Moving forward with clean energy. Leaders from the Jollibee Group and First Gen Corporation have culminated the four-site solar project at the Jollibee Worldwide Services-Logistics plant last May 6. In attendance were (L-R) Michael Ong, Jollibee Group’s Vice President and Head of Supply Chain; Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer; Hon. Eric Olivarez, Mayor of Parañaque City; Hon. Maria Kristine Esplana, District 2 City Councilor; Vincent Martin Villegas, First Gen Corporation’s Senior Vice President and Pi Energy’s Chief Operating Officer; Atty. Voltaire dela Cruz, City Administrator; and Ashley Antonio, Jollibee Group’s Vice President and Head of Logistics.
MANILA, Philippines. – The Jollibee Group has taken its commitment to using renewable energy to the next level with the installation of over 16,800 solar panels in its four main manufacturing sites in the Philippines.
The Jollibee Group has partnered with First Gen Corporation for this solar energy project, which culminated in a switch-on ceremony at the Jollibee Group’s logistics site in Parañaque City last May 6.
“This is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey at the Jollibee Group. These initiatives are more than just technological advancement, but more importantly a shared commitment to preserving our planet and furthering our collective responsibility to create a more sustainable future,” said Michael Ong, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head of Supply Chain.
The shift to renewable energy for supply chain first materialized in November 2023 with the powering up of the Jollibee Group’s Zen3 facility in Canlubang, Laguna. Continuing its commitment, the Jollibee Group then added clean energy options to its largest manufacturing site, the Canlubang Baking Facility (CBF). The two solar projects have combined capacity of 5.05 Megawatts.
Rounding out the list are two newly solar-energized sites: Jollibee Worldwide Services-Logistics (JWS-L) in Parañaque and the C3 manufacturing site in Laguna, which have a combined energy capacity of 4.05 megawatts.
All four manufacturing facilities can reduce their power consumption from the grid with a combined average of approximately 15 percent a year, a significant step towards a greener future.
Jollibee Group’s state of the art JWS-L site in Parañaque City is the third plant to incorporate solar power as one of its energy sources this year with the installation of 2,100 solar panels.
The use of renewable energy in Jollibee Group’s manufacturing sites are part of the Company’s global sustainability agenda called, Joy for Tomorrow. This sustainability agenda, which serves as the Jollibee Group’s strategic framework, treats the planet responsibly and builds a sustainable future in response to the United Nation’s urgent call to action. Under this agenda is a focus on Planet, of which energy efficiency is a priority area.
“We are pleased to have partnered with the Jollibee Group on their sustainability journey, helping them develop their capacity to generate solar energy. We look forward to continuing our partnership to help the Jollibee Group bring not just the joy of eating to consumers, but also a sustainable and regenerative future,” said Vincent Martin Villegas, First Gen Corporation senior vice president and concurrent chief operating officer of Pi Energy.
First Gen Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez-led conglomerate First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH), has the largest portfolio of power plants that use clean and renewable energy.
Apart from renewable energy, the Jollibee Group also reinforces its waste reduction and packaging sustainability efforts across all its brands.
Manila, Philippines, June 5, 2024 – Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, started this year with a smashing HONOR X9b 5G launch followed by the HONOR Magic V2, HONOR X8b, HONOR X7b, and HONOR Magic6 Pro. Up to this date, the HONOR X9b 5G remains the toughest and best-selling out of the X-series and in the smartphone market. Thanks to its durable materials, it can withstand accidental drops, saving the user from phone heartaches.
“We’re confident that the HONOR X9b 5G’s performance continues to serve Filipinos who are looking for a smartphone that can withstand drops, smashes, and even a runover. It’s still the go-to phone for durability especially for consumers who are more prone to dropping their phone inevitably may it be due to their work, or simply life’s unexpected events,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.
The HONOR X9b 5G passed various durability tests during the pre-launch. It passed the 50 feet drop test, punch test, tiles smash test, and even a more than 2000 kg car runover. This is all made possible by the HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display that utilizes advanced cushioning technology, increasing the shock absorption capacity of the phone by up to 1.2 times. This ensures utmost durability even when subject to drops from a height of 1.5 meters and all angles.
Moreover, the HONOR X9b 5G is well-loved for its battery capacity of 5800mAh that can power the device for 3 days on a single charge, extending productivity for every user. Additionally, the battery maintains its optimal health even after 3 years of usage and has been awarded a DXOMARK Gold Label for battery performance.
Lastly, the HONOR X9b 5G boasts a triple camera system consisting of a 108MP Ultra-Clear Camera, a 5MP Ultra-Wide Camera, and a 2MP Macro Camera. The 108MP Ultra-Clear Camera allows it to capture lighter and produce images with vivid clarity. The camera also offers high optical quality with 3X zoom and an outstanding motion capture engine, ensuring the HONOR X9b 5G produces clear snapshots with fascinating detail.
For more exciting announcements, head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
RAINING OPPORTUNITIES THIS JUNE. Bring your umbrellas, jackets, and resumes this June as Foundever™, a global leader in the CX industry, showers applicants with job opportunities at various sites in NCR (Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Caloocan, Navotas); Baguio City, Pangasinan; and Tarlac. For more information, please read the main article.
MANILA – Foundever™, a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry, is rolling out its job caravan this June in various sites including Baguio, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Metro Manila. Applicants have a chance to become part of a highly-rated, reputable company with a global culture and reach, that employs hundreds of thousands around the world and services hundreds of clients.
According to VP for Talent Acquisition Willy Lim, applicants at the Foundever Job Caravan will soon see why the company won four prestigious national and international awards in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
“All these awards recognize the quality of the workplace culture, benefits, and other perks at Foundever and are a concrete expression of why Foundever is presently one of the most preferred employers in the country,” Lim said.
Earlier this year, Foundever won the Best Places to Work Awards sponsored by Comparably, an international corporate ratings platform based in California USA. The awards include Best Global Culture, Best HR Teams, and Best Engineering Teams awards. Foundever also made it to the Best Employers in the Philippines List based on a study by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista.
The Foundever Job Caravan welcomes new recruits and applicants at the following sites and dates:
For Baguio – DMMMSU MLUC Youth Job Fair, PESO La Union (June 6); NEPO Mall Dagupan Job Fair, PESO Dagupan (June 6); PESO Lingayen Job Fair, PESO Pangasinan (June 28).
For Tarlac – Dominican College of Tarlac Academe Road Show, Dominican College of Tarlac (June 3); Tarlac Agricultural University Virtual Academe Road Show, Tarlac Agricultural University (June 4); Tarlac Agricultural University Career Fair (June 7); DSWD Caravan of Services, DSWD Tarlac (June 11); Philippine Independence Day Job Fair, PESO Cabanatuan (June 12); Tarlac State University Pre-Employment Seminar, Tarlac State University (June 14).
Private Blizzard, the debut album from breakout vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dhruv, is slated for release August 23 via Little Worry/RCA Records.
Recorded in Nashville with Grammy-nominated producer JT Daly (Noah Kahan, Bully, Benson Boone), Private Blizzard reflects the full range of emotions Dhruv felt as he set out to make his debut album from a place of creative honesty. “I started in a place of numbness, and I didn’t really understand why I felt that way,” Dhruv shares. “The songs that I started out with were trying to help me unpack that feeling. The further along I got, I started feeling better—I just felt lighter.”
Allowing intuition to guide him more than in the past, Dhruv focused on developing his vocal range to give himself a larger canvas to express his changing emotions. From a sonic perspective, he and Daly worked together to arrive at a sound that incorporates classic live elements while retaining a modern feel. The result is an album that, above all else, feels true to Dhruv.
Aside from the announcement of the upcoming album release, Dhruv has also debuted a “Speed of Light,” a new song from his forthcoming album. “‘Speed of Light’ is about this ‘limbo state’ of being heartbroken over someone who clearly had no trouble moving on from the relationship,” Dhruv shares.
“Speed of Light” follows previous album offerings “How?” and “Tragedy,” Dhruv’s first new music of 2024 which he performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for his late night T.V. debut in February. Additionally, Dhruv performed a sold-out headline show at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre last night, following a sold-out headline show in London and a performance at New York’s Head In The Clouds Festival earlier this month.
Born and raised in Singapore and of Indian descent, Dhruv’s fascination with music dates back to the age of five, hearing Bollywood soundtracks on the T.V. at his grandmother’s house. After years of writing songs privately, he put his studies at Yale on hold to make a go of music in earnest and began producing from his bedroom.
Dhruv burst into the spotlight after his 2019 single “double take” exploded globally, racking up hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Soon after, he signed with Little Worry and RCA and, in 2022, he released his debut EP Rapunzel. He’s toured with Joji, sold out headline stops across the U.S. and the U.K. and a handful of dates in Asia in 2023, including two rare headline shows in India. NME praised Dhruv for creating “vital, anthemic” pop, while PAPER celebrated the power of his “intimate love songs” and CLASH hailed his “open and completely relatable” songwriting.
South Korean boyband ATEEZ dominates this week’s cultural conversations with the release of their tenth mini-album, [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1].
The powerhouse group’s new record has reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries on iTunes, making it one of the best-selling K-Pop releases of 2024, globally.
With a stylistic range that embraces new sonic flavors and exciting production approaches, [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1] opens a new saga for the eight-member pop act to explore in terms of conceptual direction.
As presented in the ideation for the latest era, ATEEZ begs the question, “What are we doing in the final moments of daylight right before the sun sets,” and interprets in a multitude of ways how everyone would feel experiencing the “golden hour” of their lives with a picture-perfect moment or lack of it.
ATEEZ’s tenth studio album features the lead single “WORK,” which intuitively expresses the award-winning group’s continuous commitment to striving and facing challenges. Other standout tracks on the record include the energetic dance anthem “Blind,” the reggae-meets-EDM banger “Shaboom” and the bombastic upbeat song “Siren.”
Track list:
Golden Hour
Blind
WORK
Empty Box
Shaboom
Siren
ATEEZ’s global impact is undeniable. They made history as the first K-pop boy group to grace the stage of ‘Coachella,’ the largest music festival in the U.S. They’re also set to perform at Japan’s largest music festival, Summer Sonic, this August 2024. With their shining performances around the world, ATEEZ continues to be unbeatable in the game.
With the release of their second studio album, [THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL], in December last year, they topped the U.S. Billboard main chart, ‘Billboard 200,’ and ranked second on the UK ‘Official Album Chart,’ setting a career-high in the world’s two major charts.
ATEEZ’s [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1] is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via KQ Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment.
You can simply sip back and smile with USANA’s Advanced Collagen drink.
USANA Philippines celebrated Women’s Month 2024 along with a special milestone in the company’s history: it marked its 15th year of offering science-based beauty products to the local market and helping every Filipina to become more confident in their own skin.
To commemorate the occasion, USANA Philippines introduced a new product. The new release is Advanced Collagen, a daily supplement powder that, when mixed with water, creates a refreshing drink with a light pomegranate and citrus flavor. It’s formulated to help maintain nourished skin and hair so anyone enjoying it can just “sip back and smile” as their body absorbs formulated nutrients to help maintain one’s natural glow.
USANA’s Advanced Collagen is a drink that contains Collagen, Biotin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C.
The science of beauty
Today, in a stark reversal of stereotypical beauty, women are focusing more on living a full life and becoming the best versions of themselves — at any age. They’re gracefully moving with the passage of time, maintaining a healthy glow, for far too long, has been associated strictly to youth. And USANA loves these women.
By embracing the truth of ageless beauty, women are no longer bound to the number of years lived, but rather caring for their bodies. Don’t think spa treatments and pedicures, but rather the basic — but essential — building block of health: nutrition.
USANA believes proper nutrients promote beauty on a cellular level, no matter your age. The secret is to access important nutrients that are difficult to obtain in diets — not in the needed amounts, anyway.
And for skin, this means collagen. A key component in the cellular makeup of skin and bones, it’s made up of mainly protein molecules consisting of amino acids responsible for your skin’s suppleness and elasticity.
When we’re young, our body naturally produces collagen. As you age, not only do you lose a good amount of it, but your body no longer produces enough collagen to keep skin soft and joints strong and supple. That’s why it’s important to supplement your body’s collagen production with whole foods or natural supplements through every stage of life.
Boosting what comes naturally
It’s true collagen and other nutrients essential for skin and bone health are found in whole foods such as animal products. And yet, it’s always easy to create a diet with balanced amounts to maintain normal skin structure — especially when facing the ravages of time and environmental stress.
Enter USANA’s Advanced Collagen powder drink. Mix one scoop into a glass of water, give it a quick stir, and sip at your leisure. You’ll rest easy knowing a single serving provides balanced level of thoughtfully sourced collagen, biotin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. So live your best life. Let Advanced Collagen help rejuvenate and maintain your skin’s luster and elasticity for years to come.
Find X7 Ultra debuts OPPO’s Quad Main Camera and advanced 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor
World-first dual-periscope telephoto cameras with class-leading large sensors and 14mm-270mm quality zoom
Sophisticated styling combines with Ultra flagship features
January 8, 2024, SHENZHEN – OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, today announced its OPPO Find X7 Ultra, the ultimate camera phone. Combining world-first breakthroughs in camera hardware with OPPO’s powerful HyperTone Camera System, cutting-edge computational photography and pro-grade Hasselblad tuning, matched with timeless style and flagship experiences, Find X7 Ultra is a true flagship without equal.
“Find X7 Ultra’s world-first Quad Main Camera will change the way people take photos forever. It removes limitations, unleashes creativity, and with next-generation HyperTone Image Engine and our partnership with Hasselblad, introduces a respect for photography as an art form like never before. Premium, sophisticated style and best-in-class features only add to its game-changing status. It’s a true Ultra.”
Pete Lau, Senior Vice-President and Chief Product Officer, OPPO
HyperTone Camera System for Masterpiece after Masterpiece
OPPO Find X7 Ultra Quad Main Camera System with HyperTone Image Engine and Hasselblad tuning.
Find X7 Ultra debuts OPPO’s incredible new HyperTone Camera System with its Quad Main Camera and HyperTone Image Engine. With four 50MP cameras with large sensors, two of which are periscope zoom cameras, it bridges the zoom gap between optical focal lengths like never before on a smartphone.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra’s wide camera is the first to feature the cutting-edge Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor. Specifically created for mobile, this second-generation sensor is more power-efficient than its predecessor, making next-generation computational photography possible for the first time in a 1-inch sensor smartphone camera. The result is photos packed with incredible levels of natural detail for artistically nuanced stills. With a customised lens with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS, it also promises a 50% reduction in reflection, all at a versatile 23mm optical focal length.
Photos captured using Find X7 Ultra’s wide camera.
When you need to zoom out, Find X7 Ultra’s ultra-wide camera takes the reins with its 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor. A large 1/1.95” size combines with a 14mm equivalent focal length, a fast f/2.0 aperture and a 4cm nearest focus distance. This makes it perfect for dynamic macro photography or expansive scenery, day or night.
Find X7 Ultra is the first phone to feature two periscope cameras, each with class-leading large sensors. The 50MP 3x periscope zoom camera features a 1/1.56” Sony IMX890 sensor, an f/2.6 aperture with Prism OIS, and a 65mm focal length. This sensor is roughly three times larger than the equivalent cameras in key competitor systems, and is the biggest telephoto sensor in any smartphone, laying the foundation for the very best telephoto results possible. It also unlocks creative freedom with a near-focus distance of 25cm, so product photography, close-up objects, and portraits look stunning when captured on Find X7 Ultra’s 3x periscope camera.
Photos captured using Find X7 Ultra’s 3x periscope telephoto camera.
Zoom in further with Find X7 Ultra’s 6x periscope telephoto camera. Its large, 50MP, 1/2.51” Sony IMX858 sensor captures abundant detail. Matched with a 135mm equivalent lens, stabilised by Prism OIS, and with a nearest focus distance of 35cm, it achieves far-reaching landscape and concert shots, or intimate telemacro photography with superb clarity.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra is the first smartphone to feature two periscope cameras.
Four Breakthroughs in Photography
Built upon this incredible Quad Main Camera mix, Find X7 Ultra achieves four major breakthroughs in camera experience that change the game for smartphone photography:
HyperTone Image Engine
Computational photography has changed the way smartphones take photos, and while most of its contributions to photography have been beneficial, it also introduces unnatural characteristics to pictures.
These downsides of computational photography range from an unnatural over-processed HDR look, over-exposure of mid-tones and entire scenes, to over-sharpening, creating excessive edge detail.
OPPO’s HyperTone Image Engine safeguards photo integrity, preserving highlights, shadows and mid-tones with a natural look.
An example of a photo taken with and without HyperTone Image Engine.
With HyperTone Image Engine, you are getting the full benefits of computational photography in a way that doesn’t detract from the aesthetics of a quality photo.
Uninterrupted Zoom
Photographers have long considered the range between 15mm and 200mm as the benchmark for a complete zoom. While other smartphones cover part of this range, Find X7 Ultra is the first to capture quality photos across the whole range and beyond.
In fact, with its Quad Main Camera optical reach at 0.6x, 1x, 3x and 6x together with AI-enhanced zoom, Find X7 Ultra captures quality stills from 14mm to 270mm equivalent focal lengths.
Photos captured using Find X7 Ultra’s 6x periscope telephoto camera at 6x and 12x zoom.
Users can zoom freely and trust Find X7 Ultra to capture clear photos without poor quality at specific ranges.
Hasselblad Portrait Mode
With the new Hasselblad Portrait Mode, we worked with Hasselblad to bring its classical portrait style to Find X7 Ultra.
With master photographers in mind, Find X7 Ultra’s Portrait Mode captures at four set focal lengths, 23mm, 44mm, 65mm, and 135mm. Each is calibrated to a different Hasselblad lens, producing cinematic bokeh with foreground and background depth, and it can recognize a single strand of hair for ultimate accuracy.
Examples of photos captured using OPPO Find X7 Ultra‘s Hassleblad Portrait Mode.
Find X7 Ultra’s Hasselblad Portrait Mode is also incredibly respectful of individual differences, safeguarding skin tones and defining traits, while capturing with minimal shutter lag, and at a distance of up to nine metres from a subject.
Hasselblad Master Mode
OPPO and Hasselblad’s partnership brings the artistry back to pro-grade smartphone photography with Master Mode. On top of all the advanced controls, including manual ISO, shutter speed, EV, focus, and white balance, Master Mode also unlocks saturation, contrast, sharpness, and vignette control when capturing JPEGs.
Master Mode is calibrated to match the characteristics of the Hasselblad X2D 100C, an incredible camera revered by discerning professional photographers.
With Master Mode, create a unique look to your shots, so your Find X7 Ultra photos always match your preferred style.
In addition to JPEG and RAW capture, Master Mode also debuts RAW MAX1. Capturing 50MP RAW photos that deliver the full benefits of computational photography, RAW MAX photos have 13 stops of dynamic range and 16-bit color depth in BT2020 color space.
Sophisticated Style and a Brilliant Screen
Evolving the two-tone design of its Find X6 Series, OPPO took Find X7 Ultra in an even more distinguished direction with its bold, beautifully finished camera system and three timeless colours, Ocean Blue, Sepia Brown, and Tailored Black.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra in Ocean Blue, Sepia Brown and Tailored Black.
Turn on Find X7 Ultra, and enjoy the brightest QHD+ screen currently available, with 1-120Hz LTPO technology for smooth visuals and stunning quality. Beaming at up to 1600 nits outdoors, and up to 4500 nits when viewing HDR content, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and an DisplayMate A+ rating, whatever you’re watching, playing, or swiping through, it looks exceptional on Find X7 Ultra.
When viewing photos, OPPO’s ProXDR technology boosts dynamic range, taking advantage of Find X7 Ultra’s class-leading peak brightness. ProXDR will also be compatible with the Ultra HDR standard launched by Google as part of its Android 14 announcement, so in the future, HDR photos shared and received will display with a brilliant, broad tonal range.
Ultra Performance and Privacy
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, Find X7 Ultra has up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage for incredible gaming experiences and 4K video edits with no waiting. It also features a dedicated security chip, so only you can access your private information, and with a privacy-focused VIP slider, quickly and easily change notification mode, or disable camera, location, and microphone access.
With a large 5000mAh battery, Find X7 Ultra comfortably lasts a full day, and 100W SUPERVOOCTM charges it up fully in less than 30 minutes2, while 50W wireless charging reaches a full charge within 60 minutes2.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra features a large 5000mAh battery which supports 100W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charging.
Sun, stars, and signature stays with special savings
June 2024, Manila: Ready to explore the Philippine pride of destinations? From posh accommodations to gourmet dining options, travelers can fully immerse themselves in the freedom of exploration with Discovery hotels and resorts. Enjoy up to 60% savings on travel adventures across the country from June 3 to 16, 2024.
Idyllic Havens with Discovery Resorts
The Philippines is known for its thousands of islands and what better way to explore and experience these beautiful destinations than with the leading resorts that make the warm Filipino hospitality come alive—Discovery Resorts?
There are reasons why Boracay is named one of the best beaches in the world, and the island’s pulsating vibe is one of them. Revel in unbeaten fun activities paired with the first-hand experience of unmatched luxury island hospitality at Discovery Boracay, starting at PHP 14,986 nett.
An exclusive island paradise beckons right in the middle of the Philippines’ “Big Lagoon,” Coron, Palawan. Offering the perfect canvas to unleash a discerning traveler’s inner explorer more than the tall limestone formations from the town’s postcards, Discovery Coron is the perfect spot to channel carefree spirit while savoring the wonders of flora and fauna. Stay in this paradise starting at PHP 14,278 nett and catch nature’s wildlife within reach.
Whether on a journey to seek the thrill of water sports or serene moments amid tropical surroundings, experience the finest luxuries and unique Samal Island experiences that Discovery Samal has to offer. Stay in a Junior Suite for PHP 12,000 nett and explore this dreamy tropical haven while having a view of the Davao metropolis.
Cosmopolitan Comforts with Discovery Hotels If there are island destinations, there are also metropolitan marvels along the chic urban districts of the country’s capital.
Take a reward on the weekends or spend quality moments with loved ones in the elegant comfort of Discovery Primea. This towering gem brings a lavish city staycation designed for indulgence amid the vibrant Makati City life. A night in the Business Flat at PHP 8,000 nett is paired with an array of treats, such as special rates at the Gin Library and savings on select spa treatment.
A few minutes of drive away is another leisurely accommodation, perfect for some slow-down moments. Rediscover the charm of a city getaway while recharging at Discovery Suites, starting at PHP 5,000 nett a night.
Seaside Serenity in Secret Paradise
To explore is to discover hidden jewels that offer new yet quaint experiences and stories to tell.
Serene ambiance lingers in the luxury nature estate of Manami Resort. Where time slows to a gentle rhythm, cocooned from the bustling world outside, unwind and reconnect on this off-the-beaten path in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. Have a good night’s sleep at PHP 14,500 nett a night with the most exclusive amenities to enjoy.
Where the sand is warm, the water is inviting, and worries are left behind, This calls for a charming beach getaway at Chema’s By The Sea. This charming resort may be located right across Davao City, but the calmness of its natural surroundings kindles a personal abode. Discover this new spot with stays starting at PHP 7,750 nett.
Embrace the spirit of freedom and adventure for up to 60% savings on stays and special recreational offers this Independence Day Travel Sale! My Discover Elite members get to enjoy an exclusive sale from June 3 to 16, 2024. Special rates will be open to everyone from June 10 to 16, 2024. For more information, visit www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com. DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-193946 Series of 2024
Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major insurer in the country, is bringing back the Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder (PAB) ProIncome for a limited time, this time with higher annual payout thus providing clients with the opportunity to earn regular income while participating in global investments using their Peso Assets.
The Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder ProIncome is a single-pay life insurance product linked to structured investments. It offers life insurance protection of at least 125% of the one-time premium payment for seven years, fixed annual payouts of 4.50% for seven years, and the return of the single payment at maturity. These investments are made offshore, allowing clients to diversify their peso assets further.
“We are excited to bring back PAB, one of our popular products,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “This limited-time offer is designed to help individuals boost their money’s earning power while maintaining financial security. It underscores our commitment to helping our clients achieve their financial goals and meet their diverse needs.”
Interested clients of PAB can take advantage of convenient application and policy approval through the Guaranteed Insurability Offer, subject to the terms set by Sun Life Grepa.
For more information and to explore this limited time offering, speak to a Sun Life Grepa Financial Advisor, visit your RCBC Branch of Account, or go to www.sunlifegrepa.com for details.
GCash, AB Capital introduce flat 0.25% broker’s commission to spur trading
GCash, the country’s leading finance app, in partnership with AB Capital Securities Inc. (ABSCI), has lifted the P20 broker’s commission fee in GStocks PH in a bid to further boost retail investor activity in the local stock market.
GStocks PH now offers a 0.25% flat commission fee on all buy and sell transactions – making it one of the first trading platforms to implement lower fees.
This move follows the Security Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision earlier in April to remove the minimum commission that stockbrokers may charge their customers for transactions below P8,000. This initiative aims to stimulate activity in the local stock market – aligned with a shared goal of developing the country’s capital markets and boosting economic growth.
“With this move, investing in the stock market has been more accessible and affordable than ever before. Through GStocks PH, GCash aims to attract more retail investors, boost trading activity, and enhance user experience by offering more cost-efficient transactions on the platform. Together with our partner, ABSCI, we believe further promoting stock market investments can have a positive impact on the economy,” said GCash Vice President and Group Head for New Businesses and Wealth Management Winsley Bangit.
The country’s benchmark, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) has been trading around the 6,600 level, rebounding from its 6,400 low in April this year. According to ABCSI, the market outlook for the second half of 2024 is positive, driven by expected interest rate cuts. This development creates a good opportunity for investors to accumulate more stocks.
“Filipinos can take advantage of investment platforms such as GStocks PH, as it will enable them to maximize their earnings potential early on,” said ABCSI Head of Research Hazel Tan.
With GStocks PH, GCash users can easily unlock the world of investing in local stocks. With just their GCash app, users can register in a matter of minutes, top up quickly and free of charge, and seamlessly invest in over 280 local companies listed on the PSE. Using the newest wealth tool of GCash, the Learning Hub, users can also access valuable and bite-sized content to better grasp financial concepts. GCash users can access the Learning Hub by going to GInvest from the main dashboard.
To start your investment journey, simply open your GCash app, go to GInvest, and select GStocks PH. Next, click “AB Capital Securities, Inc.” and explore which stocks you can buy at the tip of your fingers.
As the country’s pioneer in diverse and inclusive finance, GCash and its partners remain steadfast in spearheading efforts that will diversify Filipino’s access to investments and help them build a more secure financial future in line with their nation-building and financial inclusion missions.