Bringing Light and Hope: SM Cares Partners with Global Peace Foundation to Empower Sustainable Communities

Bringing Light and Hope: SM Cares Partners with Global Peace Foundation to Empower Sustainable Communities

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, has joined hands with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines to support the transformative All Lights Village project. This partnership was solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on February 14, 2025, at the SM Prime Headquarters, marking another significant step forward in promoting sustainable development and empowering underprivileged communities in off-grid areas.

The All Lights Village project, spearheaded by GPF Philippines, is an innovative initiative designed to improve the quality of life for families living in rural areas without access to electricity. By providing solar lighting, educational resources, and livelihood opportunities, the program is creating brighter futures for these communities while championing clean energy solutions and sustainable growth.

A Shared Commitment to Uplifting Communities

Through this partnership, SM Cares will provide spaces in SM Aura, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia for fundraising booths dedicated to the All Lights Village project. Funds raised through these booths will directly support the initiative, enabling more families to benefit from solar lighting, better education, and sustainable livelihoods.

During the MOA signing, Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “SM Cares is proud to support the All Lights Village project and its mission of empowering communities through sustainable development. By providing these families with clean energy and opportunities, we are not just lighting homes but also paving the way for brighter, more hopeful futures.”

Leonard Faustino, Executive Director of GPF Philippines, shared similar sentiments. “This partnership with SM Cares reflects a shared vision of creating lasting change in communities that need it the most. Together, we are proving that even the smallest actions, like providing light, can spark transformative impact.”

Impacting Lives Through Clean Energy and Sustainability

The All Lights Village initiative has already made a significant difference in rural areas by reducing reliance on harmful kerosene lamps and offering children a safe and well-lit environment for studying. This partnership will enable even more families to access these benefits, creating ripple effects of progress across communities.

The fundraising booths at SM malls will serve as a platform for shoppers to participate in this cause, ensuring that the public becomes an integral part of this life-changing initiative. More details about the booth locations and schedules will be announced soon, inviting everyone to contribute to a brighter tomorrow.

Looking Forward: Building a Better Future Together

This partnership underscores SM Cares’ continued commitment to empowering communities and supporting impactful initiatives that improve lives. The All Lights Village project is not just about providing light—it’s about illuminating opportunities and fostering a sense of hope and unity among the most underserved populations.

For more information about the fundraising activities or how to support the All Lights Village project, follow SM Cares’ social media channels.

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Leche Flan Biz Finds 'Sweet Spot' Through E-commerce

Leche Flan Biz Finds 'Sweet Spot' Through E-commerce

How far can P5,000 take you? For this Laguna-based couple, it was all they needed to launch their sweet enterprise: Spoonful Delights.

"When we began our business in 2016, we just used our own kitchen. Back then, I really liked leche flan, and I thought about selling flavored leche flan in a bottle. That eventually became one of our flagship products," said Cholo Quiaonza, who owns Spoonful Delights with his wife, Gladys.

After quitting his job and several false starts, Cholo, a former retail and food service employee, found himself down to P5,000.

"It was with this seed money that we started Spoonful Delights," he recalls.

"Since I didn't have enough money for an actual store, I used online platforms instead. I realized I could earn even more money online, considering I didn't have rent expenses," he explained.

Today, aside from leche flan, they also sell local delicacies such as ube halaya and inutak, as well as alamang (sauteed shrimp paste) and specialty vinegar. They sell online, in bazaars, and supply pasalubong shops and grocery stores.

Recently, Spoonful Delights participated in PLDT and Smart's exclusive employee sale held at their Makati headquarters, supporting micro and small entrepreneurs. This initiative is part of PLDT and Smart's broader commitment to empowering MSMEs through technology and digital inclusion through their flagship program for MSMEs called ‘eBizNovation’.

Since 2021, PLDT and Smart have been working alongside the Department of Trade and Industry, local government units, business chambers, and e-commerce platforms to equip Filipino entrepreneurs with digital skills and e-commerce training to support the government's efforts to strengthen the MSME sector.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities

When the pandemic hit, Spoonful Delights was among the many businesses affected. With traditional markets closing at the time, Cholo helped local vendors by selling their goods online. This also expanded Spoonful Delights' customer base. Demand soared, and the business grew to employ 20 workers, producing 1,800 pieces of leche flan daily.

"We were surprised because it wasn't exactly a necessity, but people were looking for it," Cholo says.

Today, even as pandemic restrictions have long been lifted, work-from-home setups remain popular. Here, Cholo and his team found yet another opportunity for their business—and a way to support their hungry 'WFH' neighbors after hours.

"We noticed that a lot of people in our community worked from home, so we started selling silog (a Filipino breakfast dish) in the evenings. In just two hours, we could earn enough to cover our utility bills," says Cholo, adding that his neighbors mainly contacted him on Facebook or via their group chats.

'If Running a Biz Were Easy, We'd All Be Rich'

For Cholo, nothing beats the feeling of fulfillment that one gets from running his own business, even in the face of challenges. He offers some advice to fellow MSMEs.

"It's not easy to run a business, especially in these times. If it were easy, everyone would be rich by now," he says with a laugh.

"You need a lot of courage and prayers. Don't stop innovating and partnering with the right agencies, such as PLDT and Smart. Be open-minded to new updates and use e-commerce to promote your products. Sometimes, you don't even need a physical store anymore. You can promote your business from home using social media," he says.

Today, Spoonful Delights continues to flourish, adapting to the changing market landscape through continuous learning and innovation.

"As an entrepreneur, you can't rely solely on what you know. You have to keep studying your market, especially online," he says. The business now has a commissary and advanced equipment, a far cry from its humble beginnings.

Spoonful Delights' journey is a testament to the power of e-commerce and the internet in building and sustaining successful enterprises, regardless of size. Nearly a decade since its establishment, Spoonful Delights has demonstrated that with determination and adaptability, sweet success is within reach.

It is one of the more than 32,000 MSMEs nationwide that have been supported by PLDT and Smart, highlighting their overall goal of helping MSMEs thrive through technology.

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Appdome Stops AI-Deep Fakes at the Mobile Doorstep

Appdome Stops AI-Deep Fakes at the Mobile Doorstep

Unveils 30 Groundbreaking Deep Fake Detection Plugins to Strengthen ATO Protection inside Android & iOS Apps

Appdome, the leader in protecting mobile businesses, today announced it is extending its Account Takeover Protection suite with 30 new dynamic defense plugins for Deep Fake Detection in Android & iOS apps. The new plugins are designed to guarantee the integrity of Apple Face ID, Google Face Recognition and 3rd party face and voice recognition services against AI-generated and other deepfake attacks. Like all Appdome defenses, each of the 30 new dynamic defense plugins for Deep Fake Detection is available by choice using the Appdome platform without the need to integrate code, perform manual coding, implement SDKs, or deploy servers.

“The mobile economy depends on the integrity of facial recognition, FaceID and other biometric authentication methods as they are more and more used to reduce friction,” said Eric Newcomer, CTO and Principal Analyst, Intellyx. “However, attackers are constantly finding new ways to bypass biometric authentication. Appdome is taking on the challenge of AI-Generated Deepfake Attacks head on and providing mobile businesses the granular detection and control defenses to stop these attacks inside the mobile app, preventing them from passing attack data to other systems. This is a great way to combat ATOs and ODF quickly and efficiently.”

The mobile economy trusts Face ID and facial recognition for authentication, Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, and to combat on-device fraud (ODF). Mobile brands rely on facial recognition, including liveness checks, to streamline authentication while also building and maintaining trust with their users. Brands tell users that facial recognition will ensure that only the authorized account holder can access their apps, accounts, and services. However, the number and sophistication of attacks targeting every aspect of facial recognition and biometric authentication have exploded in the last nine months, driven by the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, virtual cameras, image substitution, buffer attacks, voice cloning and other methods. Deepfake attacks easily generate hyper-realistic and adversarial replications or manipulations that can fool facial and voice verification systems. Sometimes attackers use virtual cameras to inject pre-recorded or live video streams into the facial recognition process. Other times, image buffer attacks manipulate face data processing in real time to bypass liveness detection processes. The speed of evolution, ease of use, and ubiquity of deepfake attacks make deepfake detection one of the top anti-fraud and anti-ATO objectives for brands and enterprises in 2025.

“Everyone, from mobile app developers to enterprises to Face ID and Facial Recognition vendors, are struggling with the technical challenges of detecting AI-generated Deepfakes and Face ID Bypass techniques,” said Tom Tovar, CEO of Appdome. “While no one can stop the creation of deepfakes, we’ve succeeded in stopping their use inside mobile applications and we’re making our innovations available to mobile app developers and face recognition vendors alike.”

Despite the growing sophistication of Face ID and facial recognition services for mobile applications, Face ID bypass techniques, which manipulate biometric authentication processes, use virtual cameras and use AI-generated synthetic images or streams to mimic legitimate users, have started to outpace biometric authentication methods. Additionally, malicious actors are developing tools and techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in device hardware, face recognition software and face recognition APIs to compromise the integrity of biometric authentication. These challenges highlight the need for enhanced security measures around the biometric authentication workflows, to safeguard Face ID and facial recognition against deepfake attacks.

Appdome’s Deep Fake Detection plugins sit on top of OS-native or third-party Face ID, facial recognition and voice recognition methods, including face verification SDKs. This approach ensures that any facial recognition process is secure from deepfake attacks and provides enhanced integrity and security for authentication workflows, regardless of the provider. Specific attack vectors that Appdome’s Deep Fake Detection protects against include:

Face ID Bypass: Detects attempts to bypass Native Android and iOS biometric, facial recognition authentication systems on mobile devices, including FaceID and Biometric API calls, hardware abstraction layers and more.

Deep Fake Apps: Detects deepfake and face swap apps that can be used to spoof facial recognition services used by Android and iOS applications, including in combination with virtual camera and video injection tools.

Deep Fake Video Detection: Detects synthetic identity attacks, video injection, frame and image buffer attacks, Direct Memory Access (DMA) attacks, monitors face embeddings and more.

Appdome Liveness Detection: Applies primary or secondary liveness check to ensure a real face is used during the facial recognition process, applying AI models to verify 3D depth, skin texture, lighting, eye reflectiveness, the strength of liveness image, and more.

Voice Cloning: Detects synthetic voice spoofing and voice cloning apps when in use with the protected application, perfect for applications that rely on “my voice is my password” authentication workflows.

Brands and businesses can expect each Appdome defense to detect a Deep Fake attack as well as its variants. Appdome dynamic defense plugins use real-time behavioral analysis to detect the behaviors and methods that the multitude of FaceID bypass and AI-based Deep Fake and Voice Cloning Tools use to exploit authentication checks in Android & iOS apps. As a learning system, it constantly evolves to ensure continuous defence against Deep Fakes and related threats.

“It’s amazing how fast facial recognition, FaceID and other biometric authentication methods were undermined by AI-generated deepfakes in the mobile economy,” said Chris Roeckl, Chief Product Officer at Appdome. “Appdome is the only solution on the market that places sentries and defenses deep in the execution framework of the mobile application to prevent the deepfake delivery model and well as the use of deepfakes in the applications themselves.”

Like all Appdome mobile app defenses, the new deep Fake Detection plugins combine the power of choice-driven defense in depth, and no-code, no SDK delivery with innovative on-device detection, defense, and intelligence options to satisfy any implementation objective. All Android & iOS Deep Fake Detection Plugins are available with Appdome’s Threat-Events™ Intelligence and Control Framework and ThreatScope™ Mobile XDR service. Threat-Events allows mobile brands and facial recognition SDK and API providers to gather data on each attack and use the data to control the application or user experience when deepfake attacks happen. Mobile brands and facial recognition SDK and API providers can use Threat-Events to gather deeper threat intelligence and create unique workflows and user messages leveraging the power of their brand voice when threats are present. Mobile brands can track and monitor Deepfake attacks via Appdome’s ThreatScope™, either before or after the deployment of the anti-Deep Fake features.

Learn more about Appdome’s Deep Fake Detection.

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World Health Organization and Encephalitis International Launch Technical Brief on Encephalitis Amid Increasing Global Threat

World Health Organization and Encephalitis International Launch Technical Brief on Encephalitis Amid Increasing Global Threat

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Encephalitis International, a nonprofit organization, funded a technical brief recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognition of World Encephalitis Day on February 22. The brief identifies encephalitis, a life-threatening brain inflammation, as a growing global threat and urgent public health issue due to its high mortality, disability burden, and economic impact.

The technical brief outlines key actions to improve prevention, data collection, diagnostics, treatment, aftercare, awareness, and research innovation. It calls on health professionals, policymakers, and global stakeholders to take action and implement recommendations to save lives and reduce disability from encephalitis.

“Encephalitis is an increasing global threat. Without urgent attention and investment, we will see more needless deaths and disability from the condition,” said Dr. Ava Easton, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International. “The launch of this Technical Brief is a critical step toward addressing the gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. It provides a roadmap for policymakers and healthcare professionals to strengthen surveillance, improve patient care, and drive much-needed research. Encephalitis can no longer be ignored—we must act now to prevent avoidable suffering and loss.”

“The WHO Encephalitis Technical Brief aims to focus attention on the increasing global threat of encephalitis, prevention strategies, and existing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care, which will help enable more people affected to receive the treatment and support they need to live fulfilling and healthy lives,” said Dr. Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit at WHO. “By strengthening surveillance, expanding access to timely and accurate diagnosis, and ensuring that encephalitis is prioritized within national healthcare frameworks, we can improve outcomes for millions of individuals worldwide. Urgent collaboration across governments, healthcare systems, and researchers is essential to addressing this growing health challenge.”

Multiple Factors Driving Global Threat

Low awareness of encephalitis remains a major challenge, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment, which increases mortality and complications. The brief, however, highlights that encephalitis is expected to spread further due to several key factors:

Rising population density increases the spread of encephalitis, especially in resource-limited settings where overcrowding and healthcare shortages make prevention and treatment more difficult.

Emerging and re-emerging infections introduce new encephalitis-causing pathogens or revive old ones, challenging surveillance and response efforts while increasing the risk of outbreaks.

Vaccine hesitancy reduces immunization coverage, weakening protection against preventable causes of encephalitis and contributing to disease resurgence.

Climate change shifts environmental conditions, expanding the habitat of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the transmission of vector-borne encephalitis.

Urbanization accelerates human encroachment into natural habitats, increasing exposure to animal-borne pathogens while also straining sanitation and healthcare systems, further driving encephalitis cases.

Hidden Burden in Low-to-Middle-Income Countries Like the Philippines

The true global burden of encephalitis remains unknown, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) like the Philippines, where health services and resources are often limited. Many patients require intensive care with trained neurological staff, but specialized neurology units are scarce. Even where facilities exist, patients may need to travel long distances for treatment. Limited access to essential medications, inadequate supply chains, and regulatory challenges further hinder treatment, leaving many without proper care.

Beyond medical challenges, the economic and social burden of encephalitis is severe. The high cost of treatment, coupled with lost income and long-term brain and nerve damage, places a heavy strain on families. Disabilities resulting from encephalitis, including cognitive and motor impairments, further impact quality of life and productivity. Addressing these issues requires stronger encephalitis research, focusing on disease burden, health economics, long-term outcomes, and improved health information systems to support better prevention, diagnosis, and care.

Reducing the burden of encephalitis requires a multifaceted approach, starting with vaccination strategies, robust surveillance systems, and stronger health systems. Advancing medical and public health research is essential to drive new solutions, while public awareness and education can help prevent cases, improve early detection, and foster greater understanding of the condition.

“Our recent research has shown that many of the interventions needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of encephalitis are not particularly expensive. A lot of it is about increasing surveillance and recognition of the condition, providing simple equipment for early diagnosis, and making sure the right treatments, many of which are very affordable, are available,” said Professor Tom Solomon CBE, President of Encephalitis International and advisor to the WHO.

The condition must also be prioritized in global and national health agendas, with increased resources for targeted interventions and collaboration among public and private stakeholders. These combined efforts can reduce the disease burden, improve outcomes for those affected, and strengthen health systems to better respond to this growing health threat.

To support the recommended actions from the technical brief, Encephalitis International has launched a pilot appeal “Count Down to Change”. The appeal aims to raise £50,000 (approximately ₱3,667,260) to kickstart a fund dedicated to implementing these actions.

The Technical Brief by WHO and Encephalitis International can be accessed and downloaded through this link.

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VFS Global alerts Filipinos and residents of The Philippines against visa frauds, advises to apply early to avoid delays

VFS Global alerts Filipinos and residents of The Philippines against visa frauds, advises to apply early to avoid delays

With the surge in outbound travel demand from The Philippines, visa applications submitted for various countries are at volumes higher than ever before. With this increased demand for visa application appointments, scammers pose as employees or associates of the organisation; or agents and intermediaries who sell appointments, issue fake appointment letters, or claim to influence positive visa decision, etc. to embezzle innocent visa applicants.

Given this context, VFS Global, the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, shared anti-fraud and apply-in-advance advisories for visa applicants at an event held in Manila, Philippines, on 12 February 2025.

Commenting on the matter, Bernard Vijaykumar, Head – North Asia & Philippines, VFS Global, said, “We strongly encourage all travellers to apply for their visas well in advance of their intended travel dates. Waiting until the last moment not only increases the risk of delays but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities seeking to exploit their urgency. Additionally, it is also important for applicants to know that VFS Global does not work in association with any third-party entities for appointment bookings and has no role or influence on decision making. They should be beware of scammers and fraudulent entities who claim to be associated with VFS Global in any capacity or pose as a VFS Global representative to dupe unsuspecting visa applicants and do proper due diligence before paying money.”

Here’s a quick guide for visa applicants to mitigate frauds:

1. Apply early

It is recommended to apply for visas as early as booking flights and accommodation. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days (3 months) before your date of travel. According to the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective 09 February 2020, you can apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before your date of travel.

2. Visa appointments are free

We do not charge any payment for scheduling visa appointments for countries we serve. Appointments are free and can be booked only on www.vfsglobal.com. There could be a nominal service fee to prepay for select countries.

3. VFS Global has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application

The decision on visa applications, the visa tenure, and timelines to process them lie solely in the hands of the concerned Embassies or Consulates. VFS Global simply handles the administrative and non-judgmental aspects of the visa application process. VFS Global or any third-party entity has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application.

4. VFS Global does not work in association with any third-party entities

Applicants should beware of scammers and fraudulent entities who claim to be associated with us in any capacity or pose as VFS Global to guarantee appointments or positive visa decision to dupe them.

5. VFS Global is neither involved in job placement nor immigration-related services.

Applicants are advised to be cautious of scammers offering spurious job or immigration opportunities for money.

In the rush to travel, applicants also tend to make avoidable mistakes, which lead to rejection of their visas. Here are the most common mistakes applicants make and ways to avoid them:

1. Information mismatch: Applicants should make sure that the details on their application forms, such as name, passport number, and date of birth, exactly match their official documents. In some cases, people tend to write information that is inconsistent with their documents or identity proofs.

2. Incorrect photo format: Applicants must submit photos that meet the required format. Please visit our website for photo guidelines specific to the country you are ordering from.

3. Incomplete documentation: Applicants should refer to the destination-specific checklist available on the VFS Global information pages to submit all required documents. Even a single missing document may render your application incomplete and may cause delay/rejection.

4. Unauthenticated bank statements: For certain destinations, applicants should make sure their bank statements are properly updated and authenticated as required, although this may vary from mission to mission. While it is common to present bank statements, and most travellers are aware of this, not having these bank statements authenticated is a common mistake.

VFS Global caters to 28 sovereign governments in the Philippines namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece (represents Portugal), Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway (represents Iceland), Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UAE (Dubai visa and Attestation Services), Ukraine, and United Kingdom. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa.

Enjoy our optional value-added services for a seamless visa experience such as:

Visa At Your Doorstep/On Demand Mobile Visa: Apply for your visa and enrol biometrics from the location of your choice.

Premium Lounge: Get an end-to-end personalised visa submission experience from the comfort of a lounge.

Premium Application Centre: Non mandatory service for UK visa applicants allowing their application process to be convenient and more relaxed.

Keep My Passport When Applying: Convenient service for UK visa applicants to hold on to their passports till the visa decision comes.

Prime Time Appointment: Apply for your visa beyond normal working hours or even on weekends.

Prime Time Passport Collection: Collect your visa decision beyond normal working hours.

SMS: This notification service sends an automated messages including emails to your mobile phone at key stages of the visa application process.

Courier Service: We deliver your passport and documents. It’s quick, safe, and convenient.

About VFS Global

As the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.

With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 68 client governments. Operating over 3,500 Application Centres in 153 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 305 million applications since 2001.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.

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Mompreneurs, women in business take center stage at UN Women WEPs Awards forum

Mompreneurs, women in business take center stage at UN Women WEPs Awards forum

Madiskarte Moms PH, the online community of women and mompreneurs in the Philippines, took centerstage at the first-ever Asia-Pacific UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. The forum and awards ceremony celebrated companies championing gender equality in the region, and highlighted critical topics such as women entrepreneurship and digital inclusivity.

Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, led the discussion with the panel composed of women leaders Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH); Ahyee Campos of GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines; NEDA Undersecretary Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy; and Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio.

Women in business

When people think of “women in business,” they immediately think of women executives working for big companies in finance or retail rather than the grassroots entrepreneurs and community leaders who are often the driving forces behind local economies.

The pandemic revealed the untapped potential of these women through Madiskarte Moms PH. And four years after its inception, this online community of almost 200,000 mompreneurs continues to promote digital upskilling, enhance entrepreneurial skills, and expand access to community support for its members to start and grow their home-based businesses.

PLDT Home, which supported the online community of moms from its founding, helped these small businesses not just to survive but to flourish during their most challenging times.

PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH Melissa Vergel de Dios shared that it is “all about the creativity and innovation of mompreneurs.”

Vergel de Dios relates the story of an awardee at the 2024 Gawad Madiskarte, PLDT Home’s annual recognition and awards for the best businesses by mompreneurs. “This mom needed to buy milk for her child, which cost her the only money she had—P3,000. Not only was her budget just enough, but it was also unfortunately stolen or lost. Instead of being overcome by helplessness, this clever mom sold her old clothes and made P7,000. This mom turned an unfortunate incident into the beginning of her business called HTP or Half the Price. Now that she had capital for a business, she called up all her friends to put their unwanted clothes together and sell them. From that P7,000, her income is now seven figures.”

PLDT Home’s advocacy for inclusivity for women in business and in tech goes hand in hand with the continuous expansion of its fiber network across the country and support for programs on internet education for the whole family.

“We’ve given masterclasses and lessons that teach women how to create their own websites, how to avoid scams and fraud. But, as I say, it takes a whole nation. Now, the Madiskarte Moms teach new members so that they can go forward as well,” Vergel de Dios added.

Breaking gender stereotypes

Breaking conventional gender roles and mindsets has also allowed the government to map out an inclusivity plan for women. NEDA Undersecretary Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy said the Philippine Development Plan or “the nation’s blueprint” includes strategies to mainstream gender equality in government.

Moderator and Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines Athena Denise Galao raised a valid point on women who work from home still bearing increased domestic responsibilities. “How do we prevent housework from becoming another barrier for women’s advancement?”

Ahyee Campos of GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys said, “We need to take away the mindset that home care is only for women. Unpaid home care is not allowing women in that kind of working model to really succeed. And so participation of the husband in those conversations needs to be more active and the women need to be more forthcoming—it cannot be assumed that it’s understood.”

Will AI take away jobs?

As AI becomes more intelligent—by learning from humans! — the inevitable question for every employee is: will my employer replace me with a computer program?

Not likely, according to Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio. “When you embark on digital transformation and your goal is to do headcount reduction, you’re doing it all wrong. Because the goal of digital transformation is to make sure that you deliver efficiencies as well as ensure that your business is competitive.”

That future may not always be in the office, according to Vergel de Dios. “Sometimes success is not being an executive in the office but being an entrepreneur. Today’s success is defined differently. We can be role models to the little girls that look up to us, and we can show them that they can dream. It also starts with education so that at a young stage the stereotypes are broken at the formation stage.”

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Industry alliances warn of the true cost of illicit alcohol

Industry alliances warn of the true cost of illicit alcohol

Saturday, February 22, 2025

A 2023 report from the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (Tracit) revealed a staggering figure in the Philippines’ struggle with illicit alcohol: 31% of the country’s alcohol consumption was unrecorded, representing up to PHP 40 billion in lost annual tax revenue.

This amounts to a missed opportunity to build over 36,000 new public school classrooms, lay more than 1,300 kilometers of roads, or establish eight new public hospitals. Breaking down the loss further, PHP 1.6 billion is attributed to smuggling, while counterfeit alcohol drains PHP 22.5 billion from government coffers.

In 2024, the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) seized a new record value of counterfeit goods, including alcohol, worth PHP 41 billion, compared to PHP 26 billion in 2023. The growth in seized contraband underscores the pressing issue of counterfeit alcohol and its detrimental impact on the economy, legitimate businesses, and public safety.

A threat to the economy and society

Beyond lost tax revenue, the rise in illicit alcohol sales negatively impacts legitimate, tax-paying businesses, tarnishing the reputation of authentic brands and reducing their market share. Alcohol manufacturers are advocating for a "whole-of-society" approach to combat this problem.

“Addressing the spread of smuggled and counterfeit goods requires collaboration across the public and private sectors, as well as active participation from consumers. It’s a collective responsibility to protect legitimate businesses, safeguard tax revenues, and prevent counterfeit products from infiltrating the market,” said Nick Sonderup, Chair of The Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines (ABAPI).

Illicit alcohol sales also divert resources to organized crime. David Francis, Managing Director of the Alliance Against Counterfeit Spirits (AACS), emphasizes that counterfeiting and smuggling are more than economic infractions.

“Counterfeiting and smuggling are crimes themselves and they can finance even more serious criminal activity. The new year marks a fresh start to address illegal activities that undermine the rule of law. When people buy counterfeit alcohol, they may be inadvertently supporting a network of criminal operations,” said Francis.

In addition to economic losses, the consumption of counterfeit alcohol poses severe health risks such as methanol poisoning. Unregulated and potentially hazardous, counterfeit alcoholic beverages impersonate well-known brand names, fuelling consumer confusion.

Choose authentic this 2025

Counterfeit goods remain a persistent threat, impacting consumers and businesses all-year round. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is urging consumers to exercise caution and vigilance when making purchases.

“Be wary and cautious when buying products, not just online but also in physical markets. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Counterfeit goods, including alcohol, are often marketed at a discount that seems hard to resist. If these ‘bargains’ put your health and life at risk, what you’re really getting is a gamble with a bigger price to pay,” said IPOPHL Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz.

“We encourage consumers to be discerning and to only purchase from reputable retailers,” said Atty. Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan, Assistant Director of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ Bureau of Legal Affairs and Supervising Director of the IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO). “It is best to purchase these products from legitimate stores to ensure that you are getting genuine items and to avoid the risks associated with counterfeit goods,” she added.

To address these challenges, industry organizations call on the government, businesses, and consumers to contribute to a unified response. ABAPI, AACS, and the Asia Pacific International Spirits & Wines Association (APISWA) have launched an awareness campaign to combat the spread of counterfeit and smuggled goods.

The "Drink Authentic, Enjoy Responsibly” campaign aims to inform the public about the dangers and economic implications of illicit alcohol and underscores that drinking responsibly starts with buying authentically.

“Consumers can make safer choices by following a few simple steps,” Francis added. “This includes purchasing only from reputable sellers, carefully comparing prices with local supermarkets, diligently inspecting the product and packaging, and only paying through recognized payment channels.”

This initiative also raises awareness of counterfeit products as a scam, targeting unsuspecting buyers who believe they are purchasing legitimate products. Through the campaign, industry alliances seek to reinforce the message that buying counterfeit alcohol not only contributes to crime but also jeopardizes the safety and security of families and communities.

Consumers can learn more about the campaign through its social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Detailed guidelines on avoiding and reporting counterfeit alcohol are also available at https://aacs-global.com/how-to-stay-safe.

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