a state of climate emergency as temperatures and sea levels continue to rise, making cities more vulnerable to strong typhoons that bring floods and landslides. Despite this, over half (52%) of Filipinos surveyed as part of the Climate Reality Barometer, believe that rising prices and administering policies to boost the economy are the most urgent concerns that governments, companies, and citizens around the world should be focusing on.

Comparing global data from the Climate Reality Barometer, only 10.7% of respondents in the Philippines believe climate change should be prioritized across countries. In contrast, 38% of respondents in France and 34.1% in Mexico see climate change as the most pressing issue that needs to be addressed worldwide.

When it comes to individual actions, the Philippines is still trailing behind in efforts compared to its regional neighbors. Less than a quarter (17%) of respondents in the Philippines have switched to an electric vehicle to tackle climate change, compared to 45.8% in Vietnam and 40.9% in China.

However, Epson reports that the Philippines is one of the most optimistic when it comes to averting climate change. Majority (71.9%) of respondents in the Philippines are optimistic that they will prevent climate disaster from happening in their lifetime, while respondents in other countries are less optimistic—36.6% in Canada and 25.2% in Italy.

Insights on reality, influence, and action

While growth in perception is slow, various efforts to mitigate the climate crisis are already being executed on the individual-scale. In the Philippines, Epson has reported the top three actions citizens are already carrying out: 1) Reducing plastic use (76.5%), 2) improving recycling habits (70.1%), using more reusable goods (69.2%).

However, there are still considerable gaps in terms of what individuals are willing to do and sacrifice: 1) only 17% have switched to an electric vehicle, with 55.6% planning to do this in the future, 2) less than a quarter (20.5%) have boycotted unsustainable brands, but 33.8% plan to do this in the future.

For those who have taken up actions to mitigate the impact of climate change, a number of them are consistently committed to these actions: 1) 37.6% have tried reducing plastic use for longer than a year and will continue to do so, 2) 37% have tried recycling for longer than a year and will continue to do so, 3) 30.3% have tried using more reusable goods for longer than a year and will continue to do so.

While individual actions are starting to ramp up, it is clear that more needs to be done—on a larger scale. In the Philippines, Epson reported that these three categories hold the most impact on citizens, and are considered key drivers for change and climate action: 1) government policy changes (42.4%), 2) influencers and key opinion leaders (39%), 3) personal experience such as witnessing the impacts of climate change (37.1%).

A shift in priorities—pushing for more effective climate action

Governments, corporations, and citizens must shift their priorities to addressing the climate crisis while they still can. To meet climate change targets and avoid worsening the already irreversible damage to the environment, governments need to develop policies for sustainability, businesses need to develop sustainable policies and solutions, and individuals need to build awareness and accelerate lifestyle changes.

“The 2022 Epson Climate Reality Barometer shows progress—but also how short-term economic demands are in danger of distracting governments, businesses, and individuals from imperative environmental action,” said Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines. “As a global technology leader, our duty is to refocus our efforts on developing solutions which will help reduce the environmental impact of our products. By working together, we at Epson believe that we can all inspire action and build a better future.”

Philippine Web3 Festival Donates PHP 1 Million to Apl.de.Ap Foundation

At the conclusion of the Philippine Web3 Festival, held November 14-18, 2022, in Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, festival co-hosts Yield Guild Games (YGG) and BlockchainSpace donated PHP 1,000,000 to the Apl.de.Ap Foundation to support Filipinos in uncovering earning opportunities in web3 while advancing education, art and technology in the Philippines. The funds will be used for training programs that will allow individuals to find work in the creative industry, whether in music, audio engineering, podcasts, design or illustration.

Filipino artist Allan Pineda, popularly known as Apl.de.Ap of the multi-Grammy Award-winning music group Black Eyed Peas (BEP), founded the Apl.de.Ap Foundation in 2012 to empower Filipino youth and communities. Pineda accepted the donation on November 17 following a fireside chat with Director of Emfarsis, Leah Callon-Butler, titled “How Filipino Creators Will Take on the World.” During the talk, Pineda talked about the importance of pursuing creativity and how he sees the Philippines now being primed to support such passion economically. 

“I heard horrible stories about Filipinos creating logos for companies but they only get paid US$20 to US$30 because they're not known as artists,” said Pineda, who traveled across the Philippines in 2018 to meet with local creators and launched a scholarship program to teach them about entrepreneurship and business. “I realized that Filipinos weren’t being judged by their creative talent, they were judged by where they're from,” said Pineda.

“Web3 protects creators’ work from being copied or stolen, and gives them access to the global economy, so they can explore much more,” said Pineda. “The possibilities are endless with technology and we have to grow this industry in the Philippines because it is a new era for us.” 

At the Philippine Web3 Festival, Pineda performed two songs live: Bebot, a song from the BEP 2005 album, Monkey Business, which was written by Pineda and rapped entirely in Filipino, and Filipina Queen, from the BEP’s latest album, ELEVATION, released on 11 November 2022.

As an advocate for Filipino creativity, Pineda has consistently used his global personal brand to showcase Filipino culture to the world. In 2021, he collaborated with Filipino artist AJ Dimarucot to launch an NFT collection, donating a portion of the proceeds to the First Mint Fund, which provides finance and education to Southeast Asian creators to help them mint their first NFT. 

“Apl’s efforts in charity and empowering artists resonates with what web3 is doing for creators here in the Philippines and all over the world. Our donation to the Apl.de.ap Foundation is just one step to enable more talent to discover web3 and benefit from the possibilities of this digital economy,” said Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG.

“This week has been a celebration of talent and creativity for web3. We are glad that Apl.de.Ap understands and supports the vision that we have for web3, especially on how it can empower creatives,” said Peter Ing, founder of BlockchainSpace.

The festival was the first and biggest week-long event showcasing the future of web3 in the country. Co-hosted by Yield Guild Games and BlockchainSpace with support from Infinity Ventures Crypto and Emfarsis, a variety of crypto projects, web3 games, guilds and VCs from all over the world convened to the epicenter of web3 adoption, the Philippines. 

The event was co-presented by GCash, Globe and MetaverseGo, as well as supported by Binance, Polygon, Huawei, Angkas, XPLA, MetaCene, MixMarvel, Rangers Protocol, BNB Chain and XY Finance. 

Jordan Brand Expands its Wings Scholars Program to the Philippines

Jordan Brand Expands its Wings Scholars Program to the Philippines, as it help break down barriers to Higher Education

Shop Smarter with vivo’s Big 12.12 Holiday Deals!

Shopping for a new phone this holiday? Shop Smarter and get their best smartphone offer with vivo’s Big 12.12 Holiday Deals! Get a new phone with up to 40% off its retail price. 

Samsung's 12.12 Mega Sale Galaxy Deals, up to 50% off on Lazada and Shopee

Samsung's 12.12 Mega Sale is coming up for the holidays, so you can get the gift everyone wants!

MetroMart launches GroceFREE for a YEAR Raffle

Get a chance to win a year’s worth of groceries, appliances, and more,  as MetroMart launches promo where shoppers get a chance to win a year of free groceries.

Hosting on Airbnb gains momentum in the Philippines amidst growing appetite for travel

• New Airbnb survey shows that over half of all FIlipinos polled are interested in becoming Airbnb Hosts to take advantage of the new appetite for travel
• Filipinos are embracing flexible travel, with 65 percent saying they are now more flexible with their holiday type and travel dates

As the holiday season awaits and the travel rebound continues to unfold, more Filipino travelers are embracing flexible travel while more homeowners turn to hosting on Airbnb for additional income. A new survey commissioned by Airbnb* reveals that over half of Filipinos polled expressed interest in becoming Airbnb Hosts to take advantage of the new appetite for travel.

Around the world, Airbnb has seen strong growth rates of  new Hosts, especially in countries with high inflation rates. Notably, 77 percent of Filipinos polled said they were looking for ways to offset rising costs of living. The survey also shows that desire for travel remains high, with over a quarter of respondents saying that they will continue to find ways to travel even if general costs of living rise. 

In a trend that started since the pandemic, millions are now enjoying their newfound freedom to live and work anywhere. Notably, 65 percent of Filipinos polled said that they are now more flexible in terms of their type of holidays and time of travel. Notably, of those who plan to travel within the next year, 1 in 4 Filipinos said they plan to travel without set dates.

This new approach to travel and living continues to shape the choice of accommodation among Filipino travellers. When asked about factors that influence when and how they travel:

• Almost half indicated they are likely to travel if they can find accommodation that makes longer stays easy and comfortable
• 35% pointed to destinations offering unique styles of accommodations
• 25% prioritised access to amenities that make it easy to combine remote work with travel, such as a dedicated workspace and a fast, reliable internet connection

This growing appetite for travel among Filipinos puts homeowners in a unique position to take advantage of the Airbnb Setup, the all-new easy way to Airbnb one’s home which was announced early this month. In Q3, Pasay ranked as the #1 trending domestic destination for Filipino guests on Airbnb, followed by El Nido, Cebu City, Paranaque, and Iloilo City.**

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said the fundamental shifts towards long-term stays and flexible travel point to the increasingly important role that short-term accommodations (STRA) like Airbnb play in the new era of travel. 

“This growing appetite for travel is a positive sign as tourism recovery gathers pace. More keenly, this is an opportune moment for aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs to Airbnb their homes and earn additional income to mitigate rising living costs or support their travels,” he added.

* Online survey of 1063 respondents in the Philippines commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by YouGov between 6-12 October 2022

**  Based on increase in searches of destinations (minimum 1,000)  in Q3 2021

Bayad awarded as SSS’ 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Best Collecting Partner

 

In photo (L-R): SSS Commissioner - Jose C. Julio, Representing Workers' Group, SSS President and CEO - Michael G. Regino, Bayad VP and Head for Biller Solutions – Anely P. Aviles, Bayad VP & Group Head for Regional Operations and Biller Solutions - Meinard D. Cruz, SSS Commissioner Diana Pardo-Aguilar, Representing Employers' Group, and SSS Commissioner Bai Norhata M. Alonto, Representing Workers' Group

Bayad, the pioneer and the most trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection industry in the Philippines, and now a full-service fintech subsidiary of the biggest power conglomerate in the country – Meralco, was recently conferred as SSS’ Best Collecting Partner under the non-bank category during the 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Awards.

The said award giving body has been established since 1995 and has continued to recognize individuals, employers, and organizations that significantly contributed to SSS’ pursuit of its mandate, which underpins the importance of saving and investing among its members and their beneficiaries.

This 2022, SSS puts Bayad to spotlight, acknowledging the company’s consistent compliance of accurate and timely collection reports as well as its active participation in the integral programs of the institution. Apart from these, Bayad breaks records with a 9% growth rate increase in SSS contribution transaction volume from 2021 to 2022, which substantiates how Bayad ceaselessly scales up its physical and digital payment touchpoint to deliver a one stop shop payment solution to its customers. With this, SSS members can now conveniently access other bills payment services covering for various government contributions, loan, electric and water utilities, cable & internet, tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others. This payment experience is also backed up by Bayad’s real-time posting feature, allowing SSS members to process and monitor instant and seamless contribution payments.

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer underscored “All of our efforts in Bayad are directed towards the belief that Filipinos deserve to be rewarded for their hard work. We will stand with SSS in every step of the way as we elevate the financial experience of its members through convenient and secured payment transactions.” 

For government, financial, and banking institutions that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive biller and payment channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing.

Jollibee launches collab with Kitkat with the new Choco Mallow Pie and Choco Crumble Sundae

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World’s easiest play-to-earn game JANKEN to launch in PH with $10,000 in total prizes

Here’s great news for fans of the hand-gesture game "JANKEN”, the Japanese name for rock-paper-scissors, that is now being played daily all over the world.

Redefine your gaming experience with the new vivo Y22s!

Ever wonder why vivo phones always deliver incredible features for a better phone experience? It’s because vivo commits to bring not only the latest technology in its smartphone lineups but also aims to provide what’s best for its consumers. As evident, vivo managed to claim the second spot in the list of top 5 smartphone brands in the Philippines this year according to global technology research firm Canalys.  Proving the power of vivo smartphones, the brand recently released the vivo Y22s, an all-around mobile phone that will not only get things done but will surely elevate your mobile gaming experience.

In the mobile gaming community, honing your skills is essential but your phone’s capabilities should never be set aside as these will impact your overall efficiency. Techradar listed down what a reliable gaming smartphone should look like including impeccable performance, a high-resolution screen with high refresh rate, and good battery life among others — vivo Y22s got all of these covered. 

Get the new vivo Y22s and improve your overall gaming experience! Click here: Lazada | Shopee

Unleashing Full Potential

Devoted to give you all the best features in one phone, vivo designed the vivo Y22s to rock your gaming experience. Slay the enemies and scream victory as the vivo Y22s will guarantee a seamless game time, all hail to its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 with 6nm platform technology processor. This processor guarantees that the vivo Y22s can handle your mobile gaming needs and lets you play about 5 rounds of intensive matches by efficiently managing its power consumption while boosting your game performance.

The vivo Y22s not only improves its core processor but makes it more efficient for the users to experience limitless possibilities through its 16GB Dynamic RAM. Allow yourself to enjoy vivo Y22s’ full potential by installing all your favorite mobile games and applications without having to worry about risking the phone’s response rate. The vivo Y22s can simultaneously run up to 10 applications without compromising your race or battle.

 

Experience full immersive game

Whether you’re a casual or skilled player, you would want to consider a phone that carries both a high-resolution screen with a high refresh rate. Designed to give superior performance, the vivo Y22s provides a 90Hz refresh rate paired with a 6.55 inch LCD HD+ Display, and 1612P screen resolution for a vibrant and crisp view even under the glaring outdoor light. To put it simply, it allows a phone's display to keep up with gaming action and reduces motion blur on video, giving you that uninterrupted in-game action. 

Play Uninterrupted

Good battery life is one of the most important aspects a gamer considers when getting a smartphone. Fortunately, the vivo Y22s has an impressive 5000mAh battery system that’s more than enough to support a series of games in a day. What’s more exciting is, you can play for up to 9 hours straight on full charge. In addition, you don’t have to worry about waiting long for the device to charge since the vivo Y22s supports 18W FastCharge technology that can easily let you bounce back to collect dog tags and aim for that winning streak.

Get the new vivo Y22s and improve your overall gaming experience! Click here: Lazada | Shopee

Max out all-powerful performance

Bringing you to a new height in the mobile gaming scene, vivo equipped the vivo Y22s with  Multi-turbo 5.5 and Ultra Game mode technologies. Once switched on, the vivo Y22s amps your game performance with a more immersive in-game vibration and enhanced game picture through the Eagle eye enhancement feature. With the Esports mode activated, you can configure a more professional level of gaming where you can balance your adaptive frame rate against the phone’s temperature. 

Say goodbye to game interruptions with the vivo Y22s’ "Do Not Disturb" and "Game Picture-in-Picture" features. Users may choose a completely uninterrupted game time or be in the game while also sending and receiving important messages in real-time. 

To top it all up, its Ear Customized Audio effects let you play like you’re in a totally different world, giving you that professional-standard gaming experience like no other. 

Availability

The vivo Y22s can be availed nationwide in two variants: the vivo Y22s 8+128GB retails at PHP 12,999, while the vivo Y22s 4+128GB costs Php 10,999. Installment is also available through Home Credit and credit card plans where you’ll have a chance to take home an exclusive limited edition Bluetooth neckband earphones with your purchase of the vivo Y22s 8+128GB variant. 

They're also now available at leading ecommerce sites like Shopee and Lazada and have them delivered at your preferred address.

Be the first to find out more about the vivo Y22s by following vivo’s official channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok.