Monthly Archives

October 2024

Automotive

Toyota supports the Philippines’ first model of end-of-life vehicle dismantler

Ceremonial inauguration of En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler Corporation. In photo (from left) are Mitsui & Co., Ltd. – Manila Branch Country Chairman Kazuhiro Nomura, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation President Masando Hashimoto, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Technical Division Chief Joel Bolano, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines Kazuya Endo, Japan International Cooperation Agency Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler Corporation Lead Representative Riczon Hung, and Tsuruoka Co., Ltd. President and CEO Masaaki Tsuruoka.

Toyota, a leader in the automotive industry, has supported En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler Corporation, which is headquartered in Mexico, Pampanga, and is the nation’s first model end-of-life vehicle (ELV) dismantling plant.

En Tsumugi is a fully-owned enterprise of the Hung family, who also owns the nearby metal recycling businesses Supreme Mile Trading Corp. (SMTC) and CoroCrown Corporation. It originated from a pilot project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and overseen by the Japanese ELV dismantler Tsuruoka Co., Ltd. A number of Japanese companies, such as Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), offered technical support and business growth.

The establishment of En Tsumugi is a significant milestone in the Philippine automotive industry’s push for a responsible management system for ELVs, or those vehicles with components classified by the local authorities as waste. The facility, open to various car makes, will serve as a benchmark in further developing the local recycling industry while promoting environmental sustainability and the adoption of best practices and foreign expertise.

Through its local unit, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), Toyota’s involvement in the project includes providing technical support in various areas, such as environmental compliance, facility design, dismantling methodology, equipment requirements, and hazardous waste management.

Turnover of TMP’s donated ELV units to En Tsumugi at TMP Manufacturing Plant in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. In photo are En Tsumugi Chief Financial Officer John Hung (second from left) together with Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation General Administration officers.

Furthermore, TMP donated five (5) ELVs, including one hybrid electric vehicle, to En Tsumugi as training units for further equipping and enhancing of the facility’s capabilities.

Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project

“The establishment of a local ELV dismantler aligns with the goals of the ‘Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project,’ which aims to establish a network of proper ELV dismantling facilities worldwide,” said TMP President Masando Hashimoto during the inauguration ceremony of En Tsumugi in Pampanga.

The project seeks to address the environmental challenges posed by ELVs, such as pollution and resource depletion, by promoting proper dismantling and recycling practices, which also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Toyota certifies En Tsumugi as a proper ELV dismantling facility. In photo (from left) are Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation President Masando Hashimoto, En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler Corporation (En Tsumugi) Chief Financial Officer John Hung, En Tsumugi Lead Representative Riczon Hung, and En Tsumugi Chief Executive Officer Paulo Hung.

En Tsumugi received a Certificate of Gratitude from TMP during the same ceremony. Hashimoto further stated that En Tsumugi, after facilities of a similar nature in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, is the fourth (4th) ELV dismantler in Southeast Asia to be granted this certification.

As part of its efforts to “Establish a Recycling-based Society and System” under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, which was globally introduced in 2015, Toyota is putting the Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project into action

October 2, 2024 by
Food

Jollibee Group Intends to Strengthen its Mangrove Reforestation Project Initiative with Employee Volunteers

Jollibee Group employees from various functions planted 1,500 mangrove propagules during a reforestation activity in Brgy. Guinsay, Danao City, Cebu, on August 10, 2024. The activity was held in celebration of the International Day for Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Through its social development arm, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the Jollibee Group  maintains its commitment to help mitigate the effects of climate change through ongoing mangrove reforestation projects led by committed employees from across the nation, with nearly 7,000 mangrove propagules planted to date.

Mangroves are essential for protecting coastal areas, halting erosion, and mitigating the effects of hurricane storm surges. Their extensive root systems serve as nurseries for a wide variety of species, such as fish, prawns, and crabs, in addition to stabilizing and constructing soils. Additionally, the restoration of mangroves improves marine life and local ecosystems, which contributes to the preservation of food security and the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Rehabilitating mangrove ecosystems supports sustainable aquaculture practices by creating breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans. This can lead to improved yields in coastal fisheries, providing food and income.

The ongoing project forms part of the Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda dubbed “Joy for Tomorrow.” Under its Planet pillar, the company has set goals and initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 2 Zero Hunger.

Mangroves protect coastal areas by reducing erosion and absorbing storm surges during hurricanes.
 

The Jollibee Group has supported the planting of close to 4,000 mangrove propagules in 2023, with the support of partners, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units (LGUs). It remains committed to sustaining the project this year, planting 3,000 mangrove propagules thus far.

Employee engagement


Jollibee Group employees from different functions and business units together with JGF held a series of planting activities along the coastlines of Alaminos, Pangasinan, Carmen, Cebu, and Lemery, Batangas this year.

JGF’s mangrove reforestation project aims to help restore the country’s mangrove ecosystem and build a resilient future for Filipinos living in coastal communities.



In celebration of the International Day for Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, 30 employee-volunteers from Jollibee Group’s commissary Zenith Foods have also planted 1,500 mangrove propagules during the reforestation activity held in Brgy. Guinsay, Danao City, Cebu last August 2024.

“Our employees have always played a big role in our environmental efforts, and it’s amazing to see them leading the charge in our mangrove reforestation project. Their leadership and participation reflect our vision of reaching out to communities and giving back to the environment,” said JGF President Gisela Tiongson. “We’re also grateful for the guidance from the DENR and the support of our LGU partners, which are key to ensuring the mangroves thrive. Moving forward, we’ll keep tapping into the power of employee volunteerism and working closely with our partners to inspire more people to be responsible stewards of the planet.”

JGF is committed to making this project a national success. The Foundation has already made plans to spearhead other mangrove tree planting events in Cavite and Bulacan during the last quarter of the year, thereby amplifying its influence on environmental preservation and community adaptability.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

October 1, 2024 by
Entertainment

Henry Moodie releases “The Good Old Days,” his debut EP

Henry Moodie, a future worldwide pop sensation, drops his much awaited new EP, “good old days,” on Robots & Humans (UK) and Columbia Records (US). The EP was released after the two amazing singles, ‘beat up car’ and ‘bad emotions’ were released separately. You can watch Good Old Days online here.  

The focus single from the EP, “still dancing,” was also released today. Henry creates another epic ballad with “still dancing,” which features amazing production and a vocal performance that shines. It is both lovely and endearing, and listeners old and new will undoubtedly find a great deal of relatability in it.

Speaking about his new EP good old days, Henry said:

“‘good old days’ is an EP about navigating growing up. from songs about mental health, friendship, childhood, first love & first heartbreak. this EP captures what my late teens felt like”

Henry Moodie, who is only 20 years old, has already received over 572 million streams globally, made it into the Top 10 UK artists on TikTok in terms of views in 2022, and was selected as one of Amazon Music’s Artists To Watch in 2023. Henry discovered his voice as a songwriter and solo artist after completing a songwriting diploma at BIMM. His lyrics are broad and timeless, and he exudes emotional sensitivity. In the winter of 2023, Henry published his debut EP, “in all of my lonely nights.” With 450 million plays overall, the tunes include the self-penned and produced ‘you were there for me’,  the worldwide top 100 hit ‘drunk text’ and the touching ‘pick up the phone’, which garnered 350 thousand streams in within its first day. Henry recently played at festivals in the UK, Europe, and Asia during the summer after his first headline tour of the UK and Europe sold out in a matter of days, including an amazing gig at London’s KOKO.

Photo Credit, Katie Silvester – DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES HERE

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October 1, 2024 by