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Back to its roots: On its 65th year, SM provides shoes to Filipino schoolkids
Millions of children around the world walk barefoot, without access to decent footwear. William Blischke, an American Sociology professor at the California State University Dominguez Hills, said in a study that 14 percent of the earth’s inhabitants lack shoes or have inadequate footwear. In some developing countries, shoeless children cannot attend school because they may communicate and contract diseases from their foot sores. Hence, some international non-profit organizations say the lack of shoes is one of the most visible signs of poverty. In the Philippines, a 2023 report by the Department of Education acknowledged Filipino children’s lack of access to resources as among the most pressing issues in the basic education system. School shoes are an integral part of a student’s uniform even in public schools; the lack of shoes will leave children ill-equipped to complete their education. This is the challenge the SM Store intends to address through the Share Shoes campaign — to provide school shoes to poor Filipino students, in line with the celebration of SM’s 65th founding anniversary. With the help of its dedicated customers and partner-organizations, SM Store aims to donate more than 16,000 pairs of shoes to last-mile schools and communities in the country. With a minimum of P3,000 single-receipt-spend at any SM Store, a customer is entitled to donate a pair of shoes, originally retailing for P299, for only P65, and the customer will be considered a “Share Shoes Champion.” Dhinno S. Tiu, executive vice president of SM Store, explained the value and symbolism of shoes for both SM and its advocacy to support the community: “Shoes have been the core of our business for over 65 years. Thus, giving out thousands of shoes to Filipino children who need them the most through the generosity of our customers is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to continue to live the legacy of sharing and giving back to our partner communities.” SM Store hopes that these pairs of shoes would help children toward a better life. Through the simple act of giving shoes to underprivileged kids, they may be able to learn, play and flourish in school. By protecting their young feet, they can confidently step, walk, run and leap toward their individual goals and dreams. Customers may shop at their favorite SM Store from 1 September to 15 November 2023 to support a child in need. For only P65, help transform a life by being a “Share Shoes Champion.” The post Back to its roots: On its 65th year, SM provides shoes to Filipino schoolkids appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Salmon, Oradian seal partnership serving unbanked Filipinos
Oradian has included fintech innovator Salmon in its roster of valued customers, providing expertise by adopting Oradian’s advanced core system to drive its growth strategy, and to help the government attain its goal of improving the numbers of unbanked Filipino Currently servicing tens of thousands of customers, Salmon is a consumer fintech company built by a team of finance professionals and entrepreneurs and backed by world-class investors that develop better and more inclusive financial products with a focus on innovation, flexibility, security, relentless focus on customer care and added value for clients. The fintech firm started originally with in-store purchase financing, as Salmon had intended to expand its range of financial services to cover all the daily needs of clients in the Philippines and beyond, bridging the financial inclusion gap for millions of consumers. “We’re delighted to have found a technology partner in Oradian. As we enter a new stage of our institutional development and ready ourselves to deliver new product offerings, Oradian provides some essential tools that will power our continued growth,” said George Chesakov, CEO and co-founder of Salmon in a press conference on Wednesday. Founded in 2022, Salmon has already attracted a cumulative $36 million in equity and debt funding, reflecting deep confidence in its business model and growth potential. Essential recipe “Oradian offers a vital combination of flexible, scalable, best-in-class technology and comprehensive in-market customer support and expertise that enables us to drive growth, scale rapidly, and boost our performance. This is an essential recipe for remaining competitive in an increasingly crowded fintech landscape,” said Chesakov. Salmon’s early success is indicative of the strength and health of the Philippines’ financial technology market, particularly as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the national government seek to promote digital lending and boost financial inclusion. The BSP in its report last month said 22 million Filipinos have gained access to formal financial accounts between 2019 and 2021. According to the 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey of the BSP, 34.3 million Filipino adults remained unbanked, as the country’s banked population was at about 56 percent of all adults in 2021, improving from just 29 percent in 2019. First cloud-native core banking system Oradian, the first cloud-native core banking system to be used by BSP-regulated financial institutions in the Philippines, has been serving institutional customers for more than 10 years, enabling enhanced growth and performance with its cloud-native, API-enabled platform. Reflecting on this new partnership, Antonio Separovic, CEO and co-founder of Oradian said: “Oradian’s mission is to partner with high-growth, tech-enabled financial institutions to drive growth and promote financial inclusion for last-mile communities. “Oradian’s system is designed for sophisticated tech-led teams like Salmon that leverage technology to scale financial services throughout the entire community — we’re excited to work alongside George and Salmon’s team as they meet these goals.” The post Salmon, Oradian seal partnership serving unbanked Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go leads Senate in congratulating Filipino champions of 2023 World Cup of Pool
On 16 August, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sponsored a Senate resolution congratulating and commending James Aranas and Johann Chua for winning the 2023 World Cup of Pool. The 2023 World Cup of Pool, a prestigious pool doubles tournament participated in by 32 teams representing different countries, was held in Spain from 27 June to 2 July 2023. In a thrilling showdown, the Filipino duo bested Germany’s Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen, 11-7, in the finals at the Pazo de Feiras E Congresos in Lugo, Spain. The victory not only showcased the outstanding talents of the athletes but also ended the country's decade-long title drought, marking the fourth World Cup of Pool championship for the Philippines since 2013. “This triumph holds a special significance,” stated Go. “Their quest to victory was not achieved overnight, for it was the outcome of thorough preparation, unyielding commitment, and relentless perseverance.” Go, chairperson of the Committee on Sports, praised Aranas and Chua as beacons of inspiration, reminding Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams with “unwavering determination and passion.” He also extended recognition to the coaching staff and trainers, emphasizing their vital role in the athletes' success. In an impassioned moment, Go reflected on the hardships the athletes endure, saying, “Hindi po biro ang kanilang sakripisyo na ginagawa tuwing sila ay mag-eensayo." "Ang iba po sakanila ay kailangan mahiwalay sa kanilang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay para lang makamit ang kanilang mga pangarap," added Go. The senator further emphasized the need to prioritize and advocate for the welfare of athletes, maintaining the advancements attained in the global sports arena. He called for united support and collaboration to honor and uplift the nation through sports. Concluding his speech, Go addressed the champions directly, saying, “Once again, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the both of you for exhibiting exceptional skill and talent." "Your unwavering determination and dedication have set a remarkable example for all of us, demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. We look forward to your future achievements and continued success. Mabuhay kayo!” concluded Go. A sports advocate and enthusiast himself, Go called for additional support for aspiring Filipino athletes during the deliberation for the 2023 budgets of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusement Board. The senator is also an ardent supporter of long-term and grassroots sports development in the country. Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020. The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The said law is in line with Go’s vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. The NAS Main Campus is located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac. As one of his priority measures in the 19th Congress, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. Go is also the author of Senate Bill No. 2116, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10699 or the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act”, which was tackled by the Senate Committee on Sports during the hearing. He emphasized the need to further recognize para-athletics on the same footing as other international competitions. The post Bong Go leads Senate in congratulating Filipino champions of 2023 World Cup of Pool appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Schools and students feted for innovative, tech-based sustainable solutions
The innovative potential of youth combined with the power of technology was the driving force of the 6th “imake.wemake:create.innovate.collaborate” competition final presentation and awarding ceremony recently at Crimson Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute conferred the Youth Innovation Prize to three school teams whose technologies exhibited novelty and patentability, functionality and a unique selling point, collaboration, design and feasibility, extensibility and practicability. The three school teams each received a P200,000 cash prize sponsored by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. through HCPI vice president Atty. Louie Soriano; a trophy, and P20,000 cash prize for their respective coaches. This year, innovations in forest conservation, sustainable agriculture and sustainable microplastic pollution control took center stage. Youth Innovation Prize The Cavite Science Integrated School bagged the YIP for “Project KALINGA: Geolocation Estimation of Forest Activities Using Triangulation and Sound Classification.” The project aims to address the longstanding issue of illegal logging and deforestation in the Philippines by helping forest rangers monitoring such activities. It works by using the triangulation method and sound classification to estimate the geolocation (or geographical location) of sound sources, specifically sounds of equipment used in illegal forest activities like chainsaws and vehicles. The team included Uno A. Café, Rainier M. Guinto, Sigmund Francis S. Manalo and Precious A. Zapanta, with Elain E. Malones as their coach. The Philippine Science High School-CALABARZON Region Campus also received the YIP for “SAMGIOP: Development of an IoT-based Sensory Device for Leaf Damage and Abiotic Factors in Cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) Using Raspberry Pi.” The project, designed as an innovative response to pest infestation problems in cabbages, was developed by Harvae C. dela Cruz, Joanna Daniella C. Fajardo, Ma. Hannah Isabel L. Suguitan, and Anjirehl Ernest Godfrei C. Zapata, with Marizel B. Villanueva as their coach. The project “E-QUIA: Remotely Operated Electrostatic Collector of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics in Freshwater Environment” of Vinzons Pilot High School was the third YIP awardee Addressing the environmental damage caused by microplastics, particularly in freshwater, E-QUIA is a remote-controlled device that uses an environmentally-friendly method to collect microplastics from freshwater environments via an electrostatic filtration system The technology was developed by Alliyah C. Cambronero, Reynier Francis E. Espinola, Allen Misty B. Jalina and Lea Monina G. Pioquinto, with Jason N. Bargo as their coach. Young Scientist Award The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, through Graciela Mendoza, head of scholarships and community education, also bestowed the Young Scientist Award to four students who were selected from a pool of 80 aspiring young scientists: Sigmund Francis S. Manalo and Precious A. Zapanta of Cavite Science Integrated School, Harvae C. dela Cruz of Philippine Science High School-CALABARZON Region Campus, and Reynier Francis E. Espinola of Vinzons Pilot High School. The YSA is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics college scholarship awarded to outstanding students who exhibit admirable values and a strong commitment to STEM education. GBF has been DoST-SEI’s years-long partner in promoting a strong culture of science among the Filipino youth to encourage, recognize and support them in pursuing careers in STEM on the road to becoming future innovators and nation builders. C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions Innovation Award To complete the roster of winners, Lala National High School received the C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions Innovation Award from C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions vice president Gerric Gomez. CEALS is a special award given to a school team whose project exhibits excellent design using the Arduino platform and has strong market potential. The project, “Automated Calamansi Harvesting Robot”, focused on effective and efficient crop harvesting to maximize crop yield and minimize losses. It was developed by the team of Guilmarc C. Baculao, Luilaine R. Lumanas, Carlo James C. Saladaga, and Jetrice Lesuzest L. Tanguihan, with Harold C. Delostrico as their coach. The post Schools and students feted for innovative, tech-based sustainable solutions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nationwide free clinic offers consultation, healthcare services
In line with its mission of providing accessible healthcare for Filipinos, RHEA Generics, a homegrown heritage brand and a pioneer in the generics industry, has rolled out its nationwide “Maaasahan Mo Free Clinic“ in partnership with Mercury Drug. [caption id="attachment_167845" align="aligncenter" width="1060"] The clinic is open to everyone every Saturday until September 2023.[/caption] The free clinic offers a range of essential healthcare services, including blood pressure checking, blood sugar testing, cholesterol screening and medical consultation. The clinic is open to everyone every Saturday until September 2023. Over 100 Mercury Drug stores are participating in this initiative. Individuals can avail of free healthcare services in locations such as Quezon City, Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos City, among others. Apart from ensuring widespread access to essential healthcare services, the initiative also seeks to promote disease prevention through patient education. RHEA Generics is also advocating the use of affordable generic medicines to keep Filipinos healthy and away from any preventable illnesses. PHILUSA Corporation president and general manager Neogin A. Evangelista said, “RHEA Generics continuously strives for affordable and world-class quality healthcare services to Filipinos, and the Maaasahan Mo Free Clinic is only one of our many efforts to make this possible. We encourage everyone to participate in this initiative and take advantage of this opportunity to receive basic medical services at no cost.” RHEA Generics provides world-class quality and safe health products and is one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine, producing uni-branded medicines. RHEA Generics has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Viatris, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to assure world-class-quality medical products for every Filipino. To learn more about the Maaasahan Mo Free Clinic, visit the nearest Mercury Drug store or visitthe official Facebook page @RHEAGenericsPH. The post Nationwide free clinic offers consultation, healthcare services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Compete with integrity, BBM tells Palaro athletes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on the athletes, coaches, and trainers of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa to compete with excellence, fairness and integrity. “As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions, and now you represent your respective schools and localities,” Marcos said in his speech during the 2023 Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony. “Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity. It is also my hope that you will enjoy every moment of this competition and make memories during this competition that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life,” Marcos said. Marcos also welcomed the coaches, trainers, and support staff who are helping the athletes prepare for the games. He assured them of the government’s continued support for sports development. “This administration believes in the transformative power of sports, not only in improving one’s strength and agility but also in building up character and discipline,” Marcos said. The Chief Executive also urged the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of Filipino student-athletes. The President also called on local government units to encourage school participation in sports competitions, adding they can help students learn discipline, resilience and teamwork. “You serve as exemplars of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship by showing your peers and your fellow Filipinos the result of your discipline, your training, your hard work, and the many sacrifices you had to make to make it here today,” the Chief Executive said. Marcos concluded his speech by inviting all Filipinos to watch the games and cheer for their favorite teams. He said that many of the participants will one day compete in international competitions. The 2023 Palarong Pambansa is being held in Marikina City, the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” from 29 July to 5 August. The games feature over 9,000 student-athletes, coaches, and officials across the Philippines. The post Compete with integrity, BBM tells Palaro athletes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM to Palaro athletes: ‘Compete with excellence, fairness, integrity’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the athletes, coaches, and trainers of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa to compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity in his speech during the annual sports meet's opening ceremony. "As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions, and now you represent your respective schools and localities," Marcos said. "Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity. It is also my hope that you will enjoy every moment in this competition and make memories during this competition that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life," he added. Marcos also welcomed the coaches, trainers and support staff who are helping the athletes prepare for the games. He assured them of the government's continued support for sports development. "This administration believes in the transformative power of sports, not only in improving one's strength and agility, but also in building up character and discipline," Marcos said. The Chief Executive also urged the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of the Filipino student-athletes. "Continue to leverage your reach and resources to provide them with the support, training and opportunities that they thrive on and on which they will succeed," Marcos said. Marcos also called on the local government units to encourage school participation in sports competitions. He said that sports can help students learn the importance of discipline, resilience and teamwork. "You serve as exemplars of excellence, integrity and sportsmanship by showing your peers and your fellow Filipinos the result of your discipline, your training, your hard work and the many sacrifices you had to make to make it here today," the Chief Executive said. Marcos concluded his speech by inviting all Filipinos to watch the games and cheer for their favorite teams. He said that he is confident that many of the participants will one day be competing in international competitions. "I'm certain many of our participants here one day, we will be watching in international competitions, as we have become a force in terms of international sports and these kinds of events," Marcos said. The 2023 Palarong Pambansa is being held in Marikina City, the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines," from 29 July to 5 August. The games feature over 9,000 student-athletes, coaches and officials from all over the Philippines. The post PBBM to Palaro athletes: ‘Compete with excellence, fairness, integrity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
McDonald’s Philippines to hire 20,000 employees
With now close to 60,000 employees to date, McDonald’s Philippines—under its master franchise holder and owner Dr. George T. Yang and President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang—will be providing over 20,000 career opportunities to Filipinos as it continues to open more stores all over the country. “With every new store that we open, we can provide employment opportunities in local communities where the store is located. We directly hire all our people and do not practice contractualization. This has always been the way we hire our people since our chairman, Dr. George T. Yang opened the 1st McDonald’s in the Philippines in Morayta, Manila in 1981—and it is something that we will continue to do. We believe that if our people working in the restaurants have job security first, it will allow them to focus and do well in their job of serving our customers. ” said Kenneth S. Yang, President, and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines. More than job security, McDonald’s Philippines takes pride in the world-class training it provides its people, making them competitive in the industry as they get to learn global systems and processes in restaurant service. Through a robust learning and development curriculum, McDonald’s employees cannot just learn life-long skills but grow and progress in the company. McDonald’s employees also receive annual salary increases, insurance, hospital and medical benefits, special employee discounts, and other allowances. According to the fast-food chain, priority areas for hiring Management Trainees are Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Montalban, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Makati, Manila, Quezon City, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Lucena, and Pasig City. Priority areas for crew members are Parañaque, Manila, Pasay, Pasig, Marikina, Taytay, Antipolo, Kidapawan, and Davao City. Equal Opportunity Employer McDonald’s Philippines takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer, providing career opportunities to working students and Filipinos from all walks of life—regardless of background, age, gender, or sexual orientation. From the crew room to the boardroom, the quick service restaurant (QSR) giant is driven by a good representation of women with more than 50% taking vital positions and leadership roles. Along with providing regular employment, McDonald’s Philippines also ensures a safe and inclusive workplace that allows its people to thrive. As one of the country’s biggest employers, McDonald’s Philippines champions equity where all employees, whether in its head office or stores, have equal access to training and development and advancement opportunities. McDonald’s extends this to more members of the community with programs like WIP or Workforce Immersion Program. WIP provides training for Senior High School students by allowing them firsthand experience of the fast food industry and its operations; the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where McDonald’s helps in providing jobs for underprivileged students and out-of-school youth through employing them to become McDonald’s crew members. Since adopting SPES in 2011, McDonald’s has provided 16,319 Filipino youth with employment opportunities. In partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), McDonald’s Alternative Workforce Program offers work-based training positions for 5,000 unemployed and out-of-school youths through YouthWorksPH to provide beneficiaries with financial knowledge, skills, and access to resources necessary to effectively manage finances through adulthood. Among the Philippines’ best employers McDonald’s Philippines was also recognized as one of the Philippines’ best employers in the inaugural list of The Philippines’ Best Employers for 2023 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and international market research firm Statista. The list shared a ranking of the country’s top-rated employers as evaluated by their employees. “We are thrilled to have been named as one of the country’s best employers for 2023. This is not just a testament to our commitment, and the work we have done for our people, but it is also a challenge for us to always be a step better to bring out the best in them,” said Margot B. Torres, Managing Director, McDonald’s Philippines. With more new store openings slated this 2023, McDonald’s Philippines will continue serving the communities they operate in to ensure its people — crew and customers alike, can continue enjoying more feel-good moments with McDonald’s. The post McDonald’s Philippines to hire 20,000 employees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bridging healthcare gap
While the government has consistently strived to improve medical access, the reality remains that access to hospitals providing specialized healthcare services is still limited. Almost all specialty hospitals are located in Metro Manila. We have here the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, among others. As these specialty hospitals are some of the best in our country, many of our Filipinos from the provinces who suffer from serious diseases are constrained to travel to Manila just to ensure that they receive quality, affordable and specialized healthcare services necessary for their conditions. Having to worry over transportation and accommodation expenses on top of the already burdensome medical costs is simply too much, especially for our poor Filipinos who can barely earn enough for their daily needs. As I visited many disadvantaged communities nationwide, scores of our kababayans sought me out not only for medical assistance but also for help with their transportation expenses going to Manila, where the only hospitals that can address their health needs are located. The glaring need to bring these specialized medical services closer to our people in the provinces encourages me to continue advocating for a measure that will mandate the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. It is high time that we unburden our fellow Filipinos of unnecessary long travels and additional expenses just to get these services needed to save their lives. On 17 May, I sponsored Senate Bill 2212, which seeks to mandate the Department of Health to establish specialty centers in existing DoH hospitals in different regions within five years, rather than constructing entirely new specialty hospitals — a cost-efficient, faster and practical solution to address the issue. The proposal also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which includes the establishment of specialty centers as part of the health-related legislative agenda of the administration. Moreover, if enacted into law, the DoH will be required to allocate capital outlay investments and work closely with the Department of Budget and Management to develop staffing patterns and standards for the specialty centers, securing positions for healthcare workers serving in these facilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on establishing heart, lung, and kidney centers that replicate the capabilities of the National Specialty Centers in Metro Manila. This is also a way to decongest our existing specialty hospitals. For instance, the establishment of mental health centers in various DoH hospitals would help decongest the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I believe that physical, emotional, and mental health are all equally important, and I will continue to support measures that would protect and promote the different aspects of health as a whole. Thus, on the same day, I also co-sponsored the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act filed by Senator Win Gatchalian. If said bill is passed into law, a Care Center in basic education schools will be established. This will not only benefit the students but also the teaching and non-teaching personnel. Previously, I likewise filed SBN 1786 which aims to mandate Public Higher Education Institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Cagayan on 18 May to join in the Sarakat Festival, attend the inauguration of the Super Health Center, and provide aid to 1,500 indigents in the town of Santa Praxedes, where I was honored to be its adopted son. We then headed to Lal-lo town where I witnessed the groundbreaking of another Super Health Center and also led another relief operation for 1,500 more struggling residents in the town. The following day, I visited Jordan, Guimaras, where I attended a volleyball tournament as part of the Manggahan Festival of the province and personally checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital. We also aided 217 patients and 512 frontliners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development assisted 118 qualified patients. Later that day, we visited Buenavista, Guimaras where I led the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center, spearheaded a relief operation for 1,462 indigents, and visited local infrastructure initiatives we earlier supported during the Duterte administration such as the Buenavista Wharf and seawall. Last week, my outreach teams also helped many of our fellow Filipinos in need, including 50 indigents in Libertad, 50 in Salay, and 1,735 in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; 153 in Agusan del Norte; 255 in Belison, Antique; 419 in Laurel, Batangas; 150 in Quezon City; 1,550 in Manila City; 666 in Limay, Bataan; 108 in Malolos City, Bulacan; 233 in Maria Aurora in Aurora; 366 in Kalawit and 333 in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; and 1,912 families affected by armed conflict in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Fire-hit households, including 21 in Lapu-Lapu City, 99 in Mandaue City, and 171 in Cebu City in the province of Cebu; and six in Angeles City, Pampanga were also assisted. Aside from pushing for the establishment of regional specialty centers, I continue to support our Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers to provide more accessible medical assistance programs and basic health services, respectively, to more of our fellow Filipinos. It is my hope that, with the support of our fellow workers in the government, we can continue bringing medical services closer to the people, particularly the economically disadvantaged and those residing in far-flung areas, to help address the urgent need to bridge the healthcare gap across the country. After all, it is enshrined in our Constitution, as a matter of state policy, that “the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people” and that “the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” As elected representatives of the Filipino people, it is our solemn duty to realize these state policies. These programs and measures will not only protect and promote such rights but will make this a living testament to our collective desire to help provide a more comfortable life for Filipinos. The post Bridging healthcare gap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night: Celebrating partners
World Intellectual Property Day is just around the corner and the IP Office of the Philippines, or IPOPHL, has a glamorous night in store for everyone to celebrate the event on 26 April. On this evening, IPOPHL will bring you a star-studded Fashion Night and the annual Gawad Yamang Isip Awards to celebrate faces that have been redefining innovation in fashion and various fields. Particularly, the Fashion Night is in line with the theme of this year’s National IP Month: “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” as it aims to empower women and help break gender disparities in the fashion and wearables industries. In a 2018 research note on the garment, textile and footwear sector in the Asia Pacific, the International Labor Organization found that women in the GTF sector in the Philippines were paid around 6.5 percent less than men on average. The finding, according to ILO, implied that even when women attained similar or better education and experience than men, they still received lower wages for work of equal value due to gender-based discrimination. With the incentive of the IP system, we envision craftsmanship to serve as a force for good, redefining the Philippine fashion and wearables industries as channels to expand freedoms and opportunities equitably for women. Fashion Night will also celebrate heirloom products that are pivotal in expanding the country’s growing geographical indications map as around 32 percent of IPOPHL’s official list of potential GIs are made up of local textile products. For this event, we have partnered with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Textile and Research Institute, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, and the Philippine Fashion Coalition. We will also be featuring creations by award-winning designers such as JC Buendia, Pablo Cabahug and Jor-el Espina — all members of the PFC chaired by former Trade Undersecretary Carissa Cruz Evangelista. The objective is to showcase the most celebrated pieces of Philippine fashion and other emerging pieces that speak volumes of the innovative genius of Filipinos and Filipinas. As for the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards, this is an annual event conferring the highest IP award on Philippine nationals who have contributed substantially to their respective fields through creating intellectual property (IP) protected products and works. For this event, we will recognize one inventor, one industrial designer, one enterprise and a few artists from the creative sector. This will also mark the first time that the World IP Organization will be giving a national award in the country, mainly to an enterprise that has helped uplift the lives of women through IP. We will also honor women who have helped transform the IP system to benefit more innovators and creators, and also recognize top filers and other partners who have gone above and beyond to support our IP creators and rights holders. The Fashion Night and GYI is just one way for IPOPHL to celebrate men and women whose ingenuity and talent have created IP assets for the good of society and the environment. For IPOPHL, this event will also remind us that it takes many hands to build the foundations of a robust and inclusive IP system. So I hope everyone can join us on 26 April by watching our live streamed event starting at 4 p.m. It will be a night of celebrating creativity, innovation, culture, IP and our ever-expanding network of allies who aim to see an IP system that benefits every Filipino and Filipina. The post Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night: Celebrating partners appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
NBA and Titan announce multiyear merchandising partnership in the Philippines
MANILA, PHILIPPINES, July 23, 2020 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Titanomachy International, Inc. (Titan), the Philippines’ leading basketball specialty concept store, announced today a multiyear merchandising partnership to relaunch the official online NBA Store in the Philippines. Operated by Titan, NBAStore.com.ph will go live Thursday, Aug. 6 and will provide fans across the Philippines with access to official NBA products on all mobile devices. NBAStore.com.ph will offer a comprehensive selection of authentic NBA merchandise from all 30 teams, including jerseys, shirts, footwear, headwear, outerwear, accessories, and equipment from brands including Nike, Jordan Brand, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, Herschel, Spalding and Stance. “Our partnership with Titan provides an exciting opportunity to engage and deliver an enhanced digital retail experience to NBA fans in the Philippines,” said Lesley Rulloda, NBA Asia Associate Vice President of Global Merchandising. “We look forward to providing passionate Filipino fans with unprecedented access to authentic NBA products through the relaunch of the league’s online store.” “At Titan, our mission is to inspire consumers to love the game through the best basketball products, stories and experiences,” said Mike Ignacio, Managing Director of Titanomachy International, Inc. “Our newly-forged partnership with the NBA will enable us to cater to a wider range of Filipino basketball fans and equip them with new ways to express their love for their favorite teams, players and league.” As the league’s 25th branded international online store, NBAStore.com.ph will offer special collections and exclusive product releases highlighted by locally designed apparel. During the launch, NBAStore.com.ph will showcase the NBA Philippines Tees Collection, featuring four unique designs inspired by the country’s premier NBA fanbase and passion for the game of basketball. Fans can visit www.nbastore.com.ph and sign up for the newsletter to get access to exclusive offers on authentic NBA merchandise, and follow NBAStore.com.ph on Facebook and Instagram for more information on NBA product launches and brand highlights. Filipinos can also watch NBA Republika Huddle on the NBA Philippines Facebook page, designed as a platform for local influencers, sports personalities and fans to discuss the latest events and happenings around the league. For all the latest NBA news and updates, visit www.nba.com and follow NBA Philippines on Facebook and Twitter......»»
Philippines seeks to promote local small-scale sellers via TikTok
MANILA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has sought a partnership with popular video platform TikTok to promote the products of Filipino small-scale sellers and entrepreneurs, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Saturday. The PCO said Marcos wants to use TikTok, which has 50 million users in the Southeast Asian country, for "edutainment," mixing education and ente.....»»
LANDBANK, OFBank to offer financial education for Pinoys in Italy, Switzerland
Around 180,000 Filipinos living and working in Italy and Switzerland will have the opportunity to attend free financial education seminars organized by LANDBANK and OFBank. The state-run banks, in collaboration with Philippine embassies and consulates, aim to provide overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers with basic knowledge on saving, digital banking, financial security, and investing. The seminars will also cover LANDBANK and OFBank's innovative banking solutions, such as safe savings options, real-time fund transfers, investment instruments, and loan products. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz emphasized that providing financial education to Filipinos abroad contributes to the economic growth and stability of the Philippines. In Italy, financial education seminars will be organized for approximately 167,000 Filipinos, while in Switzerland, the banks aim to benefit over 14,600 overseas Filipinos. The collaboration between LANDBANK, OFBank, and the Philippine Embassy in Rome was formalized in October 2023, and several seminars have already been conducted in Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Geneva. The state-run banks are committed to promoting financial inclusion and security among overseas Filipinos and their families by equipping them with the necessary financial knowledge and resources......»»
FEU Tech named Top University for Real Impact for third consecutive year
Real-world impact and contributions to society are the best measures of education. It stands as the most valid indicator of effective learning. The World University Rankings for Innovation has revolutionized the way we measure academic success, putting emphasis on tangible outcomes that shape communities and drive progress. Leading the charge among Philippine universities, FEU Tech (Far Eastern University Institute of Technology) has risen through the ranks of this prestigious award for three consecutive years, showcasing its unwavering commitment to modern education. With groundbreaking research, cutting-edge methodologies and a transformative approach to learning, FEU Tech is not just creating graduates but shaping future Filipino trailblazers who can thrive in workplaces and create substantial impact in different industries. Real-world results WURI aims to effectively measure such impact by highlighting creative and innovative approaches universities have in their research and educational programs through six categories: Industrial Application, rather than the traditional ways of counting research papers and lecture-type teaching; Value-Creating startups and entrepreneurship, rather than a traditional focus on the number of jobs filled; Social Responsibility, Ethics and Integrity, rather than a focus on knowledge and skills just for material success; Student Mobility and Openness for exchange and collaboration between schools and across national borders, rather than an independent yet closed system; Crisis Management in the midst of climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and other global and local crises; Progress during the Fourth Industrial Revolution through digital technology, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud services, blockchain and so on. FEU Tech, which has always been on the lookout for opportunities to innovate its educational programs, was the only university in the Philippines to join the WURI Rankings back in 2020. After ranking Top 19 for Ethical Values on their first try, the institution was poised to garner more awards in succeeding years. In 2021, FEU Tech ranked Top 24 for Entrepreneurial Spirit. In 2022, they ranked Top 98 overall globally, and in 2023, ranked Top 77 overall in a very competitive pool of top-performing universities and institutions both in the Philippines and around the globe. FEU’s invaluable contribution towards the internationalization of Philippine higher education also garnered recognition from the Commission on Higher Education during the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability Awards 2023 last 6 October. The award was received by Dr. Florante D. Poso Jr., director of Quality Assurance. Immersive FEU Tech’s commitment to revolutionizing education goes beyond rankings. Amidst the pandemic crisis, the university has unveiled its innovative Mastery-based Individualized Learning Enhancement System, which aims to create an adaptive, immersive and personalized learning experience. MILES empowers students with the flexibility to explore and master their subjects at their own pace, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity. At the heart of MILES lies a cutting-edge virtual learning environment where students can immerse themselves in interactive simulations, collaborate with peers and engage in hands-on learning experiences, transcending the limitations imposed by physical classrooms. The university’s enhanced WURI ranking is just the beginning when it comes to its pivotal role in shaping innovation ecosystems, creating significant contributions to society and becoming a recognized global leader in transformative education. The post FEU Tech named Top University for Real Impact for third consecutive year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Robinsons retail unit posts profit rise
Listed Gokongwei group’s Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. proved its resilience in the first nine months as it reported a core profit of P3.8 billion, up 4 percent. Net sales during the period were at P138.2 billion, which rose by 8.7 percent year-on-year. The company was able to generate growth in net sales and core net earnings despite the impact of inflation on consumption and a challenging base last year which benefited from economic reopening and election-related spending. Core net earnings exclude foreign exchange gains and losses, interest income from bonds, equity in earnings from associates, interest expense related to the Bank of Philippine Islands acquisition financing, BPI cash dividends, and others. The growth in net sales was supported by blended same store sales growth of five percent and store expansions. The core businesses supermarkets and drugstores were the main revenue growth drivers in the first nine months. These two segments accounted for almost 75 percent of Robinsons Retail’s revenues for the period. Meanwhile, a bright spot in the discretionary portfolio was the department store segment, which was able to deliver double-digit topline growth due to back-to-school and continued out-of-home activities. The company’s consolidated gross profit continued to grow faster than revenues, increasing by 9.4 percent year-on-year to P32.9 billion in the first nine months. This was enabled by improvements in category mix and higher penetration of private label brands. Meanwhile, operating income grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year to P6.1 billion. Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company fell by 41.4 percent year-on-year to P2.6 billion until September. The decline in net income to parent was weighed by equitized losses from minority startup investments which continue to ramp up, the derecognition of Robinsons Bank’s net income under equitized earnings following the ongoing merger with the Bank of the Philippine Islands, interest expense from the acquisition financing of the BPI shares that were purchased earlier this year, and the absence of cash dividends from BPI in the third quarter of 2023. Dividends set BPI has historically paid dividends in the second and fourth quarters of each year. The expected cash dividends from BPI in the fourth quarter should fully cover for the acquisition related financing interest expense for the purchase of the BPI shares. “Our defensible business model has enabled us to continue growing and remain relevant among Filipino consumers. This is notwithstanding near-term macroeconomic challenges, particularly the impact of inflation on consumer sentiment. These headwinds are temporary, in our view, and we thus remain positive on the long-term potential of the domestic retail industry given the Philippines’ attractive demographics. We will continue to invest with a long-term view and in a sustainable manner — core strategies that we firmly believe will translate to greater stakeholder value,” Robina Gokongwei-Pe, president and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., said. The post Robinsons retail unit posts profit rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
4 Pinoys killed in Israel getting aid — Fluss
The Israeli government, through its Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, assured the families of four Filipinos who died when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel that they would receive financial aid. “As long as they are documented and in Israel, then the Israeli government will recognize them as victims of terrorism. For that, they will be receiving financial assistance — their parents, spouses, their children, accordingly,” Fluss told members of the media. The talk with Fluss was organized by the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “We have clear legislation for helping Israelis in this case, as well as Filipinos and other foreign nationals. This will come in the form of financial assistance on a monthly basis, depending on whether they need assistance in education, health care, or even a grant for housing, as clearly stated in Israeli law,” Fluss said. “The aid will be coursed through either the Philippine government or to the families of the victims,” he added. Photos of four Filipino caregivers who perished during the war were displayed during the forum, namely Ilongga OFW Grace Prodigo Cabrera, who chose to be taken away by Hamas to save the 80-year-old Israeli woman under her care; Angelyn Peralta Aguirre, a 33-year-old who was killed along with her patient in Israel; Loreta Alacre, who was shot to death by Hamas while she was on her way back to her employer; and Paul Vincent Castelvi. Meanwhile, with the report that two missing Filipinos are now in the hands of Hamas as hostages, Ambassador Fluss said they are leaving the responsibility to the Philippine government to provide updates. “There are formal channels of communication between the two governments. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquartered in Jerusalem is constantly coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, while we are coordinating here with the DFA,” he said. The post 4 Pinoys killed in Israel getting aid — Fluss appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday met with Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao (Ret), Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, to discuss more training and education opportunities for Filipino soldiers. Following the courtesy call of Gumataotao to Brawner at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the two officials exchanged perspectives on present and emerging security issues in the Asia Pacific region. AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said both officials also tackled ongoing threats and agreed on positions on how to address these security challenges. “The CSAFP, being an alumnus of the APCSS, also expressed his appreciation of such advanced studies on defense and security strategy in developing military officers,” Ileto said. The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is an institute of the United States Department of Defense based in Hawaii that provides a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The post More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel envoy assures financial aid to 4 Filipino victims
The Israeli government, through its envoy in the Philippines, Ambassador Ilan Fluss—assured the families of four Filipinos who earlier died in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic terror group Hamas—that they will be receiving enough financial aid from the Israeli government distinguishing them as victims of terrorism. “As long as they are documented and in Israel, then the Israeli government will recognize them as victims of terrorism. For that, they will be receiving financial assistance, their parents, spouses, their children, accordingly,” Fluss told members of the media during the forum “Coming Together: An Afternoon of Unity, Prayer, and Solidarity with Israel” in Makati City on Thursday, organized by the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “We have clear legislation in helping Israelis in this case, as well as Filipinos and other foreign nationals. This will come in financial assistance on a monthly basis, depending on if they need assistance in education, health care, or even a grant for housing, as clearly stated in Israeli law. The aid will be coursed through either the Philippine government or to the families of the victims,” he added. Photos of four Filipino caregivers who perished during the war were displayed during the forum, namely Ilongga OFW Grace Prodigo Cabrera, who chose to be taken away by Hamas to save the 80-year-old Israeli woman under her care; Angelyn Peralta Aguirre, a 33-year-old, who was killed along with her patient in Israel; Loreta Alacre who was shot to death by Hamas while she was on her way back to her employer, and Paul Vincent Castelvi, who was also killed during the onset of the war. Meanwhile, with the report that the two missing Filipinos are now in the hands of Hamas as hostages, Ambassador Fluss said they are leaving the responsibility to the Philippine government to provide updates. “There are formal channels of communication between the two governments. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquartered in Jerusalem is constantly coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, while we are coordinating here with the DFA,” he said. The DFA on Thursday said they are verifying reports that the two missing Filipinos in Israel were taken hostage by Hamas with the Israeli Embassy in the Philippines. According to the report of the Israeli government and international multimedia news provider Reuters, two Filipinos who were previously tagged as missing were among the estimated 220 hostages held by Hamas. Fluss maintained that the Israeli government "is dedicated to dismantling and destroying all the infrastructure made by Hamas forces in Gaza, bringing back the abducted Israeli and foreign nationals held in Gaza," but emphasizing that "they are not planning to occupy Gaza." For the part of the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, its president Yoray Ofek, stressed that they stand behind Israel and aired utmost support to the Israeli government. The post Israel envoy assures financial aid to 4 Filipino victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»