Teleperformance Philippines inducted as Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride member, awarded for HIV/AIDS advocacy

Teleperformance Philippines has been inducted to the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride and received the 
Duyan Ambassador Award from Project Red Ribbon for the company’s strong support for the HIV/AIDS advocacy campaign

Teleperformance Philippines was recently inducted as the newest member of the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) at the 6th Annual PFIP Gala held at the Forbes Ballroom, Conrad Manila, Pasay City.

PFIP is a collaborative, voluntary and non-profit community of practice composed of dedicated representatives from LGBT+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or Human Resource/Diversity Teams of the financial service industry. PFIP aims to foster an industry that is safe and inclusive for LGBT+, with key thrusts including promoting gender identity and sexual orientation to create an inclusive and safe working environment and to leverage on effective education programs and diversity training on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression across member organizations, among others. 

Teleperformance pledged to fully support the goals of the organization, as Teleperformance Philippines’ Diversity and Inclusion Manager Philip del Rosario shared, “Teleperformance is looking forward to working alongside our peers in the industry who share the belief that nurturing workplaces where people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression can bring and live their authentic selves in both ethical responsibility and a critical business imperative.”

During the event, Teleperformance Philippines also received the Duyan Ambassador Award from Project Red Ribbon for its strong support for the HIV/AIDS advocacy campaign. The award was received by Senior Director for Communications and Marketing Marilyn Ventenilla along with Manager for Diversity and Inclusion Philip Del Rosario. 

Teleperformance has been active in its advocacy and awareness campaign and holds the distinction of one of the first companies in the country to establish a comprehensive HIV/AIDS information program with strong ties with the Department of Health, and Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundations, Inc.

To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines and their various programs, you may visit their website at www.teleperformance.ph/en-us or their Facebook page at /teleperformance.philippines.

UP screens Imelda Marcos docu ‘The Kingmaker’ Jan. 29

Due to popular demand for more screenings of the critically acclaimed documentary film “The Kingmaker”, the University of the Philippines Film Center, Dakila and Active Vista will mount an on-campus screening at Cine Adarna on Wednesday, January 29, at 7 p.m. The UP screening coincides with the 50th anniversary of the First Quarter Storm, the 1970 student leaders protest against the government of Ferdinand Marcos that prompted the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.

A gala screening will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Jan. 29 as well.

The documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield centers on former first lady Imelda Marcos, the wife of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos whose regime was stained with atrocities including human rights violations, disappearance of political dissidents, and widespread corruption.

“The Kingmaker” highlights Imelda’s confident rewriting of the Marcos family’s disturbing legacy with a narrative of a matriarch’s extravagant love for her country.

Beginning in 2014, Greenfield conducted interviews and filmed verité footage with Imelda Marcos herself, chronicling her present-day effort to restore the family to power in the Philippines, as well as filmed Bongbong Marcos’ 2016 vice-presidential campaign.

During the same period, Greenfield also talked to victims of the Marcos regime, from former Martial Law detainees to an elder Calauit resident who had been evicted from the island to make way for the Marcos’ private menagerie. 

The 100-minute documentary had its world premiere at the 2019 Venice Film Festival, followed by screenings at the 2019 Telluride, Toronto, and London Film Festivals—the first documentary film to be invited to all four of these top festivals. “The Kingmaker” has since garnered a Writers Guild Nomination, three Critics’ Choice Nominations, as well as the Critics’ Choice honor for the “Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary.”

The screening will begin at 7 pm, followed by a panel discussion. Get tickets for Philippine premiere of “The Kingmaker” at http://bit.ly/TicketsKINGMAKER or purchase them directly at the UP Film Center Ticket Booth on the screening date for 200 pesos

Justin Bieber officially joins TikTok

Is it too late now to say sorry that we’re not sorry?
Justin Bieber is officially on TikTok! On the cusp of releasing his highly anticipated new album, the hearthrob who we’ve loved for over a decade posted his video.

The effect is used in the TikTok trend where users share their own transformations and glow-ups. Currently already has over 2.3M followers. 

Check him out at @justinbieber.

VIDEO

♬ Yummy - Justin Bieber

@justinbieber DO YOUR YUMMY

The short-form video app empowers others to be themselves and express their creative ideas through a suite of editing tools and creative effects. No matter what music you’re dancing to, TikTok is where you’ll find light-hearted, joyful and eccentric videos that you might not see anywhere else.

Get lucky this Chinese New Year with PayMaya’s amazing cashback deals!

 Gong xi fa cai! It’s time to usher in prosperity and good luck this Year of the Metal Rat. Whether you’re shopping or giving Ang Pao to your loved ones, PayMaya is making your Chinese New Year celebration more rewarding.

Sharing best wishes to celebrate Chinese New Year with Ang Paos? Make it digital! 

It’s definitely the perfect time for you to wish good luck to people who matter most with PayMaya’s Digital Ang Pao! Through the app’s Send Money feature, you can easily gift your Digital Ang Pao to another PayMaya user without having to deal with the hassles of cash and red paper envelopes. The best part is you can get up to P200 cashback when you participate in the Send Money promos. You can get up to P100 when you send at least P200 every day and an additional P100 when you send a total of P10,000.

Satisfy your Chinese food cravings and enjoy up to 100% cashback when you #ScanToPay at PayMaya QR partners such as Panda Express, East Asia Hotpot, Four Seasons Hotpot, Tong Yang, Mann Hann and select Chowking branches nationwide.

You can also double your luck when you #ScanToPay this January 25 - 26 because PayMaya is giving you two chances of getting up to 100% cashback when you shop or dineat partner QR merchants. On top of that, you can get an additional P150 cashback when you spend an accumulated P5,000.  


Of course, PayMaya’s popular shopping cashback promos are still here for you to enjoy. Attract good fortune and score up to 100% cashback when you use your virtual or physical PayMaya card online or in-stores! You can also get another P150 cashback when you spend an accumulated P5,000.

  

All of these amazing deals are part of PayMaya’s shopping promos which will run until January 31, 2020.


Start your good fortune by signing up for a PayMaya account today! Just download the PayMaya app for FREE on the Google Play Store or App Store, register for an account, and start shopping with the most rewarding and hassle-free way to pay! 


This Chinese New Year, welcome new beginnings and opportunities with the people you cherish– celebrate, forget past mistakes, and offer thanksgiving. Make your shopping and gifting this new year more convenient and rewarding by going cashless with PayMaya. 


To find out more about all the exclusive deals that you can get with your PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ALL-STAR LINE UP OF OPM ACTS AND CELEBRITY GUESTS LEAD GRAND CHINESE NEW YEAR 2020 CELEBRATION

Get ready for the biggest celebration to kick off the Year of the Rat! The Office of the Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, in cooperation with the Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc. (FCGCCI), and Manila Chinatown Development Council is holding several activities to celebrate the new year. Join the Chinese New Year Countdown 2020 Street Party, happening this January 24, 2020 from 7PM-12MN at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila. 

The show will feature special celebrity guests, and some of the biggest acts in OPM including Parokya Ni Edgar, Sponge Cola, Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Ex-Battalion,  Darren Espanto, Angeline Quinto, Janine Berdin and many more musical acts to keep the night festive. Also joining the festivities are all-star celebrity guests from ABS-CBN and GMA including Joshua Garcia, Derrick Monasterio, and Rita Daniela. 

To top the New Year Countdown off will be a 30-minute grand firework display to start the year with a big bang. The following day, January 25 will see a Grand Float Parade which will travel along the streets of Binondo and Sta. Cruz, also featuring special celebrity guests. 

This is one grand celebration you wouldn’t wanna miss! ADMISSION IS FREE for all events.

PCV 10 and PCV 13 vaccines can save your child's life

My kids were vaccinated from childbirth until their teenage years. Since I worked in a hospital, immunization is free of charge to us, regular employees. I was just thankful that all of my  children (who are now grown ups)  availed all the vaccination and shots they needed during their growing up years. 

My children's pediatrician thought us that vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly diseases, such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria, but they also keep other children safe by eliminating  dangerous diseases that used to spread from child to child. I remember my kids had the shots from BCG, DPT to boosters. I thanked God that they never had a complicated disease up to this day and was only hospitalized twice due to viral diagnoses. 

As of this writing I wasnt fully aware of PCV 10 and PCV 13 vaccines.  It was  only during a public health forum held at Manila Hotel that speaker Dr. Lulu Bravo informed us of the importance of the said vaccinations. PCV 13 is available from your Pediatrician from around P3k to P3500 per shot, it depends on the manufacturer or pharma. 

PCV is pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are currently licensed for infant vaccination against pneumococcus. 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and  Ten-valent PCV (PCV10). 
In layman's term, it protect against pneumococcal infections, which are caused by bacteria. The bacteria spread through person-to-person contact and can cause such serious infections as pneumonia, blood infections, and bacterial meningitis which are all deadly. 

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination joined by Atty. Tom Syquija, former Executive Director of Procurement Service- Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PS-PhilGEPS) helped us educate why is there a need for PCV 10 and PCV 13 to be administered and that a public bidding is needed for procurement of the said vaccines. 

A stronger push towards more competitive bidding is key to regaining public confidence in vaccines, said experts from both the public and private sector during a public health forum held at the Manila Hotel last Wednesday.

“It's always best to have a public bidding, because competition will give you the best price. It is transparent,” noted Tom Syquija, former Executive Director of Procurement Service- Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PS-PhilGEPS). “You get the same quality but at the lowest price. It's always best for the public if you have competition,” he added.

The budget for pneumonia vaccines alone is P4.9 billion, allotted for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs), which aim to guard against Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPDs), the largest cause of death for Filipino children under five. 

Currently, there are two vaccines available for the government to procure during the next budget allocation, PCV 10 and PCV 13, two vaccines that global health experts claim are comparable in performance.

In February 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed an earlier position saying that the two available PCVs are equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal diseases in children. The position paper also states that there is at present insufficient evidence of a difference in the net impact of the two available PCVs on overall disease burden.

“The WHO has already come out saying that there’s really no difference between the two,” said Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, when discussing the efficacy of the two PCVs. “Many developing countries have already procured PCV 10.”

Similarly, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in its own study said that available evidence to date indicates significant impact of both PCV10 and PCV13 in the outcomes studied, with no evidence of the superiority of one vaccine over the other on pneumonia, Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPD), or meningitis hospitalization reduction in children under 5 years old.

In turn, the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), in their 2017 PCV product assessment which was based on a comprehensive review of published data, also declared that current evidence does not indicate an added benefit with one vaccine over the other.

Syquija highlighted that the competitive bidding process should be accompanied by the scrutiny and recommendation of legitimate health experts, which would help allay concerns over whether the procured vaccine has carefully been studied or not.

“The first thing to ask is, what is appropriate for the Philippines? How many manufacturers make PCV13? How many PCV10?” said Syquija. “You need a decision on an expert level. What product do we need? Then it will dictate the modality of the procurement.”

Even when the procurement process is transparent, there is a danger in the way it is implemented, claimed Syquija. The bid posted by the government is required to list specifications regarding the item to be procured. It is possible to “tailor-fit” the bid by listing specifications that unnecessarily cut other options out, making it difficult to protect the sanctity of the contract.

“Do we need a PCV10? If that is sufficient, and has multiple suppliers, why would you go for 13 if there is only one (supplier)?” he said.

There is also a concern among health experts that the resurgence of diseases and the potential exacerbation of currently prominent sicknesses, like pneumonia and meningitis, will become a larger problem should the public's fear towards vaccines continues to persist.

Experts believe that vaccine confidence is a critical issue, especially since pneumonia is a very common disease in children here and abroad. Of the hundreds of countries in the world, the Philippines is included in the top 15 countries in terms of pneumonia deaths, and those 15 countries are responsible for 75% of all deaths from pneumonia.

“In the last year or so we had so many outbreaks. Since 2018, nawala ang vaccine confidence ng Pilipinas. Isa tayong country na naging number one anti-vaccine country in the world,” said Dr. Bravo, “The vaccine confidence of 93% in 2015 plunged to 30 percent in 2018.”

“Patients, people, and the community, would drive away the healthcare workers. They were being stoned, they were being driven away, and were even called child-killers,” she added.

In an earlier statement, the DOH pointed to vaccine hesitancy, or the refusal of vaccines despite availability, as one of the reasons for the recent measles outbreak in some regions of the country.

LG Gives Back to Taal eruption victims

Due to Taal Volcano’s recent phreatic eruption and the current alert level, more than 26,000 people were forced to seek shelter in temporary evacuation centers, most of them losing their homes and livelihoods.

LG Philippines, in keeping with its mission of always giving back to the community, immediately did their part to help alleviate the living conditions of the Batangas evacuees.  

For four days starting January 21st, LG visited the main evacuation centers in the Taal area and staged its popular Laundry Love program, beginning with Alfonso Central School for the first two days, then Kaylaway National Highschool and DOH Rehab Center the following days. 

LG brought with them ten of their heavy duty washing machines, hoping to give the evacuees access to clean and volcanic ash-free clothing, both from their own belongings and from the donations received as well. Aside from the Laundry Love campaign, LG also conducted medical missions in the area to give physical and optical checkups for the evacuees.

For the children in the evacuation centers, LG treated them with fun games and entertainment, including a Netflix viewing station fitted with two LG UHD TVs, book coloring activities, and giving out popcorn and cotton candies for everyone to enjoy.

LG PH Managing Director Inkwun Heo spearheaded the initiative immediately upon learning of the plight of those affected by Taal’s eruption. “Our heart is with the Filipino people. Corporate Social Responsibility is the backbone of what we do at LG. We sincerely hope that the worst is over for the Taal community, but rest assured that LG will always be there to help in any way we can.”

Diversity and inclusivity in the workplace

(L-R) AXA Philippines chief financial officer Ronaldo San Jose, chief human resources officer Jaspreet Kakar, Project Inclusion Network executive director Grant Javier, and operations lead Jim Nemeño 


AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has partnered with Project Inclusion Network to promote diversity and inclusion further inside its organization. 

Project Inclusion Network is a non-government organization that helps persons with disabilities (PWDs) find jobs by partnering with local and multinational companies in the Philippines. 

AXA Philippines president and chief executive officer Rahul Hora says, “Our partnership with Project Inclusion Network is an important milestone for us, as AXA Philippines becomes an avenue where people of varied backgrounds, lifestyles, and orientations can feel that they are accepted and that they can contribute to society.”  

“AXA is doing its share in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities,” explains Project Inclusion Network executive director Grant Javier. “This partnership is a way for both AXA and Project Inclusion to fulfil their commitments and missions.”

AXA Philippines has been supporting and advocating an open and welcoming workplace, providing equal opportunities for all its employees. Its employee benefits include the Global Parent Policy where the primary parent - from biological and adoptive to same sex and single parents - get 112 days of parent leave with pay. 

For more information on AXA and its career opportunities, visit www.axa.com.ph.

Make your Chinese New Year celebrations unforgettable and auspicious with Goldilocks!

Many Filipinos welcome the Chinese New Year with many practices that are said to bring good luck for the coming year.  Traditions such as Dragon and Lion Dances, AngPao, fireworks, and delicious tikoy cakes are staples during this celebration. 

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, is happy to release their limited-edition Chinese New Year Theme Cake made especially for the year of the Metal Rat.  There is no better way to celebrate than with the world’s most famous mouse, Mickey Mouse!  Goldilocks is the authorized licensee of Disney theme cakes in the country.

Make your Chinese New Year celebrations unforgettable and auspicious with Goldilocks! Grab these and other goodies from January 25-26, 2020 at any Goldilocks Bakeshop stores nationwide. For more information, you may follow @GoldilocksPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph. 

Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, stars of the Netflix film To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, will spread kilig in the Philippines in February

 💕


Get ready for an unforgettable Valentine’s this year! Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, the stars of Netflix’s To All the Boys films (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and the upcoming To All The Boys: PS I Still Love You), will visit the Philippines to show love to all their fans. 

As a special treat, fans can see Lana and Noah on February 15 at the #TATBPhilippines fan event, following the release of To All The Boys: PS I Still Love You on February 12, only on Netflix. 

The special fan event will take place at Glorietta II Activity Centre, Ayala Center, 6811 Ayala Ave, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila, Philippines, from 5 pm onwards, February 15, 2020. Entry on first come, first served basis. Fans can follow @NetflixPH on Instagram and Facebook for more details. 



SYNOPSIS

It’s a new year and Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo) are no longer pretending to be a couple. They ARE a couple. And, as Lara Jean navigates a trove of official firsts with Peter — her first real kiss, her first real date, her first Valentine’s Day — she finds herself leaning more on Kitty and Margot (Anna Cathcart and Janel Parrish), Chris (Madeleine Arthur), and an unexpected new confidant, Stormy (Holland Taylor), to help her manage the complex emotions that come with this new chapter of balancing a relationship and figuring out her authentic self.

But when John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher), another recipient of one of Lara Jean’s old love letters, enters her life again she must rely on herself more than ever as she’s confronted with her first real dilemma: Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

Starring Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, John Corbett, Sarayu Blue, Ross Butler, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranc, Trezzo Mahoro, and Holland Taylor

Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling YA romance novel, P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Directed by Michael Fimognari

Written by Sofia Alvarez & J. Mills Goodloe

Produced by Matt Kaplan


@netflixph 
@toalltheboysnetflix 
#TATBPhilippines

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You launches on February 12 only on Netflix.

Netflix partners with Studio Ghibli for its best-in-class library of animated films

Fans in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America will be able to enjoy films from the Academy Award-winning Japanese art house behind 
Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro


Netflix announced today that beginning on February 1, 21 films from Studio Ghibli, the Academy Award-winning Japanese art house, will be made available on the service globally (excluding US, Canada, Japan), through distribution partner Wild Bunch International, as part of the company’s continued efforts to grow its best-in-class library of animated films. 

For the first time ever, this expansive catalogue of Studio Ghibli films will be subtitled in 28 languages, and dubbed in up to 20 languages. This partnership will enable fans in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America to enjoy beloved classics, such as Academy Award-winner Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Arrietty, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, among others, in their native languages. 

Producer Toshio Suzuki at Studio Ghibli said, “In this day and age, there are various great ways a film can reach audiences. We’ve listened to our fans and have made the definitive decision to stream our film catalogue. We hope people around the world will discover the world of Studio Ghibli through this experience”. 

Vincent Maraval, Chief Executive Officer at Wild Bunch International said, “In finding the best digital partner for Studio Ghibli, our most valuable and faithful collaborators for 20 years, the Netflix team convinced us with their consistent love and energy for finding the best ways to promote the incredible and unique catalogue worldwide with respect to the Studio Ghibli philosophy”. 

Aram Yacoubian, Director of Original Animation at Netflix, said, “Studio Ghibli is world-renowned for creating visually stunning, original animated films that have enthralled fans for over 35 years. We are excited and humbled to help make this catalogue of films easier to discover and access, and believe that these masterpieces will resonate with even more fans around the world now that they are available in more languages. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of fans into the whimsical worlds and wonderful protagonists created by the amazing artists of Studio Ghibli.”

Below is the release schedule for Studio Ghibli films on Netflix: 

● February 1, 2020:
○ Castle in the Sky (1986), 
My Neighbor Totoro (1988), 
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), 
Only Yesterday (1991), 
Porco Rosso (1992), 
Ocean Waves (1993), 
Tales from Earthsea (2006)

● March 1, 2020:
○ Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), 
Princess Mononoke (1997), 
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), 
Spirited Away (2001), 
The Cat Returns (2002), 
Arrietty (2010), 
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

● April 1, 2020:
○ Pom Poko (1994), 
Whisper of the Heart (1995), 
Howl's Moving Castle (2004), 
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008), 
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), 
The Wind Rises (2013), 
When Marnie Was There (2014)