Lifestyle

• Up to 90% of products are exported throughout Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and South America markets
• New model for digitalization for the Philippines logistics industry

Today marked the formal opening of Schneider Electric’s renovated Cavite Smart Distribution Center, a new standard for smart logistics in the Philippines and a leader in the world for energy management and automation. Schneider Electric refurbished and expanded the facility with state-of-the-art fourth industrial revolution technology with an investment of P86.5 million (1.4 million euros) to support growth driven by the energy transition and digitalization in the region and globally.

The distribution center, which occupies 19,600 square meters and is located in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) Special Economic Zone, oversees the export and distribution of Schneider Electric’s three-phase UPS equipment. These goods are essential for maintaining steady power supply to vital end markets, such as data centers, which depend on Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) 3 Phase equipment, and for guarding against data loss and hardware damage in the case of a power outage.

The Cavite Smart Distribution Center enhances Schneider Electric’s robust distribution network across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and South America markets. The facility’s enhanced sophisticated technologies streamline operations, boost efficiency, and significantly lower energy consumption, setting a new standard in sustainable logistics.

“We are committed and passionate about our customers, which is why we have made this investment in our Cavite distribution center” said Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines. “It’s a new case that demonstrates how Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies provide the way to make significant progress on sustainability and operational efficiency. Connected to our Smart Factory and Smart Distribution Network, this new facility marks an important milestone in serving our customers across Asia and the world.”

The distribution center leverages a variety of Schneider Electric EcoStruxure solutions to drive sustainability and efficiency across the facility:

• Power Metering Expert monitors and optimizes energy use throughout the building, expected to reduce carbon emissions and has recorded 14% increase in production growth and 13% in energy savings.
• Digital dashboards display operational performance in real time.
• Up to 80% of finished goods are transported inbound and outbound by a fleet of EV trucks.

All of these enhancements contribute to Schneider Electric’s global sustainability commitments.

Atty. Norman Roland Ocana III, Schneider Electric Philippines Head of Government Affairs, underscored the crucial role of heeding the call of the Philippine Government to help in the country’s development towards sustainable economic growth: “A digital supply chain is a human-centric one. As we invest in smart operations, we also invest in our people and developing their digital skills to ensure they have competencies they need in this new landscape,” he said. “This is in line with the government’s ambition to equip Filipinos to be a competitive force in the digital economy.”

Impact Supply Chain Program

The Impact Supply Chain initiative from Schneider Electric includes the Cavite Smart Distribution Center. This is the next phase of the company’s supply chain transformation, with the goal of improving the environment and customer experience. Key pillars of it are:

• People – Schneider’s people are empowered to innovate and make a positive impact for customers every day.
• Planet – Schneider Electric is building a sustainable, responsible, and net-zero ready supply chain.
• Customers – Schneider Electric’s reliable supply chain delivers industry-leading quality.
• Performance – Schneider Electric drives performance through advanced technology, smart and unified processes, regional ecosystems, and collaborative design.

This year, Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines, which emphasize innovation and technology to boost the agricultural economy, especially the livestock and aquaculture industries, will be held again at Informa Markets in the Philippines. Now in its yearly cycle, the events are prepared to present technology and cutting-edge product displays from top industry exhibitors, as well as a platform for exchanging knowledge through a number of industry forums and conferences that will connect attendees with technology providers and emerging markets. It was a great privilege to acquire new ideas and information about our agricultural sector, as it plays a huge role in our economic industry. In the forum, they emphasize the massive effect of using technological advancement in the widespread innovation of our livestock and aquaculture industries. They also provided significant mind-enriching programs that will cultivate in them more profound ideas about livestock and aquaculture. Technology is indeed a great tool to help develop things right now, including our agricultural system, and it will enrich the minds of those interested in starting this livestock and aquaculture business.

This year’s Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines editions’ theme, “Harnessing Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Farm Development,” may act as a catalyst for the advancement of these two agricultural industries. These events, which place a strong emphasis on innovation and technology, have the power to establish these industries as important forces behind rural development and job creation while also demonstrating a dedication to environmentally friendly methods.

“Unlocking the vast potential of the Philippine livestock and aquaculture subsectors can be achieved by enabling the stakeholders and actors to gain access to the latest in technologies and markets, among many others. And this is one of the primary objectives of the annual Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines trade show – to make it a knowledge-sharing platform,” said Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, the Country General Manager of Informa Markets in the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture, in its capacity as the key government partner of Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines, reaffirms its commitment to the shows in presenting technological advancements to local farmers and fisherfolk to improve their agricultural production and make it more profitable. Aligned with the Department of Agriculture’s mandate of “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” these events play a vital role as a strategic avenue for fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors and providing them with technological resources for the advancement and modernization of agriculture in the Philippines.

The three-day event offers a significant opportunity for stakeholders, industry professionals, farmers, business owners, and buyers within the Philippine livestock and aquaculture sectors to deepen their knowledge of technological advancements and market trends. Some of the important areas such as safeguarding farms through secure biosecurity, animal health, sustainable swine and poultry production, aquaculture trends and outlook will be discussed in in-depth details. Apart from the exhibition, participants can engage in various programs that are free of charge such as the following:

• Technical Seminars – Exhibitors provide in-depth technical discussions tailored for the livestock and aquaculture market.
• Livestock Conference – Agencies within the Department of Agriculture, including the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center, Agricultural Training Institute, and National Meat Inspection, cover relevant topics in the agricultural sector.
• Aquaculture Conference (May 23, 2024) – A dedicated conference focusing on the aquaculture sector brings together industry professionals to share knowledge, discuss critical aquaculture topics, exchange expertise, and explore innovative industry solutions.
• Biosecurity Asia Forum (May 23, 2024) – An exclusive forum dedicated to discussing biosecurity practices, government policies, and other biosecurity strategies and approaches to different sectors featuring speakers from Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines
• Sustainability Forum (May 24, 2024) – This forum aims to raise awareness of sustainability, particularly focusing on sustainable approaches in the livestock, poultry, ruminant, and aquaculture sectors. The events’ sustainability partners, Prestige Paper Products and Central Luzon State University are featured to host their respective panel discussion that drives the campaign towards sustainability.
• ASEAN Associations Roundtable – An expert dialogue on swine and layer sectors between invited associations from various countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Ms. Chitanuwat said that the staging of the abovementioned conferences and forums demonstrates the strong commitment of Informa Markets and the Department of Agriculture to make Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines 2024 very relevant to the two sectors, which face numerous challenges but have vast potential including ensuring food security for the entire nation, generating jobs, and creating more viable investment avenues.

Livestock Philippines is set to host again the Livestock Philippines Recognition. This recognition aims to acknowledge companies, associations, cooperatives, and organizations that have significantly contributed to the advancement of the livestock and aquaculture industries in their own simple ways. These entities are recognized for their conscientious efforts in fostering growth and creating livelihood opportunities within the community.

Moreover, within the exhibition hall, there are educational attractions that are open to visitors at no cost. These include the Eggcellent Corner, presented by the Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative, showcasing the Philippine Egg Roadmap, and highlighting the various advantages of eggs. Additionally, the Sustainability Square aims to promote awareness of sustainability practices and their positive impact on the livestock and aquaculture industries.

The Department of Agriculture will host a livestock conference in addition to showcasing ten agencies at a pavilion, including the Philippine Carabao Center, the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry, the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, the National Livestock Program, the Bureau of Animal Industry, the National Meat Inspection, the National Dairy Authority, and the Agricultural Training Institute.The Land Bank of the Philippines and the Council for Agriculture and Fisheries will provide guests with help and direction on a range of industry-related issues.

“Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines 2024, for their support of the Department of Agriculture, as it clearly shows their commitment to enhancing to make the two sub sectors competitive and sustainable,” Ms. Chitanuwat stated.

From May 22 to 24, 2024, the Livestock Philippines and Aquaculture Philippines 2024 will take place at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Free entry is available for the activities, which provide easy access to the exhibition and a range of seminars spread over three days. Attendees with a keen interest in the event include local farmers, trade buyers, veterinarians, and animal health professionals. Through this link: https://ers-th.informa-info.com/lsp24, visitors can access the pre-registration process, which has been further optimized to offer a seamless registration experience.

The University selected the Canvas learning management system to offer a more consistent and modern approach to digital pedagogy, improve flexibility and better management tools for lifelong learning and non-traditional learners.

Canvas’s creator, Instructure Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: INST), the industry leader in the learning ecosystem, announced today that The University of Manchester has chosen Canvas to replace its antiquated learning management system (LMS) in order to better align with the institution’s strategic objectives, which include promoting lifelong learning and increasing course accessibility and flexibility.

“This platform is aimed at improving flexibility, functionality, and capabilities for teaching and learning for all of our learners, including continuing professional development (CPD),” said Professor Danielle George, Associate Vice President Blended and Flexible Learning, The University of Manchester.  “Canvas is praised for its intuitive interface, strong support, flexibility, integration capabilities, and the ability to share content, all of which are in line with the strategic direction of the University. Adopting Canvas by Instructure as our LMS will strengthen our commitment to lifelong learning.”

The choice to move providers was made after a careful analysis and a number of usability testing of all the options. Faculty and student response was overwhelmingly that their learning management system (LMS) should be doing more to improve efficacy, efficiency, and their pedagogical approach to creating online content. Canvas courses will be launched by the university for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The University of Manchester has invested in the full suite of Instructure products for higher education, which includes: Canvas LMS, Canvas Catalog, Canvas Studio, Canvas Credentials and Impact by Instructure a tool that supports change, drives adoption and helps institutions evaluate the impact of its edtech solutions based on data and analytics. Additionally, The University of Manchester will manage the migration of its courses with Instructure’s partner, K16 Solutions, and their automated migration functionality. Using the Canvas Archiving solution, they can also move the data from their former LMS into Canvas and retain years of historical data for accreditation purposes.

“As education keeps evolving and is constantly challenged by emerging technologies, we are proud to partner with The University of Manchester to support their efforts and aim to foster a flexible and modern lifelong learning experience not only in the United Kingdom but for thousands of international students around the world,” said Daniel Hill, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Instructure.

With 44,000 students, 12,000 faculty members, and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries, the University of Manchester is regarded as one of the UK’s most internationally diverse universities. Furthermore, it is an important collaborator in Manchester’s citywide lifelong learning program, which was recently recognized by UNESCO as a City of Lifelong Learning.

The University of Manchester is a prominent member of the Russell Group and one of the best universities in Europe.

Learn more at www.instructure.com/en-au 

• The Network announced three new investment deals facilitated through their Working Capital Facility to provide financial support to three local impact enterprises Magnus Renewable Tech Corp., Agro-Digital PH, and Suds Sustainable Pods to scale their operations.
• Impact Pioneers Network recently partnered with Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), Dungganon Bank, and a local angel investor to unlock growth capital for impact enterprises from various sectors in the Philippines.
• The Network also unveiled that early-stage impact enterprises in the Philippines can now apply for loans through the gender-smart working capital loan facility throughout the year.

In order to give three impact firms in the Philippines expansion money, Impact Pioneers Network (IPN), the nation’s first impact investing network, forged important alliances with Dungganon Bank, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), and an angel investor.

Magnus Renewable Tech Corp., Agro-Digital PH, and Suds Sustainable Pods have all benefited from these partnerships by obtaining loans without the need for collateral to help them expand. “The Network and our partners aim to accelerate sustainable development and empower communities nationwide through innovative solutions,” stated Priya Thachadi, co-founder and CEO of Villgro Philippines, one of the Network’s co-managers, “by unlocking crucial financing to impact enterprises like Magnus Renewable Tech Corp., Agro-Digital PH, and Suds Sustainable Pods.”  

Magnus Renewable Tech Corp., an enterprise focusing on solar energy solutions based in Negros Oriental, will utilize the working capital provided to increase solar energy access to communities nationwide. “The facility allows us to fund a pilot project which opens up a huge opportunity for Magnus,” said Karl Ivan Estadola, CEO and Co-Founder of Magnus Renewable Tech Corp.

Agro-Digital PH, an innovative digital platform empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity, will harness the loan to advance its technology and broaden its farmer network. Agro-Digital PH CEO and Founder Henry James Sison emphasized, “The working capital loan facilitated by the Network ensures our ability to expand markets and uphold service delivery. It is a critical lifeline for our operations.”

These enterprises demonstrate the crucial role of market-driven models in addressing urgent social and climate challenges in the country. “We are excited to support growing enterprises like Agro-Digital and Magnus Renewable as they truly address relevant issues such as enhancing agricultural productivity and clean energy.  These enterprises provide real hope in the development of our country,” said Raymond Serios of Dungganon Bank, Inc. & Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. “As a member of the Impact Pioneers Network, we hope to be working with similar enterprises so that we can maximize our reach and ensure that more and more Filipinos benefit from the work of these social enterprises.”

Suds Sustainable Pods, known for its innovative personal hygiene and household cleaning products packaged in water-soluble film, also received a working capital loan from an individual angel investor from the Network to scale up operations and further diversify its product line to lessen plastic pollution. “Their support has allowed us to allocate resources towards optimizing essential business processes that strengthen compliance and operational efficiency. This empowers us to continue expanding our reach and deliver greater value to our stakeholders.” said Jean Magboo-Yuzon, Co-Founder of Suds Sustainable Pods.

The Network, alongside its investors, shares its commitment to fostering positive social and environmental change through innovative impact investing approaches.

Economic development is also aided by impact investing. Impact investment encourages equitable opportunities and economic progress by funding companies that uplift local communities and generate jobs.

The Network highlights this important component with its gender-smart working capital facility, which is now accepting applications from early-stage impact entrepreneurs in the Philippines throughout the year. This institution will promote firms owned or run by women, offering short-term, collateral-free loans up to PHP 250,000 to those making a direct impact on the environment or society.

Please visit www.impactpioneers.ph to learn more about Impact Pioneers Network and its partners.

For its sixth iteration, New Bold University (NBU), hailed for emulating the avant-garde philosophy of Silicon Valley’s Singularity University, is returning to the forefront.

“Visionary NXT: Branding Masterclass for the Next Big Brands.” is slated to take place at The Astbury in Makati City on May 10–11, 2024. Its goal is to equip up-and-coming firms with cutting-edge marketing tactics that are crucial for dominating their respective markets. “Visionary NXT” is positioned to be a crucial conference for the upcoming generation of brand leaders as NBU keeps providing local business owners with insights from both the global and local markets.

This two-day event, which is in its sixth year, seeks to give business owners, startup founders, and marketing professionals the skills and resources they need to completely change the branding landscape. It gives attendees the tools they need to make a significant difference in their particular industries while offering practical techniques for brand success.

With the many disruptions in the marketplace, the dynamics of branding and marketing have shifted. NBU’s response to these challenges offers strategies and visionary thinking needed in today’s market. It seeks to cultivate a community of 1,000 visionary brand builders in the next two years who will lead the charge in creating disruptive and socially impactful brands.

NBU’s Founder, Ralph Layco, envisions this initiative as a pivotal moment for the branding community. “Visionary NXT represents a significant evolution from our previous masterclasses. We are not just exploring brand strategies; we are inspiring a new generation of brand pioneers who will lead the charge in driving innovation and change. They need guidance and new strategies, and most importantly, the mindset to disrupt their categories. We are here to guide and empower them,” said Layco.

Featuring a lineup of industry titans including Colourette Cosmetics CEO and NIV Della Beauty Innovations, Inc. Founder Nina Dizon, Tala by Kyla Founder Janet Kyla, Rolling Media Founder Jozelle Tech, Good Diva Marketing Founder Mariella Tiano, Agyle Brands Founder Guita Gopalan, and Noah and Eve Center and NBU Founder Ralph Layco, who are set to deliver invaluable insights into brand strategy, innovation, and growth. The group from Kaya Founders will also join the event.

Attendees may anticipate an engaging program that includes networking opportunities, coaching sessions, and workshops aimed at promoting teamwork and creativity.

The Man, The Maverick, Mink.ph, and Hiraya Pilipina brand creators spoke at a series of online brand talks staged in advance of the much-anticipated event in May in order to create the scene and spark interest.

Participants who are interested can reach out to NBU via their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newboldu.

The top telecommunications company in the Philippines, Eastern Communications, won a Bronze Stevie Award at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, gaining recognition on a global scale. The organization that bestows awards recognizes exceptional commercial accomplishments throughout the area, honoring companies and individuals that exhibit success in a range of industries.

“We are honored to be recognized once again by the APAC Stevie Awards. This win reaffirms our role in driving the digital transformation in the Philippines. We will continue to empower businesses and communities through our infrastructure expansion and ICT education initiatives,” said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications.

With its statewide push to strengthen its infrastructure, increase its footprint, and service varied telecommunication demands throughout the Philippines, Eastern won the bronze award for Innovation in Technology Management, Planning & Implementation (Telecommunications Industries).

By the end of 2023, the company had effectively expanded its network reach by over 98% with a dedicated expenditure of Php 4.3 billion. One of its primary strategic objectives was the installation of terrestrial and submarine cable infrastructure in underserved areas, enabling improved connectivity and access to digital services.

Eastern’s continued support for the nation’s digital transformation was exemplified through its collaboration in the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project, establishing resilient undersea fiber-optic connectivity to 24 segments and 33 points of interconnection (POIs).

Moreover, the company maintained its position as an industry thought leader by securing the bronze recognition for Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year once again. Its B2B campaign for focus industries provided valuable insights and support across key industries to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic market.

Through strategic partnerships with industry associations and business chambers, Eastern Communications launched the Ehuddle and Eastern Huddle campaigns that featured webinars, on-ground learning sessions, and events focused on topics such as resilience, digital transformation, and future-proofing businesses.

“We believe that digitalization will propel businesses forward. By sharing our expertise to Filipino enterprises, we not only support their individual growth but also contribute to the economic progress of our community and stakeholders,” said Vince Tempongko, Eastern Communications’ Co-Coordinator.

“As we continue to launch new products and build meaningful partnerships, we endeavor to bring innovations that will drive sustainable growth and progress across the nation,” he added.

For additional information regarding Eastern Communications’ offerings, reach out to them at 5300-7000 or at their website, eastern.com.ph.

Leading international financial services provider Manulife’s Philippine operation recently announced the hiring of Ardhi Lufti Siregar as the organization’s new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Sonali Verma as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Sonali Verma has over 18 years of leadership experience in bank partnerships, customer experience, and digital innovation. She was previously Manulife’s Head of Digital Customer Experience and Innovation for Asia Bancassurance. In her former position, she oversaw innovative projects in the field of digital bancassurance, such as the Manulife-DBS Bank digital channel’s successful launch and Techombank’s first digital protection offering in Vietnam. In her role as CMO for Manulife Philippines, Verma will spearhead creative marketing tactics to support Manulife in enhancing its customer offerings in the areas of retirement, health and life insurance, and digitalization; she will also spearhead customer-centric propositions, community investments, and the Impact Agenda, all while bolstering the company’s overall reputation and position as a market leader.

“As our new CMO, Sonali’s track record of delivering results amid innovation and development trends in the insurance space proves her leadership capability to empower our distribution teams with dynamic, relevant, and data-driven programs, accelerating our journey towards becoming the most digital, customer-centric global company in our industry,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Ardhi Lufti Siregar, as the company’s new CHRO, expands his decade of leadership experience spanning banking, technology, and insurance. He previously served as the head of Human Resources for Manulife Business Processing Services in the Philippines, and as Manulife Indonesia’s CHRO. As part of Manulife’s senior leadership team, Siregar will be pivotal in driving Manulife’s culture, talent strategy and employee engagement; enhancing its talent acquisition and retention; and strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workforce.

“Driven by his extensive leadership experience and expertise in fostering an inclusive and empowering culture, Ardhi will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to attract and retain top talent, and build on our winning team to accelerate our goals for our customers and other stakeholders. We welcome Ardhi’s addition to our top management as we continuously sustain a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential,” Hora added. 

Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

Leading global provider of energy management and digital automation, Schneider Electric, collaborates with NVIDIA, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) computing, to maximize data center energy efficiency with AI.

The collaboration will launch the first AI data center reference designs in the world. In order to increase efficiency and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, these designs will combine Schneider Electric’s knowledge of digital infrastructures with NVIDIA’s AI technologies, establishing new benchmarks for AI deployment and operations within data center ecosystems.

Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President of the Secure Power Division & Data Center Business at Schneider Electric, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “By combining our expertise in data center solutions with NVIDIA’s leadership in AI technologies, we’re not just overcoming infrastructure limitations; we’re unlocking the full potential of AI.”

“This collaboration is a leap forward towards a more efficient, sustainable, and transformative future, powered by AI,” Sharma added as he stressed that the data center industry continues to evolve, which calls for a stronger focus on integrating AI technologies to their operations and addressing Scope 3 emissions to achieve net-zero emissions.

Scope 3 emissions account for about 50% of data centers’ GHG footprint. According to GHG Protocol and ISO 14064, Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions attributed to the activities of companies which include business travel, waste management, and value chain operations. This type of emission is often not reported and is more challenging to measure compared to Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

These indirect emissions are major but often overlooked drivers of environmental impact of data centers. As a response, Schneider Electric is advocating for a holistic approach to GHG management, which includes accurate carbon accounting, target-setting, and a systematic review of data and emission sources.

Schneider Electric provides accounting and reporting solutions for data centers in order to manage their emissions under Scope 3. One tool for simulating energy use to estimate greenhouse gas emissions is included in this, taking into account the data center’s power use, cooling systems, and operational efficiency.

“This approach aligns with our commitment in leading the charge to equip critical and energy-intensive industries such as data centers with advanced solutions to help them achieve better operational efficiency all while minimizing their carbon emissions beyond traditional means,” said Abraham Lim, Secure Power and Industrial Automation BVP of Schneider Electric Philippines.

Schneider Electric is still dedicated to pursuing the digital transformation of sectors in order to maintain environmental sustainability worldwide and stay up to date with technological breakthroughs.