Vic Vic Bautista

In an era where uncertainty permeates every aspect of daily life, Pru Life UK is making yet another audacious move to provide Filipinos with reliable promises.

With the relevant theme “The Power of Two: Count on Guaranteed Income and Protection with PRU,” Pru Life UK recently launched a first-of-its-kind curated culinary journey at Electric Garden, Bonifacio Global City. The event introduced two potent solutions, PRUSteady Income and PRUWealth 10, which are intended to offer consistent payouts and long-lasting protection to assist Filipinos in planning, growing, and confidently securing their future.

The launch of Pru Life UK’s new solutions reminded me how important it is to secure both income and protection, especially in uncertain times. It showed me the value of planning ahead, so I can grow with confidence and feel more assured about my future.

Ms. Garen Dee

“Life is about the meaningful moments—big and small,” said Garen Dee, Chief Product Officer of Pru Life UK. “And no matter what every day brings, we want Filipinos to know they can count on PRU. With these two products, we give them the tools to embrace every chapter of life while ensuring that their financial plans are backed by guarantees.”

Pru Life UK aims to make financial planning simpler, accessible, and more empowering for every Filipino through its reliable solutions. By combining guaranteed payouts with reliable protection, the company addresses the growing need for stability amid life’s uncertainties. These reliable solutions were thoughtfully designed to cater to different priorities—whether it is securing steady cash flows, preserving wealth, or preparing for future milestones—helping customers take control of their financial journey with confidence.

PRUSteady Income is a 20-year endowment plan for individuals who value predictable income while ensuring strong protection for the future. It provides 10% guaranteed annual cash payouts from the 11th to the 20th policy year, a 100% maturity benefit at the end of the term, and up to 200% life insurance coverage. It delivers financial stability without sacrificing long-term growth—ideal for parents and professionals preparing for major milestones.

Targeted for affluent clients, PRUWealth 10 offers a balance of growth, preservation, and protection. Available only for a limited time, this endowment plan provides a guaranteed 5% net annual cash payout for 10 years, a 100% full premium back upon maturity, and 110% life insurance coverage based on single premium paid. Beyond these guarantees, the plan builds cash value over time, allowing flexibility to access funds when needed.

Backed by Prudential plc’s over 175 years of global legacy, and with more than two decades serving Filipinos, Pru Life UK continues to stand as the market leader in new business premiums as of H1 2025 and serves over 930,000 individual policyholders nationwide.

“With this latest launch, we reinforce our mission to empower Filipinos to live fully today and feel secure about tomorrow,” added Dee. “We promise to provide certainty in an uncertain world with customer-focused financial solutions that are built on guarantees. Whatever your stage in life—earning, growing, or preserving—Pru Life UK has a solution that fits.”

To learn more about PRUWealth 10 and PRUSteady Income, go to www.prulifeuk.com.ph or follow Pru Life UK on  Facebook.Terms and conditions of the product apply***.

The international NGO Lever Foundation has recognized Winford Resort & Casino Manila for its commitment in becoming the first gambling complex in the Philippines to officially commit to a full plant-forward effort. By the beginning of next year, the casino complex promised to have 30% of its menu items be plant-based across all of its food service activities.

This project complements Winford’s larger sustainability plan, which calls for lowering water consumption, carbon emissions, and food waste, encouraging ethical sourcing, and offering guests healthier dining options. Additionally, it supports local and international initiatives to lessen the negative effects of food consumption on the environment. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines has urged people to reduce their ecological footprint by eating more plant-based cuisine.

“Winford Resort & Casino Manila is proud to be the first gaming complex in the Philippines to publicly commit to making 30% of its food offerings plant-based, a shift we will carry out by next year,” said Justine Anne Vergara, Director of Hotel Operations at Winford Resort & Casino Manila. “Consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food is rising across all segments, including gaming, leisure and luxury hospitality. Winford’s early action positions us ahead of the curve, proving that sustainability can also be smart business while enhancing the overall guest experience.”

“As a chef, this commitment excites me because it challenges us to reimagine familiar favorites and create new dishes that celebrate fresh, local ingredients,” said Al Josif Tagra, Sous Chef at Winford Resort & Casino Manila. “Our 30% plant-based goal is more than a number—it’s an opportunity to inspire our guests to try something different, enjoy healthier options, and join us in making dining a more sustainable experience.”

“Winford is setting an inspiring precedent that we hope others in the gaming and hospitality sector will follow,” said Marielle Lagulay, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation. “Their initiative proves that environmental responsibility can align with business goals and elevate industry standards. This initiative contributes not just to Winford’s sustainability goals, but also to broader global and local efforts to address climate change through more responsible food choices. It’s a forward-looking step that we’re proud to support.”

According to Research, compared to animal proteins, plant-based proteins can produce up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and consume up to 90% less water and land. Additionally, compared to meat and dairy, plant-based diets produce roughly 50% less food waste, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also found.

Earlier this year, at the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference, which took place in May at the Shanghai Museum East in China, Winford Resort & Casino Manila was named Trip.com’s Top Engaged Hotel of 2025. Leading hotels and travel industry partners from all around the world came together for the event to recognize exceptional establishments.

SEAL-BETA entrepreneurs proudly showcase their products and innovations,
highlighting the program’s role in fostering growth, creativity, and community impact.

In order to enable microbusinesses to expand their operations and improve their industry strategies, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) launched the Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab-Business Expansion through Training and Application (SEAL-BETA) in several provinces throughout the nation through its social development arm, the BPI Foundation (BPIF).

370 microbusinesses from the provinces of Rizal, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Samar, and South Cotabato received thorough business training and mentorship sessions from BPIF in collaboration with BPI Direct BanKo and DTI’s Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA).

According to Department of Trade and Industry, micro, small, and medium (MSME) enterprises account for 99.63% or 1,241,733 of the business establishments in the country as of 2023. Micro enterprises comprise 90.43% of total establishments, followed by small enterprises at 8.82%, and medium enterprises at 0.38%.

BPI SEAL-BETA is a project specifically designed for micro enterprises to undergo intensive training that covers product diversification, digital payments, costing and pricing, negotiation, and entrepreneurial finance—aligned with BPI’s advocacy to help marginalized communities achieve financial wellness.

“We carried out this initiative recognizing that our microbusinesses, especially those situated in local barangays, have the potential to thrive when equipped with suitable training tailored to their needs. By empowering them to grow and innovate, we believe they can become self-sustaining and deliver services to their customers well,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director.

The implementation of the program also provided access to market by showcasing participants’ products and services during a market fair, which generated a total of Php2,250,000 in sales across six provinces. As part of the program, participants pitch their products and services, applying the knowledge gained from the training. Select entrepreneurs were awarded pitch grants of Php25,000 and booth set-up awards of Php20,000.

As of 2024, BPIF has supported 514 enterprises under SEAL-BETA.

BPI demonstrates its dedication to making a long-lasting and inclusive impact through sustainable financial education by offering microbusinesses hands-on learning and implementation.

Go to https://www.bpifoundation.org/ for additional details. For updates, follow BPI Foundation on Facebook (@BPIFoundation) and Instagram (@bpifoundationinc).

Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Manila Water Service Area teams, recently conducted a series of handover ceremonies to distribute Refrigerated Drinking Fountains (RDFs) across select cities in Metro Manila and municipalities in Rizal.

In collaboration with its Service Area teams, Manila Water Foundation, the social development division of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, recently held a number of handover ceremonies to distribute Refrigerated Drinking Fountains (RDFs) throughout a few Metro Manila cities and municipalities in Rizal.

This program seeks to enhance solid waste management, stimulate the use of reusable water tumblers to lessen the pollution caused by plastic bottles, and promote hydration for improved health.

The handover events took place at Taguig Integrated School in Taguig City, San Isidro Labrador Elementary School in Rodriguez, Rizal, and both the Philippine Science High School and University of the Philippines Integrated School in Quezon City.

A total of over 60 Refrigerated Drinking Fountains will be installed in 60 schools and public spaces, reinforcing the importance of hydration and the role of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs in advancing health and nutrition outcomes.

To further promote sustainable practices, drinking kits were distributed to select learners during the ceremonies, along with hygiene info-education posters on the 7 Steps to Proper Toothbrushing and the 7 Steps to Proper Handwashing. These kits encourage the use of personal water tumblers, aiming to reduce PET bottle usage, contribute to cleaner waterways, and improve solid waste management.

Key officials attended the ceremonies, including Rodriguez Rizal Municipal Vice Mayor Edgardo Sison and MWSS Regulatory Office Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Ty, who underscored the importance of regulatory and service-area support for WASH initiatives.

Noel Balubal, Chief of the Schools Governance and Operations Department of DepEd Taguig-Pateros, expressed gratitude for the program, noting that Manila Water Foundation’s WASH efforts help expand DepEd’s initiatives in health and nutrition.

Through the Erceflora’s Batang Matatag campaign, boxes of Erceflora probiotics were also handed over to school leaders in Marikina City and Municipalities of San Mateo and Montalban as a support to manage diarrheal, gastrointestinal disorder on campus and to promote overall gut health.

This initiative aims to promote hydration for better health, support solid waste management, and encourage the use of reusable water tumblers to reduce plastic bottle pollution.

More than 500,000 students, instructors, and staff in Metro Manila and Rizal Province are anticipated to gain from the Lingap RDF Program, which offers consistent access to clean drinking water.

In addition to commemorating Manila Water’s 28th anniversary, these transition activities highlight the organization’s ongoing dedication to WASH for all communities.