Jollibee Celebrates Prestigious Anvil Awards Victories

Jollibee Celebrates Prestigious Anvil Awards Victories

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Jollibee, the Philippines' largest and most beloved fast-food chain, is thrilled to announce its triumphant wins at the prestigious Anvil Awards.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs, tools and now, practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

The brand shined brightly with its accolades in several categories, including a Grand Anvil Nomination, underscoring its commitment to innovative and impactful campaigns.

Anvil Awards Achievements

Jollibee's outstanding entries were recognized in the following categories:

Title of Entry: Jollibee’s "Sarap ng Pasko"

Category: PR Programs – Marketing and Brand Communication

Anvil Award: Gold

Title of Entry: Jollibee’s “Sarap ng Pasko”

Category: PR Programs – Best Use of Digital

Anvil Award: Silver 

Title of Entry: Jollibee’s Christmas Drive-Thru Experience

Category: PR Programs – Marketing and Brand Communication

Anvil Award: Silver 

Title of Entry: Jollibee Chicken Sandwich 2023 Campaign featuring Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan

Category: PR Programs – Best Use of Influencer Marketing

Anvil Award: Silver 

Title of Entry: My Kwentong Jollibee Mother’s Day: Louder than Words

Category: PR Programs – Best Use of Social Media

Anvil Award: Silver

Dorothy Dee Ching, Jollibee's Head of Marketing, expressed her delight and gratitude for the wins, "These awards are a testament to our Marketing team's creativity and commitment to excellence, and the collaborative efforts with our partner agencies Ripple8 and Stratworks, which produced these amazing campaigns. After a 3-year hiatus from joining industry awards, we’re glad and thankful to be recognized once again for bringing joy and meaningful experiences to our customers through these campaigns."

About the Award-Winning Campaigns

Jollibee’s award-winning campaigns, such as "Sarap ng Pasko" and the Christmas Drive-Thru Experience, were centered around the joy of Filipino Christmas traditions and the spirit of giving. 

Launched for the 2022 holidays, Jollibee's "Sarap ng Pasko" campaign aimed to rekindle the joy of a Filipino Christmas following two years of pandemic-subdued celebrations. The integrated marketing communications plan was kicked off by a holiday-themed video commercial featuring the megabrand’s all-time favorites Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Burger Steak and exciting new products.

A special feature of the campaign entailed transforming one store’s Drive-Thru into a magical spectacle via Christmas lights and décor, adding to the festive experience. Finally, a special delivery promo also allowed customers to share in the holiday gift-giving spirit by donating group meals to underprivileged families. The campaign performed well, helping Jollibee reach top of mind awareness and delivered growth sales targets to cap the year on a high note.

In the winning Jollibee Chicken Sandwich campaign, the brand demonstrated expertise in influencer marketing, maximizing brand endorsers Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, also known as DonBelle, and their respective followings to create buzz, awareness, and hype for the product.

The brand also revamped its award-winning Kwentong Jollibee films, introducing #MyKwentongJollibee – featuring real stories told by the real people behind the stories. It empowered people to tell their own Jollibee story in their own words. Its Mother’s Day film, Louder than Words, narrates a heart-warming tale of a mother’s love and sacrifice for her son who was diagnosed with Autism. Viewers will see how their shared love for Jollibee enables them to connect and bond better, and also witness the sacrifices she has done to support her son’s development. The film has garnered 20M plus views to date.

All these campaigns demonstrated Jollibee's innovative approach to marketing, blending emotional storytelling with effective PR and digital strategies, thus earning various recognitions in the 59th Anvil Awards.

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Company sees 42% subscription revenue growth in 2023 and the end of the year realizing the 66th quarter of consecutive ARR growth

Company sees 42% subscription revenue growth in 2023 and the end of the year realizing the 66th quarter of consecutive ARR growth

RELEX Solutions announced closing 2023 with remarkable growth across annual recurring revenue (ARR), customer net promoter score (NPS) satisfaction, and new customer signings. Overall, RELEX saw 42% year-over-year growth of reported subscription revenue in 2023, and in Q4 2023 realized its 66th quarter of consecutive ARR growth. This growth is attributed to new and expanded customer signings across the globe, as a variety of retailers and consumer goods companies recognize the deep value inherent in the company’s supply chain and retail planning solutions. RELEX delivers quick time to value, and has a flawless track record of successful implementations in the company’s decade-plus history. 

“The bedrock of our customer promise lies in delivering measurable, impactful results, very quickly. We stand by the premise of ‘doing what we say we’re going to do’ which not only instills trust, but confidence,” said Mikko Kärkkäinen, group CEO and co-founder, RELEX Solutions. “I’m very proud of our growth this year, which is directly attributed to the lasting relationships we form with customers from day one.”

In 2023, RELEX closed nearly 200 customer deals, of which 73 were net-new customers. Some of the new customers RELEX signed in 2023 included A.F. Blakemore & Son, bp, Casey’s, Fressnapf, Koala Furniture, Obramax, OXXO, PriceSmart, United Natural Foods, US Foods® CHEF’STORE™ and 7-Eleven Australia. RELEX also saw a 31% increase in customers that chose to expand their business with RELEX to capture additional business value in 2023, which speaks to the measurable results and value customers gain working with RELEX, as evidenced by a company-high NPS rating of 61 globally. The average NPS score for a SaaS company is 41; RELEX consistently scores well above the industry average each quarter. 

With the recent acquisition of Optimity, RELEX also welcomes 80+ customers across highly complex manufacturing and food and beverage industries including Blendwell, Bubbies Ice Cream, Vita Coco, and Finsbury. These customers join the roster of consumer goods companies at RELEX including Altia, Angulas Aguinaga, Atria, Hennig-Olsen, Maag Group, and Saarioinen, among others. Across retail, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing, RELEX currently has a portfolio of over 500 happy customers.

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917Ventures’ Fundspace offers Philippine MSMEs grappling with credit and funding issues new seamless digital-based solution

917Ventures’ Fundspace offers Philippine MSMEs grappling with credit and funding issues new seamless digital-based solution

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

As fund sufficiency remains a major challenge for MSMEs, particularly in emerging markets, 917Ventures’s loan aggregator Fundspace is offering 

MSMEs and local entrepreneurs a swift, user-friendly, and easily accessible digital solution to bridge the financing gap in the Philippines.

“No one can deny the outsized impact of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to the United Nations Development Programme, these businesses contribute 40% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ 63% of the local workforce. Despite their substantial contributions, many MSMEs continue to be underfunded. This hinders the growth of these businesses, and in turn may hinder the growth of the economy,” said Martin Luchangco, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at 917Ventures.

Straightforward Application Process

FundSpace caters to enterprises of all sizes, ensuring easy access to the funding to ensure business growth and sustainability. It connects borrowers to different lending partners offering various loan products through an accessible mobile-friendly platform. 

Entrepreneurs can start their financing journey in four simple steps: 

1. Visit the FundSpace website

2. Specify the loan amount

3. Submit necessary business documents (such as Barangay and Mayor’s Permits, DTI Permits, valid IDs, and the latest three months bank statements), and; 

4. Wait for its dedicated account managers to get in touch. 

• The platform has a quick 14-day loan approval timeline, a significant improvement over the typical 60-day timeline seen in traditional banks.

Together with its lender partners that include Alon Capital, iGlobal, Mt Fuji Lending, BPI Business Banking, First Circle, Zenith Capital, and Esquire, FundSpace provides loans from P5,000 to upwards of P100 million.

“It’s important to provide flexible loan amounts to better serve MSMEs across the board–from those who are just starting out, to those who want to aggressively grow their businesses,” Luchangco explained.

Since launch, FundSpace has facilitated loans across multiple businesses, including industries like retail, construction, food and beverage, services, and software industries, underscoring its position as a valuable partner of MSMEs, helping propel them toward sustainable growth and success.

Inclusive Access to All Types of Businesses

Data from the United Nations Development Program showed that more than half of MSMEs (67%) in the Philippines face challenges when it comes to securing funding. 

Many of these entrepreneurs rely on personal savings or loans from family and friends to start or expand their businesses, as banks and other financial institutions often subject entrepreneurs to a lengthy, tedious process, demanding extensive documentation. Rigid collateral requirements and high-interest rates pose additional barriers, limiting the accessibility of crucial financial resources and cost of business for these enterprises.

In response to these challenges, FundSpace was developed to simplify the borrowing process.

Features to look forward to

Beyond continuing to expand its loan offerings, FundSpace plans to launch a credit scoring feature later in the year. This feature is designed to streamline the application process for borrowers by reducing the required documentation. Simultaneously, for lenders, it will facilitate quicker assessments and enable the platform to deliver higher-quality leads. 

FundSpace's commitment to innovation not only enhances the user experience for borrowers but also strengthens the efficiency and effectiveness of the lending process for its valued network of financial partners.

"Empowering MSMEs with easy financial solutions is both an investment in their growth and in fostering economic resilience. By removing financial barriers for these enterprises we are contributing not only to their success but also to the sustainable development of communities and the Philippine economy,” Luchangco added.

Learn more about FundSpace by visiting fundspace.ph.

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Golden Visa Centrale Unveils Greek Golden Visa Program, Offering Filipinos Prime Investment Opportunities

Golden Visa Centrale Unveils Greek Golden Visa Program, Offering Filipinos Prime Investment Opportunities

GVC’s new program provides Filipinos residency, investment, and wealth diversification prospects in scenic Greece

Golden Visa Centrale (GVC), a leading international property marketing consultancy specializing in residency by investment, has announced its latest offering tailored for Filipino investors looking for opportunities in Greece through its new Greek Golden Visa program. 

“Residency-by-investment programs have been getting traction for investors across the world, including the Philippines. These programs not only grant investors and their families the freedom to travel, to study, to work, but also offer opportunities for wealth diversification,” said Vicky Luis, President and Founder of GVC. 

Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows individuals and their families to obtain foreign residency or citizenship by meeting a minimum investment requirement indicated by the country’s government. It offers benefits like unrestricted travel and potential tax advantages. It is estimated that more than 130,000 people have obtained golden visas similar programs in European countries including Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Over 60 countries globally offer golden visa programs, with European countries including Portugal, Spain, and Greece being some of the most popular. 

GVC, established in 2019, successfully processed and facilitated hundreds of golden visa applications across various European countries and the U.S.

“Since 2019, we have seen the number of golden visa applications coming from the Philippines increase by at least 30% year-on-year, underscoring a growing trend of Filipinos seeking international residency and investment opportunities. We are excited to bring the Greek Golden Visa program to Filipino investors. This is a program perfect for those looking for profitable investments or those who want to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Luis added.

Greek Golden Visa program

The Greek Golden Visa program which began in 2013, granted 31,000 golden visas in 2022, contributing €2.3 billion into the Greek economy. With an initial investment of €250,000, the program offers Filipinos an opportunity to invest in the vibrant city of Patra, the third-largest in Greece and a thriving university hub, located on the Pelopponese peninsula. The investment comes with a host of compelling benefits, annual income, including a five-year permanent residence visa, the possibility of reunification for up to three generations of family members, the convenience of remote application, visa-free travel within Schengen countries, one of the fastest processing times, and a no stay requirement.

“The program's appeal lies in its combination of a vibrant living experience and a reasonable investment threshold, making it a good choice for those seeking affordable and desirable residency opportunities,” explained Luis. "The Greek Golden Visa program, along with our other offerings, reflects our mission to offer clients the freedom to enjoy beautiful landscapes while actively contributing to the economic development of cities and countries worldwide."

Learn more about the Greek Golden Visa program by joining Golden Visa Centrale’s events on February 7, 5:30 p.m., Manila House, Taguig City; February 8, 11 a.m., Manila Polo Club, Makati City; and February 9, 9 a.m., Shangri-La at the Fort Horizon Lounge, Taguig City. Register your attendance by visiting bit.ly/GVC-Greece. For more information on GVC’s other offerings, visit https://goldenvisacentral.com/ or the GVC Facebook page.

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PepsiCo Reinforces Commitment To pep+ Goals With Launch Of The Second APAC Greenhouse Accelerator APAC – 2024 Sustainability Edition

PepsiCo Reinforces Commitment To pep+ Goals With Launch Of The Second APAC Greenhouse Accelerator APAC – 2024 Sustainability Edition

Sunday, January 28, 2024

PepsiCo today announced the launch of the second Greenhouse Accelerator program in Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Following the success of last year’s program, PepsiCo is looking to make an even greater impact on the food and beverage sector in the region by collaborating with and supporting entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture, climate action, and the circular economy.

As the Asia Pacific experiences a notable shift towards more sustainable supply chains in an effort to reach net zero, PepsiCo understands its position to influence and be a part of this transition. The Greenhouse Accelerator APAC Sustainability Edition is an initiative to partner with innovative entrepreneurs in the region to advance the company’s goal to be net zero by 2040. As part of the program, PepsiCo will select up to 10 applicants to receive US$ 20,000 in grants as well as mentoring from subject-matter experts from PepsiCo’s executive bench and broader leadership team. The final winner of the US$ 100,000 prize will be announced in Thailand in September 2024.

Applications for 2024 are now open, and APAC startups with solutions in the sustainable packaging, climate action, and sustainable agriculture spaces are eligible to apply. The shortlisted applicants will be selected based on the degree of innovation, business model scalability, uniqueness, disruptive potential, and a mission to drive emissions reduction and circularity.

“Building on the strong start we made in 2023, we are extremely proud to launch the second edition of the Greenhouse Accelerator program across the Asia Pacific region. Last year, we initiated seven pilot projects, each contributing to our sustainability goals and demonstrating the power of partnership. APAC is a focal region for agri and food tech innovation, and with new partners joining us, we aim to use our reach to positively influence the food ecosystem.” shared Wern-Yuen Tan, PepsiCo, CEO of APAC. 

Since its inception in 2017, the Greenhouse Accelerator has included over 86 companies across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, and APAC. To date, the collective revenue of the emerging startups has exceeded USD $20 million. Last year, the program received over 100 applications across the APAC region, with Powered Carbon delivering the winning solution. Powered Carbon’s low carbon fertilizer solution which uses green electricity to cultivate bacteria, has since been piloted on PepsiCo’s potatoes in Guangdong, China. For the second edition of the program in APAC, PepsiCo has partnered with Suntory PepsiCo Beverage Thailand, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage, and Circulate Capital with an aim to address a comprehensive range of environmental challenges and to cultivate a generation of entrepreneurs who can drive positive impact across multiple facets of sustainability.

Mr. Ashish Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand), said, "As a leader in the beverage industry, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand is proactively addressing environmental challenges through an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and compliance. We are dedicated to optimizing internal processes and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our entire value chain while collaborating with other stakeholders to achieve a net-zero carbon society. We clearly define priority issues, including achieving water conservation and replenishment, fostering a sustainable packaging management for the circular economy, and greenhouse gas reduction throughout our operation. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, we are pleased to participate in this program to build a sustainable society that prioritizes environmental responsibility.”

“Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is proud to be a partner in this impactful initiative, create a platform where innovations can thrive and can contribute to the movement toward a more sustainable future. Our company’s sustainability strategy and goals align with the Vietnam Government’s commitment, especially its pledge to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. We have collaborated with strategic partners to implement multiple initiatives in realizing sustainability goals, notably, our phasing out of fossil fuel in manufacturing plants and reduced virgin plastic consumption leading to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.” said Jahanzeb Khan, CEO and General Director, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam.

To apply for the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator 2024 APAC Sustainability Edition, visit the website at greenhouseaccelerator.com/apac/ or PepsiCo’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/pepsico

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Palo Alto Networks Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Predictions 2024

Palo Alto Networks Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Predictions 2024

Friday, January 26, 2024

Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, has recently released its 2024 cybersecurity predictions for Asia Pacific – 5 key insights from industry leaders to help organisations ensure a secure future.

2023 saw organisations witness unprecedented levels of cybercrime. Palo Alto Networks’ State of Cybersecurity Report found that the Philippines experienced the highest number of disruptive attacks in Southeast Asia, with 29% of local organisations experiencing a 50% or more increase in incidents. Furthermore, the firm also received the most number of calls to its incident response team ever in October 2023. Cybercriminals have used ransomware to target critical infrastructures and found novel techniques to exploit emerging technologies like generative AI to ill-effect. 

Predicting cybersecurity trends for 2024 will be especially important if organisations want to get ahead of modern cyberattackers. With stakes higher than ever, organisations need to take a holistic approach – accounting for macroeconomic factors, emerging technologies, and cloud risks among others. 

Ian Lim, Regional Chief Security Officer, Palo Alto Networks, said, “In 2023, we’ve seen mature organisations, who invest heavily in cybersecurity, still falling victim to debilitating cyberattacks. This is due to the tenacity and ingenuity of attackers who exploit cyber hygiene issues or find novel ways to compromise legacy defences. Another key reason for these breaches lies in the complexity of security capabilities in most modern organisations. They use an average of 31.58 disparate security tools to protect their highly interconnected and innovative environments. The lack of correlation and the level of noise generated by these tools creates immense visibility gaps and dampens their ability for detection and response.” 

He added, “Going into 2024, highly motivated cybercriminals, nation state attackers and hacktivists will continue to innovate, expand and exploit – not much we can do to slow that down. However, we could and should definitely address the complexity of our security capabilities with AI to make them more effective and cost efficient.” 

Here are the five cybersecurity trends to watch out for in 2024:

1. Hacktivism: the modern crusade 

2023 saw numerous instances of broadcast events being disrupted by climate activists. This year, this protest could take the shape of a cyber-first-campaign. With significant events like the Olympics, the Euros, and regional elections coming up, hacktivists will look to further their cause to audiences in the millions. Previously, a high level of technical expertise was necessary, but the cybercrime-as-a-service model has lowered this threshold. Now, it only takes an extremely motivated activist with sufficient funds.

Tumultuous geopolitical climate will provide opportunities for hacktivists to gain notoriety for their group and sympathy for their cause. Most hacktivist activity is via Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. For example, during the G20 Summit in India, more than 30 groups of hacktivists from neighbouring countries attacked more than 600 websites of government and private entities through DDoS attacks, defacements, and data leaks. 

In 2024, organisations should evaluate their risk profile according to the evolving threat landscape and ensure coverage not only for financially motivated attacks but also for hacktivism and nation-state attacks. 

2. AI’s role in cybersecurity will evolve, for good and bad 

Since ChatGPT’s launch in October 2022, there have been concerns worldwide regarding its potential to democratise cybercrime. Despite having guardrails to prevent malicious applications, a few creative prompts can get ChatGPT to generate near flawless phishing emails that sound “weirdly human” at immense scale. We’ve seen attackers use Gen AI in novel ways like deepfake and voice technology to scam banks out of millions. Companies adopting Gen AI must be wary about the vulnerabilities of model poisoning, data leakage, prompt injection attacks, etc. Attackers will continue to exploit innovation gaps with the increased use of Gen AI for legitimate use cases.

Hence, one of the AI Cybersecurity trends we expect to see in 2024 is the maturation on how we protect enterprise-level use of Gen AI. This involves making sure that security controls, vulnerability management and threat monitoring activities are embedded through the entire lifecycle of AI development projects. Gen AI will further embed itself into cybersecurity capabilities. Its ability to summarise, weed through noise, and give concise summaries of security events is far greater than a human analyst’s (especially at the scale a modern SOC operates). With LLMs getting better by the day, we are bound to see more sophisticated applications that move beyond just being a clever and occasionally-hallucinating chatbot. 

3. Operational technology will remain the low-hanging fruit

Operational Technology is the heart of any industrial organisation. As the primary generator of revenue, OT systems must have a high level of cyber maturity. However many organisations still believe OT environments are protected by an air gap, whereas IT/OT convergence has resulted in OT being more connected than ever to IT and also, in many cases, to the cloud. This has expanded the attack surface and greatly increased the risk to OT networks, without the investment in cyber controls. 

A breach of OT systems can not only result in lost revenue, but also potentially, injuries or loss of life. A cyber secure OT environment is also a safe and reliable OT environment. A Zero Trust architecture will protect the most critical OT systems from threats, while allowing organisations to focus on their digital transformation. 2024 will see organisations invest in OT cyber security maturity to protect their most important business systems and manage the increased risk to an acceptable level.

4. Consolidation to enable the next frontier in cybersecurity 

Unit 42’s Cloud Threat Report (Volume 7) found that on average, security teams take approximately 6 days to resolve a security alert, with 60% of organisations taking longer than 4 days. In a threat landscape where attackers only require a few hours to find and exploit vulnerabilities, 4-6 days is just way too long. Organisations with disparate security tools that are not well integrated have a harder time deploying automation and orchestration. This is a major setback to reducing the mean time to detect and the mean time to respond. 

In addition to the lacklustre threat response, organisations with siloed solutions are having a hard time securing their rapid digital transformation initiatives. Alongside macroeconomic headwinds and workforce challenges, enterprises are looking to consolidate their vendor spread and reduce complexities. Put simply, it is way easier to manage the cybersecurity stack if there is one point of contact when a crisis inevitably strikes. Over the long term, it reduces costs and yields better results. This is thanks to the increased visibility and seamless integration that comes with a unified security offering. More organisations are waking up to these benefits and thus 2024 will see customers focus on reducing complexities and turning to consolidated cybersecurity stacks. 

5. Securing multi and hybrid cloud will be a focus 

Per the State of Cybersecurity survey, APAC organisations are moving large chunks of their infrastructure to the cloud, with 44% adjusting their cybersecurity strategy to adopt cloud security. Early adopters of cloud typically start with a single hyperscaler. Naturally, the single cloud model would adopt native security tools from their chosen Cloud Service Provider (CSP). Through the course of time they experience issues and outages that can only be addressed by adopting a multi or hybrid cloud strategy. This multicloud journey would most likely necessitate a review on their existing cloud security paradigm as native CSP security tools do not seamlessly translate to different CSPs. 

In 2024, organisations that have to contend with multi or hybrid cloud projects would move to establishing a more unified approach to security when dealing with more than one cloud provider. Rationalising cloud security tools across the entire development lifecycle will also be a focus as this provides much higher visibility, correlation and security monitoring.

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Aurelia Residences' Topping Off Ceremony Marks a Milestone in Luxury Living

Aurelia Residences' Topping Off Ceremony Marks a Milestone in Luxury Living

Photo (From Left to Right): Ms. Maria Rochelle S. Diaz, Executive Vice President Commercial of Shang Properties Inc., Mr. Wolfgang Krueger, Executive Director of Shang Properties Inc., Mr. Lance Gokongwei, Chairman of Robinsons Land Corporation, Atty. Karlo Marco P. Estavillo, President of Shang Robinsons Properties Inc., Mybelle Aragon-GoBio, Senior Vice-President and General Manager for the Robinsons Industrial and Integrated Developments and Robinsons Logistix and Industrials divisions, Mr. Chad Sotelo, Vice President of Shang Robinsons Properties, Inc.

Aurelia Residences, the beacon of sophisticated urban living in Metro Manila, achieved a remarkable milestone on January 24, 2024, as it celebrated its Topping Off Ceremony, reaching the summit of its tower. This event not only signifies a physical accomplishment but also underscores the unwavering commitment and vision of Shang Robinsons Properties Inc., a joint venture between Shang Properties Inc. and Robinsons Land Corporation.

The prestigious Asia Property Awards recently bestowed upon Aurelia Residences the title of "Best High-Rise Condo Development in Asia." This international recognition, alongside the "Best Ultra Luxury Condo in Metro Manila" and "Best Condo Development in the Philippines" accolades from the 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, solidifies Aurelia Residences as an architectural marvel both locally and globally.

The awards reflect the development's dedication to excellence and innovation. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for providing an unparalleled living experience, Aurelia Residences is reshaping the landscape of luxury properties in the heart of Metro Manila.

"Atty. Karlo Marco P. Estavillo, President of Shang Robinsons Properties, Inc., expressed, "Today is a momentous day for Aurelia Residences, and we are thrilled to share this milestone with everyone. The Topping Off Ceremony marks a significant step towards realizing our vision of creating a residential masterpiece that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our discerning clientele."

As construction progresses, Aurelia Residences remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a property that not only meets the highest standards but also sets new benchmarks for exemplary luxury living. Soon to be an iconic structure in the central business district of Bonifacio Global City, Aurelia Residences promises to redefine the standards of opulent living.

For those eager to learn more about Aurelia Residences, visit the official website at www.aureliaresidences.com. Stay updated on the latest developments and announcements by following Aurelia Residences on Instagram (@AureliaResidences) and Facebook (@aureliaresidencesofficial). Experience the epitome of luxury living as Aurelia Residences continues its journey towards becoming a residential masterpiece in the heart of Metro Manila.

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LikhaCert: Securing Digital Artworks with Tamper-Proof Certificates

LikhaCert: Securing Digital Artworks with Tamper-Proof Certificates

In the digital age, the threat of art theft has become a significant concern for artists and art collectors alike. Likha, a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace powered by BayaniChain, introduces LikhaCert, a revolutionary solution that leverages blockchain technology to protect artists' intellectual property and authenticate their artworks. LikhaCert is making a mark in the art industry, with a particular focus on its recent collaboration during the Apl.de.Ap X Bitto Phygital Art Launch.

LikhaCert, integrated into the Likha platform, employs blockchain to provide a tamper-proof and permanent Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for digital artworks. This addresses the growing issue of COA fraud in the art industry, offering a safeguard for artists and their collectors. Gelo Wong, co-founder and CEO of Likha, emphasizes the platform's commitment to preserving the artist's legacy by ensuring the validity of their artwork for generations to come.

During the recent Apl.de.Ap X Bitto Phygital Art Launch, Likha showcased its innovative approach to art creation and collection. In a collaboration with GCash, Likha introduced a "phygital" experience, seamlessly integrating the physical and digital aspects of art. By leveraging blockchain technology, Likha airdrops the corresponding digital asset or NFT to the buyer's account when a physical artwork is purchased, serving as both a COA and protection against art theft.

The "Agents of Peace and Love" phygital art collection, a collaboration between Apl.de.Ap and Bitto, showcases the fusion of physical and digital elements. Likha's approach goes beyond traditional NFTs, allowing buyers to physically experience and appreciate the artwork, enhancing confidence in the digital asset ownership.

The collaboration with GCash played a pivotal role in the success of the Apl.de.Ap X Bitto Phygital Art Launch. Likha and GCash aim to make NFTs and phygital art easily accessible to the Filipino community. Through this partnership, Likha not only introduces a unique digital collection but also aims to revolutionize the art industry by providing a seamless phygital experience and tamper-proof security to the 81 million GCash users.

Likha's partnership with GCash is just the beginning. The collaboration seeks to advance the project further, offering limitless possibilities for artists, collectors, and GCash users. BayaniChain and its group of companies plan to expand partnerships in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, contributing to decentralization and digital asset adoption.

LikhaCert's innovative use of blockchain technology in the art industry, coupled with its phygital approach, marks a significant step towards securing digital artworks and enhancing the overall art ownership experience. As Likha continues to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3, its collaborations and partnerships aim to revolutionize the art industry and pave the way for a future where blockchain technology opens opportunities for all. To learn more, visit BayaniChain's official website.

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Unlocking Economic Growth: The Role of Life Insurance in the Philippines

Unlocking Economic Growth: The Role of Life Insurance in the Philippines

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

In a recent report by the Philippine Insurance Commission (IC), the life insurance sector has exhibited remarkable growth, with total premium revenues reaching P229.9 billion in the third quarter of 2023. Notably, Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) premiums on new insurance sales soared to P46.6 billion, marking a significant 13.9% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

The Shift to Traditional Life Insurance

The surge in new life premiums is attributed to a shift towards traditional life insurance. With the volatility of equity markets in recent years affecting variable life insurance sales, insurance companies are turning to traditional life sales to bolster their new business endeavors.

Nation-Building Through Life Insurance

Renato A. Vergel De Dios, President and CEO of BDO Life Assurance Company, emphasizes that acquiring life insurance goes beyond securing a family's financial future. Few Filipinos are aware of the vital role the life insurance industry plays in nation-building. The ability to pool together long-term capital addresses the critical needs of an emerging economy like the Philippines.

Economic Impact of Premiums

Premiums generated, particularly from traditional life insurance sales, play a pivotal role in fueling economic growth. Insurance companies strategically channel long-term funds into areas such as infrastructure development and manufacturing capacity expansion. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) underscores the importance of such investments in sustaining economic progress.

Protection for Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

Encouraging all Filipinos, including the vast community of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), to acquire life insurance coverage is a dual benefit. Not only does it protect their earning capability and fortify family financial security, but the amounts devoted to premiums also contribute to forming long-term capital funds that spur the nation's development and financial prosperity.

Life insurers emerge as significant corporate investors in the country due to their access to long-term capital. The industry hopes that these investments create material and local job opportunities, ultimately reducing the need for Filipinos to seek employment abroad.

Bancassurance as a Growth Driver

With increasing awareness of the importance of life insurance, bancassurance is expected to remain a consistent and complementary contributor to overall financial services. BDO Life, the Bank's life insurance carrier, showcased robust business recovery in 2022, securing the 4th spot in new sales measured by New Business Annual Premium Equivalents (NBAPE).

The flourishing life insurance sector in the Philippines not only safeguards individual and familial futures but also plays a crucial role in propelling economic growth and development. As Filipinos recognize the value of life insurance protection, the industry stands poised to contribute significantly to the nation's prosperity through strategic investments and financial stability.

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Bayad Powers the Bills Payment Services of GoTyme Bank

Bayad Powers the Bills Payment Services of GoTyme Bank

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, officially sealed its partnership with GoTyme Bank, one of the country’s fastest growing digital banks.

GoTyme Bank is a joint venture between the Gokongwei group of companies and the multicountry digital banking group Tyme. This time, through its partnership with Bayad, GoTyme App enables bills payment services covering household utilities, tollway RFID load, e-loading, telco, internet, government contributions, and many others.

Tailor-made for the increasingly e-payment savvy Filipino market, GoTyme App provides the convenience of one-stop-digital-shopping experience.

Once customers open a GoTyme Bank account, they can also avail of a free GoTyme Bank Visa debit card in kiosks that are located within the retail footprint of the Robinsons group such as Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace, Robinsons Department Store and more across the country.

These GoTyme Bank Visa cards can be used for over-the-counter payments such as shopping and cash withdrawals.

With GoTyme Bank, customers can take advantage by having access to a variety of biller brands powered by Bayad. GoTyme and Bayad App users are also able to transfer funds with each other.

Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer underscored, “We take pride with our over 3000 biller brands which we are keen of also integrating with our payment channel partners like GoTyme Bank. Bayad has been committed to making digital finance more accessible and easier for Filipinos. Through our partnership with GoTyme Bank, we are optimistic that we will further the financial inclusion in the country.”

GoTyme Bank co-CEO Albert Tinio said, “Through our partnership with Bayad, GoTyme customers can now conveniently pay their monthly bills. They don’t need to take time out of their busy schedules to ensure that their bills are paid on time. Now our users can manage their personal finances from the comfort of their homes.”

For fintech institutions like GoTyme Bank that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing.

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