In pursuit of providing quality service and making it more accessible to its aggressively growing market in the country, HONOR Philippines has unveiled yet another experience store, now in SM City North EDSA Annex located at 4/F Cyberzone.
“As our HONOR fans grow, it is our duty to bring our wide array of offerings closer to them. We are now in six stores nationwide – SM City Fairview, SM City Consolacion Cebu, SM City Marilao, SM City Grand Central, SM City Makati, and now are more than excited to officially open our newest experience store in SM City North EDSA,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
This momentous event was officiated by HONOR Philippines Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on, PR Manager Pao Oga, SM City North EDSA Assistant Mall Manager Gio Arandilla, and Leasing Manager Jorel Quan together with GMA Host and Actress Shaira Diaz.
In this jam-packed store opening, the viral HONOR X9a 5G was put to a smash test yet again led by Diaz and lucky customers got the chance to win an HONOR smartphone. The newest and most powerful flagship of HONOR was also seen in a water dip test to prove its very high IP68 ranking.
It’s TechTok Wednesday July 26!
Join HONOR Philippines’ Tech-Tok Wednesday if you’re itching to get HONOR products at a discount! You can get up to Php 2,000 off HONOR X6, X7, X8, X9, and HONOR 70 5G while HONOR MagicBook X Series laptops have great deals too! Tune in as HONOR goes live on TikTok on July 26, 2023 to get more freebies and prizes!
For more announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
Most batteries can’t keep up with your lifestyle. Take gaming as a prime example – this hobby requires plenty of power, but charging while playing often isn’t an option, with most smartphone users experience temperature increases from the high-performance use, interrupting your game.
You’re faced with a lose, lose situation. Even when battery performance is strong, and the charging is quick, phones often overheat easily. If the battery is too small, the battery life is short and doesn’t provide the longevity you’re looking for. Additionally, if the battery is big to allow for longer charge, the phone is too bulky.
Enter Infinix’s NOTE 30 Series. You can say goodbye to charging anxiety and hello to an all-new charging experience.
The Infinix NOTE 30 Series: Ushering in the New Charging Standard
The Infinix NOTE 30 Series, which includes the flagship NOTE 30 Pro, the NOTE 30, and the NOTE 30 5G, offers a next generation fast-charging experience: All-Round FastCharge. Infinix’s intelligent charging innovation considers not just how long it takes a device to charge and how long it retains power, but seeks to transform how consumers view what it means to “juice up” their smartphone.
The NOTE 30 Series delivers a first-of-its-kind super phone in this price range, and the All-Round FastCharge technology reaches new horizons in intelligent smartphone charging innovation, boasting a myriad of unparalleled, vanguard features.
Introducing: All-Round FastCharge
The new smartphone series from Infinix shows consumers what’s possible when it comes to charging scenarios via eight specific features that make up the All-Round FastCharge experience.
Perhaps you woke up in the morning and realized you forgot to charge your phone the night prior. In the time it takes you to eat breakfast and drink your first cup of coffee, you can juice up your phone. The series uses dual-channel fast charge technology with new generation charging pumps to provide industry-leading fast charge capabilities, including up to 68W wired fast charge. The Substrate Switch Charge Pump technology enables a high conversion efficiency of 98.5% with less heat generation. With this feature, users can achieve 80% power from 1% in just 30 minutes.
In addition to the wired fast charge, the series also boasts 15W wireless charge. If you’re someone who enjoys a tidy, cord-free work space at your desk, the wireless charging feature is perfect for you. This is a flagship feature of the series, making the NOTE 30 Pro Infinix’s first smartphone on the market to offer wireless charging capabilities.
Use of the phone needn’t stop when the device is plugged in. Imagine you are taking a work break and decide to game with colleagues, but your phone battery is low. No sweat, you can do both – charge your phone and game! The bypass charge feature enables charging directly from the motherboard instead of the battery after the power reaches 30%. Not only does this extend the life of the battery, but it also allows the phone to remain cool while performance is high – so you can continue your winning game.
The smartphones in the series also act as a charging device for other phones – helping you be the hero friend or family member when they’re running low on charge. Perhaps your friend is awaiting an important work call, but you’re out at lunch with no charger or outlet around. With its wireless reverse charge, users can help power a friend’s device (Android or Apple) by simply touching phone to phone. The NOTE 30 Series supports wired reverse charge as well, which means that the phone acts dually as a phone and a power bank.
If it’s a charger your friend is asking for, the series charger supports PD 2.0, PD 3.0, PPS protocol and other agreements, so it can super charge all type-C electronic devices with a maximum output power of 45W.
Additionally, the series is equipped with Intelligent Power E-IQ to maximize the charging experience over long periods. A lot of charging anxiety comes when it’s time to plug your phone in to charge all night – either concerned that you’re over-charging the device or fearful to leave the charging device unattended. The AI capability learns consumer habits to choose the most efficient charging solution, so it charges the phone to 80% during the night and fully charges the phone before dawn.
Also, for some users, instable power grids frequently interrupt charging. The NOTE 30 Series uses a closed-loop control strategy of the charge pump to ensure continuous and stable charging. This works because of the added current-limiting function – the charge pump limits the current to the desired value when the charger output fluctuates.
Ultimately, the charging experience of the NOTE 30 Series is grounded in safe, smart, and flexible charging. The devices are equipped with up to 63 protections for charging, including overload, over-temperature, fire protection, over-voltage, short circuit protection, water drop detection, amongst others. This is complemented by a strong battery: The battery is made of high-capacity materials to improve the energy density of the battery, enabling 80% retention of its energy after 1,000 times, far exceeding the conventional standard requirement of 80% energy retention after 500 cycles.
Put simply: You’ll never have to worry about charging safety again.
Today, users have grown to expect a smartphone battery that keeps pace with their lifestyle. The new All-Round FastCharge on the Infinix NOTE Series does just that, all while setting a new industry standard, and consumer expectation.
Hey there! So, life can throw us some curveballs, right? Maybe you’ve had a rough patch with money, made some not-so-great decisions, or just got caught up in some financial mess. But guess what? It’s time to hit the reset button and start your financial journey all over again. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to turn things around. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can restart your financial journey and get on the path to financial success!
Ms. Valerie Lagarde-Amora, Cluster Head, Sun Life Philippines
Step 1: Taking Stock of Where You’re At: Alright, it’s time to face the music. Start by looking at your money situation. How much are you making? Your salary matters but earning a minimum wage shouldn’t be a hindrance. As ms. Valerie Lagarde-Amora, Cluster Head, Sun Life Philippines, says ” We should not limit our potential by putting ourselves down.
How much are you spending? And oh yeah, those pesky debts – how much do you owe? Take a deep breath and write it all down. This will give you a clear picture of where you stand financially.
Ms. Andrea de Guzman, Financial Advisor, Sun Life Philippines
Step 2: Time to Budget, Baby! Now that you know where you’re at, it’s time to create a budget. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. List out all your income sources and then write down your expenses. Be honest with yourself, even if it means admitting you spend a little too much on takeout or those impulse buys. Once you have everything listed, figure out where you can cut back and save some dough. Remember, every little bit counts!
“There is always a plan for everybody,” as Ms. Andrea de Guzman, Financial Advisor, Sun Life Philippines says. A qualified financial advisor should be able to assist you in reallocating or prioritizing funds so that something important such as insurance is included. Get in touch with the motivated Sunlife experts that are willing to help you achieve your financial objectives. They’re here to share their knowledge and support you on your path to success, whether it’s insuring your future with the ideal insurance plan or developing a unique investing strategy.
Step 3: Bye-Bye Debts, Hello Freedom! Debts can be a real drag, but it’s time to show them who’s boss. Start by tackling the debts with the highest interest rates first, like credit cards or personal loans. Make a plan to pay them off, whether it’s by making extra payments or negotiating with the creditors. Once you’ve conquered those high-interest debts, move on to the next ones. Slowly but surely, you’ll kick those debts to the curb!
Step 4: Emergency Fund: Your Financial Safety Net Life loves surprises, and not always the good kind. That’s why you need an emergency fund. Start by setting aside a small portion of your income each month. Aim to save enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Having that safety net will give you peace of mind and keep you from going into panic mode when unexpected expenses pop up.
Step 5: Invest in Your Future, Like a Boss! Okay, now that you’ve got your debts under control and an emergency fund in place, it’s time to think about your future. Talk to a financial advisor if you can, and start thinking about long-term goals like retirement or buying a house. Learn about different investment options and find one that suits your goals and risk tolerance. Remember, investing is like planting seeds for your money to grow!
Step 6: Soak up some knowledge! Listen up, my friend: financial knowledge is power. Take some time to educate yourself about money matters. There are tons of resources out there – books, online courses, YouTube videos – you name it! The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make smart financial decisions. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.
Step 7: Stay Positive and Keep Going! Restarting your financial journey won’t happen overnight, so don’t get discouraged. Celebrate even the small wins along the way. And hey, setbacks happen to the best of us, but don’t let them knock you down. Be flexible, adapt your strategies if needed, and keep pushing forward. You’ve got this!
Conclusion: Alright, my friend, it’s time to take charge of your financial journey. Remember, you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to start fresh. Take stock of where you’re at, create a budget, pay off those debts, build an emergency fund, invest wisely, and keep learning. Stay positive, stay motivated, and keep moving forward. You’ve got the power to turn your financial situation around and achieve your goals. So, let’s get started!
As the July 25 deadline nears, Globe has launched a creative campaign that emphasizes the need for consumers to comply with the SIM Registration Act to protect themselves from the dangers that lurk online.
In the “Number Mo, Identity Mo” campaign, the online identities of popular celebrities Kuya Kim Atienza and Kiray Celis were humorously “hacked” by talented stand-up comedians and improv artists impersonating them.
“Online safety is a pressing issue in today’s digital age. Through this unique initiative, we hope to drive home the point that our SIMs are a crucial part of our digital identity and must be protected. We also want to remind our prepaid customers that they need to register their SIMs by the July 25 deadline. We urge all Globe customers to register their SIMs now,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe Group.
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, Globe reiterates its call for customers to register their SIMs. Globe Prepaid, TM and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers may register via the GlobeOne app and Globe’s SIM registration microsite (https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg) 24/7.
Fully-verified GCash account holders may also utilize the GCash app. Those in need of assistance may also get help to register their SIMs in any Globe Store and EasyHub nationwide.
Globe Postpaid, Globe Business Postpaid and Globe Platinum subscribers have already been included in the SIM registration database. For company-owned Globe Business prepaid accounts, steps to register or update details have been sent to authorized company representatives.
Celebrity accounts ‘hacked’
The imaginative take on promoting online safety started with strange teaser posts on all of Kiray and Kuya Kim’s active social media accounts, culminating in a TikTok LIVE session, where the impersonators peddled entertainingly obvious scams to viewers, effectively spotlighting potential dangers lurking online.
Kiray’s impostor took her followers on a journey of transformation, promising a high-end, luxe, and more beautiful version of the beloved comedienne, ending in a live selling event and a dramatic “face reveal.” Simultaneously, Kuya Kim’s impersonator alluded to recent developments about a television show, promising juicy behind-the-scenes secrets, lifestyle tips, and a surprise guest, all to spark interest and intrigue.
But the real intent behind these entertaining acts was revealed two days after the livestream, as Kuya Kim and Kiray uploaded a video saying their accounts had been ‘hacked.’ This unexpected twist underscored their important message: online identity theft is real, and everyone should take measures to protect themselves, including registering their SIMs.
With this campaign, Globe underscores its dedication to promoting online safety. Since December 2022, the company has carried out various SIM registration drives. This latest effort adds a creative twist, amplifying the message that “your SIM is more than a number – it’s an extension of your identity.” Through SIM registration, customers take a critical step in protecting their digital identity against potential scams.
The “Number Mo, Identity Mo” campaign reminds everyone that the battle against online scams is not a solitary fight but a collective effort.
MANILA, PH – (July Thursday, 2023) – Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF)
Sun Life executives led by Global CEO Kevin Strain and Philippine CEO & Country Head Benedict Sison recently made a courtesy visit to the Insurance Commission (IC) to align with newly appointed Commissioner, Atty. Reynaldo Regalado, on his vision for the industry, as his term begins.
Focusing on how insurance can help Filipinos live brighter lives, the attendees talked about including financial literacy in the school curriculum, how insurance products can be further appreciated by the public, and efforts to spread financial inclusivity in communities.
In terms of further cultivating the industry, discussions also touched on digital transformation, and financial inclusion, as well as the International Financial Reporting Standard-17, the new method of accounting for insurance contracts.
Apart from Strain and Sison, also present were Sun Life Global Chief Financial Officer Manjit Singh and Sun Life Asia President Ingrid Johnson, as well as local executives, including Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. President Alex Narciso, Sun Life Philippines Chief Operations and Digital Enterprise Officer Gaurav Mishra, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. President Richard Lim, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Joy Castillo, Sun Life Investment Management & Trust Corporation President Michael Enriquez, Sun Life Philippines Chief Financial Management Officer Sachi Pang, Sun Life Philippines Chief Client Experience & Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Sun Life Philippines General Counsel Atty. Ed Tordesillas, and Sun Life Philippines Deputy General Counsel Atty. Paolo Macapagal.
“It was a fruitful meeting between Sun Life and the IC. I am happy to share that our purpose as an organization aligns very well with the government’s thrust to help Filipinos achieve a brighter future,” Sison said. “For 128 years now, Sun Life has always endeavored to help our countrymen achieve lifetime financial security. We have a long way to go, but with everyone’s cooperation, I am quite certain that this will become a reality.”
Circuit Makati, the city’s premier destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, is partnering with Mercato Centrale, the country’s premier food and lifestyle market, to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a culinary journey across Asia. They are hosting an Asian Night Market from July 21 to July 23, 2023 from 5pm to 12 midnight, as part of this milestone celebration.
The 3-day food festival will present an array of authentic and fusion foods from various Asian countries such as Thailand, Japan, China, Korea, and of course, the Philippines. From spicy Thai food to unique Korean dishes and mouth-watering Filipino food, the Asian Night Market promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Over the past decade, Circuit Makati has been dedicated to providing unique cultural and exciting experiences for all visitors of the estate. This Asian Night Market, a collaborative endeavor, is a testament to Circuit Makati’s commitment to celebrating diversity and promoting the rich culinary heritage of Asia. Everyone is invited to join this delicious journey.
Besides the food stalls offering an extensive range of delectable cuisines, the festival will also feature live cooking demonstrations. These sessions will give attendees a chance to learn about the intricacies of Asian cuisine, the unique ingredients used, and the cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Each stall will highlight a different Asian country, giving visitors the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the flavors and culture of that particular nation. Som’s Noodle House, House of Sushi, Daily Blend Takoyaki, K-Pop, Dimsum Love, Taiwan Eats, Godswin Japanese Rice Bowls, Grub StrEat are notable stalls that specialize in Asian Cuisine. There will also be busker performances to entertain visitors as they feast on the delicious food offerings.
Circuit Makati’s Asian Night Market, in collaboration with Mercato Centrale, is not just a food festival; it’s a sensory journey through Asia’s rich culinary landscape. With its unique combination of food, culture, and entertainment, the event is set to provide an exceptional experience that will leave attendees longing for more.
After Samsung Electronics introduced the Galaxy Tab in 2010, it revolutionized the way we work and play, especially in a world that is increasingly on the go. Thirteen years since the launch of the first Android tablet, Samsung is continuously taking productivity, creativity and entertainment to new heights as the premium standard for tablets with each new Galaxy Tab S series.
Here’s how the Galaxy Tab has evolved in eight generations:
It all started when Samsung introduced the world’s first true Android tablet— the Galaxy Tab (7.0), in 2010. It has a compact and excellent build, first available in 7-inch, followed by 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch versions.
Coming off the success of its first tablet, Samsung slimmed down its Galaxy Note 10.1 in 2012. The S Pen was introduced as every Galaxy Tab’s partner in bringing forward multitasking and entertainment features. When removed from its slot, the tablet activates a taskbar with quick access to optimized S Pen apps – a precursor to Air Command, which has features such as setting icons, adding shortcuts and screen write.
It was in 2013 when Samsung unlocked another innovation: the easy-to-hold Galaxy Note 8-inch tablet with Smart Remote features, which allows users to control TVs and Blu-ray/DVD players. The following year, the Galaxy Tab Active came with a fresh design built for tough work, including a waterproof feature and the C Pen, the more durable version of the S Pen which can withstand a 1.2-meter drop with just its protective shell.
It was also in 2014 when Samsung unveiled its first premium line— Galaxy Tab S, available in 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch. It includes a high-end tablet with a Super AMOLED display and Galaxy Gifts, a partnership with 30 top mobile content service providers. Its successor, the Galaxy Tab S2, was released in 2015 to offer people premium and all-new displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio designed for reading articles, e-books, and surfing online content. Plus, it was pre-loaded with Microsoft Office to enhance users’ productivity further.
2017 was likewise a worth-noting year with the Galaxy Tab S3 that has a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display. Samsung included its renowned S Pen in its top-of-the-line tablet range, enabling special functions like PDF Annotation and professional-level drawing. It delivered superior video and gaming experiences, alongside its use as a productivity tool. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Book with its 10.6-inch TFT LCD version and 12-inch Super AMOLED version, delivered professionals enhanced computing power for work and play.
Come 2018, Samsung further powered its premium line with the availability of Samsung DeX on its Galaxy Tab S4, where users could have a PC-like productivity and mobility of a tablet at once. It was also equipped with the 07mm S Pen which provided ease of writing. For an immersive entertainment experience, the tablet boasted a 10.5 Super AMOLED Display, four 1.2W speakers powered by AKG and Dolby Atmos sound technology.
Forwarding its ultra-light specs, Samsung launched its Tab S5e with the thinnest frame in 2019, weighing less than a pound with added features that could control connected devices with SmartThings, from lights and door locks to thermostats. The Galaxy Tab S6 was also released the same year, which sported another huge upgrade with 5G connectivity in early 2020, making it the world’s first 5G tablet.
Samsung redesigned as well the S Pen for more power and control, including a gesture function called S Pen Air actions to take selfies and videos quicker and command multimedia content. Meanwhile, the slim and lightweight modern-style Galaxy Tab S6 Lite launched in May 2020 has a crystal-clear screen that can turn into an expanded desktop workstation and send multiple windows to a Galaxy device of choice.
And in 2021, the Galaxy Tab S7, S7+ and the Galaxy Tab S7 FE entered the lineup with more extensive upgrades. Users can easily sync across Galaxy devices with Samsung Notes for seamless productivity, helping users master multitasking with wireless connectivity on the go. It also has a new “center stage”placement of its camera on a landscape view.
For its latest and most versatile innovation yet, Samsung created the biggest and boldest Galaxy tablets with a whopping 14.6-inch for its Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, 12.4-inch for S8+ and 11-inch for the Galaxy S8 atop the fastest 4nm processor and Armor Aluminum built for a more elegant and lightweight device experiences. And that’s not all! The newest S Pen has the most precise and lowest latency of 2.8ms, down from 5.6ms on the S7+, working seamlessly with the Galaxy device ecosystem and partners.
What’s next for the Galaxy Tab Series? You won’t be waiting long for the next Galaxy innovation
Come along on our journey to discover an all-new Galaxy as we showcase our latest technologies designed to open possibilities and transform lives.
Find out more by joining Samsung Electronics on July 26 as we host the very first Unpacked in Seoul, Korea, a place where traditional culture and futuristic visions intersect to inspire global trends and game-changing innovation. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsung’s YouTube channel beginning at 7:00 p.m. Philippine Time, 8:00 p.m. KST, 7:00 a.m. ET, 4:00 a.m. PT, and 12:00 p.m. BST.
Be the first to know about what’s in store for the next Galaxy, plus get an exclusive voucher. Sign up now at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 https://www.samsung.com/ph/unpacked/ until July 26.
A big pink party and an epic movie exclusively await you at SM City Baliwag, Marilao, and Grand Central Cinemas starting this July 19, as the much awaited movie Barbie takes you to the glamorous and perfect world of Barbieland, and a journey back in history with the critically acclaimed film Oppenheimer and be stunned by the chronicles of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s journey to end World War II with his creation is a measure of both his patriotism and his tragic intellect.
Oppenheimer was shot with specialized IMAX cameras, so get ready for an amazing SM Cinema General Santos movie experience. From the crystal-clear images viewed from the best cinema screen in the country, to the clearest digital surround sound system, surely you can bomb out stress with this epic movie date. So, get your pink outfits prepped and your notes ready for a Barbieheimer date.
What key qualities make an organization a great place to work? How and why does an organization need to apply such qualities to its workplace environment?
With the COVID pandemic as a global emergency now at its end, these questions come to the fore for workforce leaders as companies strive to understand the best way to position their workplace practices after all the changes that happened in the last three years.
Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa or SLGFI), a major life insurance company in the country, sets its direction for workplace culture in these new times by zeroing in on family-centric values and wellness.
Family values and listening at all levels
Sun Life Grepa has a family-oriented culture. From calling each other ‘Sun Grepamilya’ (a variation of ‘pamilya’ or ‘family’) to giving a warm welcome to people, Sun Life Grepa employees have shared experiences of feeling like part of a home community, which helps in their dealings with colleagues. Approachability of people at all levels of the organization as well as willingness to listen to difficult conversations have been cited, and these are validated through several company programs.
One such program is the “Up Close with Richard Lim” breakfast gathering with selected employees and the company president. Another program is the “HR Kamustahan” (‘Kamusta’ being a Tagalog variation of ‘how are you?’), a one-on-one discussion with incumbents of key roles as well as with other high performers.
In these sessions, the company is able to listen openly to sentiments regularly to maintain its family culture, share its sense of care, and allow employees to feel comfortable enough to be their authentic selves at the workplace.
Employee wellness
In 2022, the “SLGFI Cares for You” program encompassing all well-being initiatives of the company was born. The flagship program of “SLGFI Cares for You” is our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which offers free 24/7 counseling services covering mental well-being, financial, and legal advice. The company recognizes the critical role of the family in the overall well-being of our employees, hence, the program is also extended to our employees’ household members.
Prior to the launch of “SLGFI Cares for You”, the company already had various programs that ensured the well-being of our employees, including sports activities before the pandemic and virtual wellness sessions during the pandemic. These virtual wellness sessions are held on weekends so that our employees’ family members can also join.
This was further complemented by digital information campaigns about wellness that included “Mindful Mondays” and “Workout Wednesdays” where relevant fitness videos and wellness content were shared for employees’ reference. On top of this, webinars to support overall well-being were held covering stress management, office ergonomics, healthy meal preparation, resiliency, and burnout, among others.
Spiritual wellness was also part of the program. During the lockdown, Sun Life Grepa offered a virtual spiritual retreat, on top of the virtual First Friday Masses. In the new normal, these church services now follow a hybrid format.
Safety in the workplace
Balancing the safety of our employees and addressing the needs of our clients are key priorities in Sun Life Grepa. As part of promoting the safety of our employees during the pandemic, the company implemented strict safety protocols and held various COVID-19 learning programs with employees and their families. Employees who had to go to work to process client claims and deliver critical services during the lockdown were provided shuttle service. A free vaccination program for all employees and their loved ones was implemented despite the occasional scarce supply of the vaccine.
Apart from the company’s daily monitoring of workplace cases of COVID, a medical teleconsultation facility was also made readily available to our employees and their dependents.
Financial literacy
The company has also been making sure its employees are empowered to make informed financial decisions and also to be knowledgeable about life insurance in general. Prior to the pandemic and up to now, regular learning sessions on insurance and investments are conducted with employees, where industry experts are invited to talk about managing one’s finances. This goal is also supported by our Employee Assurance Program which allows employees to purchase investment products via a salary deduction plan.
Continuous employee engagement and development
Throughout the pandemic, employees continued to enjoy employee engagement activities that include the annual summer outings, quarterly town halls, annual Christmas parties, and even occasional movie night events.
Employee development likewise did not stop during the pandemic. Sun Life Grepa ensured that people learned new ways of working as part of their development plans via programs that include data management and presentation and business communication. Company-wide learning programs on “Agile Ways of Working” and “Psychological Safety” were also rolled out across the organization.
In the area of rewards and recognition, Sun Life Grepa continued to provide the salary and benefits of our employees throughout the pandemic, even enhancing these to help alleviate challenges when needed. There was also no interruption in recognizing the accomplishments of employee achievers through various awarding activities, including nominations to awards in the global Sun Life office.
These measures have resulted not only in high scores in internal engagement surveys but also an official certification as a Great Place to Work™ for Nov 2022 – Nov 2023, with an 83% Trust Index Score.
“Our Great Place to Work certification validates that Sun Life Grepa employees truly trust the company and their leaders,” said Vice President for Human Resources Pinky Moreno. “We continue to work on finding ways to improve the work life of our employees via various people development and culture enhancement programs so that our workplace can keep being an inspiring and inclusive environment where people are valued, growth is encouraged and work-life balance is prioritized, making it a place for a fulfilling and long-term career.”
UJU Lifestyle, a local health and wellness company known for its TikTok viral line of effervescent supplements, will be opening offices and outlets in Dubai and Vietnam.
Jungie Gumiran, CEO and Founder of JUJU Lifestyle sees these developments as significant milestones, saying, “Our expansion into Dubai and Vietnam reflects our commitment to bringing the benefits of our innovative effervescent tablets to busy individuals worldwide.”
Customers in Dubai can now easily purchase JUJU Collagen and JUJU GlutaFair, which are available for delivery in the UAE. These products can also be purchased through the official JUJU Lifestyle website at www.jujulifestyle.ae or the dedicated JUJU Collagen and JUJU Gluta Fair Facebook Shops in the UAE. Additionally, the company is in the process of registering with Amazon UAE to further expand accessibility. Payment options include cash on delivery and cash on pick-up.
In Vietnam, JUJU Lifestyle has formed a partnership with Buy2sell, the country’s largest B2B platform for imported goods. This partnership is nearing finalization, and it will make JUJU Collagen, JUJU GlutaFair, and JUJU EasySlim available in Vietnam later this year. JUJU products will be sold online and in retail stores of Buy2sell in Ho Chi Minh (Lotte Mart and Vivo City) and Hanoi (Vincom Mega City). JUJU Lifestyle is also considering participating in the Buy2Sell Health and Wellness Conference, which will gather over 500 local buyers from July 27th to 29th.
“These international expansions mark a significant achievement for JUJU Lifestyle, solidifying its position as a global player in the wellness industry. The brand remains dedicated to supporting individuals in maintaining their well-being and embracing a fun and convenient self-care routine,” stated Gumiran.
JUJU Lifestyle effervescent supplements have already gained significant traction on popular e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. From April 2021 to February 2022, the brand achieved an impressive average monthly sales of 1 million on Shopee and 700,000 on Lazada. Furthermore, JUJU Collagen consistently reached 3 million sales on Shopee and 1.7 million sales on Lazada, leading to the brand receiving the Preferred Seller badge on Shopee and being included in Lazada’s Lazmall. The product’s highest sales were recorded during double-digit/payday sales, with an impressive 406,000 units sold.
JUJU Lifestyle is excited about the future prospects of its global expansion as it continues to empower individuals to prioritize self-care within their busy lifestyles.