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(From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, AboitizPower Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Sandro Aboitiz, SM Engineering, Design and Development President Hans Sy, Jr., SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement David Aboitiz, AboitizPower Vice President for Retail – Commercial Operations Business Unit James Byron Yu, and SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong gather for a luncheon on Thursday, August 4, after sealing a long-term partnership with the commitment to helping build a cleaner and brighter future.

One of the top property developers in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), achieves its aim of raising the percentage of renewable energy in its portfolio to more than 50% by signing a long-term agreement with AboitizPower for Cleanergy supply. This is in support of the Department of Energy’s plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the nation’s energy supply to 35% by 2030.

According to the deal, AboitizPower will be able to provide energy from the Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, as well as PV Sinag’s Power Plants, which are run and managed by a subsidiary of AboitizPower called Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). By the end of 2022, SM Prime properties under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), including malls, vacation homes, offices, hotels, and other institutions, will be powered by this long-term contract.

“This partnership with AboitizPower is aligned with our unwavering commitment to being a catalyst for economic growth and steward of nature. We will continue providing world-class amenities within our sustainable lifestyle cities that have been beneficial and inspirational to millions of Filipinos,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s President.

SM Prime builds legacy communities based on its core sustainable pillars: Economy, People, Environment, and Community. It is dedicated to generating value sustainably through its diverse business segments.

“AboitizPower is thrilled to be SM Prime’s partner in building sustainable lifestyle cities. We thank SM Prime for trusting us to be their partner in their transition to clean and renewable energy. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to power various SM Prime properties with our renewable assets”, said Sandro Aboitiz, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Operations Business Unit.

“We consider it a great milestone for our group to be in support of SM’s transition to renewable energy and are working to rapidly expand our renewable portfolio as the demand for Cleanergy grows. We have supported a growing number of corporations transitioning to clean and renewable energy and we are excited at the prospect of seeing a future where Cleanergy is the norm.” said David Aboitiz, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI) Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement.

In order to support the government’s goals to grow the nation’s renewable energy industry, the top provider of renewable energy intends to increase the size of its Cleanergy portfolio over the course of the next ten years. By 2030, AboitizPower hopes to have a mix of thermal and clean energy capacity that is roughly 50:50.

Find out more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement

From Left: Dr. Tyronne Lariego, Pediatric Intensive Care, ARC Hospital; Dr. Pearl Joy Sendaydiego, Pediatric Neurologist and Director of Medical Administrative Affairs, ARC Hospital; Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train PH; Dr. Larissa Ang-Lim, Pediatric Dentist; Dr. Alex Alegrado, Medical Director, ARC Hospital

After opening the first Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) center in Cebu a year ago, Smile Train is still working to increase the number of people in the province and the Visayas who have access to cleft treatment. The first CCC in Cebu has treated more than 120 patients thanks to its collaboration with Allegiant Regional Care (ARC) Hospitals and the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, more than 100 of whom underwent life-altering cleft surgery.

Additionally, speech therapy sessions were offered, ensuring that patients had access to this crucial component of their ongoing care. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including nutrition counseling and orthodontic care, to patients who travel from as far away as Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Negros Oriental.

“Our partnership with Smile Train has allowed us to offer many Filipino patients hope and a chance to experience life-changing treatment for free. With the first comprehensive cleft care center in the region, we are able to cater to more patients and help them learn more about Smile Train’s programs of holistic care for those with cleft,” said Melody Ledesma, Country Director, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation.

According to Dr. Alex Alegrado, Medical Director of Allegiant Regional Care (ARC) Hospitals Inc, many patients have also approached the hospital inquiring about the process for receiving treatment. “Contrary to the notion that services are paused due to the pandemic, we are happy to share the cleft team at ARC continues to provide life-changing treatment for those in need.  We are happy that many of our beneficiaries continue to and are eager to go through the process of treatment. By partnering with Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, we are able to help Filipinos experience the global standard of comprehensive cleft care,” he said.

“We have reached another milestone in our goal of providing care for every cleft-affected individual, and a year full of smiles is just the beginning. We are confident that we will be able to reach more Filipinos affected with cleft and help provide them with access to the necessary comprehensive cleft care support they need,” said Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines.

Smile Train promotes comprehensive cleft care, recognizing that an untreated cleft can cause various health complications such as malnutrition, difficulty breathing and speaking, hearing loss, mental health challenges, and even premature death. Leveraging on its telehealth network, Smile Train brings the services of a multidisciplinary team of specialists to promote programs that include nutritional support, orthodontic care, psychosocial support, and speech therapy, with pilot programs in dental care and ENT services.

Through its programs, Smile Train’s goal is to connect all patients to the care they need. Relying on its network of more than 50 partners, Smile Train has managed to reach more patients across the country, bringing the multiple benefits of free comprehensive cleft care to patients who need it most.

Smile Train has launched several comprehensive cleft centers with its partners, such as the Philippine Band of Mercy and Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital in Metro Manila. Through the help of its partners, Smile Train has been able to support more than 68,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines to date.

Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation. And visit smiletrain.ph/get-help to find out more about the local programs offered by Smile Train in the Philippines and to suggest a patient who needs aid. Like Smile Train Philippines on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines and follow us on Instagram at @SmileTrainPh.

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) today urged bike enthusiasts to participate in the “Ride for Valor,” a non-competitive bike ride that will be held on August 28 to honor Filipino soldiers who protected the nation from Japanese forces during World War II. The PVB is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The event was originally scheduled for last April, but Mike Villa-Real, PVB vice president for communications, stated that owing to pandemic limitations and the elections, it has been moved to August 28 to coincide with National Heroes Day and mark the bank’s 30th anniversary.

“Through this event, we commemorate the unsung and unknown heroes of World War II and the Bataan Death March who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives for our country and freedom,” he said.

Villa-Real explained that the bike ride aims to raise funds for the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME), a non-government organization that maintains the kilometer markers of the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. At least 10 kilometer markers in Mariveles and at least 4 in Limay have to be relocated due to road widening.

He said the event’s format for this year is Gran Fondo or “Big Ride,” and each participant will have a “passport” that they need to bring to three stops: Mt. Samat in Bataan, San Fernando Train/Water Station in Pampanga, and the Death March Memorial Shrine in Capas, Tarlac.

Each stop will have optional destinations such as the Stotsenburg Park near the Clark Parade Grounds and the Bamban Museum of History in Tarlac, where participants will be receive their ride kits.

Villa-Real said a 12-hour cut-off will be implemented during the event, and participants may finish the entire route or join along the stops.

“There will be a mechanic to help those who will experience mechanical issues and roving marshals to monitor the progress of the participants. Support vehicles are allowed, but participants should not ride the vehicle unless they decide to withdraw from the bike ride,” he noted.

Those interested in joining the bike ride may register online at bit.ly/RideforValor2022 and pay P550 per individual and P2,100 per group of five persons. Only bikes with brakes are allowed in the event, and participants must be fully vaccinated.

Each participant will be given a bib number, a bike sticker, an event shirt, a loot bag, and commemorative patches on the day of the event.

PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families. As part of its charter, PVB allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of its shareholders.

Around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese military to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during World War II.

Only over 54,000 people made it to the camp, and of them, about 20,000 perished from infections, famine, dehydration, Japanese captors’ brutality, and other causes.

The event is sponsored by Booster-C, Air21, Panahon TV, and Shimano.

Visit www.veteransbank.com.ph and bit.ly/FB_RideforValor2022 for more details.

OurCrowd General Partner & Managing Director of Australia and Asia Dan Bennett and Einhorn Resources Inc CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier sign the partnership in Tel Aviv, Israel

Today, Einhorn Resources Inc., a Philippine investment company, and OurCrowd, the most active venture platform in Israel, announced a relationship that would give Einhorn customers direct access to OurCrowd’s unique investments and mentorships to support the growth of Philippine entrepreneurs.

Dan Bennett, general partner of OurCrowd and managing director for Australia and Asia, and Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO of Einhorn Resources Inc., inked the collaboration agreement in Tel Aviv, Israel.

“This new partnership is an exciting opportunity to extend our pipeline into the vibrant investment community in the Philippines and to help nurture its startup ecosystem,” said Dan Bennett. “Einhorn Resources’ deep knowledge of the Philippine investment landscape will be instrumental to bringing our top-tier technology talent to that part of the world.”

“Not only are we raising money for these opportunities both in Israel, the US and beyond, but this is an important opportunity for corporates and family offices to invest from the Philippines and to attract technology that will benefit their core business.”

This collaboration, the first of its kind in the Philippines, provides Einhorn clients direct access to one of the world’s leading online venture platforms. OurCrowd currently has $1.9 billion in commitments and has deployed capital to more than 347 portfolio companies and 39 funds in five continents. It also has 200,000 registered members from 195 countries which it allows to participate in vetted and early-stage firms and funds.

Currently, plans are being made to set up a regional incubator that will give growth opportunities to Philippine startups looking for Israeli tech expertise.

“We are excited to work with OurCrowd to pave the way for stronger ties for investment opportunities, traditional companies and tech solution collaborations,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier. “The partnership aims to open the funnel to a Philippine network of investors who can choose relevant companies to invest in as well as customize an online portfolio.”

With investments in Europe, the US, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines, Einhorn Resources Inc. manages a variety of investments in agricultural, fintech, education, healthcare, real estate, and software, either directly or through funds.

Visit the OurCrowd website at OurCrowd.com for additional information, or send us an email at [email protected] and [email protected]. You can reach OurCrowd by calling +44 747 019 6826

About OurCrowd:
OurCrowd is the online global venture investing platform that empowers institutions and individual accredited investors to invest and engage in emerging technology companies at an early stage. Acclaimed by PitchBook as the most active venture investor in Israel, OurCrowd vets and selects companies across all sectors and stages, invests its own capital, and provides its global platform of over 215,000 registered members from 195 countries.

Founded by CEO Jon Medved in 2013 with the vision of democratizing world-class venture capital investing, OurCrowd has grown rapidly into the world’s leading online venture investing platform and as of 2021 has received over $1.9 billion in commitments, and deployed capital into more than 347 portfolio companies and 39 funds across five continents. To date, OurCrowd’s startups have recorded 59 exits including several stock market listings: Beyond Meat, Lemonade, Innoviz, Hub Security; and numerous high-profile acquisitions: JUMP by Uber, BriefCam by Canon, Argus by Continental, Crosswise by Oracle, Replay by Intel, Corephotonics by Samsung, CyberX by Microsoft, and Kenna Security by Cisco. OurCrowd builds value for its portfolio companies throughout their lifecycles, providing mentorship, recruiting industry advisors, navigating follow-on rounds and creating growth opportunities through its network of multinational partnerships.

About Einhorn Resources Inc:

Einhorn Resources Inc. is a management company that oversees investments in companies of diversified industries in its portfolio.

Investments in companies such as DailyPay, World Chef, FutureBank, Kennemer Foods Inc, Xepto Education, Kini, Crowded, KITA,. Carbon6, ReWire, SaNOtize to name a few.

Aside from investment recommendations and management, the group is in constant search for solutions to help improve growth in transactions, revenue, and valuation of companies within their network.

The reality is that no two people experienced the COVID-19 pandemic the same way. The epidemic was a solitary time of self-discovery, emotional development, and paradigm-shifting insights. It altered people, and in the process, it influenced how many of us perceive ourselves and the outside world.

As a result, consumer preferences and habits have changed. Studies reveal that consumers today want a different experience, one that is kinder and more accepting of the changes that each individual had gone through in the previous two years, as opposed to a pre-pandemic world where people frequently spent on luxuries and experiences that allowed them to celebrate their accomplishments. People increasingly place a higher priority on their own well-being and support goods and services that promote development.

Brands are beginning to adjust to the shifts in consumer tastes. And as the entire company is getting ready for a revamp this year, SM is prepared with a slew of new items, staying true to its core commitment to making people happy.

“The history of SM Supermalls is one that has been built on innovation and change to serve the needs of millions of Filipinos,” says SM Supermalls President, Steven Tan. “We’ve been with our customers through their every milestone for almost four decades. And we are committed to always changing, always growing with our customers in the years and decades to come.”

SM Supermalls: Welcoming Every Change in You

SM continues to stay true to its mission to provide Filipino families with a fun and engaging in-mall experience so they can go home with a smile on their faces.

There will always be a plethora of experiences for each person who comes through SM’s doors. This is true for the various personalities that emerged during the pandemic; from eco-warriors and Plantitas to health buffs and sports personalities who embraced biking, healthy eating, and home gyms, and bakers and homemakers who turned their passion projects into small businesses.

“I believe that now more than ever, it is important to recognize the new changes to our world,” adds SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “And people are continuing to grow as they invest in experiences that uplift their lives.”

Ushering the Future with the Transformation of SM Supermalls

In the next few months, Filipinos across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will get to experience the wellness-oriented and sustainability-driven transformation of SM Supermalls with a host of new and exciting activities. These include paw parks for pet moms and dads, al fresco dining areas for hangout groups, plant hubs for eco-enthusiasts, bike facilities for the growing cycling community, co-working spaces, experiential retail, blockbuster and larger-than-life cinema escapades and so much more.

Curiosity seekers, foodies, friends, and families will have a lot to rediscover as the Philippine mall experience is refreshed by SM’s brand refresh campaign. You’re always welcome here, so come on in!

Follow SM Supermalls on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls for additional details, and visit any SM Supermall today to see what’s new!

EMPOWERING MSMEs IN VISAYAS. Cebuana Lhuillier Bank opened its first branch in the Visayas region, setting another expansion milestone pioneering Cebu City. Present in the photo are (from left to right) Dennis Valdes, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President; Mrs. Edna D. Lhuillier, wife of Ambassador Lhuillier; Amb. Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Chairman and Founder of PJ Lhuillier Inc.; Mrs. Camille Lhuillier-Albani, Mr. Andrea Albani, and Jimmy Ang, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Vice President

With the establishment of its first branch in Cebu City, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CLB), one of the nation’s rural banks with the highest rate of growth, has set its sights on further expansion in the Visayas area.

The action is in keeping with the bank’s goal of ensuring financial inclusion for all Filipinos, particularly for consumers from rural areas. In particular, CLB is attempting to connect with mom-and-pop shops and micro, small, and medium-sized firms (MSMEs), whose operations unquestionably required a boost in the wake of the difficulties the economy has faced over the previous two years.

“MSMEs have always been the backbone of our economy, with 99% of total businesses in the Philippines considered falling under this sector. They are also a major source of employment, and also a major contributor in our total export revenues. However, in spite their huge contributions to the economy, MSMEs often lack financial resources that will help in their growth and development,” Cebuana Lhuillier Bank president Dennis Valdes said. “True to the mission of becoming a partner for progress, CLB’s first-ever branch here in Central Visayas is open to all, especially to the more than 65,000 MSMEs looking to further grow their business.”

Located within the business center of the city, CLB’s newest branch can be found in Acacia St., Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City. The bank offers a wide variety of business loan products primarily aimed to provide financial assistance to MSME business owners for their working capital, business expansion, and investment. Depending on the business size and profile of the clients, CLB offers loan products such as Microfinance Loans, SME loans, and Corporate Business Loans.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, the parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, enthuses, “As a conglomerate, PJ Lhuillier has always been guided by its mission of financial inclusion. We make sure that this is reflected in all the products we offer in our companies, and a vital part of how we extend our services to the millions of Filipinos who rely on us for their micro financial needs. Our banking arm, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank is guided by this vision—from their ground-breaking micro savings product which empowered close to 6M Filipinos to start saving for their future, to their expansion plans to Visayas and Mindanao which will allow them to serve more of our kababayans and MSMEs in rural communities.”

Amb. Lhuillier welcoming the expansion of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank in Cebu

CLB currently offers housing loans and business loans in the province. With low interest rates, fast application process, and flexible loan payments, CLB aims to empower MSMEs and business owners. Qualified CLB clients can get a maximum loan amount of PHP300,000 for business loan.

Aside from business loans, CLB also offers housing loans, and soon to be available in its Cebu branch, the Teachers Loan and Motorcycle Loan products.

The Mindanao region is anticipated to be served by CLB before the year is up, and the company now has five (5) branches nationally. In order to use Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,000 branches countrywide for its Micro Savings product, CLB, the banking division of Cebuana Lhuillier, recently hired the sector leader to act as its cash agent. Due to the mobility offered by the eCebuana app, which allows users to effortlessly access microfinancial services including Micro Savings, Money Remittance, Bills Payment, and E-load services among others, the bank and its customers were more accessible thanks to the extensive network presence.

Did you know that the 67-hectare Mall of Asia Complex, where the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) is located, is built to resist disasters brought on by natural disasters? We all know that the MOA is a well-liked location for amazing culinary and recreational experiences.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, implements disaster resiliency measures in every project, with the MOA Complex as one of its biggest investments, the Mall of Asia Complex’s foundation was built to be safe and secure.

Before the MOA complex was built, SM Prime worked with a group of regional and international experts to ensure its viability on land and in the water. After that, Jan de Nul, a renowned coastal development construction company in Belgium, built the MOA complex from the ground up.

The reputable Jan de Nul made sure the terrain was stable and the complex’s roads were made resistant to earthquakes and erosion, in accordance with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and approved by both the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the National Government.

Three important disaster resiliency features were used in protecting the Complex and the coastal community of Pasay from tides and waves: One, a three-kilometer seawall built to stand against liquefaction; two, a meter-high inverted wave return to serve as defense against high waves; and three, a drainage channel to prevent floods during storm surges. This was put to test when Typhoon Pedring hit in 2011, and the Mall of Asia Complex was spared from destructive waves and flooding that submerged many other surrounding establishments.

As an added feature, both the Complex’s main road and all its structures are elevated 4 meters above the parameters set by the National Building Code. Pilings strengthened its foundation and greatly improved its soil bearing capacity.

Family fun, leisure and entertainment are the objectives behind the awe-inspiring grandeur of SM Mall of Asia, but this vision is founded on a commitment to safety and a secure foundation throughout the Complex. This is a firm philosophy of SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Hans T. Sy, a champion for disaster resilience, who continuously invests in DRR and in allocating 10% of the company’s expenditure for DRR in all of SM’s infrastructures throughout the country.

 “Today, disasters have become more frequent and severe. The government and the private sector must work together to find solutions for greater resiliency.  SM prime as a responsible property developer places Disaster Risk Reduction as one of its core strategies. It simply makes good business sense.” emphasizes Mr Hans Sy. He believes that not only is DRR an effective way to grow the business but it protects the communities where SM is located amid the increasing risks of climat echange.

Today, the MOA Complex is a bustling realization of Mr. Henry Sy Sr.’s grand vision for it to become both a premiere integrated leisure destination with a complimentary business and lifestyle district – one of the country’s truly revolutionary mixed-use developments, and a thriving example of disaster risk reduction at work.

It will be comforting to know that SM Prime has worked to ensure your safety and security ever since the development’s conception and 2006 opening, whether you’re visiting the MOA Complex to check out the largest IKEA in the world, watch the sunset from the top of the MOA Eye, or just to shop and eat with your loved ones. to the present and future.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, is committed to providing safe and sustainable spaces for its stakeholders.  Its development strategy is anchored on the responsible use of resources. In the communities it serves, it is able to promote resource conservation, environmental protection, and disaster resiliency by implementing solutions for water, waste, and energy management.

A major participant in the SM Green Movement, which seeks to create a greener world, greener living, and a greener culture through sustainable solutions, is SM Prime. Visit www.smprime.com and www.sminvestments.com/sustainability/sm-for-the-community/sm-green-movement/ to learn more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement.

Nowadays, purchasing and collecting gold jewelry extends beyond aesthetics. The ideal time to buy jewelry is right now because gold’s value is always rising and is even predicted to overcome inflation threats (source). It’s a financial investment you can use for leisure as well as a trustworthy source of funds in an emergency.

With the announcement of its “Rainy Day Gold Rush Sale,” scheduled to run from July 13 to July 19, Cebuana Lhuillier is offering its devoted customers and the wider public another taste of its eagerly awaited jewelry sales.

The country’s most trusted micro financial services company is offering discounts
of 10% off plus up to 50% off for selected jewelry available in more than 3,000 branches nationwide. Meanwhile, clients can enjoy discounts up to 25% off when they purchase in any of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium (CLJP) and Just Jewel branches nationwide.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO, has always encouraged the public to take advantage of gold sales in order to build a sizable investment that can serve as back-up during times of emergency. “Unlike high-end gadgets, gold jewelry will never lose its value over time. Instead, it will serve as a good source of emergency fund during times of need. Buying jewelry will always serve as a wise purchase,” he adds.

Contrary to the usual, pawnshops are also good source of jewelry. Buyers are assured on the quality and authenticity of the items purchased, especially since all the items offered have been thoroughly appraised.

The main website of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry, cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com, as well as any e-commerce websites like Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora, where all items are available at a 10% discount, all offer discounts. Visit www.cebuanalhuillier.com or https://www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop for additional information.