Quick thinking, presence of mind, and instilled with the values that his employer has taught him, a McDonald’s Philippines store manager saved the life of a customer who suffered a sudden heart attack.   

McDonald’s NLEX Drive and Dine Manager Bryan Bondoc’s swift response and application of first aid skills made sure the customer received timely assistance. Last April 12, Bondoc promptly performed CPR on the customer, while crew member Jerico Cardiente, also trained in CPR, continued the procedure. Meanwhile, two crew members attended to the customer while Bondoc’s colleague, Maribel Guina, called for an ambulance. According to the rescue team who arrived at the scene, the customer would’ve lost his life if the team didn’t observe the CPR protocols. The customer is now in recovery at the Philippine Heart Center. 

Bondoc was recently recognized by the company and had received many praises for his courageous act and going the extra mile to help a customer in need. 

When asked how he felt about being applauded by his peers and leads, Bryan said he felt motivated to continue to help others. “Nakakamotivate po makatulong pa sa iba,” Bryan said. (It motivates me to continue to help other people). 

Being Equipped with the Right Skills, Mindset, and Values 

“Bryan’s story is a reminder of the impact one can make on other people when they are equipped with the right skills, mindset, and values,” Ruben Marasigan, VP for Human Capital Group of McDonald’s Philippines said. “His actions exemplify McDonald’s values of being Customer-driven, Malasakit (empathy), and Teamwork. Best of all, it showcases the company’s focus on being customer-driven in that they prioritize our customers’ well-being, especially in circumstances like this,” Marasigan added.  

Bondoc has been with McDonald’s Philippines for more than ten years. He was a working student back in 2009 when he was hired as part of McDonald’s People Support in Makati. When the quick service restaurant opened a store in Malabon, he became a pioneer member of the branch. He later joined McDonald’s Drive and Dine in NLEX where he was eventually promoted to manager. 

He has learned many things throughout his employment at McDonald’s Philippines and his recent experience with a life-saving situation shows how important it is that companies invest in their employees’ training and development. Providing Bondoc and his fellow employees with first aid training equipped them with the necessary skills to save another person’s life.  

“Required po kaming umattend ng First Aid Class (We are required to attend First Aid Class),” Bondoc shared. He added that with the training, he learned about the importance of doing the procedure step-by-step and having presence of mind because someone’s life is in your hands. 

Equipped with the skills and values to go the extra mile in serving customers, Bryan Bondoc found his Best Me here at McDonald’s, thanks to his experience. 

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The prestigious CVPR (Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition), a leading global event in computer vision, officially commenced in Seattle. This year, OPPO made a significant impact with several of its latest research papers being selected for presentation, encompassing a range of AI-related topics. Moreover, OPPO’s flagship AI phone, the Find X7 Ultra, and the newly launched OPPO Reno12 were demoed at the conference, showcasing numerous innovative AI phone features. Through these contributions, OPPO continues to influence the global advancement and democratization of AI phone.

“OPPO is deeply engaged in the CVPR each year, and this year, our achievements are particularly noteworthy,” stated Billy Zhang, President of Overseas MKT, Sales and Service at OPPO. “AI has always been a pivotal area of investment for us, and the rising trend of AI phone enables us to innovate the user experience once again. CVPR provides an excellent platform for OPPO to discuss and exchange ideas with global partners about our latest advancements in computer vision and other AI-related fields. Our involvement in CVPR also underscores OPPO’s strong commitment and determination in the realm of AI phone.”

With Major Papers Selected for Conference, OPPO AI Research is Flourishing

This year, OPPO Research Institute and various R&D teams achieved significant recognition with 11 papers selected for presentation at CVPR. These papers span key research areas including image restoration, digital human generation, video segmentation, dynamic motion capture, dynamic scene image synthesis, multi-view 3D object detection, and 3D rendering, highlighting some of the most innovative directions in AI phone.

In the field of digital human generation, OPPO has introduced a groundbreaking approach with UltrAvatar—a method for creating drivable 3D virtual humans. Utilizing a diffuse color extraction model and an authenticity-guided texture diffusion model, UltrAvatar can generate drivable 3D virtual humans from a single image or a line of text. These virtual humans are indistinguishable from real human features, achieving a level of detail that captures every inch of skin color and texture on a person’s face, significantly enhancing the realism of virtual interactions.

Another notable contribution, the UniVS, presents the industry’s first universal large model for video segmentation. This model is uniquely capable of meeting diverse real-world video segmentation needs, allowing for the segmentation of all objects within a specified category and responding to textual descriptions for targeted segmentation.

These selected papers not only represent cutting-edge advancements in AI but also position OPPO as a leader propelling the mobile industry into the AI-driven era.

Additionally, the CVPR 2024 NTIRE RAIM (Restore Any Image Model) challenge, co-organized by OPPO Research Institute’s Y-Lab and the Visual Computing Laboratory at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was a resounding success. This challenge encouraged researchers to address real-world industrial challenges, develop methods for accurate high-quality image restoration, and promote the application of these technologies in industry. The NTIRE RAIM challenge attracted participation from over 200 teams globally. And finally, Team MiAlgo’s research emerged as the winner, clinching first place in the competition.

Going forward, OPPO will robustly support the AI developer ecosystem, fostering close academia-industry collaboration to bridge the two.

Find X7 Ultra Debuts at CVPR, Sparking Interest in AI Phone Innovation

OPPO’s flagship AI phone, the Find X7 Ultra, made a remarkable debut, quickly becoming a highlight of the event. Additionally, Liang Jie, the senior imaging algorithm engineer at OPPO Research Institute’s Y-Lab, was invited to present a report on OPPO’s imaging technology at the conference. The powerful AI imaging capabilities of the Find X7 Ultra and OPPO’s innovative generative AI applications captivated both the academic and industrial AI communities. 

This year signifies OPPO’s official foray into the AI phone era, with the Find X7 Ultra emerging as the most advanced AI phone from OPPO to date. It boasts the OPPO HyperTone Image Engine, the most sophisticated computational photography system currently on the market. This engine enables OPPO Find X7 Ultra to produce exceptional photos with minimal computational footprint, turning every shot into a masterpiece.

The OPPO AI Eraser feature, launched alongside the Find X7 Ultra, showcased to CVPR attendees OPPO’s ability to seamlessly integrate AI technology into consumer devices for user-friendly experiences. The OPPO AI Eraser allows users to easily remove unwanted elements from an image and generate replacement content with a single click. Since its introduction, this feature has revolutionized photo editing, averaging 15 uses per day per user, making it one of the most popular features.

OPPO also showcased several exploratory features through real device demos at CVPR, highlighting the future direction of OPPO’s AI technologies. Among these was the Style Transfer Demo, which utilizes the ShaderNN lightweight deep learning architecture. ShaderNN represents the first inference engine supporting the full graphics stack (OpenGL & Vulkan) for real-time mobile graphics and imaging applications, showcasing OPPO’s strengths in on-device generative graphics AI processing.

Solidifying Foundations, Continuously Promoting the Democratization of AI Phone

At the beginning of the year, OPPO strategically established OPPO AI Center, directing company resources towards enhancing AI capabilities. This initiative has not only integrated and strengthened OPPO’s research across various AI fields but also aimed to deliver the ultimate AI phone experience. It has bolstered OPPO’s technical foundation in the AI phone sector and showcased impressive research outcomes at this year’s CVPR.

This year’s CVPR also marks OPPO’s continued presence at top international AI conferences, following the participation at events such as MWC, Google Cloud Next ’24, and Microsoft Build. OPPO is actively collaborating with global partners to advance the development of AI phones.

In early June, OPPO officially announced its strategy to make AI phones accessible to everyone, targeting the equipping of approximately 50 million OPPO smartphones with generative AI features by year’s end, spanning all OPPO’s smartphone product lines. This move underscores OPPO’s long-term commitment and strategic determination to enhance AI integration in smartphones.

Looking forward, the innovative research outcomes from OPPO, combined with advanced technologies from partners like Google, Microsoft and MediaTek, will further propel OPPO’s mission to spearhead a global movement in the democratization of AI phone.

Both entities also mounted a public event that translates the campaign’s sonic vibe into an immersive on-ground experience

Filtr and Sony Music Entertainment have recently teamed up for the ‘Summer POPsicle SZN’ playlist, a curated mix of chart-topping hits featuring some of the biggest international acts.

The playlist includes fan favorites such as “Greedy” by Tate McRae, “Water” by Tyla, “Saturn” by SZA, “drunk text” by Henry Moodie, “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, “double take” by Dhruv, “Stargazing” by Myles Smith, and local hits from BINI and Maki.

This initiative is part of the ‘szn’ (seasonal) campaign that started in October 2023 for Halloween, December 2023 for Christmas, February 2024 for Grammys, March 2024 for International Women’s Month, and April to June for the hottest summer.

To promote the global music campaign, Filter and Sony Music Entertainment recently mounted a public event that allows fans to experience their favorite pop hits this summer via an on-ground experience.

Both entities created Summer Popsi-Skate, a gathering where music fans get to enjoy a day out at the SM Megamall Skating Rink. Participants received freebies and prizes like premium vinyl, and enjoyed various fun activities set to the soundtrack of this generation’s biggest pop anthems.

As a celebration of music, community, and the joy of summer, Summer Popsi-Skate left everyone eagerly anticipating the next installment of this incredible initiative, with some of the attendees gamely skating to the rhythm and pulse of their favorite tracks. Capturing the essence of summer, the rink also served as a perfect backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Check out the ‘Summer POPsicle SZN’ playlist on Filtr Asia’s Spotify page. Stay tuned for the upcoming szn playlists in 2024.

Partners for Growth. The Jollibee Group has gathered 600 local and global suppliers for a Supplier Summit to unveil the company’s business practices, directions, and innovations. The summit culminated by recognizing the strong supplier partnerships that has fueled Jollibee Group’s success and growth.

MANILA, Philippines. – Anchored on its long-term goal of building a resilient supply chain to ensure better service and quality products in the future, the Jollibee Group has gathered 600 key global and country suppliers to foster a more robust and effective partnership by aligning with them the company’s business priorities and innovations in the years ahead.

With the theme “Accelerating Growth Through Partnership,” the recently concluded event also underscored Jollibee Group’s pivotal steps in enhancing customer experience and upholding the highest food safety and quality standards together with its suppliers. It also reiterated Jollibee Group’s commitment to sustainable business practices, as embodied in its ‘Joy for Tomorrow’ global sustainability agenda, as a company that partners with reputable suppliers who share its principles of serving food people trust, helping improve people’s lives, and treating the planet responsibly.

Business outlook. Jollibee Group chief executive officer Ernesto Tanmantiong shared insights on the Company’s business performance and future strategies.

“Our suppliers have been one of our greatest resources, playing a crucial role in helping us meet our operational and sustainable business goals. As partners in our growth, we aim to keep them informed of our directions and initiatives, and to communicate our commitments to quality, consistency, and excellence,” Jollibee Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong said.

Tanmantiong, followed by William Tan Untiong, Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Support Office, and other Jollibee Group executives each gave their business presentations, which aimed to empower the suppliers with new knowledge as they continue working with Jollibee Group to provide great tasting food that people can trust.

Recognition of Quality and Reliability

Culminating the summit is Jollibee Group’s first-ever Supplier Awards Night, which honored its suppliers’ outstanding performances in reaching elevated supplier targets and metrics as well as suppliers’ innovation, and sustainability efforts.

The top recognition known as the Champion Partner of Joy award was presented to Kerry Manufacturing (Philippines), Inc. for embodying the highest standards of quality, innovation, sustainability, and partnership, as well as a sustained high-level performance in the Procurement Value Matrix and supplier scorecards.

Arla Foods Corporation received the Special Award for Innovation for providing creative solutions, products, or processes that have notably enhanced their operations or customer experience. They also received the notable Special Award for Sustainability for demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility and contributing to a more sustainable future for communities and the planet. 

CSR at the forefront. Jollibee Group Foundation Chairperson Grace Tan Caktiong (first row: seated, third from left) and Jollibee Group Foundation president Gisela Tiongson (first row: seated, second from left) led the recognition of FEP partners for their dedication and unwavering commitment at the Supplier Awards Night.

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk Corporation and Nueva Ecija-based farmer group KALASAG Multipurpose Cooperative, along with two other companies, were given the Special Award for Quality for exhibiting exceptional standards in delivering products or services that consistently meet or exceed the company’s stringent quality standards. Finally, marketing services suppliers DDB Philippines and Widescope Advertising Agency were given the Special Citation for Quality.

“The Supplier Awards Night is a celebration of excellence and shared commitments. It also highlights how powerful collaborations truly accelerate growth. We hope that these recognitions will boost the trust and motivation of our suppliers, as well as reinforce the strength of our partnerships as we expand the business with our common goal: To serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone,” Tan Untiong said.

The OUR HOME PRIVATE LABEL COLLECTION is finally here!

OUR HOME has always been the go-to resource in quality and comfortable furniture, a name synonymous to prestige, befitting our status as the premier brand in furniture and furnishings. Perfecting the art and the science of comfortable, quality sofas that appeal to a discriminating audience, whose tastes are refined, distinguished and cultured, we proudly present the OUR HOME PRIVATE LABEL COLLECTION.

Highlighting a series of designs that are curated for a discerning palate, OUR HOME’s Private Label Collection sofas are functional, luxurious and designed to provide the utmost in comfort. Borne from two decades of excellent craftsmanship, our Private Label surpasses expectations in style and substance, with a wide array of customizable designs to choose from. Choices of footings, colors, fabrics, size and proportion serve as tools to be creative and explore different possibilities, all within the preface of providing the best in furniture selection. The collection drives both inspiration and aspiration as it cultivates the designer in you. Be inspired to experience the ultimate in meaningful living, set in a backdrop of an urban setting; cosmopolitan, chic and modish. Aspire to evoke a sense of exclusivity that borders on the unique and the bespoke. This is what our Private Label Collection offers – an opportunity to empower individuals to bring their creative visions to life in an atmosphere of livable, functional and stylish interior design.

For us, quality is also convenience. Same day delivery service, free assembly and service-oriented ideals guarantee the best in customer service that drives us to move forward and to excel in our field. All these, coupled with competitive and accessible prices ensure only the best in customer experience – a trademark in all our stores. Experience all these as part and parcel of our exclusive furniture collection and make every moment at home, truly extraordinary.

We have always blazed trails in the retail furniture industry. Our reputation precedes us as the leading authority in tasteful, trendy and timeless pieces set against a tableau of excellent visual merchandising that serve as a canvas for realizing dreams, concocting images of a well-designed sanctuary for leisure and a glimpse into all kinds of interior design possibilities. These are all achieved through championing local designers and suppliers. We are a strong advocate of locally sourced, locally designed and locally produced pieces and, a collaborative spirit brought about by forging professional relationships and realizing aesthetics standards. The Private Label Collection embodies all of these.

Discover OUR HOME PRIVATE LABEL COLLECTION, where every home becomes a canvas of self-expression because every piece tells a story.

Come visit any of Our Home stores at select SM Supermalls for more options. You may also shop through ourhome.ph or contact a personal shopper via Call to Deliver at 0917-8315260.

Sunny days can turn gloomy in just a second but the OPPO A60 is ready to be used under any weather conditions.

A first in its price range, the new OPPO A60 features an industry-leading Splash Touch technology, ensuring precise and responsive touch control even on a damp screen. It utilizes a sophisticated touch detection algorithm that’s thoroughly built within the screen‘s touch chipset, allowing you to use your device even if you get caught in unexpected rain showers.

As our everyday companions, phones are exposed to elements such as accidental water splashes from the kitchen sink when we do our house chores or oil splatters while cooking our favorite meals.

The OPPO A60 is made for these scenarios, giving you peace of mind that your phone can endure rigorous usage on a daily basis, whether you are indoors or out in the open.

Boasting an IP54 rating for water resistance, this smartphone can withstand everyday splashes and has been tested to work perfectly even after being exposed to rain for up to 10 minutes.

Its 6.67-inch ultra-bright display with a peak brightness of 950 nits and a 90Hz refresh rate offers excellent visibility and smooth visuals, making it easier for you to still check for updates or read messages in every outdoor situation.

The OPPO A60’s sleek and stylish design may look deceiving with its ultra-slim 7.68mm frame and 186g weight in Ripple Blue and Midnight Purple colorways, but more importantly, it has a US Military-Grade Shock Resistance certification. It can handle accidental falls from as high as 1.22 meters. So whenever it slips from your hand to the floor while you are in a rush, you can ease your worries because this smartphone is built to last.

Worry less with OPPO Care

You can have peace of mind when you want to take great care of your OPPO A60 with OPPO Care. This empowers you to protect your prized OPPO device while saving more with coverage such as Screen Protection and Extended Warranty.

Flexible payment plans for a reliable device

Conquer challenges everyday with the OPPO A60, available in two variants. Grab the 8GB+128GB model for just Php 9,999, or go for the 8GB+256GB variant for only Php 11,999.

Affordable payment options via Home Credit and Credit Cards are also available until June only!

Get your hands on the OPPO A60, now available on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok. For more information, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph.

To bigger dreams and businesses. The Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) shared its business and marketing expertise with the MSMEs as part of its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in mentoring entrepreneurs in the country. Joining DTI Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque (first row: middle in light blue) in the photo are leaders from JFC (L-R, first row) Steve Piczon, Assistance Vice President , Government Affairs; Atty. Raul Academia, Vice President and Public Affairs Head; Gisela Tiongson, President, Jollibee Group Foundation; Kenneth Lingan, President, Chowking Philippines; Bryan Tividad, JFC’s Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Procurement Services; Joanna Ignacio, MJB Meat Processing Inc.’s Procurement Head; and Marievic Bonoan, DTI’s Director for Bureau of Market Development Promotions, and OTOP Office.

MANILA, Philippines. – Over 30 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) entrepreneurs benefitted from the learning session recently organized by the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) and its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The first learning session, which supports the Republic Act 9501, centers on capacity building and knowledge sharing that aims to enhance MSMEs’ business and marketing skills to enable them to scale their businesses.

DTI Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque was present during the learning session entitled “Joy in Learning: MSME Meet and Learn,” which discussed the company’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program under JGF and the Company’s practices in conducting Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements.

“I began my entrepreneurial journey 30 years ago with a mere capital of P6,000, a prayer, and a dream.  Once in my lifetime, someone has opened the door for me, and I realized that I, too, should open the door for others. I hope that through these learning sessions, the MSMEs will have a different mindset and open their eyes to the possibilities. Remember, not so long ago, Jollibee was an MSME, too,” said Usec. Roque.

DTI recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the JFC and JGF to help MSMEs grow through capacity building and knowledge sharing. The partnership supports Republic Act 9501, also known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which aims to promote MSME growth by expanding entrepreneurship training programs, fostering linkages between large and small enterprises, and encouraging private sector engagements.

“We are truly grateful for the support of DTI in our goal of enriching the lives of MSMEs in the country. By sharing our expertise and experiences, we hope to inspire and empower these entrepreneurs to dream bigger and succeed in their businesses,” said JFC President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong.

FEP engagement

JGF’s President Gisela Tiongson opened the learning session by discussing how institutional markets like JFC established relationships with MSMEs and highlighting the Foundation’s experience in linking smallholder farmers as suppliers to the Company.

Launched in 2008, the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) organizes and transforms small-scale farmers into agro-entrepreneurs. With the help of its partners and stakeholders from various sectors across the country, the Foundation has helped farmers sharpen their technical and business acumen and link them with institutional markets such as the JFC for increased and steady income.

“Through the shared knowledge and hard work of our teams, partners, and stakeholders, FEP farmers could innovate their practices, understand the importance of calculated risks, and aim for bigger goals for themselves and their businesses. Apart from capacitating them as agro-entrepreneurs, the opportunity empowers them to have a sustainable livelihood and uplift their lives and communities,” Tiongson said.

Stakeholder engagement

Aside from the farmers, the session also allowed the MSMEs to discover the different options and considerations for business development for B2B and B2C engagements.

JFC’s Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Procurement Services Bryan Tividad provided an overview of JFC’s Procurement Value Matrix, which expounds buyers’ decision points. The session also allowed the attendees to understand the key criteria of institutional markets before onboarding suppliers.

“While it may seem daunting, we wanted to give our MSMEs inspiration that it is doable and that there are B2B opportunities for them. We hope that through this session, they can learn the expectations and validations that companies like the JFC require from their suppliers. How they can prepare their businesses for effective and successful B2B transactions,” Tividad added.

Cited as an example is MJB Meat Processing Inc., one of the JFC’s longtime suppliers since 2008. One thing that Joanna Ignacio, the Procurement Head of MJB Meat Processing Inc., did not expect is that their once small family business, with the family members being the employees themselves, would eventually venture into supplying an institutional partner like the JFC.

Being part of their family business meant growing with the company and learning along the way. According to Ignacio, one thing that inspired them to really work hard is how their parents triumphed over all the challenges with a positive mindset.

“They always told us: ‘You should be ready to take on all the challenges coming your way.’ And I’m happy that we took that advice to heart because that led us to where our company is today,” she said.

Customer Focus. Chowking President Kenneth Lingan tackled the ins-and-outs of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) while underscoring customer focus as its core value.

MJB produces processed meat products such as bacon, ham, and longanisa. As a trusted supplier, MJB understands the Company’s customer values and performs against high standards, establishing its capability and credibility.

“JFC has guided and helped us overcome the initial hesitations and challenges of scaling our business. With constant and open communication regarding expectations and capacity, we learned how to be flexible and reliable enough to meet their requirements, particularly on food safety compliance–which also benefits our retail brand today,” Joanna Ignacio, Procurement Head of MJB Meat Processing Inc. said.

Meanwhile, Chowking President Kenneth Lingan tackled the ins and outs of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) while underscoring customer focus as its core value.

Onboarding suppliers. JFC’s Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Procurement Bryan Tividad provided an overview of the company’s Procurement Value Matrix, which expounds buyers’ decision points. This allowed the attendees to understand the key criteria of institutional markets before onboarding suppliers.

According to him, winning the hearts of customers helps build the consumer’s relationship with the brand. Sharing how they put customer focus into action in Chowking, Lingan highlighted that they identify their target market, establish a Unique Selling Proposition (USP), and execute the Marketing Mix Strategy, which focuses on Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, or 4Ps.

JFC is looking forward to more collaborations with DTI as it continues to play an active role in uplifting the lives of more Filipinos, including MSMEs.

• Snacking With Pride this June for Pride Month

• Company Showcases Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Manila, Philippines – Guided by its purpose, snacks Company Mondelēz International in the Philippines strives to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for its colleagues, culture and communities. In celebration of Pride Month this June 2024, the Company reaffirms its commitment to its value of doing what’s right by leading various celebrations to express support to the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly on workplace inclusion.

Engaging in Dialogue

In collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), Mondelēz International took part in a panel discussion on Pride Month. The event sought to address the different challenges and opportunities in promoting allyship within workplaces.

Shine Rodriguez, Talent Acquisition Lead for Southeast Asia at Mondelēz International, represented the company and was joined by a diverse group of advocates as they shared experiences and insights on fostering a culture of belonging, highlighting the importance of sustaining allyship for LGBTQIA+ colleges during and beyond Pride Month.

“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is crucial to recognize that true allyship is about taking consistent and meaningful actions that foster an inclusive and supportive environment for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues,” said Rodriguez. “At Mondelēz International, we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels a sense of empowerment to bring their authentic selves every day.”

Promotion of Allyship

Continuing its advocacy, Mondelēz International is also sponsoring the European Chamber of the Philippines (ECCP) event on June 27, 2024, on “Empowering Inclusion Through Gender Diversity and Allyship.” The event will cover inclusive business practices, the complexities of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and practical steps towards effective allyship –further strengthening Mondelēz International’s alliance with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Celebrating Pride Internally

Apart from external events, the Company also celebrated Pride Month with its employees by launching its 2024 Pride Video, which talks about allyship. The video featured heartfelt messages of allyship from various colleagues as they promoted DEI. In addition, the Company is committed to expressing its support for the LGBTQIA+ community through other policies for its workplace such as its introduction of a gender-neutral restroom; a workplace policy that outlines the right to a preferred name, the right to dress to reflect identity, and the right to safe spaces; a no harassment policy; and partnering with LGBTQIA+ and women led suppliers to promote inclusive business growth.

“Our commitment to fostering a bias-free workplace is unwavering,” said Rodriguez. “We believe that a culture of acceptance and belonging not only enhances our workplace but also drives innovation and success. Together, we are building a future where everyone feels valued and empowered.”

Many people dream of being able to give back to their parents as a way of showing gratitude for their hard work and care. It may be as simple as treating them to a nice lunch or something pricier like a designer bag.

For Jale Monique Abellas, a call center agent in Cebu, her goal was to take her parents on a trip outside of their hometown of Brgy. Matab-ang in the town of Toledo City, Cebu. Her father, Manolito, works as a caretaker for a coconut plantation while her mother, Maria, stays at home to tend to her and her siblings. Both rarely venture away from home, content as they were with the peace and quiet they enjoy in their hometown.

However, Jale, wished to be able to bring her parents with her to a beautiful destination. “I get to go on trips with my siblings, cousins, and friends. I thought it would be nice if I could do it with my family as well,” she shared.

As it would turn out, her insurance policy with Sun Life Philippines would pave the way for this to happen.

As part of its summer offerings, Sun Life launched a promo called “A Summer to Remember” where clients simply needed to subscribe to the company’s newsletter to qualify for a raffle draw. The grand prize was a trip to Boracay for four, with accommodation at a five-star resort in the island’s so-called Station Zero.

“I couldn’t believe I won! I’m never lucky in raffle draws at our company Christmas parties, so I was so surprised to have been announced as the winner in Sun Life’s raffle,” Jale said.

And that was how the Abellas family – Jale, Manolito, Maria, and Jhea – found themselves flying to Boracay one bright and sunny day in May for a weekend on the famous island paradise. The trip was marked with memorable firsts for the family: it was her parents’ first plane and boat ride, their first out-of-town trip together, and their first time in Boracay.

“It’s a very meaningful trip,” Jale mused. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never thought it would become a reality this summer. Thanks to Sun Life for making it happen!”

To learn more about Sun Life’s products, services, and promos, follow @SunLifePH on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok or visit www.sunlife.com.ph.

Chesca Kramer (Erceflora Ambassador), Isabelle Daza (Erceflora Ambassador), Dr. Fil Gatcheco (APPLIED NUTRITIONIS AND PEDRIATIC GASTROENTEROLOGIST), and Rizza Diaz (Host and 1News Sports and News PH Anchor)

As 70% of the body’s immunity comes from the gut, proper and proactive gut care has never been more crucial for the everyday Filipino.

“The rapidly changing weather and rising levels of stress can take a toll on our immune system,” Rica Mateo, ASEA Erceflora Zone Brand Lead said. “This is why, keeping our gut strong and healthy is no longer an option, it’s a necessity for Filipinos who want to thrive in their day-to-day.”

Thus, the world’s #1 probiotic brand previously known as “Erceflora Kiddie”, is evolving to meet the needs of kids and adults of all ages with a thrilling relaunch as “Erceflora” during its on-ground installation of “GutVenture: An Immersive Experience” at the Glorietta Activity Center.

During the launch, Erceflora introduced its two newest variants made with the same Bacillus Clausii, “Gut Defense” for daily use which aids to enhance intestinal ecology, and “Gut Restore” which helps enhance the body’s natural resistance to gut infections, best taken when symptoms arise.

“This new chapter for Erceflora signifies our commitment to provide Filipinos with the supplements they need to holistically care for their gut and take more proactive steps in achieving lifelong wellness,” Mateo underscored.

GutVenture: a one-of-a-kind gut journey

GutVenture is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that brings the wonders of probiotics to life. Each guest embarking on this journey is set to learn more about gut health and wellness by exploring a series of interactive exhibits, educational visuals, and hands-on activities.

The experience starts at the “GutVenture Lounge”, where guests are welcomed by taking an online gut assessment test that allowed them to learn more about their gut health needs, tagging them as either a “Gut Defender”, who enjoys a balanced gut brought about by healthy choices, or a “Gut Restorer”, who often feels sick from symptoms of gut imbalance.

Next, they are led to the “Gut Tunnel”, a true-to-life simulation of the probiotics’ effect on the gut, showing that Bacillus clausii probiotics have the power to reach the gut alive, multiply, restore the gut to its natural balance, and protect the body against bad bacteria overall, emphasizing that a “stronger gut makes for a stronger you”.

Then, the “Spores To Life” animated exhibit features the right Erceflora probiotic for each guest. For Gut Defenders looking to maintain a stronger gut barrier, the daily use of Erceflora Gut Defense helps maintain good gut health as it aids to the enhancement of the gut flora. While for Gut Restorers seeking urgent treatment, Erceflora Gut Restore aids the body’s natural resistance to gut infections.

The fun continues at the “Museum of Moments”, showcasing various moments of gut vulnerabilities where gut health can be compromised like going back to school, traveling on holiday, taking antibiotics, or preparing food improperly. The good news is, Erceflora can help individuals navigate these everyday challenges and maintain a healthy gut.

The journey ends at the Gut Exhibit, where guests are given a chance to interact with the brand mascots, “Baci” and “Clau”, and have their personal photos taken.

Proper gut care: the cornerstone of lifelong wellness

A balanced gut microbiome is the foundation of a holistic well-being. These bacteria play an important role in the way the body digests food, absorbs nutrients, and enables immunity.

Probiotics like Erceflora that contains billions of 4-strain Bacillius Clausii, can help the gut function properly, which can ultimately lead to improved mental health, better energy levels, and greater resilience against common illnesses.

Chesca Kramer (Erceflora Ambassador), Monsinee Sathirakawinskul (Country Head, Sanofi PH), Jorge Villa (Global Trade & Shopper Lead Enterogermina), Michele Gatti (Global Brand Strategy Lead Enterogermina), Isabelle Daza (Erceflora Ambassador), Rica Mateo (ASEA Erceflora Zone Brand Lead)

Erceflora’s rebrand from a trusted children’s probiotic to a comprehensive gut health solution for individuals of all ages, along with the rollout of its new variants, reinforces the brand’s mission to empower Filipinos to take charge of their own health in a meaningful way.

“By providing everyone with a quick and easy solution to take their gut health seriously, we enable them to put their health in their own hands and help them to be more intentional in prioritizing their healthcare journey,” Mateo shared.

You can purchase a box of Erceflora in your nearest drug store or pharmacy, or online through the Sanofi Official Store at LazMall and Shopee Mall. For more information, visit the Erceflora website here.

To know more about the right Erceflora probiotic for you, take the gut assessment test here or scan the QR code below.