Outstanding partner
For its relentless efforts to keep San Juan residents connected amid the pandemic, Converge ICT Solutions took home the Outstanding Partner in Pandemic Response (Private Sector) award from the San Juan City government.
Converge, last year, partnered with the LGU to extend connectivity to 12,000 teachers and students of the San Juan public school system, to help them adapt to distance learning.
Upon the rollout of vaccines in the city, Converge powered up several of San Juan’s vaccination sites to assist in the registration and processing of residents.
The award was conferred on March 27, as the city government celebrated the 115th Araw ng San Juan celebration. The government recognized public and private partners who were instrumental in the delivery of public service this past year particularly in the Covid-19 efforts.
First Metro named best securities house
First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group, was awarded the Cesar E.A. Virata Award for Best Securities House (Investment House Category) by the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. Group (PDS Group) in its 2022 PDS Annual Awards.
The award, named after former Prime Minister and PDS Group chairman emeritus Cesar E.A. Virata, is a testament to the company’s dedication to the fixed-income securities business, evidenced by its exceptional performance in trading, distribution and settlement activities for the year.
First Metro was also again recognized for the 10th time as the Top Corporate Securities Market Maker. It was also chosen as one of the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers, ranked second.
In his acceptance speech at the awards ceremonies last March 25, First Metro president Jose Patricio Dumlao acknowledged First Metro’s employees, clients and partners and said the award will serve as a “challenge for us to strive even harder and encourage us to set our sights higher, while keeping our feet on the ground.
Petron strengthens support for major car and bike shows
Industry leader Petron Corporation supports the upcoming Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) and the Inside Racing Bike Festival and Trade Show. In both events, the brand will highlight its “Petron Panalo ang Pilipino” theme to emphasize its solidarity with our countrymen and our shared aspiration to rise up and recover from the challenges of the past two years.
Billed as the Manila International Auto Show co-presented by Petron, the much-loved auto show returns to the World Trade Center (WTC) on April 7-10, with Petron as the exclusive fuel and lubricant sponsor. MIAS visitors can visit the Petron service station setup, and participate in games and other activities. The Petron-MIAS Custom and Car Classic Competition will showcase 50 cars from different eras which trust only Petron Blaze 100, the only 100-octane and Euro 6 gasoline in the country.
In recognition of the fast-growing motorcycle industry, Petron also participated in the Inside Racing Bike Festival and Trade Show, held from March 25-27, also at the WTC. The Petron booth showcased its Petron Sprint 4T motorcycle engine oils, specially formulated for Philippine road conditions.
Philippine-based Petron takes pride in being the biggest oil player and only remaining refiner in the country with the local capability to formulate world-class products to meet the diverse fuel needs of Filipino motorists.
Having served the fuel needs of the country for almost 90 years, only Petron has a deep understanding of the unique driving conditions on Philippine roads.
Created by Filipinos for Filipinos, Petron fuels and lubricants are designed to meet the motoring needs of everyone, from motorcucle riders to tricycle and jeepney drivers, everyday motorists and owners of high-performance vehicles.
Future of female leadership
KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. is celebrating its 15 years this year as one of the country’s top audit, tax, advisory, and technology consulting firms. To coincide with Women’s Month, the firm is also shining a spotlight on its women leaders.
At the forefront of the celebration is the firm’s first female chairman and CEO Sharon Dayoan, who has been with KPMG in the Philippines since 2007.
Five out of the seven Executive Committee members are women, namely head of audit Emerald Anne Bagnes, risk management partner Ma. Gracia Diaz, Business Development Unit 3 head Maria Myla Maralit, and head of Tax Maria Carmela Peralta.
Today, 53 percent of KPMG in the Philippines’ Partnership positions are filled by women .
Cleft orthodontics webinar
Smile Train and GSK Consumer Healthcare supported a three-day Comprehensive Cleft Care Webinar series organized by the Association of Philippine Orthodontists (APO).
There were 518 participants from 26 countries registered for the webinar series.
The highly informative online sessions featured discussions on various stages of cleft treatment for a child born with a cleft, with particular focus on the cleft orthodontics.
Many of the speakers work or have been trained at Smile Train’s partner, the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines.
GSK Consumer Healthcare and Smile Train’s partnership has delivered 13,500 life changing cleft surgeries, training for over 8,800 healthcare professionals, and supported 38,000 families.
“This webinar series enables orthodontists, and other cleft professionals, not only in the Philippines but in other countries to learn more about the specialized field of cleft orthodontics, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to support cleft-affected individuals,” shared Dr. Janet Pandan, president of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists.
New academic institute
Wesleyan University Philippines (WUP) recently held the inauguration of the Carolina L. Gozon Institute for Lifelong Learning as a tribute to Carolina Lapus Gozon, the late mother of GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon.
The Institute will serve as an applied knowledge center for continuing education initially in Region III and the centerpiece of WUP’s public service and social accountability thrusts. It also aims to provide new avenues and opportunities for continuing education and skills training, especially for disadvantaged Filipinos who are likely to struggle more severely toward a post-COVID-19 recovery period.
Gozon, started her own business by borrowing P20,000capital from her mother and supplying for Rufina Patis before producing her own brand, Dalisay Patis.
Phoenix employees to retain WFH
Employees of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. will continue working from home, at least until July.
Management decided to maintain the alternative work set-ups that are currently in place nationwide for its knowledge-based employees who do not need to be in the office, and will reassess the situation by the third quarter of the year.
Phoenix was one of the first companies to announce in 2020 that the majority of its workforce will adopt alternative work arrangements.
But aside from safety, the decision to allow employees to work from home was fueled by employee preference. Based on internal research, which included focus group discussions, 84 percent of employees who are on WFH arrangements prefer to continue functioning remotely or at home even post-pandemic.
Exclusive car-care promos
Lexus continues to offer its customers with special deals to help them keep their car in shape.
All customers who will avail Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) at Lexus Manila, Inc and Lexus Accredited Dealerships from March 29 to 31 will automatically receive 40 percent discount on Lexus Genuine (Fully-Synthetic) Engine Oil.
Special discounts will also be given on the following products: 20 less on Lexus BactaKlenz Service, 20 percent less on UV Lamp & Air Purifier Bundle, and 10 percent less on UV Lamp and Air Purifier; if purchased separately.
This promo is available at Lexus Manila Inc. and Lexus Accredited Dealerships: Toyota Mandaue-South, Cebu, Toyota Davao City, Toyota San Fernando, Pampanga, Toyota Santa Rosa, and Toyota La Union.
Globe inspires hope
Globe has launched its Globe for Education campaign, “Tuloy ang Edukasyon, Tuloy ang Pag-asa,” an initiative that aims to support the education sector’s journey towards 21st century learning.
The campaign kicked off with a stirring YouTube video centering on the idea that education is the key to a better future. It shows Globe’s efforts to improve access to education through various initiatives and the pivotal role technology plays in the future of education.
With the improved health landscape opening avenues for learning once again, Globe wants to lend support in getting education back on track.
“Globe has always been an advocate for education. We are committed to uplifting our country towards 21st-century learning. Our programs and solutions push forward the new learning ecosystem by providing affordable connectivity, accessible platforms, and a safer learning environment,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP Group Corporate Communications and chief sustainability officer at Globe.
Globe provides affordable connectivity that makes digital learning more inclusive. These include built-for-education mobile and broadband Internet offers: Go50 for Students with access to GoLEARN&WORK apps via Globe Prepaid, EasySURF50 with access to FunARAL apps via TM, and HomeSURF199 with sizable data allocation to enable learning at home.
Globe also provides device bundling and financing, curated educational apps for kids and adults like Da Vinci Kids and Upskillist, useful educational resources from Ayala Museum and Edukasyon.ph, and free access to knowledge platforms like the Globe e-library.
Last year, Globe and the De La Salle University also launched a teacher training program to boost educators’ skills in teaching technopreneurship to students.
Globe partnered with the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to give learners access to zero-rated platforms such as DepEd Commons and PHL CHED Connect.
