Century Park Hotel supports women empowerment

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We always hear of women empowerment but what exactly does this oft-used phrase entail? Women empowerment is believing that women can be catalysts of change, it is recognizing their strengths and qualities. Women need to be supported not just inside their homes but also in their chosen professions and advocacies.

Century Park Hotel (CPH) is known for supporting women, where else can you find a company that champions women in supervisory and management roles? Even among the back of the house and frontliners, you will see women ensuring that the hotel’s daily operations are running smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

This March, in celebration of International Women’s month, CPH wants to emphasize that endeavor through their “Women’s Day Special!”

Every Monday of March, women of all ages can avail of a 25% discount at Café In The Park (starting price at P1,800net/head) and Century Tsukiji (from 1,499/pax) buffet for lunch or dinner.

Café in the Park offers an international cuisine that varies from day to day, this is one exciting gustatory adventure that should not be missed by the ladies. Café In The Park’s buffets are available from 11:00AM to 2:30PM (Lunch) and 6:00PM to 10:00PM (Dinner).

If you are in the mood for Japanese cuisine, head off to Century Tsukiji and experience for yourself what everyone has been talking about regarding the hotel’s Japanese food outlet. Sumptuous beef slices, juicy sashimi, yummy sukiyaki, succulent tempura and other delicacies are waiting for all the women in the family as well as in the workplace. Century Tsukiji’s buffets can be availed from 11:00AM to 2:00PM (Lunch) and 5:00PM to 9:30PM (Dinner).

For those ladies seeking to have a chill out session, the Atrium Lounge offers a 25% off on its ala carte menu from 9:00AM to 12:00MN. The lounge is famous for its cozy vibe, sultry music and delectable snacks.

“Women have always played an important part in Century Park Hotel’s history. Time and again, when the hotel has faced challenges such as the pandemic, the women employees have been pivotal in turning things around, whether in making major decisions or implementing milestone projects. As we observe and celebrate International Women’s Month, this “Women’s Day Special!” is our tribute to all the women who make our lives complete and special,” said Ana Dimagiba, Century Park Hotel’s OIC for Hotel Operations.

To know more about the hotel’s “Women’s Day Special!” offers, visit ww.centurypark.com.ph or check out their social media accounts at IG: @centuryparkhotelmanila or FB: Century Park Hotel Manila. You may also call +632 85288888 or +63 917 528 58888.

The real inspiration behind Michelle Marquez Dee’s advocacies : The PLDT Home Ambassador recalls her journey to empowerment

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“It felt like forever.”

This is how Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee described the moment when she was announced as the winner last May.

“All you can hope for is that destiny is on your side — and it was on that night of May 13. When they finally called my name, honestly, I just felt like all the hard work paid off. When you’ve dedicated your whole life and everything for that moment to happen, mapapabagsak ka. I actually bent over because of relief, happiness, and gratitude.”

28-year-old Michelle will represent the Philippines at Miss Universe in El Salvador in November.

She is the finest fit, even PLDT Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan himself said upon meeting her, along with the other Miss Universe Philippines queens at a PLDT and Smart exclusive meet-and-greet with executives and employees at Ramon Cojuangco Building in Makati City recently.

“We could think of no better woman to proudly bear the flag at this year’s Miss Universe pageant than Michelle,” Pangilinan said. “She is smart with her confidence and authentic with her advocacies. We at PLDT fully stand beside her. We have no doubt that she will be one of the strongest queens in the field, and that she will go very far.”

Deepening her connections

Michelle celebrates, and at the same time, bears on her shoulders the legacy of her mother Melanie Marquez in the pageant world. Melanie is the youngest Miss International, winning the title when she was only 15 years old in 1979. Later on, she became a successful actress, starring in comedy films and TV sitcoms.

An actress, model, and PLDT Home ambassador, Michelle enjoys a close relationship with her parents and siblings, with whom she always stays connected through video calls.

“My mom is one of my biggest inspirations. She is responsible for why I am so strong,” she says. “She is somebody that I really look up to. She was nothing but proud. She instilled in my mind that I should shine as my own woman, be confident in what I have and what I have to offer.”

PLDT Home Ambassador Michelle Marquez Dee and mom, actress, and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez have maintained a close relationship through the years.

On the night Michelle won, pageant fans went wild when they saw what netizens dubbed “the snake walk.” She recalls, “The inspiration was really my mother. My trainer Ian Mendajar and I were conceptualizing the walk and really trying to personalize my choreography. We had always aspired to integrate my mom as an inspiration throughout my journey and we felt like this was the right moment.”

Michelle wanted to do something special during the coronation night because it was Mother’s Day the following day. “I dedicated my whole journey to my mom and my family. I owe it to them that I’m a strong and empowered individual.”

Michelle’s international pageant journey would have commenced in 2019 when she won Miss World Philippines, but the pandemic happened. She then joined Miss Universe Philippines 2022, where she won Miss Universe Philippines Tourism, second to Filipino-Italian Celeste Cortesi who won the crown, with the two becoming close friends over time. Early this year, Michelle became part of the cast of the fantasy drama Mga Lihim ni Urduja, which premiered in February, and throughout the MUP competition — where she first had to compete to represent Makati — she was running on only a few hours of sleep between the pageant competition and taping.

Throughout her busy schedule, Michelle constantly communicated with her family and friends. And thanks to social media, powered by the fastest broadband connection provided by PLDT Home, she realized just how much of a positive impact she had on her fans and that she could have on young people – especially young girls who aspire to be successful in and outside the pageant circuit.

“Miss Universe is undoubtedly one of the biggest platforms to really create positive change around the world, and that’s my main goal. I want to set a great example for people to become empowered and transformational leaders,” she says. “To finally walk this path is absolutely amazing. I’ve had one of the hardest times in the past few months, and it was all worth it. Hard work and dedication can get you anywhere you want in life.”

Spreading the word on her causes

PLDT Home Ambassador Michelle Marquez Dee in support of Autism Society Philippines’ Angels Walk for Autism last April, with brother Mazen who also has special needs.

Now that she has an enormous opportunity to push her advocacies and start conversations around autism, Michelle says that everything she does must have a purpose.

“My two siblings on the autism spectrum are my lifelong mission. Being able to give to them what they need and to be a part of the solution is something that I don't take lightly. I know the kind of life I want them to live, I know what is lacking in the Philippines and the world. It means the world to me to be part of such a positive change for my siblings and for everybody that's on the autism spectrum as well.”

“At Autism Society Philippines, we see every individual on the spectrum as having their own talent and we want them to live fulfilled and empowered lives. That's why I really advocate for acceptance, inclusivity, and awareness. My two siblings were also there during the coronation night, cheering for me. I knew that they understood that this competition was for them,” she adds.

Michelle is a true example of a Filipino with an open and welcoming heart for everyone regardless of color, gender, or station in life. Even at a young age, she was participating in the charities her family was involved in. Her grandmother founded the Inner Peace Foundation over 40 years ago, which Michelle now heads.

“My father always taught me that if you have the means to give back, then you should always give back. I’m so grateful to have such strong pillars in my life, teaching me that the only way to go is to make sure that people around you are safe and taken care of.”

PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan with (L-R) Miss Universe Philippines 2023 2nd Runner-up Angelique Manto, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and PLDT Home Ambassador Michelle Marquez Dee, Miss Charm Philippines 2024 Krishnah Marie Gravidez, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 1st Runner-up Christine Juliane Opiaza.

PLDT Home Senior Vice President and Head for Consumer Business Jeremiah de la Cruz with (L-R) Miss Universe Philippines 2023 2nd Runner-up Angelique Manto, Miss Charm Philippines 2024 Krishnah Marie Gravidez, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and PLDT Home Ambassador Michelle Marquez Dee, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 1st Runner-up Christine Juliane Opiaza.

Going back to her roots

Michelle takes to heart the lesson her family taught her: “To always walk life full of gratitude, love and kindness.”

No wonder that when she was asked during the pageant what to her is the best the country can offer the world, she answered straight from the heart. It’s always the people. As she said, “We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines with the way we are hospitable, with our warm smiles. And we are the reason why the world keeps coming back for more. No matter where the universe takes me, I'll always be proud to call the Philippines my home. And no matter what happens I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy.”

Teleperformance Philippines commits to strengthen gender and disability inclusivity in the workplace

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Teleperformance (TP) Philippines, a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, raised awareness among their employees on the struggles that persons with disabilities (PWDs) encounter in the workplace and how to create an inclusive workplace for all.

In an internal forum titled “Interweaving Inclusion in our TP DNA,” which was organized by TP Women, Teleperformance’s gender inclusivity arm that aims to promote gender and disability inclusivity, TP featured key resource persons and Teleperformance Philippines employees as speakers on PWD inclusivity in the workplace, especially women with disabilities.

“No DE&I journey ever stops. It’s a constant process of having conversations, of learning, of growing, and of building a culture in the organization,” said Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Vice President of Human Capital Resource Management, in his opening remarks. “We do this not because we’re supposed to, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

During the forum, TP Philippines employees with disabilities recounted their experiences, observations, and recommendations in a roundtable discussion on being a person with disabilities in daily life and in the workplace.

Participating in the discussion was Marilyn Ventenilla, TP Women Chair and Senior Director of Communication and Marketing, who identifies herself as a PWD. “What we’re doing now is a significant first step,” said Ventenilla. “Learning, experiencing, and observing what persons with disabilities are going through are essential for us to empathize with them and understand their expectations.”

Meanwhile, among the guest speakers were Ryan Gersava, Founder and CEO of Virtualahan, Inc., and Jennifer Anne Mendoza, Membership and Client Care Specialist of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE).

Jennifer Anne Mendoza of the PBCWE did a talk on disability inclusive leadership, addressing the need for inclusivity in the workplace and the added challenges of women employees with disabilities. “A workplace diversity and inclusion initiative that overlooks the issue of disability fails to address the needs of a large segment of the population,” said Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gersava of Virtualahan, Inc., an online vocational school providing inclusive training and empowering companies to become inclusive employers, spoke about the importance of disclosure and the challenges of non-apparent disabilities and promoting disability-inclusive employment. “Disclosure is the key to solving the systemic and intergenerational problem,” said Gersava. “It is very personal and it is very difficult, and it requires a very strong support system: a strong support system that you and I can build together.”

The forum event closed with attending leaders making a digital pledge to actively promote and foster gender and disability inclusivity in the workplace. Leaders came up with personal ways on how they plan on doing so and shared them on the call. Among them was Teleperformance Philippines Chief Executive Officer Francisco Lara Padilla.

“It’s not enough to just talk about it. We’ve got to do something, we’ve got to prioritize it – especially if we want to achieve real changes,” said Lara in his closing remarks. “We may not have the answers 100% – but we will get there. We all have to start somewhere.”

Teleperformance Philippines also recently received their 5th consecutive Great Place to Work® Certification. The Great Place to Work® certification is awarded to companies based on its level of credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie as surveyed by employees. TP Philippines was the first company to be certified in any industry and is the largest employer in the county to be certified this year.

To learn more about Teleperformance, visit their website at www.teleperformance.com.

For These Three Women Sellers, E-Commerce Meant Empowerment

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Shopee sellers Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine share their stories on how they’ve become stronger, more independent, and more successful women in the industry

More women in e-commerce continue to excel in the industry and are stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams and transform their lives. On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and this year’s campaign theme, #BreakTheBias, promotes gender equality and a community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusivity. In celebration of IWD, three local female Shopee sellers share how they overcame the challenges they faced and how they’re breaking barriers. They hope that their stories may serve as an inspiration to other aspiring women entrepreneurs venturing into the world of e-commerce.

Embracing the Shift to Online Selling

Setting up an online business requires a lot of focus and can be intimidating. Shine de Luna was pregnant when she started selling online, and eventually decided to focus on her online business when she gave birth so that she can spend more time taking care of her child. She knew it was risky and faced many difficulties when she first set up her online shop. “I had zero orders in the beginning, but I persevered, pushed forward, and didn’t give up. I made sure I boosted my posts every four hours and replied to inquiries fast. It took months before my business picked up the pace, and now, I’m getting a hundred orders daily.” In addition to traveling to Divisoria to source products to sell, she also had to tend to her child and bring them along.

The same goes for Anjelica Tullao, who started with zero ratings and zero items sold. “Establishing the customer’s trust was my main obstacle. For them to consider buying from my shop, they need to trust me and that my products are of high quality,” she said.

Emerald Sin, on the other hand, was already selling her pre-loved clothes in college to finance her studies. She invested in a brick-and-mortar store located around the University Belt and shifted online to cater to her clients who were going home to their provinces.

Rising Above the Challenges One Step at a Time

Despite the hardships faced, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica rose above the challenges, determined to succeed no matter what. For Shine, not only was she able to provide for her family, but she also became a channel of blessing to the few workers she employed to get her business running. “I am grateful to my team for helping me through it all. It was risky, but it was worth it because I can also help others during this difficult time.” It was also through online selling that she was able to help achieve her parent’s lifetime dream of owning their own house.

Both Emerald and Anjelica focused on how to market their products effectively. Emerald branched out and became a direct manufacturer, hiring local seamstresses to produce high-quality fashion products, while Anjelica maximized the in-app features of Shopee to improve customer trust and retention. “Whenever I encounter issues, Live Chat is always available to answer all my queries. I am also grateful to the Shopee team who helped me become a ‘Preferred Seller’ and recommended me to join big campaigns.” With her shop’s good performances, she went from being a one-man team to having seven additional team members.  “With our shop’s growth, we were able to expand our office, rent a warehouse, and purchase two vehicles for personal and professional use.”

Supporting Women in E-commerce

This International Women’s Day, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica encourage other women to step up, break stereotypes, and reach for their dreams. “I’m encouraging those who are hesitant, to take a leap of faith. I believe that we can do so much more. Don’t let the circumstances stop you from being successful and from helping others. A successful journey always starts with someone determined to overcome anything life throws at us,” said Emerald.

Shine, on the other hand, is proud to be both a mother and a successful entrepreneur. “Sobrang saya ko kasi natupad ko ang pangarap ng aking mga magulang na magkaroon ng sariling bahay sa tulong ng pagiging online seller ko.” (I’m very happy because I was able to fulfill my parent’s dream of having our own house, and this was made possible by being an online seller). She also adds that women should pursue their dreams and work hard towards it. “Huwag kang aasa sa magulang or partner mo. Naging makahulugan ang pagiging anak at ina ko dahil nabigay ko sa kanila ang pangangailangan nila mula sa negosyo ko.” (Don’t just expect things from your partner or parents. I feel fulfilled as a mother and daughter since I can provide my family what they need thanks to my online business.)

Anjelica also pushes aspiring female entrepreneurs to grab the opportunity. “Find your own purpose, challenge yourself, and pursue your goals. Being a successful woman in business means being your authentic self and showing up, day after day, to get to work your dreams.”

Celebrate and support local sellers like Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine at the 3.15 International Women’s Day Sale this coming March 8. Here, users can look forward to 90% off on select categories like Lifestyle, Fashion, and many more. For those who are considering online selling and want to explore the evolving digital space, they can Get Started on Shopee right now.

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

 

Teleperformance joins the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment

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Teleperformance (TP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, strengthens its advocacy of advancing gender equality in the workplace by joining the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE). 

This partnership was formalized through the recent virtual signing ceremony attended by Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Vice President for Human Capital Resource Management of TP Philippines, Tanya Famador-Japitana, Executive Vice President for Operations of TP Philippines and Chairperson for TP Women Philippines, and Maria Aurora Boots Geotina-Garcia, Chairperson of Philippine Women’s Economic Network and Co-Chair of PBCWE.

PBCWE was established in 2017 as an inaugural project of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) in partnership with Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government. As the newest member of PBCWE, Teleperformance joins other 18 member companies in leading efforts towards building a business case for gender equality, creating knowledge on best practices in the workplace, communicating the benefits of empowering women in the workforce, and institutionalizing policies based on best practices.

“I thank PBCWE for the opportunity to be part of this partnership. There is so much that the society can contribute when we are all welcome and empowered. I am personally committed to seeing all levels being represented in the organization – not just women – but other areas that may be underrepresented. I am proud to be working side by side with PBCWE and I look forward to the success that we’ll see in the coming months as we take this partnership to the next level,” shared Jeffrey Johnson.

“It’s truly an honor to be part of PBCWE. We believe that it’s high time that we tie up with organizations like PBCWE to help provide the structure in our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts so that we can measure how far we’ve gone since we’ve launched TP Women and truly pave the trail for the next phase of our cause. I look forward to and fully support the plans of PBCWE and TP Women together,” Tanya Famador-Japitana added.

TP’s global commitment to the principles of diversity, respect, fairness, empowerment, and equality are reflected through its TP Women initiative which seeks to maintain an overall equal gender distribution in the TP Group’s workforce and in management positions, and to increase the proportion of women in governing bodies. Currently, TP’s global employee base is comprised of 52% women. By 2023, TP committed to its global target of 30% women in the senior leadership roles.

As part of its membership package, TP will undergo the Gender Equality Assessment, Results and Strategies (GEARS), a tool developed in partnership with Investing in Women. GEARS provides companies with the information and resources necessary to start the change process towards gender equality. It evaluates the company’s current gender equality strategies, plan future gender equality objectives, and track their progress over time.

“Gender equality in the workplace plays an important framework in facilitating business productivity, operational efficiency, and financial resiliency. Today, many companies are eager to set clear targets and metrics to create sound policies and programs. In PBCWE, we offer a unique and one-of-a-kind opportunity for companies to undergo a simple and streamlined workplace gender equality assessment tool that can help them take concrete steps in their current practices on talent recruitment, succession planning, and employee retention. We are happy to know that Teleperformance is committed to pursue this as a core business strategy,” said Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia.

TP stands firm with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In June 2020, TP Philippines celebrated diversity and inclusion through its TP Pride initiative which sought to strengthen employee engagement, promote a diverse and inclusive culture in the workplace, and recognize the contribution and influence of each and every individual.

In 2021, TP Philippines was re-certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the only organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute for four years in a row. This 2022, TP will be celebrating its 26th year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s IT-BPM sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.

Women for women

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Successful women are unselfishly sharing their stories of empowerment for other women to rise above their own challenges.

 

Four women in fact recounted breaking gender norms and defying the odds during a recent webinar offered by Malayan Insurance Co. Inc. entitled “When Life Gives You Lemons”.

 

The event was spearheaded by its We Women program segment in partnership with the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) in celebration of Women’s Month this March.

 

“Let’s not forget that we women carry half of the world, our lives matter, and our lives make a difference. We are women, we are more loving, more thoughtful, and more caring. A lot of women are abused, it may not be physical it can be mental or emotional, so this women’s forum is critical as we share our experiences as women,” Yvonne S. Yuchengco, We women chief program ambassador, said.

 

Rebecca Bustamante, president of Chalre Associates Executive Search, shared her transformative experience from being a domestic helper to emerging as president of a renowned company.

 

From her humble beginnings in Pangasinan, Bustamante became the breadwinner of her family at an early age, supporting 10 siblings and her mother being ill with a terminal disease.

 

She worked as a domestic helper at 19 in Singapore while struggled to get an education to fuel her dreams of lifting her family out of poverty.

Bustamante absorbed all criticisms and discrimination through the course of her life but used this as motivation to prove them all wrong. She migrated to Canada and there started her own family.

 

In the same webinar was Virginia V. Calago, a victim of abuse at an early age. She struggled with her mother leaving them at an early age, her father abused her and ended up with the local social services.

 

She had her tragic experiences in foster homes, but with prayer and the focus to make her goals come true, Calago emerged even stronger.

 

She wears her battle scars with pride and honor imparting that whatever life throws at you, you always have a choice. And she encouraged everyone to stay strong and choose to be brave and face each challenge head on.

 

Trials are not limited to experiences in life but also can be lurking in established businesses. Indira Bagatsing, managing director of Kahariam Farms, shared the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid19) in their organic farming business.

 

From letting some employees go to adapting to the changes needed to sustain the business, Kahariam Farms continued to produce organic fruits and vegetables for the Filipino public despite the odds. Bagatsing pointed out that the support of everyone from her family and all of them working together made all the difference and helped the business push through.

 

In terms of women's representation in the workforce, data from a survey conducted by Deloitte Southeast Asia (Deloitte SEA) and shared by Anna Marie Pabellon during the webinar, revealed that women continue to be underrepresented in terms of the technology workforce with women representation declining at successive levels.

 

Pabellon pointed to a “leaky pipeline” in the education system, wherein only a few women earn a technology-related degree.

 

For working women in the information technology (IT) field, 50 percent was pointed out to be more likely to say they have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

 

Meanwhile, 20 percent of women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector said that their gender has made it more challenging to succeed at work.

 

Pabellon overcame these boundaries as she herself has defied gender norms being a partner of Deloitte SEA as the first woman country risk advisory services leader. She maintains that women are great at what they do and should pursue their dreams despite what other people say.

 

Apart from the empowering webinar, Malayan Insurance also mounted its #ChooseToChallenge campaign, a social media effort wherein both women and men are encouraged to support their chosen challenge whether it be on violence against women, economic status, inorganic farming methods, or the role of work from home (WFH) women, among others.

 

Malayan Insurance will also be hosting an online event focusing on Kwentong Kababaihan and Great Women Mentors as well as its Chill Convo sessions for this month, staying true to its goal of highlighting what women do for society.

 

Malayan Insurance is a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies.