VFS Global shares new milestones in its sustainability journey

VFS Global the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions shared new milestones in its sustainability journey. 

 

The new findings were published in the fourth edition of the organisation’s Integrated Sustainability Report 2022, released on 3 July 2023. The report indicates consistent improvement in the organisation’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance in 2022. The report has been prepared following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and Sustainability Accountability Standards Board’s (SASB). 

 

“The report documents measurable improvements in our sustainability journey in 2022, as well our continued commitment towards achieving higher targets this year. Based on the five fundamental pillars of our Sustainability strategy – Contributing to Sustainable Economic Growth, Delivering Good Governance, Nurturing our Colleagues, Protecting our Environment, and Supporting our Communities, the report reiterates strong alignment to our business strategy and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals,” said Shireen Mistree, Head – ESG, VFS Global.

 

IR 2022 highlights

 

Protecting our environment 

●      More than 200,000 trees have been planted across the globe, as part of our contributions to reforestation and nature regeneration initiatives providing 10,000 tCO₂e in VCS carbon credits.  This has also resulted in addressing social issues like poverty alleviation while contributing to women’s empowerment. Over 70% of the planting staff are women who now have a steady source of income to provide for the everyday needs of their families.

●      Marked a reduction in carbon emissions of 40 percent in 2022, compared to the base year of 2019, due to the greater usage of renewable energy, energy efficiency initiatives as well as the use of carbon credits.

●      Certified eco-friendly paper was used for more than 90% of our marketing material.

●      Continued our commitment to responsible e-waste disposal in accordance with local regulations resulted in 10,035 kg of waste being treated, in India alone.

●      Target for 2023 is to reduce our carbon footprint intensity by 10%.  

Nurturing our colleagues

●      Maintained a strong gender balance with a ratio of 57:43 for women to men in 2022. Women hold 27% of our leadership positions. The goal is to exceed 30% representation of women in leadership in the next 3 years.  

●      Introduced the inclusive language guide with inclusive terminologies and Dos and Don’ts as a tool to develop sensitivities and enable mindful behaviour among colleagues.

●      Globally, more than 129 nationalities work with VFS Global, bringing the benefit of a wide variety of world views.

Supporting our communities 

●      Undertook over 80 community initiatives touching the lives of more than 59,000 individuals across 35 countries in partnership with more than 40 charitable, social and community organisations.

●      Set social priorities of caring with empathy, promoting education, and preserving the environment guide investment in community programmes throughout the global network. 

Sustainable Economic Growth 

●      Visa Application Centres around the world create local jobs, and as of end of 2022, VFS Global employed 8,883 colleagues worldwide.

●      Digitise the end-to-end Visa application processing including Digitisation of Visa Application, which leads to reducing our carbon footprint

●      In 2022, local suppliers accounted for 86% of total procurement spend for engagement exceeding CHF 20,000.

 

Delivering Good Governance 

●      Updated employee and supplier code of conduct to include ESG criteria ensuring that as users and providers of services, all operate in a socially responsible manner.

●      Mandatory ESG training for all employees in 2022 and for suppliers in 2023 

●      RSA Archer, enterprise risk management tool includes ESG questions for suppliers as part of the due diligence process. 

 

Read the full report here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/PDF/CSR/integrated-sustainability-report-2022.pdf

Chowking Unveils the Fiery Delight of the ALL-NEW Spicy Chao Fan with Kim Chiu

	Chowking, the #1 Chinese quick service restaurant brand in the Philippines, has recently unveiled the all-new Spicy Chao Fan – made with the perfect blend of spices for that signature Spicy Wok-Sarap flavor. The new product was launched by celebrity actress and longtime endorser Kim Chiu at the #ShareTheSpice press event held on July 3, 2023.

 

Chowking’s Chao Fan has always been a crowd favorite, and now it just got a spicy upgrade with the new Spicy Chao Fan. It has a unique take on spicy, as its level of spiciness holds just the right amount for anybody and everybody to enjoy. This flavorful and hearty meal is ready to spice up your life, and it’s too good to not share.

At the press event last July 3, Kim Chiu introduced the #ShareTheSpice challenge, where she invited everyone to try the new Spicy Chao Fan. To join the movement, all you have to do is try the product, post about it on any social media platform with the hashtag #ShareTheSpice and #SpicyChaoFan, then tag two of your friends who you want to share the spice with. When you post and join the movement, you get the chance to win gift certificates and special prizes from Chowking!

 

“When we were creating the Spicy Chao Fan, we deliberately wanted it to have the right level of spice that everyone can enjoy. It’s not spicy for spicy’s sake, it has just the right Spicy Wok-Sarap kick that will leave you wanting more,” said Jonathan De Quiroz, Chowking Brand Director for Chao Fan & Brand Operations.  

Join the #ShareTheSpice movement and try the all-new #SpicyChaoFan, available via Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and delivery through chowkingdelivery.com or the Chowking App.

 

Z4 Pegaxy and Smart Omega Empress hailed realme Mobile Legends Season 7 Champion

Committed to supporting Filipino gamers in local esports and empowering amateur gamers, realme Philippines introduced the realme Mobile Legends Cup (RMC) back in 2019. The RMC, patterned from the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) tournament, has developed a strong following throughout seven successful seasons.

One of the most action-packed seasons in the RMC reached its thrilling end with Z4 Esports Pegaxy and Smart Omega Empress taking the crown in their respective divisions in the realme Mobile Legends Cup (RMC) Season 7 Grand Finals at SM Megamall last July 1.

For the first time in RMC’s storied history, this season featured two clusters: the Men’s League and the inaugural Women’s League. Z4 Esports Pegaxy emerged as the champions in the men’s side after a grueling Weekly Playoffs format that kicked off in March, followed by the Final Four face-off at the Grand Finals event. Meanwhile, Smart Omega Empress etched their names in the history books, becoming the first-ever #RMCWomensLeague champions.

The winning esports teams enjoyed a prize pool of over PHP 1,000,000, along with PHP 150K worth of realme devices.

Aside from these exciting amateur championship matches, the RMC Season 7 Grand Finals also welcomed pro Mobile Legends squads in a friendly, yet highly competitive showmatch segment. The Philippine national team for esports SIBOL along with teams Smart Omega and TNC Pro Team - ML battled it out for mobile gaming supremacy. In the end, SIBOL proved too much to handle for any squad, as the national team dominated the field and came away with an undefeated record.

Another highlight of the RMC Season 7 Grand Finals was veteran caster Chantelle taking home two major trophies. Aside from being awarded the Finals MVP of the unforgettable showmatch by the casters, she also won Legendary Caster by topping the poll posted on realme’s official Facebook page last June 27.

Fans who tuned in to the event in-person and online were ecstatic from all the heart-pumping matches and the exciting performance by iconic rapper Gloc-9. Also part of the festivities as the sport’s staple faces and voices were several ML:BB personalities.

An estimated 3,000 foot traffic witnessed the Grand Finals at SM Megamall while the livestream views of the event reached a whopping 888,000.

If you wish to relive the action of the RMC Season 7 Grand Finals, watch the replay on realme Philippines’ Facebook page. Keep updated on the latest news by checking out realme's official website.

The RMC Season 7 is made possible by brand partners: Official Gaming Gear Logitech G, Official Merch Partner Hybreed Philippines, and Official Chair Partner Panther Gaming Gear, Official Hotel Partner Discovery Suites Manila, and Official Gaming Eyewear Partner Peculiar Eyewear.

Metrobank teams up with Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to bring the Wisdom of Da Vinci: An Immersive AI Experience to Manila

Calling all art lovers and enthusiasts! A once in a lifetime experience is coming your way this August courtesy of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank). 

 

Metrobank, in its pursuit to complement the lifestyle and interests of its valued customers, has teamed up with Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to bring the Wisdom of Da Vinci: An Immersive AI Experience to Manila. 

 

Created by award-winning creative studio OUCHHH, Wisdom of Da Vinci is an immersive media exhibit that provides a new, one-of-a-kind way to enjoy the most iconic works of Da Vinci through AI Data paintings across mesmerizing thematic galleries.

The showcase, which will run from August to October 2023, will be at the 3rd Level of One Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig. Ticket reservations are now open with tickets priced at PHP975 for adults and PHP780 for students.

 

And here’s more good news for Metrobank credit cardholders! You can enjoy an instant cashback of PHP200 for a minimum single spend worth PHP1,998 when you purchase your tickets at bgcimmersive.com using your Metrobank credit card from today until July 25, 2023.

 

Feast your senses and feed your soul with the magic of art, science, and technology at Wisdom of Da Vinci with BGC and Metrobank Card. Get your tickets now! 

 

Don’t have a Metrobank credit card yet? No need to worry, because Metrobank will be accepting credit card applications on-ground at the venue. You may also visit Metrobank’s official website at metrobank.com.ph or your nearest Metrobank branch to apply. 
 

Follow Metrobank and Metrobank Card PH on Instagram and Facebook to learn more.

 

#ImSuperShy Dance Challenge: Flaunt Your NewJeans Dance Moves on YouTube Shorts!

Calling all PH Bunnies—NewJeans, one of the hottest K-Pop acts in the world today have invited their fans to celebrate the release of their latest summer anthem “Super Shy” by joining the new #ImSuperShy Shorts challenge. 

 

"We are thrilled to present our new song to our amazing fans on YouTube," said NewJeans. "’Super Shy’ is an incredibly fun track that will captivate listeners. Join us in enjoying this summer with the ‘Super Shy’ YouTube Shorts challenge! We can't wait to see everyone groove!"

Leading the way to the highly anticipated release of their second EP, Get Up, the #ImSuperShy dance challenge invites fans from the Philippines—one of the biggest hotbeds of the NewJeans fandom—to participate by creating Shorts with the official choreography from the new single’s music video. As Filipinos are well-known around the world for their sheer talent in dancing and entertainment, you’re encouraged to add your personal touch to make it unique. 

 

To get in the challenge and create and upload your Shorts, head over to the YouTube app on your smartphone and set your videos to the audio of the ultimate summer anthem!

 

And to inspire all the fans and kickstart the wave of Shorts to come in the #ImSuperShy challenge, MINJI, HANNI, DANIELLE, HAERIN, and HYEIN have also created some of their own fantastic Shorts, which are now live on the official NewJeans YouTube channel.

 

Since their debut in July 2022, NewJeans has garnered a staggering 3.8 million subscribers and an impressive 1.8 billion views on YouTube, dominating the charts in 20 markets worldwide. Achieving superstar status within a year of their launch, NewJeans' musical talent and captivating charm have led multiple songs, including "Ditto," "OMG," "Hype Boy," and "Attention," to secure spots in the top 40 of the Global Top Songs chart. 

With over 200 videos on their YouTube channel, encompassing vlogs, dance practice clips, performances, behind-the-scenes footage, shorts, and stylish music videos, this record-breaking rookie group continues to captivate fans around the world.

 

Bunnies worldwide can begin crafting their unique #ImSuperShy dance Shorts today. This challenge is no ordinary dance routine—surprises await! Keep an eye on NewJeans' official YouTube channel for more exciting updates to come.

PLDT Home Ignites the Excitement at VNL Manila Leg weekend

Japan’s undefeated run in the Volleyball Men’s Nation League (VNL) came to a screeching halt after Italy turned it back with a 29-27, 28-26, 23-25, 25-20 decision on Saturday, July 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

 

The penultimate day in Manila served as a treat for thousands of spectators as the world no. 2 Italians were led by Yuri Romano’s 22 points which stood on 16 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, improving to 9-3.

 

On the other hand, Yuki Ishikawa carded 21 points on 17 attacks, three blocks and an ace as Japan remained on top of the standings at 10-1.

 

Earlier in the day, world no.1 Poland dispatched Canada in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, while world no. 3 Brazil blanked China, 25-19, 25-17, 25-17. 

Meanwhile, members of Premier Volleyball League (PVL) squad PLDT High Speed Hitters were also part of the huge crowd that witnessed the ballyhooed battle between Japan and Italy.

 

The High Speed Hitters, represented by Michelle Morente, Jessey De Leon, Erika Santos, Fiola Mae Ceballos, Rachel Austero, and Julianne Samonte gamely catered to selfie requests and autograph signings in the team’s meet and greet event at PLDT Home’s booth located in the second floor lobby.

 

The activity is part of PLDT Home’s commitment to further elevate the fan experience in the VNL, where the company is a major sponsor.

 

“PLDT Home has kept me connected with my family from the province and back home we also have PLDT Home’s reliable internet service should we want to watch and monitor the VNL,” said Morente.

 

De Leon also credits PLDT for being a major player in helping bring quality sports to countless legions of fans in the Philippines.

 

“I think it's vital for the sports community that PLDT itself is supportive when it comes to sports, PLDT helps in bringing the sports to the public,” remarked De Leon.

 

“They are aware to the needs of the people, and in turn they patronize sports even more, and that's an integral part of PLDT's support.” 

 

Cooling the Way to a Healthier Lifestyle: TCL AAT Inverter+ Refrigerators Lead the Charge

TCL, the leading consumer electronics brand and the world's top two TV brand, launches their latest Free Build-In refrigerator that is highlighted by three defining features based on TCL’s advanced technology and elevated design. 

 

Just in time for this month’s celebration of Nutrition month, TCL introduces the newest Refrigerator line up that reflects TCL's dedication to delivering cutting-edge home technology at reasonable prices while enabling users to live healthier, more environmentally friendly, and more practical lives.

Introducing TCL’s Flagship Smart Fridge with Health and Energy-Saving Benefits

 

TCL’s AAT Inverter+ is set to be the best accessible high-tech top-mount refrigerator on the market and a great example of the powerful functionality featured across the TCL Refrigerator lineup.

 

With Filipino families becoming more health conscious than ever before, TCL AAT Inverter+’s Healthy Fresh functions are equipped with smart functions to keep your food chilled at the right temperature and ensure it stays fresher for longer, with the innovative Multi Air flow system, AI radar, and the Automatic Anion-releasing Technology (AAT) .

 

Speaking of better care of health, TCL’s AAT Inverter + also puts emphasis on its care for the planet. Its Twin Eco Inverter provides the perfect cooling environment for food, which not only enables long-lasting freshness but also saves energy and money. The Twin Eco Inverter also provides a steady temperature inside the refrigerator which inhibits the growth of ice, a process known as Total No Frost. Food remains frost-free so there is no need for manual defrost and no danger of food sticking to the walls of the refrigerator or being frozen when placed towards the back.

 

Lastly, the Easy-Using features give the user experience a premium feel, with little adaptations to make life more convenient, such as large storage space, Twist Ice Maker to freeze, unmold and store ice cubes with a simple gesture.

 

The TCL’s Varied Refrigerator Range Suited for Every Filipino Family

 

Aside from TCL AAT Inverter+, TCL has an extensive range of refrigerators to suit every Filipino family’s needs. The TCL FreshPro Direct Cool+ line is an accessible but highly functionable range, with precise temperature control allowing for accurate cooling to ensure optimum conditions to preserve freshness. TCL FreshPro Direct Cool+ Refrigerators are designed to be running at low noise thanks to innovative compressors, ensuring you are never disturbed by humming or buzzing, and soft LED lighting offers excellent illumination of the fridge contents whilst saving on energy consumption.

 

Regarding the energy saving aspect, like the TCL AAT Inverter+, The TCL FreshPro AAT Inverter Max collection also comes with a Twin Eco Inverter, which allows accurate temperature control whilst reducing energy consumption and noise for a quieter and more environmentally friendly option. What’s amazing is that the TCL FreshPro AAT Inverter Max range comes equipped with powerful cooling functions – with just a press of one button, the Power Cool increases the cooling rate to chill your drinks and food rapidly whilst the Power Freeze further enhances the cooling effect to freeze food and ice. The Max Space feature allows families to customize storage within the fridge to suit their requirements, with daily items organized to be easily accessible whilst optimizing the space available allowing the ability to stock up on family favorites.

 

Discover TCL’s range of refrigerators to suit every consumer’s requirements, rolling out across retailers in the Philippines this month.

 

Join the Excitement: Infinix Presents the #BringOnTheHOT30 TikTok Challenge

Summer never ends, all thanks to the Infinix HOT 30, the only 256GB smartphone under P 7,000! To hype up the hottest series of the year, people across Tiktok are invited to join #BringOnTheHOT30, a new challenge that will surely heat up your socials this season. 

 

To kick off the challenge, various content creators have also joined the trend, including influencer Jervan Jervan, photographer Kelvin Mark Ulit, and beauty and lifestyle influencer Lenie Aycardo. The challenge is simple—to the tune of the new HOT 30 jingle, showcase the phone in fun and creative ways by highlighting its many awesome and value-for-money features. 

 

The official #BringOnTheHOT30 song lists down the best features of the HOT 30 and why it's the new best budget lifestyle and gaming phone in the market. Of course, the biggest things the HOT 30 has going for it is the mega storage 16GB RAM and 8GB extended memory which helps your phone perform at its best, and the Helio G88 Octa-Core Gaming Engine for nonstop high-level gaming all day. 

 

The song also touches on the 33W Fast Charge, which keeps the HOT 30 powered up and ready to go anytime, and how “sulit” the phone is thanks to the very accessible P7,000 price tag. 

 

Get the Infinix HOT 30 now on TikTok Shop for under 7K pesos for a limited time only. Also available on Lazada, Shopee, and official Infinix kiosks and concept stores nationwide. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Join the HOT trend of the summer and take the #BringOnTheHOT30 challenge on TikTok and share it with everyone!

 

 

AirAsia Superapp: Soaring Beyond Boundaries with Seamless Traveling and Shopping Experiences

Traveling has always been an exciting experience, but it can often come with its fair share of stress and hassle. However, thanks to the groundbreaking launch of the airasia Superapp, those days of travel anxiety are now a thing of the past. With this all-in-one application revolutionizing the way we travel, exploring the world has become as easy as 1-2-3. 

The airasia Superapp is the latest online travel agency (OTA) platform that conveniently provides necessary travel services, all in one application.

On July 8, the airasia Superapp launched its Explore Your Way campaign and welcomed thousands of mall-goers at SM Mall of Asia where they explored the wonders of each application's major features such as Flights, Hotels, Transport, and Rewards. Attendees were immersed in a travel-based  experience which is focused on delivering the best value, as they took on journeys of discovery, fun games, and prizes.

 

airasia Superapp Chief Commercial Officer Mai Yin Tan said “airasia Superapp is here to take the hassle out of booking the best value travel deals and is very useful not only for your domestic trips, but also for international travel. From flights on over 700 airlines, the best accommodation packages, to ride hailing, food, deliveries and more this should become your one stop shop for all your preferred travel bookings. 

 

“I am also happy to announce that we have just been nominated as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App at the World Travel Awards. We hold this nomination so dear to our hearts because in just a year’s time, airasia Superapp’s efforts have been recognized in this prestigious award-giving body. I hope you can vote for us athttps://worldtraveltechawards.com/award/asia-best-travel-booking-app/2023.

 

“We have a lot more in store for Filipinos with the airasia Superapp that you should definitely watch out for.”

@lola_lamon #ExploreYourWay with @airasia Superapp #travel #nomad #flights #fyi #fy #airasiasuperapp ♬ My Addiction - Alex Guesta

 

airasia Superapp offers not only the best low cost airline deals, but also hotel accommodation at the best rates with a wide-range of selection and direct partnerships. Whether you are looking for a 5-star accommodation or budget hotel, you can book it via airasia Superapp as over 900,000 hotels across the globe are available on the platform.

 

In the Philippines, airasia Superapp has fostered strong ties with the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Hotel 101 Manila, Red Planet Hotels, Berjaya Makati Hotel, Sunlight Hotel Coron, and many more to ensure that all needs of the users are covered. With airasia Superapp, there is something for everyone.

 

airasia Superapp Managing director, Ray Berja said “Our Explore Your Way campaign is a perfect time to let everyone know that airasia Superapp is an industry leading online travel agency (OTA) that lets its users easily book flights from their airline of choice as we have a wide range of local and international carriers in the platform such as Sunlight Air, Airswift and Royal Air. Our hope is to make traveling more convenient and cost-efficient because we want our customers to make the most out of their time and budget so they have more money in their pocket when they get to their destination.”

 

With the theme “Explore Your Way”, mall attendees were given “boarding passes” that were used to explore the booths of airasia Superapp’s major lines of business (LOBs). The Dream Destination (Flights) Booth featured a world trivia game where participants were given the chance to dart and land on  their favourite countries and locations across the world in order to win merchandise or a travel prize. The Hotel Ball Pit Frenzy gave incredible hotel discounts including exclusive Superapp vouchers and rewards, while a memory game was available  at the last stop, the Rewards Paradise where prizes and promotional deals were redeemed. Winners to the Rewards Paradise also had a chance of winning the major raffle draw for attendees who finished the trip to all booths. Raffle draw prizes included special vouchers from airasia’s partner companies, airasia superapp points, and round trip international and local flights.

The airasia Explore Your Way Fair was made possible in partnership with GCash, RCBC,  Sunlight Air, Megaworld, Red Planet, Hotel 101, Bluewater Resorts, OceanJet, The 815 Co., Bayongciaga, and Dermo Republiq.

With the airasia Superapp, Capital A aims for travelers to have their well-deserved and worry-free vacation. Aside from its major LOBs including flights, hotels, and rewards, the airasia Superapp also offers a convenient, tax-free shopping through its shop feature while the transport allows travelers to book bus or ferry rides to the various destinations in the country.

Through the #ExploreYourWay event launch, attendees got first-hand experience on navigating the airasia Superapp. With the goal to provide convenience for travelers, using the application is also convenient and easy, you just need to download the airasia Superapp from the App Store for IOS, Play Store for Android, or AppGallery for Huawei and key in your basic details. With a wide range of services to choose from, you are now ready to enjoy the superapp.

 

For more information, visit the @airasiasuperapp.ph on Facebook and Instagram.

Immerse in the Vibrant World of Pastel: Philippine Pastel Artists Return to Gateway Gallery for 'Kulay Pastel

 

The Philippine Pastel Artists, Inc. group, in partnership with Giftbox, Inc., presents the 2nd Kulay Pastel Juried Exhibition at the Gateway Gallery. As a members-only exhibit, the show aims to recognize new, exceptional works done by the group’s regular members, showcasing their current progress and artistic directions and demonstrating their passion and dedication to the fine art of pastels.

Founded in 2015, the PPA continues its vision to be a premier and globally-recognized organization promoting Filipino artists through the use of pastels as a medium for artistic expression and setting the standards of excellence in pastel painting in the Philippines. It is a recognized member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, a non-profit organization representing pastel societies worldwide, uniting in the common cause to demonstrate the validity and quality of pastel fine art.

In providing a platform for its members to showcase their creative abilities and skills in pastel artmaking, PPA forges on with its mission to elevate the pastel medium in the art community at large. Awards for the Best in Show and two Awards of Merit to the three most distinguished pieces will be announced at the exhibition’s opening reception on July 15, 2023. The show ends on July 29, 2023.

Participating artists are:

Alvin Montano, Bids Llorin-Luna, Caroline Rosales, Dennis Baquial, Ferdie Magsino, Ferdinand Capistrano, Glenn Perez, Grandier Bella, Iris Babao-Uy, Julius Legaspi, Karlo Domingo, Kathy Sarao-Nazario, Luisa Bayot, Nell Belgado, Reina Lynn "Rei" Antonio, Roberto Martin Sing, Rodel Rosario, Roland Castro, Romeo Cortez, Tessa Punzalan-Brodeth, Wendy Rondaris, Yolanda Batara

For inquiries, please contact: 0975-8879651 or email: ppa.kulaypastel@gmail.com.