Doing Good While Doing Well: Philam Group institutionalizes annual donation to intensify CSR efforts

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This year, Philam Group  pledge to do more by institutionalizing its annual donation to intensify its CSR efforts.

Many companies adhere to a sense of corporate social responsibility through educational and social programs that benefit a marginalized sector of the population or the society at large. 

One of these is the Philam Group of companies, which has been a staunch advocate of the importance of giving back to the community. 

Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos

“For the past 69 years of philanthropic success, we have been actively enriching the lives of Filipino families through our various CSR programs. This year, we want to do more by pledging a portion of our annual income to ensure our CSR programs continue to expand its reach and enable us to serve more communities,” Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos said during the recent briefing with the press dubbed as “Doing Good While Doing Well," held at the Philam Tower, Makati City. 

The Philam Paaralan is one of the notable projects of Philam Foundation, Philam Group’s CSR arm.  Philam Paaralan aims to build classrooms in calamity-stricken areas around the country, in coordination with the Department of Education. To date, the program has constructed 101 classrooms for the past four years.

The Philam Paaralan classrooms are typhoon-resilient, fully-furnished and complete with water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities that are essential in providing schoolchildren a healthy environment conducive for learning.

The Philam Group, composed of Philam Life, BPI-Philam, and Philam Asset Management Inc., (PAMI), has pooled their combined annual donation amounting to Php31 million, which will be used to finance more Philam Paaralan classrooms and other noteworthy projects. 

A ceremonial check turnover from Philam Group to Philam Foundation was held during the event.

Also present during the event were AIA Regional CEO Gordon Watson, Philam Foundation President Max Ventura, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

In his speech, Commissioner Dooc commended the Philam Group’s selfless act of institutionalizing its annual donation that would benefit more marginalized sectors of society.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro 

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro also gave a short message, thanking the Philam Group for being a forerunner in providing support to the education sector. The DepEd has been working closely with the Foundation in identifying schools that are most in need of new classrooms.

“Given Philam Group’s strong financial position, we want to be able to ‘do good while doing well,’ and we are happy to create a sustainable contribution to the community thorugh the Philam Paaralan programme. In line with our thrust to empower more Filipinos to live longer, healthier and better lives, we want to build more classrooms and give more children a healthy education and a better life for the future,”  said Cantos. 

For more information on Philam Life and Philam Foundation, please visit www.philamlife.com

Panasonic scholarship application is open! Creating new breed of leaders for nation-building

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Panasonic has announced recently the opening of application for its 2016 Panasonic Scholarship Program (PSP) in the Philippines.

PSP-Philippines is administered by Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) along with the support of Panasonic Precision Devices Philippines Corporation (PPRDPH).  The program, which is part of the global corporate citizenship activities of Panasonic for the next generation is offered to full-time senior college students in a state university enrolled in engineering, industrial design or accountancy or those individuals, who are enrolled/accepted in any TESDA-accredited institution, specializing in the fields of electro-mechanics, consumer electronics or refrigeration & air conditioning course for the school year 2016 ~ 2017.

“It is the objective of our Panasonic Scholarship Program to contribute to the development of responsible breed of leaders by bringing out not only the best in them but their commitment towards nation-building,” said PMPC president Shinichi Hayashi.  

Inquiries about the scholarship programs and application process can be coursed through Panasonic Scholarship Office – Philippines via e-mail at  jafanika.sibal@ph.panasonic.com

jafanika.sibal@ph.panasonic.com or 

lorenzo.magsingit@ph.panasonic.com 

Application ends on July 22, 2016.

Panasonic Corporation (Japan) funds the Panasonic Scholarship Program for its localized programs in the region, including the Philippines.

HISTORY® TURNS THE LENS ON ASIA’S BEST SHUTTERBUGS FOR THE THIRD TIME WITH NEW SEASON OF PHOTO FACE-OFF

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- 13 amateur photographers give it their best shot to be crowned champion -

Philippines - After two successful seasons, A+E Networks® Asia’s original production PHOTO FACE-OFF is set to return on HISTORY® for season three. Currently in production, viewers in the region can look forward to the five episode series’ premiere later this year.

Award-winning resident professional photographer Justin Mott is back to take on a new group of amateur photographers who will compete against him, and each other, for the top prize. For the third consecutive year, Canon will be the series’ presenting sponsor, in association with Silk Air. This season’s pool of talented photographers are vying for an overseas trip to the Canon Photo Clinic, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera + Canon Red Line Professional Backpack and the opportunity to photograph a red carpet event for A+E Networks.

Besides picking up valuable photography tips from the region’s leading experts, viewers will also experience some of Southeast Asia’s most unique activities and exotic locales. From capturing a figure skater in action, to styling and shooting an album cover for a popular local band, this year’s challenges will be more exciting than ever.

Three local amateurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be given new photographic challenges each week in their home town, designed to test the shooters’ creativity, skill and technical knowledge. A panel of professionals will judge their work and the pack will be whittled down after each challenge until there is one country representative who will then move on to the grand finale in Vietnam.

Each episode will feature a three-round battle: a speed challenge which will require them to think on their feet and race against time; a theme challenge where they will have to meet a client’s brief; and a final face-off where the last one standing will compete head to head with expert Justin Mott for bragging rights and Canon prizes.

PHOTO FACE-OFF is the first and biggest photography reality competition television series in Asia and is produced by Beach House Productions for A+E Networks Asia.

HISTORY™ is available on SKYCable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch. 43; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57; and Cignal Ch 125.

About HISTORY™ & HISTORY HD™

HISTORY™ and HISTORY HD™ are the leading destination for entertaining hit series and cinematic drama events. Programming covers a diverse variety of genres ranging from real-life characters who bring history to life every day, to natural history, contemporary history, technology and science, as well as archaeology and pop culture. It is the highest rated factual entertainment in the U.S. Hit series include Kings of Restoration, Pawn Stars, The Pickers, Ancient Aliens, Counting Cars, The Curse of Oak Island, Vikings, Hidden Cities Extreme and Ride N’ Seek.

HISTORY is available in more than 325 million households in over 150 territories and 35+ languages.

Homepage: www.historyasia.com

Facebook & Twitter: HistoryAsia

Thousands join Freedom Walk for PWDs in SM Megamall - “For Each Right-Full Step, Barriers We Break”

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Some one thousand Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their families converged at the SM Megamall last June 18 to join this year’s Freedom Walk to push for greater inclusivity of PWDs in society, especially in the work force.

Dubbed “For Each Right-Full Step, Barriers We Break,” this year’s Freedom Walk led by AKAP Pinoy also marked the turnover of the event from Pasay City to Mandaluyong City with Mayor Benhur Abalos personally accepting this year’s task of being the host city of the PWDs event.

The participants, many in wheelchairs, traversed Julia Vargas and San Miguel Avenue in Mandaluyong carrying banners and streamers.

Also present were Annie Garcia, President of SM Supermalls, Steven Tan, Senior Vice President of SM Supermalls, a representative of Pasay City Mayor Calixto, and representatives from the different Metro Manila city governments and non-governmental organizations.

Retired Navy Captain Oscar Taleon, AKAP Pinoy President, said they are extremely delighted with the turnout as it reflects on the growing awareness of the public on their condition. 

The Freedom Walk, which is on its 6th year, started in 2010 in Quezon City. Taleon said this is their way of pushing for full integration for them be productive members of society. “This is the participation of our group to the Philippine Independence Day celebration and it also an expression of our desire to have our freedom from our barriers. We would like to eliminate the barriers that hinder us from full participation in society that is on equal basis with others,” he said.

While the National Statistics Office places the number of PWDs in the Philippines at 1.5 million, Taleon said the number has now reached 9 million citing the World Health Organization. “That number of 1.5 million is too low because the WHO has given an estimate of 9 million PWDs in the Philippines,” he said.

Taleon also noted that while their group is happy with the legislations that have given them rights and privileges, implementation is still very much a concern.

Taleon lamented that not all PWDs are aware of the law giving rights and discounts to them which is the reason why many still have to avail of the full benefits of the law. “We have that discount legislation but not everybody is enjoying it mainly because of lack of awareness and the limitations to getting it because we have to get disability card first before we can have the discount so it is quite difficult for many of us,” he pointed out. 

He added that while the last mandates the establishment of People with Disabilities Affairs Offices (PDAOs) in all local government units all over the country, many have to comply with the law.

“The problem really is the implementation and until we implement the law fully, a lot of things need to be done,” he said.

He then thanked SM and its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, for hosting the event saying SM has always been their partner in upholding the rights of PWDs. “SM have shown the way for other establishments on how to treat people like us and we are very glad that it has always been there for us,” he said.

Taleon said they will continue to hold the Freedom Walk until their full inclusion is realized. “We will continue to do this until we would have achieved inclusion. And for as long as we have partners in government and in the private sector like SM, then I am confident that slowly we would get there,” Taleon concluded.

Robinsons Supermarket’s Wellness #Freshtival, journey to a healthier lifestyle

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Let's celebrate the journey to a healthier lifestyle as continuing the path to a healthy lifestyle becomes even more rewarding at Robinsons Supermarket (RSC) this July. 

From the Explore and Learn legs, the year-long “Route to Wellness’ journey reaches an eventful checkpoint with its 3rd leg –the Wellness Festival.

The Wellness Festival was recently launched with a larger-than-life FRESH salad bowl and lots of fun and engaging booths on healthier choice and practices. An afternoon Fitness glow party, led by coaches Jim and Toni Saret, perfectly captured the joyful feel of the celebration.

For this promo, shoppers can get an exclusive Healthy You Rolled Oats bundle for every P3,000 single receipt purchase inclusive of P750 worth of participating products from Nestle and Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Wyeth, Fontera, Nivea, Delfi, Del Monte, Federated, Unilever, Unilab and P&G, among others. All these brands share RSC’s mission to bring health and wellness options to all Filipinos. Promo is from July 1 -31, 2016.

Healthy You is Robinsons Supermarket’s exclusive healthy brand. The product line ranges from nuts, juices, oats, brown rice, coffee and many more. All of these products have been evaluated healthy by DOST-Food Nutrition and Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). Loyal customers will also get an additional 15 Robinsons Rewards Card points for purchase of P500.00 worth of Healthy You products for the whole month of July. 

“A truly healthy and fulfilling lifestyle takes genuine commitment and follows a process that requires the will to say ‘yes’ to what it takes to achieve it. And Robinsons Supermarket’s role is to keep everyone on the right track by offering an accessible and fun route to their desired lifestyle,” said RSC General Manager Jody Gadia.

There’s also more reason to celebrate in July as RSC also holds its annual festivity highlighting the Fresh department called “Freshtival.” The festivity features daily exciting offers of fresh items – from discounts and additional Robinsons Rewards points, to amazing freebies. This compliments the ongoing wellness program as it encourages shoppers to choose more fresh items for a healthier lifestyle.

Join RSC in celebrating wellness by checking out its special promo this whole of July and be on the lookout for the exciting activities and amazing deals.

RSC’s Route to Wellness campaign is a testament to its commitment to ease access to healthier food options and alternatives for Filipinos. Find out more about RSC’s year-long Route to Wellness series of promos and activities. 

Like it on Facebook www.facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visit its official website at www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph to stay updated on the activities that it has in store, and learn more about the #ILoveWellness campaign.