Teleperformance to offer free Covid-19 vaccinations for all employees

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Highlighting its commitment to promote the safety and welfare of its employees, Teleperformance Philippines will be offering free Covid-19 vaccinations for their more than 47,000 employees in the country nationwide.

This is in line with the global initiative of Teleperformance to provide free access to vaccines for all its employees worldwide. As the nation awaits the ongoing government reviews to allow distribution of the vaccine, Teleperformance Philippines is currently collaborating with government agencies and employers in the country to quickly secure the supply of safe and effective FDA-approved vaccines for 100% of their employees.

 

Teleperformance, a leading global group in digitally integrated business services recently announced its plans to reimburse the cost of Covid-19 vaccinations for its more than 330,000 employees worldwide, wherever the vaccine is not being provided free of charge by the country’s healthcare system. The plan will be deployed in accordance with the decisions of the local authorities concerned and in partnership with key private healthcare partners across Teleperformance’s footprint, which spans 80 countries.

 

Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Teleperformance has paid careful attention to protecting its employees, notably with a strong focus on health and hygiene standards in all its locations, millions of masks proactively secured and distributed to its staff, the assertive move to a Work-at-Home delivery model in conjunction with its clients, and enforcement of extra physical distance at its operational sites, over and above local country guidelines.

 

A Great Place to Work® certified company, Teleperformance Philippines likewise initiated efforts throughout the pandemic to promote the safety and well-being of their employees while helping businesses adjust to the new environment. Aside from stringent health and safety protocols on-site, they also implemented the work-at-home (WAH) model for thousands of employees and  launched Teleperformance Cloud Campus, a model that allows home-based interaction experts to work from anywhere in the world while remaining connected virtually to their Teleperformance team through one of the Cloud Campus hubs.

 

Today, by offering the vaccine as a free, optional staff benefit, Teleperformance aims not only to honor its commitment to protecting the health of its people, but also to help governments address the pandemic with agile, large-scope support of vaccination programs deployed at the corporate level.

 

Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien remarked, “Nothing is more important in fulfilling our mission than the safety and health of all our employees. Since the beginning of this grave crisis, we have done everything in our power to ensure business continuity for our clients and protect the health and safety of our employees, our partners, and jobs in the communities where the Group is present. Now, more than ever, we are focused on the same priorities. Based on strong relationships with healthcare partners and in compliance with government decisions and procurement agendas, we are well prepared across the world to assist in securing critical Covid-19 vaccinations for our employees. The reimbursement of vaccination costs for our staff is another critical step in this commitment to our employees. We will support every employee in the Group who wants the vaccine, especially in countries where the public or private insurance system doesn’t cover the cost. We are also proud to be actively contributing to the ongoing fight against the virus by boosting vaccinations worldwide.”

 

Teleperformance Chief Executive Officer for US, Canada, and Philippines Mike Lytle added, “From the beginning, the safety and well-being of our employees has been our priority. While the past year has definitely been a challenging one for the company and its many employees and partners, the announcement of the vaccine brings hope for everyone across the globe and we are committed to giving free access to this for all our employees. As we wait for the distribution of the vaccine, we continue to maintain a positive outlook for the industry and the country. We enjoin everyone in the ongoing fight against Covid-19 by continuing to follow the government’s lead and practice safety measures and protocols wherever they are.”

Returning OFWs find hope in Balikabayanihan Program

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Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew of the bittersweet stories of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Often, they go abroad for high-paying jobs so that they can save and send money to their families back home. But migration stories don’t always guarantee a happy ending, and they need help when they are forced to return home.

“Dahil ang pagkakaakala ko ay ang pagiging OFW ang sagot sa lahat ng naging problemang financial namin at gusto kong maiahon ang aking pamilya at mapagtapos ang aking anak,” said returning OFW Marites Coronado. The journey, however, wasn’t simple. 

Take the case of another former OFW, Alma Palafox. She recounted: “Hindi po ako sini-suwerte sa napupuntahan na bansa. Laging may masamang nangyayari po sa akin. At minsan na rin muntik na akong hindi nakabalik ng Pinas ng buhay. Kaya hindi ko po natatapos kontrata ko.”

Gerlie Austria shares a similar experience but remains grateful despite the hardships she endured abroad. “Hindi man po ako naging maswerte sa ibang bansa, pero nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoong Diyos at ako po ay nakauwi nang buhay.”

Myrna Peñosa Corporal recalled the gloom she felt when she decided to go back to her family. “Noong nagsabi ako sa amo ko na ibalik na ako sa agency, dinala po nila ako sa Labor. Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko at naiyak ako, ‘Paano na ang pamilya ko? Uuwi ako na walang pera at naipon’,” said Corporal. 

Coronado, Palafox, Austria, and Corporal are among the OFWs who had to return home even if they haven’t achieved yet the financial goals they set for themselves. 

The Balikabayanihan campaign, a program supported by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), seeks to help these OFWs whose dreams were interrupted for various reasons.

Spearheaded by NEDA-Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and Atikha — a non-government organization working with OFWs and their families to maximize the gains of working abroad — Balikabayanihan calls on the spirit of volunteerism of Filipinos to help returning OFWs. 

It is a call for partnership by the Overseas Filipino organizations with government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to help OFWs by providing the needed resources — manpower and funds or mobilizing their volunteer network to serve as mentors to the OFWs. 

Melanie Labera, a returning OFW whose plan to resume her work abroad was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitted from the program. “Nang umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, nagkataon naman na pandemic. Gusto ko sana bumalik [abroad], pero di na ako makabalik. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa programang ito, pati sa BPI. May konting puhunan naman ako sa aking tindahan, pero konti lang. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako na nadagdagan dahil sa inyo.”

For her part, Austria, also a program beneficiary, said, “Nang makabalik po ako sa Pilipinas, isa po ako sa maswerteng napili ng Atikha na mabigyan ng tulong upang ako’y makapagsimula ulit sa aking buhay. Naging masaya po ako at nagkaroon ng pag-asa sa buhay. Ngayon po ay natupad ang isa kong pangarap na makabili ng makina.”  

Financial empowerment 

As one of the program supporters, BPI aims to empower repatriated OFWs by helping them manage their finances through learning webinars and by mobilizing volunteers and sponsors. BPI implements their programs through its business units BPI Foundation, BPI-Philam, and Remittance and Fund Transfers. 

“This pandemic has been hard on everyone, but repatriated OFWs and their families have been particularly affected. OFWs have done so much to uplift our entire nation’s economy over the decades. It’s only right that we stand by them now and help them get back on their feet and establish a financially secure life for themselves and their families,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

“Napakaganda po ng aking karanasan dahil nagkaroon po ako ng pag-asa sa buhay at talagang ipinangako ko po sa aking sarili na pagbubutihin ko po itong tulong na ibinigay sa akin ng Atikha at BPI Pamana Padala. At ang nagustuhan ko po dito ay ang mga taong kasapi dito na maaayos ang pakikitungo at napakamapagkumbaba at napakababait upang matulungan kaming lahat,” said Coronado. 

BPI Foundation holds mentoring sessions for OFWs with BPI Unibankers as volunteer mentors. For its part, BPI Philam provides free COVID-19 insurance coverage worth P200,000. BPI’s Remittance and Fund Transfers offers financial grants and monthly mentoring sessions for chosen OFWs  and instills the value of saving using their BPI Pamana Padala account.

With opportunities such as the Balikabayanihan, returning OFWs are more empowered than ever to try their luck in their home country. 

Palafox said, “Dito nalang po ako sa Pinas. Kahit mahirap po basta’t sama-sama kami ng mga anak ko. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Balikabayanihan at sa BPI. Ang tanging hinahangad ko po sa aking sarili ay mapaunlad ko ang munting negosyo at magkaroon ng maraming kaalaman. "

Corporal shared another insight:

"natutunan ko po sa Balikbayanihan na kailangan po tayung  magtulungan para makabangon ulit sa hamon ng buhay. "

Top Business Leaders in Cebu converge for World Vision’s 2nd virtual CSR Summit

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This March 23, 2021, World Vision is doing a follow-up event to the CSR Summit that will focus on Cebu and will highlight partners from different sectors that contribute to the province’s continued fight against COVID-19, and to other programs and projects that help the poor and vulnerable children and families.

Recently, the World Vision Philippines’ CSR Summit Cebu Media Launch was held via zoom webinar conference with Mr. Rommel Fuerte – World Vision National Director, Mr. Walter Cang - Secretary, Rotary Club of Cebu, Ms. Riella Mae Christa Guioguio - COO, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., Felix Taguiam, President, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faith Sy, World Vision Program Manager in Cebu, Richard Hendin, World Vision Foundation Member, and Jun Godornes, World Vision Resource Development Director.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, various countries have been striving to find ways on how to deal with this global crisis that continues to affect the world today.

One year after the first declaration of a lockdown in the Philippines, Filipinos remain determined and resilient in their fight against this pandemic, including other social and economic issues caused by it.

It’s remarkable how various sectors are coming together in ensuring that Filipinos are healthy, safe, and protected, most especially the marginalized and vulnerable.

Businesses are coming up with ways to extend assistance to those who are in great need. Companies’ CSR programs aim to improve health facilities, support the frontliners, and provide food and financial assistance to affected communities.

As a follow-up to last year’s successful virtual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit of World Vision in the Philippines, distinguished business leaders from Cebu are coming together to share their experiences and learnings during the pandemic at World Vision’s virtual CSR Summit in Cebu this March 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm, streamed live on World Vision Philippines’ Facebook page.

It was May of last year when Cebu City was recorded as having the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. But in only six months, data scientists from the University of the Philippines’ OCTA research group and the Department of Health said Cebu City had flattened its curve. The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) applauded both the public and private sectors for helping Visayas fight the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Cebu, Negros Occidental, and the rest of Western Visayas.

Through this CSR Summit, World Vision aims to discuss the significant role and relevance of a company’s CSR during critical times, and to inspire businesses and other organizations in the private sector to develop and implement CSR campaigns to be able to reach and improve more lives.

"World Vision is privileged to once again hold the Corporate Social Responsibility Summit in Cebu. God’s work is truly amazing as we witness how our partner organizations implement their CSR initiatives,” shared World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte. “Let’s continue working together to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children, their families and communities."

Business industry leaders joining World Vision’s virtual CSR Summit in Cebu are Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., Rotary Club of Cebu, and the Singapore School Cebu.

World Vision would like to thank the following event partners—Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Inc., JCI Cebu, JCI Plaridel del Pilar, Public Relations Society of the Philippines, and Rotary Club of Cebu.

To know more about World Vision and its other initiatives, you may visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

 

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

 

Bike Safety 101: things newbies should know before hitting the road

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 Ride Safe with these bike safety tips from Allianz PNB Life!

With the ongoing pandemic, transport options have narrowed down for many Filipino commuters. Due to limited transport options as well as strict health protocols that make public transit more difficult, a number of people in the metro have turned to biking as an alternative means to get around.

Since launching its Ride Safe campaign last year, Allianz PNB Life has been hard at work promoting bike safety and green mobility across the metro, partnering with the San Juan City government to make San Juan one of the most bike-friendly cities in Metro Manila. They collaborated on new bike lanes around the city, as well as  set up the country’s first solar-powered pit stop for cyclists.

“At Allianz PNB Life, we want to encourage more Filipinos to think of cycling as an alternative and more sustainable means of transportation,” said Gino Riola, Chief Marketing Officer for Allianz PNB Life and an avid cyclist himself. "A very big part of that is of course safety, which is why we put a primer on promoting and spreading awareness on bike safety and education.”

Riola shares the following tips to help new commuters-turned-bikers navigate the busy streets of Metro Manila safely:

1. Find the right ride. The right bike ensures comfort and safety while cycling. Hybrid bikes or road bikes are usually an amateur’s best bet for navigating a mix of bumpy to paved roads and slow-moving traffic. Additionally, a bike with the correct size should correspond to a rider’s height. 

2. Gear up. When it comes to cycling gear, the first and most important one to get is a safety helmet. A proper fitting helmet should cover the forehead about an inch above the eyebrows and not tip forward or backward. Bright, reflective clothing is another must while riding. Neon or fluorescent-colored wear such as hi-vis (high visibility) jackets or stick-on reflectors is recommended, especially when biking during early morning, cloudy days or evenings.

3. Practice biking techniques. Practice is key to building confidence on the road. Ascending, descending, keeping balance when turning corners, and looking over one’s shoulder without swerving are basic skills to master. Even knowing how to change flat tires using a patch kit could come in handy. In San Juan, riders can actually rest and repair their bikes through pit stops.

4. Check equipment. Before setting off, it’s important to ensure all parts of a bicycle are secure and working. Tires should be properly inflated, and the seat should be adjusted to and locked at a proper height, ideally at the same level or just slightly lower than the handlebars.

5. Follow traffic rules. Bicycles are vehicles, and obeying traffic rules is a must, not just out of respect to drivers and pedestrians but also to avoid any accidents. Cyclists are more vulnerable than their driver counterparts and should be extra careful. Riding a bike does not mean one is exempt from following stoplights.

6. Know hand signals. Signals are another key aspect to following traffic rules. When turning, cyclists are urged to signal left or right. The same is true for slowing down or stopping. Learn more basic hand signals here. 

7. Join a cycling group. There are many cycling communities in the Philippines where new riders can learn valuable knowledge from their more experienced counterparts. Riding in a group is also a lot safer than riding solo. Plus it’s just more fun to ride with buddies.

8. Enjoy the ride! Last but not least, it’s important to enjoy the ride! Biking is a great way to get exercise, spend time with family and friends, and reduce carbon emissions. Much like insurance, biking is a long-term investment for your health, your loved ones, and the environment.

 

About Allianz PNB Life

Allianz PNB Life began its operations in 2001 and is among the major life insurers in the Philippines. Worldwide, Allianz is also considered the most sustainable insurer from 2017 to 2019 according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. We are a leading provider of Variable Life products, complemented by a full line of Life protection offerings for individuals and institutions. All our products and services are designed to meet the lifetime financial planning, wealth accumulation, and well-being aspirations of every Filipino Family.

Allianz PNB Life’s main headquarters is in Makati City, the country’s main business district, with eleven business centres strategically located in key cities across the archipelago. It has the support of over 220 employees and more than 1000 financial advisors to serve our dear policyholders and deliver great customer service experiences. For more information, visit allianzpnblife.ph or facebook.com/allianzpnblifeofficial.

 

5 Best #NotYourOrdinaryLumpia Recipes to Try This Summer! TikTok creators show you how to make this Filipino favorite with a twist

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In practically every Filipino get-together, there is lumpia, a spring roll made of paper-thin wrapper, stuffed with various savory or sweet fillings. This well-loved dish has recently gone from table to TikTok, thanks to food creators on the app who have been sharing their own lumpia recipes with a twist. A quick look at the trending hashtag #NotYourOrdinaryLumpia will show you how these creators have taken the classic Filipino favorite to the next level. 

Now that summer has arrived, it is a great time to discover some cool and unique ways to prepare lumpia. Check out these #NotYourOrdinaryLumpia dishes from TikTok that are perfect for the hot weather.

Milk Tea Lumpia

  

https://www.tiktok.com/@masterboba_/video/6930037606755437826

Milk teak lovers are sure to enjoy this cream and boba-filled version of lumpia, which is finished off with a brown sugar sesame glaze.

Halo-Halo Inspired Lumpia

  

https://www.tiktok.com/@lunchboxerph/video/6930894226188291329

Halo-halo is a summer staple in the Philippines. This unique lumpia, which uses classic halo-halo toppings as filling, is best served with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Fruit Salad in a Lumpia

https://www.tiktok.com/@foodietarsiidae/video/6935013744854453506

This lumpia is filled with mixed fruits that are typically used for fruit salad. You can drizzle the creamy dressing on top before you eat or serve it on the side as a dip.

Ice Cream Lumpia

https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.cabanting/video/6934269812650593537

For a unique dessert that is hot and cold at the same time, try this ice cream-filled lumpia. Enjoy it with your favorite sundae toppings, such as whipped cream, crushed cookies, and nuts.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Lumpia

https://www.tiktok.com/@chefkizs/video/6935988323928263938

Summer is the best time to enjoy pineapples in the Philippines. This version of lumpia is filled with a combination of sweet pineapple chunks and tangy cream cheese and is rolled in sugar before frying.

These #NotYourOrdinaryLumpia dishes are just some examples of innovative recipes that you can find on TikTok. Explore more delicious food content shared by amazing creators on the app, and be inspired to try them yourself. Download TikTok on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.