Empowered Women, Empowering Generations: ‘Ladies for a Cause’ Launches to Champion Maternal and Child Health

Sunday, April 13, 2025


A powerful movement dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and children took center stage at The Manila Hotel with the official launch of Ladies for a Cause. Composed of strong, passionate, and driven women from various sectors, the initiative aims to make a lasting impact on maternal and child health, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life—from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday. 


Dr. Gwen Pang, Convenor of Ladies for a Cause, who is also the Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, emphasized the significance of collective action, stating: 

“When women come together, we don’t just spark change—we build movements that transform lives. ‘Ladies for a Cause’ is more than just a group; it is a force for good, ensuring that no mother or child is left behind in the fight for health, dignity, and a better future.” 

Why Women? Why This Movement? 

Women are the heart of every home and the backbone of every community. They are natural caregivers, nurturers, and decision-makers who intimately understand the needs of families. Their ability to empathize, multitask, and find solutions uniquely positions them to address the challenges of maternal and child health. 

“Women don’t just witness the struggles of mothers and children—they live them, understand them, and know how to solve them. When women take action, they don’t work alone; they mobilize, they inspire, and they create lasting change. This is why ‘Ladies for a Cause’ is a movement led by women—because when women lead with purpose, entire generations benefit,” Dr. Pang added. 


The launch was further strengthened by the support of Attorney Joey Lina, President of The Manila Hotel and Convenor of the Children’s First 1,000 Days Coalition, who underscored the importance of this advocacy: 

“A nation’s future is shaped in the womb. By prioritizing maternal and child health, we are investing in stronger families, healthier communities, and a more resilient Philippines. This movement is a beacon of hope, proving that when women lead with purpose, the impact is boundless.” 

The event gathered influential women leaders from government, business, media, and civil society, all committed to driving change and championing the health and well-being of mothers and children. The initiative will focus on advocacy, education, and direct community interventions to ensure that every child gets the healthiest possible start in life. 

As Ladies for a Cause takes its first step, it calls on more women to stand together, take action, and be part of a movement that will leave an indelible mark on future generations. 
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DoubleVerify Extends Gaming Measurement Suite Through Strategic Partnership with Roblox

Saturday, April 12, 2025

In the last decade, the gaming industry has exploded. With at least one-third of the global population playing digital games at least once per month, gaming provides advertisers with a highly engaged audience. Because of this, popular gaming platforms, like Roblox, are rapidly gaining advertiser attention due to their large user base and ability to reach them when they’re paying attention, helping drive campaign effectiveness.

However, a crucial component of achieving campaign effectiveness is ensuring advertisers are buying high-quality media and tracking performance across a variety of metrics. That’s why DV has offered coverage on gaming inventory for years. To further this mission, DV is partnering with Roblox to extend our trusted media quality and performance solutions across their inventory.

Advertising on Roblox

Roblox is an immersive gaming and creation platform. Attracting over 85 million active users daily, the platform offers a suite of advertising solutions that allow advertisers to reach their highly engaged Gen Z audiences across devices. Roblox offers a variety of immersive ad formats to help advertisers reach Roblox gamers wherever they are within the platform.

DV Coverage on Roblox

This partnership offers advertisers coverage across all of Roblox’s advertising inventory globally. This inventory includes Billboard image ads — otherwise known as display — and video ads, which serve in in-game environments. It also includes Rewarded Videos, which will soon appear in high-traffic environments such as menus and stores. DV’s coverage also spans across device types such as mobile, desktop, and console.

In-game Billboard Image and Video Inventory Coverage

DV has extended coverage of our trusted fraud/IVT and viewability measurement solutions via a custom integration on Roblox’s direct-sold inventory. These solutions can help ensure that these ad formats are seen by real people.

Rewarded Video Coverage

Advertisers will be able to leverage DV’s measurement solutions, which include media quality and performance. Specifically, this coverage allows advertisers to measure fraud, brand safety and suitability, viewability, geo-relevance, and attention with DV Authentic Attention® leveraging DV’s tags. Advertisers will also be able to protect their campaigns leveraging DV’s fraud, viewability, and brand suitability pre-bid solutions.

Brands can leverage DV’s offerings to better align their campaigns with their unique media quality and performance standards across Roblox campaigns and beyond to make more informed media investment and optimization decisions.
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Visa and USSC announce strategic issuing and Money Movement partnership to transform payment solutions


Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has partnered with USSC Money Services Inc. (UMSI), on a strategic issuing and Money Movement partnership to launch Visa Direct in the Philippines. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in enhancing digital payment and remittance solutions in the region.

While often cited as one of the largest remittance-receiving countries in the world, the Philippines remains strong in the outbound money movement market, particularly for business-to-business (B2B) payments. Visa’s "Money Travels: 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption" report reveals that there is a $151-billion outbound market opportunity, the majority of which cover business-related flows. These include supplier payments, export/import, merchant settlement, and overseas procurement for goods and services for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Digital methods are driving cross-border payment growth too. The same report found that 58% of Filipinos prefer digital money movement methods, with many citing high fees, lengthy processing, and the need to visit a physical location as common pain points in making cross-border payments and remittances.

To foster the growth of outbound cross-border business payments in the Philippines, Visa Direct facilitates the transfer of funds directly to eligible Visa Direct cards, bank accounts, and wallets in many jurisdictions around the world. Launched over a decade ago, Visa Direct revolutionizes fund disbursements with its fast, secure, and convenient platform, reaching over 11 billion endpoints across more than 195 countries and territories and 150 currencies.

With Visa Direct, UMSI now enables many of its business clients to make faster and more efficient cross-border outbound payments to support their various business needs.

In addition to this recent partnership with UMSI to launch Visa Direct, Visa and UMSI previously collaborated on an exclusive deal to issue the U Visa Prepaid Card. Geared towards new-to-bank customers from segments such as business process outsourcing (BPO) employees and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the U Visa Prepaid Card underscored Visa’s and UMSI’s shared commitment to boost financial inclusion.

"We are pleased to partner with UMSI to enhance digital remittance and payments services in the Philippines. Visa Direct aims to be Asia Pacific's premier real-time payment platform by focusing on continuous innovation and expanding collaborations with banks, fintechs, and digital wallets. The increasing use of digital apps for sending business payments abroad highlights the need for secure, fast, and convenient money movement solutions. Visa is dedicated to ensuring safe and efficient money transfers, enhancing the financial resilience of Filipino households, and contributing to economic growth,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines.

"Cross-border payments and remittances have steadily converged across settlement systems, and USSC is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution in partnership with Visa. This collaboration reaffirms USSC’s commitment to serving its core markets —OFWs and underbanked Filipinos—by delivering convenient and cost-effective solutions that facilitate money movement across borders,” said UMSI President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Xavier Gonzales. “Combining its physical store infrastructure and U Mobile app with a Visa card-based wallet overlay, USSC continues to drive financial inclusion for Filipinos worldwide, helping them shift from cash to digital seamlessly," he added.
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From Homemaker to Changemaker: Vaneza Soriano and the Transformative Power of Beauty


L’Oreal Philippines with Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) beneficiaries.

For Vaneza Soriano, a devoted housewife, life once centered entirely on her family’s needs—until she discovered the power of beauty to transform her future. Today, she proudly stands as one of the outstanding graduates of L'Oréal Philippines’ Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) professional hairdressing training program, proving that with determination, support, and the right skills, new beginnings are always possible. 

Vaneza’s story mirrors the journey of many women whose lives have been changed by the program. Since its launch in 2017, BFBL has empowered over 524 Filipino women with professional hairdressing training providing not just education, but the means to build livelihood to better lives for themselves and their families. This year, the program expanded its reach to Mandaluyong City, marking a milestone as the first time the city partnered with L’Oréal for this transformative initiative. 

The latest batch of 47 was honored in graduation ceremony held at the Mandaluyong City Hall, culminating their 2-months hands-on training and internship in L’Oreal’s salons in Metro Manila. More than just the culmination of training, the event served as a powerful reminder that beauty can be a bridge to empowerment, hope, and personal transformation. 

"Beauty is a force for good and a catalyst for change—and at L'Oréal, we believe it has the power to transform lives. Through Beauty for a Better Life, we equip women with the skills to build sustainable careers in hairdressing, fostering personal empowerment and economic integration. Today’s graduates are living proof of this mission, and their success is our success. Seeing them take this step forward is truly inspiring.,” said Yassine Bakkari, Country Managing Director at L’Oréal Philippines. 

For Vaneza and many others, the training went beyond teaching hairdressing techniques—it rebuilt their confidence and reignited their dreams. "Before this program, I thought my role as a homemaker meant putting my dreams on hold," she shared. "But through BFBL, I learned that my passion could become my profession. I now have the courage and skills to create a better life, not only for myself but for my family." 
The BFBL program is committed to equipping determined and aspiring women from diverse backgrounds with professional beauty skills, financial literacy, and personal development training. Through this initiative, L’Oréal reinforces its global mission to champion inclusivity and uplift communities, transforming the lives of thousands of women across more than 30 countries. 

For more information about L'Oréal's Beauty for a Better Life program, please visit L'Oréal's official website.
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Eastern Communications Holds Transcend Summit 2025, Launches New Loyalty Program Perks

Friday, April 11, 2025

Transcend Summit 2025

Top industry experts explore innovation and CX strategies for business growth

Eastern Communications successfully hosted its Transcend Summit 2025 at Makati Shangri-La, on April 8, 2025, bringing together over 200 industry leaders, decision-makers, and technology experts to discuss how innovation fuels business growth, transforms challenges into opportunities, and enhances customer experience. The event spotlights Eastern Communications' mission to exceed customer expectations by delivering the latest technological insights, and reliable, high-tech, and high-touch connectivity and ICT solutions that drive digital transformation and business resilience.

The Transcend Summit features the theme, “Powering the Future Through Innovation and Customer Focus,” and is made possible through Eastern’s global tech partners Cato Networks, Fortinet, Huawei, Sophos, Cisco, CloudSigma, Nexusguard, Pax8, and official media partner The Manila Times and Malaya Business Insight.

"Transcend Summit 2025 highlighted the importance of innovative solutions, leadership, AI and customer-centric strategies in today’s dynamic business environment," stated Jaeson Evangelista, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications. “We are very grateful for our global technology partners for enabling us to share insights, emerging trends, and collaborate on future innovations as we continue to enhance our services and customer programs.”

Hosted by TEDx Host Vanessa Caro and panel discussions moderated by ABS-CBN Business News Correspondent Mimi Ong, Transcend Summit 2025 featured keynote speakers and industry panelists sharing insights on the evolving digital landscape and the role of innovation in achieving sustainable growth.

Exploring the power of innovation

Greg Banzon, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Century Pacific Foods, Inc., delivered a keynote speech on “Harnessing Innovation to Transform Challenges into Opportunities.” Drawing from his experience and citing instances from Century Pacific’s humble beginnings in the ‘70s, he emphasized how businesses can turn obstacles into strategic advantages through technology and forward-thinking solutions, like how Century Pacific transformed to one of the country's leading manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Maulik Parekh, founder of aiVolution Asia, shared his insights on “How to Lead and Innovate with AI.” He explored AI’s disruptive impact on customer engagement, business optimization, and the essential leadership skills for success in the AI era.

Following Banzon and Parekh’s presentations was the Transcend Summit’s panel discussion with key industry experts: Pierre Curay, Vice President of the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP); Edsel Paglinawan, Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer of Eastern Communications; and Tonichi Parekh, Vice President of Concentrix.

The panelists explored the topic, “How Innovation and Customer Experience Is Critical for Business Success,” setting companies apart in an increasingly competitive digital economy. Discussions centered on how businesses can leverage emerging technologies to remain agile and competitive.

A trusted partner in digital transformation

Eastern Communications elevated customer engagement with the relaunch of The Link VIP Club, unveiling its highest membership tier, Titanium, at the MET Museum in BGC on April 3, 2025. Eastern collaborated with artists Erika Mayo, Studiokashu, and Vico Cham Artism Gallery, for an exclusive, art-inspired showcase of the program’s premiere perks to complete the customer’s VIP experience.

The newest Titanium tier provides personalized business support, premium benefits, and tailored ICT solutions, further strengthening relationships and enhancing customer experiences of Eastern’s elite partners.

"We recognize that businesses need more than just reliable solutions—they need a trusted partner who understands their unique challenges and growth ambitions. Through the Link VIP Club and the new Titanium Membership tier, we are enhancing the way we support our clients by providing an even higher level of focused support, unmatched customer experiences, and utmost level of service," said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications.

As a trusted partner in driving business growth, Eastern Communications equips companies with the tools to navigate digital transformation with confidence. The Transcend Summit 2025 allows Eastern to share its expertise on advancing innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions that keep businesses ahead in an evolving digital landscape.

To know more about Eastern Communications’ products and services, visit the website at https://eastern.com.ph/.
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TNT's SIM Registration video wins back-to-back golds at ADFEST 2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025


TNT, the value brand of PLDT mobile wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), won another gold award for its viral SIM Registration video, “Mother,” at ADFEST 2025, Asia's renowned international festival of advertising creativity.

This year, it won the prestigious gold award in the Effective Lotus category, continuing its winning streak after grabbing the gold award in the Film Lotus category last year, besting around 200 entries.

Produced in collaboration with advertising agency GIGIL and production company Arcade Film Factory, the one-minute and 28-second video tells the story of a mother soaked in the rain outside their house because her family could not recognize her mobile number.

True to its brand essence, TNT’s campaign used absurd humor to encourage subscribers to register their SIMs, in accordance to SIM Registration Act, which was enacted to protect mobile phone users from spam and scam texts, which have become rampant since the pandemic.

ADFEST described the Effective Lotus category winner as “works that are not only creative, but also have significant and measurable impact.” The juries based the recognition on four criteria, including Creativity/Idea/Insight with 30%; Strategy with 15%; Execution with 15%; and Results with 40%.

Launched in April 2023, TNT’s SIM Registration campaign videos immediately gained over 100 million views across social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, with viewers organically sharing them for being “unskippable,” “creative,” and “funny”. Within just 10 days since the videos were posted, over 7 million subscribers registered their SIM, proving the campaign’s effectiveness.

A string of local and international awards

As of end-2024, TNT remains the biggest mobile brand in the Philippines with almost 35 million subscribers.

“We thank our colleagues in the marketing and advertising industry in the region for recognizing TNT’s efforts to inform and protect our customers,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP at Smart. “We share this accolade with our almost 35 million subscribers who continue to put their trust in TNT,” he added.

TNT's back-to-back ADFEST gold awards adds to its string of local and international recognition for the campaign's creativity and effectiveness. It bagged a gold in Stevies 2024; silver awards at the 2024 APAC Effie Awards, Kidlat Awards 2024, and Boomerang 2023 Awards; crystal awards in South Korea’s MAD Stars 2023; and a bronze in Tambuli 2024.

Moreover, the campaign won the ‘Force for Good’ Award in the 2024 YouTube Works Awards Philippines and was cited as Best Ad of the Week by Bestads. The viral video was also shortlisted at the prestigious New York Festivals 2023 Advertising Awards.

The ADFEST 2025 Effective Lotus gold award is another milestone for TNT, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Aptly called “AniberSaya 25,” TNT lives true to its promise of being the people’s mobile brand as it caters to the mobile needs of ordinary Filipinos through its superior mobile network, affordable and value-packed data offers, and fun-filled experiences.

For more information, follow TNT’s official accounts on Facebook, X, and TikTok, or visit its official website at https://tntph.com.
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FedEx Strengthens Asia Pacific Leadership Announces Key Appointment

 
L-R - Marcus Balzereit, Senior Vice President, APAC Sales & Solutions, Rumana Rahman, Vice President, APAC Human Resources, and Shanker Venkateswaran, Vice President, APAC Planning & Engineering


Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has expanded its leadership team in Asia Pacific (APAC) to advance business and talent strategy. Marcus Balzereit assumes the role of Senior Vice President, APAC Sales & Solutions, while Rumana Rahman joins as Vice President, APAC Human Resources, and Shanker Venkateswaran, is appointed as Vice President, APAC Planning & Engineering. By attracting and retaining top talent across all levels, the company is strategically positioning itself to seize emerging market opportunities and fuel growth across this rapidly evolving region.

With over 25 years of experience in the logistics industry, Marcus Balzereit brings extensive expertise in driving commercial success across diverse markets. In his new role, he will lead a 2,000-strong sales organization in the Asia Pacific region, driving profitable revenue growth and expanding market share. Marcus will focus on delivering differentiated solutions and strengthening customer relationships, enabling customers to fully leverage the strong FedEx value proposition.

People are the driving force behind FedEx, and its talent strategy is key to achieving its ambitious goals. With 24 years of experience in human resources across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, Rumana Rahman brings deep expertise in shaping high-impact people strategies. In her new role, Rumana will lead talent development to cultivate a high-performance culture and evolve workforce strategies to meet the needs of a rapidly changing and diverse talent landscape.

Shanker brings over two decades of experience across business, technology, and operations, with expertise spanning multiple industries and geographies. In his new role, Shanker will lead the transformation of FedEx's ground network through design, digitization, and automation, enhancing efficiency and flexibility to meet customer demands, with focus on optimizing operations to stay ahead of market changes and exceed customer expectations.

“Building a future-ready team in Asia Pacific is a top priority,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific at FedEx. “With these new appointments, we’re further strengthening our commitment to anticipating customer needs, driving market growth, and empowering our teams with the agility and innovation required to make a lasting impact in this fast-evolving region.”
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