Fueling Change in an Unpredictable World

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Jos Ortega

HAVAS Red Names “Rage” as 2024 Word of the Year


Are you feeling overwhelmed, angry, or frustrated by the constant flow of global issues, social movements, and online debates? Well, you're not alone. In fact, the word rage has become a defining emotion for 2024. According to Havas Red, this raw and powerful emotion is not only a reflection of the times but also a catalyst for change.

In a year marked by deep political divides, global unrest, and social unrest, rage has emerged as a force that shapes how we respond to adversity. Whether it's sparked by injustice, inequality, or societal challenges, rage has become both a reaction and a call to action.

“Our choice of rage isn’t just about anger; it’s about energy,” says Jos Ortega, Chairman & CEO of HAVAS Ortega. “It’s about acknowledging the emotional undercurrents driving conversations and actions—and recognizing rage as a force for change when channeled constructively,” he added.

The rise of rage as the 2024 WOTY highlights how the collective frustration felt across the globe is increasingly being channeled into activism, protests, and social movements. This word reflects a world where frustrations are not just bubbling beneath the surface but are now demanding attention.

Psychologists say that rage, when directed constructively, can inspire change. This is the driving force behind many of the most prominent social movements today. People are no longer content with simply being upset; they're mobilizing, organizing, and demanding systemic change.

But it's not all negative. Rage has the potential to unite people, too. Movements like climate change advocacy, gender equality, and racial justice have all benefited from the passion and energy that rage brings. It's a force that can bring people together, regardless of their differences, to address the root causes of societal problems.

Rage doesn't just show up in the streets. It's also visible in the virtual world, where internet culture and memes can amplify frustration and drive viral moments. From TikTok videos to Facebook posts, rage has become a language in itself, helping people find solidarity in shared emotions.

Havas Red’s focus on rage reflects its understanding of how emotions shape our world today. As we move through 2024, the challenge is clear: rage can divide, but it can also unite. It can destroy, but it can also rebuild. The key lies in how we channel that energy.

“This isn’t just about the word itself; it’s about what it represents,” Ortega emphasized. “At Havas Red, we’re committed to helping our clients address the complexities of the modern world. Rage is a wake-up call, and we’re here to turn that energy into action,” he added.

So, next time you're scrolling through social media or engaging in a heated debate, remember: rage is not just a reaction. It's a tool—one that can drive meaningful change when used purposefully.

To learn more about how rage is shaping the global conversation and how it can be harnessed for good, visit www.redhavas.ph.
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EastWest Recognized in PDI-Statista Best Employers Awards

Wednesday, December 18, 2024


EastWest has been named one of the Philippines' Best Employers by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista, a global leader in data analytics and market research. This recognition comes as the Bank celebrates its 30th Anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an engaging and empowering workplace for its employees.

The nationwide survey evaluated thousands of companies with at least 250 employees, based on key criteria such as trust, satisfaction, and willingness to recommend their workplace. The acknowledgment underscores EastWest’s efforts to prioritize its workforce as a critical driver of its success and underscores its belief that its people are its greatest asset.

Commitment to Enabling Employees and Enhancing Engagement

EastWest’s inclusion in the PDI-Statista Best Employers list highlights its focus on creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace that empowers employees to thrive both personally and professionally. The Bank has rolled out a variety of initiatives designed to foster employee engagement, enablement, and well-being:

  • Continuous employee development and career enrichment, providing tools and opportunities for growth.
  • Team-building and culture-strengthening programs, promoting collaboration and shared success.
  • Recognition and appreciation efforts, ensuring employees feel valued and motivated.
  • Hybrid work arrangements and flexible workforce management, supporting work-life integration.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness support, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  • Improved processes through automation and technology, streamlining work and enhancing productivity.

These initiatives have significantly enhanced employee satisfaction, as reflected in the Bank’s View of the Workforce (V.o.W.) Engagement Survey, which shows a marked improvement in engagement levels. This is further supported by a steady decline in attrition rates and growing participation in various employee programs, with over 80,000 internal social media engagements and a rise in the Bank’s appeal in the talent market.

By continuously refining its People Advantage Gameplan, EastWest remains committed to positioning its employees as its greatest competitive advantage, ensuring they are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the Bank’s goals while achieving their own aspirations.

Further for You, Further with You

The survey's results align seamlessly with EastWest’s “Further for You” philosophy, which transcends customer service to prioritize the well-being, growth, and success of its employees. “This recognition inspires us to accelerate the implementation of our People Advantage Gameplan, firmly positioning our employees as the cornerstone of our competitive edge. Together, as one EastWest Bank, we will advance this agenda further for and with our employees,” shared Atty. Alfie Suarez, EVP and Chief People & Corporate Services Officer.

Building on this significant achievement, EastWest remains consistent in cultivating an inclusive and dynamic workplace that empowers its employees to excel. With this recognition from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista, EastWest is more committed than ever to creating an environment where its workforce can thrive, ensuring they deliver meaningful value to clients, partners, and the Filipino community while achieving their aspirations.
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UN Women and Australia celebrate the awardees of the 2024 Philippines WEPs Awards, launch the Gender Action Lab

2024 Philippines WEPs Awards

Winners in different categories awarded at the 2024 Philippines WEPs Awards held at the Marriott Hotel

UN Women Philippines, in partnership with the Australian Government, proudly hosted the 2024 Philippines Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards and launched the UN Women Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in the Asia-Pacific.

The WEPs Awards celebrates the actions of companies and leaders advancing gender equality within their organizations, value chains, and communities. Among the 20 Awardees, this year’s Winners included Ireen Catane of Schneider Electric (Leadership Commitment), Manila Water Company (Community Engagement and Partnerships), Schneider Electric (Gender-Inclusive Workplace), HSBC Electronic Data Processing (Transparency and Reporting), Pru Life UK (Gender-Responsive Marketplace) and The Spark Project (SME Champion) leading the private sector.

The Awards also welcomed Villgro Philippines as the Winner of the 2024 Highlighted category Innovative Financing, recognizing innovative approaches to funding women-led enterprises and gender lens investing.

“Achieving gender equality requires bold leadership and action from the private sector. Businesses hold a unique ability to disrupt inequalities and drive systemic change by embedding practices that promote gender equality into their operations, said Athena Denise Galao, OIC – Country Programme Coordinator, UN Women Philippines.

"This year’s Awards night celebrated trailblazers leading the way in closing gender gaps and promoting inclusive practices across industries,” added OIC Galao.

During the event, UN Women and Australia also launched the Philippines chapter of the Gender Action Lab – a dynamic regional platform that aims to drive innovation and action to advance gender equality, empower women, and build more inclusive economies across the Asia-Pacific.

In collaboration with the private sector, the Gender Action Lab will identify, pilot and scale up multi-stakeholder partnership initiatives, such as thematic innovation labs, hackathons, incubators and accelerators, policy labs, applied research initiatives, and other partnership programs.

“Gender equality is a key driver of economic progress and a core priority in Australia’s work in the Philippines. The Gender Action Lab will deliver tangible outcomes for women’s economic empowerment across the Philippines and the wider Asia-Pacific region, said H.E. HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Aust), Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.

The WEPs Awards, first established in the Asia-Pacific region in 2020, emerged as an innovative approach to accelerate the implementation of the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – a set of 7 principles that provide companies a roadmap to advance gender equality throughout their value chain. With 180 Philippine companies now signed onto the WEPs, the movement for inclusive workplaces, marketplaces and communities continues to gain momentum across the country. WEPs Awardees from the Philippines will have an exceptional opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and best practices at the upcoming 2025 Regional WEPs Forum. The event will bring together companies and business leaders who are driving significant impact and making remarkable strides in women’s economic empowerment.

The Awards night concluded with the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) signing the WEPs. “We celebrate the new WEPs signatories – this sends a strong signal that businesses of all sizes and sectors can contribute to creating more equitable workplaces and communities,” said Ambassador Yu.

The Awards night was graced by key figures who played pivotal roles in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Philippines, including Matija Kovač, Head of the UN Philippines Resident Coordinator’s Office; Delia Albert, former Ambassador to Australia and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Ermelita Valdeavilla, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women; Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, UN Women Champion, author, and entrepreneur; and Bianca Gonzalez, UN Women Philippines Celebrity Champion.
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GoTyme Bank Marks Year 2 with 5 Million Users

GoTyme

Innovative features and top-tier service cement GoTyme Bank’s position as the fastest-growing bank in the Philippines

In just two years since its launch, GoTyme Bank reaches an unprecedented 5 million-user milestone, proving that simple, beautiful banking continues to resonate with Filipinos. The achievement further underscores how the bank’s mission— to unlock its customers’ financial potential through innovative and accessible products and services—is one that fills a huge gap in the local banking landscape.


To celebrate this milestone, GoTyme Bank will be treating its loyal customers to a limited-time treat, bringing back its 5% annual savings rate from January 1 to February 28, 2025. This rate comes with no limits, no conditions, and no missions—just straightforward savings.

Why Filipinos Are Making the Switch

GoTyme Bank redefines banking in the Philippines with a customer-centric approach that continues to attract customers of all ages and backgrounds. Its key features include:

  • Seamless account creation: Open an account in just five minutes via the GoTyme Bank app or at over 500 GoTyme Bank kiosks nationwide.
  • Beautiful app interface: An intuitive app design that prioritizes ease of use.
  • Innovative banking solutions: GoTyme Bank offers Mobile Check Deposit, three free weekly Instapay transfers (with ₱8 per transfer thereafter), free ATM withdrawals abroad, and the lowest foreign transaction fees.
  • Wider accessibility: Deposit and withdraw cash at over 5,000 Robinsons Retail stores and 7-Eleven branches nationwide.
  • Rewards on every transaction: Earn Go Rewards points for spending and saving using the GoTyme Bank app and GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Card.

GoTyme Bank Sees Further Growth in 2025

GoTyme Bank expects to sustain its rapid growth with new features set to launch in 2025. Customers can look forward to:Consumer credit: GoTyme Bank will be launching consumer credit products to cater to various needs, starting with Buy Now Pay Later, where users can pay for purchases in easy, low-fee payment options that are lighter on the pocket.

Crypto trading: Buying, holding, and selling cryptocurrencies will soon be possible within the GoTyme app.

Remittance via SWIFT: Send and receive money internationally via SWIFT using your GoTyme account.

Cash Recycler Machines: Deposit and withdraw cash at the same machine, available for both GoTyme and non-GoTyme accounts.

“Reaching 5 million customers in under two years is a testament to the trust that Filipinos have placed in GoTyme Bank. We are both humbled and inspired by the support of our customers. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to further accelerate growth with the aim of making banking beautiful for over 9 million customers by the end of the year.” says Nate Clarke, CEO of GoTyme Bank.

“Offering credit is the next milestone in our journey to unlock the financial potential of Filipinos. With the launch of our Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) product, we’re giving customers the flexibility to manage purchases in easy, low-fee installments. This is just the start, as we continue to develop new credit products that empower Filipinos to achieve their financial goals with confidence” says Albert Tinio, Co-CEO of GoTyme Bank.

GoTyme Bank has solidified its place as the fastest-growing bank in the Philippines, earning recognition for excellence in customer experience across both digital and traditional banking. As it ventures into its third year, it remains committed to building meaningful relationships with its users and transforming the country’s financial landscape, one beautifully effortless transaction at a time.

For more information, visit www.gotymebank.com.ph or download the app to experience #BankingMadeBeautiful.



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Reimagining Payments with Visa: Key Trends Shaping the Future of 2025

Friday, December 13, 2024

Visa Payment

Innovations and consumer-driven shifts redefining the payments landscape—empowering seamless, secure, and smarter transactions in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Payments are undergoing a significant evolution, driven by advancements in technology and evolving consumer behaviors. In 2025, the payment landscape globally and in the Philippines is set to become more seamless, secure, and interconnected, according to Visa, a global leader in payments technology. These changes reflect a broader movement toward efficiency and inclusivity, reshaping how individuals and businesses engage with digital transactions.

This shift unlocks diverse purchasing opportunities and fosters greater confidence in embracing global e-commerce. At the same time, businesses harness innovative tools to optimize operations, elevate customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge in a tech-driven market. With the expansion of cross-border e-commerce and the adoption of dynamic security frameworks, here’s a closer look at the trends redefining how Filipinos pay, shop, and do business in 2025.

Trend #1: E-commerce will continue to expand Filipino shoppers’ horizons to explore global retail


E-commerce has been a game-changer, enabling consumers to have unprecedented access to retail options from all over the world. In 2025, the trend toward cross-border shopping will continue to gain momentum, thanks to growing consumer confidence and innovations in digital platforms.

According to Visa’s Green Shoots Radar Survey, Filipino consumers shopping on cross-border e-commerce sites rose from 27% in 2023 to 32% in 2024. Nearly one in five Filipino shoppers now makes an overseas e-commerce purchase every month. This upward trajectory highlights a shift in consumer behavior with Filipinos exploring global markets with increasing ease and enthusiasm.

Emerging technologies, such as video commerce, are set to enhance this experience further. Video-based shopping, which blends entertainment with transactions, offers a more interactive and engaging journey for buyers. As these innovations take hold, 2025 promises to make cross-border shopping more intuitive and enjoyable, unlocking a world of opportunities for both consumers and businesses.

Trend #2: Connected Commerce Redefines Ease in B2B Payments for Filipino Enterprises

The concept of connected commerce is transforming the way Filipino enterprises handle B2B transactions. By integrating seamless global wallet connectivity and real-time payment options, businesses both large and small can now transact across borders with remarkable ease, which will be beneficial for SMEs hoping to grow their businesses.

In 2025, solutions like Visa Direct will lead the charge by providing interoperable real-time payment (RTP) networks capable of processing multiple currencies. These advancements address long-standing pain points in cross-border transactions, offering businesses flexibility through features that support multiple payment preferences—be it debit, credit, or installment—and advanced AI-driven fraud prevention.

This unified approach to global payment systems not only simplifies processes but also enhances efficiency and trust. For Filipino enterprises, it paves the way to stronger competitiveness in the international market by enabling faster, more secure, and cost-effective payment solutions.

Trend # 3: Dynamic Security Elevates Trust as Payments Transform for Filipinos

As digital payments gain further traction, ensuring security becomes paramount. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported Philippines’ improved ranking in the United Nations Global Security Index, with the Philippines actively closing the cybersecurity gap, by providing technical skills, collaborating with other countries, organizing cybersecurity efforts, and building capacity to fight cyber threats.

By 2025, dynamic security frameworks will become best practice in helping to redefine the payment experience, blending cutting-edge technologies with consumer trust. AI-powered fraud prevention and machine learning are pivotal in this evolution. These technologies enable businesses, such as banks, to anticipate and neutralize cyber threats, fostering a resilient digital payment ecosystem. Solutions like Visa’s tokenization and Consumer Authentication Service (VCAS) are reducing fraud risks while maintaining seamless transactions. VCAS, for instance, leverages Risk-Based Authentication (RBA), which uses data-driven insights such as device details and past spending patterns to assess risks in real-time. Compared to traditional OTP SMS, VCAS supports next-gen out-of-band authentication methods, enabling cardholders to verify transactions through biometrics, facial recognition, and more. This approach eliminates unnecessary challenges, providing frictionless transactions while enhancing security.

Additionally, Generative AI is emerging as a transformative force in personalizing payment experiences. The concept of “self-driving” finance—where AI automates and optimizes financial decisions—will redefine convenience for Filipino consumers. Visa has invested more than US$10 billion in AI and data infrastructure over the past 10 years to transform the payments experience. Businesses, too, will benefit from real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection, creating a safer environment for all.

Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: “As the world becomes more interconnected, reimagining payments goes beyond just technological innovation—it’s about creating a seamless, secure, and accessible ecosystem that enables individuals and businesses to navigate the global economy with confidence. This means developing payment solutions that not only enhance convenience but also ensure safety and inclusivity, empowering people from all walks of life to participate in the digital economy. At Visa, we are committed to continuously evolving the digital payments landscape, making sure that our solutions are not just advanced but also inclusive, providing access to all.”

With innovations ranging from AI-driven fraud prevention and real-time payments to dynamic security frameworks, Visa continues to empower Filipinos to engage confidently in the global economy, creating new opportunities and driving growth for individuals and businesses alike. As we welcome 2025, Visa continues to shape the future of payments and continue opening new doors for seamless, secure, and inclusive digital transactions, further transforming the way Filipinos pay, shop, and do business.
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Restorative Economy effort that Blends Conservation and Community Empowerment: Practice from Indonesia and Philippines

Skelas

Southeast Asia faces escalating economic challenges, including global fragmentation, geopolitical shifts, and the climate crisis. To tackle these issues, the region must adopt new economic models beyond extractive industries, such as the restorative economy, which restores ecosystems to support local economies.

Environmental degradation from extractive practices has severe global impacts, with 87% of wetlands lost since the Industrial Revolution, harming biodiversity, water resources, and flood prevention. Land degradation affects 3.2 billion people and costs the global economy $9.4 trillion annually.

While still emerging, restorative efforts are growing in Southeast Asia, focusing on land use, sustainable tourism, and recycling. A key example of restorative efforts is the Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines, established in the 1990s, this 430-hectare site, once devastated by illegal logging and land clearing, now thrives as a hub of conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism, protecting limestone karsts, forests, and biodiversity.

Youth as The Agent of Restorative Economy

In Siak Regency, Indonesia, a restorative economic activity is also underway in its infancy through Skelas, a creative platform driven by Siak’s youth. The platform has succeeded in creating food innovations that not only benefit environmental sustainability but also have a positive impact on the local economy. One is the innovation of gluten-free premix flour that uses modified cassava flour (mocaf) and rice bran as raw materials.

Skelas has supported Santi Lestari, a 41-year-old mother, who is behind the creation of this gluten-free premix flour. Santi said that the motivation behind making this premix flour was her concern about the difficulty of finding gluten-free food ingredients and the desire to utilize the potential of local food ingredients.

"Initially, my third child was diagnosed by a doctor as having ADHD, so it was recommended to reduce wheat consumption so that the nervous disorder would not continue. Because there weren't many choices, I tried to make my basic ingredients for Kemojo cake because it's my child's favorite food," she said.

Starting from concern for her child's health, Santi began researching and developing her product under Dapur Mempura in 2019 during the pandemic. Then, Santi joined the Siak Sustainable Business Incubation (KUBISA) program from the Siak Sustainable Creative Center (SKELAS) to develop her product for 6 months. The program is aimed to support sustainable business actors in Siak in achieving business prosperity while maintaining environmental sustainability.

The process of making this gluten-free premix flour goes through several stages, starting from designing the recipe, finding the right composition of raw materials, processing the texture, and testing the taste of the resulting product. In this case, Santi and her team work intensively with PT Alam Siak Lestari, which oversees the Siak Innovation Lab, to ensure that the products produced are safe and under applicable standards.

The advantages of this gluten-free premix flour lie not only in its natural raw materials but also in its ease of use. In addition to being easy and fast, this premix flour is very practical so that anyone can use it themselves. Therefore, this product has the potential to be distributed not only in the Siak region but also to the entire Riau region.

From Field to Table

Kemojo Cake

Uniquely, this premix flour is not just a food product. Behind each package is a story about the restorative economy that is being built. By using mocaf flour and rice bran as the main ingredients, this product provides added value for local farmers.

Bran itself is a by-product of rice processing; usually, this bran is only used as animal feed and is not used by farmers further. However, since the development of bolu kemojo, Mrs. Santi has always bought the bran, thus providing additional income for farmers. Apart from providing additional economic benefits, using local bran will have a better impact on nature because of the reduction of waste during the rice processing. For mocaf flour itself, previously Mrs. Santi did buy it from outside parties, but the Siak Innovation Lab program itself has succeeded in encouraging the production of local Mocaf flour.

This certainly helps farmers and surrounding communities increasingly facing challenges from the climate crisis and land degradation, which reduce their ability to get the right results from agricultural cultivation. Ahmad, one of the farmers, said that the increasing land degradation in his area makes it difficult for him to get the harvest according to market needs.

"Sometimes it's difficult, especially during the dry season, because the crops fail to harvest. Land is also limited, while the need to supply is increasing, and we must adjust prices to continue producing and surviving," said Ahmad.

The Potential of Indonesia's Healthy Food Industry to Restore the Surrounding Economy

Innovations in local food ingredients, such as premix flour from Dapur Mempura, encourage other local businesses to add economic value. Santi shared her transformation from a housewife into an MSME manager who employs several kitchens in Siak. This received a positive response from the local government.

"We see the positive impact of various innovations in local food ingredients on the development of the local economy. Innovations such as this natural ingredient premix flour meet nutritional needs but also respect village agricultural land, creating a sustainable ecosystem that synergizes with each other," said Cerli Febri, from Skelas.

Cerli also hopes that this product can be a trigger for the growth of a sustainable economy in Siak, that goes beyond a food ecosystem, creating a conservation effort that has holistic tourist destinations like Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines. So that people can no longer need to depend on extractive economic policy.

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Chevron Enhances Safety with Solar Street Light Donation in Misamis Oriental Communities


Chevron facilitates the installment of solar street lights at Brgy. Palilan and Brgy. Tabo-o to enhance road safety and improve visibility for the residents.

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of Caltex fuel and lubricants recently donated solar street lights to Brgy. Palilan and Brgy. Tabo-o in Misamis Occidental, underscoring its commitment to enhancing safety in host communities. Chevron operates a terminal in both barangays—the same terminal that serves several Caltex stations in Misamis Oriental, including in Cagayan de Oro, the province's largest city.

The solar lights illuminate key pathways and roads crisscrossing the barangays. By providing reliable lighting, Chevron aims to reduce the risks associated with poorly lit areas, fostering a safer environment for the community and travelers. This initiative is particularly crucial in emergencies, such as power outages or natural disasters, where adequate lighting is vital for safe navigation and evacuation.

The people of Barangay Palilan and Barangay Tabo-o expressed their deep gratitude to Chevron for its generous donation, which has significantly benefited their community. The installation of solar streetlights has enhanced illumination and improved safety for both residents and tourists, particularly at night. The new lighting has made the streets safer and more secure, alleviating concerns about poorly lit areas.

“At Chevron, we are proud to support communities through donations like this. We will continue to pursue initiatives that enhance safety for our local communities, " said Irven Walter Abenojar, Terminal Operator Associate, CPI.

Chevron's commitment to supporting local communities is evident through this project, reflecting its dedication to sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for residents. The company looks forward to building on this initial effort with future initiatives that further promote community welfare.
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