Pascual Lab and World Vision Development Foundation, join hands to bring hope to children in need through CHOSEN

Amidst this looming pandemic, Pascual Lab and international child-focused organization World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (World Vision) join hands to bring hope to children in need through the child sponsorship initiative, CHOSEN.  

Through CHOSEN, children are given the chance and opportunity to pick their sponsors.  In most sponsorship programs, children sometimes wait for a long time before they get selected. Through this charity program, they are given the chance to take hold of their future by doing the choosing.

To empower these underprivileged children in World Vision-assisted communities and to share them financial assistance and essentials through CHOSEN, the organization’s Philippine branch reached out to PascualLab, one of the most trusted pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines¹ and over 140 employees heeded the call.   

Through their sponsorship, PascualLab will be able to assist more than their original target of 75 children - a number symbolic of PascualLab’s years in the industry. And through this novel way of sponsorship, PascualLab hopes to help spread love, as its anniversary theme #PascualLove speaks of, during a time when it is so easy to see things in a negative light.  

PascualLab Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Jose Augusto Pascual said: 
“In these bleak and uncertain times, people latch on to any glimmer of hope they can find in their day-to-day lives. And so late last year, when the World Vision team initially proposed the idea of their charity program CHOSEN, we thought it was something that could give a ray of light to those in need. For PascualLab, it would enable our 
Family Members to reach out to underprivileged Filipino children and to share some PascualLOVE, given the situation we were and still are in, and the challenges that we continue to face.” 

World Vision’s National Director Rommel Fuerte thanked PascualLab especially its volunteer employees, who signed up to be chosen as sponsors.  “With your support, children and their families can have access to healthcare, quality education as well as programs on livelihood, safety, and spiritual development,” he said.

 

The partnership was recently sealed in a virtual MoA signing between the two teams led by Fuerte and Pascual, Mia Pascual Cenzon, PascualLab VP for Corporate HROD and Design Services and Corporate Communications, and World Vision Director for Resource and Development Director Santos Godornes, Jr.

AirAsia to fly in vaccines from Sinovac BioTech, Gamaleya Institute and Pfizer-BioNTech in the coming weeks and months

AirAsia recently secured a regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines packed in dry ice, allowing the airline to participate in the largest humanitarian effort of bringing hope to various destinations in the Philippines.

 

The authorization from CAAP came just in time for the expected arrival of the bulk of vaccines from Sinovac BioTech, Gamaleya Institute and Pfizer-BioNTech in the coming weeks and months.

 

According to National Task Force Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez, the country is expecting the delivery of 1,000,000 doses of CoronaVac, 480,000 doses of Sputnik V, 195,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines and 20,000 doses of Gamaleya towards the end of April while  Moderna is  slated to begin the delivery of 13,000,000 vaccine doses starting June and July 2021.

   

AirAsia targets to transport COVID-19 vaccines from  Manila to Cebu and Davao starting this week, to be followed immediately by Clark and Zamboanga, and other routes such as  Bacolod, Bohol, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, General Santos City and Puerto Princesa utilizing the Airbus A320.

 

AirAsia also expressed willingness to mount chartered cargo flights to other destinations not presently covered by its existing route network to facilitate prompt delivery of much needed vaccines.

 

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “We have actively participated in different humanitarian projects in the past through a series of humanitarian flights to bring the much-needed help especially in the provinces which are not yet part of the AirAsia route network. Bringing the vaccines to the farthest localities in the provinces isn’t much of a challenge for us.

 

“Our business model used to be purely air transport. The pandemic made us rethink and reassess areas that are essential. You can be assured that revitalizing the air transportation sector is AirAsia’s commitment to the Filipino people.

 

“Safety First” is rooted in AirAsia’s DNA. Our personnel were subjected to intense technical training, and adequate preparations were also laid out to make sure the human and engineering components of vaccine handling are met, and of the highest standards.”

 

AirAsia will utilize Aircraft CO2 Detectors which will play an important role in ensuring safety in the cabin during each delivery.        

 

AirAsia is already in talks with different LGUs in their route network to efficiently map out the deliveries. 

 

Meanwhile, the company’s cargo and logistic venture – Teleport will also play a big role in the movement of the vaccines in land.

         

Airlineratings.com recently awarded AirAsia a perfect 7-star rating for going above and beyond the protection and safety of its passengers against COVID-19.

All set for COVID-19 vaccine delivery: AirAsia ground personnel conduct Covid-19 vaccine transport time and motion simulation at the AirAsia cargo house and ramp area at the NAIA Terminal 3.

 

Follow AirAsia on Twitter (@AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/airasiatravels.mm) for the latest updates, or contact our customer support team at support.airasia.com.

 

Designed for the fashionable young generation, Mi 11 Lite 4G offers fresh color options

Xiaomi Philippines today introduced a new addition to its Mi 11 family – Mi 11 Lite. The new device packs all the perks of a flagship-level smartphone into an ultra-lightweight and stylish design, perfect for users seeking a high end smartphone without the high price. This new smartphone from Xiaomi will be available starting April 24. 

 

Experience the difference with TrueColor AMOLED display

Sporting a 6.55” AMOLED DotDisplay with 10-bit TrueColor support, Mi 11 Lite produces a dazzling 1.07 billion colors – 64x more than its predecessor. This allows for smoother color gradation and a more natural transition between hues, minimizing banding and reducing noise and blemishes on the image, whatever angle the display is viewed from. 

Featuring DCI-P3 color gamut, color performance is further optimized by providing high color accuracy and retention, ultimately creating a stunningly vivid, true-to life image. Additionally, its support for HDR10 creates a more dynamic image with sharper contrast for a more lifelike viewing experience.

 

Mi 11 Lite’s stunning picture quality is paired with equally vivid sound. Equipped with dual speakers and certified with Hi-Res Audio, Mi 11 Lite offers an exceptional listening experience with truly immersive sound.

 

In addition, with its 90Hz refresh and 240Hz touch sampling rate, Mi 11 Lite is as impressive to use as it is to look at – gone are the days of waiting for laggy, unresponsive screens.

 

Flagship-level performance 

Debuting with the Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 732G, Mi 11 Lite offers more power, more speed and higher reliability with its 8nm manufacturing process technology. Equipped with LiquidCool technology, Mi 11 Lite was built to stay at peak performance even during periods of heavy usage such as when streaming or gaming. 

 

Boasting a 4,250mAh battery and 33W fast-charging, Mi 11 Lite offers long-lasting power for full day1 and even multi-day use – say goodbye to low battery anxiety.

 

Continuing the heritage of best-in-class camera performance

Mi 11 Lite confidently carries on Xiaomi’s legacy of innovation and best-in-class smartphone camera technology. Touting a triple rear camera array with a 64MP main shooter and 1/1.97” sensor, Mi 11 Lite offers a nimble and user-friendly experience that enables anyone to take professional grade pictures and videos with minimal effort. An 8MP ultra-wide angle and 5MP telemacro camera round out the triple camera setup, allowing users to capture wide scenery shots or close up macro shots with stunning detail. 

 

Both the wide-angle camera and the 16MP front camera have been optimized for low-light conditions with Night Mode, enabling users to take stunning images of sunset landscapes, nighttime cityscapes or night-out selfies with higher brightness, sharper contrast and enhanced detail. The cameras are further boosted by a selection of new video modes and filters that allow anyone to easily capture pro-level, cinematic footage that would otherwise require a high level of expertise and expensive equipment to create. 

 

Head-Turning Design and Comfortable Feel

Measuring just 6.81mm in thickness and weighing in at a mere 157g, Mi 11 Lite offers a more comfortable and lightweight in-hand feel. Sporting a punch-hole cut out for the front camera, Mi 11 Lite achieves a nearly bezel free design for users looking for maximum screen size. Protected by Corning  Gorilla Glass 5, Mi 11 Lite was built to withstand damage from everyday drops and scratches. 

 

Designed for the fashionable young generation, Mi 11 Lite 4G offers fresh color options including Boba Black, Bubblegum Blue and Peach Pink.

 

Price and Availability 

The Mi 11 Lite comes in 8GB+128GB storage variant with an SRP of PHP 14,990, and will be available for purchase from Authorized Mi Stores and partner retailers nationwide as well as our official stores in Lazada and Shopee starting April 24. 

 

Please stay tuned to Xiaomi’s official website and information portal at https://www.mi.com/ph/, or follow their official Facebook or Instagram pages for other updates.

Shopee launches its second series of the Frontliners Package

Shopee supports the medical frontliners and partners with brands for its second series of the Frontliners Package.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches its second series of the Frontliners Package under Shopee Bayanihan. 

From April 26 to 30, frontliners can sign-up through the Shopee app to receive an exclusive digital package which includes Shopee discount vouchers, mobile vouchers from Globe and limited brand discount vouchers from brands like Johnson & Johnson, Argentina in the Century Pacific Shop, Hygienix, S Sentials (Neurogen E) and Globe at Home Official Store.  

Martin Yu, Director of Shopee Philippines, said, “As the country continues its fight against COVID-19, it is important for us to step up our support for the Filipino frontliners working tirelessly to serve the local communities. Through our partnerships with these leading brands, we can help frontliners and their families through this challenging time via our platform. This initiative allows us to give back and reinforce our commitment to support the community in any way we can.” 

 

The second series of the Shopee Bayanihan: Frontliner Package aims to support our modern-day heroes in the Philippines, which include: 

      ●    Health Care Workers (Hospital admin and janitorial services personnel, health and service personnel in local government unit facilities)

     ●         Medical Professionals (Doctors, nurses, medical technicians)

     ●         Police officers and Military Personnel

     ●         Coast Guards

     ●         Government Agencies (LGU workers, admin staff)

  >       Delivery and Logistics Providers (Food, restaurant, medicine, and logistics    company drivers and riders)

     ●         Security Guards

     ●         Mortuary Services Personnel

Frontliners can follow these steps to claim the  Shopee Bayanihan: Frontliners Package,  starting April 26:

1. Sign up on the Shopee Bayanihan: Frontliners Package microsite (https://shopee.ph/m/frontliner-package)
2. Submit a valid PRC license and/or a company ID
3. Wait for the verification from Shopee 

Shopee Bayanihan focuses on helping the local community through partnerships with various organizations. Other notable programs under Shopee Bayanihan include raising funds for underprivileged children with Pamaskong Pambata, and a donation drive which supported humanitarian organizations such as Red Cross and World Vision called Ambagan Para Sa Bayan.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. Shop, buy load, pay bills, and do more with ShopeePay. 

BDO Unibank’s foray into sustainable investments continues to pay dividends amid the pandemic

Despite the pandemic, BDO’s ESG Unit Investment Trust Fund (ESG UITF)—the first of its kind in the Philippines—posted returns of 13.95% and 19.90% in the last six and three months, respectively, leading to end-December 2020.

BDO Unibank’s foray into sustainable investments continues to pay dividends following the global trend of strong growth in environmental, social and governance (ESG)-themed investments. 

 

Economic pundits observed that COVID-19 has only strengthened the importance of ESG as investors look for more resilient investments amidst economic uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.

Globally, assets under management (AUM) anchored on sustainable investments jumped 29% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to $1.7 trillion.

As of end-2020, the value of the AUM of this instrument grew 79% to PhP99.4 million from P55.5 million in 2016. 

 

From Php55.5 million in 2016, the AUM of BDO ESG UITF have grown steadily to Php60.1 million in 2017, Php66.6 million in 2018, Php75.2 million in 2019, and Php99.4 million in 2020.

 

The BDO ESG UITF followed a similar higher return performance shown by ESG funds globally, proving the importance of sustainable business practices. 

 

“While the Fund is still small, it has the potential to grow in size and importance as more investors are consciously looking for companies that protect the environment, are socially responsible, and practice good governance in a sustainable manner,” BDO said.

 

The BDO ESG UITF allows investors to see value in socially responsible companies as an investment destination for their funds, and to invest in one fund that covers several companies, instead of investing separately in every local company that they believe creates a positive contribution to society. 

 

“Its importance is further heightened during this time of the pandemic, as sustainable investment amplifies the Bank's resiliency to unforeseen global or local crises” the Bank added.

BDO Earns P10.4 billion in First quarter of 2021

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) held the Bank’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting today virtually.

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) President Nestor V. Tan reported the Bank’s full year 2020 and first quarter 2021 results at P28.2 billion and P10.4 billion, respectively, on the back of the Bank’s resilient business franchise despite the continuing challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

BDO demonstrated operational resilience and grew its balance sheet amid the difficult operating environment in 2020. Net income was lower vs. 2019, mainly due to pre-emptive provisions of P30.2 billion set aside against potential pandemic-induced delinquencies. However, the Bank’s pre-provisioning operating profit remained solid with 17 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth over 2019.  

For the first three (3) months of 2021, net income was at P10.4 billion up by 19 per cent from a year-ago on the robust performance from service fee businesses that compensated for the weak demand for loans. 

Loans dipped by one (1) per cent YoY to P2.2 trillion, while total deposits went up by two (2) per cent to P2.6 trillion, underpinned by the 11 per cent rise in CASA deposits, with the CASA ratio hitting a record 83 per cent. 

Non-interest income recovered driven by the strong performance of wealth management and life insurance businesses, as well as the normalization of trading and forex gains. Operating expenses were relatively flat compared to last year. 

The Bank set aside an additional P2.9 billion in provisions even as the 1Q21 NPL ratio of 2.81% remained within expectations, and is still below the three (3) per cent NPL ratio projected for end-2020. NPL coverage is now at 107.1 per cent, more than adequate to cover for potential losses. 

The Bank’s capital base strengthened to P400.9 billion with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) at 14.7 per cent and 13.6 per cent, respectively, both comfortably above regulatory levels and deemed sufficient to withstand near-term shocks. The Bank’s Book Value per common share stood at P89.89, up 7.8 per cent from year-ago levels.

 

BDO remains resilient in the face of the continuing challenges of the health crisis and will continue to strengthen its business franchise and invest in its digital infrastructure with the ongoing implementation of the Bank’s strategic programs. 

 

JobStreet continues to support the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in providing livelihood among Filipinos

Most of my friends and relatives are coping with job loss caused by the pandemic. That's why everyone's been looking up the internet to look for an online job. The good thing is, Jobstreet, the leading online job portal is having its Virtual Career Fair this coming May 1. 

Living up to its commitment to provide jobs that matter across the country, leading online job portal JobStreet is going hyperlocal as it launches its dedicated microsite for Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao as well as its upcoming virtual career fair with the selected Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Offices in time for the upcoming Labor Day. 

The initiatives also help boost the job market in provinces as the public is encouraged to decongest Metro Manila following the on-going pandemic. 

Jobseekers from Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao can now browse thousands of jobs available in their locality through the respective microsites. Candidates can also learn from work-life guides and advice from JobStreet’s career hub which will be written in their local dialect.  

“Many Filipinos recently returned to their provinces because of layoffs or the new work from home arrangements and this caused a shift in the labor market. We’ve also observed that candidates from major provinces have increased their activities in terms of platform website visits, which is why we really targeted to promote local employment and provide them valuable support in their career through their own dialect,” said JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca.

Hyperlocal microsites

The microsite for Cebu offers opportunities from the top industries namely Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (12.5%), Manufacturing/Production (7.6%), Healthcare/ Medical (6.5%), Education (5.5%), and Construction/Building/Engineering (5.2%). The average salary reported in Cebu is Php 31,487. 

Candidates from Davao can apply for jobs with an average salary of Php 28,500 as top industries continue hiring such as Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (8.7%), Healthcare/Medical (7.8%), Education (7.2%), Food & Beverage/Catering/Restaurant (5.6%), and Retail/Merchandise (5.3%). 

Meanwhile, thousands of jobs are also found in Iloilo microsite with an average salary of Php 27,370. Top industries include Healthcare/Medical (13.6%), Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (9.2%), Education (8.3%), Construction/Building/Engineering (5.6%), and Food & Beverage/Catering/Restaurant (5.3%). 

As of 2021, JobStreet earned a 13% growth in average platform visits from Cebu, 56% from Davao, and 44% in Iloilo. Moreover, hirers from the said provinces are gradually picking up. Based on JobStreet Database as of March 2021, job offerings based in Central Visayas grew by 9% from a sharp decline in 2020. Western Visayas recently jumped to 44% increase in job openings, while Davao Region is also recovering with 26% job postings this year.      

Ensuring that the initiative will be advantageous for both local hirers and candidates, JobStreet is also establishing a local team in each province to accommodate queries.

Labor Day Virtual Career Fair 

JobStreet continues to support the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in providing livelihood among Filipinos during this period. Following the success of the recent Virtual Career Fair, JobStreet partners with selected DOLE regions to launch another Virtual Career Fair on May 1 to 3.

Over 100 companies from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have participated in the upcoming Virtual Career Fair, offering thousands of jobs nationwide. Candidates from different regions will also have a chance to experience engaging features such as live chats, on-the-spot interviews with HR representatives, and companies’ virtual booths. In addition, DOLE Regional Offices will accommodate concerns and questions from candidates via chat in the platform. 

Jobseekers can join the online raffle as JobStreet goes live on its official Facebook Page on the first day of the Virtual Career Fair on May 1 at 5:00PM.

“We appreciate DOLE and the participating regions for trusting to partner with JobStreet in this initiative. We’re hoping that the Virtual Career Fair would be able to reach out to more jobseekers across the country who are looking for opportunities at this time,” shared Gioca.

The Virtual Career Fair is now open for pre-registration through http://bit.ly/JobStreetDOLEVCF. 

Provincial microsites are also accessible via http://bit.ly/JobStreetIloilo, http://bit.ly/JobStreetCebu, and http://bit.ly/JobStreetDavao.

 

What type of Filipino NBA fan are you?

The second half of the NBA season is in full swing, which has teams positioning themselves for the postseason and the Play-In Tournament. With the NBA Playoffs still over a month away, Filipino fans are already gearing up for the stretch run and whether you consider yourself a hardcore or casual follower, there is a specific NBA fan that reflects your current fandom for the league.

 Read on to find out what type of Filipino NBA fan are you:

1.     The Casual Fan

The Casual Fan is the most common fan type known for their general awareness of mainstream teams and players. These individuals watch a few games every now and then on TV and enjoy viewing game highlights. NBA League Pass allows them to catch up on NBA games among other content on-demand.

2.     The Gamer

 

Having NBA 2K21 is a must for the Gamer, who constantly updates their team with the latest rosters in the NBA. In addition, this fan boasts an in-depth knowledge of key NBA players, which is critical for their fantasy basketball team to be competitive throughout the season. NBA League Pass offers an advantage to gaming fans alike as they stay updated with the latest news on players, scores, standings and stats.

3.     The Team Die-hard

 

The Team Die-hard is loyal to one team and one team alone. They pride themselves for being a team historian, showing a great familiarity of their favorite team’s players, coaches, achievements and traditions. 

 

4.     The Bandwagon Fan

 

What sets this fan apart from hardcore followers is their association with the current favorites – whichever team or player on any given day. The Bandwagon Fan is never attached and always searching for the latest hot item and NBA League Pass keeps them in-the-know 24/7.

5.     The NBA Geek

 

NBA Geeks are well versed with the league, accumulating a wealth of knowledge from tracking players, from NBA All-Stars to rising prospects, and studying team trends for several years. League Pass subscription is an essential tool for this avid fan as he stays connected to the latest news and highlights across the NBA.

            

          

Basketball fans are different in their own ways but one thing in common: having NBA League Pass to watch their favorite teams and players, live and on-demand. The great advantage of NBA fans who are also PLDT Home Fibr subscribers is having access to NBA League Pass packages for as low as Php 85 per month, which can be simply added on top of their monthly internet subscription. 

 

For more information on NBA League Pass offerings, visit www.pldthome.com/nbaleaguepass.