Personal Collection Recognized for Sustainability Excellence at the Globee and Asia CEO Awards

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Personal Collection, a proudly Filipino-owned direct-selling company, continues to exemplify its commitment to sustainability as it bags a Gold Globee for CSR Program of the Year in Asia-Pacific at the 2024 Golden Bridge Awards and Circle of Excellence Award for Sustainability Company of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards 2024.

At the forefront of this success is the company’s #GreenLifeGreatLife Movement, through which Personal Collection has made significant strides in sustainability. Its manufacturing practices and community impact aim to protect the country's natural resources to ensure a greener, better world for Filipinos today and for future generations.

Personal Collection is the first-ever direct-selling company to transition its products to biodegradable packaging with 87% of its products now contained in this eco-friendly material. Moreover, they have planted 245,000 mangroves and trees, removing 165 tons of coastal debris in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals 12, 14, and 15.

The company has also been making efforts in minimizing carbon emissions as well as electricity, fuel, and water consumption; and enhancing distribution efficiency, among others.

Personal Collection takes a holistic approach to sustainability, combining operational efficiency, responsible manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and various green initiatives. The company actively empowers its thousands of employees and millions of dealers to champion these efforts, demonstrating how collective action can create meaningful societal and environmental change. These recent recognitions reflect how Personal Collection has not only thrived but also become more adaptable in an ever-evolving business landscape, underscoring the growing importance of sustainable practices that continue to expand and make an impact.

The Golden Bridge Awards is a prestigious global awards program that recognizes outstanding achievements in business and innovation across various industries. Meanwhile, the Asia CEO Awards is one of the largest business awards programs in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, recognizing leadership excellence in the region.

To learn more about Personal Collection Direct Selling Inc., visit their:

Website: https://www.personalcollection.com.ph

LinkedIn page: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/personalcollection-direct-selling-inc/ 

Jobstreet by SEEK supports job seekers, hirers, public sectors in widening job opportunities in the Philippines

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Jobstreet by SEEK joins the Leaders and HR Symposium with the Civil Service Commission (CSC)

Jobstreet by SEEK, a leading online job portal, remains committed to its mission of expanding job opportunities for Filipinos. The platform actively seeks partnerships with institutions, organizations, and government agencies to address the ongoing challenges of job accessibility in the country.

Acknowledging the challenges observed by the worldwide shift towards digitalization, as well as the increasing demand for more advanced skills, Jobstreet by SEEK has forged partnerships with various organizations and government entities to create a unified front in promoting job access to many Filipinos, while also offering guidance on upskilling the current workforce, empowering them to thrive in a changing job market.

Sharing expertise with government agencies

Jobstreet by SEEK upholds women empowerment in the digital sector in collaboration with DICT for their DIWA program

Throughout the third quarter, Jobstreet by SEEK entered into several key partnerships with the government. One notable collaboration was with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as part of the Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) program. This partnership included a workshop and gathering with DIWA members and delegates from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), focusing on enhancing visibility and skills development for women in the technology sector.

Jobstreet by SEEK also entered a partnership with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), joining the Leaders and HR Symposium, to equip HR practitioners and leaders with the latest trends and best practices in leadership, human resource management, and organization development in both public and private sectors.

Equipping hirers

Jobstreet by SEEK has collaborated with several organizations to empower companies and their human resources teams with essential insights on talent development and effective hiring strategies. One significant partnership was with the Philippines HR Group, where Jobstreet by SEEK participated in the 2024 Philippines HR Summit where the job portal’s key leaders shared insights on elevating hiring strategies in line with digital and technology trends.

Additionally, Jobstreet took part in the HR Innovation Conference 2024, in collaboration with consulting firm Q2 HR Solutions, where they engaged with HR professionals on strategies for future-proofing their hiring processes.

Empowering jobseekers

Jobstreet by SEEK remains dedicated to supporting job seekers in their pursuit of employment that aligns with their skills and needs. Recently, the company actively participated in various initiatives with educational institutions, major corporations, and government agencies to promote accessibility and upskilling for potential candidates.

Partnering with institutions like Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of Makati, Jobstreet by SEEK provided essential tips for students in resume making, interview techniques, and other skills for job seeking.

Likewise, the job platform collaborated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in line with the 2024 Philippine National Skills Competition, providing guidance talks to Senior High School (SHS) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students on job-seeking and employability.

Furthermore, Jobstreet by SEEK continues to collaborate in the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Job Fair with SM Supermalls and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), helping to facilitate the hiring of thousands of Filipinos in a job fair roadshow across the country.

“As a leading job portal, we believe that Filipinos need to be equipped to face the ever-changing landscape of the job market,” shared Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director at Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines. “Hence, we will continue our efforts in working with the private and public sectors, as well as job seekers and hirers, in our collective goal of bringing more jobs to the country.”

For more information about Jobstreet by SEEK, visit https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/

AI Tools for Education on Display as PowerSchool and REX Education Partner to Host International ‘Innovation in Education’ Summit in Metro Manila

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More than 130 education leaders from across the Philippines attend summit exploring the future of education and technology

PowerSchool and REX Education Executives during the recent Innovation in Education Summit

PowerSchool, a leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education, recently announced the successful release completion of its Innovation in Education Summit held at Park Inn by Radisson in Quezon City in partnership with REX Education. The summit drew over 130 education leaders from across the Philippines to Metro Manila to discuss best practices for the use of PowerSchool Schoology Learning and to learn about the future of education with AI, including PowerSchool’s AI assistant, PowerBuddy.

"We were delighted to partner with REX Education for this Innovation in Education Summit in Manila. In addition to sharing insights with leading educational providers from across the Philippines we were able to showcase personalised learning for every child with our Artificial Intelligence offering PowerBuddy,” said Stewart Monk, PowerSchool's Senior Vice President and General Manager, International. “PowerSchool is already supporting over 60 million students worldwide with its Schoology learning platform and the Innovation in Education Summit is an opportunity to showcase the future for education leaders in the Philippines, facilitate Al readiness, and build best practices in Manila and beyond."

The audience included educators and administrators from 70 schools across the Philippines who braved inclement weather from Typhoon Kristine to learn about how Schoology Learning can unlock the power of technology and data. In addition to presentations from PowerSchool representatives, the audience heard stories from PowerSchool customers who shared anecdotes regarding their successful implementation and use of Schoology Learning.

Presenters discussed the importance of improving education, particularly following poor Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) rankings for the Philippines, in part due to COVID-19 learnings loss. Francis Jim B. Tuscano, EdTech Coordinator & CLE Dept. Chair at Xavier School-San Juan, stressed the importance of continued use of technological integration following the return to on-site learning. He mentioned Xavier School’s use cases with Schoology Learning including course management and delivery, student engagement and collaboration, assessment and grading, flexible learning options, parental involvement, and professional development for teachers.

PowerSchool presentations included demonstrations of products including Power School Connected Intelligence K-12, PowerBuddy for Data Analysis, PowerSchool Curriculum & Instruction, MyPowerHub, PowerBuddy for Assessment, PowerBuddy for Custom AI, PowerBuddy for Engagement, and PowerBuddy for Learning. PowerSchool also shared its responsible AI principles including AI that is human-centered, fair and non-biased, and stringent data governance, privacy, and security.

For more information on PowerSchool AI, visit www.powerschool.com/powerschool-ai/.

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About PowerSchool   

PowerSchool is a leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education. Its mission is to empower educators, administrators, and families to ensure personalized education for every student journey. PowerSchool offers end-to-end product clouds that connect the central office to the classroom to the home with award-winning products including Schoology Learning and Naviance CCLR, so school districts can securely manage student data, enrollment, attendance, grades, instruction, assessments, human resources, talent, professional development, special education, data analytics and insights, communications, and college and career readiness. PowerSchool supports over 60 million students in more than 90 countries and over 18,000 customers, including more than 90 of the top 100 districts by student enrollment in the United States.

© PowerSchool. PowerSchool and other PowerSchoo

Music 101: 600 Years of Music, an “informance” with Dr. Raul Sunico

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In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the FEU Auditorium, the FEU Center for the Arts proudly presents “Music 101: 600 Years of Music, an “informance” featuring Dr. Raul Sunico, a “world-renowned award-winning pianist” (Tatler Asia), who will give a lecture demonstration on music history from medieval to contemporary periods this November 5, 2024.

There will be two “Informance” sessions: 

• The first session is at 9:00 AM and will focus on the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical Periods. 

• The second session will start at 1:00 PM and will revolve around the Romantic, Post Romantic and 20th Century Periods.

Dr. Sunico earned his Bachelor of Music (cum laude), Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Master of Statistics from the University of the Philippines. He completed his Master of Music at Juilliard in New York City and his Ph.D. in Piano Performance at New York University through a scholarship provided by former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos by way of the Young Artists Foundation of the Philippines.

Dr. Sunico was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree (honoris causa) by Far Eastern University in 2005.

He earned praise from The New York Times for his “well-developed technique” and "genuine connection to the music" when he performs. He was also dubbed as a “brilliant pianist” by WNCN Radio. He has played in numerous countries around the world.

Dr. Sunico had several performances in the FEU Auditorium including a concert on September 22, 1988 titled: “An Evening of Gershwin Songs” with Della Besa, Josephine Roces, Joel Navarro and Antonio Maigue.

On September 17, 1997 he performed in a concert titled “The Songs of the Philippine Revolution 1896-1898” with Antonio Maigue and Nanette Moscardon. The last performance of Dr. Sunico in the FEU Auditorium was when he shared the stage with blind tenor-pianist, Carlos “Chuckie” Ibay to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2 on 2 Steinway grand pianos.

Additionally, Dr. Sunico has been a soloist of various orchestras worldwide including but not limited to the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra (Poland), Towson Community Orchestra (Maryland, USA), Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Taiwan Normal University Wind Orchestra, Tokyo Sinfonia, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Ho Chi Minh Symphony Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

As we strive to provide the FEU Community with outstanding artistic experiences, we invite you to witness the brilliance of Dr. Raul Sunico in this unforgettable “Informance” on November 5, 2024 at the FEU Auditorium.

Don’t miss this unique experience. Be part of a celebration that promises to inspire and elevate our appreciation for the arts!

This cultural event is free for all! Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/jVE896xVh4

For more information on the concert, please follow or message the Far Eastern University Center for the Arts on their Social Media accounts:

Facebook: Far Eastern University Center for the Arts

Instagram: @feucenterarts

Building a nation of homeowners: SMDC turns over first vertical socialized housing in Iloilo City

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SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the residential arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, takes a bold step in tackling the nation’s housing backlog through strategic partnerships with local governments.

KaUSWAGAN Residences serves as an accessible and affordable housing solution for Iloilo City Government employees, reaffirming SMDC’s commitment to building a nation of homeowners

In a symbolic turnover ceremony, SMDC handed over the keys to KaUSWAGAN Residence – the first vertical socialized housing project in Iloilo City – further advancing the government’s efforts to reduce the 6.5 million housing backlog.

The Php 248-million KaUSWAGAN Residences is a collaboration between SMDC, the Iloilo City Government, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The development, located in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, serves as an accessible and affordable housing solution for Iloilo City Government employees, reaffirming SMDC commitment to socialized housing.

“This project underscores SMDC’s commitment to supporting the government’s socialized housing program,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, SMPHI President. “We are proud to deliver high-quality homes for Filipino workers and contribute to building thriving communities.”

Designed with the working class in mind, KaUSWAGAN Residences features two twin four-story buildings with 30-square-meter units, ample parking spaces, and proximity to the city center—just 6.5 kilometers from Iloilo City Hall. This thoughtful location provides easy access to essential services, making it a practical choice for local government employees.

Residents will enjoy easy access to the city center, a practical choice for local government employees.

A Model for Future Collaborations

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas praised the partnership, noting that the project offers a replicable model for future collaborations between the government and the private sector. “The City Government of Iloilo is grateful for the strong partnership with SDMC. Through the KaUSWAGAN Residences, we are providing working-class families with affordable homes, a critical need in our city. This project sets benchmark for public-private collaborations in housing, and we hope it will be replicated in other regions,” said Treñas.

SMDC’s Commitment to Socialized Housing

SMDC has committed over P1.108 billion to the Philippine government’s socialized housing program, building housing developments since 2012. These projects cover land development, land acquisition, and the construction of socialized housing units across the country, in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and the DHS

In addition to KaUSWAGAN Residences, SMDC has utilized its P1.108 billion commitment to support other housing projects nationwide. These include:

• Davao City: P320 million for land development in Barrio Lasang for a socialized housing project.

• Eastern Samar: P184.4 million in Salcedoville, Barangay Tagbacan, where 300 homes were built for Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

• Cavite: P192.1 million for the Bayanihan Gawad Kalinga Village in Dasmariñas City.

• Abra: A housing program in Indigo Subdivision, Barangay Basbasa, Tayum, consisting of 126 housing units set for turnover by 2025.

Beyond its socialized housing contributions, SMDC has also launched Style Residences—its first premium development in Iloilo City. Located within the city’s Lifestyle District and adjacent to SM City Iloilo, this five-tower complex offers over 2,900 residential units. The development features high-end amenities such as swimming pools, landscaped gardens, and function rooms, catering to the growing demand for upscale urban living in Iloilo.

In 2021, SMDC launched Glade Residences in Jaro, Iloilo. Featuring 11 four-story buildings, the mid-rise development blends modern living with heritage preservation. With lush open spaces, vertical gardens, and a future SM shopping center, this development offers 8,800 sqm of amenities and landscaped areas, including a rain catchment system and cistern tanks. It’s a perfect mix of style, sustainability, and value.

A Nation of Homeowners

SMDC continues to strive toward its vision of creating a nation of homeowners. Through projects like KaUSWAGAN Residences, Style and Glade Residences, SMDC remains committed to building life-centered communities, where Filipinos can lead fulfilling, healthy, and thriving lives.

“The KaUSWAGAN project is a concrete example of how public-private partnerships can significantly improve the lives of working-class citizens. Together, we are making the dream of homeownership a reality for more Filipinos,” added Treñas.