The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Philippines contribute aid to Filipinos impacted by Super Typhoon Odette

Responding to the call for aid following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette in the Philippines in December 2021, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has extended relief assistance to thousands of Filipinos across six provinces of the country.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant of US$400,000 to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation to support the disaster relief efforts of nine dioceses in the Visayas and Mindanao. The grant will provide food, shelter repair kits, solar lamps, and hygiene kits to 4,031 families affected by the typhoon in Bohol, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte.

Meanwhile, the local Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines has provided humanitarian aid to 5,420 families, donating P5.8 million for food packs, hygiene kits, shelter or roof repair kits, drinking water, and water filtration kits to help them cope in the aftermath of the typhoon. Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines has channeled its assistance through its NGO partners Water and Life Philippines, World Wildlife Fund-Philippines, Caritas-Manila, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, World Vision, Synergeia Foundation, and Waves 4 Water.

“The Coca-Cola Foundation is resolute in its commitment to communities by extending humanitarian aid to those in need,” says Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We recognize the devastating impact of natural disasters and the pandemic especially on vulnerable communities with limited resources.”Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, adds: “Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and its trusted partners will continue to serve Filipinos not only through our programs on waste management, water stewardship, education, and youth and women empowerment but also through our long-held commitment to disaster relief. The resilience of a Filipino is always strengthened when we come together—and we are here to give our unrelenting support, one day at a time.”

Continuous support for vulnerable communities
In its 110-year journey of refreshing Filipinos and uplifting vulnerable communities, Coca-Cola Philippines remains dedicated to supporting disaster relief operations for families affected by natural calamities.Coca-Cola Philippines’ initiative in the past month has amounted to a total of more than P10.8 million worth of disaster relief funds for typhoon victims, including employees in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Circumstances such as typhoons and the pandemic continue to affect Filipinos across the archipelago, and this is why it is critical for us at Coca-Cola Philippines that we provide continuous support to communities whenever we can,” shares Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines and VP for Franchise Operations of the ASEAN and South Pacific-East Asia Region. “By extending humanitarian aid, we continue to prioritize the immediate needs and well-being of those affected the most.”

Beverage donations, employee support
In the aftermath of the typhoon, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI)—the company’s bottling arm in the country—also mobilized its resources to distribute nearly 70,000 liters of Wilkins drinking water for residents in affected provinces and cities. Moreover, CCBPI made sure that affected employees were given assistance through a P5-million emergency fund, while also providing them with over 70,000 liters of drinking water and around P800,000 worth of grocery items.

Staying true to their People First commitment, CCBPI’s employees from other parts of the country launched an internal donation drive and were able to collect more than P600,000 to help their fellow associates in the Visayas and Mindanao whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon.

On top of this, CCBPI is working with the local government of Mandaue City in Cebu toward the deployment of a SETA machine (a mobile water treatment equipment that processes water to make it potable) in evacuation sites and communities in Marawi, Davao del Sur, and Bicol.“Our commitment has always been uplifting the well-being not only of our consumers but the employees behind the work we do,” said Gareth McGeown, President and CEO of CCBPI.

“It is truly heartwarming to see CCBPI’s employees come together despite the limitations and challenges posed by the typhoon. Their dedication to helping those in need is a testament to our People First commitment–that through our collective effort, we are able to uplift one another even in times of crisis.”

Dr Jane Goodall delivers an important message of hope at the 2022 Procter & Gamble AMA Sustainability Summit

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) today announced that it hosted its 2022 Sustainability Summit for the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa (AMA) region. Built on the theme “Hope for our Home”, the Summit explored how corporations, non-profit organisations, governments and the wider community can work together to drive real change, bring hope to the world, and make it a better place to live. 

 

Hosted virtually, the event featured world-renowned Ethologist and Conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Circulate Capital Ocean Fund chief executive Rob Kaplan, as well as United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, who came together to address key issues surrounding climate change.

 

At the summit, Dr Jane Goodall debunked the belief that corporations and non-profit organisations are standing at opposite sides. In a fireside chat with P&G Chief Brand Officer, Marc Pritchard, she shared that large corporations like P&G can take positive steps forward, create ripple effects around the globe, and encourage more consumers to take small, sustainable actions in their everyday lives. 

 

“With annual GDP growth seemingly more important than our grandchildren’s future, the time is now to choose what sort of impact we can make. As more and more organizations like P&G drive change and join forces, there is hope. It’s time to get a new mindset and to see things differently. Everything is connected, and every one of us can make a difference”, said Dr Jane Goodall.

 

 

 

 

During the Summit, P&G also announced regional progress made toward its Ambition 2030 Goals. With P&G President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Magesvaran Suranjan, announcing the following progress made:

 

●      In May 2021, P&G pledged to launch 12 pilot reforestation projects in 12 months for its Forests for Good initiative. P&G has since launched more than 20 pilot reforestation projects in areas including the Jebal Ali Reserve Mangrove Forest in UAE, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Forest in Philippines, the Embu Region in Kenya, along with other AMA countries including Uganda, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

 

●      P&G will continue investments in programs to conserve landscapes, protect species, and improve sustainable farming practices. These include working with the World Wildlife Fund Malaysia and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group in UAE to protect the Malayan Tiger and the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle respectively. P&G established a Smallholder Farmers Program across palm plantations in Malaysia since 2018, to help improve sustainable farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers, their families, and communities. 

 

●      P&G has declared its commitment to run more than 85% of its plants across AMA on purchased renewable electricity by the end of 2022. To date, P&G has already achieved 87% with its AMA manufacturing sites. 

 

●      Apart from 100% of P&G’s manufacturing sites being Zero Waste to Landfill, including the Philippines’ Cabuyao Manufacturing Plant, the company has also celebrated a significant milestone of having its first Zero Waste office in AMA, located in the Dubai site. P&G will progressively have more of these Zero Waste offices across the AMA region.

 

●      P&G has announced support for the Jane Goodall Institute and its flagship Roots & Shoots Program, which encourages and enables youth action to implement projects within P&G and in local communities that help animals and the planet.

 

Magesvaran Suranjan said: “We are fully committed to making a positive impact in the world and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. By integrating sustainability into the way that we do business every day, all of us at P&G are empowered to make a meaningful difference for our environment.”

 

P&G AMA’s Executive Sponsor of Sustainability, and Senior Vice President of P&G Japan, Standa Veceracommented: “We’ve already made significant progress over the past 10 years to reduce the environmental impact from our operations, and we know that we can do more. P&G has also set an ambition toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and will continue to step up with science-based targets to guide our efforts in being a Force for Good.” 

 

Circulate Capital Ocean Fund CEO Rob Kaplan, and Actor, Producer and United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, also shared their thoughts on encouraging sustainable actions 

 

Rob Kaplan commented, "Nobody can stay on the side line. Sustainability is a team sport. It has to be at the core of both the company strategy and the operations in order to drive meaningful change. By working together there is hope. "

 

Dia Mirza said: "The Sustainable Development Goals are the North Star and if they are adopted and implemented everywhere we have a genuine chance of solving some of the biggest problems we face within this decade. Brands find a way into so many hearts and homes. If more brands like P&G leverage their power to drive change, there is hope for the planet."

 

P&G is committed to accelerating action on climate change toward net zero GHG emissions by 2040. 

P&G has set a new ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and supply chain, from raw material to retailer, by 2040 as well as interim 2030 goals to make meaningful progress this decade.

 

 

Celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez enjoy celebrating their accomplishments with Swiss Miss

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance has been a challenge for a lot of people. Keeping up with responsibilities can be stressful and draining so, it’s important to reward oneself with valuable “me-time” moments from time to time. 

 

Celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez can attest to this. Since the lockdown started, they’ve been creating content for their YouTube channel and podcast #BehindRelationshipGoals. Balancing work and their personal lives was not an easy task, but they make sure they find time to enjoy things they love. 

Spice up your favorite oatmeal snack with Swiss Miss Hazelnut. 

“We look forward to any chance we get to enjoy the company of one another and [our dog] Soba, even if we only get a couple of hours or minutes of free time to do so. We’re even more appreciative of these moments.” Mikael said.

 

“Before, we really pushed ourselves to work until madaling araw. But we realized that we need to put a limit and that we have to find time to reward ourselves also,” Megan added. 

 

Though they’re limited to staying at home, Mikael and Megan still find ways to reward themselves through simple yet satisfying activities.

Celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez enjoy celebrating their accomplishments with Swiss Miss. 

Take a breather 

Being able to take a few moments to appreciate free time after accomplishing so much can feel rewarding. Find a comfortable spot and try to sit back for a few minutes to help clear the mind before jumping into the next task. Performing a simple self-care routine afterwards can be invigorating.

 

Play video games 

One of the things Megan and Mikael enjoy is their shared love for playing video games. Immersing oneself in a virtual world is easily rewarding after spending long hours of work.   

 

TV and movie marathon 

One of the best ways to chill after a busy day – a marathon of TV shows and movies while in pajamas and with a cozy cup of hot chocolate. Swiss Miss is one of the celebrity couple’s must-haves when they go on a binge-watching spree. “For the anime lovers out there, we’ve been watching Hunter x Hunter and Demon Slayer. And then, for video game lovers, we watched Witcher. From time to time, there’s the occasional K-Drama or Korean movie that’s nice to watch,” Mikael shared.  

Experiment in the kitchen 

Rewarding oneself can be as simple as satisfying cravings, preparing a tasty treat or cooking a favorite dish. For Megan and Mikael, experimenting with Swiss Miss’ various flavors to create delicious snacks and drinks turned out to be a memorable experience. Megan’s favorite was adding Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut to oatmeal. “Swiss Miss really oomph’d up the flavor and the oatmeal experience,” she said. 

 

Meanwhile, Mikael added cinnamon, cream, and rock salt to his Swiss Miss drink. “It did add a lot of nuance to the Swiss Miss experience and I was happily surprised,” he said. “We’re not cooks or chefs, so any wins in the kitchen is something we’ll take.”  

 

Check out the recipes they made with Swiss Miss here and enjoy a rewarding treat.  

 

Spend time with loved ones 

Celebrating wins and accomplishments is more rewarding when shared with the family and loved ones. There’s a blissful satisfaction in spending free time and catching up with family and friends whether in person or virtually.  

 

The new year is an ideal time to grow in one’s personal and professional lives. Megan and Mikael – as individuals and as a couple – plan on taking their content creation to another level. “Definitely 2022 is another year for learning and taking it to a different scale,” Megan said. Mikael also added, “I mean we already started the content production arm of Bonez and Fofo so we might as well go with it 100% and try everything out.” 

 

Of course, they won’t forget about taking a break rewarding themselves for their small and big wins.

 

Just like the celebrity couple, one can celebrate wins with a sweet reward like Swiss Miss. This chocolate drink comes in Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Marshmallow and Hazelnut flavors. 

 

Enjoy Swiss Miss by itself or with the delicious recipes from Swiss Miss Philippine’s Facebook page. Get Swiss Miss from the nearest supermarkets or by shopping online.  

 

Food trip at LRT-1 stations? LRMC and StrEAT Market got you covered

 

Always on the go and no time to visit food parks to enjoy a wide variety of food choices? Worry not! LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) brings a one-stop shop to the stations for endless food possibilities as it partners with JS Pieces Prime Space Corp (StrEAT Market), the biggest Al Fresco Market operator in Manila.

With over 20 participating micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the partnership of StrEAT Market and LRMC is certainly giving a whole new meaning to “food trip” as it will surely satisfy your cravings by just visiting LRT-1 stations to have something delicious to eat without leaving the metro.

 

The partnership kicked off with a formal launch at LRT-1 Balintawak Station that coincided with the Chinese Lunar New Year, and the start of less strict quarantine status of Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila last February 1, 2022. It was attended by representatives from LRMC and StrEAT Market making it more festive with the traditional lion dance after the ribbon cutting ceremony. For its opening promo, StrEAT Market also offered a “Buy 1 Take1” treat from 2pm to 4pm.

 

What to expect at the StrEAT Market? There are several food selections that LRT-1 passengers can choose from – Pinoy grilled favorites for the whole barkada, Korean food you’ve been craving for lately, Japanese food to enjoy with officemates, Hong Kong style pan fried noodles perfect for lovers, and bread and pastry for breakfast or snack to help you start your day deliciously. You can also relish every bite of shawarma after a busy day, skip the junk food and enjoy juicy burger, quench your thirst with fruit juices, and more.

 

Aside from enjoying delicious food, you can do some serious bargain shopping for clothes, shoes, accessories, and beauty items at the stations. StrEAT Market at LRT-1 is also here to help you find the gadgets you need for your lifestyle, and avail affordable parts and repair services of all major brands of mobile phones and laptops.

StrEAT Market kiosks are located at select LRT-1 stations: Baclaran, Blumentritt, and Balintawak. Kiosks will be at the LRT-1 from February 1 until April 30, 2022. They are open daily, from 7am to 7pm.

 

“We partnered with StrEAT Market for our passengers to have a complete commuting experience with convenience accessing their favorite food hubs and services. With all these various shops and available services open along the LRT-1 line, passengers can save a lot more time buying for what they need and what they want. This partnership also aims to further support MSMEs as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing them to a bigger market of opportunities,” said John Kelly F. Tan, LRMC Head of Business Development.

 

“StrEAT Market has been true to its promise of continuously providing assistance to its partner merchants to bring them to the mainstream market where more opportunity awaits,” said Rheybie C. Nipas, President of JS Pieces Prime Space Corp.

 The partnership includes perks like startup-friendly rental rates, free use of kiosks, access to marketing assistance for brand exposure online, and mentorship on operations and marketing.

 

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

Beko parent company ranked as one of the world's most sustainable firm

Beko's parent company, Arçelik A.Ş., the global leading consumer durables and electronics manufacturer, has for the second year in a row ranked on the Corporate Knights' 2022 Global 100 Index, coming in at 57th place. 

Corporate Knights Inc (CK).  is a media and research company focused on quantifying and animating sustainable economy drivers for decision makers. Its best-known rankings include the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. CK is also proud to be the first print business magazine and research firm in the world to be a Certified B Corp.

The list of awardees has been published annually by Corporate Knights since 2005 in recognition of companies that deliver superior financial performance and lead the race to zero emissions. Their methodology is based on up to 24 key performance indicators covering resource management, employee management, financial management, clean revenue and clean investment and supplier performance.

The 2022 Global 100 Index looks at the performance of almost 7,000 companies with more than $1 billion in revenues, taking into consideration their action on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

And this year’s recognition came after Arçelik reiterated its commitments to energy transformation and a more sustainable future.

"We are delighted to rank on the Corporate Knights' 2022 Global 100 Index. As a business we understand we have a commitment and a responsibility to sustainability and this recognition continues to spur us on. At Arçelik, we've taken great steps on our sustainability journey and are continuing to. We are proud of what we have achieved with all our employees, and our revised commitments to Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions are a demonstration of that,” said Arçelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu.

As part of Arçelik’s commitment to sustainability, Beko unveiled seven sustainable products including a washing machine/washer dryer, oven, tumble dryer, refrigerator, espresso coffee maker and dishwasher to help consumers reduce their impact on the environment. The innovative products use recycled materials such as PET bottles, fishing nets; bio-composites such as coffee residue and eggshells; as well as detergent saving technologies for sustainable living.

As Europe's leading appliance brand, Beko is always looking for new technologies that help preserve nature and allow people to live a healthy lifestyle.’

"As makers of appliances, we will help ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations. We are also eager to adapt our existing technologies to make all our appliances more environmentally friendly too," said Gürhan Günal, country manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.

For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://bekopromos.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph.

Shop for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your significant other in Shopee's Gadget Zone!

 Most of us have, at some point, turned to the stars to find out more about our special someone. Zodiac signs are like personality cheat-sheets, giving us a fun and entertaining way to understand what makes our loved ones tick. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, those birth charts will come in handy in picking out a present that our significant other will surely appreciate.

 

Whether you’re present-hunting for a meticulous Virgo or a rebellious Aquarius, Shopee has you covered with big discounts on the best tech gifts when you shop on Gadget Zone this February 3. 

 

For the confident and adventurous Fire signs who live big lives

 

Known to be spontaneous and adventurous, it can be tricky to find gifts for Fire signs that can keep up with their ever-changing and on-the-go lifestyle. The DJI Ronin-SC Camera Stabilizer is perfect for the adventure-seeking Sagittarius, with its lightweight and compact build that makes it easy to pack and carry wherever you go. Leos love being the center of attention, so the OPPO A54 is the perfect phone for selfies and video calls that show them at their most glamorous. Let Aries channel their competitive spirit with this Razer Viper Mini Gaming Mouse to enhance their gaming experience with absolute control, precise accuracy and seamless movement. 

 

 

For the practical and dependable Earth signs who are the masters of WFH 

 

 

Earth signs have mastered the ways of home life long before everyone else, so gadgets that spruce up their space will always be appreciated. Taurus natives are known to be foodies, making the Philips HD9200 Air Fryer the perfect gift for convenient meal preps and fun kitchen experiments. For the perfectionist Virgo who needs to keep their home office clean and tidy at all times, this Deerma CM818 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner comes with a built-in 200ml large capacity dust collector and powerful suctions, making sure that all dust and dirt are thoroughly removed. For one of the hardest workers in the Zodiac, reward your Capricorn partner with a HUAWEI Matepad10s Tablet to help them  achieve their career goals. 

 

 

For the intuitive and caring water signs who are highly attuned to emotions

 

 

Water signs are great at connecting with others and have the ability to understand in detail their own and others’ emotions. The realme C21-Y is the perfect gift for the loyal and devoted Cancer during times like these, with its 13MP AI Triple Camera designed for crisp video calls and a 5,000mAh massive battery that helps you stay connected throughout the day. Mysterious and passionate Scorpios love having “me time,” so show them love with these Aukey Wireless Earbuds, which come with a 5-hour long battery life and a powerful bass performance that’s perfect for their evening soundtrip sessions. Pisces are the dreamers of the Zodiac, so let them freely express their creativity and capture meaningful moments with the Instax Camera Mini 11.

 

 

For the intelligent and trend-setting Air signs on the lookout for something new

 

 

Air signs are visionaries who are always eager to explore something new. For the inventive and entertaining Geminiss who love to curate playlists, the Sony SRS-XB33 Bluetooth Speaker is a must-have, with its Stamina Mode that extends battery life up to 24 hours and a Live Sound button that gives a unique three-dimensional sound experience.  You can’t go wrong with the HUAWEI Watch Fit for the charming and fashionable Libra– this stylish smartwatch fits into their aesthetic lifestyle perfectly with its eye-catching colorway, 97 workout modes, and a 24-Hour Heart Rate monitor. For the free-spirited Aquarian who’s always two steps ahead, the Samsung Galaxy M22has an eye-catching, modern design with powerful mobile photography features, making it the perfect mobile phone for their creative, innovative personality.

 

Grab all these gizmos and find discounts up to 90% off on popular gadgets when you visit https://shopee.ph/m/gadgetzone. Get big discounts from the best brands such as Phillips, OPPO, Vivo, PerySmith, Samsung, Huawei, Razer, Zeus, Akari Lighting, HyperX, Deerma, DJI, Mcdodo, Tigernu, Xiaomi and POCO on February 3. 

 

As you shop for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your significant other, make sure to checkout with ShopeePay for exclusive perks and savings; such as daily free shipping and cashback vouchers. With Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet,you can look forward to cashless payments and deals when you buy load, pay bills, send money, and scan to pay at thousands of merchants nationwide.

 

Save up and achieve your financial goals together with your partner through ShopeePay’s discounts. Get up to 10% off on load across all networks and up to 25% cashback on your monthly bills from over 60 billers. If you're thinking of buying groceries to cook your loved one’s favorite meal, get big savings when you avail of ₱1 Deals via “ShopeePay Near Me” and redeem your vouchers in store when you pay via ShopeePay at partner merchants.

With ShopeePay, you can also enjoy free transfers to any bank or to any Shopee user. Plus, you can cash in to ShopeePay from over 40+ partner banks, and get up to P25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in at least P300. To enjoy these exclusive deals and more, activate your ShopeePay now for a rewarding cashless experience.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 

Xiaomi is here to give love this February with its exclusive in-store Valentine’s day promo!

 

For every purchase of a Xiaomi 11T Pro, buyers will get an exclusive and exciting Xiaomi 11T Series gift box when they buy from February 1 to 14, 2022. This special treat is designed to make your celebrations extra special with your loved ones. 

The Xiaomi 11T Pro is the ultimate flagship phone for content creators as it boasts impressive computational filmography capabilities with one-click AI Cinema modes, 8K recording and HDR10+, allowing users to capture footage with the same smart ISO technology found in digital cameras. This powerhouse tool also features the revolutionary 120W Fast-Charging Technology, which enables 100% charge in just 17 minutes.

The Xiaomi 11T Pro is available in the 8GB+256GB version for PHP 27,990 and 12GB+256GB for PHP 29,990. 

Hurry and don’t miss your chance to get this promo deal in participating Xiaomi stores nationwide! Complete list of stores can be found here.

Be sure to follow the official Xiaomi’s Facebook page for more exclusive promo deals and updates.