From L to R: General Affairs & Administration Head Arvin Barcena, Business Center Manager Ivy Hizon, Technology & Information Head Delfin Lopez, Co-Coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Jaeson Evangelista, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Jed Estanislao, and Customer Experience Manager Jocelyn de Vera

Eastern Communications has officially launched the Eastern Experience Center at Telecom Plaza, marking a significant step in its commitment to delivering immersive, customer-centric experiences. Anchored in its 148-year legacy of providing reliable connectivity, the company continues to evolve its approach to customer engagement by creating spaces that bring its brand and solutions closer to the people it serves.

The Eastern Experience Center is designed as a dynamic and technology-driven environment. It aims to deepen customer understanding of the company’s capabilities while showcasing its enduring brand story. The space also reflects Eastern’s customer-first philosophy, blending innovation with intentional design to communicate its promise of strong, dependable connections through multi-sensory storytelling.

“The Eastern Experience Center is a reflection of how we want to engage with our customers—more meaningfully and more memorably. By creating an environment that encourages exploration and understanding, we empower businesses to better appreciate how our solutions can support their growth and transformation,” said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Eastern Communications.

The center reinforces Eastern’s “High Tech, High Touch” philosophy by showcasing the company’s advanced digital capabilities while underscoring the value of personalized service and genuine human connection. Customers are encouraged to engage at their own pace, fostering more authentic and productive conversations that go beyond traditional sales interactions.

The launch of the Eastern Experience Center further strengthens the company’s track record in customer experience excellence. It comes after the telco provider was recognized at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, where it received the Customer Experience of the Year distinction, and at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Achievement in Customer Satisfaction. These accolades underscore Eastern’s continued focus on elevating service standards while adapting to the evolving needs of enterprises and SMEs.

Eastern Communications remains committed to driving innovation while maintaining a strong customer focus. The Eastern Experience Center stands as a tangible expression of this commitment of bridging technology and human connection to deliver meaningful, lasting impressions.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming initiatives, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

JCI Manila has partnered with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) and Hyve Sports PH to launch the JCI Manila ColorFest Carnival Run for Mental Health, a community run that will help fund the construction of the PMHA Wellness Center, a dedicated space for counseling, mental health support, and wellness programs.

Set on May 31, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, the ColorFest Carnival Run aims to bring together thousands of participants in a vibrant celebration of movement, community, and advocacy while highlighting the connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing. Participants may register at jcimanilacolorrun.com.

Proceeds from the run will support the construction of the PMHA Wellness Center, which will transform an unfinished area within the PMHA compound into a dedicated space for mental health care. The facility will include counseling and group therapy spaces, light-filled therapy rooms, a healing garden and meditation area, and a calm environment for mental wellness programs. The center is envisioned as a safe haven for individuals seeking support, healing, and guidance.

For JCI Manila President Edison Ke, the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to service and community development.

“JCI Manila carries out around 400 community projects every year, supported by more than 600 members committed to service,” Ke said. “Physical health and mental health are closely connected. Through initiatives like this, we want to remind people that while we often focus on physical fitness, mental health is equally important.”

Anton Laborte, Project Chairman of the JCI Manila ColorFest Carnival Run, said the event goes beyond a traditional fun run.

“ColorFest Carnival is a movement that brings people together to remind everyone that mental health matters and that no one should face struggles alone. We invite everyone to run with us — run with purpose and run for mental health,” Laborte said.

The Philippine Mental Health Association, the event’s main beneficiary, welcomed the initiative as an important platform to expand awareness and support services.

“This is a powerful opportunity to reach more people and raise awareness about both physical and mental health, which are both essential to overall wellbeing,” said Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco, National Executive Director of PMHA.

Meanwhile, PMHA President Arch. Mariano Arce Jr. emphasized the importance of creating spaces that support healing.

“Mental wellness requires spaces where people can relax, reflect, meditate, and reconnect with nature,” Arce said, referring to the upcoming PMHA Wellness Center.

The JCI Manila ColorFest Carnival Run for Mental Health will feature a vibrant course filled with bursts of color, music, and carnival-inspired elements designed for both seasoned runners and first-time participants.

As preparations continue for the May 31 run, organizers are inviting Filipinos from all walks of life to take part — because every step taken brings the community closer to building a space where healing, support, and hope can flourish. The initiative is supported by various partners helping amplify awareness and encourage broader community participation, including Punto Consultancy as PR-CSR partner.

Participants are encouraged to run with purpose — for themselves, for their community, and for mental health.

For more information, you may visit https://jcimanila.org/.

The Philippines’ premier event for gift sourcing returns with its largest showcase yet.

The Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show, the Philippines’ longest-running exhibition for corporate gifts, premiums, and office solutions, is set to return for its 39th edition on July 1–3, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, featuring its largest and most extensive showcase yet.

This year’s edition is set to be significantly larger, featuring over 65% more exhibit space to accommodate a wider range of suppliers, products, and sourcing opportunities for attendees. The expansion highlights the event’s ongoing success in generating tangible business outcomes for exhibitors while providing buyers with a more efficient procurement experience.

For nearly four decades, the show has established itself as a trusted platform connecting gifts & premiums suppliers with corporate decision-makers, attracting thousands of professionals from marketing, procurement, HR, and business development each year.

“Many of our exhibitors have been with us for over 20 years.” shared World Expos & Concepts President, Raquel Romero, the show’s organizer.

“Nothing makes us prouder than hearing exhibitors share how this event has supported their growth. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to generate consistent leads, orders, and long-term client relationships,” she added.

Corporate gifting remains a critical tool in modern business strategy. Beyond simple giveaways, companies now use branded merchandise to strengthen client relationships, reward employees, and reinforce brand identity throughout the year. As businesses move toward more meaningful engagement, demand continues to grow for functional, creative, and high-quality corporate gifts that leave lasting impressions.

The Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show brings this entire ecosystem together under one roof, making it easy for visitors to compare products, evaluate quality firsthand, and connect directly with reliable suppliers. From customizable merchandise and eco-friendly giveaways to premium executive gifts and office solutions, the event offers a comprehensive range of options for every corporate need.

Attendees can look forward to an engaging and convenient sourcing experience, whether they are preparing for corporate events, marketing initiatives, employee engagement activities, or client appreciation programs.

Admission to the Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show 2026 is free. Pre-event registration is now available at www.corporategiveawaysbuyershow.com

Concepcion empowers the Aling Tinderas in local communitiesto lead the change against plastic pollution in partnership with PCX

Concepcion Industrial Corporation, the country’s leading provider of home and enterprise solutions, continues to advance responsible corporate citizenship by demonstrating that sustainability should create impact beyond business operations. Through its subsidiaries—Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Company, Concepcion-Durables, Inc., Concepcion Midea Inc. Philippines, and Cortex Technologies Corporation—the group successfully diverted a total of 885,000 kilograms of plastic waste over the past year.

This annual achievement underscores CIC’s proactive approach to environmental  stewardship. In partnership with PCX, CIC has moved past standard environmental  compliance. This collaboration ensures that for every kilogram of plastic the company  produces, an equivalent or greater amount is recovered, processed into reusable materials or  energy, and reintegrated into the country’s circular economy. With this milestone, CIC proudly  stands among a select group of companies that consistently achieve and exceed the plastic  offsetting mandates set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Concepcion Industrial Corporation Sustainability Champions. at the 2025 PCX PULSE Sustainability Conferenc

While the environmental metrics are significant, the true measure of CIC’s initiative lies in its  grassroots social impact. Central to this mission is the Aling Tindera network, an initiative that  transforms everyday sari-sari stores into community collection hubs. Over 107,000 kilograms  of the total diverted waste were recovered directly from local neighborhoods through this  program. This initiative does more than clear plastic from the streets and oceans; it builds  economic resilience by empowering women micro-entrepreneurs to lead environmental  awareness in their communities while generating sustainable, supplemental income.

For many of these women, participating in this “waste-to-cash” ecosystem has provided a  tangible pathway to financial stability and growth. Aling Belen, a program partner, highlighted  how the initiative secures her family’s future: “Dinadala ko po siya sa pangangailangan ng  aking mga anak sa eskwela (I use this for my children’s school needs).”

Similarly, Aling Lorme reflected on the opportunities the program unlocked for her family’s  business: “One week lang, puno na ang site namin dahil maraming nagbebenta sa amin ng  mga plastic bottles, sachet at PET bottles. Nakapagpundar na kami ngayon ng tindahan ng  school supplies. Kung wala itong Aling Tindera, hindi namin ma-eexpand ang aming  tindahan (In just one week, our site is full because so many people sell us plastic bottles and  sachets. We’ve since been able to establish a school supplies store. Without Aling Tindera,  we wouldn’t have been able to expand our business).”

These initiatives illustrate Concepcion Industrial Corporation’s wider sustainability agenda in action. By combining large-scale investments in recycling systems with community empowerment efforts, recovered plastic waste is transformed into reusable materials that support a circular economy and help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfills and oceans.

Through these integrated programs, CIC shows that responsible manufacturing goes beyond reducing environmental impact—it is about generating shared value. Each kilogram of plastic diverted reflects not only a healthier environment but also improved livelihood opportunities for Filipino families.