WATSONS IS RETAIL ASIA’S HEALTH AND BEAUTY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Watsons Philippines was recently named Retail Asia’s Health and Beauty Retailer of the Year– Philippines at the recently concluded virtual 16th Retail Asia Awards 2021. The one-stop source for retail intelligence for Asia, Retail Asia gathers and recognizes the region’s most outstanding retail initiatives in its annual prestigious and exciting awards event.

During the same ceremony, it won the Marketing Initiative of the Year award for its “Stay Strong and Beautiful” campaign. Featuring 300 influencers using the hash tag #staystrongstaybeautiful and to date, the campaign has already reached over 31 million unique users from Facebook, Instagram and Google.  Watson’s e-catalogue, which offers various promos, has also reached 18.7 million users.

The year 2020 was a challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed mobility restrictions. Customers had a shift in their mindset and started to prioritize their family’s health and safety at all times.

Watsons, through their campaign, responded to this shift by highlighting the importance of both health and beauty in navigating difficult challenges. They also provided alternative shopping experiences to ease the worries of their customers through watsons.com.ph and call the delivery service which covers around 100 store hubs servicing nearby areas.

Since the start of the pandemic, Watsons started to highlight the importance of health and wellness by promoting products like vitamins, supplements, hygiene and personal care products both in store and in their shared content online to spread messages of self-care, DIY personal care and protection.

Watsons also opened a total of 67 physical stores and launched new Watsons Generics products like rubbing alcohol, effervescent, generic vitamins, and supplements to continuously meet the demands of their customers especially during these challenging times. (PR)

Watsons staff happily complies with health safety protocols to keep a safe shopping experience for their customers.

Interactive tech, webinars boost Globe employee well-being despite distance

Stress and the anxieties of the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges may be managed by adequate guidance both in the home and at work. Globe acknowledges that alongside staying physically healthy is the need for proper mental health which is why it has deployed several digital tools to support its employees.

At the start of the pandemic, Globe deployed a chatbot called Digital Usher for Disasters and Emergencies (DUDE) in 2020. DUDE serves as an official COVID-19 health monitor wherein employees may report symptoms and receive immediate assistance from the dedicated COVID-19 response team. It likewise makes daily health checks and provides the latest information on COVID-19 through links to official health news resources for employees.

Through DUDE, employees also have direct access to mental health professionals for counseling. This is made possible through Hopechat, a secure chat service that links users to licensed mental health professionals so they can consult about their fears, anxieties, and concerns with ease and confidence. The text-based nature of the service also allows for a more approachable introduction to counseling, versus face-to-face or video sessions. Almost 700 employees have availed of Hopechat’s service as of April this year, since its launch in July 2020.

The creation of DUDE spurred a “bot revolution” within Globe, giving rise to other innovative chat bots. One such notable bot is Wanda, our recognition bot. Wanda enabled employees to send special e-cards to one another, enabling them to nurture Globe’s culture of recognition even while working apart.

Bridging employees and experts

In terms of guided learning and interactive wellness sessions, a series of webinars was developed for employees to learn more about mental health issues and how to address them effectively. These webinars were conducted by some of the country’s leading mental health experts.

“The webinar was clear enough and represents how I actually feel, and about how loneliness affects a person. I like how Doc Gia explained the topic well, the examples on how you can cope up with loneliness, etc,” one of the employees who attended a session said.

There have been seven mental health webinars conducted since 2020, with more scheduled this year. These efforts have allowed Globe employees to become more aware of the impact of mental health on overall wellness. The increase in attendees over time shows that the need for overall wellness is something that one needs to get through the pandemic.
Some other initiatives done in the past year were the Meeting Etiquette tips, which set guidelines for meeting times and frequency, to improve work-life balance and make meetings more manageable. This was followed up by the Thursdays by the Desk, which discourages meetings every Thursday afternoon, to make way for more meaningful, uninterrupted work.

These wellness programs were also augmented by The Good Vibes Club, a virtual variety show that enabled employees to foster an online community after work hours. It covers a wide range of topics including mental health, stress, and even SOGIE, all packaged in a fun and heartwarming way.

“We take care not only of our customers and communities, but above all we take care of the people we employ. Given the various mobile and digital solutions within our reach, we make productive and proactive use of technology to develop tools that could positively impact the people closest to us, our employees,” shared Ato Jiao, Globe Chief Human Resources Officer.

Through these health and wellness initiatives, Globe reinforces its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 for good health and well-being for all. The company also supports the UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SM CDO Downtown Premier first to receive Safety Seal from City Govt

A seal also means the establishment follows proper sanitation and social distancing measures. Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy, Head of LGU Regulatory Board (3^rd from left), and Ms. Oxanna Custodio of the Trade & Investment Promotions Council (1^st from right) awarded the seal certificate to Regional Operations Manager Joey Tumolva (1^st from left) and Mall Manager Evangeline Ditona. 

Safety Seal is an inter-agency certification program institutionalized by the Trade and Industry, Health, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Tourism, and Transportation departments to assure safety in establishments.

Cebu Landmasters unveils the new Abaca Resort Mactan, opening in 2024

Leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) strengthens its hotel portfolio in the region as it reveals its very first resort development – the P2.5 billion Abaca Resort Mactan. The expanded luxury boutique hotel is set to be completed in 2024.

The 125-room all-suite accommodation featuring exclusively panoramic ocean views is envisioned to fill the gap for luxury resorts catering to global travelers in Cebu’s thriving tourism scene in preparation for international mobility. It will rise 17-stories high on a 4,500 sqm. property formerly occupied by the multi-awarded Abaca Boutique Resort in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, a tourism growth center.

CLI purchased the property in 2019 and has signed up The Abaca Group to continue operating the hotel and providing luxury experiences tailored for local and global tourists. To design the resort and infuse it with a unique sense of place sought by an emerging breed of high-end travelers, CLI tapped internationally renowned architectural firm Büro Ole Scheeren whose projects won numerous awards globally. Some of their notable work are CTBUH Urban Habitat Award 2020 Winner DUO in Singapore, the World Building of the Year 2015 The Interlace in Singapore, and MahaNakhon Tower in Bangkok, a mixed-use high-rise development that upends the conventional typology of the skyscraper. The resort’s design is also locally supported by the Philippines’ leading architectural firm AIDEA.

Abaca Resort Mactan is CLI’s first resort development and will feature a timeless Sky Villas concept to serve as the platform for memorable getaways. Each room will offer the luxury of space and will range from 40-50 sqm for the Oceanfront Suites, and up to 105 sqm for the Sky Villas which will have its own one-of-a-kind floating infinity pools that will be offered in both 1 and 2 bedrooms.

Aside from its awe-inspiring architecture, the resort will feature a luxurious infinity pool, an elevated cascading plunge pool, 360-degree roofdeck bar, a private beach and panoramic ocean views. These will be enhanced by a gym and spa, kids center and function rooms for events.

Abaca Resort Mactan will also be distinguished by culinary offerings that have won for The Abaca Group a loyal following in highly cosmopolitan Cebu. The resort will have three outlets, offering new food and beverage concepts for the resort  –  a live-fire Asian concept on the main level, a new normal, all-day dining format and fantastic banquet facilities that can seat over 200 persons. Abaca restaurant will return and have a new home on the impressive rooftop with panoramic views of both the city and the sea.

“We have always wanted to contribute towards making Cebu a thriving economic and tourism destination,” according to CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III. “Abaca Resort Mactan will put Cebu on the radar of this emerging breed of global travelers seeking world-class, authentic and unique holiday experience.”

The Abaca Group’s Founder, Managing Partner and Executive Chef Jason Hyatt says, “as one of the country’s preeminent developers, we are honored that CLI has chosen to partner with us once again through their hospitality arm. Being added to their portfolio of established global brands like Accor, Radisson and Ascott is so inspiring.”

Following the opening of the new Abaca Resort Mactan in 2024, Cebu Landmasters targets expanding its hotel portfolio to 1,433 rooms by 2025. This is in line with CLI’s strategy to build-up its recurring business contributing 10% to the company’s topline.

“We see tourism in the Visayas and Mindanao driving the economy once global mobility is restored,” according to Soberano. With direct flight connections all over the world, Cebu will be the natural gateway to the Philippines for many travelers seeking to enjoy the country’s world-acclaimed beaches and other attractions. “We will be ready for that boom.”

Globe 4G LTE network expands in Bukidnon, 11 other provinces

More customers in Batangas, Bohol, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and seven other provinces will now have better access to Globe’s 4G LTE network following the completion and modernization of several sites in the last six months.

The company upgraded to 4G LTE from the old 3G network at least 507 sites all over Batangas province. Globe has also migrated 488 locations in Metro Manila and 450 sites in Cebu to 4G LTE, the new standard of mobile data.

“These network improvements will bring better call, SMS and data browsing services to our customers especially in areas that need connectivity the most.  As we have promised since the start of the year, we really intend to make 4G LTE more pervasive not only in Luzon but in more areas also in Visayas and Mindanao,” said Joel Agustin, Globe SVP for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

In Mindanao, 366 sites are now powered by 4G LTE in Davao del Sur while in Davao del Norte 126 sites have been upgraded. In Bukidnon, 79 sites have been migrated to 4G LTE.

In Bohol, 85 locations are now 4G LTE ready. Globe has also upgraded 111 sites in Cagayan; 88 in Rizal; 195 in Cavite; 328 in Laguna, and 358 in Pampanga.

Globe’s relentless efforts to improve the country’s state of connectivity has led to it being the most consistent mobile network for two consecutive quarters in 2021, as verified by Ookla®.

The company remained the leader in nationwide mobile consistency, ahead of competition. The Consistency Score in Q1 2021 was 70.43 and Q2 2021 was 75.98

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 4 on the provision of quality education and UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. The company also champions the UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Globe and Ayala Group of Companies shows appreciation for 500 PGH frontliners

Globe shows appreciation for healthcare workers who remain at the forefront of the country’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic through additional cash, connectivity, and in-kind donations to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

PGH was appointed by the Department of Health (DOH) as an exclusive COVID-19 hospital and remains the largest referral hospital in the country. Since the global health crisis broke out in 2020, Globe has donated P22 million to PGH to equip frontliners with much-needed essentials such as personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle COVID-19 patients.

As a part of the continued support to PGH, the #BrigadangAyala initiative led by Globe celebrates the frontliners in three Metro Manila designated COVID-19 hospitals, including the National Children’s Hospital and Tondo Medical Center.

With this, the company provided 50 MyFi devices to medical frontliners who are staying in PGH dorms or have living arrangements away from their families to lessen risks of exposure.

“We truly appreciate this support for our frontliners who continue to make sacrifices for the benefit of our kababayans. Though the hospital is equipped with WiFi, providing connectivity directly to the frontliners will allow them to stay connected even when off duty,” said Dr. Telesforo Gana, Jr., President, PGH Medical Foundation, Inc.

Generika Drugstore, an AC Health company and the pioneer in retail generic medicines in the Philippines, provided 500 immunity booster packages of Actimed Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Actimed Paracetamol and Actimed throat lozenges for PGH frontliners.

"We at Generika recognize and appreciate the valiant efforts of our frontliners in their continuous service at the forefront of our battle against this pandemic. As we find ways to continue to provide Filipinos access to quality affordable medicines in these challenging times, we are honored to be part of this effort to provide them added care and protection," said Atty. Yet Abarca, President and CEO, Generika Drugstore.

In addition, Globe’s parent firm Ayala Corporation, through Ayala Foundation, is donating P500,000 to the PGH Medical Foundation, Inc., while the telco pursues fundraising efforts through Globe Rewards and GCash. Globe has also given an entertainment package consisting of three smart TVs and Home Prepaid WiFi to the hospital’s Cancer Pediatric wards.

“As the country gradually adapts to the changing landscape of our day-to-day reality, we need to show our frontliners that their service is valued. Through connectivity support, we hope to extend to them our gratitude for the work that they do,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

#BrigadangAyala is yet another manifestation of the strong partnership of PGH and Globe through the years, starting with the rehabilitation of the hospital's Hematology-Oncology clinic back in 2016.

Globe further ramped up its fundraising activities after a fire hit sections of PGH last May 15 that displaced disadvantaged patients.

Globe customers may easily help by donating their Rewards points through the Globe Rewards app. Each Reward point is equivalent to P1. Download the Globe Rewards app and click on the Let’s Help PGH banner. Select the corresponding denomination then press REDEEM NOW. A confirmation message will be sent by 4438 upon successful donation.

Customers may also help via GCash’s Pay Bills option.  Just tap Others and select #FightCOVID19.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly UN SDG No. 3 on good health and well-being and UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

Globe: Philippines' Most Consistent Mobile Network

Globe’s unabated efforts to improve the country’s state of connectivity has led to it being the most consistent mobile network for two consecutive quarters in 2021, as verified by Ookla®.

The telco remained the leader in nationwide mobile consistency, ahead of competition. The Consistency Score in Q1 2021 was 70.43 and Q2 2021 was 75.98*

The company has been persistent in its efforts to empower Filipinos with better customer service and channels that enable them to thrive and rise above challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Maintaining consistency of service is a true benchmark of our ability to deliver better network experiences to millions of Filipinos.   As we build more infrastructure, we expect the level of mobile and internet experience to improve, bringing us closer to a #1stWorldNetwork.  One sure way to experience good connectivity is to change to a 4G LTE or 5G SIM and device or install fiber inside homes for home connectivity.  We strive to meet our customers' needs with continuous investments, upgrades and use of more advanced technology in our network and systems,” said Ernest L. Cu, Globe President and Chief Executive Officer.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 of 17 UN SDGs.

Globe Business backs Supply Chain and Healthcare MSMEs in Visayas, Mindanao

As supply chain and healthcare industries in Visayas and Mindanao pivot their businesses from the effects of the pandemic, Globe Business backs up MSMEs in these regions with digital solutions, providing customers safer, reliable and more convenient ways to move their goods and care for their health.

Driving value and growth in the supply chain sector

Globe Business’ M2M Fleet Management System allows for robust collaboration between businesses, suppliers and distributors, by enabling businesses to conveniently monitor deliveries and cargo status and locations in real time, simply thru a laptop or mobile phone. This easy tracking helps both sellers and buyers feel secure and know their packages are being reliably routed.

“Companies that gain complete control over their fleets will cut down late deliveries, and spoilage, and protect their shipment against theft, tampering and accidents, and subsequently drive more value and growth for their business,” said Michiko Castaneda, Industry Marketing Head for Supply Chain at Globe Business.

Globe Business also works with several partners to offer unique perks and bundles to encourage more MSMEs to go digital. Ninja Van offers businesses 15% discount on its all-you-can-fit pouches at a flat price; online fashion portal Zalora waived fees and reduced commission rates on top of providing dedicated onboarding and account support; and e-commerce platform Lazada, offers dedicated onboarding, free photoshoot and e-store collateral for SMEs.

Optimizing health IT to reinvent patient care

On the healthcare front, Globe Business has launched the Hospital Information System, offered in partnership with health tech expert HyBrain. This system allows hospitals to automate medical, financial, logistical and administrative processes, including billing and hospital admissions, so healthcare professionals can focus on giving the best patient care.

“Helping healthcare institutions digitize their operations with our solutions provide them a host of benefits: it digitally manages patient information and medical history; improves patient satisfaction through shorter admission and discharge time; enhances inventory and accounting accuracy and increases compliance rate with government requirements,” said Manelle Cousart-Suyat, Industry Head for Health care of Globe Business.

Globe Business is at the forefront of driving digital transformation in different industries across the country. As a staunch supporter of MSMEs, especially in the most vulnerable areas, it is committed to provide learning and access to business solutions that empower them to own their success.

To know more about the different business solutions offered by Globe Business, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/

Globe 1st PH company to set science-based goals for climate action

Stepping up its advocacy for climate action, Globe became the first and only Philippine company listed by the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) to commit to Business Ambition for 1.5 and has officially joined as a participant of the Race to Zero. The company has been a supporter of the #RacetoZero global campaign, spearheaded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and COP26 Presidency, and the GSMA, an international mobile industry body, since its launch in 2020.

Globe’s commitment to establish science based targets and net-zero emissions by 2050 are in line with the Paris Agreement and #RacetoZero Campaign. The Paris agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world by 2050.

All members are committed to the same overarching goal of reducing emissions across all scopes swiftly and fairly in line with the Paris Agreement, with transparent action plans and robust near-term targets. Led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action – Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz – Race To Zero mobilizes actors outside of national governments to join the Climate Ambition Alliance, which was launched at the UNSG’s Climate Action Summit 2019 by the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera.

Its sibling campaign – Race to Resilience – was launched at the 2021 Climate Adaptation Summit. It is the UN-backed global campaign to catalyse a step-change in global ambition for climate resilience, putting people and nature first in pursuit of a resilient world where we don’t just survive climate shocks and stresses, but thrive in spite of them.

“We recognize the critical need to take action now to counter climate change. The imminent crisis is already threatening people, businesses, and economies worldwide. Companies like ours have a vital role to play, utilizing innovations, technologies, and expertise to decarbonize our operations and serve as a guidepost for other organizations to follow,” said Ernest L Cu, Globe President and CEO.

Over the next 24 months, Globe will set verifiable science-based targets through SBTi, which will independently assess the company’s direct and indirect emissions reduction targets. SBTi enables private companies to set science-based emission reduction targets. It is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).  Direct emissions include fuel combustion on-site from owned vehicles and generator sets, while indirect emissions cover electricity purchases and use of the organization.

Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, one of SBTi’s partners, said: “The science is clear: to limit the catastrophic impacts of climate change, we must ensure warming does not exceed 1.5°C. The ambition is high, but it’s achievable — and science-based targets give companies a roadmap for getting there. Corporations worldwide have an unprecedented opportunity to be at the very forefront of the transition to a net-zero economy — and there is no time to lose.”

Globe has been making significant inroads towards its sustainability goals in recent years. Since 2019, the company has shifted to buying energy directly from power plants producing renewable energy. Today, its headquarters in Taguig, together with six offices and facilities in Makati, Quezon City, Tarlac, and Cebu, are powered by renewables. More locations are scheduled to start running on alternative sources of energy.

Likewise, the company has deployed over 7,400 Green Network Solutions such as hybrid generators, free cooling systems, and lithium-ion batteries to reduce its carbon footprint while opting for renewable energy solutions like solar panels and fuel cells at its cell sites.

These initiatives complement the company’s continued implementation of the internationally-recognized Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) under the Integrated Management Systems (IMS). IMS also covers process quality and occupational health and safety across the organization.

To ensure best-in-class sustainability practices, Globe, early this year, announced its support of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) which forms the foundation of the company’s climate change strategy moving forward.

“Business as usual is no longer an option. Setting and working towards science-based targets will help protect our consumers and us against future disruptions. The zero-carbon transformation of Globe’s business is already unlocking many economic opportunities, enhancing competitiveness, creating jobs, and sustainable growth. Doing good makes good business sense,” Cu added.

From waste management to electronic SIM cards to cashless transactions, the company’s wide range of sustainability programs make operations more efficient and produce new revenue streams.

This commitment coincides with the Philippine Environment month. In line with this celebration, Globe is encouraging Filipinos to take part in climate action by properly disposing of electronic waste (e-waste). Globe At Home rewards its customers who swap their existing devices in exchange for new, advanced WiFi units with its “Swap and Save” campaign. Customers will receive a 500-peso discount for Globe MyFi LTE-Advanced and Home Prepaid WiFi LTE-Advanced devices when they drop-off their existing prepaid Globe MyFi, WiFi stick or Home Prepaid WiFi at any of the 48 participating Globe Stores on or before August 21 this year.

Globe’s SBTi commitment supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), specifically UN SDG No. 13 calling for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Feature: Taholics: Reimagining an all-time favorite family snack

“Tahooooo!” is what we used to hear as a beautiful single lyric to a song sang with vibrato by a man carrying, on his shoulder, two large tin cans held together by a sturdy bamboo or hard wooden stick.

Back then, every afternoon, as we hear this beautiful tune, something resonates in our stomach, giving us the right amount of tingle in our palate to stop whatever it is that we are doing. Then we get some loose change and head on out our gates to get some taho.

Sometimes, we’d answer back with the same “tahooooo!” tune to let the peddler know that we will buy a serving or more of his taho.    

Taho is a well-loved breakfast or snack in the Philippines made with silken tofu and a whole lot of sweet brown sugar syrup, served warm in a cup or mug.  Spoon, straw, or straight up, taho will keep you going for the rest of the day.

In this time when a lot of people prefer to have the milk tea, four friends decided to reimagine the taho.

The inevitable

Last year, Rod Bolivar, Angelo Andrade, Joey Yecyec, and Eastine Taneo were faced with the fact that they might all be losing their jobs.

Rod, Angelo, and Joey served as reporters for ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao, while Eastine was the head writer.

“When ABS-CBN failed to secure a new franchise last year, we already knew that it would not take long for mass retrenchment to follow,” Angelo said.

Fazed, the four got together for some drinks and planned on starting a small business as they were uncertain they would find new jobs immediately.

Rod, Angelo, Joey and Eastine instinctively think of a milk tea business as they know people, especially teens and teens-at-heart, are into it. However, they also knew it would be an uphill battle against all the milk tea businesses frolicking about in the country, let alone the region.

They finally agreed that taho would be the best choice to sell as everyone is already familiar with it.

"We want to sell a different kind of taho, an upgraded version from those peddled on the street. That is why we came up with an idea to sell flavored taho, not just the usual anibal or caramel syrup," said Joey.

The start-up

As they were concocting a witty name for their reimagined taho business, retrenchment was already lurking about and by the end of August 2020, it happened. ABS-CBN workers were given their separation pay.

Fortunately, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 extended livelihood assistance to retrenched workers from the said station, and Eastine and Angelo were able to avail the assistance.

The two became beneficiaries of DOLE-10’s livelihood starter kits where Angelo received the chilled refreshments starter kit project inclusive of one chiller and various soft drinks amounting to P20,000.

Eastine received the Taho selling starter kit also amounting to P20,000 that included soybeans, the main ingredient of which silken tofu is made from.

“Dako ang natabang sa DOLE na livelihood starter kits (The DOLE livelihood starter kits were really a big help), especially Angelo’s refrigerator,” Eastine said.

Overall, DOLE-10 turned over livelihood starter kits amounting to P139,689 to seven retrenched workers from ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao, February 26.

DOLE Kabuhayan (DK) Starter Kits Project is a livelihood formation strategy intended to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of workers and their families that would enable the beneficiaries to quick-start a livelihood venture and become self-employed.

It aims to engage them in sustainable self-employment through easy and accessible livelihood undertakings.  

Taholics

"The whole idea of our taho business was conceptualized over a few drinks. Taholics was coined from the words: taho and “aholics” or as Webster puts it, one who exhibits an obsessive need for or interest in (something specified)," said Eastine.

It took the “Taholics” eight months to prepare the business, from construction of the store to developing and concocting the taho flavors.

Currently, Taholics has four available flavors, first is the Classic, which is the traditional taho with sago and anibal with their version having a generous amount of caramel syrup. They also have Ube, which uses ube-flavored syrup with a swirl of ube-flavored milk, and so far it is their best-seller.

Taholics also make the Strawberry taho with flavored syrup and strawberry jam, and the Buko-Pandan, which uses buko pandan-flavored syrup accented with real bits of sweetened coconut strips.

Taholics is relatively new in the industry and while promoting the business may come as quite a challenge, the “Taholics” are confident they can sing to the tune.

"Our strong media production background is a big help in promoting our business. We took advantage of social media platforms to introduce our product to the public. Working in a media company harnessed our skills in digital content production, and being media personalities are helpful in gaining immediate trust from our market," said Rod, who also has a pizza place in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Five years from now, Rod, Angelo, Joey, and Eastine aim to have more branches in Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and neighboring provinces like Bukidnon where Rod and Joey are currently based.

Taholics is located at Opol Public Market in the Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental. One may visit their store or browse through their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/taholics. (SAYU/PIA-10)

DFA Consular office now located in SM CDO Downtown Tower

Services at the Consular Office will include securing and renewal of Philippine passports. 

The MOA signing between SM and DFA happened on July 2 in Maax Building, Pasay City with Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls and DFA Usec Brigido Dulay signing the Memorandum of Agreement.

Present also during the MOA signing are SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Bien Matteo, SM Prime's Chairman of the Executive Comittee Hans T. Sy, and OIC Office of Consular Affairs Senen Mangalile. 

The new DFA Consular Office is located at the 5th level of SM Downtown Tower and is open from 10 am until 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Source:  Renato C. Leduna Jr./ SM Group Public Relations Manager

Northern Mindanao Daily Source celebrates 1st Year Anniversary

Cebu Landmasters donates P115 million socialized housing condo to Cebu City

Leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) recently signed an agreement with the Cebu City government to donate a well-planned, in-city housing for informal settlers of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City.

The P115 million project offering 100 condo units on a 1,350 square meter property accessible to employment opportunities was planned in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The project will be completed in a year.

Representing the three organizations at the signing and groundbreaking ceremony on June 18 were CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III, Cebu City vice-mayor Michael Rama, and DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario.

The Medium-Rise Building (MRB) Tenement Housing project will have five storeys and will be the first and tallest socialized housing project to be owned by the government in the Visayas and Mindanao. Located in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, the project is within walking and biking distance to Cebu City’s business districts.

The units will serve as transition housing for informal settlers along rivers, creeks, the sea and other danger zones. Beneficiaries will be selected by the Department of Welfare for the Urban Poor and Local Housing Board in compliance with the city’s Local Shelter Ordinance.

Meanwhile, CLI’s nominated contractor Zumyrphil Construction has planned that during the development stage, green building practices will be engaged to ensure that the project will be friendly to the environment.

The units have been planned to allow adequate ventilation and will have sun baffles on its balconies to provide shade during the hot hours of the day. Planters have also been provided for each of the units to accommodate greeneries. These will compliment a green wall which will be the focal point of the building façade.

Common areas like hallways and stairwells will be powered by renewable energy from solar panels while a sewage treatment plant will ensure liquid waste management.

Each of the units from the second to the fifth floors will have a gross floor area of 25 sqm., larger than the 22 sqm. required for socialized housing units. The MRB Tenement Housing project will form part of CLI’s socialized housing commitments in adherence to the Balanced Housing Development Program.

“CLI’s goal to help fill the VisMin housing gap includes well-planned projects for the marginalized,” said Soberano. “At the same time, this project allows us to assist and give back to the City of Cebu where we have deep roots.”

The project will include open spaces, parking areas, a chapel, and a multi-purpose training hall where livelihood training can take place. It will also be provided with ramps to benefit PWDs and senior citizens.

917Ventures: Creating digital lifelines for Filipinos

917Ventures’ digital innovations have enabled consumers and businesses to thrive and triumph in today's challenging environment. Companies like GCash, KonsultaMD, HealthNow, RUSH, AdSpark, and PureGo have become the new lifelines for Filipinos during this pandemic.

GCash helps its 40 million users securely send money and pay for goods and services online and empowers many small businesses to survive and thrive through cashless solutions. GCash was also one of the channels used by the government to safely distribute financial assistance to Filipinos through its Social Amelioration Program last year and remains to be a key donation platform in collecting and sending assistance across the country.

Following its momentum in 2020, GCash continues to innovate and reinvent the Filipino way of life through easy access to financial services through the following features: GLife -  access to mini-apps to shop, eat and play, and helps businesses save cost from building their own apps; GInvest - participate in high yielding  investments for  as low as P50 ; GInsure -  life and health insurance for as low as P39; GSave - get the best savings rate in the country with no minimum balance required; and GCredit - the first digital credit model and mobile credit line in the Philippines, used as a payment option in Shopee, Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

As health and safety have been the driving force behind the digital shift, 917Ventures offers convenient and reliable healthtech platforms such as KonsultaMD and HealthNow. Consultations made through KonsultaMD skyrocketed by 461 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year. The HealthNow app, on the other hand, has been downloaded more than 240,000 times since its launch in August 2020.

HealthNow offers online prescriptions and delivery of medicines through partner pharmacies so that customers receive medical services from their own homes. The service is currently available in Metro Manila, and will soon include key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

Complementing the door-to-door delivery of medicines is Purego’s platform for quick and easy grocery shopping. The app launched on December 1, 2020, enabling customers easier access to essentials for the home. Armed with thousands of products from reputable and trusted brands, consumers can practically order anything using the app, from pantry essentials to household necessities all sourced directly from Puregold. Multiple payment options including GCash are available, and items are delivered within 24 hours.

For B2B markets, AdSpark and RUSH help accelerate the digital footprint of brands through digital advertising solutions, customer engagement, loyalty and rewards programs, giving added value to businesses and their customers.

AdSpark, through its access to consumer intelligence, enables businesses to grow throughout their digital transformation journey. ThoughtSparkers, AdSpark’s flagship whitepaper powered by AdSpark Intelligence, helps drive communication strategies by studying the Filipino psyche.

RUSH offers digital innovations in the area of customer loyalty and retention, made accessible through easy-to-use programs to help businesses grow in the digital space. The company recently expanded its services to include an eCommerce platform to help digitize merchant stores. It continues to empower digital marketers to own customer relationships through RUSH Loyalty, as well as drive traffic to digital stores by embedding the RUSH eStore in GCash, tapping on millions of customers using GLife.

“We know how tough our battle against this pandemic is, and we are all at risk, especially those who need to be physically present in their jobs. So we continue to reinvent lifestyle and movement through different products and services in the areas of health, e-commerce, financial technology, and advertising technology that deliver indelible value to consumers and businesses,” said Vince Yamat, 917Ventures Managing Director.

917Ventures is a subsidiary of Globe. It has likewise helped startups maximize Globe’s ‘Unfair Advantage’ by leveraging the rich asset base of Globe. Aside from capital and funding firepower, Globe has a customer base of over 80 million, one million distribution points, 150,000 enterprise partners as well as massive networks and affiliates which the startups can tap. Being a venture builder, the company is constantly on the lookout for new ideas to launch and accelerate, to further improve the lives of Filipinos.

917Ventures is also part of Globe’s 5G Hackathon, providing mentorship to participants of the nationwide competition welcoming students and professionals to innovate and pitch their solutions to help various aspects of the Philippine society. The competition will focus on the use of 5G technologies in various sectors of the Philippine economy such as education, health care, livelihood, and disaster risk management. Winners of the 5G Hackathon may join 917Ventures as a venture builder to further jumpstart their idea. The successful venture builder under 917Ventures will receive P 2.5 million in support.

Globe broadband business performance soars to record high in 1Q 2021 Subscriber base breaches 4 million

Globe’s home broadband business posted record revenues of P7.4 billion in the first quarter of the year, up 27 percent from a year earlier -- the highest so far in the telco’s history.

The continuing pandemic boosted demand for internet connections, with total home broadband subscribers now breaching the 4 million mark. That’s 81 percent higher from last year’s figure. This was mainly supported by the sustained fixed wireless broadband users’ expansion, now up by 105 percent from last year.

Also worth noting is the increased penetration in the prepaid market and the ramp up on high-speed postpaid wired acquisitions. As of end-March 2021, Home Prepaid WiFi data traffic rose to 211 petabytes from 58 petabytes last year.

Globe’s net income stood at P7.3 billion for the January to March period, up 11 percent year on year.

“In the first six months of 2020, the economy was largely free from the effects of COVID unlike in 2021. Yet we manage to have an improved year on year performance despite the semi-lockdown during this period. Looking ahead, we believe that Globe is well positioned to provide more digital solutions and innovative offers to make our services more relevant to our valued customers, especially during this time of crisis. Our 5G and fiber rollout as well as the continuous upgrading of our network will remain our utmost priority, as reliable connectivity is indispensable, both to overcome the pandemic and help fuel the recovery of the country’s economy,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

Globe’s aggressive builds and network expansion have made it possible for customers to elevate their call, SMS and data browsing experience.

According to Ookla®’s Q1 2021 data^[1], the telco’s nationwide consistency score is now more than 70 percent.  Metro Manila registered the best score with more than 76 percent while high marks were also noted in Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu City and Davao City.

Consistency Score measures what percentage of a provider's samples equals or exceeds both a download and upload threshold.

Globe likewise registered improved latency with an average of 33ms for the first quarter which is well below the 50ms winning standard set by gamers.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) particularly UN SDG No. 9 that highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic

Globe scouts for new businesses, steady stream of revenues

Globe is looking at building new businesses for additional revenue streams as the telecommunications industry continues to mature and face numerous challenges.

Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu said in a virtual interview with Media Partners Asia Executive Director Vivek Couto during the APOS media conference that it is important for the telco to explore other sources of income especially in light of the current situation.

The Covid-19 crisis has affected both global and local telecom revenues due to lack of international travel, lower handset upgrades caused by closure of retail stores, challenges in corporate as well as small and medium enterprise (SME) markets, and spending pressures particularly among the prepaid segment.

“We are very fortunate that we continue to see revenue growth and are able to sustain growth over the past 10 years. But we also know that it's going to be difficult to keep it up in the future,” said Cu.

Cu added the company has to take the assets it built over the years to create new businesses that will cater to changing customer needs.

Globe succeeded with mobile wallet leader GCash which already exceeded its targets last year as transaction value hit over P1 trillion.

Since the pandemic served as a catalyst for digitalization, GCash grew its client base to over 33 million last year or 65 percent higher compared to the 20 million users in 2019 due to a shift in consumer behavior amid strict mobility and quarantine restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.

“Our recent success story is GCash. Today, it is the largest e-wallet in the Philippines and is another avenue of growth for the company,” Cu said.

GCash is one of the portfolio companies under 917Ventures, Globe’s fully-owned subsidiary and the largest corporate venture builder in the country. The telco prides itself in managing non-telco firms, such as the country’s most active corporate venture capital firm, Kickstart; IT solutions provider Yondu, and shared service company Asticom, to name a few.

Globe remains optimistic about the country’s recovery from the pandemic-induced recession.  As vaccinations increase, consumers will feel safer and more confident which could allow consumption-led growth to resume this year

Globe brings widest 5G network in the Philippines

Globe leads the 5G supremacy race in the Philippines with 1,069 areas across the country now with this latest generation in wireless technology.  At present, Globe has the widest 5G footprint in the country owing to the company's aggressive network builds and site upgrades.

As of January this year, Globe's 5G coverage is present in 848 locations in Metro Manila and Rizal; and in 221 areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

“We want our customers to unlock the many possibilities and potential that 5G technology brings. Getting the 5G service to more customers supports our vision of empowering Filipinos to create the quality of lives they want,” said Ernest Cu, Globe’s President and CEO.

5G is the latest in wireless technology that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and more stable internet connection compared to 4G.

In Visayas, 5G is now accessible in several areas in Negros Occidental, Cebu, Iloilo and in Aklan. The technology is likewise available in some areas in Misamis Oriental and Davao del Sur.  In South Luzon, 5G is already present in selected locations in Laguna and Bulacan.

The company champions the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), specifically UN SDG No. 9 which recognizes the importance of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe has vowed to uphold the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

To learn more about 5G's possibilities in healthcare, entertainment and more, please listen to the Globe podcast on Spotify:  glbe.co/PossibilitiesPodcast. To learn more about 5G please visit:   globe.com.ph/5g

Mindanao's bus firm holds stockholders meeting, elected Ricardo Yanson Jr. as president

File Photo

Globe lets more Pinoys enjoy the promise of 5G

Globe’s relentless modernization of its network has made it possible for its 5G technology to be available to more customers in more areas in the country.

 Recent upgrades made in the last two months of 2020 have made the latest technology available in at least 848 sites in Metro Manila and Rizal and 183 locations in Visayas and Mindanao. Several parts of Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan are also 5G-enabled.  Overall, 5G is now available in 1,045 areas in the country.

“We are rolling out more 5G areas this year to make this new technology more inclusive. We want more Globe customers to experience the difference of 5G technology in terms of better and faster connectivity. This technology has vast potentials and soon we will start rolling out cases that are best experienced with 5G,” said Coco Domingo, Globe VP for Postpaid and International.

5G is the latest wireless internet connectivity that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and more stable internet connections compared to 4G.

 In Visayas, 5G is now available in four provinces: seven locations in Negros Occidental; 64 in Cebu; 12 in Iloilo; and three in Aklan.

Continued ramping of Globe facilities has also made the technology available in 25 sites in Misamis Oriental and 72 places in Davao del Sur in Mindanao.

In Cavite, 5G is present in three areas; five in Laguna and six in Bulacan.

“Along with expansion, the growing availability of 5G-enabled devices, especially those offered on Globe postpaid plans plus the compatibility of the LTE SIM to the 5G network, makes accessing the 5G technology much more seamless,” added Domingo.

Globe has laid out a 3-pronged strategy for its network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE using many different frequencies; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide.

The company likewise champions the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which recognizes the importance of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe has vowed to uphold the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

To learn more about 5G possibilities in healthcare, entertainment and more, please listen to Globe podcast on Spotify:  glbe.co/PossibilitiesPodcast. To learn more about 5G please visit: www.globe.com.ph/5g

Brands can now create unique and personalized experiences on GCash via AdSpark

The Filipino daily life continues to evolve, especially today when both consumers and businesses try to navigate the new normal. The pandemic has also sped up digitalization in the Philippines as many people turned to digital platforms for e-commerce, fund transfers and other forms of cashless transactions. This is evident by the 26M active customers on GCash, the country’s leading finance app.

 To allow businesses to become part of the Filipino’s everyday transactions while at the same time, inform and update customers about their favorite brands, AdSpark leads digital transformation of marketing services by extending ad inventory on GCash. This will give businesses the opportunity to reach potential customers through highly-visible formats in the GCash app.

 Through AdSpark’s media expertise, GCash will be able to assist not only merchants but also non-government organizations and other partners in connecting with its growing audience.

 “We are committed to assisting digital transformation of clients and partners especially at this time when enterprises are exploring more meaningful ways to interact with their consumers. GCash has empowered merchants through seamless transactions, and now we want to help brands create holistic experiences for their consumers”, said Onat Roldan, AdSpark CEO.

 AdSpark offers diversified ad opportunities ranging from targeted media channels in-app, to direct broadcast campaigns and blasts for a more targeted approach.

 The purpose is to bring enterprises to the forefront of digital marketing through innovative adtech solutions, unique telco capabilities and intelligence, and passion for humanizing consumer data, AdSpark is equipped to manage marketing communication requirements from insight to ideation to activation, leading business transformations through future-proof consumer experiences with human behavior at its core.

 “Through strong brand partnerships as a payment channel, and a tool for sustainability and impactful advocacy on the app, GCash has established a way of life, driving the market closer towards financial inclusion.  We believe that by making our platform accessible to brands, we will be able to bring businesses and customers together and help in the recovery of our economy,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

 AdSpark cited Codashop App, a gaming merchant, which was able to increase its monthly game item purchases to 181% by partnering with GCash. Coda communicated several monthly promo and game launches including Mobile Legends, MU Origins and their latest product One Punch Man: The Strongest game. This is to encourage redemption of game credits and in-game items through GCash usage.

 GCash and AdSpark, Inc. are part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.