Building Dreams, Winning Awards: RLC Residences gets global recognitions in Dubai

Friday, November 17, 2023


In a promising kickoff to the month, the residential division of Robinsons Land Corporation, RLC Residences, has clinched two prestigious awards for its dedication to constructing beautiful, well-designed condominiums in the Philippines.

Dubai-based International Business Magazine Awards hailed RLC Residences as the recipient of Real Estate Developer of the Year Philippines and Best Property Development Company in the Philippines 2023 during its recent awarding ceremony at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. The annual awarding ceremony honors the extraordinary accomplishments of companies from various sectors such as real estate in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

“It is an honor to receive international recognitions like these for RLC Residences. We are proud of the work that we do and of our commitment to building nurturing condo spaces so our homeowners can design and live their best lives. Thank you so much, International Business Magazine Awards, for recognizing our efforts to Raise, Live, and Connect not just here in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world,” says Karen Cesario, RLC Residences Senior Director, Marketing Head and Chief Integration Officer.

The awards also came in time for the brand’s efforts to expand its network in Dubai, as RLC Residences prepares to open its new office in the city. This strategic move aims to provide delightful customer service to investors and homebuyers in the Middle East region who have long supported the brand and its projects.

Now in its 6th year, the International Business Magazine Awards annually highlights the exemplary endeavors of corporations that consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities. This UAE-based online publishing company continuously strives to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication to achieving success in the competitive world of international business. 

Learn more about RLC Residences and its projects by visiting rlcresidences.com or by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
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Converge Wins Broadband Telecom Company of the Year at International Business Magazine Awards 2023

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Broadband Telecom Company of the Year

Philippines' premier fiber company, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., has been honored with the prestigious Broadband Telecom Company of the Year (Philippines) 2023 award at the International Business Magazine (IBM) Awards held on November 4, 2023, at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

The UAE-based business publication awarded Converge the Broadband Telecom Company of the Year award, recognizing the ICT company’s efforts in expanding and improving its digital infrastructure and operations to better serve both its residential and business clientele. IBM also deemed Converge as the best internet service provider in the Philippines that has continuously shown excellence and has been the top performer in the country’s telecom sector.

Converge has been on a winning streak as of late. Recently awarded the Technology Excellence Award for AI – Broadband Telecommunication at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023, the company has been hailed as an industry pioneer with its groundbreaking Network Intelligence and Automation Platform (NIAP), propelling Converge to the forefront of network management evolution in the Philippines.

Leading the charge in redefining network operations management through NIAP’s visionary initiative, the creation of a 'zero-touch' network operations center proved to be a transformative approach for Converge in enabling autonomous network operations and maintenance, which improved customer service response.

Converge was also recently included in the Circle of Excellence, which recognizes the most innovative companies in the Philippines by the Asia CEO Awards 2023, the largest business awards event in the Philippines, and is considered the most significant event of its kind in Southeast Asia.

“These prestigious, globally recognized awards serve as a testament to Converge's unwavering dedication to providing the Filipino people with the connectivity solutions they truly deserve,” said Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus C. Romero. “Through innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to serving our more than two million customers, Converge has solidified its position as a leading force in the telecommunications industry, not only in the Philippines but on the global stage.”

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. continues to set new standards in the telecommunications sector and remains committed to delivering cutting-edge services that enhance the lives of Filipinos, ensuring they are always connected to the world.
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Workers in the Philippines more open to using AI at work than global peers

Tuesday, November 14, 2023



Annual Qualtrics study highlights 5 trends set to define EX in the Philippines in 2024

Workers in the Philippines are some of the most open to using AI in the workplace globally, according to new research released by Qualtrics, the leaders and creators of the experience management category.

Based on responses from nearly 37,000 employees globally, including more than 500 in the Philippines, the annual Qualtrics Employee Experience Trends Report reveals just over half of local workers (53%) are favorable toward using AI at work for tasks such as writing, as a personal assistant, and when seeking internal support - a figure higher than the global average (42%). 

While workers in the Philippines also return some of the highest levels of engagement (83% compared to 68% global average), this figure has decreased by 5 points compared to the previous 12 months, according to the study. Employee well-being and meeting employee expectations have also declined by 2 points during the same period, while an employee’s intent to stay for 3+ years and inclusion have remained stable.

These trends in the indicators of an optimal employee experience are reflected across Southeast Asia - with scores declining in Malaysia and Thailand, and stalling in Singapore - highlighting the need for organizations to refocus towards people-centricity.


The table above shows how Filipino workers scores the key indicators of an optimal employee experience from 2022-2024 against the global average.

“As economies focus on improving productivity, employee experience is one of the most important levers to prioritize. There is a well-established connection between employee engagement and organizational performance - from innovation and profitability, through to better customer service and employee health outcomes. Organizations that maintain their people-centric focus and effectively enable their teams to do great work, will be the standout performers in the years to come,” said Dr. Cecelia Herbert, Principal XM Catalyst at Qualtrics XM Institute. 

The EX Trends in the Philippines in 2024

Alongside highlighting the state of EX in 2024 in the Philippines, the dedicated team of EX experts at Qualtrics analyzed findings in the study to reveal emerging trends in the workplace:

● Some time in the office is better than none - unless it’s five days
● Employees would rather AI assist them than evaluate them
● Frontline employees are unhappy, poorly supported and least trusting
● The new job honeymoon phase has vanished
● Employees are comfortable sharing work emails and chats for an improved employee experience, but more ambivalent about social media posts being used

Some time in the office is better than none - unless it’s five days

As the debate continues over how many days employees should spend in the office, the Qualtrics research shows many of the key indicators of a positive employee experience – engagement, intent to stay, and well-being - are highest for employees with hybrid work schedules.


The table shows how employees globally feel a fully remote (0 days in the office), hybrid (2-4 days in the office), or full return-to-office work setup.

Employees would rather AI assist them than evaluate them

Workers are more comfortable with AI in the workplace when they have a sense of control over it - such as for writing tasks (72% of employees would use AI for this), as a personal assistant (66% of employees), and contacting support functions (54%) - than in higher-stakes situations like education (47%) or hiring decisions (47%).

Frontline employees are unhappy, poorly supported and least trusting

Frontline workers[1], such as cashiers, restaurant servers, and retail workers, play a critical role in business outcomes and are often the most important driver of a great customer experience. However, when compared to all employees, morale and job satisfaction are at their lowest among frontline employees—77% of frontline workers are happy with their basic pay and benefits in contrast with 79% of non-frontline workers.

There’s also a difference in how empowered they feel to suggest changes. 67% of frontline workers believe they can propose changes, while it’s 70% for non-frontline workers.

The new job honeymoon phase has vanished

Historically, employees were more engaged for at least their first year in a new role. However, new hires -or those who were hired for less than six months - now have lower levels of engagement (77%), intent to stay (48%), well-being (76%), and inclusion (88%) compared with more tenured employees. Tenured employees or employees who have been with the company for more than a year (1-2 years) reported higher engagement (82%), intent to stay (53%), well-being (82%), and inclusion (89%).

The data reveals how important the first several months of a new job are to building committed and loyal employees–yet only 41% of HR leaders prioritize onboarding new employees to fully integrate them into the company. With many of these new employees excluded from annual engagement surveys, organizations may be missing critical information for retaining their newest hires. 

Employees are comfortable sharing work emails and chats for an improved employee experience, but more ambivalent about social media posts being used

Today’s employees are comfortable with their employer listening passively to work emails, work processes like interview notes, virtual meeting transcripts and chat messages to improve their experience. 85% of workers are comfortable with their organization using email data to better understand and improve their experience at work. They are less comfortable with companies using social media posts, whether anonymous or not - 41% of employees are comfortable with social media being used.

This change comes as recent advances in feedback technology give organizations new ways to find out how employees are doing beyond engagement surveys. Unlike directly solicited feedback, “passive listening” does not require extra effort from employees but still provides critical insights. 

Read the full 2024 Employee Experience Trends Report here.
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Frotea Expands with 4 New Branches in Batangas and Cavite

Friday, November 10, 2023


Frotea, the leading milk tea dessert brand in the Philippines, puts a twist on well-loved dessert flavors, and brings a fun and welcoming setting into their spaces by blending pop colors with modern aesthetics. After successfully opening two branches in Ibaan and Rosario, Batangas last September, Frotea is eagerly anticipating the launch of two new locations in Bacoor, Cavite, in the first quarter of 2024.

From stylish interior decor to comfortable seating arrangements Frotea is the coolest new go-to tambayan for after school, weekend, merienda, or lunch with a fresh dessert twist that guarantees a great experience with your family or barkada.

Frotea is excited to bring fun, affordable milk tea flavors and desserts like the Dark Choco Ice, Frotea’s unique take on the Korean Bingsu dessert, to Batangas and Cavite, offering budget-friendly drinks and desserts for less than P100.

"Frotea's journey of expansion is all about creating spaces where people come together to relax and make memories. We're thrilled to bring affordable drinks and desserts to places like Batangas and Cavite, providing a welcoming environment for all to enjoy, connect, and savor delightful milk tea, one cup at a time." Engr. Ana Margarita Lustre-Malijan, co-founder of Frotea.

As Frotea expands, so does its menu. Their Dark Choco Ice is their current sweet obsession - the Bingsu-inspired dessert is a delectable mix of premium cocoa and creamy milk. It is among their newest desserts alongside their fish waffles, another Korean-inspired treat, with a crunchy exterior and a sweet creamy filling. You can also indulge in Frotea’s frosty treat, the soft-serve Panda ice cream, a velvety dessert best paired with popping boba for that fun, interactive twist that kids will love!


Explore a wide variety of flavors from their Classic, Cream Puff, Signature Oreo, and Ube series, or opt for a lighter treat with their Fruit Teas. Make sure to complement your drink, with Frotea desserts for the ultimate sweet experience. 

Frotea offers the best delectable milk tea desserts. Discover the new Frotea spots in Ibaan and Rosario, Batangas, and watch for Cavite openings on the first quarter of 2024. Visit a nearby Frotea Branch or have our desserts delivered via Food Panda and Grab Food.

To stay up to date with Frotea, its products, branches, and future events, visit the official website and the following social media pages ( Facebook | Instagram ).

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Manulife and MCBL Earn Prestigious Golden Arrow Awards for Exemplary Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Management


Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL) recently won Golden Arrow Awards from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) for their exemplary performance in corporate governance based on the 2022 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS) Assessment Results. 

The ACGS is an ASEAN-wide rating system that evaluates company performance across key areas, including promotion of shareholder rights and fair treatment, stakeholders’ interactions, transparency and accountability, and board’s effectiveness in guiding the company's strategy, overseeing management, and being accountable to the company and its shareholders. Based on publicly available disclosures on company websites, the Corporate Governance Scorecard assessment results aim to underscore and enhance corporate governance standards and practices within the country, making Philippine publicly listed companies and insurance firms more appealing to potential investors.

“Good governance is part of doing business in Manulife. Nurturing trust, doing the right thing, and generating value for our customers and shareholders are at our core. This award strengthens our commitment to abiding by the highest standards of corporate governance practices. We thank the Institute of Corporate Directors for this consistent recognition, inspiring us to continually pursue excellence within our industry, and foster trust and provide meaningful value to our stakeholders and the communities we serve,” said Rahul Hora, President and CEO, Manulife Philippines. 

“Aside from being well-positioned to offer the most relevant products and services to our customers, we at MCBL also ensure all our shareholders that corporate consciousness, fairness, transparency and accountability are integral in the way we conduct business, so we can continue to financially secure more Filipinos and help make their every day better,” added Neil Bowyer, President, MCBL. 

The ICD comprises over 500 ethical governance professionals in the ASEAN region united by a shared vision to revolutionize the corporate governance landscape, emphasizing the importance of corporate governance to lead better operational performance, ensure effective risk management, and contribute to a resilient economy.
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Palo Alto Networks Launches Strata Cloud Manager, Industry’s First AI-Powered Zero Trust Management and Operations Solution

Thursday, November 9, 2023



Additional innovations include advanced security capabilities and new Next-Generation Firewalls


Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) recently introduced Strata™ Cloud Manager, the industry’s first AI-powered Zero Trust management and operations solution. With these innovations and over 4,400 machine learning models, Palo Alto Networks is well-positioned to prove the combination of AI and Zero Trust can best protect today’s customer needs. The world’s cybersecurity leader also announced a suite of advanced security capabilities in addition to five new Next-Generation Firewalls to address the use cases of modern enterprises. 

Anand Oswal, SVP and GM of Network Security at Palo Alto Networks, said:

"I’m excited about the new capabilities we are announcing today. Strata Cloud Manager will simplify management and operations across our customers' entire network security estate. We continue to innovate with AI and ML in our security services, now stopping advanced attacks, including the first and only instance of a unique attack. This approach effectively prevents patient zero. We are also introducing incredible hardware platforms that offer industry-leading performance with best-in-class security."

Redefining Network Security with Strata Cloud Manager

Inadequate predictive and actionable insights, along with a lack of seamless integration across security tools, can result in security gaps and inconsistent policies that compromise protection and operational experience. Strata Cloud Manager revolutionizes network security management and operations, bolstering security posture and proactively preventing network disruptions at every enforcement point. With Strata Cloud Manager, security teams can:

Ensure continuous network uptime: With predictive analytics, Strata Cloud Manager helps organizations anticipate capacity bottlenecks and assess deployment health up to seven days ahead, enabling security teams to prevent operational disruptions effectively. 

Enhance network security with industry best practices: Leverage AI-powered analysis of policies and real-time compliance checks to fortify network security. 

Streamline network security management for enhanced efficiency: For the first time, effortlessly oversee configuration and security policies across all form factors, including SASE and both hardware and software firewalls, ensuring consistent protection and minimizing operational overhead. 

Sebastian Schubert, Technology Lead, Tui Hotels & Resorts, said:

"The ability to create one configuration and apply it seamlessly across our entire deployment has been a game-changer. Rollouts and management of firewalls are now streamlined and efficient."

Best-in-Class Inline AI-Powered Security 

As part of Palo Alto Networks' cloud-delivered security services, over 60,000 customers benefit from protection against new and advanced threats. These are some of the new capabilities: 

Advanced WildFire® effectively blocks ever-evolving and uniquely evasive initial attacks by integrating machine learning directly into its cloud-based detection engines. This helps ensure early detection and mitigation, fortifying defense against emerging attacks. 

Industry-first detection capabilities are designed to proactively prevent threats such as meddler-in-the-middle and SaaS platform-hosted phishing attacks. Additionally, Advanced URL Filtering can anticipate and block a remarkable 88% of malicious URLs a full 48 hours ahead of competing solutions to ensure network security protection. 

The latest AI-powered Advanced Threat Prevention is purpose-built to counter command-and-control (C2) attacks often propagated via the widely used red team tool Empire. This valuable addition to the advanced threat prevention arsenal now boasts an impressive over 97% success rate in blocking highly evasive C2 attacks.

New Next-Generation Firewalls

Palo Alto Networks announced five new Next-Generation Firewalls to expand addressable use cases, from the most high-traffic networks to remote branches, including ones that require 5G connectivity and others that need to operate in the harshest operational technology (OT) environments. The new Next-Generation Firewalls include: 

PA-7500 for blazing fast performance: Powered by custom ASICs, the PA-7500 delivers industry-leading security and over 1.5 Tbps App-ID™ performance to secure the world’s most demanding environments.

PA-415-5G for 5G networks: As the global reach of 5G networks continues to expand, an estimated 15 billion industrial assets are expected to connect via 5G by 2026. With the advanced firewall solution, organizations gain the flexibility to safeguard their branch offices with comprehensive security for both wired and 5G connectivity, ensuring that their critical assets are protected in this time of rapid digital transformation.

PA-450R for the harshest environments: Industrial organizations can now leverage the ruggedized firewall solution, providing robust connectivity and security for their OT environments, including exposure to extreme weather and wide temperature ranges. This ensures uninterrupted operations and peace of mind in the face of challenging environmental conditions.

Palo Alto Networks also introduced the PA-5445 for securing data centers and large campus locations as well as the PA-455 for securing branch offices that need Power over Ethernet (PoE).

John Grady, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Security Group, said:

“Network security must continue to evolve. Traditional approaches cannot keep pace with today’s attack landscape, and sprawling environments have made management much more complex. Palo Alto Networks was an early adopter in leveraging AI across various security services for more effective threat detection. By expanding the use of AI across additional security services, as well as its cloud-based management platform for more efficient and proactive operations, Palo Alto Networks continues to respond to the key pain points organizations face.”

To get the full details on Palo Alto Networks new innovations, read the hardware innovations and software innovations blog posts.

Follow Palo Alto Networks on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
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Shop Insured, Stay Assured as Igloo Protects Consumers this Online Shopping Season



With 11.11, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday coming up, consumers face increased exposure to fraud and other online shopping risks. 


  • The upcoming shopping season sees a surge in online shopping activity. This also creates a rise in fraudulent transactions. 
  • Igloo, along with partners like GCash, Shopee, and DANA provides a wide range of products that can help shoppers stay insured across their online purchase journey this shopping season.
  • In order to insure smartphones–one of the top shopping season purchases and an indispensable part of people’s daily lives–Igloo partners with leading smartphone brands such as OPPO and realme

As the shopping season begins, award-winning regional insurtech Igloo encourages safer online shopping experiences amidst rising cybersecurity threats in Southeast Asia. While retailers have been driving sales through in-store promotions, the rise of e-commerce also provided additional revenue streams for retailers. With more people shopping online, Igloo seeks to protect the shoppers that drive the US$ 123 billion e-commerce industry.

“With the increase in the number of online sales comes the heightened risk of fraud. In Q4 of last year, Asia Pacific saw an estimated $700 million of fraudulent sales. Consumers expect businesses to protect them while shopping online”, shared Raunak Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo. “There’s a growing demand for safety and assurance measures, in line with more demand for general cybersecurity.” 

This has prompted Igloo to develop solutions to protect online shoppers in Southeast Asia throughout their purchase journey – from checkout to after-sales - along with their strategic partners. In the Philippines, Igloo partnered with digital wallet GCash to offer Online Shopping Insurance and safeguard customers against online shopping fraud and scams such as undelivered goods, uncontactable sellers, partial delivery, and fake goods. The Online Shopping Insurance starts at P15/month (US$ 0.27) for coverage of up to P150,000 (US$ 2,733). 

Igloo also works with large e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee to provide embedded insurance, where consumers can purchase protection from the platform itself at checkout.

Another key element of the shopping season is the surge in sales of electronic devices like smartphones. Smartphone sales in Southeast Asia peaked in Q4 of both 2021 and 2022, on the back of new launches and promotions. As more consumers conduct essential day-to-day activities on smartphone apps, Igloo also recognizes the need to insure these prized possessions. The insurtech collaborates with multiple leading retailers across the region such as Lazada in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines to insure smartphones. It also recently partnered with leading smartphone brands OPPO and realme to offer screen protection, warranties for accidental damage, and extended warranties. Consumers shopping for gadgets and smartphones on Shopee and DANA can also purchase protection directly at checkout.

"As we celebrate during the shopping season, we hope to provide shoppers with peace of mind, knowing that their mobile phones and gifts purchased for their loved ones are protected”, added Mehta. “With the goal of making microinsurance accessible in Southeast Asia, we will continue to find the right partners and extend our offering to more customers."

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Unlocking Growth Opportunities for Superapps in the Philippines




Publicis Sapient highlights the strategic advantage and growth opportunities in the Philippines for banks and financial institutions to capitalize on the superapp economy.


The Philippines has witnessed an upsurge in the superapp economy, garnering immense popularity among Filipino consumers, with use cases such as payments, P2P lending, and investments leading the way. Superapps are mobile applications that provide a wide range of services and solutions to their users under a single platform or ecosystem, which have gained immense popularity among Thai consumers.

The Philippines’ digital economy is poised for growth, with a projected value of US$35 billion by 2025 [1], and a CAGR of 209%. With the Philippines entering the growth stage marked by 69% internet penetration and ongoing expansion to smaller cities nationwide, increased social media advocacy and a growing reliance on online purchasing, with nearly 63% of users now using mobile applications for e-commerce transactions. E-commerce, streaming, and food delivery sectors are three industries that are poised for continued growth, with the e-commerce market expected to grow with a CAGR of 17% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2025. 

Andrew Male, Client Partner, ASEAN, Publicis Sapient says, “With 63% of the population in the Philippines being unbanked, and with mobile users spending an average of over 5 hours daily on their smartphones, banking is set to be the largest superapp opportunity in the Philippines. We are excited at the potential to elevate digital financial services in the Philippines through superapps, and work with our partners and customers in capturing new growth in this new digital-first economy.”

Here are three key growth imperatives that can help organizations define their approach to successful superapps.

1. Identifying a winning proposition with strong product-market fit and a viable business model

The first step lies in establish the commercial objectives that will drive the superapp project, whether growth or the need to protect market share. At the same time, factors such as target client segments, target partner landscape and partnership approach, economic model, as well as regulatory approach need to be nailed down. The product development model should recognize and accommodate the needs of different stakeholders: Customers, partners, and the company itself.

From a technology standpoint, considerations for platform capability and architecture are necessary to define key components and decide what to build, buy or reuse. This will shape the underlying technology stack that must be put in place.

2. Define the path to create an MVP through internal expertise and collaborative partnerships, and swiftly testing it in the market

Adopt a holistic, customer-centric approach that focuses on connecting different touchpoints across the entire customer journey, by proactively identifying pain points and friction through data-driven insights while delivering maximum value.

Embrace an iterative approach to minimum viable product (MVP) development, rapidly prototyping and testing ideas to gather feedback and make improvements. At the same time, partner and customer feedback should be incorporated early in the process to ensure the proposition remains relevant while it is being developed and tested

3. Craft an AI and ML-driven experience tailored to user preferences

To create a successful superapp, organizations must understand customers' behavior and preferences to create better personalized recommendations and services. This helps to increase customer engagement and loyalty. This can be done through analysis of data including customer purchase history, browsing behavior, search queries, and other metrics, to gain valuable information about customer needs and preferences. From this, organizations can be better prepared to build hyper-personalized recommendation systems by predicting customer consumption patterns and analyzing customer activity.

As consumers are increasingly demanding more personalized and hyper-convenient experiences that meet their needs, the superapp framework is an ideal solution towards transforming the user experience via mobile and digital, enabling access to an assortment of tools for specific tasks or services. 

Learn more about the Philippines superapp opportunity for growth here.



[1] e-Conomy SEA 2022 by Google, Temasek, Bain & Company



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Chinabank's Robust Growth Propels Strong Financial Performance in 2023: 9-month net income hits P16.2B

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Chinabank financial performance 2023

China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), listed under the PSE stock symbol CHIB, has reported a remarkable financial performance for the first nine months of 2023. With a net income of P16.2 billion, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, Chinabank continues to showcase its resilience and strategic prowess in navigating the challenging economic landscape.

Financial Highlights:

Net Income and Profitability: Chinabank achieved a net income of P16.2 billion, marking a 10% YoY growth. Return on equity stood at 15.6%, while return on assets reached 1.6%.

Quarterly Performance: Q3 profits surged by 16% to P5.4 billion, demonstrating sustained growth. The success is attributed to robust core business growth and reduced loan loss provisions.

Strategic Business Execution: Chinabank President & CEO, Romeo D. Uyan, Jr., attributes the success to effective business strategies. Despite a high-interest rate environment, the bank focuses on preserving margins, managing costs, and enhancing operational efficiency through technology.

Net Interest Income and Margin: Net interest income increased by 16% to P39.2 billion. The net interest margin was maintained at 4.2%.

Credit Provisions and Portfolio Quality: Total credit provisions reduced to P1.3 billion, reflecting a stable portfolio. Non-performing loans (NPL) cover remained robust at 126%.

Operational Efficiency: Operating expenses rose by 14% to P20.5 billion, driven by manpower and inflation-related costs. Cost-to-income ratio remained healthy at 50%.

Financial Position: Chinabank remains the 4th largest private domestic bank with total assets of P1.4 trillion, an 11% YoY increase.

Loan and Deposit Growth: Gross loans grew by 10% to P765 billion, fueled by a 19% expansion in consumer loans. Total deposits increased by 14% to P1.1 trillion, resulting in a 49% CASA ratio.

Capital Structure and Recognition: Total capital grew by 7% to P141 billion. Chinabank CFO, Patrick D. Cheng, highlights the optimization of capital structure. The bank received recognition as the 2023 Employer of the Year and accolades for outstanding wealth management and corporate governance.

Chinabank's stellar financial performance, strategic business execution, and recognition in various areas underscore its resilience and commitment to excellence. With a strong balance sheet, manageable bad loans, and a focus on optimizing its capital structure, Chinabank continues to position itself as a leading player in the banking industry.
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Pangasinan's Manila FAME Debut: Showcasing World-Class Craftsmanship

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

 

The recently concluded Manila FAME event witnessed an extraordinary debut from the Province of Pangasinan, as it unveiled the talents of 10 exceptional micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the world. These artisans brought their export-quality products to the World Trade Center, representing not only their province but also the creative spirit of the Philippines. This article delves into the remarkable talents and contributions of these MSMEs and their impact on Pangasinan's journey towards inclusive growth.

Pangasinan's Premier Artisans


The 10 distinguished MSMEs that took center stage at Manila FAME are the driving force behind the province's burgeoning reputation in the world of craftsmanship. These artisans include Herwin Buccat, Blades, Erastus, ILO, WELAB, Alma, Rach, Cawayan, Joy, and B6. 


Their diverse creations span opulent fashion pieces, home furnishings with a blend of tropical and contemporary elegance, and chef-approved kitchen knives crafted by acclaimed swordsmiths. Each of these products carries a unique touch that pays homage to Pangasinan's agricultural richness and deep-rooted heritage.


Governor Ramon V. Guico III's Support

Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III played a pivotal role in supporting the province's presence at the prestigious Manila FAME event. He, along with local leaders, especially from Binalonan and Bolinao, recognized the importance of showcasing Pangasinan's creative industries on a global stage. Governor Guico emphasized that creative industries are instrumental in achieving inclusive growth within the province, offering opportunities for local artisans to prosper and contribute to the regional economy.

The Role of Artisan Empowerment Association (AEA)


Behind the scenes, the Artisan Empowerment Association (AEA) played a significant role in making this debut a resounding success. Led by Adviser and Consultant Arlyn Guico and Chief Strategist and Consultant Rosemarie Oamil, AEA took on the role of guiding and mentoring these talented artisans. Their efforts were aimed at enhancing the quality and global competitiveness of the products, ensuring that they can stand out in international markets.

Pangasinan's maiden appearance at Manila FAME served as a testament to the province's world-class craftsmanship. The 10 MSMEs and their export-quality products not only showcased the exceptional talent that resides in Pangasinan but also emphasized the importance of the creative industries in the province's journey toward inclusive growth. With the support of Governor Ramon V. Guico III and the guidance of the Artisan Empowerment Association, the future looks bright for Pangasinan's artisans, as they continue to make their mark on the global stage and contribute to the province's economic and cultural prosperity.
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