Vic Vic Bautista

[From L to R:] Eastern Communications’ (EC) Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Jed Estanislao, EC Co-Coordinator Atty. Aileen Regio, EC Co-Coordinator Jaeson Evangelista, Unconnected.org Country General Manager Benjz Sevilla, and Technology and Operations Manager Jessieca Baris.

Eastern will offer free internet access to students, instructors, and the local community in ten isolated locations as part of its mission to promote digital literacy and empower underserved communities. The first eight target areas will be in Dipolog, General Santos, Tuguegarao, Naga, Kalibo, Bais, Davao, and Zamboanga.

“We believe that access to the internet is no longer a privilege, but a basic need, especially for education and access to vital information,” said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer of Eastern Communications. “Through this partnership with unconnected.org, not only can we help bridge the digital divide but also drive digital literacy, especially in far-flung areas.”

Eastern Communications inks partnership with unconnected.org through an official contract signing event.

The project officially commenced with a signing ceremony and joint planning session involving representatives from Eastern Communications and unconnected.org.

Providing internet access to remote areas is key for unconnected citizens to participate in the digital economy – this is especially significant for key educational institutions in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).

With reliable connectivity, students from the remote schools can supplement their classroom education with up-to-date online resources and explore more opportunities on the web.

Representatives from Eastern Communications and unconnected.org. hold an official contract signing event and joint planning session.

Beyond just connectivity, Eastern Communications and unconnected.org are committed to digital empowerment, with digital literacy programs planned for these schools.

“This initiative reflects Eastern’s continued commitment to nation-building. By providing not just connectivity but also the tools to use it responsibly and effectively, we are investing in the future of these communities,” added Estanislao.

You can visit www.eastern.com.ph or follow Eastern Communications on Facebook to find out more about their future collaborations and community projects.

AICI 2025 Board of Directors

The image consulting business is booming. According to The Image Educator on Threads, the global image consulting market, which is presently valued at $4.5 million, is expected to expand at an annual pace of 7.2% and reach $7.32 billion in 2032.

Image consultants’ ability to alter or mold how the public views people and brands is becoming recognized as a game-changer for acceptance in the business, marketing, political, and entertainment sectors.

It has been demonstrated that holistic personal branding, which includes digital presence, self-projection, and communication skills, gives image-coached clients or brands a competitive advantage.

AICI Global Conference 2025

This was the optimistic picture painted at the global conference of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) held at the Makati Shangri-La Manila from April 24-27. The event was attended by about 240 professional image consultants from 38 countries from USA, Canada, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines.

Olen Juarez-Lim, founder and president of the OJL Consulting Group and a recognized image management professional and industry icon in the Philippines welcomed the delegates to the colorful event punctuated by side events that showcased Filipino culture, fashion, food, music, and the festival spirit.

Lim is the 22^nd president of the prestigious group, the first Asian and Filipina to ever be elected to the position.

Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations,” it was the first time the global conference was held in Asia. The last site of the biennial conference was Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2023.

Besides learning new trends and honing their business expertise at the conference, participants delved into the details of their profession which besides fashion and style also includes communication skills, body language, etiquette and social skills, corporate image, digital branding, executive coaching, digital presence, online reputation and technological advancements.

Motivational Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Multi Awarded Entrepreneur & Best Selling Author Paulo Tibig

Local and foreign speakers like global entrepreneur and motivational speaker Paulo Tibig, digital entrepreneur and TV star Amber Renae, relational skills expert Kara Finney and Vogue editor Bea Valdes shared their expertise on the latest trends in business, fashion, online entrepreneurship, the finer points of image consultancy and related professions.

Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations,” the conference sought to weave the future of image consulting with an intensive 40-plus sessions on the intricacies of the profession that is now in demand all over the world.

The growth of image consulting is being driven by an increasing awareness of personal branding and the need to project a strong, positive image to be noticed and preferred across various fields and sectors.

“The conference was a great exchange of knowledge, networking and good vibes across cultures. It let our local image consultants gain international recognition, promote their work and get experience for continued professional development. There were meaningful exchanges about trends, technology, and new practices in the most diverse representation of AICI chapters in our organization’s history ever. Most of all, we are proud and happy to have welcomed everyone to Manila and let everyone experience our rich culture,” said Ms. Lim, an image consultancy pioneer in the country and a globally recognized professional.

When AICI was founded in 1990, it had 38 chapters with members and was present in more than 60 nations worldwide. It is the most prestigious association in the world for image consultants.

Leading energy management and automation digital transformation company Schneider Electric said that its Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program received a 7.95 out of 10 rating in the first quarter of 2025, falling short of the 8.80/10 goal set for the year’s conclusion.

As it approaches the last year of its current SSI program, Schneider Electric, which Corporate Knights has named the world’s most sustainable firm, keeps making great progress toward its sustainability objectives. Along with its full-year financial results, the company just released information about its sustainability performance for the last quarter of 2024. The company’s 2024 SSI score exceeded the end-of-year goal of 7.40, coming in at 7.55 out of 10. Achieving the company’s objectives in all areas of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requires tracking and reporting on the 11 worldwide commitments of its SSI on a quarterly basis.

SSI is the company’s framework for measuring sustainability progress, aligned with its business strategy. Performance is tracked against a 2020 baseline, with some programs using adjusted baselines due to COVID-19. SSI scores progress on a 10-point scale, where the 2025 target equals 10/10, and the base year is 3/10. Scores are calculated per key performance indicator, averaged equally (excluding Local Commitment), and externally audited annually. In 2024, SSI #8 received “reasonable” assurance.

“In 2024, Schneider Electric was recognized by TIME and Statista as the World’s Most Sustainable Company.  Earlier this year, we were honored to receive the same recognition from Corporate Knights as part of its Global  100 ranking – marking our second time topping this list and a first for any corporation. These remarkable  achievements, alongside other key ESG recognitions inspire us to reach even greater heights in 2025,” said Chris Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric. “As we enter the final year of our Sustainability Impact program, we are determined to continue transforming ambition into action. There’s still work ahead, but with the support of our extensive ecosystem, our people, and all our Impact Makers, we will succeed.”

In Q1 2025, Schneider Electric helped customers save and avoid nearly 700 million tonnes of CO₂ through its solutions. Since 2018, its energy-saving technologies have enabled 679 million tonnes in avoided emissions. It also achieved a 42% emissions cut from its top 1,000 suppliers through energy efficiency and renewables under the Zero Carbon Project.

Schneider Electric’s suppliers uphold decent work standards, with compliance rising from 21% in 2023 to 63% in 2024. Exceeding its SSI goal ahead of schedule, Schneider has provided clean electricity to 53.4 million people and trained 824,000+ individuals in energy management, nearing its 1 million target by 2025. Through its Youth Education & Entrepreneurship program, Schneider equips young people with skills for sustainable careers.

In addition to these accomplishments, for the 14th consecutive year, Schneider Electric has been included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index, achieved a place on CDP’s A list, and earned a AAA rating from MSCI ESG. Its latest score from EcoVadis also secured a Platinum medal.

“At Schneider, we believe in strong partnerships with corporations, governments, local partners, and communities to uplift livelihoods, boost incomes, and expand access to education and reliable, clean energy,” added Leong. “I’m especially proud of our people’s relentless pursuit to turn ambition into action, from innovating solutions for environmental impact to giving back to our communities. Together, we’re making progress and sustainability a reality for all.”

See the Q4 and  Q1 2025 reports Schneider Electric, which include comprehensive progress dashboards, for more information about the company’s Sustainability Impact initiative.