April 2024

 

Navigating the capital-raising environment is especially challenging for women. But the investing community and the startup ecosystem can benefit from a two-pronged approach: advocacy and intentionality.

This was the statement of Tina Nepomuceno-Di Cicco, the Gender Lens Investing Committee Chairperson of Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN), the Philippine’s largest network of angel investors, in the recently concluded FoundHer Forum, organized by a Filipino-based women-led inclusion studio, Imaginable Impact at KMC One Ayala in line with Women’s Month.

In her keynote speech, Di Cicco highlighted that advocating for and intentionally supporting women-led businesses will encourage more women to succeed and attract and grow investments.

“Through advocacy, we communicate our vision and goals, as well as promote and support each other’s businesses. Intentionality, on the other hand, is when we turn our advocacy into action–it’s when we put our resources into investing in women and helping make women-led businesses succeed,” Di Cicco said, sharing tips on how women can appear more investible. 

In addition, she noted that while the gender gap remains a pressing issue with only 2% of global venture capital funds going to women-led businesses, investments on women entrepreneurs are in fact growing in Southeast Asia with data indicating that female-led startups raised $1.41 billion in equity funding in 2023, which accounts for 18 percent of capital raised in the region. This is a 12.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Di Cicco also pointed out that the current trend indicates that more investors and networks are using Gender Lens Investing when considering startups to invest in and support. Gender Lens Investing (GLI) is a strategy that MAIN employs, through the support of the Australian Aid’s Investing in Women program, to maximize investment potential in women-led businesses. Through the GLI, MAIN provides extensive support to women-led startups, especially those at the early stage, in terms of capital allocation, training, and mentorship. To date, more than 40% of the startups that MAIN members have invested in are female-led.

“We are hearing investors prioritizing portfolio diversity, with many incorporating gender lens investing strategies. What we see across the board is a slow but steady increase in gender lens investing,” Di Cicco said, underscoring investors’ intent to address gender disparity through their investment choices.

“This is the time for women founders. We are being sought. We are more visible. There is no better time to be a woman than now,” Di Cicco added.

The FoundHer Forum is a signature event series elevating the conversation on investing in female founders, to bridge the capital gap for women in the startup ecosystem. Aside from MAIN, FoundHer Forum was made possible in partnership with KMC Solutions, a leading provider of flexible office space requirements and co-working space for emerging businesses in the Philippines.

Aside from supporting women-led businesses, MAIN, composed of more than 120 angel investors, aims to increase the number of female investors in the Philippines by diversifying their own membership. MAIN is also a member of the Gender Lens & Impact Investment Council (GIIC), a member-based industry body that seeks to build the gender lens and impact investment ecosystem in the Philippines.

Introduction

On November 6, 2021, Dr. Leo De Castro —a Philosophy professor at the University of the Philippines—received four birthday cakes from an old grade school friend. They both studied at Nellie E. Brown Elementary School (NEBES), a public school in Olongapo City.

Connected to Subic Bay and facing the West Philippine Sea, Olongapo is known for being part of a US Naval Base from 1901 to 1959. Placenames in Olongapo tell stories about this time, as streets, schools, and establishments carry foreign names – most of which can easily be traced to navy officials who were previously stationed there, local government officials, and even American presidents.

But who was Nellie E. Brown?

This is the question that Leo’s daughter, Ellie, kept asking. Her Dada, his brothers, and the people they grew up with apparently didn’t know.

There are many stories about who Nellie could have been: a teacher, a volunteer, or maybe even a business owner. But no one knows for certain as official documents about the school’s first days are missing. The official history of NEBES, as documented by the Department of Education, mentions that Nellie was a Peace Corps volunteer who helped build the school. However, the timing doesn’t match: the Peace Corps started only in 1961, while the school was founded in 1953.

Why was a school named after her? And why doesn’t anyone seem to know?

Finding Nellie

What Ellie thought would be a quick Google search turned out to be an adventure that has lasted more than two years.

Finding Nellie is a project that has made a team of National Geographic explorers (archaeologists, educators, and storytellers) scour through offline and online archives in the Philippines and abroad; inquire with libraries, cemeteries, historians, and even active and retired U.S. military personnel; get in touch with local politicians (even a Senator!); and message anyone who might remotely be related to a Nellie Brown on social media, via telephone, and even by knocking on their doors. On Instagram, the team shares every step of this journey through its colorful and interactive Field Notes.

With the help of the National Geographic Society, Finding Nellie has allowed Ellie and her teammates to connect and reconnect with friends and family; foster an appreciation for community roots; and bring world history lessons a little closer to home – especially to the current students of Nellie E. Brown.

Two years and a few months later, the team is ready to announce: that Nellie has been found.

On April 11, 2024, Finding Nellie, led by Ellie De Castro, will announce the official identity of Nellie E. Brown. The event will be held at the grounds of Nellie E. Brown Elementary School, from 7:00-9:30 a.m., in front of the school’s current students, faculty, and the City of Olongapo’s active community participants. It will be followed by an interactive exhibit that showcases the team’s journey of #FindingNellie.

For more details, visit the project’s online spaces:

Instagram: @finding.nellie
TikTok: @finding.nellie
Website: https://www.elliedecastro.com/finding-nellie

Team Members’ Biographies

Ellie De Castro

Ellie is a Filipina archaeologist whose work focuses on finding avenues to connect heritage and youth. She led the Handi Project from 2015-2020, where she organized field trips to bring students from the Ifugao indigenous group to their world-renowned heritage sites, which they previously didn’t have access to. For the Dewil Valley Museum in El Nido, Palawan, she produced educational materials, artwork, and activities for the youth of the valley to engage them with the archaeological sites in their neighborhood. These projects focused on creating opportunities to connect with heritage resources in communities. Ellie seeks to enable participants of her projects to appreciate their homes in a new light and see the wonders of the world in their immediate surroundings.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Basic Medical Sciences degree from the University of the Philippines-Manila and a Master of Science degree in Archaeology from the University of the Philippines-Diliman

Peg Keiner

Peg is an educator in the USA with 17 years of experience, including 4 years as an elementary technology coach and 8 years leading an inquiry-based International Baccalaureate school as the Director of Innovation. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Earth Education Expert, a 2018 National Geographic Certified Educator, and United Nations Association-Chicago Global Goal Ambassador. As a 2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, she created immersive 360 content to transport students to Antarctica through inquiry science lessons. As a 2019 Nat Geo Education Fellow, she led the development of a week-long student workshop for GeoChallenge Participants and created the #31daysofcitizenscience video series to amplify the use of citizen science tools.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Design from Northern Illinois University.

Rachel Hansen

Rachel is an educator in the USA with 13 years of teaching experience, including 4 years of co-teaching experience with an English teacher, and 2 years spent working on an interdisciplinary team in a project-based program. She has much experience using participatory design and inquiry-based learning in her classroom. In 2021, Rachel was awarded the AP Human Geography Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council for Geographic Education.

Rachel has endorsements in American History, World History, US Government, and Geography, with a B.A. from The University of Iowa in History. She is finishing her M.A. in Geography at the University of Northern Iowa, where her research focuses on tracking student learning progressions as they engage in map-making to tell stories of their communities.

 First Photo: Ronnie Briol, Emcor Regional Manager for Bukidnon, Lilibeth Hanasan, Emcor Territorial Manager for Mindanao, Janece Dawis, Store Manager for Emcor Valencia Branch, Queen Somoza, HONOR Philippines National Key Accounts Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Pao Oga, HONOR Philippines PR Manager; Second Photo: Ayrene Gascal,Branch Manager of Emcor Digos, J Vinci Villaflor, Regional Manager of North Cotabato, Blake Garcia, HONOR Philippines National Sales Head. 

 

 

 

 

MANILA, PH – (April 03, 2024) – Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF)

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. once again bags the Platinum Award in the Life Insurance category of the recently concluded Trusted Brand Awards organized by Reader’s Digest.

The Platinum Award is considered the highest honor in the Trusted Brand Awards, as there is only one sole winner bestowed with such honor. The recognition is wholly based on consumer voting, where over 8,000 individuals in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan rate 50 categories of products and services according to their trustworthiness, credibility, quality, value, innovation, social responsibility, and understanding of customer needs. In the Life Insurance category, Sun Life was once again chosen by Filipinos as their most trusted brand.

This achievement comes amid Sun Life being dubbed as the number one life insurer in the country in terms of premium income, based on a report released by the Insurance Commission.

“With much humility and gratitude, we sincerely thank the Filipino people for the trust and confidence that they have given us,” says Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer of Sun Life Philippines. “Throughout the past 129 years that Sun Life has been in the Philippines, we have remained committed to being a purpose-driven organization that is determined to help our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives . This recognition will inspire us to persevere with our mission.”

The Trusted Brand Awards was held last March 22, 2024, at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City, and was attended by Sun Life’s Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Chief Client Experience & Marketing Officer; Don Aaron Peji, Brand Strategy & Management Head; and Lennie Arboleda, Public Relations & Corporate Communications Head.

This is Sun Life’s 15th year in a row to be recognized in the Trusted Brand Awards, receiving the Platinum Award in the past seven years and the Gold Award prior.

To know more about Sun Life, visit www.sunlife.com.ph Meanwhile, more information about Reader’s Digest’s Trusted Brand Awards can be found at www.trustedbrands.asia/philippines.

Jollibee unveils its newest product —the Crispy, Juicy, Chicken On-The-Go, Jollibee Chicken Nuggets! A winning addition to Jollibee’s well-loved menu, it stands out as a convenient offer when you want something quick and satisfying. Here are three reasons why the Jollibee Chicken Nuggets will become your ultimate go-to snack.

It’s crispy. Prepare yourself for pure joy as you sink your teeth into these nuggets, with a crunch on the skin as well as a satisfying texture found in each bite. Jollibee has mastered the art of achieving the top-notch crispiness.

It’s juicy. Beyond the crisp exterior lies the juicy and succulent chicken which promises a burst of flavor. Each indulgent bite will have you reaching for more.

It’s on-the-go. The Jollibee Chicken Nuggets are the ideal snack to take with you on-the-go. This delectable finger food is designed to conveniently fit into any activity, allowing you to savor its goodness anytime, anywhere—as seen in Jollibee’s new TVC!

This ad captures the essence of the Jollibee Chicken Nuggets experience. Whether you’re driving to a meeting, working in the office, or hanging out with your buddies, these nuggets make a great companion for your everyday activities. It also comes with a choice of dip—BBQ ketchup, ranch, or sriracha mayo, making it all the more enjoyable.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Jollibee Chicken Nuggets—a delicious snack that combines crispiness, juiciness, and convenience in every bite. We are confident that these nuggets will not only win over the hearts and tastebuds of our customers, but also become their new on-the-go snack companion,” said Luis Berba, Marketing Director of Jollibee Philippines.

The Jollibee Chicken Nuggets are now available nationwide, being offered in 6-pc. for P99 and 10-pc. for P175. Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and indulge in its crispy, juicy goodness via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. You can also have it delivered via the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda.

The 6-piece Jollibee Chicken Nuggets are now available nationwide. for P99 and ten pieces. for P175. Visit the Jollibee location closest to you to enjoy their delicious, crispy, juicy food while dining in, taking out, or driving through. Additionally, you can order delivery through Foodpanda, GrabFood, #87000, JollibeeDelivery.com, and the Jollibee App.

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

In a strategic move aimed at fortifying security and instilling peace of mind among its clients, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) proudly pioneers Personal Cyber Insurance exclusively tailored for BPI Debit Cardholders. This innovative insurance coverage serves as a robust defense mechanism, providing an additional layer of protection for daily transactions and safeguarding users against potential risks in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Jenny Lacerna, Product & Sales Head for Unsecured Lending and Cards, emphasizes, “Ensuring the peace of mind of our valued BPI Debit Cardholders is our utmost priority with the introduction of Personal Cyber Insurance. This innovative offering provides enhanced security and protection for their daily transactions, underscoring our commitment to their financial well-being.”

Designed to provide assurance, BPI MS Personal Cyber Insurance empowers Debit Cardholders with comprehensive protection. This exclusive offering extends to all BPI debit customers. The coverage includes E-commerce Purchase Protection, which reimburses customers for online purchases using their BPI Debit Mastercard® when items are accidentally damaged or are undelivered by a fraudulent seller. It also covers Lost Card Protection which covers customers on unauthorized/fraudulent transactions on the card that happened up to 12 hours prior to reporting the incident to BPI. Moreover, it also provides protection from Third-Party Unauthorized Transfers which covers unauthorized fund transfers carried out by an external party using their BPI Debit Mastercard® account.

Starting at an affordable PHP 700 annually, BPI Debit Cardholders can select from a range of coverage options tailored to their unique needs. To further enhance convenience, clients are offered the choice of opting for recurring payments, facilitating seamless annual renewals.

The launch of BPI’s Personal Cyber Insurance signifies the bank’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the financial security and overall well-being of its clients amid the dynamic landscape of digital transactions. Building upon the robust security features already embedded within the BPI Debit card, this innovative insurance offering serves to fortify and enhance the existing safeguards, providing an extra layer of protection against evolving cyber threats.

For detailed information on BPI’s Personal Cyber Insurance and to explore coverage options, you can visit l.bpi.com.ph/DebitCyberInsurance. You may also reach out to the 24-hour BPI Contact Center at (+632) 889-10000 or send us a message at https://www.bpi.com.ph/contactus.

Get up to 54% off on select OPPO devices on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop

OPPO is cranking up the heat with its 4.4 Hot Summer Sale, available exclusively on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Starting April 4, you can score incredible discounts and exciting offers across OPPO’s wide range of smartphones and IOT devices, making this the perfect opportunity to upgrade at unbeatable prices.

Avail Exclusive Vouchers and Discounts

Shoppers can maximize exclusive vouchers such as a Php1,000 discount voucher for the OPPO Reno7 Series, OPPO Reno8 Series, and OPPO Reno8 T Series. Additionally, all-day vouchers of Php200 off and Php400 off are available with minimum spends of Php8,999 and Php13,999, respectively.

Shop Conveniently

Shopee and Lazada are offering free shipping vouchers worth Php50 off with a minimum spend of Php500, making online shopping even more convenient. OPPO fans can also take advantage of the livestream scheduled throughout the day and receive vouchers worth Php100 with a minimum spend of Php4,999.

Check Special Payment Offers

For those looking for flexible payment options, LazPayLater offers up to 0% storewide installment plan for 45 days on select OPPO products. SPayLater provides 0% interest for a range of OPPO devices, including OPPO Reno Series, A-Series, and OPPO tablets, with flexible payment terms of up to a 3 to 12-month installment plan.

Get Awesome Freebies and Bundle Deals

Don’t miss out on the chance to get exclusive freebies and bundle deals only available from April 4 to 8 including:

• Free YC C3 Rainbow Speakers with every purchase of the OPPO Pad Air

• Free Pearl Case until supplies last with every purchase of the OPPO Find N3 Flip

• Free Retro Bluetooth Speakers with OPPO Reno7 Series, OPPO Reno8 Series, and OPPO Reno8 T Series purchases

• Free S39 Bluetooth Speakers with OPPO Reno11 Series purchases

Bundles on wearables and smartphones are also available throughout the sale period. Get a chance to take home OPPO Band with OPPO Buds 2, OPPO A17k plus OPPO Band or OPPO Enco Bunds 2, and OPPO A18 with OPPO Band or OPPO Enco Buds2.

For more information on the 4.4 Hot Summer Sale or any of the OPPO devices, visit https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or check out OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. To get the best care for your OPPO devices, visit your nearest OPPO Care Center or contact us on our website, via Facebook.

 Manila, Philippines, April 1, 2024 –