Jollibee Family Values Awards

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The Filipino family can. Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and her son NateAlcasid honored the inspiring Filipino families of the 9th Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA)with their heartfelt rendition of the star’s hit song “I Can”. Since its launch in 2011, the JFVAhas been giving awards to outstanding families whose advocacy programs are guided byvalues such as generosity, compassion, love for community, and the environment, amongothers. This year, 10 families were recognized for exemplifying these values andchampioning the welfare of Filipinos in their communities.

Career Fair by JobStreet.com helps career hopefuls find the job they love

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Getting a job aligned with your own life goals is never easy, especially for millennials and Gen Zers who are devoted to their passions and are on their way to becoming the biggest part of the workforce. JobStreet Philippines, the number one online job portal in the country, recently conducted a survey of more than 18,000 Filipinos across 25 industries to see just what this future workforce is looking for in a career.

“Our survey showed that Gen Y and Gen Z respondents found corporate social responsibility more relevant compared to other generations,” shared JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca. “Millennials and Gen Zers are looking for companies that make a positive impact on society and the environment. They are also more experiential, looking for travel and growth opportunities whenever possible, and believe that proper compensation is essential in any workplace. Work-life balance and a more flexible schedule is also something they place great importance in,” said Gioca.

With this in mind, JobStreet carefully curated companies that fit these needs and hosted Career Fair to help young talents and jobseekers find the career most suited for them.
Over 90 companies participated in the Career Fair, covering a variety of industries like IT and tech (Amazon), real estate (Alveo Land and Megaworld Corp.), hospitality (Resorts World Manila), fashion, retail, ecommerce and more. And for attendees who dreamed of working overseas, JobStreet also partnered with WorkAbroad.ph to bring agencies with job openings all around the world – from nurses in the United Kingdom to sous-chefs in Saudi Arabia – all registered and licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. There were also companies that offered on-the-spot hiring for people who were in a rush to find the job of their dreams.

The Career Fair was also a one-stop source for career hopefuls and all their job hunting requirements. JobStreet partnered with government agencies to help process documents like NBI clearances, TIN and SSS numbers and apply for Pag-IBIG memberships and loans at the Career Fair. JobStreet volunteers were also on-site to assist in printing ID photos for free, even helping participants spruce up their resumes to give the best first impression.

“Even though JobStreet is an online job portal, we still recognize the importance of offline events like job fairs to young talents who are looking for more hiring opportunities, and we hope that Career Fair was the first step in helping them find the job they love,” said Gioca.

For more information on JobStreet Philippines, visit their website at JobStreet.com.ph or Facebook page at facebook.com/JobStreetPhilippines.

Shopping and Learning in One: First-ever So Shop! Bazaar Brings Over A Hundred of Online Sellers Together

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LBC’s So Shop! became a venue for social sellers to showcase their products. Customers were treated to a day of shopping and meeting the owners of their favorite online shops.

More and more Filipinos are starting to venture into micro, small and medium enterprises nowadays. With technology, anyone can be an entrepreneur and it has served as one of the personal goals for a lot of us – from fresh grads to millennials to retirees. However, starting your own online business may be a daunting task but with the right support, succeeding in it is not a farfetched dream.
In its effort to empower online business owners, leading logistics company LBC Express Inc. held the first-ever So Shop! social sellers bazaar last October 5 at Function Room 4, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The bazaar brought together over 100 online business owners, thousands of shoppers, industry speakers, and influencers in one venue, making it both a shopping and learning experience in one. It also gave social sellers the opportunity to meet and connect with their customers in person, showcase their products, and transact using LBC’s Cash on Pick-up (COP) and Cash on Delivery (COD) services.

“With more and more Filipinos setting up their businesses online, we at LBC, believe that it’s high time to bring online businesses together, in one venue, and get to interact with their buyers live. So Shop! is our commitment to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country,” said Oliver L. Valentin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Philippine Branch Operations of LBC Express Inc. LBC’s COP and COD services are designed to make online purchasing easier and more convenient for shoppers. With COP, LBC’s over 1,400 branches can serve as pick-up points for buyers to get the products they bought online while COD allows them to get it right at their doorstep.

So! Shop for all your lifestyle must-haves

Featuring diverse products from over a hundred booths, So Shop! became a haven for a weekend to shopping enthusiasts and people with various interests.
For techies and gadget lovers, online gadget stores such as Kimstore, Juan Gadget, Droid Hero, and JBL Store PH provided exclusive deals and discounts. Beauty and makeup fans went gaga over the various shops: from Korean and Japanese beauty brands to sustainable beauty products. Those who love customized lifestyle pieces were also able to see their favorite online shops, making it a perfect venue to shop for personalized gifts including travel sets, accessories, and even kitchen wares. Moms who were on the lookout for early Christmas gifts brought home items that are perfect for the whole family.

So Shop! also treated the shoppers to a host of surprises including Mystery Box gifts from participating social sellers and gadgets raffled off by LBC.

Growing one’s online business

Aside from the shopping experience, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs also learned from a lineup of industry speakers, business owners, and influencers who gave talks on topics relevant to growing their business.

Facebook Philippines Head of Agency Liam Capati showcased the power of Facebook ads and how it can help businesses reach their customers especially at a time when cutting through the clutter in the online space is crucial. Canva Community Team Lead Gladys Lacorte emphasized the importance of having visually appealing social media pages through designs that represent a business’ personality. Creative Boss Founder Rachell Araja-De Luna knows very well why a website is a must-have for an online business, with it being a repository of one’s products online. Through her talk “DIY Your Dream Website,” Araja-De Luna discussed the simple ways a budding entrepreneur can create a website without breaking the bank. The power of online communities cannot be dismissed too — this is what PLDT Vice-President for Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business Carlo Ople highlighted in his talk. Ople shared why businesses should be present on the digital space and how to effectively tap online communities to reach a specific target market.

Not only was So Shop! a learning-filled experience, it was inspiring too with panel discussions and success stories that moved the audience. Celebrity mom, wife, and entrepreneur Neri Miranda talked about her businesses and her role as a homemaker. Miranda, owning multiple businesses including Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo, online bedding and accessories store Very Neri, and an events place in Tagaytay called Neri’s Not So Secret Garden, gave mompreneurs tips on how to juggle it all.

A panel discussion on the social impact of online businesses featured Jamico Jamlang, founder of sustainable businesses The Bamboo Company and Chesca De Mesa, co-founder and managing director of Refuse PH. Joining them was Havas Media Ortega Head of Data and Analytics Phil Tiongson who gave the audience a glimpse of Havas’ global study centering around consumers’ mindful consumption.

Women entrepreneurs also took center stage with Kimstore Founder Kim Lato and Neon Island Founders Alyssa Gibbs and Aira Medina. They shared what it’s like starting and growing a business, as women, and how they overcame the challenges that came with it.
Hosted by 101.1 Yes FM DJ Rico Panyero and Love Radio DJ Raqi Terra, So Shop! was not just a star-studded bazaar but one that has taught online business owners new techniques to move their businesses forward.

Javier Mantecon, Chief Marketing Officer of LBC Express-Global Marketing, reiterated the company’s commitment to move lives, including those of the social sellers. “As the e-commerce community continues to grow, LBC remains your partner. We hope that this is just the beginning of our long partnership. We want to help you take that move, wherever that may be.”

ABOUT LBC

LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 60 years.  Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter).

SM Cares – Walk For Life

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Thousands of Senior Citizens are set to participate in various activities lined up from October 1 to 7, as the nation observes the annual Elderly Filipino Week Celebration. Some of the week-long events will be held at select SM Supermalls, and will be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA), in partnership with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

This annual observance falls under Proclamation No. 470 issued on September 26, 1994, which aims to increase public awareness on the different issues concerning the sector. Elderly Filipino Week 2019 will have the theme: “Healthy and Productive Ageing Starts with Me.”

This year’s celebration will kick-off with the annual “Walk for Life” event, which is expected to gather more than 3,000 senior citizens at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Walk for Life, which promotes the good health and well-being of the elderly, is scheduled on October 1 and will have a parade of seniors around the MOA complex at 6:00AM. The walk will be capped by a program that will feature performances by, and entertainment for the elderly.

On October 2, hundreds of senior citizens will have a chance to relive beautiful memories and enjoy the nostalgic music of the Rockin’ 60s band, at “Seniors Prom”, an event that shows no one is ever too old to dance and have fun in the mall. This will be at the Skydome of SM City North Edsa, and is expected to begin at 4:00PM.

Capping the celebration is the annual, “Talakayan”, a forum that informs the Filipino elderly about legislations concerning the sector. This includes discussing the various benefits that seniors can take advantage of. Talakayan will be led by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

“SM supports the cause of the Filipino elderly, by hosting activities and projects that promote their good health and well-being. Through our CSR Program on Senior Citizens, we wish to let our elderly know that SM will always be their second home, and that there is life after 60 at SM. We also thank DSWD and OSCA for partnering with us for this advocacy,” said Danilo Chavez, Head of SM Cares Program on Senior Citizens.

Apart from mall events, and to further promote their social inclusion, SM offers a Community Service Program for Senior Citizens which invite the elderly to become project participants and do weekend jobs in the mall. This project is in partnership with OSCA.

To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares, or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com.

HP Reinvents Printing for Today’s Smart Workstyles with the World’s First Laser Tank New printers and software innovation set to help small businesses reduce downtime and increase productivity

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HP today revealed a breakthrough in seamless, low-cost efficiency printing with the launch of the HP Neverstop Laser, which includes a groundbreaking toner reload kit that enables businesses to get back to printing in seconds with no stress, no mess. HP also announced new additions to its print portfolio; the HP OfficeJet Pro, HP Laser and HP Smart Tank. Together, the new print innovations deliver modern designs that suit the workstyles of small and medium businesses today.

Revolutionary innovations where modern life and workstyles meet
HP offers a comprehensive line-up of printers designed not only to keep up with today’s demand for further productivity and efficiency, but also to set the pace and make sure businesses are equipped with the right tools to help them grow. Ultimately, through the power of connectivity and worry-less yet low-cost maintenance, these devices help enable SMB workers to find the right balance between work and other aspects of their lives.

• HP Neverstop Laser Printer series is HP’s first toner tank lets users get up to 5,000 pages right out of the box before the first toner reload. It can print high-volumes of up to 3.5x more pages than in-class HP lasers without interruption. Users can quickly and easily restore toner levels in just 15 seconds through its revolutionary toner reload kit designed to quickly restore toner levels without mess. The printer also delivers up to 85% savings on original HP Toner Cartridge Costs. The HP Neverstop Laser lineup includes single-function HP Neverstop Laser 1000a and HP Neverstop Laser 1000w and multi-function HP Neverstop Laser 1200a and HP Neverstop Laser 1200w.

• HP OfficeJet Pro Series, which includes the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020, 9010 and 8020 All-in-one printers, is designed to power up small businesses by simplifying repetitive tasks, enabling remote productivity. Linked with the HP Smart App, the HP OfficeJet Pros enables you to stay on top of your tasks so you can print and scan from anywhere, anytime.The HP OfficeJet Pro also boasts the best in class security with features like data encryption, Secure Boot with self-healing, and Secure Cloud Printing.

• HP Laser Series is built on the HP quality and reliability at an ultra-low cost. It produces high-quality laser results, offering single and multi-function features while staying true to its aim of being the top affordable choice for businesses. The series includes a wide lineup of single and multi-function mono and color printers. These are HP Laser 107a Single Function Mono, HP Laser 107w Single Function Mono (Wireless), HP Color Laser 150a Single Function Color, HP Color Laser 150nw Single Function Color (Wireless), HP Laser 135a All-in-One Mono, HP Laser 135w All-in-One Mono (Wireless), HP Laser 137fnw All-in-One Mono (LAN, Wireless and Fax), HP Color Laser 178nw All-in-One (LAN & Wireless) and HP Color Laser 179fnw All-in-One Color (LAN, Wireless and Fax).

• HP Smart Tank series is made for easy mobile printing through the HP Smart app with its dual-band Wi-Fi which allows SMB workers to work anytime, anywhere. This high-capacity ink tank printer with an ADF plus fax delivers uncompromising quality and up to 8,000 color or up to 6,000 black pages. The series includes the wireless HP Smart Tank 615 AiO and the HP Smart Tank 519, 515 and 500 AiO.

The new print innovations from HP all work with HP Smart App, from easy setup to effortless printing from your mobile device, tablet, laptop or smartphone. The HP Smart App also offers access to HP Smart Task, which allows you to save time by digitizing and organizing all your business documents with just one command. For small home offices and start-ups like boutique designers, home bakers and online sellers., HP Smart Task makes easy work of printing receipts or presentations with just three simple clicks. HP Smart App can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android.

Pricing and Availability
• HP Neverstop Printer Series will be available in late October with the following local SRP:
Multi-function printer:
o HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200w (with WIFI) – P15,290.00
o HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200a (without WIFI) – P14,790.00
Single-function printer:
o HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1000w (with WIFI) – P13,790.00
o HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1000a (without WIFI) – P13,290.00
• Latest HP OfficeJet Pro Series is now available with the following local SRP:
o HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 – P17,790.00
o HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 – P11,590.00
o HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 – P8,990.00
• Latest HP Laser Series is now available with the following local SRP:
o HP Laser 107a Single Function Mono – P5,490.00
o HP Laser 107w Single Function Mono (Wireless) – P6,490.00
o HP Color Laser 150a Single Function Color – P12,490.00
o HP Color Laser 150nw Single Function Color (Wireless) – P13,490.00
o HP Laser 135a All-in-One Mono – P6,990.00
o HP Laser 135w All-in-One Mono (Wireless) – P7,990.00
o HP Laser 137fnw All-in-One Mono (LAN, Wireless and Fax) – P9,290.00
o HP Color Laser 178nw All-in-One (LAN & Wireless) – P15,590.00
o HP Color Laser 179fnw All-in-One Color (LAN, Wireless and Fax) – P15,790.00
• HP Smart Tank Series is now available with the following local SRP:
o HP Smart Tank 500 AiO – P7,950.00
o HP Smart Tank 515 AiO – P9,295.00
o HP Smart Tank 519 AiO – P9,295.00
o HP Smart Tank 615 AiO – P11,990.00

HP has shipped over 1 billion printers worldwide. It is the only brand in the Philippines that offers PCs as well as continuous ink supply system (CISS) and continuous toner supply system (CTSS) printers that serve modern workstyles and lifestyles. Visit the nearest HP Authorized Reseller to check out and avail of the latest HP print innovations or log on to HP.com for more information.

About HP

HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com/.

“Don’t Pay Cash, PayMaya” the latest payment introduce in the Philippine Market.

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Filipinos now have more reasons to go cashless as PayMaya launches its “Don’t Pay Cash, PayMaya!” brand campaign promoting a more convenient and rewarding payment experience for all Filipinos nationwide.

PayMaya ramps up its efforts to increase cashless transactions in the country with the launch of its “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” Campaign, along with a fresh new look, exciting app upgrades and more rewarding promos. In this photo are executives from PayMaya Philippines (from left to right): Raymund Villanueva, Head of Growth and Brand Marketing; Mitch Padua, Chief Product Officer; Kenneth Palacios, Head of Wallets Business; Paolo Azzola, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director; Orlando B. Vea, Founder and CEO; Shailesh Baidwan, President; Miguel Fernandez, Group Chief Finance Officer; Mar Lazaro, Head of Enterprise Business; and Heidi Garayblas, Head of Brand and Marketing Services.

Through the upbeat consumer campaign, the digital financial services leader unveils an enhanced PayMaya mobile app, exciting new features, and more compelling merchant partner promos, as well as the best cashback promos and discounts for an overall more rewarding experience for all users.
PayMaya’s new brand campaign features a catchy jingle with lyrics promoting the best perks of going cashless, set against the tune of the song “Ligaya” popularized by the iconic OPM band Eraserheads. Through the campaign, PayMaya encourages all Filipinos to get more joy and value out of daily transactions by opting to use PayMaya instead of cash for all their payments needs.

CUTENESS OVERLOAD: Attendees of the “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” Launch were entertained by PayMaya’s official mascots, Maya, who danced to PayMaya’s newly launched jingle to the tune of the iconic Eraserheads anthem “Ligaya.”

“PayMaya is undoubtedly the best way to pay in the Philippines today. Our formula is simple – make digital payments accessible, more convenient, more secure, more rewarding, and more fun. With a newer and smoother app experience, the biggest discounts and cashback promos, and an ever-growing network of merchant and add money partners, it’s now better to ‘PayMaya’ instead of paying with cash,” said Paolo Azzola, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of PayMaya.

Better than cash rewards

PayMaya is taking the lead in unlocking the multiple rewards and benefits of going cashless. With the pre-holiday and e-Commerce sales just around the corner, using a PayMaya account for everyday transactions is the best way to get the best discounts and cashback for all your purchases.

Cashless convenience, just a click away: Attendees of the event experienced firsthand the cashless convenience featured in the “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” campaign launch with seamless payments via PayMaya QR available at the Eattogether Food Hall in Capitol Commons.

Just for September alone, PayMaya users can get as much as P5,000 in cashback from the various promos rolled out by the brand. All one has to do is use the PayMaya app for prepaid load and gaming pins, bills payments, sending money, PayMaya QR transactions with partner merchants, and online shopping.

Even getting a PayMaya account gets more rewarding as PayMaya is giving as much as P200 just by registering with a referral code and upgrading their account.
“We’re just getting started and this will get more exciting as we gear up towards the holiday shopping season. Our goal is to make every Filipinos embrace digital payments by multiplying the benefits of going cashless,” said Azzola.

Better than cash experience

To usher in a next-level experience, PayMaya has updated the mobile app to make it easier and safer to use.

The most popular services such as Sending Money, Buying Load, or Sharing Treats are now easily accessible with just one tap at the home screen of the app. Under the PayMaya Shop, one can also find more variants for digital goods such as telco load, gaming PINs, and treats vouchers – with the best discounts through promos.

Funding one’s PayMaya account is also easier–users can add money from your bank account through InstaPay or by linking their credit* or debit card.

PayMaya places high importance in security. All PayMaya users are encouraged to upgrade their accounts not only for higher transaction limits but also for safer transactions. To facilitate this, PayMaya has introduced a simpler and faster Upgrade process featuring selfie and AI technology. PayMaya also recently unveiled a sexier and safer black card design with the card number and other sensitive information at the back, instead of being displayed at the front.

Better than cash: Influencer Ashley Chan shows off her PayMaya card which sports a new, sleek design, as well as an added layer of security for instagram-savvy Pinoys. With her PayMaya in hand, she can easily hop on the cashless lifestyle and unlock awesome rewards!

The new app design, initially available to Android users and also soon for iOS devices, prominently features the latest promos and perks that account holders can take advantage of, so that they can easily discover ways to make the most of their money with PayMaya.

“Expect more features and services to roll out in the coming months. Our goal is to make the payments experience of every Filipino hassle-free and more secure,” explained Azzola.

Don’t pay cash. PayMaya!

With all these brand-new features and exciting new promos for users, PayMaya’s “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” campaign targets to accelerate digital payments adoption in the Philippines. This is in support of the National Financial Inclusion goals of the country and the aim to increase digital transactions in the country to 20% by 2020 under the National Retail Payment System (NRPS).

PayMaya is the only financial technology company in the Philippines offering integrated consumer and merchant payment solutions with the widest on-ground branch network. It is the first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device. It is the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations, the leading technology company in the country backed by PLDT, KKR, Tencent, World

Bank’s IFC and the IFC Emerging Asia Fund.

Its “universal payments platform” enables the country’s top eCommerce sites, major retail and quick-service restaurants and government institutions, as well as MSMEs to accept multiple kinds of cashless payments.

To know more about how you can maximize your PayMaya account, visit paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Strengthening efficiency and security: Eastern Communications launches upgraded cloud services and cyber defense

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(From left) Eastern Communications Product and Innovation Head Edsel Paglinawan, Co-Coordinatior Atty. Aileen Regio, DOSarrest Platform Specialist Scott Girbav, CloudSigma CEO Robert Jenkins, Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator Ramon Aesquivel during the launch of upgraded Eastern Cloud and Cyber Defense.

Fostering business efficiencies and security, Eastern Communications, one of the premier telecommunications companies in the country, introduces its newly upgraded and most advanced products and services in partnership with global allies DOSarrest and Cloud Sigma.

According to the Global Connectivity Index (GCI), Philippines’ digital connectivity has improved from Starter to Adopter status and ranked 57 out of 79 countries in 2018. This is reportedly due to expanded smartphone and computer use, higher speed 4G coverage, and national planning with “cloud first policy” in government’s aim of reducing expenses through cloud technology.

Connectivity plays a vital role in businesses today as it allows companies to adapt and have efficient operations. With the transformation emerging in the business environment, security threats arise, and flexibility becomes a challenge.

Cost-effective business operations

Cloud service is starting to get recognized in the business landscape. It is a cost-effective method of storing and sharing company data and applications securely over the Internet instead of computer hard drive.

Eastern Communications joined forces with international cloud service provider Cloud Sigma to launch its public cloud solutions providing the full spectrum of infrastructure and IT Services. Established in 2009 in Switzerland, CloudSigma has been providing a pure-cloud infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) that enables the digital industrial economy through its enterprise-class hybrid cloud servers and cloud hosting solutions in Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.

Big companies can get the best of cloud service such us Public Cloud, one of the most customizable services available in the market, a type of computing in which a service provider makes resources available to the public via the internet and accessible by anyone who wants to pay for subscription or use it for free.

Protecting enterprises from cyber threats

Cyber threat landscape is constantly changing. Local companies and even institutions have been victims of several data breaches and cyberattacks, affecting their business security and operations.

Eastern Communications partners with Canada-based cybersecurity solutions provider DOSarrest in the aim of equipping Filipino companies with the right technology against cyber threats. DOSarrest was founded in 2007 and has been mitigating Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks for a global customer base with its leading-edge cloud-based DDoS protection.

With this partnership, companies of all sizes can now secure their business from basic to the most sophisticated DDoS attacks. Eastern Communications has various cybersecurity solutions such as Web Application Firewall (WAF) that blocks any Layer 7 threat like cross-site forgery, cross-site scripting, among others; while Content Delivery Network (CDN) generates faster loading of a website, which saves companies money yet enhances website performance at the same time.

“It’s always been Eastern Communications’ High-Tech promise to provide the best and right solutions especially to businesses that aim for utmost productivity and efficiency without compromising security. And through our partnership with reputable global firms in the industry like DOSarrest and CloudSigma, we’re looking forward to helping companies here in the country to elevate their business connectivity and harness the long-term benefits our services can offer,” shared Product and Innovation Head Edsel Paglinawan.

Eastern Communications’ upgraded Eastern Cloud Service and Cyber Defense are now available in the market. For more information, visit www.eastern.com.ph.

WHO Philippines promotes UHC through Walk the Talk Manila

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World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines organized the first “Walk the Talk Manila: The Health for All Challenge” in Alabang as part of the global Health for All Challenge. The event brought together 2,000 people from all walks of life to highlight universal health care, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Participants ran, walked, wheeled, and biked in 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and 10-kilometer distances. The non-competitive event was open to all ages and abilities and was free-of-charge.

Since 2018, WHO has led Walk the Talk events with participation from partners around the world. In May this year, WHO headquarters hosted the Walk the Talk in Geneva in parallel to the World Health Assembly, while the New York leg will be happening on 22 September 2019 on the eve of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the High-level Meeting (HLM) on UHC.

“Walk the Talk Manila is the first of its kind in the Philippines,” said acting WHO Representative in the Philippines Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe. “By coming together today, a week before the High-level Meeting on UHC, and the adoption of R.A. 11223 in the Philippines on UHC, WHO together with the Government of the Philippines is sending a strong message from Manila to New York that we are one with the global advocacy towards health for all.”

The Philippines will be sending delegates to the UNGA and the HLM, led by the Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III.

The Philippine Government, through the Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and local government units, has been leading the way since the enactment of the landmark Universal Health Care (UHC) Act or Republic Act No. 11223 on 20 February 2019. The landmark measure showed the political commitment of the Philippines to provide access to quality health care for all Filipinos, without suffering financial hardship. The law automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program and prescribes complementary reforms in the health system. Among the significant reforms proposed under this law, are lowering of out-of-pocket health expenses and improvement of health services and facilities.

WHO supported the DOH, PhilHealth and the Philippine Congress during the legislative process of the UHC Act. WHO is also supporting the DOH and PhilHealth as they finalize the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law as well as the operations of the UHC integration sites.

For more information, contact:
Faizza Tanggol, Communications Officer, WHO Philippines
tanggolf@who.int, 0998 573 1357

WWF-Philippines reinforces battle against unnecessary plastic with “No Plastics in Nature” initiative

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In line with the 1st anniversary of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ #AyokoNgPlastik movement, the leading environmental organization launches the ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative, a larger approach that seeks to stop the flow of plastic waste in nature by 2030.

The problem with plastics has been escalating for decades, where the Philippines has been identified as the world’s third largest contributor of plastics in the ocean. Plastic pollution has always been a huge issue in the Philippines with the continuous generation of plastic wastes and poor waste management.

In 2016, global plastic production has reached 396 million metric tons, which translates to 53 kilograms of plastic per person on the planet. A third of this number has already become land or marine pollution and with a projected increase of 40% by 2030, an additional 104 million metric tons will leak into nature in a business as usual scenario. This poses harmful effects not only to our environment, but to human health as well. It is estimated that on average, people could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week.

Recognizing the threat brought about by plastic pollution, WWF-Philippines rolled out the #AyokoNgPlastik movement last year in hopes of addressing the issue by creating awareness among Filipinos to reduce dependence on single-use plastics such as straws, bags, bottles, and cups, among others.

This year, WWF-Philippines reinforces their campaign against unnecessary plastics by adopting the ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative, a global WWF approach that intends to stop the flow of plastics entering nature by 2030 through elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling, and recovery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly.

“With the ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative, we are hoping to make the Philippines free of unnecessary plastic wastes, but we cannot do this alone, we need the help of everyone. Every individual, company, and institution should be mindful of the amount of plastics they produce and use daily, and take action accordingly, to make this goal a reality,” said Joel Palma, WWF-Philippines President and CEO.

The initiative is a holistic approach consisting of four main strategies such as lobbying for a global legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, Plastic Smart Cities movement for cities and tourism destinations, Plastic Action (PACT) for businesses, and #AyokoNgPlastik for the general public.

The WWF network is continually pushing for a new international legally binding agreement to comprehensively address marine plastic pollution throughout the full life cycle from both production to disposal and recovery back into a circular loop. This is the network’s response to the agreement made at the recent 14th Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP 14) in Geneva, which stresses that the developing world could no longer be a plastic dumping ground and that any trade would require the prior consent from the receiving country.

Plastic Smart Cities, on the other hand, is a global movement of cities and tourism destinations that are fighting plastic pollution through improved collection, recycling, reduction of key waste plastics, and landfill management. Currently, the Philippines is working in six cities including Davao City, Digos City, Tagum City, Manila City, Parañaque City, Island Garden City of Samal, and four municipalities including Lupon, San Isidro, Sta. Cruz, and Donsol.

Meanwhile, WWF-Philippines was able to partner with at least 20 businesses for the sustainable journey movement where programs to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics in their supply chain system, workplace, and business operations were implemented. This program resulted in the prevention of over 1.5 million pieces of plastic waste from leaking into nature. Currently, WWF-Philippines is adopting the Plastic Action (PACT), which is a regional initiative on engaging businesses to take on a circular economy.

Finally, WWF-Philippines’ successful #AyokoNgPlastik movement will continue to educate the general public about plastic pollution, its impacts, and how people can help in addressing it through the Facebook community and the recently launched AyokoNgPlastik microsite. Members of the movement have also demonstrated their commitment to this cause by signing the petition to support the call for a new legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution.

“The problem on plastic pollution will only continue to worsen if we don’t do anything about it. We are determined to address this issue to ensure that there will be no more plastic pollution in nature by 2030, and we hope to achieve that through the ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative,” Palma reiterated.

WWF-Philippine’s ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative was launched on the 5th of September at Shakey’s Quezon Avenue. Shakey’s Philippines is one of the newest partners and supporters of the #AyokoNgPlastik movement.

To know more about WWF-Philippines and the ‘No Plastics in Nature’ Initiative, visit www.ayokongplastik.org or follow /WWF.Philippines on Facebook. To engage in conversations on plastics, join facebook.com/groups/ayokongplastik.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Czarina Constantino
Project Manager – No Plastics in Nature Initiative, WWF-Philippines
cconstantino@wwf.org.ph

For media arrangements, please contact:

Mr. Dan Ramirez
Communications and Media Manager, WWF-Philippines
dramirez@wwf.org.ph

About WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF-Philippines has been working as the 26th national organization of the WWF network since 1997. It has been successfully implementing various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia.

Chef Gene Gonzalez Shares Delightful Cooking Secrets and Family Dishes

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Internationally renowned Chef Gene Gonzalez cooks up traditional favorites and sumptuous innovations with a King Sue twist at his flagship ancestral home turned restaurant for King Sue’s Pre-Holiday Media Lunch on 4 September, Wednesday, at Café Ysabel, 175 M Paterno Street, San Juan, Metro Manila.

Chef Gene, who opened Café Ysabel at 23 and is now president of the pioneering Center for Asian Culinary Studies, pays tribute to King Sue products which have been a staple fare on the dining table as well as in his kitchen. “King Sue has been there at home ever since,” shares the author of “Cocina Sulipeña” and many other cookbooks.

He’d wake up to King Sue bacon for breakfasts as a student, enjoy Chinese ham during holiday festivities with the family, and rely on Chinese sausage for his Asian cooking and for his culinary school. “I also like their dried pork feet, which goes into my Spanish cooking and to my superior stock that gives my Chinese dishes authenticity,” he reveals.

“Rather than glaze a ham, you can braise it in a mix of vegetables and wine and the broken down vegetable puree acts as the sauce,” he confides. King Sue products are not only popularly available and dependable, they are also very versatile. “The dried pork feet are truly excellent for beans, fabada, and stews along with Spanish chorizos for Filipino-Spanish combinations.”

“The King Sue burgers can be redone with herbs to create meatball, while the luncheon meat has hundreds of applications as fillings for Vietnamese and German cooking,” enthused Chef Gene. But the best part of this, however, is that King Sue having withstood the test of time and changing markets, is also very reasonably priced for such top quality.

Hobby cooks and consultant could readily resort to King Sue when their or their client’s budgets get a bit tight so as to avoid sacrificing taste and flavor. Thus, the only Ten Outstanding Young Men Awardee for Culinary Arts, advised homemakers, chefs, and restaurateurs:

“Before you think deli items, take a second look at your King Sue products because they have great applications for reasonably priced ingredients with good quality.”

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Indeed, King Sue is synonymous to quality. As a fifth generation business started in 1930 by Mr Cu Un Kay who began by selling whole leg Chinese hams in Chinatown. “The name comes from King, meaning ‘royalty,’ and Sue, meaning ‘small,’ shares Mr Richie King, VP for Marketing, “because my grandfather who is small in physical stature, has big dreams for his family.”

Thus, after 89 years, King Sue, which was incorporated in 1970, has diversified from whole leg hams to sausages and cold cuts to other meat products. “Today, the company boasts of a variety of quality meat products, ranging from traditional hams to smoked bacons and sausages, as well as traditional favorites tocino, longganisa, and sisig,” adds Mr King.

King Sue, however, continues to step up its game by reaching further into the high-end and more health conscious market. In 2019 it launches its Kaiser Deli Brand, which offers ultra-premium sausages, bacons, and hams for the most discriminating clients. All King Sue products are both GMP and HACCCP certified.

Maintaining quality and supplying the market demand are easy for the King Sue because everything’s made in house using state-of-the-art German equipment. “But, even with these high-tech machinery, preparation for the Christmas season starts in August for the whole bone Chinese hams,” confessed Mr King. “It takes a month to properly cure whole bone, which still needs to be smoked then cooked. It takes patience to perfect them.”

Major supermarkets—SM, Robinson’s, and Puregold—as well as hotels and restaurants from La Trinidad, Metro Manila, through Bicol carry King Sue products, which are distributed nationally through distribution partners.

“King Sue moves forward in 2019 with another milestone on top of its high-end line,” opens Ms Romana Go, VP for Human Resources, “by slowly converting to merit-based management. Although the company remains a family business, we’ve started hiring outside employees for key management positions—Of course, the recipes from our grandfather and the tradition of making hams remains a family secret.”

* * *

Chef Gene Gonzalez, who is the consultant responsible for the success of some 60 food establishments/businesses and a member of the London-based International Wine and Food Society, has personally witnessed the versatility of King Sue for all occasions and cooking needs.

Thus, Chef Gene’s world-class expertise and impeccable taste shares with us one of the secrets of his delicious traditional dishes at home, innovative meals at Café Ysabel, and creative recipes for the Center for Asian Culinary Studies: King Sue’s Chinese ham, bacon, and dried pork feet along with a delightful array of new meat products!

Every kitchen will surely take on a new level with by having King Sue as its old reliable partner for its meat needs. Without a doubt, King Sue products are as good for the holiday table as they are for exciting everyday meals, special dinner spreads, and catering needs not just this Christmas but through the years to come!