Lifestyle

Leading foam manufacturer Uratex Philippines just achieved a noteworthy milestone to commemorate its 55th anniversary: they broke the record for the largest human mattress Domino. Beyond just breaking records, though, Uratex is celebrating by reiterating its dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR) by contributing 2,355 mattresses to various charitable institutions around the Philippines.

In an interview during the event, Mrs. Naty Cheng, CEO and president of Uratex, emphasized the company’s dedication to giving back to the community. “Noong 40th anniversary, nagbigay na kami to forty charities. Noong 50th year, nagbigay ulit kami. Maraming nabigyan namin, buo pa yung kutson nila kaya bibigyan namin yung mga iba naman” (During our 40th anniversary, we donated to forty charities. On our 50th year, we did it again. Since many already received mattresses, we decided to help others).

Charity Foundations and Beneficiaries

Orphanages, senior housing facilities, and other nonprofits that offer refuge to the poor are among the groups that benefit from Uratex’s mattress donations. Among the notable recipients are Bethany House Sto, Gawad Kalinga, Philippine Red Cross, and CORA Non-Profit Organization. Orphanage for Young People. These organizations were carefully selected because they share Uratex’s mission and have an immediate need for mattresses.

The company’s founder, Mr. Robert Cheng, articulated the following vision: “We will not stop until we give every Filipino with a comfortable and affordable mattress to lie on.” Uratex worked with outside partners to identify charities that support community hospitals in need of appropriate bedding as well as shelters for the elderly, women, children, and adults with special needs.

The 2,355 mattresses found their way to diverse communities, including the Muslim community, orphanages, homes for the aged, hospitals with outdated mattresses, and troubled teens in need of a fresh start. Some recipients were living in poor housing conditions, relying on uncomfortable bedding or, in some cases, had never experienced the comfort of a mattress.

Locations of the charities spanned across Cebu, Agusan del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Isla Verde in Batangas, Metro Manila, and nearby provinces.

Isla Verde, a secluded and simple community within Verde Island in Batangas, was one of the recipients. In an interview, recipients expressed their gratitude. One recipient stated, “Maraming salamat Uratex dahil natulungan nyo kaming mabigyan ng foam dahil sa sahig lamang kami natutulog. Ngayon ay komportable na kaming matulog dahil sa foam ng Uratex” (Thank you very much, Uratex, for helping us receive a foam. Before, we only slept on the floor. Now, we can sleep comfortably because of Uratex’s foam). Another recipient also conveyed appreciation, “Akoy nagpapasalamat at kami’y inyong nabigyang pansin… Maraming salamat sa Uratex. Kami ay makakahiga sa malambot” (I am thankful that you noticed us… Thank you, Uratex. We can now sleep on something soft).

The Mattresses: A Symbol of Quality and Generosity

2,355 units of Uratex’s best-selling Classic Uratex Single (36 x 75) mattresses, which were utilized in the attempt to set a record for the largest human mattress Domino, were donated by the company. The 14 minutes and 25 second attempt to break the record demonstrated Uratex’s dedication to excellence and served as the foundation for a larger CSR project.

Uratex is demonstrating how business success can be used to improve communities by fusing the thrill of setting a world record with a sizeable philanthropic donation. This is in line with the company’s long-term goal of giving comfort to every Filipino. This innovative program shows that, for Uratex, giving back is a commitment ingrained throughout the company’s 55-year history rather than only an occasion.

AssureMax, a life insurance plan that combines protection benefits with guaranteed returns that Filipinos can use to fund their children’s education, support their businesses or passions, provide themselves a comfortable retirement, and other future needs and financial goals, was recently launched by Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL), the bancassurance partnership between Manulife and China Bank.

With its guaranteed maturity benefit of 100% of the Face Amount paid out at the end of the policy term, MCBL AssureMax, now available in 5- and 10-year payment terms, offers guaranteed life protection equal to 200% of the Face Amount, a guaranteed cash payout of 10% of the Face Amount every two years beginning at the end of the seventh year for the 5-year variant and the end of the eleventh year for the 10-year variant. It includes pre-selected or optional riders, like payor’s benefits, hospital income benefits, accidental death benefits, and other non-guaranteed benefits.

“With high protection and guaranteed returns offered by AssureMax, we want to provide Filipinos a smarter way to save, wherever they may be in their life journey. AssureMax is designed for our customers who aim to save up to purchase a new home, finance their children’s education or prepare for their retirement while ensuring insurance coverage. AssureMax is also tailor-fit for those who simply want to grow their investments or diversify their financial portfolios so they can reach their life goals,” said Neil Bowyer, President, MCBL.

With a benefit duration of 20 years or up to age 65, MCBL AssureMax is offered in two basic plans: AssureMax 20 for ages 0-65 and AssureMax 65 for ages 0-45.

Go to www.manulife-chinabank.com.ph to find out more about AssureMax.

Following a spike in sales with over 10,000 orders in a single day, the local apparel business  Make “Philippine-Made” Great (MPMG) has taken the top spot on the TikTok Philippines Men’s Fashion list for October and November 2023. Since its founding in February 2023, MPMG has grown quickly and achieved significant traction in the Philippine fashion sector, especially with younger customers.

MPMG, which is well-known for its simple styles and wide selection, provides reasonably priced, basic clothing that is adaptable in terms of styling. The brand is dedicated to offering locally produced, high-quality apparel, and it targets the younger market with fashionable yet reasonably priced fashion options. MPMG caters to the fashion needs of younger customers by offering reasonably priced, fashionable apparel options. They depart from the conventional focus on luxury labels and pricey apparel and emphasize that fashion is a tool for personal expression.

MPMG’s ascent to prominence has been largely attributed to its skillful use of social media, especially TikTok, which appeals to younger viewers. The company’s “Buy 1 Take 1” promotion helped it become much more visible and successful, as evidenced by the day-by-day sales of over 10,000 units.

“This milestone marks a groundbreaking moment for MPMG as it is not just a win for our brand ergo, it’s a bold statement about the rising influence and global potential of Philippine-made fashion. Our journey, from a local startup to a trendsetter in less than a year reflects our deep connection with the youth and our ability to turn minimalist designs into a fashion revolution. We’re not just selling clothes; we’re weaving the vibrant spirit and creativity of the Philippines into every fabric. This is more than fashion; it’s a movement,” said Kevin Co, CEO of MPMG.

MPMG encourages consumers to support fashion created in the Philippines as it works to maintain its position as a leader in the industry. The brand intends to launch additional projects in its pursuit of changing the perception of fashion, empowering youth, and making a significant impact on the international fashion industry.

Social Media Accounts:

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@mpmgofficialstore 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mpmgofficialstore 

Shopee: www.shopee.ph/mpmgofficialstore  

Lazada: www.lazada.com.ph/shop/mpmg-men-s-clothing 

In Pastrana, Leyte, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, the nation’s top producer of hygiene and health products for consumers, is building an environmentally friendly community health center and birthing facility in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Notably, the facility represents a major step towards sustainability as it is primarily constructed from retrieved plastic trash.

Community Partnerships in Pastrana, Leyte

Pastrana, surrounded by coconut plantations and rice fields, is going through a significant change in terms of sanitation and healthcare. The health center is an outward manifestation of the municipality’s active embrace of sustainable development, which is being backed by the corporate sector and non-governmental organizations.

P&G and Habitat Philippines have been working together to create sustainable communities since 2017. P&G’s significant community involvement in Leyte, which includes the building of this health facility with the goal of improving access to basic healthcare services for low-income families, has been made possible thanks in large part to the solid cooperation.

In August 2023, a local project management team, comprising community members, barangay leaders, the local government of Pastrana, and the regional Department of Health (DOH) representatives came together to ensure that the health center would not only meet but exceed DOH standards for healthcare facilities. This eco-friendly health center project will serve approximately 1,100 individuals, catering to their basic healthcare needs and giving access to proper pre and post-natal care for mothers.

Innovative Construction: The Science behind the Health Center

At the core of this health center is an innovative and sustainable approach— the use of eco-casts. Manufactured from single-use plastics collected by the Habitat community in Kawayanville, Tacloban City, these recycled materials were used in the health center’s construction.

The process involves shredding plastic waste and combining it with aggregates, including sand, gravel, cement, additives, and water. The mixture is then pressed and molded using a specialized machine, followed by a seven-day drying and curing process.

Particularly, the eco-cast outperforms concrete hollow blocks in quality, providing higher thermal insulation and exceptional fire resistance (179 minutes or 3 hours). It is more compact and sturdier, with a strength recording of 700 psi, more than 4 times higher than the 150 psi of hollow blocks, ensuring a robust building.

Sustaining Long-Term Health Impact

Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ current focus is on sustaining the health center’s functionality. In collaboration with the local government unit of Pastrana and the regional DOH office, it provided Basic Health Training for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), empowering them to independently maintain the health center.

Marilyn Estrellado, Programs and Operations Director of Habitat for Humanity Philippines shared, “The trained BHWs from the community will help man the facility, augmenting the capacity of health professionals provided by the LGU and DOH. We also appreciate Pastrana LGU and the DOH’s commitment to providing constant medical supplies, manpower, and proper maintenance of the health center to ensure improved access to quality health care and services for the community members in need.”

In the areas where it conducts business, P&G has dedicated itself to becoming a Force for Good and a Force for Growth. To better the lives of about 2,000 people in Barangay Baganihan, P&G and Habitat Philippines constructed their first health facility in Marilog, Davao in April 2021. The center offers a full health and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program. In 2024, another environmentally friendly health facility is scheduled to open in Sterling Park, Caloocan, Metro Manila, with an emphasis on providing assistance to 1,500 people living in informal settlements.

Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

In keeping with its ambitious goal of enabling business owners of all sizes to tap into the worldwide market, the nation’s top logistics company, In-line Forwarder, gathered Cebu exporters last October for the “Usapang Exports: Unlocking Export Opportunities” event, which was sponsored by DTI Region 7 (Central Visayas) and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB).

Almost a hundred entrepreneurs and exporters from important sectors like furniture, handicrafts, and agriculture convened at Cebu City’s Golden Prince Hotel. Alongside leading industry experts from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau, Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of International Trade Relations, and Bureau of Customs, In-line Forwarder discussed the nuances of logistics and brokerage solutions for export fulfillment.

“It is a huge honor for us to collaborate with the DTI EMB, as well as key agencies of the Philippine government to take our export sector to the next level,” says Herbert Caragay, Operations Head of In-Line Forwarder. “Helping our community of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation through our strategic expertise in logistics is key for our exporters to navigate the evolving dynamics of global trade and supply chain.”

Usapang Exports is an official DTI-EMB project under its Philippine Export Competitiveness Program which aims to capacitate existing and aspiring exporters through learning sessions on export opportunities, trends, cross-border regulations, and other timely topics.  One-on-one consultation sessions were also conducted in Cebu by In-line Forwarder, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant and Industry, DENR, and the Philippine Exporters Confederation.

According to In-line Forwarder, they now have 6 offices across the country, including Cebu, and is bound to open a new warehouse in the United States for import-export facilitation and cross-border fulfillment operations.

Key preparations are also underway towards the National Exporters Week from December 4 to 7 spearheaded by the DTI-EMB, Export Development Council, and PHILEXPORT. It will be a crucial gathering of large export players, government agencies, and export enablers including In-Line Forwarder who will be part of the enablers exhibit at the Sheraton Hotel on December 7, the same day as the National Exporters Congress. The theme for this year is “Agile Philippines: Empowering Exporters towards Global Excellence.”

MSMEs can register for a free account at www.inlineforwarder.ph to take advantage of In-line Forwarder’s discounted pricing for its export service. Additionally, you can get in touch with them online at www.facebook.com/InlineForwarders, which is their official Facebook page.

In July 2023, Diageo Philippines initiated its inaugural post-consumer glass recovery and recycling program in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with the goal of advancing sustainability and the circular economy. Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress initiative, which aims to lessen the amount of solid waste that ends up in landfills, includes the Diageo Harmony. The collaboration between recycling partner San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation (SMYPC) and garbage collection business Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) makes this initiative possible.

Through a number of collection locations spread around BGC, the program gathers clean, empty, and used glass containers, including empty Diageo product bottles. Following BEST’s sorting and consolidation, these are subsequently brought back to SMYPC’s Manila Glass Plant for recycling. As part of its circular economy initiative, the used glass containers will be broken down into cullet and used as inputs to make new glass containers.

“The handover of 2 Metric tons of collected used glass containers marks an important milestone of Diageo Harmony. Collecting 2 Metric Tons of used glass containers for recycling from residents of BGC in over a 14-week period only shows that consumers are looking for ways to help the environment in whatever way they can,” said Rajesh Joshi, General Manager of Diageo Philippines.  He further states, “This program wouldn’t have been possible without the strong partnership with the leadership teams of BEST and SMYPC, and we believe we can make this bigger and bolder with more partners joining the initiative.”

Diageo Harmony aims to broaden this partnership with additional businesses, clients, and partners in order to increase the sustainability effort’s reach to additional cities and regions across the nation.