Security Bankers raise funds for 41 scholars through year-end, employee-led initiatives

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Security Bankers rallied together at the close of 2025 to raise funds for 41 scholars under the Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) scholarship program, through a series of employee-led initiatives held during the Bank’s year-end celebrations.

Security Bank employees participating the holiday marketplace at 

Security Bank Head Office in Makati City

Implemented in collaboration with the Bank’s Learning and Engagement Division, the initiatives generated donations for Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), supporting the educational needs of the Bank’s agency personnel—including security guards, janitors, messengers, and drivers—as well as their children.

Employees also extended their support through SBFI’s Adopt a Scholar campaign, contributing in various forms including cash, Cheers Points (the Bank’s employee recognition rewards), and Security Bank Credit Card Rewards points. Through these collective efforts, 41 RMKK scholars were adopted for School Year 2025–2026.

“This is a testament to how collective generosity can change lives,” shared SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr. “Every contribution brings our scholars closer to realizing their dreams and building better futures for themselves and their families.”

The impact of the initiative was felt during the Christmas season, when adopted scholars wrote letters to their sponsors to express their gratitude and reaffirm their commitment to completing their education.

Trina Ortega, Employee Engagement Lead of Security Bank’s Learning and Engagement Division, shared a particularly moving moment when the mother of an RMKK scholar— herself a bank security guard—visited the office to personally express her appreciation for the opportunity given to her daughter.

Through the continued collaboration between Security Bank and Security Bank Foundation, employee-led initiatives remain a meaningful avenue to expanding access to education and uplifting the communities the Bank serves.

To learn more about Security Bank Foundation’s commitment to education, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.

Ipon made fun: Build better money habits by gamifying your savings

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Saving money is a common goal for Filipinos, especially at the start of the year. Many set aside money for everyday priorities like home improvements, a car downpayment, or building an emergency fund, while some save up for other big-ticket goals like trips abroad or gadget upgrades. However, as weeks go by, the motivation can quickly fade. An article by Yahoo Finance notes that some people often struggle with saving challenges because of unrealistic goals and lack of instant gratification – making it harder to stay committed over time.

One creative way to address this challenge is through gamification, or the use of simple game elements like challenges, goals, and rewards in everyday activities. When applied to saving, gamification makes the experience more engaging, motivating, and easier to sustain.

Gamification works by breaking down large financial goals into small, achievable wins. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by long-term targets, savers focus on completing manageable steps. Each milestone creates a sense of progress and activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine that helps reinforce habits and keep motivations high.

Here are some simple money saving challenges you can try:

The financial milestone card

Inspired by loyalty stamp cards used by coffee shops, this challenge involves creating your own milestone card with a fixed amount per step. For example, you can start simple and set 10 steps worth PHP 1,000 each. Every time you complete a step, you mark it off. To keep motivation high, you can reward yourself at the halfway points – perhaps a movie ticket or a meal at your favorite cafe – before pushing through to your final goal.

The 52-week challenge

This classic saving challenge remains popular because it is simple, structured, and time-bound. You decide on a weekly amount to save and consistently set it aside for all 52 weeks of the year. For a more advanced version, you can try the descending amount version, where you’ll save a higher amount at the start of the year and gradually decrease it over time. For example, saving PHP 5,200 in the first week, PHP 5,100 the following week, and so on can help you build PHP 137,800 by year-end.

Money bingo

For those who prefer variety, money bingo offers a fun and flexible approach. Create a bingo card filled with financial tasks and milestones, such as depositing random amounts into your savings account, completing your emergency fund, or automating a bill payment. Each completed task earns you a mark on the card. You can reward yourself with a small treat every time you complete an entire row or column to keep the challenge enjoyable.

Digital tools can also help these good money habits stick. High interest savings accounts like CIMB Bank Philippines’ UpSave account supports these challenges by allowing Filipinos to keep their savings separate from daily spending while growing their money securely. Even with small and irregular deposits, this account offers competitive interest rates – up to 5.6% interest per annum until January 31, 2026 – and can be opened in less than 10 minutes through a fully digital process. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Another useful digital tool is CIMB Bank PH’s Own My Goals (OMG) feature, which can also be found in the CIMB Bank PH mobile app. With OMG, account holders can create multiple savings goals that can be easily tracked. Each goal can be linked to the desired CIMB savings account with an auto-save feature that can help build up the discipline needed to achieve any financial goal. To make saving even more fun, the name and design theme per goal can be customized as well. Customers will also be encouraged to stick to their goals with regular prompts and a convenient built-in milestone tracker.

By making saving interactive rather than intimidating, gamified challenges help Filipinos build confidence and control over their finances. This year, saving money doesn’t have to feel overwhelming – it can instead feel achievable, empowering, and even fun.

To know more about CIMB Bank PH’s suite of savings products, visit cimbbank.com.ph

Coca-Cola Philippines Drives Water Stewardship With Reforestation activity at La Mesa Watershed

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Coca-Cola Philippines employees gathered at La Mesa Dam on December 17, 2025 for a tree-planting activity with the Million Trees Foundation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability through hands-on volunteerism. The effort highlighted how corporate participation and community action can help protect one of Metro Manila’s most critical water sources.

Coca-Cola Philippines employees join tree-planting activity at La Mesa Watershed.

At the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center within the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City, Coca-Cola Philippines employees came together to plant native seedlings. The initiative forms part of the larger Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC), a long-term watershed rehabilitation program that began under Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and is now being sustained by the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) with the goal of planting 10 million more trees by 2030.

 

Coca-Cola Philippines employee volunteers plant native seedlings as part of ongoing reforestation efforts.

La Mesa Dam is Metro Manila’s primary watershed and one of the remaining major forest reserves in the region. Its protection is essential to ensuring clean, stable water supply for the capital. Reforestation efforts—especially those that focus on tree-growing, not just tree-planting—contribute to soil conservation, improved groundwater recharge, and long-term ecological resilience.

“The strength of the Million Trees Initiative comes from collective effort. When partners like Coca-Cola Philippines show up on the ground, it accelerates our work to restore critical watersheds like La Mesa,” Mr. Melandrew T. Velasco, Million Trees Foundation Inc, President and Executive Director, “Each seedling planted today is part of a bigger commitment to protect the ecosystems that support millions of Filipinos.”

MTFI President and Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco, together with Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario and Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Senior Director Maria Christine Garcia, joined the tree-growing orientation before the tree-planting activity, where they learned proper tree-planting techniques and sustainable practices for watershed conservation.

For employee volunteers, the activity was a meaningful way to take part in environmental protection while gaining a deeper appreciation of watershed stewardship — a core focus of the company’s Sustainability Matters campaign.  “Today proved that sustainability is about action — and that small efforts become meaningful when we work as one.” said Maria Christine Garcia, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of Coca-Cola Philippines.

Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines and Vice President for Franchise Operations East of Coca-Cola Far East Limited (CCFEL), underscored how employee volunteerism strengthens the company’s sustainability goals.

“Our sustainability journey is grounded in strong partnerships, long-term commitments, and the dedication of our people. Initiatives like this underscore the vital role each of us plays in safeguarding essential resources such as the La Mesa Watershed,” said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines and Vice President for Franchise Operations East of Coca-Cola Far East Limited. “This activity reflects our broader commitment to environmental stewardship and to collaborating with communities and partners to create lasting, meaningful impact.”

To learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability initiatives, the public may visit www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/sustainability.

Dagyang Kita Sa Richmonde: Celebrate Dinagyang with Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s Signature Festival Experiences

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Iloilo’s grandest and most-awaited festival is back—and it’s set to be more vibrant, flavorful, and unforgettable than ever!

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo invites travelers, families, and festivalgoers to fully experience the energy and excitement of Dinagyang 2026 through a thoughtfully curated selection of room packages and festive food and beverage offerings, perfectly positioned at the center of Iloilo City’s most iconic celebration.

From now until January 25, 2026, guests can enjoy a comfortable and convenient stay that places them close to the city’s colorful parades, cultural performances, and street revelry. Peak festival dates from January 23 to 25 are offered at PHP 14,500 nett for room-only stays and PHP 15,000 nett with buffet breakfast for two. Each package includes accommodations for up to two adults and two children aged 12 years old and below, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and use of the hotel’s swimming pool and fitness center—ensuring both comfort and convenience throughout the festivities.

Stay-lebrate the vibrant spirit of Iloilo’s most awaited Dinagyang Festival with a week-long stay that brings together comfort, color, and excitement. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture as you enjoy the warmth of Ilonggo hospitality and the perfect vantage point for all the festivities right here at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

Complementing each Dinagyang stay is the hotel’s dynamic lineup of food and beverage events, celebrating both local heritage and modern indulgence. From January 20 to 25, guests can unwind at BizBar with Beers, Grills & Cocktails, featuring a bucket of six beers with a platter of assorted grilled meats for PHP 999 nett, along with a buy one, get one offer of Zabana cocktails priced as low as PHP 225 nett per glass.

From flowing cocktails and sizzling grills to heritage-inspired feasts and electrifying festival nights, celebrate Iloilo’s grandest festival with a lineup that brings together flavor, culture, and revelry. 

Different tribes from all over the country will paint the Iloilo skyline with bursts of color as they illuminate it with their lighted costumes!

The culinary celebrations come alive on January 23 with Ilomination Night: Heritage Flavors Aglow, a multi-venue dining experience inspired by the colors, energy, and traditions of Dinagyang. Perfectly timed with the much-anticipated ILOmination Parade at Iloilo Business Park, the evening offers guests a chance to enjoy great food while witnessing illuminated performances, vibrant street spectacles, and a dazzling fireworks display just moments away.

Guests may dine at The Granary for Digamo: Flavors of the Archipelago, a LuzViMinda classics dinner buffet served from 6PM to 10PM for PHP 1,450 nett. For a more casual, festive setup closer to the parade action, Fiesta Parilya: Sugba at Iba Pa offers an all-you-can grill experience with 1 round each of Heineken draft beer and house blend iced tea at the porte cochere from 5PM onwards, priced at PHP 1,000 nett. As the night winds down, celebrations continue at Zabana Bar with Radiance at Dusk, a cocktail party from 7PM to 10PM featuring an open bar and panoramic views of the parade and fireworks, available at PHP 1,500 nett, with 50% off for diners of Digamo and Fiesta Parilya.

On January 24, guests can further savor the festival spirit with Dagyang Kag Sinadya!, an interactive festival buffet at The Granary from 5PM to 10PM, showcasing live action stations and Ilonggo specialties for PHP 1,850 nett.

Celebrate Dinagyang 2026 with Richmonde Hotel Iloilo—where festive stays, heritage flavors, and unforgettable moments come together in one remarkable destination at the heart of the city.

For inquiries, room bookings, and table reservations, contact Richmonde Hotel Iloilo at trunk line +63 33 328 7888 or email stay@richmondeiloilo.com for room accommodations; or call or message +63 917 563 3558 (mobile/Viber) for dining reservations. You may also visit www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph for more details and follow @RichmondeHotelIloilo on social media to explore more of the hotel’s offerings.

Bell-Kenz Pharma and DOTr-SAICT Scale Up Sagip CPR Advocacy to Protect Millions of Filipino Commuters

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Following the successful launch of its national advocacy last year, Bell-Kenz Pharma is intensifying its mission to train one million Filipinos in life-saving skills by entering a strategic partnership with the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT).

STRENGTHENING THE FRONTLINES. (L-R) Enzo Nicolas, Anica Mayo, and Erika Asuncion of Bell-Kenz Pharma; Corporate Branding and PR Head Patrick Larraga; and Anna Leah Morales of DOTr-SAICT (representing Asec. Jose F. Lim IV), with PCG-SAICT operatives.

The collaboration aims to integrate the Sagip CPR program into the DOTr’s flagship road safety campaign, Oplan Biyaheng Ayos. By targeting the very frontliners who manage the nation’s major ports, thoroughfares, terminals, busways, and airports, the partnership ensures that emergency medical intervention is available 24/7.

A Critical Response for the Frontlines

The necessity of this partnership is underscored by the daily realities on the ground. Anna Leah Morales, Supervising Transportation Regulation Officer representing the Office of the SAICT under Assistant Secretary Jose F. Lim IV, noted the frequency of medical emergencies in public spaces.

"We encounter approximately two individuals per month showing symptoms of cardiac events on busways, overpasses, and terminals.," Morales shared. "Our personnel are often the first to reach passengers in distress. We encounter approximately two individuals per month showing symptoms of cardiac events on busways, overpasses, and terminals. Equipping our teams with CPR certification is no longer just an added skill—it is a fundamental enhancement of our duty to protect. This partnership operationalizes the President’s and Secretary Lopez’s mandate: that safety is our paramount deliverable.”

Empowering the 400-Strong Enforcement Team

The first phase of the campaign focuses on training the 400-strong members of the DOTr-SAICT enforcement team. These officers are alternately deployed round the clock to monitor public safety.

Patrick Larraga, Bell-Kenz Pharma’s Corporate Branding and PR Head, emphasized the importance of the DOTr’s reach.

"To build a nation of lifesavers, we must start where the people are," said Larraga. “The DOTr’s unparalleled network is the ultimate platform for the Sagip CPR mission. By first certifying SAICT and Coast Guard personnel, then extending to major bus consortiums and terminal operators, we are weaving a life-saving safety net directly into the journey of millions of Filipinos.”

A Phased Nationwide Rollout

The program is designed for maximum impact through a strategic, tiered implementation. Starting in Metro Manila, the initiative will focus on high-density areas where commuter volume is highest. After the initial training of SAICT which includes Coast Guard personnel, the program will move to capacitate major bus operators and terminal staff, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for the commuting public.

Following the Metro Manila launch, Bell-Kenz Pharma and the DOTr-SAICT plan to gradually scale the training nationwide, reaching different regional partners and transport hubs across the country to ensure no Filipino commuter is left unprotected.

For more information about Sagip CPR advocacy of Bell-Kenz Pharma, visit www.bell-kenz.net.