AIA Philippines Partners with Corazon S. Atayde Memorial Foundation to Bring Healthier Habits to Philippine Schools

AIA Philippines Partners with Corazon S. Atayde Memorial Foundation to Bring Healthier Habits to Philippine Schools

Monday, July 22, 2024

AIA Philippines, formerly Philam Life and one of the country’s largest life insurance companies, has partnered with Corazon S. Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAFM) to bring the AIA Healthiest Schools program to underserved elementary and secondary public schools. This program, which AIA is bringing to the Philippines after successful launches in other countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia, aims to empower students aged five to sixteen and their teachers to adopt healthier living habits.

AIA Healthiest Schools offers free curriculum-linked teaching resources to schools, with the goal of educating students about healthy habits and assisting schools and communities in creating a healthier and happier environment. It is structured around four key pillars: healthy eating; active lifestyle; mental well-being; and health and sustainability. 

In its first year, AIA Philippines will introduce AIA Healthiest Schools in three public elementary schools and three public high schools. The program extends beyond the classroom, encouraging participating schools to develop and implement impactful health projects within their communities. These projects will be showcased in a regional competition in July 2025, where schools will have the opportunity to compete with schools from other countries where AIA is present.

AIA Healthiest Schools is the first of its kind health literacy program, combining education and rewarding good behavior which will revolutionize health-related programs and sustainability in schools. From left to right: AIA Philippines’ Associate Director for Brand Experience and ESG Bernadette Chincuanco, AIA Philippines’ Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Henson, Corazon S. Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAFM) Executive Director Margarita Atayde and CSAFM Program Manager Rylene Ngeta-a.

"We believe that taking a proactive role in building healthy habits among the youth is one of the best ways we can to bring to life our Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer Better Lives," said Melissa Henson, AIA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer. "By collaborating with CSAMF and public schools nationwide, we are not only empowering students to adopt healthier habits, but also creating opportunities for communities to develop a lasting appreciation for well-being.”

CSAFM is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide reliable, responsible, and trustworthy avenues of generosity by developing and implementing programs focused on education. It has reached 54,043 learners across the country and worked with almost 1,000 community coordinators and volunteers. 

AIA Healthiest Schools directly aligns with AIA's ambitious One Billion Goal, which aims to engage, inspire, and empower one billion people worldwide to live healthier, longer, better lives. Through this program, AIA Philippines is taking a significant step towards creating a healthier and more vibrant future for young Filipinos.

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Filipina Sells Suman Online Gets Boost from PLDT Global and DMW

Filipina Sells Suman Online Gets Boost from PLDT Global and DMW

Annalyn Fernan, a 37-year-old from Cavite, sells delicious rice cakes (suman) and other traditional snacks online. This business is super important for her family since her husband, who worked overseas, passed away last year.

Annalyn's mom started the business during the pandemic, and it's been doing great! To get even more customers,Annalyn uses her phone and the internet to sell on social media. "We get orders from all over, even from Filipinos working abroad who see my posts," she said. "That's why having good internet is key!"

On top of selling yummy snacks, Annalyn is also a busy mom of two! She's growing her business even more by offering phone reloading and bill payments. This cool program is from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and PLDT Global. They gave Annalyn a package to help her succeed, including a new phone, marketing materials, and signs to attract customers.

Annalyn is so grateful for the help. "The money I earn helps us so much," she said. "Thanks to PLDT Global for working with the DMW to make things easier for us!"

People from both DMW and PLDT Global even visited Annalyn to see her business! They were really impressed.Annalyn thanked the DMW for their ongoing support. "They've been there for us every step of the way," she said. "I hope they can help more families like mine!"

The DMW's main guy, Secretary Hans Cacdac, said, "This program shows our commitment to helping Filipinos working abroad and their families. We partner with great companies like PLDT Global to offer helpful programs."

PLDT Global does even more than just this livelihood program. They also offer digital skills training for Filipinos working overseas. Last year, they provided grants, gadgets, and training for cacao farming to Filipinos who came back home from working abroad. They even gave educational kits to the kids of a Filipino worker in Qatar!

"We hope by working together with the DMW, we can improve the lives of Filipinos and help them achieve their dreams," said Albert Villa-Real, the big boss at PLDT Global.

PLDT Global is all about closing the digital gap by making sure Filipinos everywhere can access digital services. They have products and services that make life easier, especially their TINBO app. Filipinos abroad can use TINBO to buy phone load, pay bills back home, send food vouchers and gifts, and even get healthcare and gaming PINs for their families in the Philippines.

Through TINBO, overseas Filipinos can also get a special Smart virtual number (SVN) to receive important codes from their Philippine e-wallets and banks. Plus, they can use TINBO to pay all their bills back home easily and securely.

PLDT Global's partnership with the DMW is a great example of their overall mission to serve Filipinos everywhere and make their lives better.

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Bangsamoro Government lays out commitments to improve education in the BARMM

Bangsamoro Government lays out commitments to improve education in the BARMM

The Bangsamoro Government celebrated the signing of the Madrasah Education Strategic Plan for the Bangsamoro region on 18 July 2024. The Plan lays out the commitments of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education to enhance the quality of formal madrasah education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the next three years.

Madrasah is an Islamic educational system that aims to develop Muslim learners to be morally upright and committed to excellence. The Ministry recognizes madrasah education’s significant role in contributing to the peace and stability, and the future development of the BARMM. The goal is to develop future Muslim professionals and innovators who could drive economic growth, peace, and stability in the region. 

The Australian Government provided technical assistance to the Ministry in developing the Plan. They conducted policy reviews of madrasah education, led consultation sessions with relevant partners, and facilitated expert consultations to support the drafting process. 

“As neighbours and strategic partners, Australia and the Philippines share the goal of achieving a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region – and we believe that education plays a vital role in achieving this,” said Dr Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy.

“I thank our friends and partners from the Ministry for their continued dedication in strengthening education policies and institutions in the BARMM. Australia remains committed to working with you in shaping a more peaceful and prosperous region.” 

Under the Plan, the Ministry aims to increase the number of Bangsamoro learners – regardless of gender, physical ability, and social and economic status – by 30%. By 2025, they also aim to increase the number of formal madrasah institutions by 15%. Institutionalizing madrasahs is important because it allows the Ministry to monitor and regulate the quality of education and services they provide. 

The Ministry has made great strides in integrating traditional madrasah into the Bangsamoro education system. To date, 373 formal madrasah delivering K-12 and Islamic education have been recognised. A policy guide developed with the Australian Government is also supporting the accreditation of 444 non formal madrasah. The Ministry also have plans to develop a standardised curriculum for all madrasahs, including non-formal madrasas, with the aim of accrediting them down the road.

Mohagher M. Iqbal, Minister of MBHTE said: “Strengthening madrasah education represents 'unity in diversity.' It demonstrates Bangsamoro’s firm commitment to preserving our region's rich historical, religious, and educational heritage while creating an inclusive environment where every learner, regardless of background, can succeed.”

“Madrasah education is integral to our people’s aspiration to shape our educational policies and systems. Therefore, the Bangsamoro deserves genuine autonomy that all parties should honor. A thriving autonomy is the true solution to the recurring internal conflicts in the region.”

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Schneider Electric introduces scalable decarbonization roadmap for PH manufacturing, donates P5M worth of equipment to Dualtech

Schneider Electric introduces scalable decarbonization roadmap for PH manufacturing, donates P5M worth of equipment to Dualtech

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and digital automation, announced a scalable decarbonization roadmap for the manufacturing sector in the Philippines during the recent Go Industry 2024: Driving towards a Net Zero Industry event held at The Mills Country Club, Laguna co-hosted with Dualtech Training Center Foundation, Inc.

The event was attended by leaders from the Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Climate Change Commission (CCC) Philippines, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Dr. Song Pei Chua, Business Development Manager for Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Asia discusses the decarbonization roadmap for the Philippine manufacturing sector.

The decarbonization roadmap outlines four key strategies that the sector can implement gradually to reduce carbon footprint:

• Electrifying operations through microgrid optimization
• Reducing energy consumption through digitalization and automation
• Replacing energy sources with renewable energy such as solar energy, wind power, and hydropower
• Engaging the entire value chain to design and build for sustainability and to offset carbon emissions, enabling a circular economy

"Our approach to decarbonization involves not just transforming our energy supply but also optimizing our processes through electrification," said Dr. Song Pei Chua, Business Development Manager for Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Asia. "Strategic planning, digitization, and a steadfast commitment to efficiency and sustainability are at the core of manufacturing and industrial operations."

Schneider Electric's Sustainability Business Team helps industries achieve their carbon neutrality targets by developing customized digital-centric strategies. They provide advisory services to establish a baseline, understand current energy use, and create a comprehensive roadmap towards carbon neutrality.

Deployment of Schneider Electric’s proprietary and award-winning cloud-based platform EcoStruxure Resource Advisor helps collect and analyze energy consumption data. With this, businesses can develop better energy and sustainability strategies. Software trainings are conducted by Schneider Electric to help educate partners on how to maximize the software to enable effective application into their operations.

During the event, CCC and UNDP both emphasized the significant role the private sector plays in achieving the country's climate goals. “Shifting to digital operations is crucial for sectors aiming to reduce carbon emissions and meet the targets established by the nationally determined contribution (NDC) implementation plan," CCC Executive Assistant Raul Villegas stated. 

Schneider Electric Empowering Youth to Drive Digital Transformation

Schneider Electric's commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental initiatives. This is demonstrated by the company’s 5-year partnership with Dualtech where Schneider Electric has committed to provide PHP5 million worth of equipment and instructor training. 

Dualtech, accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), offers a 2-year Electromechanics Technology course combining electrical, mechanical, and electronics disciplines. In response to the global demand for skilled workers, the institution is modernizing its training programs and facilities to accommodate more scholars and to address shortages of training equipment and tools.

The company aims to be carbon neutral in operations by 2025, save 800 million tons of carbon annually by 2030, achieve full value chain carbon neutrality by 2040, and reach net zero across all scopes by 2050—urging the manufacturing sector and other industries to follow suit. Recently, TIME Magazine has hailed Schneider Electric as the “Most Sustainable Company in the World”.

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Invest in Exquisite Living with Shang Properties

Invest in Exquisite Living with Shang Properties

Friday, July 19, 2024

Come home to luxurious living arrangements in prime locations with the country’s leader of Exemplary Life Spaces

Real estate in the Philippines is expected to grow in 2024 as the national government welcomes more foreign investment. There is greater demand for condominiums and data has also observed that luxury home prices in Manila experienced the highest growth in any city in the world.

Shang Properties creates exemplary life spaces that go beyond expectations. The developer is known for its thoughtful architecture, exquisite taste, and utmost regard for privacy and exclusivity. They also have an extensive portfolio of world-class homes in prime locations and finished with best-in-class design.

“Stepping into a Shang property means enjoying an exceptional experience with unmatched services and amenities catering to our residents' needs. When you own a home with Shang Properties, you always come home to luxurious living arrangements feeling welcomed and secure,” says Shang Properties’ Executive Vice President for Commercial, Maria Rochelle Diaz.

Shang Properties offers investment opportunities for its ongoing projects below:

Horizon Homes is a rare collection of exquisite luxury dwellings within Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. Residents can enjoy the serviced life all year round and have the finest dishes from the hotel’s restaurants delivered straight to their homes. They may also access Shangri-La The Fort’s amenities, including the exclusive Kerry Sports Manila.

A collaboration between Shang Properties and Robinsons Land Corporation, Aurelia Residences provides carefully curated bespoke residences in one of the most coveted addresses in the Philippines. It boasts extraordinary cosmopolitan skyline views and the lush greens of Forbes Park and the Manila Golf and Polo Clubs. Aurelia Residences is inspired by sprezzatura, the effortless and understated sense of classic Italian elegance. 

Shang Residences at Wack Wack is an exclusive resort-inspired residential property in the verdant Mandaluyong neighborhood. The property sits amidst beautifully landscaped gardens neighboring one of Manila’s iconic heritage golf clubs, The Wack Wack Golf & Country Club. Residents have the city’s most sought-after views daily: sweeping vistas of 18-hole championship golf courses or the dramatic Makati skyline.

Haraya Residences, a joint venture between Shang Properties and Robinsons Land Corporation located at Bridgetowne Destination Estate, is where homeowners can enjoy sunset views at their very own Italian-inspired outdoor gallery called loggia.

Downstairs, they may enjoy outdoor amenities like beautifully tended green spaces, private nooks, swimming pools, children’s play areas, and the jacuzzi. The indoor amenities are in a soft, inviting environment for the whole family. There is a veranda, tea room, studio, playroom, library, lounge, chef’s kitchen, lobby lounge, game room, viewing room, gym, changing rooms, and sauna.

Laya by Shang Properties is both a home and a community for the creative and connected. It is located near Ortigas Center, giving residents a seamless tie between work, play, and rest. Residents can also enjoy first-rate amenities like fully equipped fitness and yoga studios, outdoor and children's pools, a private screening room, an expansive children's playground, and a full suite of workspaces and lounges designed in Shang Properties' signature style.

Besides these ongoing projects, Shang Properties also offers investment opportunities for its completed spaces that are primed for residence:

One Shangri-La Place is a twin-tower property that is nestled at the center of Shang Central, Shang Properties, Inc.’s estate in Mandaluyong City. The premier residential address offers access to business districts, shopping destinations, and entertainment hubs, with direct exclusive entry to Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Equipped with world-class amenities, One Shangri-La Place defines urban living where elegance, convenience, and comfort come together.

The Shang Grand Tower is located in the upscale neighborhood of Legazpi Village, Makati City. Its Art Deco design features ornamental grills and precast moldings. The property has an elegant high-ceilinged function room leading to a landscaped deck with swimming pools and a Jacuzzi. Residents can also hit their fitness goals in the state-of-the-art gym and steam rooms, while children can enjoy the well-equipped playroom.

The St. Francis Shangri-La Place is part of Shang Central, an integrated community at the heart of the bustling Ortigas district. This community includes the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, with its wide range of upscale shopping choices, entertainment venues, and dining options, and the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, with its world-class Chi Spa.

Shang Salcedo Place offers exclusivity and new standards of luxury living. The property has a high level of sophistication in the heart of the Makati Central Business District (CBD). Residents can live, work, shop, and play with family and friends without the hassle of traffic and time-consuming commutes.

The Rise Makati is known for its three zones of amenities. First is the Workshop, a fully-stocked workspace with multi-function rooms, an I.T. bar, and a library. It also has the Nest, a relaxation and well-being zone with hammocks, comfortable seats, and garden terraces. Lastly, those who want to spend quality time with their loved ones may visit The Hangout, a selection of open lounge areas featuring a karaoke room, a billiards room, and more. 

Shang Properties Residential Leasing team is also here to guide you through every step of your journey, whether as a residence or a proprietor for a potential stream of income. Sit back as our expert team assists you in making the process as easy as possible. To lease with Shang Properties, visit the website at shangpropertiesleasing.com and follow Shang Properties on its official social media pages: @ShangProperties on Instagram and Facebook, @ShangPropertiesOfficial on YouTube, and Shang Properties on LinkedIn.

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SEO Editors: Effective Sales Strategies in Digital Branding

SEO Editors: Effective Sales Strategies in Digital Branding

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

             Photo from Markus Spiske on Unsplash

The digital landscape has transformed how consumers research, compare options, and make informed decisions when purchasing products or services. It’s more important than ever to know their habits and stay updated on trending topics that are relevant to your audience, and incorporating relevant cultural references and using “lingo” that feels more personal and engaging. All this so that you can, as a brand, tailor your content to resonate!

Take this situation for instance: If you’re a healthy meal plan provider targeting health enthusiasts, then using terms like high-protein or gluten-free can speak directly to your audience’s interests. It can increase your discoverability, and also increases the chances they’ll read your content.

This is where cohesive digital branding comes in.

Digital branding is the process of creating a distinct and recognizable online presence for your brand to fulfill a goal – like awareness, conversion, loyalty, and outright sales. This is achieved by leveraging various digital channels like web design, social media platforms, content creation marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) practices. 

Sale strategies, meanwhile, are responsible for guiding customers through their buying journey. It starts from sparking curiosity about your brand to prompting them towards conversion (whether purchase or subscription), and finally developing loyalty that fuels repeat business.

We recommend leaving these to the experts in public relations agencies. But of course, it helps to know the ropes yourself. So how do we bring these together to create a strong digital brand presence?

Building a Strong Digital Brand Presence

A strong brand presence is like a magnet; it attracts readers and establishes trust through its credibility and consistent quality. But to reap those benefits, you must first do the following:

Optimize for Brand Visibility

• SEO - Relevant keywords are essential to organic discovery in search results and website traffic. This approach involves strategically placing keywords in website title tags, headings, and meta descriptions. However, be warned: overdoing it with keywords (also known as keyword stuff) can do more harm than good, as this is a practice done by spam websites and is penalized by search engines with a lower ranking.

• Leverage Social Media Platforms - Social media platforms are a potent tool for achieving your goals: expanding your reach, fostering real-time engagement with consumers, and driving website traffic. To maximize this potential, lean into creating high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your audience — this way, you’ll become a trusted resource and authority within your niche.

Enhance Customer Experience for Increased Sales

• UX - The overall experience of a reader determines whether they stay engrossed, return for more, or abandon the article. To keep them hooked, prioritize a user-friendly layout (like readable fonts) that’s easy to read and understand. This includes steering clear of jargon and instead, breaking down complex topics into digestible chunks, and crafting compelling calls to action (CTAs) that entice them to explore other content on your website. 

• Customer Service in the Digital Age - Seamless and positive interactions are the hallmarks of great customer service. When a reader experiences this, they’re more likely to recommend your content to others, propelling its reach. 

Effective Sales Strategies for Digital Branding

• Inbound Marketing for Lead Generation - Inbound marketing involves creating valuable content to attract, engage, and convert visitors into leads and customers.

• Email Marketing Campaigns - Email marketing campaigns can help brands nurture leads, build relationships, and promote products or services.

• Utilizing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools - CRM tools can help brands manage customer interactions, track sales, and analyze customer data.

• Influencer Partnerships and Affiliate Marketing - Influencer partnerships and affiliate marketing can help brands expand their reach, increase brand awareness, and drive sales.

• Mobile Marketing Strategies - Mobile marketing strategies can help brands reach consumers on the go and optimize the mobile user experience.

BONUS: Key Steps to Remember in Editing SEO-Related Content

1. Identify the main topic and subtopics of the original article.
2. Analyze the existing content to identify areas that can be expanded upon or improved with well-researched and engaging information for readers.
3. Ensure the new content is optimized for SEO by including relevant keywords and phrases in the headings, subheadings, and body text.
4. Maintain a focus on the overall quality and readability of the article.
5. Stay clear of self-referencing in the article, as it may detract from the overall quality and focus of the content.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Strategies

To gauge the effectiveness of your strategies, it’s important to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rate, cost per acquisition, and customer lifetime value. This provides you with the information needed to identify areas to improve. 

Additionally, you can do A/B testing to identify the most effective strategy, like creating variations of a particular element (e.g., a call-to-action button) and presenting them to different segments of your audience, so you know which performs better. 

By equipping yourself with these powerful tools and embracing the perpetual pursuit of innovation, you’ll unlock the potential of transforming your articles from merely informing and engaging to one that drives actual results. This could be attracting new readers, cementing the brand as a trusted thought leader, and even boosting conversions. Just remember, you have the unique advantage of combining engaging content and insightful data to tweak strategies as needed — use it to its full potential.

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Citadines Roces Quezon City: Where Your Ideal Venue Awaits

Citadines Roces Quezon City: Where Your Ideal Venue Awaits

Monday, July 15, 2024

In the heart of Quezon City stands Citadines Roces Quezon City, a testament to The Ascott Limited's expanding footprint in the Philippines. As one of the properties from The Ascott Limited, it exemplifies the brand's commitment to providing exceptional hospitality and top-tier accommodations.

With its modern design, diverse accommodations, extensive amenities, and a prime location, Citadines Roces Quezon City caters to both business and leisure travelers, offering a seamless blend of comfort and convenience. Whether for business conferences, social gatherings, or intimate celebrations, Citadines Roces Quezon City offers the perfect venue tailored to its guests’ needs.

Strategically located in a bustling metropolis

Nestled in Quezon City, Citadines Roces Quezon City prides itself for its ideal location for both travelers and their various demands and needs. As the largest city in Metro Manila, Quezon City is a dynamic hub of commerce, entertainment, and culture. Its position gives guests seamless access to government institutions, corporate offices, premier shopping destinations, and a vibrant dining scene. This makes it an attractive destination for travelers seeking convenience and a rich urban experience.

Unleash your event’s full potential with the property’s premier function rooms

To fully realize the property’s vision, one of the biggest highlights of Citadines Roces Quezon City is its state-of-the-art function rooms, designed to host various events with elegance and sophistication. These premier spaces are meticulously crafted to provide an ideal setting for any occasion. From corporate meetings and seminars to weddings and social events, the function rooms are equipped with the latest technology and amenities to ensure the success of every gathering. 

The function rooms are versatile, offering customizable layouts to suit the specific requirements of each event. Additionally, the dedicated event planning team at the property are available to assist with every detail, from menu selection to technical support. The attentive and professional staff are committed to providing exceptional service, ensuring that every event is executed flawlessly. With their expertise and attention to detail, you can be confident that your event at Citadines Roces Quezon City will be memorable and successful.

Each room features high-quality audio-visual equipment, including projectors, screens, and sound systems, to facilitate seamless presentations and multimedia experiences. The modern decor and flexible seating further enhance the ambiance, making it suitable for all events and social gatherings.

"Our function rooms are designed to cater to the unique needs of each event, offering customizable layouts and comprehensive support," says Ms. Thea Peregrino, Assistant Residence Manager at Citadines Roces Quezon City. "Our dedicated event planning team and professional staff are committed to providing exceptional service, ensuring every event is executed flawlessly and leaves a lasting impression."

In addition to the variety of inclusions to the function spaces, each individually curated event will be catered to by the residence’s flagship restaurant and bar, Alejo. Serving a robust selection of intercontinental cuisine with Filipino flavors at the helm, the restaurant can seamlessly customize an exceptional menu fit for any occasion. With its modern chic and wood-accented aesthetic, the outlet is also perfect for a more gastronomic focus setting, providing unlimited culinary experiences and food journeys for everyone to enjoy. 

No matter the event’s nature, find the perfect venue at Citadines Roces Quezon City. With its strategic location, comprehensive accommodation options, and premier function spaces, it stands as the ideal choice for creating unforgettable moments. For updates about the property, reservations, updates, and more, visit the property’s official website and its social media pages in Facebook and Instagram.

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