Never stop learning at Gruenheim

Even if you have been in the business of selling since you graduated from college, there will always be something new for you to learn. You may have to learn new selling strategies or a new product to sell or how to improve your sales presentation. 

  

With this in mind, Gruenheim Philippines conducted a training seminar for its sales personnel with the objective of not only enhancing their sales skills and leadership. The goal was also to make sure that the team would be able to effectively communicate Gruenheim’s advocacies with regard to their products. 

 

Gruenheim GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2014 and is based in Stuttgart, Germany and is a subsidiary of Luckner & Lahusen Group GmbH & Co. KG. It is a young and fresh trademark of high-end ecological, innovative and premium home appliances. It stands for products that combine functional, timeless and puristic design with impressive technical innovations. Gruenheim products are sold worldwide exclusively by authorized Gruenheim wholesalers.

Titled “Breakthrough in 2022 -- Culture. Nurture. Future: Doing Breakthrough Business the Gruenheim Way,” Andreas Luckner, CEO (Marketing and Sales), flew in all the way from Germany to share his learnings and to support the efforts of Mike and Andrea Gamez, President and Corporate Secretary of Gruenheim Philippines.

 

Facilitated by Al Ian Barcelona and Ruben Lanot, participants underwent high-impact learning sessions on personal mastery, sales leadership, NLP communication skills, effective habits of sales champions, business strategic planning and team building.

 

“After two challenging years of being unable to meet our goals, we felt that this would be a good time to undergo these learning sessions. It’s like refresher courses that will help you jumpstart your path to selling success.” ~Mike Gamez, President and Corporate Secretary of Gruenheim Philippines

Gruenheim Philippines also donated to Caritas Manila the home appliances from their clients that they trade in for Gruenheim machines. This is one of their little ways to give back to the community.

 

For more information about Gruenheim Vacuum Cleaner and other products, call 0917 5984968 or email gruenheimph@gmail.com.

 

 

Gruenheim Philippines Inc. is a direct importer and distributor of GRUENHEIM HOME APPLIANCES from Germany, a line of high-end, ecological, innovative and premium home appliances. It is a direct sales marketing company aimed at promoting and distributing GRUENHEIM products in the Philippines.

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

With the IATF Alert Level easing up in Metro Manila, hotel and restaurant buffets have been making a comeback. While some customers may have second thoughts about dining-in, an establishment’s safety protocols and DOT Safety Seal in place are enough assurances for guests that they can dine safely and dine well.  Indeed, foodies are raring to conquer the restaurant scene again.

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Century Park Hotel, one of the finest hotels in Manila, has always been known for its lunch and dinner buffets.  Its generous array of appetizers, mains, and desserts are sought-after. Each day of the week showcased a specific theme: Filipino, Western and Chinese to name a few. Prior to the pandemic, its Seafood and Prime Rib Buffet was gaining steam. Things took a standstill when the lockdown was imposed and outlet operations were put on hold. This did not deter the hotel from rising to the occasion and prepared instead for a remarkable comeback.

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

“The challenge was not just to bring back our popular buffet but to create a better and more pleasant dining experience. The pandemic has been an opportunity for us to reassess what we have and introduce a mix of the tried & tested together with a new concept to our buffet offering.” ~Anthony Tan, Century Park Hotel’s General Manager

Head out to Century Park Hotel and be sure to try the Lunch and Dinner Churrasco Buffet. Due to insistent demand, what was initially a 2-day run per week (lunch only) is now a regular 3-day operation (Wednesday to Friday) and now serves Lunch (11:00 AM – 2:30 PM) AND Dinner (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM) as well. 

“The high turnout of our reservations, as well as walk-in volume, prompted us to increase our operational times. Guests have been clamoring for our buffet for quite some time now and we are truly happy with the feedback.” ~Anthony Tan, Century Park Hotel’s General Manager

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Priced at P1,200 net per head, one can enjoy a wide selection of meats (beef, chicken, pork and sausages), an assortment of dishes (ratatouille, pasta, salmon, etc.) and an array of delectable desserts (pastries, iced desserts and more).  The meats are smoked and charcoal-grilled to perfection to produce more delicious flavors. 

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

What makes churrasco special? Also known as Brazilian barbecue, 19th century horseback riders or gauchos who lived in rural areas had easy access to cattle.  They would roast the beef on skewers over an open fire which brought out the natural flavor of the mouthwatering meat.

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Yes to Churrasco, Please! Century Park Hotel Levels Up the Buffet Dining Experience

Churrasco is traditionally enjoyed with a big number of people, gauchos would go around the tables where their friends and family are gathered, serving unlimited slabs of beef from the skewers.  This style of serving is called rodizio.

Nowadays, restaurant staff continuously go around the tables with their skewers and serve the diners when they see the green marker which means the guest wants more servings.  Once the marker is flipped on the red side, this is an indicator that the guest has already had his/her fill. A variety of sauces like chimichurri, peri-peri and salsa verde together with side dishes help enhance the taste of the meats.

“At Century Park Hotel, guests can have their meats served ala-rodizio.  Other dishes are placed on the buffet spread where diners are free to help themselves.  This is what makes our Churrasco Buffet one-of-a-kind.” ~Anthony Tan, Century Park Hotel’s General Manager

Experience the Churrasco Buffet first hand at Café in the Park.  The first 10 reservations will get a P200 off.  Call 0917-6332497 now to make your reservation.

Century Park Hotel has been duly awarded the Safety Seal Certification and Certificate of Accommodation to Operate as Staycation (CAOS) by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).  One can look forward to a safe and pleasant dining atmosphere while inside the property.

Guests 18 and up must be fully vaccinated and present their vaccination cards, minors are allowed entry provided they are accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult.

 

 

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience. To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 8528-8888.

Jollibee Group Foundation grants scholarship to young farmers

The Jollibee Group Foundation’s agro-enterprise scholarships help young farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen so that they can become agro-entrepreneurs capable of supplying institutional buyers such as the Jollibee Group.

The Philippines’ farming population is growing older, raising concerns on who will carry out this critical task in the coming years. The country’s Department of Agriculture cites that the average age of the Filipino farmer is 53 years old and puts the sustainability of the country’s agriculture sector at risk. 

To continue encouraging the youth to be engaged and employed in the agriculture sector, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) provides scholarships to agro-enterprise courses for young farmers. These scholarships are in support of JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which trains smallholder farmer groups on agro-entrepreneurship, business, and leadership to build their capacities to collectively supply vegetables that meet the standards and requirements of corporate buyers, while ensuring profit.

Sean Kelly Dagusen is one of the 50 agro-entrepreneurship scholars of the Jollibee Group Foundation for 2022. As part of its commitment to promote agriculture to the youth, the JGF has already provided agriculture technical-vocational skills training scholarships to 380 underprivileged youth since 2020.

“I want to be a farmer because I want to help my father, who is a farmer. Thanks to the scholarship, I have learned how to improve our farm and turn it into a sustainable business that provides more income to our family.” ~Sean Kelly T. Dagusen, Youth Farmer and Agro-entrepreneurship Scholar

The Foundation has provided some 380 youth with agriculture technical-vocational skills training scholarships. In 2021, JGF beefed up this initiative by launching one of the country’s first Agro-enterprise National Certificate II Technical-Vocational Course. This was co-developed with Don Bosco and accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Fifty underprivileged youth were provided with scholarships to participate in the said course, 25 of whom were trained by Don Bosco Training Center in Mati City, the other half is provided through the Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative community-based training center in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.

“Since its launch in 2008, we continue to expand the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program's reach to more farmers, partners, and the youth to help steer the agriculture sector toward sustainability. We want to show the youth that there are fulfilling opportunities in the farming sector, especially as agro-entrepreneurs. We want to help farmers earn more by engaging them not only in production, but also in collective marketing. Farmers, especially the young ones, need partners who can journey with them in envisioning and building their agro-enterprises.” ~Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director

This year, JGF will expand the coverage of scholarships through other centers, including community centers and other technical-vocational schools.

“While we address the problems caused by the pandemic, it is imperative for us in the development sector to continue our efforts in equipping our farmers with new concepts of agriculture and business. Through this, we can maximize our production and access to the value chain despite the looming threat on the shortage of farmers.” ~Jaime D. Galanta, Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative Chief Executive Officer

To date, FEP farmers have delivered close to 9 million kilos of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, equivalent to more than USD7 million worth of sales. As of 2021, nearly 20% of the close to 600 FEP farmers from 17 farmer groups directly supplying vegetables to the Jollibee Group belong to the youth sector.

About Jollibee Group Foundation

Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) is the social development arm of Jollibee Group, one of the fastest growing restaurant companies in the world. JGF's flagship program is the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program, a comprehensive initiative that organizes small-scale farming communities into agro-enterprises nationwide. Since 2008, JGF has helped farmers sharpen their technical and partnership-building skills and business know-how, and has linked them with institutional markets for increased and steady income.

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 5,900 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and India.

 

Jollibee Group has eight wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); six franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines; Dunkin' and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; and 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24.

 

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States. It has also acquired 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand.

 

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

 

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

 

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.

SM joins Earth Hour 2022; Lights switch-off, Virtual Run part of activity line-up

As part of the company's sustainability efforts, SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, is once again joining the world in observing Earth Hour, with this year’s theme "Shape Our Future," focusing on how we can work together in halting and reversing climate change and nature

loss by 2030.

Earth Hour is an annual campaign launched in 2007 by the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that encourages the turning off of non-essential lights as part of energy conservation efforts for the planet. Since its first observance in the Philippines in 2008, SM has been joining the campaign every year, being one of the first in the private sector to support it.

This year, SM will continue to promote the campaign by being one of the official partners of WWF for the Earth Hour Virtual Run, to be held from March 26 to April 22. Aside from this, all SM malls will be joining the light switch-off on March 26 from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

"SM is proud to have been supporting Earth Hour throughout the last 14 years. Every year, we partake in

this very important movement because we want to inspire people to action and tell them that no matter

how small their contribution is, it will go a long way if we work together." ~Engr. Liza Silerio, SM’s Vice

President for Corporate Compliance and Head of Sustainability.

“Through Earth Hour, we want to engage over a billion people worldwide and engage decision-makers

whether in business, institutions, and governments, to move the agenda of nature up the priority list in the global sphere and in the national agenda. We want people to lend their voices as we're shaping our future, and hopefully, we'll be changing the ending for the positive – for both people and the planet,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, Climate and Energy Program Head of WWF-Philippines.

Aside from joining the campaign every year, SM has been active in environmental protection in many ways. For instance, all SM malls are equipped with energy and water conservation facilities. The company also regularly joins tree planting activities, and has waste management initiatives such as

Trash-to-Cash, e-waste and used acid lead batteries collection programs, and the plastic waste collection program with the Plastic Credit Exchange.

SM has also been investing more in renewable energy. Eight malls in the country and three in China are now equipped with solar panels, with more to follow in the coming months. SM also pledged to increase its use of renewable energy to 50 percent of its overall energy usage by year-end.

SM'ss other sustainability initiatives include the annual Green Film Festival, promoting environmental awareness among students and the youth through films; the AweSMSeas project, promoting awareness on the negative impact of plastic waste on seas and oceans; and the International Coastal Cleanup joined

by thousands of volunteers every year, to name a few.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, supporting initiatives that focus on communities and the environment. In addition to its programs on the environment, SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on women and breastfeeding mothers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, children and youth, and the Bike-Friendly SM Program.

Visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares to learn more.

Empowering communities through #SocialGood

SM KSK Urban Farmers from Pasay City

 

The private sector plays a significant role when it comes to economic growth in the Philippines by generating more jobs and contributing to our gross domestic product (GDP). Beyond that, it is also considered to be a driving force for inclusive and sustainable development in the country as more and more businesses employ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to address social and environmental concerns within the communities where they operate.

Aside from free medical consultations and medicines, SM also provides free diagnostics and laboratory services to stakeholders specially in grassroot communities.

By helping improve the quality of life of the people in these host communities, business is able to flourish. As such, CSR has become a key pillar of successful business management through the years. SM’s visionary founder, Henry “Tatang” Sy, Sr., put it best in his principle that social development and investment go hand in hand with business growth to achieve a better future.

The SM group has embraced the responsibility to contribute to nation building through its social good arm, the SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI). For nearly four decades, we have focused our resources, time, and reach to ensure that we are able to create opportunities wherever SM is present through social good

programs that are geared towards quality education, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and disaster response.

SM Scholars General Assembly

Anchored on Tatang’s belief that education is the greatest equalizer, SMFI established the SM Scholarship Program in 1993 to provide the youth access to quality tertiary and vocational education. We believe that through our scholarship grants, SM will be able to contribute to eradicating the intergenerational poverty cycle by granting scholarships to economically challenged but deserving students. And to complement this and more importantly, to address the challenges being faced by our public school system, SMFI, together with social good partners such as SM Prime, we have provided school buildings equipped with key facilities and equipment to underserved communities.

Staying true to its commitment, SMFI is one of the first responders after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette

Another social good pillar of SMFI is sustainable agriculture that aims to address the dilemma of the aging farmer population in the country as well as the growing gap between supply and demand for local food sources. In 2007, the foundation launched the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program to bring modern and sustainable farming skills and linkages in both rural and urban communities, empowering farmers to have food on their table and creating market linkage to provide them with economic opportunities.

Accessible healthcare and timely disaster response are also at the heart of the foundation’s advocacy. Through its Health and Wellness program, SMFI helps address the shortage of quality healthcare facilities in the country by constructing and upgrading health centers in host communities supplemented by medical mission activities nationwide. The Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), on the other hand, gives immediate assistance in the form of relief goods and medical services in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets to communities affected by calamities and disasters that frequently occur in the country.

SM Employees show their spirit of volunteerism as they help repaint an SM school building

During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, SMFI was one of the first organizations to assume an active role in assisting in the pandemic response by expanding the reach and impact of the Health and Wellness program and utilizing its partnerships to extend a helping hand to frontliners and Filipinos nationwide, especially those in SM host communities.

Through these social good programs, we continuously aspire to be a development partner for our host communities and serve as model for other organizations in terms of bringing social development specially in areas where they operate. Implementing CSR involves a dynamic learning process given that social and environmental good are moving targets – and these cannot be fully achieved through one-time activities and decisions. Instead, companies should view and approach CSR as a process of continuous improvement that involves being constantly alert to new issues and considerations, which can be achieved through consistent community consultation and engagement.

SMFI donated PPEs and much-needed medical equipment to various hospitals nationwide to help fight the spread of COVID-19

And contrary to the notion that CSR is only an approach for large corporations and multi-national businesses, small and medium-scale enterprises can also have the means to benefit their respective communities in their own ways. In fact, they are more likely to effectively facilitate local-level CSR programs as they are more deeply embedded in their communities. Examples of these include sourcing of raw materials from community-based suppliers, matching and encouraging charitable work by employees, and even as simple as going paperless in their daily business operations.

CSR programs, no matter the size or scale, are valuable to the communities they are serving because of their pivotal role in promoting sustainable, just, and balanced development, and contribution in addressing social and environmental challenges.

Reno7 Series 5G is now officially available in the PH!

Global smart device brand OPPO, known for taking camera phoneography to the next level, recently unveiled its latest addition to its Reno Series, a line of mid-priced smartphones touted as #ThePortraitExpert. Promising to capture you in unlimited ways, the OPPO Reno7 Series  is now officially available in all OPPO Brand Stores, authorized partners, and official Lazada and Shopee stores. OPPO Reno7 Z 5G retails at Php19,999 and OPPO Reno7 5G at Php26,999.

Unlimited Ways to Buy Your #OPPOReno7 Series

OPPO also partners with Globe Telecom and Smart Communications for exclusive postpaid plan offerings.

You can get your Reno7 5G in select Globe Telecom stores, Free at GPlan 1999! Enjoy 41GB of mobile data package from Globe and receive a free AI tracker worth Php1,699. Subscribers may also get the newly launched OPPO Reno7 Z 5G device at GPlan1799 with no cashout and enjoy it with 37GB mobile data. The device will come with a 2-in-1 earphones speaker worth Php1,899. Globe subscribers will also experience unlimited calls and texts to Globe/TM to other mobile networks, unlimited calls to Landline, and free one (1) KonsultaMD subscription.

Smart subscribers can get the Reno7 Z 5G with Smart Signature Plan S at 1199 per month with a one-time cashout of Php 2,500, that comes with 5GB of mobile data package, Unli-AllNet Calls and Text, and 50 mins calls to PLDT. Enjoy the device with a 2-in-1 Earbuds & Speaker as a freebie item. For Reno7 5G, it will be available with SMART Signature M Plan at 1499 per month with a one-time cashout of Php 3,000, that comes 10GB Data, Unli AllNet Calls and Text, and 100 mins calls to PLDT. Enjoy the device with an AI Gimbal as a freebie item.

You can also get the OPPO Reno7 5G and OPPO Reno7 Z 5G at 0% interest installment plan with Home Credit for as low as Php1,082 and Php802 respectively.

#ThePortraitExpert for your unlimited shots

Leveraging on OPPO’s AI capabilities, the Reno7 5G is equipped with powerful portrait functionality so you can express every side of your personality through professional portraits. With a triple-rear camera setup with 64MP HD for its main camera, you can take DSLR-like portrait videos with a bokeh background effect thanks to its Bokeh Flare Portrait Video Feature, and clear, bright videos taken in any light level with its AI Highlight Video. Choose from up to 25 aperture sizes and take your best-ever selfies with its 32MP ultra-clear front camera powered with Portrait Mode.

Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno7 Z 5G will not let you down with its 64MP High-Res triple rear camera alongside its 16MP front camera. With Bokeh Flare Portrait, you can capture images with rich bokeh light spots just like a high-end DSLR camera and with Selfie HDR, you can snap clear selfies in dimly lit or backlit surroundings.

Unlimited performance for unlimited gaming

Your fast-paced lifestyle deserves a flexible and efficient device, like the OPPO Reno7 Series. Powering the Reno7 is the MediaTek Dimensity 900, while the Reno7 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, which ensures you’ll never have to worry about interruptions as you try to level up on the battlefield. With RAM Expansion Technology, OPPO’s newest smartphones can expand their original 8GB of RAM by up to 5GB to help you run multiple apps without the lag.

To let you conquer the mobile gaming arena, OPPO’s Hyperboost features provide a truly immersive gaming experience, thanks to AI Frame Rate Stabilizer, which ensures smoothness even as your gadget’s temperature changes, and Quick Startup, which loads frequently used apps in the background to help you get back into the game right away. 

Sync up with the unlimited

The OPPO Reno7 5G Series also boasts the powerful debut of the ColorOS 12, which syncs up to your lifestyle seamlessly and lets you focus on the things that matter. Some of its new features include Air Gestures, which lets you control your phone without touching it; PC Connect, which lets you link up to multiple devices simultaneously; and Anti-Peeping for Notifications, which hides content if it senses that someone else is looking over your shoulder. 

Unlimited power for unlimited use

To keep you on top of your games, movie marathons, or your 9-to-5, the OPPO Reno7 5G Series is packed with a 4,500mAh battery and OPPO’s own SuperVOOC charging technology, so you don’t need to worry about losing out on important moments. Save your battery life with OPPO’s unique features like Super Power Saving Mode, Super Nighttime Standby and Multi-cooling System. 

Sophisticated design for unlimited style 

The style-conscious users will not want for anything as the OPPO Reno7 Series features the iconic OPPO Glow Design, producing eye-catching colors for whichever gadget you choose. Reno7 5G comes in Startrail Blue and Starry Black, while the Reno7 Z 5G is available in Rainbow Spectrum and Cosmic Black. 

Talking about the screen, both phones have 6.4-inch AMOLED screens, with 60Hz refresh rates for the Reno7 Z 5G and 90Hz refresh rates for the Reno7 5G to provide a more vivid, smoother viewing experience. Moreover, the newest addition to the OPPO Reno series are Netflix HD and Amazon Prime Video Certified, allowing users to experience high quality streaming content in even greater detail.

To know more about OPPO’s latest Reno7 Series 5G, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

About OPPO

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

InLife Launches Nation of Sheroes, Encourages Filipinos to Do Acts of Kindness on their 3rd Anniversary

Titled Obra Maestra, InLife Sheroes’ 3rd Anniversary celebration aims to build a nation of masterpieces made up of trailblazing women in various sectors of the society who create meaning and purpose for others. They are women whose simple acts of Sheroism have improved the lives of others. These women masterpieces who have blazed the trail in various ways make up a Nation of Sheroes.

Insular Life (InLife) celebrated the third anniversary of InLife Sheroes, its women empowerment movement on March 22, and called on Filipino women to be trailblazing masterpieces in their own right. 

Nina D. Aguas, InLife Executive Chairperson

“Today we celebrate the third year since we launched our ambitious program, the InLife Sheroes, with the goal of helping women to be financially independent, to live healthier, wealthier and meaningful lives.  Our target was to reach out to 1 million people in three years. We reached not just 1 or 2 or 3 million, but 7.6 million lives. We at InLife and InLife Sheroes will always strive to do good and bring out the good in people through our advocacies.  This year and onwards, we see InLife Sheroes as a movement that will flow, and grow even bigger and wider.” ~Nina D. Aguas, InLife Executive Chairperson

Empowered Women

Two Filipino women who have shown that they can make a difference in the world shared their experience and insights during the event.

 

Lorelie Quiambao Osial, the first Filipina to be named President and CEO of Pilipinas Shell and Country Chair of Shell Companies in the Philippines, is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and digital transformation. She spoke about gender and corporate leadership. 

She talked how in her line of work, leadership really has no gender. She discussed her journey and success as a woman leader in an industry normally dominated by men, which she credits to her uniqueness and her being multidimensional—having many facets and wearing many hats as she goes through life. Her brand of leadership is transformative, where leaders inspire and motivate people to innovate and create change that will help and grow the business, and shape the future. 

Ana Patricia Non, who founded the Maginhawa Community Pantry that sparked the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos during the pandemic, spoke about how her love for herself made her realize she has so much more to give to her community. She was the Grand Winner of the 2021 Asia CEO InLife Young Shero of the Year Award. 

The Award aims to honor young Filipino women aged 40 and below who have achieved recognizable success in overseeing organizations that advance the country’s economic or social standing in the eyes of the world. Among the young women who make up the first batch of the InLife Young Shero of the Year Circle of Excellence are: Malou Perez of Pawssion Project, Maureen Ledesma of Vesl, Charlene Tan of All Vision Solar, Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric Gallery, Nina Opida of Humble Sustainability, Karen Jane Salutan of Pinoy Indie Films Roadshow, Therese Clarence Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Ray Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca of Youth for Mental Health, Jenica Dizon of Waves for Water Philippines, and Atty. Therese Guiao of Parabukas. 

Ana Patricia Non, Founded the Maginhawa Community Pantry, Grand Winner of the 2021 Asia CEO InLife Young Shero of the Year Award

“Para sa mga kababaihan, nasa atin na ang pagmamahal, pagaaruga, lakas at talino. Nasa atin ang mga bagay para simulan ang mga pangarap natin. Dapat ang pangarap natin hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa community, (As women, we possess love, care, strength, and intelligence. These things will help us in fulfilling our dreams. We should not only dream for ourselves but our community as well). Kung ano yung expertise sa pinili nating larangan…pwede tayong magturo, pwede tayong magvolunteer. Iba-iba po ang paraan sa pagtulong at hindi din tayo mauubusan ng creativity.  (Whatever is our expertise in our chosen field…we can teach, we can volunteer our services. There are different ways to help and we will never run out of creativity in doing them).” ~Ana Patricia Non, Founded the Maginhawa Community Pantry, Grand Winner of the 2021 Asia CEO InLife Young Shero of the Year Award

She reminded women that giving out food and goods is not a requirement, that they can help by providing their expertise to improve the lives of others.

A Nation of Sheroes

To encourage more women to participate in creating and multiplying random acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, and make life a little better for those who need help, InLife Sheroes launched the Nation of Sheroes. InLife volunteers recently went to three areas and volunteered their services in Baguio, Muntinlupa and Davao Cities. 

In Baguio, InLife volunteers packed and transported vegetables that they donated to the Maginhawa Community Pantry. This was done in coordination with Cordillera Landing On You, a group that helps Baguio farmers bring and sell their produce directly to consumers in Manila. In Muntinlupa City, volunteers helped pack art materials and hygiene kits for the wards of Elsie Gaches Village, a facility that provides care and rehabilitation for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In Davao, volunteers brought food and hygiene kits for the pediatric cancer patients of the Southern Philippines Medical Center who are temporarily sheltered at the House of Hope. 

How InLife Sheroes Started

InLife Sheroes was born out of the company’s aim to recognize women as a pillar of strength and empower them. In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, it launched the campaign in 2019.

InLife Launches Nation of Sheroes, Encourages Filipinos to Do Acts of Kindness on their 3rd Anniversary

The campaign has four focus areas: financial literacy, health and wellness, women-specific solutions, and access to social and business networks. Through the campaign, women from different walks of life have gathered to learn more about how they can better take care of their health, finances, and overall well-being. 

To learn more about InLife Sheroes, visit www.inlifesheroes.com.

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd

Insular Life (InLife) is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 111 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones. 

As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders.  They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 53 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph.

New Tanduay Select TVC with Bea Alonzo Invites You to “Take Your One Shot To Make A Change”

Tanduay Calendar Girl Bea Alonzo features in the latest Tanduay Select commercial, where she encourages people to take a shot at making the right choice.

“If you make the right choices, kaya mong magpasaya, kaya mong magbukas ng puso. Have the guts to choose para maitawid mo ang pagsubok (If you make the right choice, you can bring happiness, open hearts. Have the guts to choose, so that you can overcome obstacles). Every choice you make, kahit gaano kaliit, may kabutihang makakamit (Every choice you make, no matter how small it is, would achieve something good).” ~Bea Alonzo, Tanduay Calendar Girl

Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development Manager and Senior Brand Manager, said that the “Your One Shot to Make a Change” TVC seeks to inspire people not to waver with their decisions.

“People are constantly confronted with choices, and some of these choices have the potential to change the course of our lives. Bea is the perfect embodiment of this. She showed that getting out of your comfort zone can lead to new opportunities for growth. We always have ‘what ifs’ in our life. What Tanduay Select wants you to realize is that your one shot or decision can be the change that you need or the change the world needs. You can create an impact or even inspire people, even just one person, to likewise make that change.” ~Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development Manager and Senior Brand Manager

Recently, Bea’s made a bold move as she transfered from her old home studio to GMA that initially surprised the public. With the new shows and endorsements that followed, she showed that she made the right choice for her career.

Get Back on Track After Flu and Other Ailments

Get Back on Track After Flu and Other Ailments

The threat of the new COVID-19 variant BA.2 is making rounds on the news which means that we need to put our guards up once again to protect ourselves from getting sick, especially with flu.

Get Back on Track After Flu and Other Ailments. Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) is available in drugstores nationwide and via major e-commerce platforms.

At the onset of flu symptoms, it is mandatory that we address them right away with the right steps and the right medication, so you can get back on track.

Flu is definitely bad news, especially when you have to worry about the ongoing pandemic along with it. There is always the possibility that the symptoms you are feeling could be signs of COVID-19. 

 

This only means one thing: When you are experiencing flu symptoms, you need to address them right away with the right steps and the right medication, so you can get back on track.

 

The flu is a contagious infection caused by the influenza virus. It is usually accompanied by a cough or cold, and its symptoms could last from two to three days to about a week. These symptoms include clogged nose, sneezing, runny nose, headaches and body aches, fever. Having the flu can leave you feeling tired and restless the whole day, if not for several days. When you have the flu, it’s likely that you will need bed to alleviate its symptoms. 

Leaving your flu untreated could lead to more severe symptoms and a longer recovery time from the illness.  

 

To recover from the flu immediately, you will need to stay home and rest until your symptoms are better. This also prevents you from spreading it; it is important to stay away from children and the elderly as they are more susceptible to the flu’s more severe symptoms.

 

Constant hydration is also the key to recovering from the flu. You will also need to eat healthy foods during your bout with the illness, even if you have no appetite for it because of your condition.

 

Taking the right medication to treat your flu can also fast-track your way to recovery—like Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU), a multi-benefit solution to flu symptoms.

Get Back on Track After Flu and Other Ailments

Unlike other medications that deal with only one or two symptoms brought about by the flu, Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) can address several flu-related ailments at once. It helps relieve clogged noses, sneezing, and runny nose and treats headaches, body aches, and fever. It is also formulated to relieve symptoms of other related ailments such as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. This makes the product a valuable multi-purpose medication for every Filipino household.

Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) can also be taken to relieve side effects brought about by the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include fever, cough, tiredness, headache, body aches and pains—symptoms that the medicine is meant to treat.

 

At PHP7.50 SRP per tablet, it is also one of the most affordable multi-purpose flu solutions in the market today. 

It’s always good to keep medications at home so you can easily bounce back from the symptoms of flu and return to your healthy, lively, productive self.

About BIOFLU

Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) is a multi-benefit medication that provides relief for flu and related ailments. Learn more at this link. For updates, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Get your supply online at the official Lazada and Shopee stores.

Open finance to accelerate financial inclusion goal — UBX

Open finance has the power to accelerate the country’s financial inclusion goal, as it democratizes access to a spectrum of financial products and services particularly for the unbanked and underbanked as well as growing business, according to a ranking official of UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines. 

Driving access and interoperability among financial ecosystem participants, open finance allows financial institutions to reach the unbanked and underbanked, while empowering them to tailor solutions that meet the needs of consumers and businesses.

“Inclusion has always been a critical mission for us at UBX, and we believe that the accelerated adoption of the open finance framework will allow us and the industry to hasten our shared goal of including everyone in the financial system. Open finance will enable our partners to acquire customers at scale, develop solutions specific to the unbanked, underbanked, and growing businesses, and provide consumers with greater choice and control over their data. Since we were formed in 2018, we at UBX have been consistent with our drive to include everyone into the financial ecosystem. We have invested heavily in open finance technologies and tools that complement the BSP’s regulations and initiatives towards financial inclusion. As the leader in open finance and as a strong government ally, we vow to develop more products and services to help the country accelerate our shared goal of including the majority of Filipinos in the financial systems.” ~John Januszczak, UBX President

The Bangko Sentral ng Plilipinas (BSP) recently rolled out the Open Finance Framework, which allows “consent-driven data portability, interoperability, and collaborative partnerships among financial institutions and third-party providers (TPPs).”

Last month, the BSP also unveiled the refreshed 2022-2028 National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI), which aims to reduce disparities in financial inclusion; improving health and resilience; empowering consumers; and increasing access to finance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) including startups and the agriculture sector.

Through its banking-as-as-service venture i2i, UBX enables ordinary merchants to become banking agents, who can offer a range of banking solutions from performing know-your-customer (KYC) processes, disbursing funds, processing bills payments, accepting deposits, accepting and forwarding loan applications, to selling insurance, among many others. 

A cloud-based platform, i2i is built on blockchain and open finance technologies, enabling fast, reliable, and secure financial transactions, including but not limited to wallet transfers, domestic transfers, bills payment, mobile scoring, mobile ATM, and offline and online loan processing, among others. To date, UBX has over 200,000 B2B customers on its open finance platform. 

UBX’s open finance platform also gave birth to SeekCap, an online lending marketplace, that enables lenders to reach MSMEs and offer them with affordable loans to help them jump start or expand their businesses. Last year, SeekCap processed over P7 billion in loans from the more than 50,000 MSMEs registered on the platform. 

To complement these ventures, UBX also developed BUx, an all-in-one payment solutions platform that allows merchants of all sizes to accept all forms of payment, unifying payment channels from card payments, bank transfers, over-the-counter payments, to e-wallets into one solution.

To learn more about UBX, please visit www.ubx.ph. 

About UBX

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

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

Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G: Awesome Mobile Experiences Open to Everyone

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G to deliver a complete package of the latest Galaxy innovations, offering a holistic mobile experience at a great value. Powered by a brand-new processor, coupled with Galaxy’s signature AI camera, expansive and smooth display, and two-day battery life , the new Galaxy A series features 5G connectivity, defense-grade security, an eco-conscious, stylish and slim design, and advanced connected experiences. Plus, both devices support continuous One UI and Android OS upgrades and security updates  to ensure the user mobile experience is always awesome.

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the positive impact mobile technology can have on their lives. With the latest Galaxy A series release, we’re making it easier than ever to enjoy Galaxy’s advanced, innovative mobile experience at a great value.” ~TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ MX (Mobile eXperience) Business

Capture an Awesome Shot in Any Situation

Whether creating content or sharing it with friends, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G offer an advanced, next-level camera experience, packed with many of the powerful and fun features from the Galaxy A series. Galaxy A53 5G’s quad-camera system features a 64MP OIS Camera with VDIS technology that takes crisp and steady shots every time. Meanwhile, a high-resolution 32MP front camera delivers great selfies and clear video call experiences. 

Fueled by a brand new 5nm processor, the new Galaxy A series’ innovative AI-powered camera makes every image look awesome – even in low lighting. Improved Night mode automatically synthesizes up to 12 images at once, so night photos look bright, with less noise. And when shooting video in low-light environments, the Galaxy A series’ framerate is automatically adjusted to create bright, clear videos. 

The enhanced Portrait mode captures depth and subject outlines more accurately with dual cameras and powerful AI. Meanwhile, with Fun mode, moments can be amplified using playful filters and effects that now work with the Ultra-wide lens. For the first time on the Galaxy A series, Photo Remaster breathes new life into old photos by offering ideal lighting and resolution settings, and Object eraser removes pesky photo bombers in the background. 

Maximize Viewing Experiences Anywhere, Anytime

In the past, a sunny day could make it hard to see what’s on a smartphone screen, but the new Galaxy A series’ intelligent algorithm ensures the display comes through in vivid detail, even outside. Galaxy A53 5G’s expansive 6.5-inch  Super AMOLED display also offers a 120Hz refresh rate for an immersive experience while Galaxy A33 5G features a 6.4-inch  Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Plus, the new Galaxy A series is now equipped with up to two-day battery life and 25W Super Fast Charging  – so viewing, streaming and more can last longer.  

Beautiful, Durable, Purposeful Design

The new Galaxy A series is expertly crafted to be fashionable, functional, and sustainable. The device’s slim bezel creates a smooth, stylish look and Ambient Edge design seamlessly blends the camera with the body of the phone. Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G feature the tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and IP67  water and dust resistance, providing enhanced durability and peace of mind. 

Samsung has always challenged what’s possible with technology and will continue to rethink how best to use the planet’s resources. Announced in August 2021 with Galaxy for the Planet, Samsung is committed to delivering tangible environmental actions to help make the planet healthier by 2025. Building on Samsung’s sustainability efforts, the Galaxy A series  removes the charger plug and reduces the size of the packaging. Packaging also uses sustainably sourced paper, while the device itself uses recycled post-consumer materials (PCM) for the side buttons and SIM card trays. 

Beyond materials, the longevity of the new A series is extended. Galaxy A53 5G guarantees up to four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades and up to five years of security updates. These features allow users to access the latest software and security to maximize the smartphone lifecycle. 

The Connected Galaxy Experience, Secure and at Your Fingertips

The new Galaxy A series ensures data and information stay protected, secured by the defense-grade Samsung Knox. When storing private photos, notes and apps, Secure Folder offers users an encrypted, digital safe, so only they can access its contents. Using Private Share , users can control exactly who has access to files and for how long. Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G will also include the new Samsung Wallet , a convenient and protected place to safely store everything from boarding passes to credit cards.

Galaxy A53 5G and A33 5G work seamlessly with other Galaxy devices for the full, connected Galaxy ecosystem experience. Audio options are expanded by connecting the Galaxy Buds series with a range of devices, including Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G. Available on Galaxy Buds Pro and coming soon to Galaxy Buds2 and Buds Live, users will be able to enjoy 360 Audio technology  which delivers true, immersive, 3D sound. When it’s time to get productive, use Link to Windows  to connect the new Galaxy A series to a Windows PC to copy and paste, transfer files and even answer calls or texts.  

Availability

The Galaxy A53 5G will be available starting April 1 in all authorized Samsung Stores and online for: 

● Galaxy A53 5G (8+256GB) - PHP 25,490 SRP

● Galaxy A53 5G (8+128GB) - PHP 23,490 SRP

● Galaxy A53 5G (6+128GB) - PHP 22,990 SRP (Online Exclusive)

While the Galaxy A33 5G will be available all authorized Samsung Stores and online beginning April 22 for:

● Galaxy A33 5G (8+256GB) - PHP 21, 990 SRP

● Galaxy A33 5G (8+128GB) - PHP 19,990 SRP

● Galaxy A33 5G (6+128GB) - PHP 18,990 SRP (Online Exclusive)

● Galaxy A33 5G (8+128GB) White - PHP 19,990 SRP (Online Exclusive)

● Galaxy A33 5G (8+256GB) White - PHP 21,990 SRP (Online Exclusive)

Both the Galaxy A53 5G and A33 5G will come in Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Peach variants.

Another addition to the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A73 5G, will also be available starting April 22 which comes in Awesome Gray, Awesome White, and Awesome Mint. It will be available in all authorized Samsung Stores and online for:

● Galaxy A73 5G (8+256GB) - PHP 29, 990 SRP

● Galaxy A73 5G (8+128GB) - PHP 27,990 SRP

● Galaxy A73 5G (6+128GB) - PHP 26,990 SRP (Online Exclusive)

A new Onyx color of the Galaxy Buds2 and Buds Live will launch in April, to complement the stylish design of the Galaxy A series. 

Starting March 18 to 25, those who pre-order the Galaxy A53 5G will receive gifts worth up to PHP 3,000. Galaxy fans can choose between a 3,000 Samsung E-Store Voucher or 3,000 Diamonds for Mobile Legends.  Get the new Galaxy A53 5G via the Trade-In, Trade-Up promo to get tokens worth up to PHP 4,000 until June 30. 

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.

For more information, visit samsung.com/ph.

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.