SM Supermalls begins 100 Days of Happiness

Leave a comment

Officially starts the Christmas countdown by creating a circle of happiness among Filipinos

To kickstart the Christmas countdown, SM Supermalls began its 100 Days of Happiness last September 16, where they aim to create a circle of happiness with 76 participating malls, shoppers, the marginalized communities of women, persons deprived of liberty, artisans, cause-oriented organizations, and select local government units.

“We want to create a circle of happiness in all our SM malls by featuring products of cause-oriented programs which we will offer to our shoppers who, in turn, give them to friends and family, and ultimately, benefit the communities that created these products,” said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan.

Through the campaign, SM Supermalls encourages Filipinos to support the advocacies of individuals and organizations that provide opportunities and create livelihood for their communities. For this year, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, UNICEF, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative, among others.

The launch event held at SM North EDSA The Block was attended by SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and select councilors of the city; Spark PH Founder Mica Teves; GSP President Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson; designer Zarah Juan; and Brownies Unlimited Marketing head Dustin Ngo.

Equipping young girls to lead and build the future, one box of brownies at a time
For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM Megamall, along with 9 other SM malls, is collaborating with Brownies Unlimited and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. For every purchase of a special GSP-themed box of brownies in-mall and via the SM Malls Online App, one girl will be sponsored with a GSP membership for a year.

“We have a lot of young girls across the country and they’ve had such difficult times during the pandemic. Our membership dropped significantly. By buying a box, you can sponsor a girl for one year and she can learn so many things like being independent, loving her country more, and helping her community,” said GSP President Nina Lim-Yuson.

Recently, SM Supermalls helped the GSP vaccinate all its 70,000 members nationwide. By providing them with convenient and safe COVID-19 vaccines, SM Supermalls was able to ensure that the GSP members have access to quality healthcare services.

SM shoppers can purchase a box of brownies from 46 Brownies Unlimited branches nationwide and the SM Malls Online App.

Giving marginalized women and persons deprived of liberty hope for the future
Apart from the GSP partnership, SM Supermalls also partnered with the local government of Quezon City for its Vote to Tote program, Spark PH, and bag designer Zarah Juan to sell upcycled tarpaulin handmade tote bags sewn by marginalized women and female persons deprived of liberty.

“Christmas is all about giving. We are very happy that this year, the communities of Quezon City are included as beneficiaries in this program. And apart from helping the women in our communities, we are also able to help the environment by upcycling 70 tons of election tarpaulins that we’ve collected.” said Mayor Belmonte.

Juan, the designer, was the brainchild of the upcycling initiative. “During the elections, there were tons of election campaign wastes. I wanted to do something and I thought I have my platform– my designs. If my designs can actually solve this problem, then it’s worthwhile. Then I pitched the idea to Maica Teves, the founder of Spark PH. From there, we gathered all the help we can– from the Quezon City LGU who will help us collect tarpaulins, the women communities that can help us create, and SM Supermalls who can provide us the platform to distribute.”

A Happiness Walk was done to showcase the upcycled tote bags that shoppers can buy in SM malls. Joining the Happiness Walk were men and women of substance including select Girl Scouts members, Jeremy Lapena and Bernce Sevilla of the Downs Syndrome Association of the Phils, Mylene Abiva of WomenBiz, media celebrities Ces Oreña Drilon, and Gina Pareño among others.

The proceeds of the upcycled tote bags will be given to the women PDLs in Camp Karingal, and the marginalized women of Barangays Sto. Cristo, Greater Lagro, and Pinyahan in Quezon City. The tote bags will be sold in the following SM malls:
SM Aura Premier
SM Southmall
SM City Fairview
SM City North EDSA
SM Megamall

Helping a community of artists
And in the south of Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia family will be partnering with the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists in selling painted Christmas cards to the shoppers.

“All these and more will start to unfold in the coming days as we continue spreading happiness across all SM malls around the country. Let us not waste our next 100 days and use it to make one another happy by giving. Today, let the countdown begin to a hundred days of happiness!” Tan closed.

This is the second time SM Supermalls has started a holiday countdown campaign. In 2021, the biggest mall network in the Philippines showed the world more than a hundred ways of giving through 100 Days of Caring. Underserved communities surrounding the 76 SM malls were provided with their urgent needs through in-kind and monetary donations by the malls, its various business units, and the employees.

For the list of all partner institutions and their beneficiaries visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts.

SM Prime and WWF Philippines announce partnership towards responsible reporting on climate change solutions

Leave a comment

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s leading integrated property developers and leading conservation organization World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines have entered a collaboration in adopting a more robust reporting framework to address the climate crisis.

This is a major partnership of WWF with a Philippine company towards the development of a bespoke program towards decarbonization.

Sustainability at SM Prime is at the core of its corporate identity. SM Prime is at the forefront of spearheading sustainable practices as well as setting records in pioneering programs to consciously protect the environment and strongly focus on resilience in its developments.

Under the partnership, SM Prime will adopt the Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI), WWF-Philippines’ flagship program that provides an actionable framework for organizations to operate sustainably within the paradigm of the climate crisis.

“We are delighted to work with WWF Philippines on this sustainable journey. Focusing sustainability within the context of the Philippines ensures that our strategies and projects are highly material, efficient and more responsive in addressing local concerns surrounding resilience and adaptation. We need to be one with the worldwide community to achieve this and we need to work with global experts to get this right,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

Climate change is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today. The Philippines currently ranks third globally when it comes to climate change vulnerability. In relation to its geographical location, it is more exposed to altering intensities of climate change manifested through erratic weather systems and natural calamities.
These risks are rife with complexity and uncertainty and organizations typically fail to properly assess their implications. The CBPI program takes a holistic approach towards this pivotal issue, addressing these risks from a custom-built, science-based perspective.

By partnering with the WWF, SM Prime will be able to enhance and determine climate change solutions that will be reflected through responsible and transparent reporting.

The first phase of CBPI involves gauging where SM Prime stands in its sustainability initiatives and setting a science-based target in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. SM Prime published its first Integrated Report in 2021 under the Integrated Reporting Framework which provides an overview of our value creation model — how we seek to create value for our stakeholders by contributing to national progress through investments and interventions critical to the country’s socio-economic growth.

As a champion of climate action in the Philippines, our partnership with WWF adds another enhancement to transparent reporting by ensuring greenhouse gas (GHG) computations are accurate and use appropriate methodologies.

With the need to broaden efforts to protect the environment, this partnership forms part of group-wide efforts under the SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

SM Prime’s partnership with WWF dates back to 2007 under Hamilo Coast, its leisure resort development in Nasugbu, Batangas.

WWF closely monitors the health and viability of the Hamilo Coast area including three of its coves designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—the Pico de Loro, Etayo and Santelmo.

In recognition of its conservation efforts, Hamilo Coast was cited by WWF-Philippines as its longest standing Sustainability Partner in 2020.

About SM Prime

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, is committed to providing safe and sustainable spaces for its stakeholders. Its development strategy is anchored on the responsible use of resources. In the communities it serves, it is able to promote resource conservation, environmental protection, and disaster resiliency by implementing solutions for water, waste, and energy management.

SM Prime is a key player in the SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

Find out more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement

Sinag Schools program powers up school in Batangas

Leave a comment

SM Supermalls employee volunteers led the distribution of donations from SM Foundation to the students of Lemery Pilot Elementary School.

SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group, together with Maxeon Solar Technologies, recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas through the Sinag Schools program.

This social good collaboration between SMFI and Maxeon aims to provide clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroot communities by installing solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses.

In addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts.

“Through this program, we want to power up the learning and development of young people. We want to help teach young people about solar energy, about renewable energy. We want to power up the next generation to help save our planet,” Maxeon Fab4 General Manager Glenn Everett said.

The SM school building at the LPES, which was donated by SMFI in partnership with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) in 2017, now boasts 21 solar panels—estimated to produce 6510 watt-p. With the savings on electricity, the school may realign their budget to more efforts and other innovations that will give the students an environment more conducive to learning.

It takes a village to raise a child
SMFI executive director Debbie Sy underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing the learning experience of every student in the country: “We believe that collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good in addressing societal challenges. CSR partnerships can create solutions that improve society by fostering learning, promoting innovation and gaining access to new technologies, such as the Sinag schools program. CSR collaboration can pool resources, both financial and human resources – between multiple organizations which can amplify social good impact.”

“The establishment of an ever-evolving CSR strategy and partnerships will help companies and non-government organizations in developing and implementing crucial social good programs over decades while having procedures in place that integrate social and environmental priorities into CSR core strategy – all in close collaboration with stakeholders,” she further added.
Moreover, Everett mentioned how SMFI and Maxeon share the similar set of values and interest when it comes to helping Filipino learners: “We have this concept of powering positive change in the world. We are happy to be working together with SM Foundation to power up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.”

“Individually, we can do so much. But together we can do actually more. For us to bring our solar technology and SMFI to bring in their schools, these things are much better together than they would be apart,” he concluded.

Spreading social good all the way
SM Foundation made sure to truly touch the lives of the learners and teachers of LPES as it donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags with school supplies, and more than 160 pcs brand new kinder and elementary books to further promote the love for reading among the students. Clothing items for parents were also distributed.

For more information about this initiative, follow SM Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube: @SMFoundationInc.

Maxeon is headquartered in Singapore. The company designs, manufactures, and sells Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels. Maxeon has sales operations in more than 100 countries, operating under the SunPower brand in certain countries outside the United States. Maxeon is a leader in solar innovation with products that span the global rooftop and solar power plant markets through a network of more than 1,700 trusted partners and distributors. A pioneer in sustainable solar manufacturing, Maxeon leverages a +35-year history in the solar industry and numerous awards for its technology.

SM Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. This social good initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide. To date, it has turned over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities.

For more information, please contact:

Victor Persius F. Chan
Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs
Corporate Affairs & Sustainability
(632) 8857-0100 local 0117
victor.chan@sminvestments.com

World Vision Philippines relaunches women empowerment campaign #GirlsCan

Leave a comment

Now on its third year, World Vision is once again launching #GirlsCan to support and help vulnerable girls achieve their dreams and potential. Aside from providing long-term and sustainable solutions for life transformation, the campaign aims to promote the significance of empowering girls and women which are key components of World Vision programs and advocacies, especially in the Philippines.
There are various issues surrounding girls in the country and violence against children remains one of the major concerns. In fact, the Department of Justice reported an increase of 264% cases in online sexual exploitation in 2020.
“Though this is a huge increase, we know that it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Most cases go undetected, unreported and unresponded. Online sexual exploitation of children or OSEC is a hidden, layered and complex crime that robs Filipina girls off of their childhood,” says Jezreel Hannah Domingo, World Vision Philippines Child Protection Manager.
“Girls should be empowered through positive life skills and asset building for them to know their rights and build their personal safety. When they are empowered, they learn to speak up, seek help and become positive instruments of change for younger girls,” Domingo added.
She also stressed the importance of strengthening the families to nurture and protect their children and reinforcing community-based mechanisms for identifying and protecting child victims of OSEC through stronger detection and investigation procedures.
Meanwhile, in education, over 2 million girls drop out from school while more adolescent girls get pregnant and give birth every day. While poverty remains the leading cause of these alarming problems, there are always ways on how to empower girls to break free.
With #GirlsCan, girls are given the opportunity to be empowered through various World Vision programs that address the needs of girls and women like the Savings Groups and Livelihood programs for Women entrepreneurs such as the Sustaining Women’s Economic Empowerment Thrust (SWEET project), Project ACE that combats exploitation of children, Maternal and Child Health Programs, Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines Project and the Menstrual Hygiene Campaign.
Over the years, the campaign has successfully supported thousands of young girls. It aims to support 1000 more this year, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl on October 11.
To know how you can support #GirlsCan, visit https://t.co/RAUn2HPxP7 or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

#GirlsCan Campaign Official Poster

World Vision Celebrates 65th Anniversary by Launching the Childhood Rescue Campaign

Leave a comment

World Vision Advocacy and Campaign Specialist Caroline Veronilla, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision Field Operations Manager in Mindanao Beth Delgado and World Vision Operations Director Ajab Macapagat

In celebration of its 65th year milestone, World Vision Philippines shared over six decades’ worth of providing better future for vulnerable children through a virtual media launch held last May 30, 2022. The event featured an impactful campaign launch for “Childhood Rescue” with Bianca Umali as the campaign’s lead celebrity ambassador.

World Vision’s “Childhood Rescue” aims to focus on the most dangerous places where children and their communities have been greatly affected by armed conflicts such as Marawi.

The Marawi siege in 2017 has caused thousands of young Filipinos to live amidst armed conflict, political unrest, and ongoing instability even until today. It has displaced at least 350,000 people, including at least 200,000 children, according to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAMB).

In these places, children are extremely vulnerable to violence, poverty, and abuse. The Childhood Rescue Campaign advances World Vision’s purpose— protecting the lives, welfare, and rights of children, especially those who are living in the most dangerous places.

World Vision representatives and media attendees show their support for the Filipino children and World Vision’s Childhood Rescue Campaign with a symbolic photo op

As part of national initiative Task Force Bangon Marawi, World Vision’s Childhood Rescue campaign responds to these urgent and arising challenges with effective interventions, and crisis recovery programs to address the needs of internally displaced families and children since 2017.

World Vision hopes to increase support and raise more donations for its ongoing child welfare projects, “Bangon Marawi” and “Child Protection”. Both programs aim to cover a total of 10 barangays with 6,559 children as target beneficiaries this 2022.

Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision, said during the official media launch, “Given the challenging situation of dangerous areas in the Philippines that may take a very long time to resolve, there is a constant threat that a Filipino child’s life can change for the worst in an instant. Despite this situation, World Vision is doing its best to ensure that these children don’t miss out on having a joyful childhood and a hope for a peaceful future. We invite everyone to support our Childhood Rescue campaign. Let’s help these vulnerable children living in Philippines’ fragile locations. Together, let’s bring hope, joy and justice to all children.”

Aside from the Childhood Rescue program launch, World Vision also unveiled its new campaign, and future projects in time for its 65th Anniversary celebration. With the mission to bring “Hope, Joy and Justice for All Children”, World Vision aims to reach the most vulnerable children and transform their lives.

Bianca Umali, a World Vision Ambassador, recalls her experience in Marawi and the significance of her support for World Vision’s advocacies

Kapuso star and actress Bianca Umali shared her experiences as a World Vision ambassador and expressed her support for the Childhood Rescue campaign through a video message shown during the media launch.

“World Vision has given me the opportunity to become an ‘ate’ to these vulnerable children. Every small effort in helping them goes a long way,” Bianca shared as she recalls her trip to Marawi with World Vision. “Every child deserves to have a childhood. Let us all come together for these children because I believe that they are the future.”

With a total of 47,302 individuals including 16,875 children assisted by the organization’s efforts, World Vision remains committed to serving more affected families and assisting in rebuilding communities to help provide a safe place for children.

For more information and how you can support World Vision’s Childhood Rescue please visit www.worldvision.org.ph

Pru Life UK extends free COVID-19 protection sign-up offer until June 15 for Filipinos through health app, Pulse

Leave a comment

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK is extending its free COVID-19 protection and Personal Accident (PA) coverage sign-up offer until June 15, 2020 through Pulse, an artificial intelligence-powered health and wellness app that offers holistic health management.

Pru Life UK is keen to protect more Filipinos, particularly health workers, with its free COVID-19 protection and PA coverage — a one-time, 45-day insurance against the unfortunate event that the individual passes away as a result of COVID-19 or an accident. This limited, exclusive offer is available to the first 500,000 persons who register their profiles on the Pulse app until June 15, 2020. The coverage is effective from the date of registration.

Filipinos, aged 18 to 64 and residing in the Philippines, who have registered for this offer on the Pulse app will be entitled to a death benefit or lump sum amount of Php 100,000 for the bereaved family if the insured passes away due to accident, or as a result of COVID-19, subject to terms and conditions. No purchase of any insurance product is required. Health workers are entitled to twice the COVID-19 death benefit or up to Php 200,000 at no cost. A Php 10,000 burial benefit will be added if the death is due to illnesses or natural causes, and not due to an accident.

The free COVID-19 insurance is primarily aimed at supporting health workers who are at the frontlines in their efforts to help curb the spread of the disease. These include, but are not limited to, health professionals, associates, community health service workers, as well as health management and support staff.

To register for the offer, eligible Filipinos must download the free Pulse app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. New Pulse app registrants are required to create an account, complete their user profiles, and register for the free COVID-19 offer on the app. Existing Pulse registrants would have received an in-app notification directing them to complete their profiles and register for the free COVID-19 protection. A confirmation email is sent to the covered person upon successful registration. The covered person will also be able to name and update their beneficiaries through the Pulse app within the 45-day coverage period. A 45-day extension for policyowners whose plans have lapsed will be available soon.

Those who have been diagnosed with, have symptoms of, have been under quarantine for COVID-19, or have been living with a COVID-19 patient at the time of registration are not eligible for this offer. Other excluded conditions are listed in the terms and conditions of the product.

More protection initiatives for Filipinos

The complimentary COVID-19 protection and PA coverage is one of the several initiatives of Pru Life UK to help protect Filipinos at the height of this public health emergency.

Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, the parent company of Pru Life UK, has recently launched SAFE STEPS COVID-19, which provides easy-to-understand educational messages to encourage simple preventative measures that help minimize the chances of transmission. The initiative also aims to drive awareness on obtaining accurate information and staying informed of updates to help protect people’s health against the virus. SAFE STEPS COVID-19 consists of practical and downloadable infocards in English and Filipino, available also on the Pulse app. A public service announcement in video format is accessible at https://safesteps.com/main/covid-19/.

Pru Life UK previously announced the extension of the grace period for premium payments with due dates from February 16 until June 30, 2020 to ensure uninterrupted protection for its customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The grace period now covers 60 days from the standard 31 days for all policyowners nationwide.

For more information about the terms and conditions of the aforementioned products and advisories, visit https://www.prulifeuk.com.ph/.

About Pulse
Pulse is a digital health app and the first of its kind in the region to offer holistic health management to consumers. Using AI-powered self-help tools and real-time information, the app serves as a 24/7 health and wellness partner to users, helping them prevent, postpone, and protect against the onset of diseases. Pulse is part of Prudential’s region-wide strategy to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to everyone across Asia by leveraging digital technologies and best-in-class partnerships.

Following the regional launch of Pulse in Malaysia in August 2019, Pulse was introduced in the Philippines in February 2020. The app will be available in a total of 11 markets across the region, supported by a growing suite of regional and local service providers such as Babylon (symptom checker and healthcheck).

Pulse can be downloaded for free from Apple and Google Play stores.

Pulse is owned and operated by Prudential Services Asia Sdn Bhd, an affiliate of Pru Life UK. Existing health services on the Pulse app are provided by third-party partners, and not Prudential.

For more information: https://wedopulse.com/ph/

About Prudence Foundation
Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to secure the future of communities by enhancing education, health and safety. The Foundation runs regional programs as well as local programs in partnership with NGOs, governments and the private sector in order to maximize the impact of its efforts. Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure and more resilient. The Foundation is a Hong Kong registered charitable entity.
For more information please visit: www.prudencefoundation.com.

About Pru Life UK
Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is the pioneer of insuravest, or investment-linked life insurance products, in the Philippines and is one of the first life insurance companies approved to distribute US dollar-denominated investment-linked life insurance policies in the country. Since its establishment, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 190 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force of more than 32,000 licensed agents.
The company is also one of the country’s top three life insurers based on the Insurance Commission’s 2019 Q3 rankings in terms of new business annual premium equivalent and total premium income. Pru Life UK is headquartered in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States, Prudential Assurance Company (a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies). Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans.

For more information: www.prulifeuk.com.ph

Pru Life UK helps Filipinos understand their health better through Healthcheck and Digital Twin on Pulse

Leave a comment

Filipinos are paying more attention to healthy living as they realize the importance of health and wellness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To empower people in the Philippines to have a better understanding of their body and health conditions, Pru Life UK has launched Pulse, an AI-powered mobile app that provides users with access to real-time health information wherever they are, round the clock.

“Pulse is part of our ‘We DO Health’ commitment to inspire a healthier lifestyle among Filipinos. Through innovative features within the app such as Healthcheck and Digital Twin, we hope to promote holistic health management and encourage users to make more informed lifestyle choices in order to achieve their health goals. This is also in line with our ambition to make healthcare affordable and accessible to everyone,” says Pru Life UK SVP and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

One of the key features on Pulse is Healthcheck, an AI-driven health assessment powered by UK-based healthcare technology and services company Babylon. Designed by doctors, scientists and epidemiologists, the tool gives users insights into their long-term disease risks, and the changes they can make to reduce their risk and improve their long-term health. Through a detailed assessment on the user’s medical history, family history, lifestyle, nutrition and mental health, Healthcheck creates a projection of the user’s risk of contracting a range of diseases in the next five years, based on peer-reviewed epidemiological data. With access to this information, users can explore specific diseases and understand their risks and the factors affecting them, by comparing their level of risk to people of the same age and gender.

Getting practical insights to make positive lifestyle changes through your Digital Twin

Through an engaging conversational chatbot interface, users are asked about their medical history and lifestyle factors to assess their current health status and predict their future disease risks. After completing the Healthcheck assessment, Pulse users can immediately access a comprehensive visual overview of their health status through the Digital Twin, a realistic graphic representation of the body broken down by organ where users can explore specific diseases and understand their risks and the factors affecting them. Based on the information provided by the user, a health score is also generated to give an indication of how healthy the users are compared to national guidelines and people of the same age and location.

The Digital Twin feature also helps to identify the risk factors and health status, such as “good,” “caution,” or “alert”, of each organ, which informs users of the conditions that they might contract in the future. It also gives practical suggestions, including dietary and exercising habits, on improving the conditions of a specific organ.

Advocating proactive healthcare management with Pulse

It is increasingly important to maintain one’s physical health and mental wellness, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the correlation between mental wellness and overall health, the Digital Twin feature also provides users with useful information about their anxiety, mood, self-esteem, and stress levels. Coupled with practical guidance on how to manage them better, this tool can empower users to be more mindful of their overall health status.

Using AI-powered tools and real-time information, Pulse serves as a 24/7 partner to help Filipinos prevent, postpone and protect against the onset of diseases. Pulse also provides users with access to educational information, such as preventive tips against COVID-19 in the Pulse Beats articles and SAFE STEPS Safety Card infographics. In addition, to help safeguard the people’s health and provide peace of mind, Pru Life UK is offering free COVID-19 protection and Personal Accident insurance for new and existing users through Pulse.

“COVID-19 has made us more vulnerable than ever. This is the time for all of us to develop a habit to proactively manage our physical and mental health. Pulse is a timely tool that helps Filipinos lead healthier lives, so they can further protect their families and communities in these challenging times,” adds Tumbaga.

To note: Healthcheck is intended for use by adults over the age of 18. Healthcheck is not suitable for pregnant women and users with long-term medical conditions or disabilities who may have different needs and risks than shown.

About Pulse

Pulse is a digital health app and the first-of-its-kind in the region to offer holistic health management to consumers. Using AI-powered self-help tools and real-time information, the app serves as a 24/7 health and wellness partner to users, helping them prevent, postpone, and protect against the onset of diseases. Pulse is part of Prudential’s region-wide strategy to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to everyone across Asia by leveraging digital technologies and best-in-class partnerships.

Following the regional launch of Pulse in Malaysia in August 2019, Pulse was introduced in the Philippines in February 2020. The app is being rolled out in 11 markets across the region, supported by a growing suite of regional and local service providers such as Babylon (symptom checker and healthcheck).

Pulse can be downloaded for free from Apple and Google Play stores.

Pulse is owned and operated by Prudential Services Asia Sdn Bhd, an affiliate of Pru Life UK. Existing health services on the Pulse app are provided by third-party partners, and not Prudential.

For more information: https://wedopulse.com/ph/

About Pru Life UK
Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is the pioneer of insuravest, or investment-linked life insurance products, in the Philippines and is one of the first life insurance companies approved to distribute US dollar-denominated investment-linked life insurance policies in the country. Since its establishment, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 190 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force of more than 32,000 licensed agents.
The company is also one of the country’s top three life insurers based on the Insurance Commission’s 2019 Q3 rankings in terms of new business annual premium equivalent and total premium income. Pru Life UK is headquartered in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States, Prudential Assurance Company (a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies). Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans.

For more information: www.prulifeuk.com.ph

JobStreet empowers displaced workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Leave a comment

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses in many aspects, including their workforce. Unemployment is expected to increase as local companies lay off their employees, not to mention the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and job-hunting fresh graduates. 
To provide valuable support and opportunities among jobseekers and hirers amid the challenging situation, online job portal leader JobStreet.com launched its #TogetherAhead initiative with its commitment to be at the forefront in rebuilding businesses and careers.
Through the #TogetherAhead initiative, JobStreet’s COVID-19 Jobs and Resources Hub provides job opportunities fit for the condition nowadays such as home-based or freelance. The microsite presents information on financial assistance available from the government to guide employees and companies in their applications. It also publishes critical information resources from JobStreet’s extensive network to motivate jobseekers for their next career path and to guide employers in adapting their business through the challenging times.
#TogetherAhead also houses the current job report, available roles, assistance for candidates to get jobs more conveniently, and special aid for hirers.
“The pandemic has greatly impacted businesses and the workforce on a global scale. More than ever, JobStreet strengthens its commitment to rebuild businesses, careers, and people’s lives,” shared Ramesh Rajandran, Chief Marketing Officer of SEEK Asia, JobStreet’s parent company.
Livelihood for Filipino displaced workers
Over two million Filipino workers were reportedly displaced by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with Metro Manila as the region with the highest displacement figure. The quarantine measures also caused companies to halt their recruitment processes.
“Some companies have paused accepting applications, but many of them remain actively recruiting, so we’d like to encourage jobseekers that there’s a way for them to signal hirers that they are up for urgent hiring,” shared JobStreet Philippines Country Head Philip Gioca.   
Candidates can explore other opportunities by industries that are still hiring during this time such as Call Center / IT-Enabled Services / BPO (41%), Government Jobs (15%), Education (9%), Banking / Financial Services (4%), Computer / IT (Software) (4%) among others based on JobStreet Internal Data.
Meanwhile, the following job roles remain widely available on JobStreet: Call Center Agent (10%), Teacher (7%), Nurse (5%), Engineer (4%) and many more.
Fresh graduates who would like to work and earn this time can grab opportunities as Call Center Agent (Php 22,000), Teacher (Php 22,316), Customer Representative (Php 20,500), Admin Assistant (Php 13,319), Nurse (Php 20,745), among others.
Work from home opportunities that are fit for today’s condition are also available via #SanaOL jobs by JobStreet, listing 15,000+ online teaching jobs, 14,000+ job vacancies that require no experience from job seekers, 1,600+ opportunities with work from home setup, and 180+ job opportunities for undergraduates. Under #TogetherAhead initiative, #SanaOL is Jobstreet Philippines’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, supported by YesPinoy Foundation led by actor and youth empowerment advocate Dingdong Dantes. The partnership was able to roll out #SanaOL program by facilitating online career coaching to Filipinos in need of livelihood.
Connecting candidates and hirers
The current situation has shifted the demands of jobseekers. Candidates are now looking for work from home opportunities, home-based, jobs with no work experience, part-time, or freelance.  
Also under the #TogetherAhead initiative, JobStreet introduced #WorkNow, its latest feature on the platform to support jobseekers further and get them closer with opportunities. #WorkNow allows ready-to-work candidates to stand out and connect them conveniently to potential employers. Likewise, this lets companies identify which candidates are available for urgent employment. To use this function, jobseekers only need to log in their JobStreet profile, edit ‘Additional Info’, go to ‘Other Information’ and type in #WorkNow then click ‘Save’.
Free-of-charge job posting on JobStreet is also offered to small-to-medium enterprises that offer opportunities for college and K-12 graduates, work from home, and no experience jobs, which gives businesses the opportunity to rebuild themselves and reestablish their workforce.
“The COVID-19 has introduced a new normal to us and it will continue to exist for quite some time, and JobStreet is continuously stimulating the job market as part of our commitment to empower jobseekers and hirers during this trying time,” said Gioca.  
To learn more about #TogetherAhead and other JobStreet initiatives, visit https://bit.ly/JobStreetTogetherAhead.

Exquisite Works and Objects of Art to be Auctioned Online at Leon Exchange XV

Leave a comment

Leòn XV is the online auction of León Gallery. This is the 15th edition under the Leonexchange platform and will be held on May 30 and 31, 2020 (Saturday and Sunday) starting at 11AM. All bidding will be purely online at www.leonexchange.com.

Highlights of the auction include several beautiful furniture pieces and objects of art. For French designer Philippe Starck, brilliant design should improve people’s lives in a way that it should not compromise an object’s usefulness. He gained an international reputation for this populist vision for design and his masterful addition of elements of humor and surprise in his interior and product designs. An innovative visionary, he aims to push the limits of contemporary design by making it certain that inventiveness must not overshadow the essential qualities of a product. Through the years, he has made more than 10,000 designs in which one can see his preference for not just the inclusion of subtle, playful details, but also for fluid, organic forms. He also opts for sustainable, eco-friendly designs.

A part of the Golden Age of modern Danish design, Hans J. Wegner is one of the most prolific and innovative Danish furniture designers. Also called the “Master of the Chair,” Wegner produced almost five hundred chairs in his lifetime. He is behind the iconic Wishbone Chair that is still being produced since 1950. He began his apprenticeship when he was just fourteen with another renowned Danish cabinetmaker H.F. Stahlberg. He then moved to Copenhagen to study in the School of Arts and Crafts from 1936 to 1938. A modern cabinet from his design studio is included in the upcoming auction.

This elegant and timeless Ah Tay boasts all the attributes of a truly unique and enduring classic. The name Ah Tay is one that holds almost universal acclaim amongst antiquarians, social historians, and ardent antique hobbyists. While the name can be confidently attributed to a workshop in Binondo, Manila that churned out quality and masterful works between 1860 to 1920, certain information, especially those surrounding Ah Tay’s full name and background were lost to the vagaries of history. The elder Ah Tay’s son, Eduardo Ah Tay, attempted to continue his father’s legacy throughout the American colonial period, but failed to adopt the inherent spontaneity of his father’s oeuvres. Ah Tay furniture is known for their impeccable craftsmanship and meticulous design, elevating them to symbols of status and regalia for the rich, powerful and popular. Collectors queue up with a checkbook in hand, ready to cough-up a considerable amount in order to gain the privilege of viewing the exquisite piece at their own pleasure. This particular piece has all the hallmarks of a genuine Ah Tay aparador, from its seamless Chinese-style joinery, to its faultless proportions, and its extremely fine yet palpable details. This aparador also boasts an early art nouveau style, a school of art that heavily draws from our natural surroundings.

Another highlight is the mesa altar or the Christian altar table, an important Roman Catholic image and was also one of the earliest pieces of Spanish-Filipino furniture. In Bulacan, a furniture-making tradition flourished from around 1800 until after World War II. The furniture designs were European neoclassical, the woods used were golden narra and kamagong, and the decorations were carabao bone, kamagong or mother-of-pearl inlays. Bulacan, produced this type of neoclassical, bone-and kamagong–inlaid mesa altar with a bow front, three drawers, and four square. The general look is reminiscent of an English / American Sheraton-type sideboard and that was why local antique dealers and agents termed such pieces as “Sheraton.”

Some of the most sought after works of art by these prolific artists will go under the hammer. Betsy Westendorp, known for works that have atmospheric, dream-like sceneries with a tone of tranquility and seascapes with elements such as flora and fauna; Jigger Cruz, whose shocking use of color and defacement create powerful abstractions; Juvenal Sanso, the Filipino-Spanish master acclaimed for his highly evocative impressionistic landscapes; Nemesio Miranda, Considered the creator and forerunner of the Imaginative Figurism school of art and a pioneer to the philosophy of expression rather a strict and regimented technique; and Augusto Albor’s use of space, the sparseness of presences, and an apparent attitude towards art as objecthood for a visually purifying and minimalist experience

These visual masterpieces complete the array of collectibles on the block alongside alluring jewelry, crystal and silver pieces, chinoiserie, fine China, coffee table books, and rare photographs for a truly complete and exciting sale.

“One can indulge his or her taste for the beautiful items at various price points at the upcoming online auction and all that from one’s armchair or boudoir. The online auction gives clients the convenience of bidding through their mobiles, tablets or laptops, without having to trek all the way to where physical auctions happen,” Leòn Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon. This convenience makes online auctions at lower starting bids—but no less fabulous pieces—trending.

It’s as simple as going to www.leonexchange.com to view the lots and register as a buyer. Visit www.leon-gallery.com or contact info@leon-gallery.com or call 8856-2781 for more information.

Teleperformance’s COTW volunteers practice Bayanihan in face of COVID-19

Leave a comment

Employee-volunteers of Teleperformance Philippines from across the company’s 21 business sites were together in their mission to extend bayanihan to communities needing help. Through Citizen of the World (COTW) Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Teleperformance, volunteers pooled their efforts and were able to distribute over P1 million worth of assistance to various beneficiaries.

TP employees’ bayanihan donations enabled the Foundation to purchase PPEs and other supplies amounting to over P500,000 donated to three major health institutions, namely, Philippine General Hospital (Luzon), Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (Visayas), and Southern Philippines Medical Center (Mindanao).

Meanwhile, each family residing in the Teleperformance-Gawad Kalinga Village in Tanay, Rizal received one month’s worth of assorted grocery items. The grocery fundraising was supported by the entire Philippines leadership team with both their volunteer time and funds raised by leadership.

All in all, over P500,000 worth of grocery items were given to help alleviate the situation for the one hundred families in the village that was also built by COTW volunteers for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

COTW volunteers also responded to the call of its program partner-beneficiary Kythe Foundation, which cares for cancer-stricken kids and their families. Kythe hoped to alleviate some of the anxieties of their beneficiaries during this tough situation and COTW sponsored meals for 100 pediatric patients in different Kythe-affiliated hospitals.

Meanwhile, as a member of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Teleperformance Philippines supported the association’s industry-wide donation drive to support Caritas Manila’s “Protect the Poor from COVID-19” program, which aims to assist poor families by providing them health and personal hygiene essentials, as well as food packs. TP sponsored 50 families with its donation.

“Nobody has had an easy time during this unprecedented crisis. But as Teleperformance Citizen of the World volunteers, we know that wherever we are, we can still do something to help someone in need,” Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Vice President of Human Capital Resource Management said.

The continuous outpouring of donations from volunteers is expected to reach another P1 million in the following weeks, and these will also be distributed immediately to communities in need.

“I can see that the concept of bayanihan is deeply rooted in the Teleperformance culture, so it is really easy for our volunteers to step up and help others. I am very proud to be part of this caring and generous team,” he said.

To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines and their various programs, you may visit their website at www.teleperformance.ph/en-us or their Facebook page at /teleperformance.philippines.

ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE

Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: ROCH.PA – Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management, serves as a strategic partner to the world’s largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting and analytics, digital integrated business service solutions, and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are reliable, flexible and intelligent. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale.

The Group’s 300,000 employees, spread across 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €5,355 million (US$6 billion, based on €1 = $1.12).

Teleperformance began operations in the Philippines in 1996 and has grown to become a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option. The company employs over 47,000 people in the country and operates over 30,000 workstations in 21 business sites located across Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

From 2012 to 2018, Teleperformance received the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Contact Center Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year Award for its significant performance in revenue management, market share, capabilities, and overall contribution to the contact center industry. In addition, Teleperformance Philippines was awarded in 2017 as Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Community Project of the Year by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Top Employer of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards, and the Outstanding Volunteer by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

This 2020, Teleperformance Philippines was again certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the only organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute for three years in a row. This year, Teleperformance celebrates its 24th year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s ICT-BPO sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.

For further information, please visit the Teleperformance website at teleperformance.ph.