URC bag top awards in Vietnam, Thailand
Universal Robina Corp.’s (URC) subsidiaries in Vietnam and Thailand have clinched top awards that continue to enhance the reputation of their brands and image in both key markets.
In Vietnam, URC was named among the country’s top 10 most prestigious beverage companies in the non-alcoholic category for a second year in a row.
Presented by Vietnam Report and Vietnamnet — Ministry of Information and Communication, this award was evaluated based on several criteria that include financial capacity, media reputation and targeted audience survey.
Fun-O meanwhile, continues to be the most loved biscuit in Thailand, with the brand being recognized by BrandAge magazine as not just the market leader, but also the most admired.
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SM Prime lists Retail Bond Series O
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. held a virtual listing ceremony for its latest Retail Bond Series O offering P10 billion.
SM Prime’s peso-denominated Series O is set at 5.0994 per cent due on 2028. This issuance is the third tranche of debt securities to be issued from SM Prime’s P100 billion Debt Securities Program registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under shelf registration pursuant to SEC MSRD Order No. 6 Series of 2020.
SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people.
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CEB launches Manila- Camiguin route
Cebu Pacific (CEB) launched on Monday its newest Manila-Camiguin route as it boosts seamless connections across its widest domestic network.
CEB is the first airline to resume operations to and from the Camiguin Island.
Flights between the two destinations operate every Monday and Friday, via Cebgo’s 78-seater ATR 72-600 aircraft. DG 6703 departs from Manila at 11:30 a.m., while return flight DG 6704 departs from Camiguin at 2:20 p.m.
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Globe, MAGELCO seal 25-year partnership
Globe has partnered with the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (MAGELCO) to accelerate the rollout of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology and provide more affordable electricity in Mindanao.
This is part of the company’s commitment to deliver a #1stWorldNetwork to Filipinos.
The partnership involves a joint pole agreement that allows Globe to leverage MAGELCO’s infrastructure in providing seamless internet connectivity through fiber technology in the province. MAGELCO will also assist Globe in its permanent power applications and in securing necessary permits.
In return, Globe extended P28.9 million in financial support to MAGELCO to establish a power substation to lower electricity costs and provide a stable power supply. Town residents within Maguindanao stand to benefit from this undertaking.
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Potato Corner’s ‘quaranthology’
Potato Corner through its three primary social media platforms with over half a million combined followers created the country’s first-ever digital microvideo series dubbed as a quarantine anthology or “quaranthology,” which captured the interest of its followers for the series’ delightful humor.
Titled “Nakaka–!,” Potato Corner’s pioneering craft ingeniously fused the techniques of story-driven filmmaking with the visually arresting aspects of digital advertising.
Potato Corner thought not only of entertaining its market as the leading french fries franchise in the country, but was also aiming to drive in a novel way consumer enthusiasm for the food industry.
The first of five “Nakaka–” teaser GIFs appeared on July 31 and the quaranthology’s episodes began streaming on August 11 on Facebook (PotatoCorner), Instagram (potatocornerph) and YouTube (Potato Corner).
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Eastern Communications bags awards
Eastern Communications received a Gold Award in the recently concluded Marketing Events Awards 2021 virtual awarding ceremony.
Featuring its Link VIP Loyalty Program, Eastern Communications received a Gold Award in the Best B2B Brand Experience Category with their entry, “Upholding High Touch: Eastern Communications’ Link VIP Club Loyalty Events.”
The Link VIP Club was created to further differentiate Eastern’s “High Touch” promise, where clients get access to a higher level of service and exclusive lifestyle events. To help businesses learn about digital transformation and uplift their spirits during the pandemic, Eastern Communications through its Link VIP Club launched an educational webinar series (E-nspire), an online magic show series (Blink), and a virtual thanksgiving event (Our Strong Tomorrow Thanksgiving Night).
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PICC turns 45
The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) celebrated 45 years of hosting the world through a special virtual performance from top OPM artist and songwriter Ebe Dancel.
Pagdiriwang: The PICC 45TH Anniversary Special streamed live on the PICC Facebook page.
Viewers were also taken on a tour of the premier venue for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and special events in the Philippines.
Aside from the required safety and sanitation measures, PICC also upgraded its WiFi and technology capacities to address client requirements for virtual and hybrid events.
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UnionBank awarded
Union Bank of the Philippines was bestowed the top award “Asia Trailblazer Institution of Year” among over 300 entries from 25 countries at the recently concluded 2021 Retail Banker International (RBI) Asia Trailblazer Awards in Singapore.
The 2021 Asia Trailblazers Awards celebrate and recognize the best-in-class retail banking and consumer finance companies across the Asia. The awards were judged across 12 category groups and recognized those organizations and individuals who showcased innovation, speed and efficacy of delivery and most importantly an exemplary commitment to customer needs and over-all contribution to the individual and larger community.
“UnionBank has conducted their business through the Covid-19 pandemic with sensitivity, integrity and diligence. Clear thinking, agility and innovation underpin the banks stellar commercial results. The leadership has developed employees, leveraged third party relationships, leapt on digital opportunities and focused on customer need to ensure that internally they are a world-class bank. This has resulted in fantastic, customer-centric solutions which are relevant in today’s unpredictable market. In addition, they have also contributed to society focusing on underbanked segments and giving back to the community at every possible opportunity,” as stated in the Judges’ citation.
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J&J supports forum
The Philippine Urological Association (PUA), together with the Department of Health (DOH), Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc., the Philippine Society of Uro-Oncologists (PSUO), and Johnson and Johnson (Philippines) Inc., led the observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with a series of activities that aimed to generate greater awareness for the disease.
With the theme Prostate Cancer Sama-Samang Labanan, Tamang Impormasyon Kailangan, efforts were focused on educating the public on the importance of early detection and treatment to slow the progression of prostate cancer.
A lay forum entitled Usapang Prostate Cancer was live streamed via the PUA Prostate Cancer Awareness Facebook page on September 11 to underline truths about the disease. Representatives from the the Department of Health Cancer Control Division and Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. also joined the discussion to share what support the government and privately funded organizations can provide patients and their families.
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Online security
PLDT Inc. Communications, Inc. (Smart) announced they are utilizing the anti-fraud solutions of Vesta to enhance the protection of online transactions made by customers across their digital channels.
Vesta is one of the world’s leading instant, end-to-end transaction guarantee platforms for online purchases, and its anti-fraud solution was availed by PayMaya Philippines, the fintech arm of PLDT affiliate Voyager Innovations, to be offered to its clients. PayMaya powers the payment acceptance for PLDT and Smart’s digital channels. It is the Philippines’ only end-to-end digital financial services platform company, with the largest and fastest-growing enterprise payment processing business today.
Through the initiative, PLDT and Smart customers can enjoy safer, more secure, and more seamless online payment transactions using PayMaya’s payment acceptance solutions, with Vesta’s anti-fraud tools.
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Eton hosts exhibit of artworks by artist-inmates
Eton Properties will host the collective exhibit of artist-inmates of the Bureau of Corrections School of Fine Arts (BuCor-SoFA). Featuring 20 artworks, “Art is Freedom: A Dream of Christmas” will run from November 17 to 30 in PNB Financial Center on Pasay City and on December 1 to 17 in Eton WestEnd Square on Chino Roces avenue Makati City.
This is in partnership with art gallery and curio shop, Puesto Manila, located in historic Intramuros, Manila.
In this exhibition, artist-inmates confront their solitary confinement with hopes and dreams of home for the coming holidays. The paintings create links to the lives of the artist-inmates before their imprisonment with representations of simple provincial life, family and belonging in a community.
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JLL appointment
Global real estate consultancy JLL has appointed Joey Radovan as country head, Philippines. He will be succeeding Christophe Vicic, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Based in Manila, Radovan will report to Chris Fossick, chief executive officer of Southeast Asia. This appointment comes as part of the firm’s succession planning to bolster existing capabilities and align with its growth targets in the region.
Radovan joined the real estate firm in October 2020 as vice chairman with the mandate to support the local senior leadership team to drive key transactions and foster close ties with existing clients.
