Monthly Archives

October 2022

Lifestyle

Your solution to your laundry needs

Sharp has the ideal solution for your laundry needs and offers comfort and simplicity for all lifestyles, making them your all-season laundry essential. Sharp is here to give its customers the best quality of life by enhancing daily households and supplying a life of ease through its dependable products. With many challenges arising due to changing weather conditions, particularly the occurrence of the rainy season, Sharp is here to provide the best quality of life.

With its extensive selection of high-quality and creative solutions, from its Semi-automatic to Top Load products, Sharp continues to hold a significant portion of the washing machine market share in the Philippines. Reader’s Digest named the brand the “Most Trusted Brand” for washing machines for 11 years in a row. The company has continued local production, recently reaching the 10 million milestone and offering only the best goods to every Filipino.

If you are looking for the best fully automatic washing machine products in the market, Sharp is definitely the best choice with its one of a kind innovative and problem solving features.

Works with Low Water Pressure

Sharp solves your problem with its Low Water Pressure Operation feature wherein its valve can operate for as low as 0.01 MPa or 1.45 PSI (water pressure), meaning the machine can still operate even on areas with low water pressure or low electricity flow.

Tough and Durable Rust Free Body

Sharp products are ready for all weather conditions in the Philippines as it is equipped with plastic body and rust proof feature that makes the product perfect for any season. Plus, it has a stainless tub making it the best option for long time use with its durability.

Energy Saving and Gentle on Clothes

Models with Direct Drive Inverter Motor is also more efficient, saves energy, and provides bigger savings. It also has a variable speed wash feature that freely adjusts the flow intensity and speed of water according to the material and Ultra Wash technology for more efficient washing. Models with Direct Drive Inverter includes ES-JX105A9(GY)(10.5kg), ES-FA10AX-GY(10kg), and ES-FA90AX-GY(9kg).

Your best choice for Fully Auto Washing Machine Products

Sharp is proud of its original No Holes Tub (ES-S115HP-SL(11.5kg), ES-S95HP-GY(9.5kg), and ES-U75GP-BL(7.5kg), wherein it is equipped with No Holes Tub Technology providing more hygienic laundry, is gentle on clothes, and lets you save up to 30% more water.

In partnership also with Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the leading consumer goods brand, the model ES-PG750P(7.5kg) was developed. This unit has its very own Ariel Wash Cycle that can deliver superior wash cleaning and stain removal with the use of Ariel detergents. Also, when you buy this model on selected Sharp Koten events, you will get free 2pcs of 1kg. Liquid Ariel detergent (*while supplies lasts).

To surely match your efficient laundry experience, Sharp Laundry Basket will be given away for free when you purchase any Fully Automatic Washing Machine until December 31, 2022. Both rain or shine, Sharp is indeed your best laundry partner providing you only the best and convenient solutions.

Air Purifier with Dehumidifier

Aside from providing instant laundry solutions and convenience, Sharp also provides the best deal to its customers with its Air Purifier with Dehumidifying feature.

Sharp provides a total solution to your laundry problem with its Air Purifier with Dehumidifier (DW-E16FP-W, 24sq.m). After laundry time, one problem with drying clothes especially this rainy season is the increased moisture in the environment causing mold build up and bad odor. This product is equipped with Plasmacluster Ion Technology that is proven to deactivate 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria. It controls the humidity level in the air so you can freely dry your clothes without worrying about the odor or even mold build up due to the wet environment.

By offering only the greatest and highest-quality solutions for your daily needs, Sharp genuinely offers the best answer for any weather-related issues. Sharp will keep up its promise to provide dependable and cost-effective products that bring comfort, convenience, and innovation to every Filipino household.

Leading retailers around the country, including the official Sharp Flagship Store on Lazada and Shopee, carry every type of washing machine and air purifier. Please visit https://ph.sharp/ for additional details.

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Wellness, Lifestyle

The correct foundation for a baby’s healthy start is promoted by Cetaphil Baby

Mom’s greatest accomplishment is raising a healthy child. As a mother, you’re concerned about your child’s growth all the time. You want them to experience new things, but you’re also afraid of what they might bring. Thankfully, mothers have the strong pillars to guide them while they rear their children and cope with motherhood. These pillars, which are interconnected, are essential for a baby’s early growth and ensure that they are all in place when mothers care for them.

The Four Healthy Pillars—Healthy Food, Healthy Play, Healthy Sleep, and Healthy Skin—are promoted by Cetaphil Baby. The skin is a crucial component of a baby’s overall health because it will protect them for the duration of their life. Each pillar is essential to a baby’s health and development.

Cetaphil Baby offers moms the best way to give babies the right foundation for healthy skin by supporting its development as it matures from its earliest stages onward. Moms can find peace and assurance that they can keep their baby’s skin protected now and in the future.

Cetaphil Baby products are clinically proven to respect, maintain & improve the structure of even the most sensitive skin, supporting baby skin’s natural development. It has been tested and approved by experts because of its gentle, hypoallergenic formulation that contains skin-barrier building ingredients like glycerin and panthenol, and other natural ingredients like chamomile, shea butter, almond oil, aloe vera, and calendula to keep baby’s skin soft, smooth and protected.

Cetaphil Baby offers even more gentle products suited for sensitive skin

Cetaphil Baby currently has two ranges: the Classic Line and the newly launched Calendula range. Included in the Classic Line are: the Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo, a tear-free 2-in-1 hair and body formula that gently cleanses your baby’s delicate skin and hair, leaving it soft and clean.

For those looking for moisturizing goodness, the Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash is enriched with ⅓ baby lotion to care for even the most delicate skin protecting it against dryness.

The Cetaphil Baby Shampoo is a gentle caring formula enriched with chamomile to restore natural skin protection for a healthy scalp, while the Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar is ideal for teaching babies about hygiene as moms give them independence and the responsibility of caring for themselves with simple tasks like handwashing.

The Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion is enriched with shea butter that soothes, nourishes, and keeps the baby’s skin hydrated for up to 24 hours.

The new Cetaphil Baby range contains calendula extract that has been used for many centuries due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and includes Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo, 2-in-1 formula that smoothens, softens, and improves skin texture. It is specifically designed to be used from head to toe daily.

The Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula is especially helpful for the skin barrier of sensitive skin, providing 24 hours of skin moisturization.

Finally, for babies experiencing rough skin patches in cheeks, knees, elbow areas, or under those chubby folds, the best suited product is the Cetaphil Baby With Organic Calendula Advanced Protection Cream, which helps reduce the feeling of discomfort and irritation and provides long-lasting irritation for up to 24 hours.

Cetaphil Baby also unveiled a newest item, the Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes, to supplement the existing product lines. This brand-new item is composed entirely of fabric derived from plants and gently cleanses and moisturizes a baby’s sensitive skin. Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes are perfect for use on a baby’s sensitive skin on both the face and body since they are made from 100% plant derived fabric with natural components like aloe vera and Vitamin E, which help keep a baby’s skin from drying out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Even more Filipinos are appreciating the significance of saving money on the first World Savings Day following the pandemic

According to a recent survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Filipinos eager for a fresh start more than two years after the COVID-19 outbreak have actually improved their mindset toward saving money (BSP).

According to a poll by the United Nations Development Programme, 34% of the population lost their source of income during epidemic years. As a result, many people have completely relied on their savings account to survive the last two years, thus this is a positive

The percentage of households with savings increased slightly from 30.2 percent in Q4 2021 to 31.1 percent in the first quarter of 2022, according to the BSP’s Consumer Expectations Survey. The majority of respondents cited the need for emergency funds, health and medical expenses, retirement, education, and business capital and investment as reasons to save their money.

A big help in this increase in mindset and enthusiasm is the availability of more options to save money, aside from traditional banking institutions.

Cebuana Lhuillier makes life easier and dreams come true with Micro Savings

One of the most innovative means to save is through Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings. Launched in 2019 by Cebuana Lhuillier and its banking arm Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, this product has been in the forefront of bringing easy, accessible, reliable banking to majority of Filipinos, with close to seven million micro savings account holders today.

“Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings empowered millions of Filipinos to embark on their very own financial journeys by giving them a reliable, accessible, and efficient way to save their money, which they can easily withdraw during times of need. The quick adaptation of our kababayans to micro savings proved that the healthy mindset towards saving has always been there, as long as they are equipped with the right tools,” says Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings—which allows customers to open an account in any of over 3,000 Cebuna Lhuillier branches nationwidefor as low as only P50—was introduced as a means to address the barriers to saving, including lack of accessibility, high maintaining balance, and the need for numerous documentary requirements to open an account.

With businesses and the rest of the country slowly getting back to normal, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings remained a go-to product for many of our kababayans ready to resume their lives and dreams following two years of uncertainty.

James Tan, 18 years old, a working student from Laguna, who easily managed to save with Micro Savings to buy his won bike.

For James Tan, an 18-year-old working student from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, saving meant enjoying the added mobility, safety, and convenience of having his own bike, a useful tool for his daily commute between work and school.

“Gusto ko kasi magka-bike kasi sapamasahe pa lang, malakinamatitipid ko papuntasa school at satrabaho. So, yungpaunti-untikongpag-iiponsaCebuana, ginamit ko yun para mabiliyungpangarapkong bike. Hindi naako nata-trapik o nale-late satrabahongayon,” he shares.

(“I want to own a bike because I can save so much on fares commuting to school and work. So that’s why I saved with Cebuana enough to buy my own bike. Now I don’t get stuck in traffic and come to work late.”)

As a working student helping to support his family, James decided to continue his savings after buying the bike to also help augment the expenses from home.

Royce Jason Velez, a 36-year old construction worker who saves using Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account to provide a better future for his family

The need to provide a better future for their family is also why Royce Jayson Velez, a 36-year-old construction worker, decided to open a Micro Savings account. Earning an average of P400 per day, Royce and his wife needed to be creative in order to stretch his salary to last until the next payday. His micro savings carried the family during difficult times, and are now being allocated for the schooling of his children.

“Sabi ko sasarili ko, ipagpapatuloy ko ang ipon ko para magamit ng mgaanak ko sapag-aaral at balangaraw, magkaroonsila ng magandangtrabaho,” Velez shares.

(“I said to myself that I would continue saving so that I can send my children to school for them have good jobs in the future.”)

A former kasambahay, CarieLabro, 38-years old, was able to put up her own sari-sari store using Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings

For CarieLabro, a 38-year-old former housekeeper, her micro savings paved the way for her micro entrepreneurship. When her kids started asking for more time to spend with her, Carie decided to take a leap of faith and resign from her post as a housekeeper so she could be more present for her growing kids.

With the PHP10,000 she initially saved in her Micro Savings account, Labroopened a small store which she now maintains as her main source of income. Like Velez, she has vigilantly kept up with her micro savings.She now saves part of her earnings in her account as an emergency fund for her and her kids.

Taking advantage of the renewed interest in saving, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank continues to push for accessibility and convenience for their breakthrough product. The two-time Asian Banking & Finance Award winner for Rural Bank of the Year has adapted an innovative approach by adapting more tech features for micro savings.

“The success of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings encouraged us to further push the envelope in bringing convenience, accessibility, reliability, and efficient banking to our clients. The change in how people access financial services nowadays served as our push towards digitalization,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President Dennis Valdes.

In addition to Cebuana Lhuillier branches, owners of micro savings accounts have access to over 21,000+ BancNet ATMs nationwide, over 350,000 UnionPay and BancNet accredited stores nationwide, and online shopping through UnionPay merchants. They also have 24/7 unlimited access to their accounts via the eCebuana app.

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

Halloween festivities are held by Federal Land in the Bay Area

Are you looking for frightfully fun family activities this weekend?

The Halloween celebrations taking place on October 29 and 30 at Metro Park’s Blue Bay Walk and Met Live in Pasay City are open to both children and those who are still young at heart, according to Federal Land Inc. In order to encourage children to enjoy the Halloween season, various mall shops, like Blue Bay Walk and Met Live, are giving out candies and sweets.

“The Bay Area is about to get spirited! We are super thrilled to organize different activities to give kids the most awesome time this Halloween weekend. Admission is free, so be sure to drop by,” said Federal Land Commercial Development Head Mylene del Rosario.

To register and receive your stamp card to participate in the events, go to The Spine at Blue Bay Walk on Saturday, October 29, and the Atrium of Met Live on Sunday, October 30.

Various brands will be sponsoring exciting treats that you wouldn’t want to miss. Games, arts and crafts, KPop-themed photo booth, and a lot more await participants. The Halloween activities for both malls will start at 3PM until 5PM.

For a chance to take home more treats, everyone is asked to dress in their best costume. In addition, the first few children to visit all the booths will receive a sling bag with a Halloween motif.

Federal Land’s 36-hectare master-planned neighborhood, Metro Park, is located in the Manila Bay Area of Pasay City. Against the background of the sunset over Manila Bay, it provides resort-style residential condominiums, mouthwatering dining establishments, stylish retail hotspots, fun weekend events, and a practical work environment.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

Home Credit’s Qwarta has made shopping on Lazada more convenient, So what are you waiting for? Check out muna yan!

There has been a significant shift in the previous several years in the shopping habits of customers. Filipino shoppers are now conducting the majority of their shopping online, trying on garments virtually, adding items to virtual shopping carts, and checking out their purchases with swipes and clicks as opposed to pushing trolleys through grocery aisles and trying on clothes in actual boutiques.

Furthermore, this tendency is here to stay as more and more customers realize the convenience of being able to buy anywhere and get simple access to technology and digital tools. Home Credit Philippines, the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, is collaborating with Lazada Philippines to give Filipinos a more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience in order to stay up with this trend and the rising customer expectations.

Starting on October 19, customers of Home Credit’s Qwarta can add Qwarta credits to their Lazada wallets to make online shopping and checkout even simpler.

Credit in an app!

Qwarta is Home Credit’s virtual limit provided to its existing customers with good track record and payment history. It is an additional Php 10,000 spending limit within the Home Credit app to increase Home Credit customers’ purchasing power.

Qwarta can be used to pay bills and utilities without additional cost, shop or buy loads with discounts, purchase via QR Code, and earn rewards!

Check out now, pay later!

Been eyeing to check out something off your cart but your wallet just can’t grant that yet? Home Credit and Lazada’s partnership now allows Qwarta users to check out and use their Qwarta credits and pay the entire amount in monthly installments.

Tempted yet? Here’s more: Qwarta users are also saving on processing fees and hidden charges, plus tons of exclusive promos and discounts to avail! Most importantly, Qwarta users are assured of safe and secured processing and shopping experience with both brands adhering to stringent security measures.

Check out with Qwarta in few, easy steps

It’s just as easy as one, two, three: Qwarta users only need to grab their phones and open their My Home Credit App. Then select “Top up” from the app dashboard, choose a gift card amount, review your payment details and confirm by entering your PIN. Lastly, copy the Lazada Gift Card code and redeem it in the Lazada App — just that quick!

For Lazada users, you can also easily top up your wallet by opening the Lazada app, and accessing your Lazada wallet. Select ‘Loans’ and choose Home Credit as your top-up option and voila! You’re all set to check out those Lazada trendy and affordable finds, and get them quickly through the platform’s fast and free shipping.

And what’s good about this is that when topping up an amount on Lazada or redeeming the Lazada Gift Card code through the Home Credit app, the funds will be credited real-time!

So what are you still waiting for? Download the My Home Credit App and top off your Lazada Wallet with Qwarta credits to complete your purchase right away!

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have properly licensed and overseen the financing firm Home Credit Philippines. Visit the Home Credit Philippines website at www.homecredit.ph to find out more about the most recent news. You may also follow the company’s official profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Customers are urged to download the Home Credit App from Google Play in order to learn more about the newest promotions and discover what has recently appeared in the market.

 

 

Tech

For the next chapter of their lives, Gen Z entrepreneurs require all the smartphone advancements

As most of us may not have aware, Gen Z today makes up the latest wave of professionals starting their professions, and as a result, the workforce is steadily becoming more and more inhabited by members of this age. As a result, they are attempting to negotiate the difficulties of graduating, looking for work, and generally “adulting” during a very pivotal time in their lives.

These “digital natives” understand how essential their technical devices are for this new stage of their life because they were born during a period of fast technology growth. Because they spend so much of their time online, their smartphones have evolved from being simple communication devices to extensions of who they are. They rely on their smartphones to be at their best, explore their passions and interests, and eventually fulfill their job goals now that they are starting to enter the workforce.

At this stage in their lives, they need a reliable smartphone that will help them achieve their goals and grow professionally. They can’t afford to be weighed down by their smartphones as they climb up the ladder in their respective careers. Now that they find themselves in the driver’s seats of their professional lives, it’s the perfect time to upgrade their smartphones. Of course, budget is a critical factor for important purchases such as this so they’ll need one that gives maximum value at a price within reach.

Samsung’s latest awesome 5G heavy-hitters: the Galaxy A13 5G and the Galaxy A23 5G tick all these boxes with features that can help first-time job seekers and young professionals be their most awesome selves at work and in life.

Here are all the features that make these awesome 5G smartphones must-haves for today’s go-getters:

  1. Hyper-fast 5G performance

Multitasking has become second nature to go-getters. With the amount of responsibilities they have in their plates, they need a reliable companion that would enable them to take on multiple tasks with ease. Luckily, the

Galaxy A13 5G is packed with MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G while the Galaxy A23 5G runs on Snapdragon 695 5G: two highly-capable processors for seamless productivity and entertainment.  These powerful processors allow them to tick all the items in their to-do list, and enjoy music and video streaming—all while keeping battery use efficient.

With powerful 5G connectivity from these devices, online activities can be done at optimal speed whether it’s for work or leisure.

  1. Incredible storage

It also matters to have a device that has incredible storage capacities. This makes the Galaxy A13 5G and Galaxy A23 5G the perfect choice. With as much as 128GB internal storage that is expandable up to 1TB, downloading huge files like documents, presentations, or even movies and games are no sweat.  Now, gen Z need not worry about storage  especially for those who are working remotely and don’t always have access to their computers.

  1. Smooth display

The Galaxy A13 5G’s 90Hz display and the Galaxy A23’s 120Hz display are two more things that make these devices awesome. Having incredible refresh rates make users enjoy super smooth scrolling within their most used apps, seamless transitions from one work app to another, and high-quality content displays that don’t drain battery life.

  1. Lag-free performance

To be the best at work, Gen Z relies on their passions to fuel their drive for growth. This is why the Galaxy A13 5G is equipped with up to 6GB RAM, while the Galaxy A23 5G with up to 8GB RAM. This allows the phones to deliver lag-free performance that helps users find balance between work and play, whether it be content creation or gaming.

And to make it more awesome, the Galaxy A23 5G also boasts a RAM Plus feature that can be upgraded for up to 6GB additional RAM–making the device even more powerful than it already is.

  1. High-quality camera

For a social media generation, it also pays to have a device that is at least built with a Triple Camera feature like the Galaxy A13 5G. Its camera setup consists of a 50MP Main Camera along with 2MP Depth and 2MP Macro cameras to help capture stunning photos and videos with ease.

Meanwhile, the multi-lens camera on the Galaxy A23 5G also takes photos to the next level. Content enthusiasts can get crisper, clearer shots with the 50MP OIS Camera, expand their viewing angle with the Ultra Wide Camera, customize focus with the Depth Camera and get closer to details with the Macro Camera.

  1. All-day battery life

The Galaxy A13 5G and Galaxy A23 5G’s awesome 5,000mAh battery lasts for up to 2 days, which means more time for creating, sharing, streaming, and more. It also has an App Power Management feature that automatically optimizes its battery life for all-day usage. With a long-lasting phone, it’s easy to keep productivity levels high at all times.

Being a go-getter doesn’t mean dedicating all the time in the world working on achieving goals. If anything, it’s achieving dreams and finding joy in between.

With fantastic cellphones that are reasonably priced, achieve outstanding goals! Experience the Samsung difference with its best value 5G phones, the Galaxy A13 5G and A23 5G, all of which are available in Awesome Blue, Awesome Black, and Awesome Orange. Even better news for those seeking to upgrade! Customers can benefit from Samsung’s Trade-In program, which enables customers to trade in their old devices, get significant savings, and take advantage of an additional top-up token, if they intend to #SwitchToGalaxy. For additional information, visit any Samsung Authorized Store or online resources.

Visit www.samsung.com/ph to learn more about all the features that can make any Gen Z go-getter fantastic.

 

 

 

Lifestyle

The Round One Platform was formally launched in the Philippines

On Wednesday, October 12, at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, Round One, the nation’s first equity crowdfunding platform, was formally unveiled. After the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published its crowdfunding laws and regulations a few months earlier, conceptualization of the platform started toward the end of 2019. As a result, Round One received permission to start doing business on February 23 of this year.

Through the platform, business owners seeking funding can start annual public securities sales campaigns for up to 50 million pesos. Round One does in-depth due diligence on investors and business owners (sometimes referred to as “issuers”) on the platform. Issuers must upload investment offering materials and specify all pertinent information about their fundraising objective, including the share price and the conditions of the securities being issued, in order to maintain transparency.

On the other hand, only registered and verified investors may commit to campaigns. All monetary transactions are safekept by Round One’s partner banks and financial institutions through the duration of a campaign to ensure the proper handling of investor cash.

“Round One shall provide a good holistic solution for entrepreneurs not just as a fundraising avenue, but also in attracting experts from all sectors to mentor them to grow and improve.” said Ms. Marian Peña, Chairman and President of Eastern Securities Development Corporation (ESDC), the stock brokerage that manages and operates Round One.

IN PHOTO (L-R): Ms. Charmaine Co, Marketing Head of Round One; Mr. Brandon Leong, Business Unit Lead of Round One; Ms. Marian Peña, Chairman and President of ESDC; Commissioner Kelvin Lee of the SEC; and Mr. Willy Ocier, Director of ESDC.

Present during the launch was SEC Commissioner Kelvin Lee, who delivered the keynote address and lauded Round One for making a “bold move in a new and fast-moving industry.”

IN PHOTO (L-R): Ms. Charmaine Co; Ms. Christina Leong, VP for Research of ESDC; Mr. Brandon Leong; Ms. Marian Peña; Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Honorary Chair & Treasurer and Director of Trade Facilitation & CSR of PCCI; and Mr. Willy Ocier.

In addition, Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Honorary Chair & Treasurer and Director of Trade Facilitation & CSR, and Ms. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, the Board of Investment’s Executive Director of Industry Development Services offered messages of support. Mr. Winston Damarillo, CEO and founder of Talino Labs Ventures, spoke to issuers on his own experience of crowdfunding abroad.

Also in attendance were SEC Director Vicente Graciano P. Felizmenio, Jr. of the Markets and Securities Regulation Dept.; Ms. Alegria Limjoco, Founder and Chairperson of the Philippine Franchise Association; Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, Director of the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute; Mr. Pierangelo A. Dominguez, Head of the Quezon City Local Economic Investment Promotions Office; and various members of startup and SME enablers, private equity investors, entrepreneurs, and association and institution partners.

IN PHOTO: The Round One team with the first cohort of issuers and representatives from QBO Innovation Hub.

Among Round One’s first cohort of committed issuers are Alaga Health Inc., Burket.PH Inc., Cocotel International Inc., IOL Inc., LGUSuite Inc., Raven Global Inc., Filipay (Service Economy Applications Inc.), Tipaklong Sustainable Mobility Corp., and UNAWA. The cohort was presented during the launch through a panel discussion, where they discussed their forthcoming fundraising campaigns on the platform and engaged the audience’s questions.

“Our goal as a platform is quite simple: for Round One be an avenue for every entrepreneur, startup, and SME to access every kind of support they need on their journey,” shared Mr. Brandon Leong, Business Unit Lead of Round One. “We’re excited to officially go live so that all these issuers can finally launch their campaigns and get themselves out there.”

Round One is a division of Eastern Securities Development Corporation (ESDC), a stock brokerage with the proper registration and a longstanding participant in the Philippine Stock Exchange. The platform, which is governed by the SEC, acts as a financial middleman between startups, SMEs, and potential investors.

The goal of Round One is to enable Filipinos to make investments in one another. Visit www.roundone.ph for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Wellness

Why it’s crucial to have a dependable everyday ally in your health

Being alive now is great since the economy is recovering and The Filipino people is lively. Face-to-face communication is resurfacing and becoming more and more commonplace. Although this is fantastic news for the nation, we still need to take care of our health and cleanliness.

Filipinos must continue the precautionary behaviors they have developed over the course of the pandemic to stay safe and healthy. The most crucial of these is constantly washing your hands with good soap to shield yourself from germs and aid in the suppression of infection.

Lifebuoy is your best daily hygiene ally in the battle to maintain your health when it comes to efficiently washing your hands. It has great antibacterial effects that keep you secure from infections and germs. Lifebuoy features an exclusive and effective germ-fighting component called Activ Silver+ Formula that kills 99.9% of germs and keeps consumers safe and secure.

As we celebrate Handwashing Month this October, Lifebuoy is advocating for more awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing with the right soap to protect yourself. To raise awareness and understanding of good handwashing habits among Filipinos, especially the youth, it is launching fun activities promoting handwashing on the metaverse!

Participate in all the engaging activities in U-COINVille, Unilever Philippines’ first metaverse environment which offers an immersive experience of learning and fun with your favorite Unilever products. Here, you can go through everyday situations and be reminded to do regular and proper handwashing before doing any activity within the game.

Check out the U-ditorium, explore the U-Marketplace, check out the Baby Dove Real Moms Village Baby Care Center, visit Taste Town’s Food Plaza, or wander about Pond’s Summer Escape. Look for 5 Lifebuoy Ambassadors to win U-COIN points redeemable for real-world perks and raffle tickets! To play, just follow these steps:

  1. Visit ucoinville.com.ph
  2. Register with your mobile number or if you’re an existing U-COIN user, you can log in with your account.
  3. Start exploring to learn and earn rewards!

Sign up to become a Lifebuoy Ambassador if you want to encourage other Filipinos to practice healthy behaviors like handwashing. Each of the 5 lucky winners will receive 10,000 U-COIN points!

On or around the first of December, the raffle ends..

Keep in mind to regularly wash your hands and maintain decent hygiene. Let’s #DoTheLifebuoy together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Dreams being planted in Benguet with the “Grow Trees Community”

John Dizon, Jr. of Benguet-based environmental conservation group NAMALISA plants trees in support of SM Foundation’s and Fast Retailing Foundation’s Grow Trees Community project.

John Dizon, Jr. and his family have long been responsible custodians of the protected trees in the Tuba, Benguet village. He gladly accepted the responsibility when the time came to do so in order to preserve his father’s legacy. “My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.

Following a year, Mr. Dizon, who is currently the leader of the environmental protection organization Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc. (NAMALISA), to continue his father’s cause, began cooperating closely with the SM Foundation for a first tree-planting initiative back in 2013.

With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.

He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.

To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign.

The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.

People’s Organization NAMALISA plant trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Tuba, Benguet

The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba.

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga.  Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.

It is in support of the SM Green Movement, which aims to improve community quality of life by promoting a greener world, greener way of life, and a greener culture.

The FR Foundation prioritizes advancing research aimed at improving the world, advancing technological advancement, developing human resources, and aiding those who are socially vulnerable.

It belongs to Fast Retailing Company. Ltd., a top Japanese retailer and owner of the beloved casual wear label Uniqlo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

Better, greener offices are constructed by SM Prime

E-com Centers at the Mall of Asia Complex

During the two years that the COVID-19 epidemic had an influence on the world, many individuals became more conscious of the necessity of sustainability in daily life. Through actions like going paperless, using less plastic, and planting more trees, environmental consciousness has gained ground. Participating in this movement for real estate developers entails making the switch to green construction and development.

This is the case with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) that is dedicated to developing cutting-edge and sustainable lifestyle communities. In accordance with comprehensive sustainability goals spanning from energy to ecology, SM Prime is future-proofing its developments to be more sensitive and adaptable to community requirements and the effects of climate change.

Over the years, SM Prime has continued to elevate its approach to building and development of community spaces.  All these green initiatives have been recognized by reputable and well-known organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which awarded Conrad Hotel Manila and SM Aura Premier the Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

“When we build, we build with the community in mind. This is why it is important to integrate sustainability in our developments and operations. We remain committed as an environmentally-conscious and responsible integrated property developer ready to serve the ever-changing needs and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim.

Building green office spaces

SM’s Commercial Property Group is renowned for balancing green design features with operational and practical considerations, enabling more companies and locators to enjoy environmentally sound commercial developments.

The CPG’s flagship properties are its five E-com Centers – all future-forward buildings catering mainly to technological, business process outsourcing, and Fortune 500 companies. All five E-com Centers are located in the MOA Complex. Each building has a proportionate amount of green open spaces and communal areas where workers can socialize and decompress from work.

CPG further promotes sustainable practices with its LEED gold-certified office buildings, solidifying its foothold and commitment to building green offices and commercial developments.  These certifications are a testament to SM Prime’s dedication to reducing its contribution to global climate change—all while enhancing the quality of life within its communities.

The ThreeE-com Center boasts architectural wonders and green features that eventually earned its LEED Gold certification. These include water recycling for landscape and non-potable use. The building is fitted with glass windows that minimizes heat from entering the building, allowing tenants to use less air conditioning. This 15-storey, semi-circular twin-tower office building features function and aesthetic complemented with state-of-the-art facilities.  While it was the first office building in the Mall of Asia Complex to receive such an honor, the new FourE-com Center also recently achieved the same certification—designed with its tenants’ needs in mind, improving work-life balance and office culture accordingly.

Both designed by globally renowned firm, Arquitectonica, the Three and Four E-coms are unique amongst business centers. “We designed the E-coms to functionally meet the BPO industry’s need for large, continuous floorplates, but also sculpted them in interesting ways so as to allow views and airflows between the buildings, while also, of course, giving them interesting architectural identities. At the same time, their landscaped podium decks create attractive communal green spaces for the tenants; they are envisaged to be interconnected via landscaped skybridges in the future. The combination of all these factors, architectural design and green spaces, have made the E-coms highly attractive to multinational companies and brands,” said David Zaballero, Arquitectonica Director.

SM Mega Tower

Meanwhile, SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper located along EDSA will also join the company’s growing roster of LEED-certified green buildings. Called Mega Tower, the 50-story office building is future-ready as it provides spaces that respect both its tenants and nature itself.

Strategically located in the busy Ortigas Centre, the 50-storey LEED registered skyscraper is flexibly designed to meet the requirements of both corporate and BPO tenants. Though its design is highly sculptural, each floorplate remains efficiently planned – combining functionality and iconic identity.

“Incorporating sustainability in property development means having the whole life cycle of a building in mind. We invest a tenth of our capital expenditure to ensure that sustainability is integrated into our properties as we carefully plan our developments for our communities, the environment, and future generations ,” SM Prime’s Mr. Lim said.

The CPG’s multi-segment or mixed-use approach enhances the socio-economic potential of its buildings and developments in close cooperation with the SM Group’s other business divisions. As a result, our apartments, malls, parks, and public areas are all connected to SM’s business enterprises. Notably, they are all conveniently located near transportation hubs to ensure the mobility of commuters and pedestrians. In addition to each property’s green and safety features, this interconnection helps the corporation lessen its carbon footprint, draw in more renters and locators, and boost employee productivity.