The 17th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) that honors microentrepreneurs who have succeeded with the help of microfinance institutions, was launched at the BSP Executive Business Center Lounge. CMA is a joint undertaking of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Citi Philippines and Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI), and funded by Citi Foundation.
Honored during the annual ceremonies are the CMA National Winner, regional awardees from the Philippines three major island groups, Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year and three special awardees in different categories: agriculture, green/sustainable business, community leadership, startup micro-business, persons with disabilities, social innovation, financial technology/digital enterprise and preservation of traditions. Present during the launch were (L-R) MCPI executive director Allan Robert Sicat, BSP governor Benjamin Diokno, BSP Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy managing director Pia Roman Tayag, 2018 Youth Microentrepeneur of the Year Mary Grace Bayalas, BSP deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier, Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed and Citi Philippines Public Affairs head Lisa Coory.The national CMA winner will receive P200,000 while the three regional awardees, youth awardee and special awardees will each get P100,000. Deadline for submission of nominations is July 19, 2019. For more information, visit www.microfinancecouncil.org.
Shopee Free Shipping Festival offers 15 back-to-back Super Brand Days featuring P&G, Unilever, Samsung, Maybelline, and more
MANILA, 10 JULY, 2019 – Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will raffle off a brand-new motorcycle during its ₱1 Game for Shopee Free Shipping Festival. From July 10 to August 8, consumers can look forward to a month of free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend on selected brands or categories daily, ₱1 Game, and 100% cashback vouchers.
On July 15, consumers can score premium items including a Xiaomi Mi Pad 4, Nintendo Switch, ASUS Vivobook, and more at just ₱1. To join, consumers have to pay ₱1 upon check out and one lucky winner will be chosen to take home the featured item of the day.
Here are the 7 things you can win for only ₱1 on July 15:
1. Rusi Mojo 200 Motorcycle
The Rusi Mojo 200 is a durable and fast motorcycle that can get you to places in style. With a powerful engine and a 13-liter fuel capacity, get this bike for only ₱1 on July 15 for Shopee Free Shipping Festival.
2. Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Tablet
The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 boasts a slim and elegant design with a full HD resolution screen, giving you a versatile tablet that can handle all your day to day activities.
3. Nintendo Switch
Take your gaming experience wherever and whenever you want with the Nintendo Switch gaming console. It is the perfect entertainment accessory with its versatile joy-con controllers and compact design. Available for only ₱1 on July 15.
4. ASUS Vivobook X407 14″
Score the ASUS Vivobook that can help you stay on top of your everyday tasks for only ₱1. It has the latest processor, amazing data speeds, and a large storage capacity to help you easily surf the web.
5. ZOLO MOJO Bluetooth Speaker
Listening to music at home is a breeze with the Zolo Mojo, a voice-activated speaker with Google Assistant built-in. Get this compact and powerful device at the Shopee Free Shipping Festival on July 15.
6. Hanabishi HPM600 Professional Stand Mixer
This professional stand mixer has 8 speed multiple functions, aluminum dough hooks, and a beater guard that is perfect for beginner bakers and cooks.
7. Chicco 2 in 1 Sterilizer
The Chicco 2 in 1 Sterilizer is compatible with most feeding bottles, breast pumps, and accessories on the market. It can kill 99.9% of household germs and is the perfect tool for new mothers. Get it for only ₱1 at the Shopee Free Shipping Festival.
From July 10 to August 8, Shopee Free Shipping Festival will feature up to 90% off on all categories with back-to-back Super Brand Days featuring P&G, Wyeth, Vivo, Unilever, Perfetti van Melle, Ace TV, Inspi, Bosch, and more. There will be free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend on selected brands or categories every day, daily ₱1 Game, and 100% cashback vouchers to enjoy.
Most of us seek that one partner in this journey called life. We long for somebody to share our experiences, our time or whatever we have. No man is an island, we can probably survive by ourselves but life seems pale and uncertain without another person to lean on to.
I grew up admiring my parents partnership. They were strict with me and yet they indulged me in life lessons that I still apply until today. My dad taught me a lot of things when he was still alive but the most notable one would be is to invest my time and money wisely. My mom on the other hand taught me to share my blessings. I’m thankful to both of them as my sister and I grew up well insured.
Last Friday, July 5th, I was invited to attend an event organized by Sunlife Financial where the Sunlife ambassadors Piolo Pascual, Inigo Pascual, Enchong Dee, Matteo Guldicelli, and Charo Santos Concio also graced the occasion. It was dubbed ‘Kaakbay: Stories of Lifetime Partnerships.”
They all shared a video about their lifetime partners and how their lives were made brighter because of the respective lifetime partners who believed in them, supported them, and inspired them. I couldn’t help but shed a tear upon listening to each of their stories. These people are the persons who made them what they are today.
Enchong Dee, one of the ambassadors confessed “‘It was a very emotional experience developing my video with Sun Life,” He also added “When i saw the finished product, i couldn’t help but cry.” His coach was instrumental to his success in sports and showbiz and as such, is someone he will never forget.
Matteo on the other hand shared his relationship with his grandfather. He appreciated the video and can’t help but get emotional. ”This is it as real as it gets. The authenticity of emotions was clearly captured in the videos, and I look toward to sharing it with everyone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Charo made everybody fall in love with her love story. It was like a fairytale come true. she remembered every detail as if it has just happened. “Seeing an important part of my life immortalized through the video brought back so many memories that I share with my lifetime partner,” she said. “It was unnerving at first but in the end, it was a beautiful way to pay tribute to someone who impacted my life in so many ways.”
Embodying lifetime partnerships
Sun Life hopes to encourage our countrymen to find that lifetime partner who will bring out the best in them and that is through the stories shared by Piolo, Inigo, Enchong. Matteo, and Charo.
“Their stories exemplify the kind of partner Sun Life aims to be for every Filipino pursuing his financial journey,” Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa said. ”We are committed to helping them make life brighter.”
All the said ambassadors are long-time Sun Life clients. “This brings truthfulness to their testimonies of having found a lifetime partnera ‘kaakbay’ in Sun Life in their financial journey. We’re thankful that they supported our vision and permitted us to share their stories to Filipinos,” she said.
The Kaakbay” videos will be posted on Sun Life’s Youtube channel, @SunLifePH, with a new one premiering every week beginning July 13.
Those who will watch the videos will get a chance to win a trip for two to Singapore by sharing their own stories of lifetime partnership on @SunLifePH on Youtube or Facebook. Consolation prizes will also be given away. The full mechanics are available on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the soundtrack for the campaign, also entitled “Kaakbay‘ which was written and performed by Inigo himself, will soon be hitting airwaves nationwide, while its music video will be shown on Myx. ”It’s a song you can dedicate to an important person in your life,” he said. ”We don’t always tell our loved ones how much we appreciate them, but I hope that this song and our own ‘Kaakbay’ videos will inspire everyone to express just how much their loved ones mean to them.
Providing lifetime financial security
Sunlife introduces Kaakbay as its latest effort in renewing its promise to become the Filipinos’ lifetime financial partner and its goal of providing its clients with lifetime financial security, which it has consistently done since it introduced life insurance in the Philippines in 1895
”Providing our clients with lifetime financial security is the core of our mission. In fact, Sun Life pioneered life insurance in the Philippines 124 years ago so that Filipinos can enjoy its benefits. This advocacy is complemented by our products and services, which we have diversified through the years to serve even their health and wealth needs,” Lopa said. ”And we will not stop there. As our clients’ lifetime partner, Sun Life will continue to innovate and improve so we may serve our clients better.”
Piolo emphasized that his own relationship with Sun Life is truly one that can be defined as a lifetime partnership.”Sun Life has been my lifetime partner in every step of my journey. A ‘kaakbay’ in every way. With their help, I’ve been able to secure a brighter future not just for myself, but for my family as well,” he said. “i hope that my story, as well as that of my fellow ambassadors, will encourage more Filipinos to pursue financial security and live healthier lives with Sun Life as their lifetime partner.”
Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, recently established its newest health pod in Startek Philippines, Inc., a call center and BPO in Iloilo, to ensure better access to healthcare services for its employees. The latest health pod is a fully automated system that manages patient-queuing, and makes gathering of initial vital signs quick, accurate, and hassle-free. It offers convenient and time-saving way for employees to get their LOA (letter of authorization). The latest Maxicare health pod is located at Two Global Center, Megaworld Blvd, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. In photo (L-R): Maxicare senior assistant vice president and group head of corporate sales Fiona Lava-Victoria, chief operating officer Nelissa Badal, president and CEO Christian Argos, Startek global COO Peter Martino, Startek Philippines COO Parikshat Nagpal, and Startek Philippines human resource vice president Ana Maria Magsaysay.
Jan Daryl Doculan from Nueva Vizcaya emerged as the winner of the Region II leg of Solane Kitchen Chefs’ Edition, a nationwide cooking competition which aims to recognize a new generation of local talented chefs. Doculan bested seven (7) other contestants from all over Region II with his winning dish, Dinakdakan. He garnished it with assorted achara, ensalada, toasted shallot, and candied calamansi.
He will have the chance to qualify for the national competition round with a grand prize of P100,000 and a culinary trip to Japan. The Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition is sponsored by Midea, Jolly Heartmate, Dona Elena Al Dente Pasta, Masflex Cookware, King Sue, Anvil Publishing, Ajinomoto, King Sue, Philtranco, Fastcat, and Chef Plus. Photo shows Doculan (fourth from left) with Solane marketing manager Valeri Villano and (L-R) Solane Kitchen Hero ambassador chef Sau del Rosario, Solane Kitchen Hero director Nancy Reyes-Lumen, and Region II judges Herminia Baby Reyes, and Lilibeth Rillera.
June 29, 2019 (MANILA, Philippines) – Two Philippine Champions emerged victorious at the Red Bull Reign Finals on Saturday, June 29th, 2019, at Kerry Sports Manila in Bonifacio Global City: Men’s Champions Phenom and Women’s Champions Team Gilas Women’s. Both teams advance to the Red Bull Reign Global Finals in Toronto, Canada, this August where they will represent the Philippines against 15 other nations from around the globe.
Red Bull Reign is a high-endurance, offense-driven 3-on-3 street basketball tournament that brings the best ballers in the world together. Each game is contested under strict rules inspired by FIBA’s (International Basketball Federation) 3-on-3 rules:
Teams consist of 3 players (+1 reserve) age 18 and above
Games take place back-to-back on opposite halves of the court
The first team to score 21 points or the most points in 10 minutes wins the match
In total, fourteen male teams and eight female teams competed this year.
Women’s Red Bull Reign Tournament
Red Bull Reign 2019 introduced a standalone tournament exclusively dedicated to women. Teams from countries including Russia, United Kingdom, and the Canada held local tournaments to find representatives for the Global Finals.
This year’s instalment saw several local teams all vying for a spot in the Finals. The opening games took place in the morning and progressed over the course of the day, until only two teams remained: Zamboanga Valientes and Team Gilas Women’s, with the later taking the victory with a final score of 21 – 06.
Team Gilas Women’s is comprised of Jack Daniel Animam, Claire Castro, Janine Pontejos and Afril Bernardino. They are members of the Philippines’ national women’s basketball team, with years of experience under their belt.
“We train everyday”, says power forward Animam. “We’ve known each other for so long that our teamwork is top notch. And now, it’s a privilege to represent the Philippines in the World Finals in Toronto!”
Men’s Red Bull Reign Tournament
This year’s men’s tournament began with the Last Chance Qualifier, which saw eight teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao compete head-to-head in back-to-back action. Teams Phenom and Philippine Navy, and team J Hoop from Cebu City, crushed the competition to advance to the Semi-Finals together with Team Basilian.
Teams Phenom and Basilan both won their respective games to meet in a thrilling finals showdown. With amazing shooting and tenacity, the Phenom edged its competition to a final score of 22-to-19. As three-time Red Bull Reign Philippine Champions, the Phenom this year consisted of former NCAA and PBA D-League players Shaq Alanes, Junjie Hallare, and Micole Sorela.
“I’m kinda speechless”, says Sorela. “We didn’t expect to win this, especially against our friends from Team Basilan. So we feel great! We wouldn’t have made it here without the help of our coaches or my awesome teammates.”
“Toronto, here we come!” shares Phenom team captain, Bong Pineda, in a statement that echoed Animam’s sentiments. “We’re excited to advance to the World Finals. We’re coming, Toronto!”
Reign 2019
Vince Hizon, Tournament Director of Red Bull Reign, shares his thoughts on this year’s tournament. “The fact that this is a qualifier for a world tournament – that makes it a big deal. Red Bull has done an exceptional job in all the sports they’ve participated in, really uplifting sports through these amazing opportunities. But in basketball, they know how passionate the Filipinos are regarding the game.”
As the 2019 Red Bull Reign Philippine Champions, Phenom and Team Gilas will represent the country at the Global Finals in Toronto, Canada, this coming August!
For more information, please visit: win.gs/redbullreign2019
Corregidor Island holds historical narratives of war that nepresents the tight for the country’s freedom. Known as the “Isle of Valor” or “The Rock”, the 358-kilometer island holds more treasures apart from the history carefully preserved in the island.
The Corregidor Foundation (CFI), the Department of Tourism through its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (T PB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), unveils the new brand of Corregidor Corregidor Now. Corregidor Now seeks to entice tourists to live and experience Corregidor island in more ways than one! Corregidor Now invites guests to learn the unique story of Corregidor Island and explore spots around the island that are waiting to be experienced, making it a unique and exciting tourism destination.
With the campaign, they seek to actively promote the island’s various attractions, such as middle-side barracks, battery grubs, Pacific war memorial complex, Cine Corregidor, Spanish lighthouse, Japanese garden of peace, Filipino heroes memorial, Malinta tunnel, and Lorcha dock. Beyond historical relics, the island boasts of a multitude of opportunities for every type of traveler to enjoy biking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, island runabout, and kayaking are just some of the fun activities in the island.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Corregidor Foundation Inc. Chairpeison and CEO Cynthia Carrion in spearheading the new strategic campaign, dubbed “Corregidor Now,” which aims to deliver a stronger and unified voice for the whole island, bringing it to greater heights as a tourism attraction. “For years, Corregidor Island seemed to be perceived solely as a popular historical site, with its idyllic features unknown to many,” Carrion said. “With our campaign, we hope that it will usher in a new era for this eco-historical location, making it known as a place of sanctuary where one can enjoy a relaxing opportunity to revel in the past.”
This initiative, according to TPB Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Tan. aims to attract more domestic and international tourists to visit Corregidor Island.
In support of this endeavor. TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said they greatly recognize the island’s historical value and strong tourism potential, which can make it a flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ).
TIEZA is developing a comprehensive master plan for the redevelopment of Corregidor and the proposed rehabilitation of the Corregidor South Dock Pier. Under the marketing campaign, they will implement more proactive promotional efforts in various forms of media to inform the public and entice target markets to visit the island.
Wlth all the tourist destinations in the Philippines, Corregidor Island is the only one where you can truly dive deep into history while enjoying the best of tropical Philippines. it is the picture-perfect showcase of the variety of fun and adventure offered on its land, sea, and air. Carrion invites Filipinos to come together, enjoy, and explore the historical paradise that is an ultimate relaxation and fun adventure sanctuary.
To book a tour or know more about Corregidor, please email info@correqidorisland.com.ph or visit www.correqidorisland.com.ph or vall +632.8233281 .
Score a Samsung 49” 4K Smart TV, Huawei P30 Lite, Xiaomi Mi Band 3, and more for only ₱1 during the Shopee 7.7 Lowest Price Sale
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up the Shopee 7.7 Lowest Price Sale on July 7 with free shipping for as low as ₱0 minimum spend on flash items, 100% cashback vouchers, and ₱77 deals across categories. On the big sale day, there will be amazing prizes including televisions, smartphones, and home appliances up for grabs for only ₱1 during the Shopee ₱1 Game. Consumers can also purchase their favorite items with deals up to 90% off from official brands including Unisilver Time, Silverworks, Bosch, Realme, Dove, Safeguard, MET Tathione, and Pantene.
Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines said, “We’re thrilled with how Shopee has performed in the first two quarters of the year and we’re building on this success with another big campaign, Shopee 7.7 Lowest Price Sale. We understand that Filipinos are active and savvy shoppers so Shopee is happy to provide consumers a wide range of products at the lowest price possible.”
Consumers will be treated to back-to-back promotions happening everyday until the big sale day on July 7. Here are the key highlights of Shopee 7.7 Lowest Price Sale:
● Free Shipping with P0 Min Spend happening for limited time starting midnight on 7 Jul.
● ₱1 Game where users can pay ₱1 upon check out and one lucky winner will be chosen to take home the featured item of the day. Users stand a chance to win premium gadgets including the Samsung 49” 4K Smart TV, Huawei P30 Lite, and Xiaomi Mi Band 3 for only ₱1.
● Big discounts up to 90% off from leading brands including Unisilver Time, Silverworks, Bosch, Realme, Dove, Safeguard, MET Tathione, and Pantene.
● Exclusive promotions from partners including Cebu Pacific, Metrobank, and Pizza Hut.
Tune in to the finale episode of Shopee Pop Star Search
On July 6, Shopee brings together the original Sexbomb Dancers for an exclusive reunion performance with Shopee’s brand ambassador, Sarah Geronimo, in the final episode of Shopee Pop Star Search. Users can tune into the final episode live streamed on the app as Shopee announces its first-ever Shopee Pop Star champion. There will also be exclusive vouchers from leading brands including Unilab, Anker, and Nokia to be given away.
Student-designed solutions on renewable energy and disaster preparedness took the spotlight at the third Manila Maker Faire at the Mind Museum, which gathered over 150 engineers, tech enthusiasts, students, educators, and artists from all over the country.
These innovations included a portable wind turbine made of recycled materials and a flood water filtration machine that converts flood water into clean water. These were showcased at the Manila Maker Faire’s largest booth, where 12 groups of senior high school students from STI campuses nationwide presented their work.
Makers from STI College San Fernando explains how the automatic canal waste collector works
Dubbed as the “greatest show (and tell on earth),” Maker Faire is a festival for all ages that celebrates innovations in the technical field and in the realms of crafts and performing arts. It was launched in 2006 and has already produced shows around the world Bay Area, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, and Berlin, among others.
“Designing a relevant curriculum is only one step among many towards equipping young Filipinos with the expertise to succeed in their chosen field. It is just as important, however, to provide our students with opportunities to showcase their talents and creativity outside the classroom such as this huge event,” said STI AVP for Academic Research Aisa Q. Hipolito. “This is what the STI education is about: helping our students succeed in professions they were trained for, and we are exhausting every opportunity we can provide to meet this goal.”
Fostering innovations and creativity
Motivated by the pressing issues on the increasing energy consumption versus limited natural resources, young makers from STI created groundbreaking projects aimed at addressing this widespread phenomenon.
The portable wind turbine made out of recycled materials was designed to serve as an alternative source of electricity for household devices. As advocates of sustainable technology, students also exhibited a grass cuter and a canal waste collector that run entirely on solar energy.
STI College San Fernando representatives showcase the solar powered grass cutter
“Growing up, we’ve seen how our lives depend on nature’s finite non-renewable energy sources—which also leave a negative impact on our environment. With this, we thought of exploring more sustainable alternatives that are also earth friendly like solar-powered equipment and portable wind turbine as a source of electricity,” shared Rose Ann Tubal, Grade 12 STEM student from STI College San Fernando.
STI students also showcased disaster-preparedness and response inventions. One of which is a flood detecting alarm that produces a powerful sound to alert the community on the rising flood levels.
Add STI senior high students demonstrate the flood water filtration machine.Meanwhile, to provide one of life’s basic necessity in times of calamity, a flood water filtration machine was built with six types of filters to convert flood water into clean water. An improved version of a go bag called the WeSurvive Bag, which includes portable water filter and solar-power charger and flashlight, was made of waterproof and tear resistant fabric. Among the other STI products include concrete cylinders made of recycled sugarcane fibers, banana stem fiber-made kraft paper as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging, and a mosquito repellent aromatherapeutic candles, to name a few.
STIers from Pasay-EDSA campus display the all natural insect repellant and scented candlesThe upcycled crafts and creative innovations displayed at the fair were initially exhibited in the annual Senior High School Expo, a nationwide exhibit for STI students to demonstrate their ideas and creativity.
Students from STI College Ortigas Cainta and Munoz EDSA present the kraft paper and concrete cylinders
The two-day exhibit also bridged STI students to industry professionals and co-makers, paving the way to gain insights that would help them improve their products and meet people that could lead them to greater opportunities.
AXA Philippines, one of the country‘s leading insurers, in partnership with The SM Store, awarded an all-expense paid trip for two to Hong Kong Disneyland to lucky e-raffle winners of the recent Shop and Fly Promo. The winners, including Jeremy Albert Na Diego (in photo), also received AXA Philippines Personal Accident Insurance coverage worth P50,000.
Among the stores that participated in the Shop and Fly promo, which was exclusive to SM Advantage Card holders, were The SM Store Pampanga, Clark (Pampanga), Baguio, Megacenter Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija), Cauayan (Isabela), Rosales and Urdaneta (Pangasinan), Tarlac, Olongapo (Zambales), Marilao and Baliwag (Bulacan), Telabastagan, San Fernando (Pampanga), and Valenzuela. With Diego and his companion in photo are (L-R) The SM Store Megacenter assistant branch manager Nelson D. Lutero, Jr., AXA Philippines financial partner Jessel Ladrillono, and AXA Philippines financial partner Michael Alamag.
