The Journey of Diskarte Pinoy TV with LBC at the Helm

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When Ellen and Arnel Sagle started their entrepreneurial journey, they were armed with nothing but a vision and P14,000. At the time, they had no idea that their venture, Diskarte Pinoy TV, would become a go-to online resource for power and garden tools.

She recalls that the major turning point for them was when a childhood friend and fellow entrepreneur, Karen Diaz, encouraged Arnel Sagle to take the plunge and start a business. They pooled their resources and that became the groundwork for Diskarte Pinoy’s future success.

"We began with modest means, but our dreams were anything but small. We were driven by the belief that hard work and dedication could turn our vision into reality," shares Ellen Sagle, Co-Founder of Diskarte Pinoy. “Karen’s encouragement and partnership talaga yung malaking bagay.”

Her early belief in the Sagles’ vision and her financial contribution laid the groundwork for eventual growth of their business. They dipped their toe in the world of online selling, starting with an ukay-ukay shop before transitioning into surplus power tools.

Growth and Reliability

It wasn’t long before they saw their product range expand from auctioned surplus goods to brand new power tools. And as their wares began to include big ticket items, they started to recognize the need for more reliable partners who could help them ship their goods.

“It was a customer, actually, who first raised the idea of shipping with LBC. And if we could find him and thank him now, we would,” Arnel reminisced.

With that single shipment, Diskarte Pinoy realized what a huge difference a reliable and trusted logistics partner could offer their business. At that point, they knew, if they wanted to grow their business and expand their reach, they needed LBC on their side.

The Perfect Ally

LBC emerged as the perfect ally, offering not just courier services but a partnership that understood and catered to the unique needs of an online business.

LBC’s tailored solutions, including the Asenso Hub platform, provided Diskarte Pinoy TV with discounts and logistical advantages that significantly impacted their bottom line and customer satisfaction.

The Asenso Hub service, in particular, was a game-changer for the Sagles. With it, they received up to 50% discounts on shipping rates, which not only boosted their profit margins but also allowed them to offer more competitive pricing to their customers.

“LBC transformed the way we did business. Their reliability, nationwide network, and services like Asenso Hub, which gave us significant advantages against our competition helped bring us to where we are now," Ellen explained. “This partnership allowed Diskarte Pinoy TV to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and expand our market reach.”

This level of support from a courier company is almost unheard of in e-commerce, but LBC continues to demonstrate how instrumental they can be for local businesses who want to understand the complexities of online retailing.

The Angel Behind It All

Among all their serendipitous partnerships and alliances, there’s one that the Sagle’s credit for starting it all; the one that they consider their true angel.

“Without Karen, we never would have had the courage to start the ukay-ukay or surplus business, which means we wouldn’t have had a chance to start Diskarte Pinoy; we wouldn’t have met the first customer who wanted us to ship through LBC; and we wouldn’t have had a chance to expand our reach by working with them,” Arnel said.

As Diskarte Pinoy TV looks to the future, the foundation laid by their early supporters and the ongoing partnership with LBC continue to be central to their growth strategy. The journey of Ellen and Arnel Sagle from a small startup to a successful online shows how strategic partnerships and support networks can make a huge difference, no matter how modest your start is.

Let LBC Propel Your Business Further. Find out how your business can achieve success with the help of LBC. Sign up now!

For more information, visit https://www.lbcexpress.com/article/the-journey-of-diskarte-pinoy-tv

Top 35 Best Workplaces TM in Philippines List Revealed Showing 'Great is Possible' Amidst Evolving Workforce Landscape

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The global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work®, revealed its 5th annual Best WorkplacesTM List in the Philippines during an industry-leading awards ceremony at Grand Hyatt Manila last March 19 demonstrating their mission of making every workplace a great place to work For AllTM. 

The Best Workplaces were ranked in three different categories – honoring 10 small (companies with 30 to 99 employees), 15 medium (companies with 100 to 999 employees), and 10 large (companies with 1,000 or more employees).  

Synchrony Global Services Philippines, a subsidiary company that manages Synchrony’s call center operations and select back office support, once again emerged at the top of the Large category. Accenture also remained in the second spot, and TaskUs placed third.

DHL Express Philippines, a global leader in the logistics industry, clinched a back-to-back win in the medium category. Coming in at second is Cisco, with Hilton rounding out the top three.

Kollab, a provider of cloud-first solutions and services, climbed to the top of the small category. ECo Global Consulting, Inc. remained in the second spot, while Limitless Connect clinched the third place.

DHL Express Philippines and Synchrony Global Services Philippines were also the first companies in the Philippines to be honored with a Great Place To Work Legend title, in recognition of their achievement in being part of the Best Workplaces in the Philippines list for five consecutive years.

An incredible 99% of DHL Express Philippines employees surveyed indicated that they believe they are treated as full members of the company, regardless of their position – demonstrating a true commitment to people first, purpose-driven workplace culture. 

Now in its fifth year of recognizing the Best Workplace in the Philippines, Great Place To Work remains steadfast in its commitment to promote a high-trust workplace culture in the midst of unique challenges posed by an ever-evolving working environment, as encapsulated by this year’s theme: Great is Possible.

“Just as greatness was achieved through trust, respect, and camaraderie during the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect to witness even greater possibilities as we continue to build and nurture purpose-driven and people-first organizations,” said Antoniette Mendoza-Talosig, Managing Partner at Great Place To Work Philippines. “This starts with leaders paving the way in creating and institutionalizing what it takes to have a high-trust workplace culture—a leadership anchored in integrity, active engagement in effective two-way communication, and collaborative synergy with their people regardless of gender, age, or position in their organization.”

Mendoza-Talosig also described this year’s Best Workplaces in the Philippines as beacons of hope in the midst of the challenges faced by companies during the past year—among them the rapid pace of adoption of AI technologies in the workplace, establishing harmony among multi-generational teams, and undergoing changes in response to the evolving business landscapes.

Five years on, the Best Workplaces Badge from Great Place To Work remains the gold standard and a globally recognized accolade indicating an exceptional workplace culture. This year’s list of Best Workplaces in the Philippines was curated from responses from over 600,000 employee voices across 200 different Certified organizations in the Philippines using the Great Place To Work Model, alongside the data gathered from Emprising, its proprietary survey reporting platform.

True to its commitment to highlight the importance of trust in the workplace, Great Place To Work has gone beyond recognizing the Best Workplaces annually and is now actively participating in thriving industries in the country. Most recently, Great Place To Work has published its inaugural Best Workplaces in the IT-Business Processing Management sector and has collaborated with the academe and various industry associations. It is also looking to recognize organizations that create high-trust workplace cultures for members of society with unique needs.

Soon, Great Place To Work will also launch consulting services to help organizations proactively address their employees’ feedback on their workplace culture. “We aim to work more actively with business leaders and HR in shaping their workplace cultures, establishing accountability among leaders, and engaging in their long-term cultural journeys that guarantee business results. By doing so, we believe we can advance further in our mission of making every place a great place to work for all Filipinos,” Mendoza-Talosig explained.

She expressed hope that this year’s Best Workplaces in the Philippines will also be recognized on a bigger stage. “It will be our country’s pride to one day see a local company recognized as a purpose-driven and people-first organization in the global landscape.”

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Our mission is to help every place become a great place to work for all. We give leaders and organizations the recognition and tools to create a consistently and overwhelmingly positive employee experience, fostering cultures that are proven to drive business, improve lives, and better society. Our recognition is the most coveted and respected in the world for elevating employer brands to attract the right people. Our proprietary methodology and platform enables organizations to truly capture, analyze, and understand the experience of all employees.

Our groundbreaking research empowers organizations to build cultures that retain talent and unlock the potential of every employee. Our coaches, content, and community connect the boldest leaders, ideas, and innovations in employee experience. Since 1992, our Certification™, Best Workplaces™ Lists, and global benchmarks have become the industry standard, built on data from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries around the world.

Best Workplaces™ in the Philippines 2024

Small Category (10 to 99 employees)

1. Kollab

2. ECo Global Consulting, Inc.

3. Limitless Connect

4. Logix BPO

5. Zenutna Holdings Corporation

6. Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc.

7. J4RVIS

8. Interconnected Business Process, Inc.

9. Fulcrum Solutions

10. Air Accounting

Medium Category (100 to 999 employees)

1. DHL Express*

2. Cisco

3. Hilton

4. Atlassian

5. Via Appia Philippines, Inc.

6. 3M GSC Philippines

7. Hilti Philippines, Inc.

8. Balsam International Unlimited Company Philippine ROHQ

9. General Motors Philippines

10. Lingaro (Philippines), Inc.

11. Amadeus Marketing Philippines, Inc.

12. SCJ Philippines

13. Aurecon

14. Genesys Cloud Services Cayman LTD - Philippines Branch

15. Thumbtack Philippines

Large Category (1000 and above employees)

1. Synchrony Global Services, Inc.*

2. Accenture

3. TaskUs

4. Lexmark Research and Development Corporation

5. Teleperformance

6. Capital One Philippines

7. DXC Technology Philippines

8. CGI Philippines, Inc.

9. [24]7.ai Philippines

10. Tech Mahindra Limited Philippines

* Recipient of Great Place To Work® Legend™ title

Be creative with vivo V30 Pro's ZEISS Style Portrait

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Owning a smartphone endowed with exceptional camera prowess not only enhances social media presence but also empowers one to capture life's moments with unmatched quality and clarity.

Global smartphone brand, vivo, launched the much-talked-about V30 Series in March 2024. The collaboration with ZEISS for the vivo V30 Pro brought forth a wave of attention, thanks to its remarkable camera capabilities.

Aside from having a ZEISS triple main camera on the rear, the vivo V30 Pro also boasts a diverse array of popular ZEISS lenses. These provide users with a versatile range of creative options for their portraits.

Six ZEISS Style Portraits to choose from

From the distinctive rendering of the Biotar lens to the immersive cinematic experience offered by the Cinematic and Cine-flare lenses, and the crisp clarity of the Sonnar, Distagon, and Planar lenses, the possibilities for expression are limitless.

1.                ZEISS Biotar Style Bokeh

It has a distinctive swirly bokeh. The lens reproduces the unique effect characteristic of ZEISS optics, with its exceptional visual representation result that embodies the ZEISS style.

2.                ZEISS Cinematic Style Bokeh

Elevate photography with film-style portraits, boasting an aspect ratio of 2.39:1, accompanied by oval flares and a mesmerizing blue trail effect, particularly enchanting when capturing scenes illuminated by street lights at night.

3.                ZEISS Cine-flare Portrait

Capture cinematic flair even against intense backlighting, as this lens recreates the mesmerizing flare often seen in movies. Powered by advanced algorithms, it guarantees natural and crystal-clear portraits, ensuring your subjects stand out in every shot, regardless of lighting conditions.

4.                ZEISS Sonnar Style Bokeh

With a creamy blur that casts a romantic ambiance over the backdrop, the Sonnar style transforms the scene into a captivating setting, ideal for capturing enchanting street portraits.

5.                ZEISS Distagon Style Bokeh

With its distinctive hexagonal bokeh in the background, the Distagon lens adds a unique touch to compositions, radiating remarkable aesthetics that are ideal for artistic visual representation.

6.                ZEISS Planar Style Bokeh

The smooth and sharp bokeh characteristic of the Planar style lends an elegant and professional aesthetic to photographs, offering a new level of visual appeal.

Take your creativity to the next level with the timeless charm of the vivo V30 Pro with ZEISS's restored bokeh, flare, and glare effects, allowing users to effortlessly capture artistic and atmospheric portraits.

For optimal results, pair these ZEISS Style Portrait effects with point light sources to unlock the full potential of the lenses.

The vivo V30 Pro with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM is available for only Php 34,999 at vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, as well as through e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada.

Discover the full range of features and options offered by the vivo V30 Series by visiting vivo's official website.

vivo Y100 officially arrives to Philippines this April 27

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Global smartphone brand, vivo, has officially announced the arrival of its latest addition to the Y Series lineup - the vivo Y100. Packed with cutting-edge features, this device boasts the fastest charging capability ever seen in the Y Series.

Scheduled for release on April 27, 2024, the vivo Y100 comes equipped with an 80W charger featuring a Super Charge Pump, ensuring lightning-fast charging times. Complementing this impressive charging speed is a sizable 5000mAh battery, providing users with long-lasting power to keep up with their busy lifestyles.

Photography enthusiasts will be delighted to discover vivo Y100's exceptional imaging system. The device features a versatile camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, a 2MP bokeh, and an 8MP selfie camera, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos with ease.

In terms of performance, the vivo Y100 doesn't disappoint. Boasting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB, this smartphone offers ample space for storing your favorite apps, photos, videos, and more.

Available in two stylish colors - the eye-catching photochromic Breeze Green and the timeless Crystal Black - the vivo Y100 is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

For those eager to get their hands on the vivo Y100 ahead of its official release date, the smartphone is currently available for purchase on Shopee for Php 13,499. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 27, 2024, when the official price will be announced.

Stay updated on the latest news and updates about vivo Y100 by visiting the official vivo website and following the brand on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Elevating Holistic Wellness through Optimal Liver Health

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LAC, the leading health and wellness supplement retailer in the Philippines, supports World Liver Day 2024

Did you know your liver is a multitasking champion? This largest organ in your body filters blood, absorbs nutrients, removes toxic substances from the body, makes protein building blocks for your cells, and acts as your body's vitamin and mineral bank. However, despite its ability to keep the body functioning properly, liver disease quietly claims thousands of lives each year in the Philippines alone.

Liver disease refers to any condition that affects the liver's structure or function which can develop into four stages: Hepatitis, Fibrosis, Cirrhosis, and ultimately—Liver failure. According to The Global State of Liver Health 2022 Report, liver disease complications resulted in a death rate of 2.65%, with an estimated 16,500 fatalities in the Philippines—a stark reality we cannot overlook. While alcohol is a major culprit, habits like regularly consuming fatty foods, sedentary routines, unhealthy diets, and relying on certain medications for a prolonged time also lead to liver problems.

The Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) states that the risk is especially high for those who are overweight, diabetic, or suffer from hypertension; making over 18 million Filipinos vulnerable to or already struggling with fatty liver disease. However, a surprising number of 11.9% of Filipinos also have the disease despite not being overweight.

This underscores the urgent need for proactive liver care, especially as World Liver Day on April 19th approaches. This global initiative aims to raise awareness about liver-related conditions and promote proactive measures for liver health as liver diseases often go unnoticed.

Experts emphasize that, alongside necessary tests, adopting healthy eating habits, making lifestyle changes, and considering the potential benefits of supplements can significantly contribute to tackling this growing problem.

Protecting the liver holistically

LAC (Leader in Antioxidative Control™), the leading health and wellness supplement retailer in the Philippines, supports a proactive approach to liver health through LAC Activated Liver Protector™, a capsule supplement containing a blend of Traditional Chinese Medicinal herbs such as Hawthorn Fruit, Oriental Waterplantain Rhizome, and Largehead Atractylodes Rhizome that can prevent and relieve fatty liver, promote healthy liver function and lower bad blood lipid levels.

“At LAC, our mission has always been to empower individuals on their lifelong wellness journeys—this commitment extends to liver health. Especially with the evolving lifestyles of Filipinos marked by shifts in dietary habits, increased stress, and higher exposure to toxins, maintaining optimal liver health has become imperative to counteract modern health challenges and sustain holistic well-being,” Evelyn Teo, Chief of Marketing at LAC Global, explains.

Recognizing the liver's pivotal role as the body's detoxification powerhouse, LAC understands the importance of protecting, nourishing, and aiding detoxification for holistic wellness. This led LAC to develop LAC Activated Liver Protector™, a potent supplement designed to support optimal liver function. With its blend of herbs that have been used for centuries, the brand is bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern solutions–offering a convenient and effective approach to liver health all within one capsule.

Filipinos can take charge of not just their liver health but also their overall well-being through informed choices and high-quality supplements. As a champion of holistic wellness, LAC empowers individuals by providing a comprehensive range of supplements tailored to meet daily health needs at every life stage while promoting a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

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About LAC Global

Headquartered in Singapore, LAC Global is one of Asia's largest speciality retailers in nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal, and other speciality supplements in Anti-ageing and Beauty, Immunity, Weight Management, Sports Nutrition, and Energy.

The Company owns the LAC brand, short for Leader in Antioxidative Control™, a leading health and wellness supplement brand with a global presence. Since its founding, LAC has embarked on a pioneering journey to formulate scientifically-proven ingredients, harnessing the best of eastern wisdom and western technology to fight free radicals, combat ageing brought forth by oxidative stress, and support you daily in looking, feeling, and functioning at your best. Having established a global presence since 1997, LAC’s reach includes Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, USA, Central & South Americas, and the Middle East. Currently, there are more than 220 LAC branded stores in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan ROC. LAC stringently sources ingredients from around the globe, such as USA, Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland to ensure utmost quality, and works only with the most specialised partners in developing and manufacturing health solutions.

Its other brands include Xndo Food For Health. LAC Global is dedicated to ensuring consumers stay well, and live life to the fullest.

Website: lac.com.ph

Instagram: @lacworldwideph

Facebook: @lacworldwideph

TikTok: @lacworldwideph