Inclusivity through Technology: How Insurtech Igloo Supports Women Entrepreneurs in the Philippines

Inclusivity through Technology: How Insurtech Igloo Supports Women Entrepreneurs in the Philippines

Monday, March 17, 2025

This National Women’s Month, leading regional insurtech Igloo is celebrating the unstoppable spirit of women who are transforming industries, breaking barriers, and redefining success.

According to Packworks’ business intelligence tool, Sari IQ, 75% of sari-sari stores in the Philippines are owned by women. To support these women entrepreneurs, Igloo has partnered with various organizations to provide tailored insurance products that offer financial protection against unforeseen risks. Together with its partners, Igloo delivers accessible and affordable microinsurance solutions, covering business disruptions, health emergencies, and personal accidents.

“At Igloo, we believe that financial protection should be accessible to everyone, especially the women entrepreneurs who form the backbone of many communities. By embedding our insurance solutions into digital platforms that women already use, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that they have the security and confidence to grow their businesses and secure their futures,” said Roberto Vea, Igloo’s Head of Commercial for the Philippines

Igloo’s partnership with B2B MSME enabler Growsari, a technology-driven platform dedicated to helping small retailers and sari-sari stores digitize their operations and expand their businesses, continues to strengthen financial protection for MSMEs. The Personal + Business Protection Plan offers up to P150,000 in financial coverage for accidents and up to P35,000 in cash assistance to help store owners safeguard their property or inventory in cases of flood and fire. Additionally, Igloo and Growsari are working on initiatives to expand access to insurance products further, enabling sari-sari stores to offer protection plans to their customers and communities.

Likewise, Igloo also introduced NegosyoCare in 2024, which serves as a critical financial safety net for women entrepreneurs, particularly ensuring they can sustain and grow their businesses despite unforeseen challenges. Available via Gcash’s Insure Marketplace, NegosyoCare offers coverage against fire, accidents, and damages with affordable premiums starting at just P160 per month or P525 per year. Underwritten by Malayan Insurance, the policy provides up to P50,000 in benefits for accidental death, permanent disability, and dismemberment, medical reimbursement of up to P5,000, fire cash assistance of P10,000, and burglary and payroll protection of P10,000.

By making insurance accessible through familiar digital platforms, Igloo empowers women-led businesses to secure their livelihoods, protect their families, and contribute to economic resilience in their communities. Through innovation and empowerment, Igloo is ensuring that women-led businesses not only thrive but become pillars of economic resilience, creating a future where financial protection is a fundamental right for every woman striving for success.

Learn more about Igloo’s products and services by visiting https://www.iglooinsure.com/

Read More

BPI AIA Secures Top Spot as Bancassurance Company in PH, Celebrates 7th Consecutive World Finance Award

BPI AIA Secures Top Spot as Bancassurance Company in PH, Celebrates 7th Consecutive World Finance Award

BPI AIA Achieves Top Ranking Driven by Innovation and Customer-Centric Approach

BPI AIA Life Assurance Corporation (BPI AIA), a strategic joint venture between Bank of the Philippine Islands and AIA Philippines, announced its achievement as the #1 bancassurance company in the Philippines based on New Business Annualized Premium Equivalent (NBAPE), according to the official data from the Insurance Commission as of December 31, 2024. This accomplishment coincides with BPI AIA receiving the prestigious World Finance Award for Best Life Insurance Company in the Philippines for the seventh consecutive year.

The company also ranked #2 in Net Income and #4 overall in the industry, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the Philippine insurance market.

"We are incredibly proud to regain our position as the top-ranked bancassurance company in the Philippines and to receive this accolade yet again from World Finance," said Karen Custodia, Chief Executive Officer of BPI AIA. "2024 was a year of both challenges and significant wins for the BPI AIA team. We navigated a highly competitive landscape and emerged stronger, driven by our unwavering purpose to build a better everyday life and future for all Filipinos."

BPI AIA's success in 2024 was fueled by several key factors. The company launched three innovative products—Future Ready, Wealth Advantage, and Aspire Premier—which resonated strongly with customers and significantly contributed to sales performance. BPI AIA's dedicated and highly trained sales force played a crucial role in reaching customers and providing tailored financial solutions.

Furthermore, BPI AIA strategically focused on enhancing its digital capabilities to provide seamless and convenient customer experiences, recognizing the increasing demand for accessible and user-friendly online platforms. The company also prioritized building strong relationships with BPI branches to effectively reach a wider customer base, leveraging the bank's extensive network to connect with more Filipinos and offer them tailored insurance solutions.

The World Finance award recognizes BPI AIA's consistent excellence in the life insurance sector, highlighting its commitment to innovation, customer service, and financial strength. The award considers various factors, including financial performance, product innovation, market leadership, and corporate governance.

Looking ahead, BPI AIA is positioned to continue its leadership in the life insurance industry, further advancing its customer-centric approach and leveraging technological innovations to create even more personalized and accessible solutions for Filipinos. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, BPI AIA aims to empower individuals and families across the Philippines to take control of their financial futures and achieve long-term security. As the company celebrates its continued success, it remains dedicated to fulfilling its mission of building a better everyday life for all Filipinos.

Read More

ManageEngine Ushers in a New Era of Customizable and Unified Security Analytics With Its Open API-Based Platform

ManageEngine Ushers in a New Era of Customizable and Unified Security Analytics With Its Open API-Based Platform

Company's SIEM Solution, Log360, Evolves Into a Unified Security Platform; Helps Simplify Security Operations and Future-Proofs Security Investments

ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation and a leading provider of enterprise IT management solutions, today announced the evolution of Log360—its unified security information and event management (SIEM) and IT compliance management solution—into an security analytics platform. The platformization of Log360, encompassing open APIs and a developer ecosystem, enables ManageEngine to address the critical need for adaptable, future-proof security. ManageEngine's leadership believes this shift empowers enterprises, system integrators (SIs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) to combat evolving threats on their own terms, turning SIEM from a cost center into a strategic asset.

Building the Platform on the Core Security Capabilities

Log360's evolution into a robust security platform began last year with key enhancements, laying the foundation for future innovation. These enhancements included proactive threat intelligence through dark web monitoring powered by Constella Intelligence, investigation triad capabilities for faster alert analysis via enriched security events and an enhanced correlation engine for complex threat detection.

"A platform isn’t defined by just what it does today, but by what it enables tomorrow. With Log360 evolving as a platform, we’re empowering customers and partners to innovate on top of our foundation—whether integrating cutting-edge AI models or niche compliance frameworks. This ecosystem-driven approach turns security from a cost center into a strategic enabler," says Manikandan Thangaraj, vice president at ManageEngine.

Key Highlights of ManageEngine's Unified Security Platform

● Unified visibility, zero complexity: Make it easier for teams to identify, investigate and respond to threats. Log360 facilitates the consolidation of disparate security data into a single, unified view, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tools and dashboards.

● Customizations at scale: Enable customizations at scale through API-driven integrations that empower MSSPs, SIs and enterprises to address unique challenges, optimize their security workflows and go beyond standard roadmaps.

● Accelerated innovation: Enable swift integration of AI, machine learning, and other advanced technologies with the platform architecture. This not only keeps Log360 at the forefront of security but also ensures enterprises benefit from the swift adoption of latest advancements in threat detection and response.

● A perfect sharing ecosystem: Facilitate industry-specific threat intelligence sharing, enabling smaller teams to benefit from the collective knowledge of the community. ManageEngine's Marketplace democratizes access to valuable expertise and improves incident response effectiveness by making extensions and data connectors publicly available.

● Compliance agility: Leverage Log360's developer ecosystem to enable rapid updates, addressing new regulations and revisions to existing mandates as they arise. This eliminates the delays associated with traditional vendor upgrades.

Partnership Forged with Sacumen

Looking ahead, ManageEngine will expand Log360's platform capabilities by growing its partner and developer ecosystem with industry-specific extensions, integrating advanced AI and ML tools for predictive security and fostering community-driven security innovation. As an initial step towards this direction, ManageEngine has entered into a partnership with Sacumen, a firm specializing in the development of cybersecurity product engineering and services.

"Our partnership with ManageEngine reflects our shared vision: empowering enterprises with comprehensive and integrated security solutions. Sacumen's contribution lies in building the crucial bridges—the connectors—that allow Log360 to seamlessly interact with the broader security ecosystem, maximizing its value for customers," says Nitesh Sinha, CEO and founder of Sacumen. "ManageEngine's platform approach coupled with Sacumen's expertise in connector development breaks down the data silos, providing unified visibility and streamlined integration, empowering enterprises to move beyond reactive security and embrace a proactive, data-driven defense."

Pricing and Availability

Log360 is available as both on-premises and cloud deployments. The cloud version, Log360 Cloud, is available in four editions—Basic, Standard, Professional, and MSSP. The Basic edition starts at $300 per year with 75GB of default storage and 90-days search retention. The on-premises deployment starts at $1,540. For more information, visit https://www.manageengine.com/cloud-siem/pricing-details.html

Read More

Bigo Live Empowers Filipina Creators to Break Barriers

Bigo Live Empowers Filipina Creators to Break Barriers

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Bigo Live provides a supportive and inclusive platform that enables female creators to inspire positive change and build a global community

Bigo Live, the leading global livestreaming platform, remains committed to empowering women in the Philippines and beyond through its accessible platform, diverse initiatives, and supportive community. This March, in celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), Bigo Live spotlights trailblazing female creators who are spreading positivity and driving meaningful change through the platform.

Aspiring singer Cess Angeles (BIGO ID: Prime_Cess) has amassed a strong fanbase on Bigo Live and is now a Manager with PTA Agency. She shared: “Bigo Live has helped me grow both as a person and a creator by giving me a platform to share my talents and connect with people from different backgrounds. It has also pushed me to be more creative with my content, whether through singing or chikahan sessions, while allowing me to support and guide others in my agency.”

Another creator, Diana Zubiri, Family Leader of DKSA and Agency Manager, PH-CELEBRITY2 (BIGO ID: dianazubiri) enjoys sharing her workouts and snippets of daily life. She said: “I love connecting with people, sharing my lifestyle, and helping aspiring hosts grow. Bigo Live has helped me gain more confidence, expand my network, and create meaningful content.”

Bigo Live actively fosters women empowerment through various initiatives, including regular events and activities that bring female creators together and specialised educational workshops for aspiring content creators. One example is Women’s Run PH, a community-led running event by women, for women. As a proud event partner, Bigo Live enables women participants to inspire, connect, and support one another through livestreaming. “We recognise that women turn to Bigo Live to discover new ideas, form meaningful connections and be part of a supportive community. We’re dedicated to cultivating a digital space where women are represented regardless of their background and empowered to thrive and reach their full potential,” said Bigo Live Philippines’ spokesperson.

As a creator-first platform, Bigo Live offers incentive programs that reward creators who produce engaging content and contribute to the community. The platform champions financial empowerment by providing female creators with opportunities to grow their fanbase, opening doors for income generation through various avenues such as virtual gifting on the app or potential brand partnerships.

Top Host and BIGO Awards Gala Philippines Annual Beans Championship Winner Jannine Joyce T. Cartagena (BIGO ID: Ninjajannine) highlighted the platform’s impact on her career: “Bigo Live has been a pivotal platform in my life, offering incredible opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise, such as travelling and sharing my talent with a global audience. While I've explored other platforms, I always return to Bigo Live because of its strong community and support. It's where I built my initial following, honed my skills, and truly realised my potential. I'm grateful for the continued opportunities Bigo Live provides me to connect with fans, collaborate with other creators, and grow both personally and professionally,” Jannine added.

Bigo Live believes that women empowerment is fundamental to building a more inclusive and equitable world. By giving women the space to express themselves, showcase their talents, and connect with a global audience, Bigo Live is breaking down barriers and creating a more level playing field. The platform remains committed to continuing its efforts to support and empower women worldwide, creating a lasting positive impact on their lives.

Read More

Caltex Partners with PICKUP COFFEE to Drive Growth and Elevate Customer Experience at Service Stations

Caltex Partners with PICKUP COFFEE to Drive Growth and Elevate Customer Experience at Service Stations

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Executives from Caltex and PICKUP COFFEE come together to finalize their partnership with a contract signing.

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), is strengthening its non-fuel retail (NFR) offerings alongside its continuous retail presence growth. The fuel brand recently partnered with PICKUP COFFEE, a brand proudly founded in the Philippines, with the mission to Uplift everyone with fast, delicious, and surprisingly affordable beverages – everywhere.

This partnership presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen Caltex’s NFR strategy. By teaming up with PICKUP COFFEE, known for its premium, espresso-based coffee and exceptional customer service, Caltex can offer customers a rewarding coffee experience while they refuel. This collaboration is expected to drive more foot traffic to Caltex stations, increase revenue, and enhance the Caltex brand image. Additionally, the partnership aligns with the brand’s commitment to providing value-added services that improve the overall customer experience at Caltex.

Caltex is focused on building long-term partnerships based on trust and shared goals, understanding that lasting success comes from collaboration. The company believes that strong partnerships are crucial for creating value, encouraging innovation, and supporting sustainable growth. PICKUP COFFEE aligns with this philosophy, sharing Caltex’s commitment to working together for mutual success and creating a meaningful, long-term impact.

“PICKUP COFFEE is thrilled to partner with Caltex, as we both prioritize long-term relationships grounded in trust and shared success. This partnership reflects our commitment to working together to deliver exceptional value to our customers. We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration holds and eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will have on the customer experience,” said Francis Flores, Chief Executive Officer of PICKUP COFFEE.

“We truly believe that this partnership will help strengthen the brand's presence and reputation even more, which is why we are excited for this partnership with PICKUP COFFEE. This collaboration will not only strengthen our presence but also provide customers with a more rewarding and seamless experience, showcasing our dedication to innovation, value, and sustainable growth,” added Billy Liu, General Manager and Country Chair CPI.

Read More

Darwinbox Raises $140 Million Investment Co-led by Partners Group and KKR to Accelerate Global Expansion

Darwinbox Raises $140 Million Investment Co-led by Partners Group and KKR to Accelerate Global Expansion

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Darwinbox, a leading global human resource (“HR”) technology platform, today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry (acting on behalf of its clients), and funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm, will co-lead an investment of $140 million in the company, with additional participation from Gravity Holdings. The addition of Partners Group and KKR to an already-solid cap-table underscores Darwinbox’s strong momentum over the recent years. The investment positions Darwinbox well to deepen its technology leadership and accelerate its international expansion plans.

Founded in 2015, Darwinbox is a mobile-first and AI-enabled human capital management platform that serves more than 1,000 enterprises around the world. In less than a decade, Darwinbox has expanded internationally across multiple markets, including Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In particular, since its entry into North America two years ago, the company has seen significant traction and is doubling down on its regional presence. Over the last two years, Darwinbox has built a robust and diversified global portfolio, having achieved a fivefold growth in revenue in international markets, with over 60% of new revenue coming from international markets.

In 2024, Darwinbox was recognized as a Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites for enterprises with more than 1,000 employees, making it the youngest and only Asian company to receive the accolade.

Since establishing a local presence in the Philippines, Darwinbox has swiftly become the go-to HCM platform for top Filipino enterprises, growing 2X year on year. Leading brands in the country like Gokongwei Group, BPI, SM Prime, Security Bank, Filinvest Group, MPTC, Home Credit, URC, Federal Land, Starbucks, and Toyota Motor Philippines trust Darwinbox to modernize HR. Proudly partnering with over 10 conglomerates in the Philippines, Darwinbox recognizes the country as a pivotal market within Southeast Asia. The company has launched its multi-country payroll solution in the country early this year further strengthening its commitment to delivering localized, high-impact HR innovations tailored to the unique needs of Filipino businesses.

“This investment is a testament to Darwinbox’s strong fundamentals and the trust we have earned from our 1,000+ global customer base,” said Jayant Paleti, Co‐founder of Darwinbox. “By placing the employee experience front and center — and ensuring our platform is deeply configurable to diverse local needs — we have helped transform HR for enterprises globally. With top-tier investors backing us, we’re poised to amplify our global momentum and deliver innovative AI‐powered solutions for thousands of enterprises worldwide.”

Cyrus Driver, Managing Director, Private Equity, Partners Group, comments, “Darwinbox operates in the rapidly growing HR tech market, which we have been tracking through our thematic research. The company is acting as a key disruptor to legacy platforms in this space, investing heavily in product innovation, generative AI, and global expansion, and is well positioned to take market share. We look forward to working with Darwinbox’s talented management team on driving future growth. The company represents another exciting addition to our private equity growth portfolio.”

Akshay Tanna, Partner and Head of India Private Equity, KKR, said, “Darwinbox has established itself as a leading player in the human capital management space in a short span of time through its focus on innovation and customer centricity. We are pleased to support Darwinbox on its next stage of growth and will look to draw from our global network and expertise to accelerate its international expansion ambitions.”

Globally, over 3 million employees from leading brands — including Starbucks, Nivea, AXA, Cigna, WeWork, Crisil (an S&P company), T-Systems, and more — rely on Darwinbox’s platform for modern HR management. Darwinbox’s recent wave of product rollouts — highlighted by a multi-country payroll solution and enhanced GenAI features — demonstrates its commitment to next-generation HR innovation.

Partners Group invested through its growth equity strategy, which applies a thematic approach to identify investment opportunities in growth-stage companies globally. Partners Group made its first growth investment in 2013 and has deployed around USD 2.5 billion in the space to-date. The firm’s recent growth investments include Lumin Digital, a leading cloud-native digital banking provider, and Neara, one of the first AI-powered predictive modeling software platforms for critical infrastructure.

KKR makes its investment from its Asia Next Generation Technology strategy, which seeks to support the growth of innovative, disruptive companies in Asia across consumer technology, software, and FinTech. This marks KKR’s latest growth equity investment in India and the region, including Rebel Foods, an internet restaurant company in India; Lenskart, an omni-channel eyewear retailer; Livspace, an omni-channel home interior and renovation platform; KiotViet, a SaaS platform for SMBs in Vietnam; and Privy, a digital trust provider in Indonesia.

Avendus Capital acted as the financial advisor and investment banker on this transaction.

Read More

Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines again awarded as a Top Employer for the 7th year in a row

Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines again awarded as a Top Employer for the 7th year in a row

For the seventh year in a row, the Top Employer Institute has recognized Boehringer Ingelheim as a Top Employer in the Philippines while also awarding the company as a “Global Top Employer” for the fifth consecutive year, and an Asia Pacific Top Employer for the sixth year straight. Boehringer is one of 17 companies worldwide to earn this award. The 2025 certification underscores the company’s commitment to an exceptional work environment that prioritizes career development and employee wellbeing. Comprehensive leadership training offers and strong values, communications, & ethics play a significant part in this.

“This remarkable achievement reflects our steadfast dedication to creating an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally,” said May Evangelista, Head of Human Resources at Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines.

Boehringer’s employer offerings continue to score high, particularly in the categories “Steer” and “Develop”. The company’s internal Leadership Academy recognizes the value of leadership development for a positive and thriving work environment. It is one example how Boehringer supports its employees – whether in a leadership role or not – to steer their own development. The Academy helps create a shared understanding of leadership and offers targeted training for different leadership roles. Whether stepping into a leadership role for the first time or being a senior executive, tailored training will be available to all leaders.

“Our performance underscores our commitment to strong leadership and talent development, ensuring that our employees’ wellbeing, work environment, and career growth are always at the forefront of our initiatives,” Evangelista continued. “We encourage our employees to develop their own career paths and provide tools that help them find the balance that supports their goals.”

Develop your own path – at work and in private life

Boehringer’s learning offerings show how the company puts its people promise to “develop your own path” into practice. The internal Boehringer Ingelheim University makes a state-of-the-art virtual campus accessible to all 53,500 employees worldwide. The Leadership Academy is part of the University and offers in-person and virtual training. Their focus ranges from self-awareness to successfully driving teamwork. The modules help build skills in areas like stress and resilience, giving feedback, empowerment, problem-solving, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The leadership offerings also cover Boehringer’s holistic employee wellbeing program which includes mental, physical, social, and financial health. The company’s flexible working models are another contributor to the wellbeing approach. Some examples include the locally launched Volunteer Leave that allows employees to utilize leaves separate from their vacation leaves to carry out volunteering and charity work, as well as the formation of local well-being activities and initiatives. Overall, Boehringer takes an integrated approach to build an attractive work environment with an equitable, competitive, and transparent rewards and benefits program. It caters to the employee needs at every career stage with offerings that matter to their personal situation.

Certifications across the globe

Boehringer has been listed among the top employers in multiple countries and regions for the past 11 years. This year, it will receive the award in 30 countries. In South Korea, Boehringer is ranked among the top 3 employers and inGermany among the top 20. The company also received regional recognitions in Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, and in the Middle East.

Read More