by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 12, 2022 | Business
As people continue to adapt to the new normal as a result of the global pandemic, so have company owners and how they approach their businesses. With more safety measures in place, many leaders are reconfiguring their workplace to operate better than they have before. If like these business owners, you too are planning to have your own workspace, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. shares these considerations to make the office remarkably safer and healthy for you and your employees:
Open business in a city offering green open spaces.
While Metro Manila has long been the hotspot for various mixed-use developments surrounded by residential, lifestyle, and office spaces, the pandemic has completely changed this perception. Now, more business owners are considering locations outside the saturated and highly congested Manila. The location of Filinvest City, a garden and future-ready central business district with landscaped path walks, means employees and visitors can take leisure walks around the city. Biking is also encouraged with its dedicated bike lanes and signages. Likewise, for commuters, there’s an available eco-loop that roves within the city.
All your lifestyle and essential needs are within reach.
The grand lobby at Parkway Corporate Center exudes corporate elegance giving its guests a welcoming and honorable welcome.
These days, it’s become increasingly important to stay within your own confines to ensure your safety. Parkway, being in a live-work-play CBD, means professionals don’t need to travel far because lifestyle and essential establishments are in close proximity. There are residential options, lifestyle hubs, top-notch academic institutions, world-class hospitals, and government institutions to cater to all needs. Parkway sets the corporate tone within the city as it is specifically located at the exit of SLEX coming into Filinvest City’s economic core, the Spectrum District. With the Skyway, Filinvest City is also just 30 minutes away from the international airport, further making Parkway an ideal spot for every local or multinational business. Likewise, commuters can access Parkway as it is just across Festival Mall in Filinvest City, which offers transportation to Northern and Southern cities.
A corporate establishment that champions sustainability.
The business center at Parkway Corporate Center has a floor to ceiling windows that give natural lighting, making it conducive to productivity.
More and more businesses are becoming conscious of adopting sustainable practices at work. Building a business at Parkway already takes them a step toward a more eco-friendly direction. As a LEED Certified development, Parkway promotes an eco-friendly, clean environment that encourages a sustainable lifestyle for its tenants. Living up to its distinct green building standards, the corporate building features open spaces lined with lush greeneries such as the podium deck garden and pocket balconies on every five floors. These spaces allow employees to take a breather in between work. Meanwhile, Parkway’s glass curtain wall is also double-glazed with a low e-coating to prevent heat and UV radiation. This makes the building more sustainable as well as cost and energy-efficient.
Business upgrade in a prestigious address.
Parkway Corporate Center is strategically nestled in Filinvest City, a garden and future-ready central business district.
Upgrading a business doesn’t just involve changing the company’s systems or structure, it’s also considering the address to add more value to the company. Notably, Parkway is situated in a highly coveted corner lot address that makes it a highly-visible spot so it’s easier to find. Complementing the building’s green features is the building’s modern look and design — by one of the country’s top architectural firms, H1 Architecture and Design — to give a premium to your business.
The fine aesthetics of Parkway exudes a credible and world-class office look providing a prestigious office building you can be proud to call your address. Matched with its prime location, Parkway puts every business to an absolute advantage with its carefully designed architecture bringing businesses to success inside a thriving CBD.
A future-ready corporate space that appreciates over time.
Business owners must always be prepared for the ever-changing socio and economic landscape. For business owners or investors looking for a viable business opportunity, Parkway is a winning choice. Being located inside the thriving Filinvest City provides opportunities for growth.
The city’s land value experienced strong appreciation from its investment as land prices increased by almost 6x, and accommodation values have increased by almost 7x over the last decade.
As the city takes a big leap toward becoming a dynamic business hub, Daphne Sanchez, First Vice President, Filinvest Alabang Inc, said, “Parkway Corporate Center buyers realize that their units will rise in value as more projects are put up in the city to address employees’ and residents’ needs for mobility and the desire to be in a well-integrated live-work-play environment.”
Now ready to accept more tenants, Parkway offers flexible and combinable office units ranging from 36-250sqm to fit the clients’ size requirements. So for business owners aspiring to own future-proof and safe office space in the new normal, have all that and more at Parkway Corporate Center.
“Filinvest Alabang Inc. has always been forward-thinkers. This mindset has allowed us to quickly adapt to the current normal, allowing us to offer a host of properties that cater to the varying needs of our market. It’s no different for Parkway, which has different units that can be customized to fit the vision of companies as they upgrade their business in the new normal,” concluded Daphne Sanchez, First Vice President, Filinvest Alabang Inc.
To know more, visit https://filinvest.com/project/parkway-corporate-center
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2022 | Business
Retail clients of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) can now send money from their Peso or US Dollar account to a foreign bank account via BPI Online and BPI Mobile app with BPI Outward Remittance. The product was recently launched to complement bank transfers done in person, giving clients more convenient options to send money to family and friends abroad.
With BPI Outward Remittance, the Bank will enable more clients to fulfill international wire transfers in just a few taps for needs such as educational expenses, medical expenses, foreign travel funds, subscriptions, and insurance payments.
“We at BPI continue to innovate and reinvent our products and services to make everyday banking more convenient for our customers. With the BPI Outward Remittance being available in our digital channels, our customers will be able to enjoy fast and convenient international fund transfers anywhere, anytime,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.
BPI Outward Remittance ensures secure fund transfers of up to $10,000 with SWIFT global payment innovations (SWIFT GPI), an advanced payment method using modern digital tools for traceable and swifter cross-border payments. Clients will simply need to fill in their sending details, receiving bank details, and beneficiary details via BPI Online or BPI Mobile app.
The product offers affordable overall charges and competitive foreign exchange rates in multiple currencies including USD, AUD, GBP, EUR, SGD, HKD, and CAD. It also provides a fast and reliable turnaround time of one to three banking days for transactions with no discrepancies.
For more information about BPI Outward Remittance, visit https://www.bpi.com.ph/bank/services/send-money-abroad.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 11, 2022 | Business
AXA Philippines, in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) recently organized the “Road to Net-Zero: The look inside China’s quest to champion climate action” forum, hosted and moderated by Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia. Architas is a global asset manager under the AXA Group that manages investments on behalf of institutional and retail clients. This is the last installment of a three-part webinar series that advocates responsible investing.
Clockwise from top left: Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers; Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia; and Dexter Agcaoili, AXA Philippines Investment Solutions Director.
During this Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) webinar, Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) talked about how achieving the Paris Accord’s aim for carbon-neutrality can be a challenge without the immediate action of countries with high carbon dioxide emissions.
The good news is that China, the top carbon emitter, last year announced the country’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality before 2060. Their first step is to flatten the emission curve from now until 2030. Then, the transition from the peak of carbon emission to net-zero emission by the end of 2060. This undertaking comes with the need to reallocate resources from some parts of the economy and society.
“In China, green bonds helped to finance wide areas of industries that are consistent towards carbon neutrality such as the renewables, the electric vehicles, batteries, green building, and water conservation,” Yao said. Green bonds finance new or existing projects that benefit the environment and foster net-zero emissions.
China’s burgeoning green bonds market presents enormous investment opportunities for companies like AXA who have been following the principles of ESG.
As a long long-term global investor, AXA has a duty to act in the best interest of its policyholders and stakeholders. With the help of its global fund managers, Architas and AXA IM, AXA is committed to aligning its investments with the principles of ESG and integrating these factors in its investment decisions that over time would influence positive change in the companies it invests in.
As responsible investors, AXA aims to reach 25 billion euros in green investments by 2023, reduce its own carbon footprint of AXA’s general account by 20 percent by 2025. As an insurer, it is also developing insurance products that cater specifically to the needs of the vulnerable population. As an organization, it will promote awareness on climate change and the knowledge on ESG through training and further education of its employees and stakeholders.
Through the recent webinars, AXA and the ECCP hope to provide an informative platform where local investors can equip themselves with the knowledge needed to become more responsible in their investment decisions and for the fund managers to be their partners and effectively guide them through the whole process.
For more information on Responsible Investing topics, visit https://www.axa-im.com/responsible-investing or https://www.architas.com/responsible-investing/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 23, 2021 | Business
The Philippines ranks ninth in the world among countries with extreme weather events in the 2020 World Risk Index, according to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department by the House of Philippine Congress. When natural disasters and calamities strike, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are one of the most vulnerable segments.
Since MSMEs make up the majority of businesses in the Philippines today, Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the country’s leading micro-financial services company has teamed up with AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, and the German Development Cooperation / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ), to unveil its newest microinsurance product, the MicroBiz Protek Jr., which will help to insure microenterprises against typhoons, floods, earthquake, lightning, and fire for an annual premium as low as P172.
Rahul Hora, President, and CEO of AXA Philippines
“AXA Philippines is dedicated to sustainability, and we have launched this product in response to the climate and disaster risk that Filipino MSMEs are constantly exposed to. We hope that through this product, Filipino entrepreneurs can now enjoy the protection that they need to sustain their businesses during natural calamities and disasters,” said Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines President, and CEO.
Jonathan Batangan, PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies Vice President and Group Head
“With the Philippines being one of the top five in the world most at risk for natural disasters, I think it’s only right to offer such a product to our MSMEs. Hopefully, this is something that we can be able to scale and promote for the protection of the MSME sector,” said PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies Vice President and Group Head Jonathan Batangan.
The new product, which was introduced during a recent virtual launch, offers lump sum cash assistance in case of property damage caused by natural calamities and disasters. Moreover, it offers 10 percent personal accident insurance for two employees, 10 percent cover for robbery and burglary, and free emergency assistance through the Emma by AXA PH app.
Likewise, GIZ also shows its support to the MSMEs through this product: “Our private-public partnerships with companies like AXA Philippines is filling parts of the vacuum of climate and risk insurance products in the Philippines, and we are very happy with the development of the MicroBiz Protek Jr.” shared Dr. Volker Steigerwald, GIZ Programme Director.
(Clockwise from top left) Jimmy Loro, GIZ RFPI Asia senior advisor; Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president, and CEO; Jonathan Batangan, PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies vice president and group head; and Dr. Volker Steigerwald, GIZ program director during the MicroDRI Project Microbiz Protek, Jr. product launch.
Also present during the virtual unveiling of MicroBiz Protek Jr. were Department of Trade Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona and AXA Philippines Chief of Retail Propositions Alok Rungta.
Protect your business now by availing of MicroBiz Protek Jr. via https://bit.ly/3gPDMPq.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 19, 2021 | Business
Among the many possible treatments that scientists are studying to battle symptoms of COVID-19, virgin coconut oil has been found effective in reducing and preventing the progression of symptoms as well as providing relief.
To help boost the immune system of Filipinos and those who are battling the virus, Coco Mama has launched its very own Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. To mark the timely introduction of this new product, the brand donated 500 bottles of Coco Mama Organic Virgin Coconut Oil to the local government unit of Manila City, to quarantine facilities and hospitals, for the use of Covid-19 patients and front liners in the city.
“We are grateful that we are in a position to help Filipinos in their fight against the Covid19 virus,” said Mr. Bryan Lingan, Marketing Director for Emerging Business of Century Pacific Food Inc., the company behind Coco Mama. “One of our goals in introducing this product is to help Covid-19 patients through a science-backed supplement that has been proven to boost the immune system and alleviate the symptoms of the virus.”
Marketing Director for Emerging Business of Century Pacific Food Inc., Mr. Bryan Lingan with Director Arlene Dominguez at the COVID Field Hospital, Quirino Grand Stand
Based on studies conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), virgin coconut oil supports faster recovery from signs and symptoms of COVID-19. An in vitro showed that lauric acid and monolaurin, compounds produced from VCO decrease coronavirus count by 60-90% at low viral load. VCO may also strengthen the immune response against COVID-19.
“Through research and clinical trials on alternative treatments, we hope to lessen the burden of the health sector and Filipinos from Covid-19. With our current health crisis, it is vital that we trust and support science-backed solutions to beat COVID-19 especially virgin coconut oil which is a readily available commodity in the country,” said Dr. Fabian Dayrit who led the research in virgin coconut oil as an antiviral agent to prevent or reduce COVID-19 infection.
For Covid-19 patients in Manila city, bottles of Coco Mama Organic Virgin Coconut Oil were handed over by Lingan to the Manila City LGU as well as to the COVID Field Hospital at Quirino Grandstand Ospital ng Maynila and to the Santa Ana Hospital.
With the donation of their organic virgin coconut oil, Coco Mama is hoping that it would help patients with COVID – 19, strengthen their immune systems as well as speed up their recovery, effectively preventing the progression of symptoms brought forth by the virus.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 12, 2021 | Business
These days, more and more industries are empowering women to take on leadership roles within their organizations or the community at large. Studies have shown that female leaders are more nurturing, empathetic, and are great communicators and listeners, which are key to motivating employees and consequently, help boost the company’s growth.
This was one of the issues discussed during the recent virtual Women Future Conference 2021, an event that promotes feminine leadership and management in typically male-dominated industries such as financial technology, banking, and insurance.
Pebbles Sy, GCash CTO & COO
According to Pebbles Sy, Chief Technology and Operating Officer at GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet app, half of the population and senior leadership team at Globe and Mynt, the operator of GCash, are women. “It’s really important that we see a lot of women represented now. We have a lot of young managers and young leaders, and a lot of them are looking for mentorships and communities where they can participate,” shared Sy.
Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO
Notably, at GCash, the top post is also led by a woman: Martha Sazon, the e-wallet app’s president and chief executive officer. Under her leadership, the company rapidly grew its user base from 20 million in January 2020 to an impressive number of more than 46 million to date.
With a vision of providing financial inclusion for all Filipinos, especially the unbanked and underbanked, GCash has been successful in introducing financial services that are accessible, affordable, and easy to understand.
GCash features
GCash features
On the app, users can enjoy GSave, an online savings bank; GInvest, an easy investment feature; GInsure for insurance for medical emergencies such as dengue, COVID-19, and accidents; GCredit, a personal credit line with up to P30,000 credit line and up to 3% prorated interest rate. Users can also have easy access to more than 600 billers on the app, including utilities, transportation, real estate, and even government units. As a super life app, GCash also has GLife, the e-commerce feature on the GCash app that allows users to shop exclusive deals from 35 brands across retail, food, gaming, entertainment, and transport.
As GCash continues to enjoy steady growth, its female workforce is getting more involved to ensure that the e-wallet app achieves its goal of making Filipino lives better every day. “There is really no barrier for us. It’s really just about doing your job and working hard,” shared Sy.
Joining Sy during the event were female executives from all over Asia-Pacific including Jael Tan, Manager of the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Yang Yang Zhang, Managing Director of Xendit Philippines; WijitlekaMarome, Deputy Director of the Fintech Department in the Bank of Thailand; Shan Luo, Managing Director of Fintech Space Taiwan; Leila Martin, President of the first government-backed Digital Overseas Filipino Bank; and Gae Martinez, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of Insular Life.
For more information, visit www.gcash.com.
About GCash
GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 2.5M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.) since 2015.
GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 46 million Filipinos in the country today.
BPI Outward Remittance ensures secure fund transfers of up to $10,000 with SWIFT global payment innovations (SWIFT GPI), an advanced payment method using modern digital tools for traceable and swifter cross-border payments. Clients will simply need to fill in their sending details, receiving bank details, and beneficiary details via BPI Online or BPI Mobile app.
GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 2.5M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.) since 2015.
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