EEI hailed as one of Pag-IBIG’s NCR top employers in 1st half of 2023

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Construction giant EEI Corporation was recently named by Pag-IBIG as one of the top employers in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the first half of 2023. EEI Vice President for People, Performance and Culture Division Jan Ivan Santamaria received the recognition from Pag-IBIG Area Head of NCR North Fernando Fajardo and Pag-IBIG Branch Head (Cubao) Romer Manucdoc at a recent ceremony held in Taguig City.

(from left): Pag-IBIG Area Head (NCR North) Fernando G. Fajardo, EEI Corporation’s Jan Ivan Santamaria, and Pag-IBIG Branch Head (Cubao) Romer A. Manucdoc

The recognition is based on the impact on the financial growth and strength of the Pag-IBIG Fund measured by Member Savings Collection (35%), Number of Short-Term Loan (30%), Short-Term Loan Collection (20%) and Membership Level (15%) with EEI emerging as one of the top-ranked employers in the region that met the criteria.

“EEI Corporation has been awarded as one of the top employers for two years in a row by Pag-IBIG. This is a feat that comes to a company with more than 13,000 domestic employees. Receiving this recognition from Pag-IBIG underscores our commitment in providing our people with growth opportunities and benefits that improve their lives and those of their families. We continue to ensure that the employees will be able to reap and maximize the benefits offered by Pag-IBIG such as access to savings programs and affordable home financing,” Santamaria says.

“The Company is honored to provide jobs to thousands of Filipinos. Just this year, in the last eight months, we have mobilized employees to various construction projects reaching 7,800 for craft workers and 1,200 for professional staff. More than the awards and accolades that the Company may receive, EEI Corporation is more glad that it had supported and will continue to support thousands of families going through each day, to have decent meal on the table, provide education to their children, and see hope that someday their lives will become better,” he added.

Apart from its diligence in its Pag-IBIG mandate, EEI has also been implementing programs which cover employee welfare and development. Among these is EEI’s Management Trainee Program tailored for engineering graduates with exemplary academic records and with the drive and leadership attributes necessary to make significant contributions to the Company’s growth. The program equips participants with essential behavioral, management and technical skills, as well as “necessary judgment and know-how” to excel as effective and responsible supervisors and managers.

The Company also launched its Values to Virtues (V2V) Workshop which includes values formation training in the workplace for both the craft workers and the office staff.

EEI also has the “Builder of a Better Future” Scholarship Program in place which grants scholarship benefit to children of well-deserving employees. It aims to fulfill the academic aspirations of loyal employees’ children starting from senior high school towards the collegiate level.

“We have always considered our people as one of our most valued assets. This latest recognition meets the company’s vision of cultivating a culture of highly motivated and productive workers. It is our hope that the efforts we make to ensure that our people are well taken care of continue to impact them positively,” EEI Corp. President and CEO Henry D. Antonio remarks.

Here are five reasons why you should try plant milk

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Did you know that plant-based milk has grown in popularity around the world, especially in the Philippines? There are Filipinos who have started exploring non-lactose alternatives as part of their health and fitness routines.

This year, plant-based products placed fourth in global food trends as more people purchase them for their homes. For those who are looking to try out plant-based milk, here are some helpful facts to keep in mind:

#1 Plant milks are nutritious, thanks to the natural goodness from plants.

In addition to their intrinsic nutritional benefits, plant milks can be enriched with calcium and vitamin D, the key essential micronutrients present in milk. Other nutritional benefits of plants used in beverages include:

Plant Varieties	Key Nutritional Benefits
Soy	High-quality protein and healthy polyunsaturated fats
Oat	Gut-friendly dietary fiber and heart-healthy beta-glucan
Almond	Vitamin E antioxidant and healthy monounsaturated fats

For some products, such as Vitasoy Plus (Milky Flavor, Oat Flavor, Original Flavor, Milky Vanilla Flavor, Milky Oat Flavor and Milky Almond Flavor), fortified plant milk can even provide as much as 36% more calcium than regular milk.

Plant milk made from soy, oat and almond, can be enriched with calcium and vitamins in addition to their intrinsic benefits.

#2 Plant milks can serve different dietary needs.

Other than being rich in calcium, fortified plant milks are naturally free of lactose and cholesterol and tend to contain less calories and saturated fat than regular milk. Hence, they are suitable for people with different dietary needs, including health-conscious individuals, those who follow a plant-based, flexitarian or vegan diet. This also includes people who are lactose intolerant.

Plant milks are naturally lactose- and cholesterol-free, lower in calories (compared to dairy) and vegan friendly

#3 Plant milk is more planet-friendly.

According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020, more than seventy five percent of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions come from animal-sourced foods consumed worldwide. Dairy, or more popularly known as cow’s milk, is the second contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with 25% share, according to reports from international health organizations. By shifting to a plant-based diet, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced significantly.

The production of plant milk has also been found to have lower environmental impact as it uses less water and land, and emits less carbon compared to the production of dairy milk.

The study by Poore & Nemecek shows the production of plant milk has a much lower environmental impact. 

#4 National dietary guidelines recommend plant milks as a part of diverse diet

Plant milks can be delicious choices for consumers who want to have a diverse diet that consists of cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, soybeans. A diverse diet is recommended by many national dietary guidelines, such as:

Dietary Guidelines	Recommendations
Australian Dietary Guidelines	For those who prefer to avoid dairy products, alternatives that have added calcium, such as soy, rice, or other cereal drink with at least 100mg of added calcium per 100ml, can be chosen as an alternative to dairy products.
Canada’s Food Guide	Daily intake of food from the dairy group is no longer recommended. Both dairy product and unsweetened fortified soy beverages are recommended as protein food. The Guide recommends increasing consumption of protein foods from plants.
The EatWell Guide-UK	Soya milks, and other plant milks (rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks) can be alternative drinks to replace milk and dairy products.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025	Fortified soy beverages (with calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D) can be included as part of the dairy group because they are similar to milk, based on nutrient composition. Other plant milks can be chosen as sources of calcium.

#5 Plant milks can taste “milky” and “creamy” too.

Taste is usually one of the items people consider when purchasing plant-based products. With new technologies, the taste and texture of plant milks are now milkier and creamier.

For instance, Vitasoy has developed creamy soy milk drinks to meet the needs of those wanting the benefits of plant milk, but also looking for that milky taste and creamy mouthfeel closer to dairy. Plant-based milk options are also expanding in coffee chains, thanks to the innovations of Barista edition plant milks. They’re easy to foam, have a creamy mouthfeel, with more neutral flavors that can nicely complement coffee.

Plant milk is not just good for you, but for the planet too! Treat yourself to a tasty and nutritious animal-free milk with Vitasoy’s selection of plant-based drinks! Shop them at the nearest supermarket, and online on Lazada.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/VitasoyPH.

 

TPB Goes Green Through Environmental Initiatives in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and Sierra Madre Mountain Range

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), held its corporate social responsibility activity last August 23-24, 2023 as the agency continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable tourism. The CSR program was done in partnership with Haribon Foundation, which provided proper awareness training, educational sessions, and hands-on environmental activities for the participants in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. Content creator Cha Ocampo also joined TPB’s CSR program, as one of the leading advocates for environmental awareness in the Philippines.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines recently conducted a CSR program in partnership with the Haribon Foundation. The TPB employees participated in proper awareness training, educational sessions, and hands-on environmental activities in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. 

The program kicked off in the La Mesa Nature Reserve where participants went through a guided tour of the Petron Trail. This immersive activity served as an opportunity for them to learn more about the Philippine native trees and understand the species’ importance in sustaining biodiversity. 

TPB also participated in a community native nursery activity in Tanay, Rizal to study how seedlings are correctly prepared for planting. Facilitators and community partners guided the TPB participants to increase their knowledge of forest restoration. 

Environmental advocate and content creator Cha Ocampo shared that the more people know about nature, the more they are able to understand how to conserve it. “As we were educated during the CSR program, we learned that native trees help recover and, at the same time, expand forest habitats for native species of plants and animals. They also protect watershed and freshwater resources to support the livelihood of local people. All of these new learnings are crucial information for forest conservation,” she said. 

Apart from investing in environmental education, TPB also joined the Forest for Life Movement’s Adopt-A-Seedling Program on August 24, 2023. Through this program, TPB was able to plant 1,250 native seedlings in the Southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range located in Brgy. San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. The program also included community training and nursery establishment, livelihood incentives, site preparation, and maintenance and monitoring of the seedlings for three years.

Guided by the facilitators and community partners, TPB participated in a community native nursery activity in Tanay, Rizal to study how seedlings are correctly prepared for planting.

TPB’s CSR program included community training and nursery establishment, livelihood incentives, site preparation, maintenance and monitoring of the seedlings for three years.

TPB participants and Haribon Foundation facilitators doing a tree planting activity.

These CSR activities are crucial to preserving the longest mountain range in the Philippines: the Sierra Madre. The Sierra Madre Mountain Range is not only a green tourism destination but also a water source and a barrier against strong storms for multiple cities. Thus, learning about native trees and planting native seedlings in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range can help preserve its beauty for future generations and also protect the lives of various Filipinos.

“These CSR programs are aligned with the Tourism Promotions Board’s goal of making the Philippines a sustainable and uniquely diverse travel destination. It is important for our employees to immerse themselves into these conservation activities. TPB recognizes that the Sierra Madre Mountain Range plays a vital role in the local tourism industry and the everyday lives of Filipinos. Thus, we wanted to protect the country’s longest mountain range by educating ourselves on conservation practices and planting native trees on the Sierra Madre,” said TPB’s Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles. 

The native tree trek, community native nursery activity, and exclusive tree planting project are some of the CSR programs that TPB has engaged in since 2015. In fact, TPB already conducted 26 activities from Luzon to Mindanao for this year’s CSR program. TPB will continue to take part in environmental and community-based initiatives, in commitment to its goal of supporting green and sustainable tourism. 

Spotify collaborates with HBO GO to serve more Drag Race Philippines Entertainment to Fans

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Spotify, the world's leading audio streaming platform, is putting the spotlight on the hottest Pinoy queens of the moment as it teams up with HBO GO to bring viewers of Drag Race Philippines Season 2 a range of audio and video content.

From next-day recaps on video podcasts, to playlists curated by the contestants - fans of the show can look forward to discovering their favorite queens in a deeper way with even more Drag Race Philippines content on Spotify.

The sophomore season of Drag Race Philippines is available to stream on HBO GO in the Philippines and WOW Presents Plus Worldwide, with new episodes dropping every following Wednesday.

Soundtracks that Slay

Music is essential to every drag queen’s artistry as it sets the stage for their electrifying performances. To let fans discover the soundtracks to their slay, the season’s queens are taking turns to curate Bahaghari, Spotify’s PRIDE+ playlist that supports LGBTQIA+ artists and allies all year long. In addition to giving listeners a glimpse of their musical tastes, the playlist takeovers also lets the queens share the tracks that have inspired and shaped their flair and journeys as artists.

Every queen will have her time in the spotlight in the lead-up to the season finale of Drag Race Philippines Season 2, so stay tuned to Bahaghari to listen to the playlists from your favorite contestants, and the season’s official theme song, BOOGSH!.

Tune into the Tea

As part of the collaboration, available on Spotify is podcast channel BEKENEMEN, bringing you the scoop of the season. Hosted by the self-proclaimed 'absentee mom of none,' Baus Rufo, and the irresistible drag sensation, Myx Channel, BEKENEMEN is a podcast channel dedicated to the exploration of the modern-day Pinoy queer experience and commentary of episodes from the Drag Race franchise.

With new next-day recap video podcasts set to drop every Thursday starting 7 September, fans can look forward to the fabulous duo’s perspective on this season of Drag Race Philippines as they serve nothing short of an engaging and entertaining time.

Stay tuned to @SpotifyPH on Instagram and TikTok for updates and episode announcements.

Drag Race Philippines Season 2 is now streaming on HBO GO and WOWPresents Plus worldwide.

Samsung Electronics and Thom Browne Launch Special Editions of Galaxy Z Fold5

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SEOUL, Korea – Sept., 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Thom Browne today announced the newest arrivals from their enduring partnership: the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition. The offering brings together sartorial style and cutting-edge technology, demonstrating a tireless commitment to quality and design — along with additional accessories that bring a level of sophistication fit for a table at the most exclusive gala. This limited edition is as striking as it is inviting, with each piece featuring expert craftsmanship and premium details.

New Thom Browne Editions for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Watch6 blend modern engineering and high fashion for a sophisticated look

“Mobile technology is expected to provide more than just function – it’s an extension of our lifestyles,” Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our longstanding work with Thom Browne is rooted in a shared commitment to pair iconic style with advanced innovation and this collection is no exception.”

Bringing Black-Tie Elegance to the Galaxy Portfolio

The grandeur and luxury of a black-tie event serves as the inspiration for the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition, which is instantly recognizable from a distance thanks to its iconic and delicate design details.

The special edition of the Galaxy Z Fold5 features both Samsung’s latest foldable technology and an homage to Thom Browne’s signature design elements with its black pebble leather and grosgrain details. The sleek exterior has been enhanced with a bevy of design elements: Thom Browne’s signature red, white and blue stripes; fabric texture etched on the back glass; an accentuating black frame and gold hinge; and gold rings around the camera lenses. The limited edition Galaxy Z Fold5 also comes with two distinct leather pouch cases and a special edition of the S Pen[1], a noteworthy addition.

“This continued collaboration with Samsung represents an evolution of what we’ve been creating together for years,” said Thom Browne. “Once again, we want to show that a perfect blend of top quality, innovative design and a classic aesthetic can become a powerful form of self-expression. I believe this Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition is the ultimate example of turning advanced technology into a bold statement.”

And the collaboration doesn’t end with just the product either: the packaging of the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition boasts the iconic Thom Browne briefcase. Elevating the black-tie effect, the stylish packaging turns a typical unboxing into the upgraded experience of opening a briefcase, while also being designed for long-term use as a memento.

Included in this Thom Browne Edition, the Galaxy Watch6 epitomizes timeless style. Complete with the unique Thom Browne aesthetic, the design features a graceful gold-tone body, special complementary watch face, and the Thom Browne logo engraved on the side. Thom Browne’s red, white and blue colors have also been applied to the buckle, showcasing sophisticated attention to detail. This limited edition Galaxy Watch6 comes with two leather straps: one with black pebble leather and the other with red, white and blue striped leather. These colors are also used on the 25W travel adapter, the coin-style watch charger and an exclusive fabric USB-C to USB-C cable — all brimming with Thom Browne’s trademark influence.

Availability In limited numbers, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Watch6 Thom Browne Edition will be available from September 12 in select markets including the Philippines. Sales will begin from September 12 on Samsung.com. For more details on the latest additions to the Thom Browne collection, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/explore/brand/thom-browne-edition/

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[1] Use an S Pen that is designed for Galaxy Z Fold. All other S Pens or stylus pens may damage the screen. Galaxy Z Fold5 does not have a built-in slot for the S Pen. S Pen support is limited to the Main Screen