Coca-Cola PH continues to empower micro-entrepreneurs, celebrates 500 graduates of training program with TESDA

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(MANILA, Philippines, 28 March 2023) – 500 micro-entrepreneurs were awarded Certificates of Completion for finishing the iSTAR Program in a graduation ceremony held at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City last March 22, 2023.

Launched in 2021, the iSTAR Program is the digital adaptation of the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, an enduring partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provides free access to training, resources, and peer mentoring to micro and small business owners to help them grow their businesses. The iSTAR Program has removed the limitations of in-classroom training and diversified its trainees by opening it to existing and start-up micro-retailers of all genders.

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz (left) and Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario (right) also met during the iSTAR graduation ceremony to discuss plans to further expand and strengthen the training program.

Aimed at providing entrepreneurial training, sari-sari store owners and micro-entrepreneurs will be able to enhance their business knowledge such as online selling, inventory control, and planning; and gain access to microloans that will enable them to build their businesses further.

The iSTAR Program is one of the efforts of Coca-Cola Philippines in sustaining the economic empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. For over a decade, Coca-Cola's initiatives in this area have reached more than 270,000 women entrepreneurs in the retail sector across 17 regions and 81 provinces of the Philippines.

Enjoy Up To Php 10,000 Off In Beko’s Super Summer Sale

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Summer season is officially here! As we constantly look for different ways to cool ourselves down, from cold drinks to cooling activities, we also seek ways to keep our food fresh for longer as the hot season escalates the food spoilage process.

So, this summer, you will want to take advantage of the Beko Super Summer Sale! You can get up to Php 10,000 off in their multi-door, side-by-side, top and bottom mount with no frost, and direct cool refrigerators, including their chest freezers.

We've got a long time of heat for our summer getaways, so when it comes to storing your fruits and vegetables for your family's beach getaway, you should check out the Beko GNO480E40HFGBPH!

This multi-door refrigerator not only lets you enjoy a bigger capacity in food storage, but it also lets you easily enjoy a healthier lifestyle as it is designed with HarvestFresh Technology which helps store your fruits and vegetables for a more extended period.

It is known for its innovative three-color light technology in the crisper drawer, mimicking the 24-hour sun cycle and preserving vitamins in fruits and vegetables for longer.

Food tends to spoil more quickly during the summer because of the high temperature, which is caused by the growth of bad microorganisms. With a HarvestFresh refrigerator, you can keep your worries away from having rotten fruits and vegetables and say hello to a healthier and fresh lifestyle this summer.

Enjoy a healthier lifestyle as you can get this for only Php 51,842 from its SRP of Php 60,990.

Need more freezer capacity for your frozen goods? Check out the Beko GNO563E50HFKPH. It is also made with HarvestFresh Technology and designed with multi-air flow features.

This helps maintain the balance of cold air circulation throughout the unit, keeping temperature levels in order, so your food stays fresher for longer. From its SRP of Php 55,990, you can get it for only Php 45,912 during the super summer sale.

Should we get a top-mount or a bottom-mount refrigerator? Let this guide you!

Top mount refrigerators, or top freezer refrigerators, feature wider doors with a large fresh food compartment below the freezer.

So, when you picture a typical and standard refrigerator, you might be looking for top-mount refrigerators just like the Beko RDNT470E50VZK that lets you enjoy your food for a more extended period as it is made with HarvestFresh Technology and NeoFrost Dual Cooling Technology that provides two times faster cooling and keeping humidity levels high to maintain food freshness. At the same time, the freezer focuses on maintaining a dry environment to prevent ice buildup.

Ever wondered if you kept opening the fridge just to cool yourself from the blazing summer heat? Worry no more about it because thanks to the NeoFrost Dual Cooling Technology, it keeps your food away from freezer burn. This can be caused by loss of moisture every time you open the fridge, which can lead to lack of even temperature control and ruin your food’s freshness.

Enjoy the summer heat, coolness of your refrigerator, and get the RDNT470E50VZK for only Php 36,792 (from its SRP of Php 45,990)!

Got lots of beverages you would want to store? A bottom-mount refrigerator may be perfect for you, just like the Beko RCNT415E50VZK!

The Beko RCNT415E50VZK offers more accessible access to fresh ingredients and beverages as the freezer is at the bottom of the refrigerator. Bottom-mount refrigerators have more spacious freezers that allow you to store more ingredients and cool drinks you want to enjoy throughout the summer.

Both refrigerators include NoFrost Technology, which prevents enormous ice buildup that may lead to constant defrosting.

You can get the RCNT415E50VZK for only Php 37,392 (from its SRP of Php 43,990).

Are you looking for an energy-efficient refrigerator? The Beko RDSO308K30PPH might be good for you! This direct cool refrigerator naturally lets the cool air circulate through the unit, retaining fresh food for a short time.

The Beko RDSO308K30PPH has a ProSmart Inverter Compressor, which uses less energy, minimizes your carbon footprint, and enables you to conserve energy and be environmentally friendly. It also has a reversible door that lets you change how you want to open your refrigerator.

You can get this now from its SRP of Php 23,990 for only Php 20,871!

Cool yourself down with the Beko chest freezers! Now that the summer heat is blazing, we need something to keep our ice stored cool.

Check out the Beko CF316WPH that is made with MinFrost Technology. This feature allows you to have less ice buildup in the freezer, which means frozen food will be preserved better and with less energy, while you'll need to defrost less frequently. It also has a convertible mode feature that lets you turn your freezer into a fridge, giving more room for you to beat and enjoy the summer heat.

It is also made with ProSmart Inverter Compressor, which eases you from your worries of a noisy freezer and saves on your energy bills, which is truly helpful especially at this summer season.

From its SRP of Php 21,990, you can get this now for only Php 18,911!

So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy your summer experience by enjoying a healthier lifestyle with Beko appliances! The Beko Super Summer Sale will run from April 1 to June 30, 2023.

Beko appliances are available at Abenson, All Home, Anson’s, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, BHF, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazar, Great World, HAT, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Manila Imperial, Mike’s Appliances, Our Builders Warehouse Pricewise, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, SVC & Plusign, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, S&R (Gidi), United Mottoaliance, Western Appliance and 1st Megasaver.

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

Experience Lightning-Fast Performance and Productivity with Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro

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Professionals on the go demand the best tools to deliver excellent results while they go about their daily grind.

More than bells and whistles, results-oriented mobile professionals look for smartphones that are brimming with productivity-focused features.

Such features are at the heart of the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro smartphones. Beyond their stunning, Leica-powered camera and imaging system, these smartphones boast of lightning-fast performance, top-of-the-line processing power, and awesome multitasking capabilities that transform them from mere smartphones into the ultimate tools for mobile professionals.

Switch between apps without lags

Powered with the latest and most powerful combination on the Android platform (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 + LPDDR5X + UFS 4.0 and UFS 4.1), the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro smartphones deliver exceptional processing power and reliable performance that you can depend on.

The exceptional read and write speeds of UFS 4.0 storage on the Xiaomi 13 and UFS 4.1 storage on the 13 Pro, also give the ever-busy professional that cutting advantage. And with LPDDR5X RAM, one can easily switch between apps and work on multiple projects simultaneously without any lag time.

Multitask with ease

The latest MIUI 14 update on both devices also brings privacy controls, an upgraded AI assistant, and an array of other exciting features that make the smartphones faster, more productive, and enjoyable to use. With Floating Windows, for instance, users can multitask with ease, allowing for work to be done on multiple projects at the same time without missing a beat. New and cool visual treats, such as the Super Wallpaper, bring stunning animated wallpapers to the phone’s screen, resulting in a refreshing user experience.

And if you are a professional who is always on the go, your phone running out of power is a real concern. The Xiaomi 13 boasts a battery capacity of 4,500 mAh, while the Xiaomi 13 Pro takes it up a notch with a battery capacity of 4,820 mAh. With the help of the Xiaomi Surge battery management system, the smartphone’s battery lasts longer while ensuring a faster and safer charging time.

Stay ahead of the game

The Google CarKey system is the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro’s ultimate lifestyle feature. Using Google CarKey, you can unlock your car’s doors and even start the engine using your smartphone. You can also share access to your car with friends and family members, using the system, to allow for more convenience.

Indeed, in today’s fast-paced world where speed and productivity are valued, the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro smartphones will keep you ahead of the game.

You can buy the Xiaomi 13 (12+256) for Php 44,999 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro (12+256) for Php 59,999 from authorized Xiaomi stores or online retailers such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

For more information, visit Xiaomi's official page.

CSMC advocates for feminine wellness this National Women’s Month

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Conversations about feminine wellness are still considered taboo or even shameful, especially in conservative countries like the Philippines. From menstrual problems to reproductive health and even menopause concerns, there is still a significant lack of resources for women regarding these issues.

Dr. Catherine Howard

“Women deserve access to all the information and resources they need to ensure that their feminine wellness is taken care of,” said Dr. Catherine Howard, head of Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) Reproductive and Sexual Health committee and the CSMC Laser Gynecologic Group. “Feminine health is nothing to be ashamed about.”

In celebration of National Women’s Month, CSMC recently hosted a webinar promoting feminine health awareness among women. Dr. Howard herself discussed some common feminine health issues experienced by women and what treatment options are available, such as FemiLift.

FemiLift is an FDA-approved non-surgical laser-assisted procedure designed to improve vaginal irregularities and rejuvenate vaginal tissues. FemiLift uses a clinically established CO2 laser technology to gently heat vaginal tissue, contracting existing fibers and stimulating production of new collagen, which helps give the vaginal tissues strength and flexibility. It is fast, painless, safe and effective.

“We see FemiLift as a solution for a wide range of feminine indications such as stress urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, laxity and even recurrent infections,” said Howard. “There are certain stages in a woman’s life where these issues are almost inevitable, like menopause or post-delivery of a baby. Some of these can be addressed using exercise, therapies, hormonal treatments, natural remedies and of course laser colpoplasty, which is FemiLift.”

Menopause is the cessation of a woman’s menstrual period some time around her 40’s to 50’s. During this time, women develop symptoms caused by hypoestrogenic changes. This is because with age, the vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, less elastic and more easily irritated.

One of these symptoms is stress urinary incontinence, a leakage of urine when there is abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercise. In more severe cases, some patients might even need to use sanitary pads or adult diapers to prevent leakages.

“FemiLift helps treat stress urinary incontinence by strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles, which is what women use to hold in their pee,” Howard noted. “It also revitalizes the vaginal lining, increases thickness of the vaginal walls and restores lubrication. Additionally, FemiLift helps generate new healthy tissue with higher immune resistance to infection.”

FemiLift can also be used in post-delivery rehabilitation. Before, during and after vaginal birth, women’s hormones fluctuate and their bodies go through many changes, such as weakened pelvic floor muscles and vaginal dryness. With FemiLift, the laser treatment strengthens, tones and restores vaginal tissue flexibility.

“What’s good about this is that it is just a minor procedure, like an ultrasound. You don’t need anesthesia of any sort, in ten to twenty minutes you’re done with the procedure and the entire treatment can be finished in three sessions, so once a month for three months,” Howard said.

CSMC has been offering FemiLift through its Comprehensive Women’s Care Unit since 2018, but had to halt procedures because of the pandemic. Now, FemiLift is open once more to the public for only Php 65,000 for three sessions. The effects of the procedure generally last 12 to 18 months, but Howard shared that some of her patients reported a consistently satisfactory vaginal condition despite having their last procedure in 2018 or 2019.

“People might think FemiLift is just for improved sexual activity, but in reality it’s also effective in treating very real concerns and conditions in the feminine area,” Howard stressed. “It is a medical treatment for menopausal women, women experiencing issues post-delivery and women who are at risk for recurrent infections. There are a lot of benefits from this treatment. I highly recommend it.”

For more information about the programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.

RVR Siklab Awards for young entreps sparks hope in 2023 comeback

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The Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards or RVR Siklab Awards once again opens its nationwide search for young trailblazers who bring together sustainable entrepreneurship and nation-building efforts after a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organized jointly by the PHINMA Group and De La Salle University RVR College of Business, the RVR Siklab Awards aims to recognize youth entrepreneurs aged 25 to 40 years old who demonstrates exceptional leadership in their respective fields through organizing and managing sustainable businesses, social enterprises, or self-initiated programs that uplift the lives of others.

To formally launch this year’s call for nominations, the youth leadership award had a kick-off event attended by youth organizations, foundations, and enterprise groups on Saturday, March 18 at Acceler8 Legazpi, Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

Representatives from mission-driven organizations gather at the RVR Siklab Awards kick-off event on March 18 to amplify the 2023 call for nomination.

“The youth has and will always be a key component in building the foundations for a better future. If we want genuine social change to happen, the private sector should not proceed with business as usual. Businesses should empower, lead, and transform the next generation into good leaders and nation builders our country needs,” said Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., PHINMA Chairman and CEO and RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges co-chair.

L-R: Engr. Karl Pacolor of DTI, Gary Ayuste and JB Tan from the first batch of Siklab awardees talked about the vital role of the youth in introducing positive change.

The 2023 Siklab search committee will recognize young and bright business leaders who pioneered positive change, exemplified exceptional leadership skills in their organization, maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset, and embodied the ideals of the late Ambassador and PHINMA founder Ramon V. del Rosario (RVR): a leader, entrepreneur, and nation-builder at a critical time in Philippine history. He was an icon in both business and the diplomatic service, having served as the first Filipino General Manager of IBM Philippines, the first Filipino Executive Vice-President of Philam Life, and ambassador to Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Dr. Aris Alip, a Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building recipient, talked about his work in poverty eradication and the humble beginnings of CARD MRI, a group of institutions with the common goal of uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

The RVR Siklab Awards was launched in 2018 as part of the PHINMA Group's 60 years of making lives better celebration and to mark RVR’s 100th birth anniversary. It has recognized five exceptional individuals as its inaugural batch of awardees in 2019: JB Tan, co-founder of iVolunteer and The Good Store PH; Clarissa Delgado, co-founder and CEO of Teach for the Philippines; Edgar Elago, founder of Project Scholar, Project ADAMMS (Adopt a Mamanwa, a Manobo student), and Cooltura Couture; Gary Ayuste, founder of BEEngo Farm; and Melissa Yap, founder and executive director of Got Heart Foundation.

“This year, we hope to expand our search and connect with potential partners to be able to provide a wider platform for young entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact in their own communities. PHINMA, in line with our business as a force of good advocacy, will continue to recognize the passion, dedication, and energy of our youth in working towards a better future for our country through the Siklab Awards,” said Peter Perfecto, PHINMA Vice President for Public Affairs and Siklab selection committee member.

Groups and individuals may nominate a potential Siklab awardee by filling out the online nomination form at bit.ly/RVRSIKLAB2023_CallForNominations. The nomination period will be open until April 15, 2023.

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About PHINMA

PHINMA is a proudly-Filipino conglomerate that seeks to make lives better through successfully run and profitable businesses in education, construction materials, property development and hospitality. We aim to give communities, not only in the Philippines but wherever else we might find the need, improved access to the essentials of a dignified life.

About RVR Siklab Awards

The Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards is a national search organized by PHINMA and DLSU Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVRCOB) for young entrepreneurs who have made lives better for their communities through their work and shall ignite the spark for other young leaders to become positive change makers of tomorrow. It seeks to honor individuals who are established leaders, who display an entrepreneurial spirit, who embody a passion to make lives better, and who have a proven commitment to nation building.

Eligibility:

● Filipino citizens or holders of a Philippine passport

● Those of Filipino ethnicity whose work has made an impact on a community in the Philippines

● 25 to 40 years old (on July 1, 2023)

● Must possess a significant leadership role in an organization for at least three years

● Must exemplify the following qualities of entrepreneurial spirit, impact of business or social enterprise, corporate citizenship, and social responsibility

● Must not have been charged with any case nor have any pending cases in any courts

More information on the RVR Siklab Awards is available on its official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RVRSiklabAwards.