SMFI blood donation drive, BPI 171st anniversary, WOFEX returns, TIM HO WAN in China, REX Education-PEAC scholars, AG&P INDUSTRIAL appointment, ABOITIZ Group livelihood kits, ISUZU donation, JOLLIBEE among hottest brands

SM Foundation’s blood donation drive generates 4,000 bags

In time for the National Blood Donors Month celebration, SM Foundation (SMFI) announced the success of its bloodletting efforts from February to June 2022, which generated more than 4,000 bags of blood.

This social good effort is in partnership with the Department of Health – Philippine Blood Center (DOH-PBC) and Philippine Red Cross (PRC). This is in support of the Republic Act No. 7719, or the National Blood Services Act of 1994 which encourages and promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood.

Following the necessary safety protocols, SMFI conducts its regular blood donation drive in SM malls nationwide. For this leg, SMFI was able to conduct its bloodletting activities in NCR, Baguio, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Bicol, Cebu, Leyte, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, and at the SM Corporate Offices.

SM blood bank, established in 2011, has helped many Filipinos. Among those who received assistance from the blood bank were: Sherynel Narboneta, a senior manager at SM City San Lazaro, requested for and was provided six units of platelet concentrate or 1-unit plateletpheresis per transfusion for her father-in-law Rolando F. Narboneta, diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome; Gin Navarro, one of the earliest victims of COVID received a blood transfusion for her rare AB blood type; Marissa Araiz who was provided help in the middle of the night post her hysterectomy at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center  underwent hysterectomy.

Aside from its bloodletting activities, SM Foundation aids grassroots communities. To date, it has renovated more than 170 health and wellness centers and served more than 1 million patients during its medical missions.

BPI 171^st Anniversary

BPI holds mass in celebration of its 171st founding anniversary. With this year’s anniversary theme of MOVE — Make Obsession Visible in all Experiences — the Bank of the Philippine Islands is determined to better serve the evolving needs of its clients with a focus on digitalization, customer obsession, and sustainability.

WOFEX returns, Thai joins anew

The globally known food exhibit event called World Food Expo (WOFEX), is back. After more than two years of hiatus from the food enthusiasts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year marks a comeback with the theme – Reboot, Recover, Discover, set for August 3-6, between 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center.

And one of the participating countries who has been active in promoting their industries thru WOFEX is Thailand.

Thai Hom Mali Rice grown only in Thailand is known as the best rice in the world. Moreover, thru science and technology, Thailand has been currently producing “soft white rice” to meet consumer demands in both price and quality. This kind of rice can be described as soft, flavorful and easy to eat.

This “soft white rice” will be available during the food expo, and you can check it at Booth No. 1048, SMX Convention Center. And to have a direct taste of the said flavorful rice, popular Thai Restaurants in Manila will be there ready to serve Thai Food Classic to all food lovers, namely (with date and time present at the Expo), Azuthai Restaurant (Aug. 3, at 11 am), Thai BBQ Original Restaurant (Aug. 3, at 4 pm), Nara Thai Cuisine (Aug. 4, at 4 pm), and Greyhound (Aug. 5, at 4 pm). Don’t forget to try their Thai Hom Mali Rice, quality rice from ears to global cuisines.

Tim Ho Wan expands in China

Jollibee Foods Corp. said it has opened a Tim Ho Wan branch in Zhejiang Province in China, its first in the province. It is the company’s 9th branch in mainland China and is in Zhejiang capital Hangzhou City, in one of the city’s popular malls, The Mixc Mall.

Hangzhou–one of China’s seven ancient capitals– is among the largest urban areas in China.

“Opening Tim Ho Wan in Hangzhou, one of China’s key cities, is instrumental to the expansion of the Tim Ho Wan brand and the growth of Jollibee Group in this part of the globe. We are committed to strengthening the expansion efforts for Tim Ho Wan as we target to open 100 restaurants within the next few years in China, which remains as one of Jollibee Group’s four pillar markets,” said Louie Liu, Jollibee China president.

Rex Education, PEAC Sponsor future teachers

This coming school year, 14 young and promising students will be pursuing teacher education and taking up the challenge to rekindle our aspiration of bettering lives through education.

Rex Education and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) are sending 14 scholars to Centers of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the PEAC—REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan Scholarship Program, an initiative that hopes to strengthen the quality of teachers in the country by seeking out and encouraging students to take teacher education programs in Mathematics and Sciences.

The scholarship program, launched in October 2021, rings true to REX’s Edukampyon advocacy that aims to champion, strengthen, and advance teacher education.

The students who will receive scholarship grants and pursue their specialization in the Sciences from Ateneo De Naga include: Lellian Joy L. Alegre, Leschell Mae L. Llagas, Jyla Mir P. Dangca, April Mariella B. Nieves, Maia Niña T. Enimedez, Sheila May B. Ceguerra, Denise Angela P. Rebueno, Kazzandra Jhean R. Alvarez, and Ma. Bernadette Jane S. Aguay.

The students who will pursue their specialization in Mathematics from Ateneo De Naga are Florence M. Pangilinan and Jassi Mary E. Sayson.

Three students will also pursue specializations in Mathematics at Capitol University: Jenika Rosandra S. Diaz, James Elvin A. Ipulan, and Maria Ruth Precious O. Lindawan.

AG&P Industrial appointment

AGP International Holdings Pte. Ltd. (AG&P Group) announced the appointment of Alexander Leo Gamboa as the president of AG&P Industrial (also known as Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Inc.), the manufacturing and construction arm of AG&P Group.

Gamboa joined AG&P Industrial in 2016 as vice president for Business Development.  He eventually rose to become managing director and senior VP for Global Business Development, prior to his promotion as president of AG&P Industrial in 2022.

Gamboa will be focused on the international expansion of AG&P Industrial, and the execution of a growing pipeline of modular LNG, natural gas infrastructure, and other heavy and light industry projects worldwide.

Augusto Gan will continue as non-executive chairman of AG&P Industrial.

Aboitiz Group livelihood kits

Aboitiz Foundation Inc. together with Pilmico and Aboitiz Power’s Visayan Electric has partnered with RAFI Microfinance Inc., (RAFI-MFI) to help rebuild Cebu through its project “Padayon sa Pagbugsay” (paddle unceasingly) rolled out last July 21 to 22.

The event was held in the Municipality of Liloan and Carcar City for beneficiaries coming from different municipalities in Cebu including Argao, Carcar City, Compostela, Liloan, Naga City, Sibonga, San Fernando, and Catigbian, Dimiao and Sikatuna in Bohol.

Aboitiz donated three types of livelihood kits. Project Bacon is a donation of high-breed gilts, Project Omelette is an egg-laying machine with ready-to-lay hens and Project Farina is a bakery starter kit.

The livelihood beneficiaries are community group leaders and small business owners directly affected during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette last December.

IPC turns over donation to Northern Mindanao Medical Center

As part of their 25th inaugural anniversary celebration, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) kicked off their drive to sustainability by providing support to select hospitals nationwide.

IPC team turned over P 250,000 cash donation to Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

With the assistance of Isuzu Cagayan De Oro, IPC was able to connect with NMMC which is a government hospital managed by Department of Health.

In line with their Road to Progress vision, IPC will continue with this CSR project by donating to three  more hospitals — one  each from the National Capital Region,  Luzon and  Visayas

Jollibee among hottest brands in US

Global media company Ad Age has named Jollibee one of America’s Top 20 hottest brands in 2022.

In an article titled “Jollibee Draws Endless Lines as US Demand Surges–Fans Rally ‘It’s Our Turn’ on Social Media,” Ad Age said Jollibee offers a “unique combination of flavors” compared to its rivals.

“Last year, Jollibee’s entrance into the notorious chicken sandwich wars helped cement the brand’s place among competitors. As new stores with endless lines appear throughout the U.S., fans have been spreading the rallying cry, “It’s our turn!” on social media in hopes of getting the chain to come to their own town,” wrote Yadira Gonzalez of Ad Age.

Ad Age highlights 20 brands, people, and services from various categories creating a buzz among consumers. Together with Jollibee, on Ad Age’s list are other brands from the beauty and skincare, beverages, and sports and apparel categories. Its editorial committee discusses and decides which brands would be fit for the list.