by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 14, 2023 | Business
As the seventh Compliance Period for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) for members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines closes in April 2023, new and exciting programs start to line up for the opening of the eighth period. Most compliant lawyers now enjoy more options as online, traditional, and hybrid learning setups comprise the interesting mix that prioritizes their convenience and personal choices.
Like law practitioners across the globe, learners in the country consider four major factors when choosing MCLE programs to enroll in — topic or content, cost, the reputation of MCLE facilitators, and the learning setup.
Always ahead of the times and leading its industry, ACCESS MCLE, a duly recognized learning institution facilitating MCLE courses for local attorneys, has started opening new programs that learners can sign up for the Eighth Compliance Period. Currently, there are nine available courses, with 16 more to be uploaded. It is the proponent of online MCLE as it presented the setup for virtual learning for lawyers to the Supreme Court even before the onset of the pandemic.
ACCESS MCLE has even introduced a new version of the online class or synchronous setup. The Flexi-Synch option makes the MCLE program schedule identical all year round. Learners who miss a session can catch that same lesson on the same day and time the following month.
Topics and carefully selected facilitators
ACCESS MCLE Co-Founder Atty. Ma. Louella M. Aranas
“We aim to make fellow lawyers realize that MCLE is worthwhile and necessary,” said ACCESS MCLE Co-Founder Atty. Ma. Louella M. Aranas. “It has always been our commitment to set the standard higher.”
Since Day 1, ACCESS MCLE has been prioritizing the requirements, needs, and interests of Filipino lawyers. It is continuously working with numerous law experts and legal luminaries to identify and develop programs that would further enrich local attorneys amid significant changes in the judicial landscape.
So far, ACCESS MCLE has offered numerous MCLE courses in seven different categories—updates on substantive and procedural laws, MCLE-prescribed subjects, legal and judicial ethics, alternative dispute resolution, legal writing and oral advocacy, trial and pre-trial skills, and international laws.
“ACCESS is committed to delivering new curated topics for the Eighth Compliance Period on top of the courses for the Seventh Compliance Period that remain available. Some of our current popular topics are the laws of war; hunger and the right to adequate food, and even the right to die,” Atty. Aranas said.
The institution is equally proud of its roster of lecturers, which includes legal luminaries and some of the most credible subject matter experts. ACCESS MCLE has a deliberate selection process for inviting the best lecturers who are real authorities in their respective legal practices. “We take most of our recommendations for lecturers from Dean Ada Abad of Adamson University College of Law,” Atty. Aranas disclosed.
Costs and learning setups
Being the first accredited online on-demand and synchronous MCLE provider in the Philippines, ACCESS MCLE has been instrumental in democratizing continuing legal education for lawyers. It was among the proponents of online MCLE as it had started introducing the virtual learning setup for lawyers even before the onset of the pandemic and before the Supreme Court formally endorsed online MCLE as an option for that meeting compliance.
ACCESS MCLE has even introduced a new version of the online class or synchronous setup. The Flexi-Synch option makes MCLE programs available all year round. Learners who miss a session can catch that same lesson on the same day and time the following month.
Aside from the reasonable fees per course, online sessions logically help lower compliance expenses by eliminating the need to spend on transportation. Thus, learners from all local regions don’t need to fly to the metro just to attend sessions.
“A huge factor that makes lawyers enroll in an MCLE seminar is the program schedule. It can be hard for a working professional to find time to attend a lecture that directly conflicts with their schedule. Moreover, the lineup of lecturers, topics to be discussed, and rate or pricing are other points that lawyers factor in when making the decision to enroll in a program,” Atty. Aranas summed up.
To learn more about ACCESS MCLE and its programs, visit https://accessonline.ph/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 13, 2023 | Business
Photo shows (from left): TG Limcaoco, BPI President and CEO; Mariana Zobel de Ayala, BPI Consumer Bank Marketing, Platforms, & Digital Activation Head; Ginbee Go, BPI Executive Vice President & Consumer Banking Head; and, Fitz Chee, BPI Platforms Business Head
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) launched a totally new and future-ready mobile app with innovative features and services that go beyond convenient transactions and help more Filipinos work their way toward financial well-being. This reinforces the bank’s solid footing as a digital banking leader in the country.
As part of BPI’s aggressive digital transformation journey, BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco said, “We’re proud of the new BPI app, and we know there’s room to continue improving. While we look at the best technology and digital solutions to ensure that we deliver excellent service, we anchor the designed experiences to what our customers need.”
According to Maria Cristina “Ginbee” Go, BPI Head of Consumer Banking, the new BPI app is key to the bank’s “phygital” approach to make the bank accessible to more Filipinos through physical branches, and digital channels and platforms. “Our customers have the option to bank with the app in tandem with BPI branches and ATMs — giving them a choice of their preferred channel with integrated services like online booking of branch visits or cashless withdrawal.”
Getting into the core features of the new app, BPI Consumer Bank Marketing, Platforms, and Digital Activation Head Mariana Zobel de Ayala emphasized that the new app goes beyond everyday transactions and helps build Filipinos’ financial independence.
“This boasts of a new design and experience, and we look forward to exciting new features that you won’t find in the older BPI Mobile app like mobile check deposit, AI-powered insights on your savings and spending, and more. These are core retail products designed not just to be convenient and sustainable but also customer-centric even in the long-term,” Zobel de Ayala said.
The new BPI app highlights the following features:
Improved User Experience
Users can get things done in fewer taps, with top transactions that are easier to access upon login and faster to finish. Help links are now found within transaction processes for easier access to guides and FAQs.
Online Account Opening
New clients can open a BPI #SaveUp account on the app within five minutes with just one ID. They can instantly start banking via the app.
Personal Finance Management (Coming in May)
BPI will be the first bank app to feature AI-powered tracking and insights. The app will offer financial advice, payment reminders, and actionable tips to help millions of Filipinos improve their financial wellness.
Other exciting features that are coming soon are mobile check deposit, real-time bill payment, cash withdrawal via QR, save favorite transactions, and more product applications.
Old to New
BPI Consumer Platforms Head Fitzgerald Chee pointed out that BPI Mobile app users do not have to delete their old app yet. “You can continue to log in to the older BPI Mobile app with your current username and password. Users that want to start enjoying the new BPI app can find easy-to-follow guides on our Facebook and YouTube channels,” he said.
He also explained that QR codes generated on the older BPI Mobile app are still going to work on the new BPI app. “You can also view all your personalized settings, previous transactions, and statements right away on the new BPI app,” he noted, clarifying, “For your security, the Mobile Key works within the new BPI app or the older BPI Mobile app. Users can choose which app version to activate their Mobile Key.”
All these form part of the bank’s goal to further enable high-quality customer experiences in line with one of its core values to be a customer-centric organization. “Customers are looking for banks that can serve them well. We assure our clients that BPI will continue to constantly change with the times to meet their evolving needs,” Limcaoco said.
The BPI App is now available for download on the App Store and on Google Play.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 12, 2023 | Health and Wellness
Luminisce Holistic Skin Innovations, one of the Philippines’ leading dermatology clinics, recently introduced a new advanced laser technology for skin care called Pico Suite, providing a more precise method of addressing Filipino pigmentation problems.
Laser technology has revolutionized the field of dermatology, leading to a host of results that used to be achieved only manually. Current laser technology uses nanotechnology, which fires laser beam energy at skin imperfections in nanoseconds, or a billionth of a second.
Despite nanotechnology lasers being highly effective, patients must go through periods of downtime and problems such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, burns, and blisters. These lasers also tend to be selective with pigments, making some lasers less effective for certain skin tones.
Developed by the U.S.-based aesthetic and medical treatment systems manufacturer Cynosure, the Pico Suite line fires laser beam energy in picoseconds, equivalent to a trillionth of a second. This lessens the risk of laser-related complications and speeds up the visibility of results.
“We are extremely happy to finally offer our patients the Pico Suite solution. With three of the most advanced in-clinic devices, the Pico Suite offers safe procedures and accelerated results on pigmentation problems,” says Dr. Kaycee Reyes, founder of Luminisce.
Because these laser beams are shorter in pulse duration, the photo-thermal effect on the skin is lower and therefore is less damaging to the surrounding skin tissue. Additionally, a picosecond laser breaks pigments into much smaller particles, speeding up results.
The Luminisce Pico Suite
The Luminisce Pico Suite is composed of three world-renowned in-clinic gold-standard devices: PicoMajesty, PicoPlus, and PicoSure Pro.
Of all the Pico Lasers in the market, PicoMajesty has the shortest pulse duration in the aesthetics industry with 250ps at 1064 nm and a peak power of 2GW. PicoMajesty is specifically made to address tattoos and treat other pigment-based skin conditions such as acne and scars. Its high peak power and high laser energy shatter pigments much more easily.
Meanwhile, PicoPlus is one of the most versatile Pico lasers on the market. It has both nano and picosecond pulse duration at 450ps, 2ns with a peak power of 1.8GW. PicoPlus is an ideal option for gentler treatments.
The third of the Pico Suite is PicoSure Pro, which is the second-generation pico laser created by Cynosure. PicoSure Pro has a wavelength of 755nm Alexandrite, 750ps to 650ps pulse duration, the wavelength that’s considered the “sweet spot” for most pigments. PicoSure Pro is versatile for different skin types and aids in skin revitalization. It is the only FDA-cleared picosecond device to treat melasma pigment, Nevus of Ota, and Hori’s Nevus.
Other than pigments, PicoSure Pro also reduces wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and pore size. Its unique fractionated lens redistributes the picosecond energy into low and high intensities to create elegant injury in the superficial skin layer. Called intra-epidermal Laser Induced Optical Breakdowns, these create pressure waves that expand into the dermis and activate the body’s natural healing response to stimulate collagen and elastin production without thermal side effects (e.g. redness and damage on the surrounding tissue or downtime of other lasers).
Book a consultation with a Luminisce dermatologist today by calling 0977-804-4601 to get your own bespoke customized treatment plan for your pigmentation concern.
Luminisce provides a wide range of skincare solutions through its BGC, The Podium, Ortigas, and Molito Alabang branches. To know more, visit Luminisce’s website at https://luminisce.com or follow https://www.instagram.com/luminisce_official.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 11, 2023 | Book Reviews
Have you ever read a story that was so hot it gave you cramps? That’s what I got from reading Sold to the Bikers by Stephanie Brother. I eagerly awaited its release when it was announced that this was the next installment of the Screaming Eagles MC series and it did not disappoint. If you haven’t read any of the books in this series this one will make you want to go back and read the rest.
The Screaming Eagles MC is turning into a reverse harem haven with several of their members ending up with one woman for every group of three (or four)! The same happens here with Quickshot, Badass, and Animal when they meet Natalie. To save her sister Natalie ends up being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Luckily for her, Quickshot, Badass, and Animal were there and decided to buy her to save her.
Natalie is a shy, quiet girl … a virgin to boot. But she was willing to do anything to save her sister, even if it meant having sex with the three men who bought her. While reluctant at first because of her inexperience, she couldn’t deny the fact that she was curious and intrigued and really did find all three men attractive.
Thankfully, for her Quickshot, Badass, and Animal are not degenerates and they sat her down to have her agree to pretend they were having sex for appearance’s sake while they try to figure out what is going on with the Unwanted. Agreement leads to exploration which leads to Natalie’s discovery and sexual awakening. She discovered kinks that she never knew she had.
Sold to the Bikers by Stephanie Brother is sizzling hot so I would caution you about reading it in public. #smutty I swear my eyes were glazed for most of the really hot scenes. Intrigued yet? Check out this book on Amazon for $2.99 and free with Kindle Unlimited! I just finished it but I’m reading it again, tee hee.
Click here to read the bonus chapter.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 11, 2023 | Awards and Competitions
AGC Building, Alabang, Muntinlupa City – John Paul Aclan together with City Police Chief Angel Garcillano led the awarding ceremony of 15 honest and deserving cops of Muntinlupa City with AGC Honest Cop Awards.
The AGC Honest Cop Award aims to give recognition to the hardworking policemen and women who have been deemed exemplary and have given outstanding service with integrity in the community.
Awarded by a private company, Aclan Group of Companies, led by the visionary JP Aclan, Founder, President & CEO of Aclan Group of Companies, this event was established to inspire our brave and selfless police, for them to be encouraged to uphold the rule of law with compassion, integrity, and humility.
“The AGC Honest Cop Award is an initiative by the AGC Group of companies to give recognition to honest cops here in Muntinlupa. In coordination with the leadership of Col. Angel Garcillano of Muntinlupa City Police, we have selected deserving policemen who not only have shown their dedication and commitment to work but more importantly, have been honest and truthful. Nowadays, when unfortunately, we have some uniformed personnel who have issues, it is always a breath of fresh air to know that we have cops that are still honest and can be trusted by our constituents here in Muntinlupa,” said Aclan.
A total of 15 deserving cops were recognized during the AGC Honest Cop Awards. They are: PMAJ John Glenn Siguan, PMAJ Peter C. Aquino, PCPT Michael F. Tilan, PSSg Rodolfo Motio Jr., PSSg Abdul Rahman Atabay, PCpl Melvin Dejan, PCpl Nino Paolo Ganaden, Pat Mark Diloy, PMAJ Eutecio Ona, PCPT Reynaldo Par, PSSg Marlon Argame, PSSg Rolly Boy Antoniega, PCpl Albert Mallete, PCpl Reynaldo Quilala, and Pat Zander Capillo all assigned in the city of Muntinlupa.
During the recognition, each awardee was treated with refreshments and food and each was given a plaque of recognition plus a special ACG Honest Cop Award pin that symbolizes their honesty and integrity in doing their work as uniformed men and women.
“We hope that this simple gesture from AGC Group of Companies can inspire and motivate our hardworking policemen and police women to continue their passion and commitment to serving the people of Muntinlupa in all their honesty and with integrity. We are also looking forward that this event can have a ripple effect of having honest uniformed personnel not only here in Muntinlupa but in all parts of the Philippines as well,” added Aclan.
The Aclan Group of Companies is a true game-changer in the business world. The highly respected and imaginative John Paul Aclan, who is the company’s founder, CEO, and chairman of the board, has led it to enormous growth and success, expanding into a variety of industries and sectors. It is understandable why so many people in the business community have such high regard for the Aclan Group of Companies.
The monthly AGC Honest Cop Awards is just one of the many community projects that were initiated by the company and mainly, this is because of their appreciation for the Muntinlupa City Police for doing a great job of maintaining the city’s peace and order.
Have you ever read a story that was so hot it gave you cramps? That’s what I got from reading Sold to the Bikers by Stephanie Brother. I eagerly awaited its release when it was announced that this was the next installment of the Screaming Eagles MC series and it did not disappoint. If you haven’t read any of the books in this series this one will make you want to go back and read the rest.
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