by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 30, 2020 | Business
Adapting to the needs of its customers in the changing business environment, the Jollibee Group opened its first cloud kitchen in Singapore today, August 10, 2020, for its Jollibee brand.
Cloud kitchens are unmarked food production and delivery hubs without any dine-in facility at discreet and lower rent urban locations. The opening of Jollibee Singapore’s inaugural cloud kitchen comes as demand for its food delivery continues to grow significantly. The business contribution of Jollibee Singapore’s Delivery has more than quadrupled compared to last year – from 10% in 2019 to 45% in 2020.
Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee CEO
“As cloud kitchens roll out, we will be able to reach more consumers and fulfill more orders. The Jollibee Group is able to expand more quickly and cost-efficiently through this innovative store model while maintaining the same safety and quality standards of our food,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group.
The cloud kitchen in Singapore is the third cloud kitchen to open in the Jollibee Group, with more slated to open soon. Cloud kitchens are part of the Jollibee Group’s overall transformation strategy to adapt to new customer habits and meet the continued strong demand for delivery amid the pandemic.
Jollibee Group opened its very first cloud kitchen in the UAE last March, which continues to outperform targets. In the US, its recently opened cloud kitchen in Chicago’s bustling River North neighborhood was also well-received. Tampines is a residential area in the region of Tanah Merah located in the East Region of Singapore. The Jollibee cloud kitchen in Singapore is open from 10 am to 8 pm.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 23, 2020 | Business
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through BPI Foundation’s FinEd Unboxed program, recently rolled out a financial wellness webinar series titled “Stronger from Home” in collaboration with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Department of Education (DepEd), capitalizing on the digital platform in the new normal.
Almost 8,000 Facebook viewers and Zoom session participants nationwide joined the three-part webinar series where they learned the basics of saving and budgeting, credit management, fundamentals of investing, and avoidance of fraud and scams.
BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo
“We recognize the dedication and contribution of our hardworking teachers in helping build the future of our country,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.
“As our way of giving back, we are enabling them through financial wellness activities so they have a better chance of taking care of their own families, too, with the right mindset and approach toward money matters.”
Financial planning in the new normal
In the first “Stronger from Home” session, Ms. Salve Duplito, a veteran financial journalist, discussed the importance of financial planning in times of pandemics.
Salve Duplito, Financial Journalist
“We need to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. Each and every one of us needs to protect our financial freedom. There are opportunities now that we can take advantage of during this difficult time. We have to maximize these for us to emerge stronger, better, and even more powerful,” she said.
Ms. Duplito advised teachers to stay on top of their finances by following a strict budget plan. To prepare for unplanned expenses, they are also encouraged to set up an emergency fund and avail of insurance, if possible.
Investing in times of pandemic
The second session was spearheaded by financial coach Randell Tiongson. He shared tips on how to look for investment opportunities during the pandemic while staying safe from fraud and scams.
Randell Tiongson, Financial Coach
“In a volatile, unpredictable global and local environment, the best strategy for investment and planning is to go back to the foundations,” he said.
Noting the importance of being financially ready before investing, Mr. Tiongson advised teachers to first know their objectives and time frame, and identify the risks they’re willing to take. “If we have better handling of our finances, we can do more and help more of our fellow Filipinos in need,” he added.
ePayment and Online Banking
For the final “Stronger from Home” session, Ms. Anna Lissa Racines from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) advised Filipinos to maximize the digital platforms in the safety of their homes.
Ms. Anna Lissa Racines from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
“When it comes to your finances, I urge you, let’s make our new normal better than normal as we all work towards a new economy. Through ePayment and online banking, we’re not just limiting ourselves to unnecessary exposures but we’re also empowering ourselves,” said Ms. Racines.
She also reminded viewers to remain vigilant while doing financial transactions digitally by not sharing any sensitive information to anyone and transacting only with legitimate and trustworthy online vendors.
Hoping to create a culture of financial wellness through the three-part “Stronger from Home” webinar series, Mr. Cammayo added, “Today is the best time to prepare for tomorrow. By developing these financial management skills and instilling a mindset for financial responsibility, we can all contribute to a better Philippines.”
To know more about BPI Foundation and its FinEd Unboxed program, visit http://www.bpifoundation.org.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 20, 2020 | Business
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through the Business Leadership Program (BLP) of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), facilitated the first-ever virtual session of BLP to help student leaders steer their financial destinies in the right direction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
BPI, in support of the Business Leadership Program of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., facilitates its first-ever virtual session, teaching select student leaders about financial responsibility and how they can jumpstart their career through BPI’s Career Development Program.
The BLP 2020: Personal Financial Wellness aims to help students better understand the concept of financial responsibility, and how this will help them achieve both their financial and life goals.
Cathy Santamaria, BPI CMO
“It is important for these young students to learn the importance of saving and managing their finances carefully as early as now. This will be greatly beneficial for them when they become older and start investing on their own,” said BPI Chief Marketing Officer Cathy Santamaria.
BPI believes these talks about managing money will benefit student leaders, especially amid the pandemic when even the young ones are not spared from the impact of this health crisis. The Bank, through lectures on leadership, financial responsibility, and other finance-related topics, hope to influence young leaders to make wise financial decisions.
“These are uncertain times and the best we can offer the younger generation are insights and wisdom on how to prepare for a sustainable, financially secure life. Pandemics and other unfortunate incidents are wake-up calls we need to heed and prepare for,” Ms. Santamaria added.
Career development
BPI Chief Human Resources Officer Gina Eala also talked about how BPI nurtures the careers of its employees. The Bank, through its BPI Career Development Program, has become an ideal institution for those who want to start their careers in banking and finance.
“In BPI, we take care of employees’ development because we believe that a BPI learner is enabled, empowered, and a value-driven professional,” said Eala.
One of its flagship programs for career development is its Officership Training Program (OTP), which is the premium management training program of the Bank. This has made BPI an employer of choice among young talents.
“While these are challenging times, we remain committed to providing the necessary training and tools that would enable future leaders to understand the dynamics of the Bank’s sustainable and inclusive business framework,” explained Eala.
The BLP is an intensive business immersion program where top students of the country are given the opportunity to learn directly from leading companies through talks, lectures, discussions, and mentorships. A total of 216 students were trained over the years, empowering them to be leaders in their chosen field of work.
BPI has been supporting this program since 2012. BLP 2020, with the help of John Clements Consultants Inc., another partner, selected 27 student participants this year.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 12, 2020 | Business
Landers Superstore, the country’s fastest-growing membership shopping establishment, kicks off its 4th-anniversary celebration by giving back exciting perks and discounts to new and renewing members.
For starters, Landers is offering a 25% off on membership fee or just Php 600 for new members and those renewing their membership. The promo is valid for in-store applications and renewals until August 31 and is open to all Premium and Business Primary cardholders.
For every new membership or renewal, Landers is also giving away FREE Php 200 gift certificates from Kuya J, Php 200 gift certificates from Isla Sugbu Seafood City, with an additional Php 200 gift certificate from either Popeyes (Manila only) or Majestic (Cebu only), amounting to a total of Php 600 worth of gift certificates.
Along with these perks, Landers Superstore members enjoy relaxed and easy shopping with its expansive shopping area, spacious well-lit aisles, and top-notch products ranging from imported products coming from as far as the US, Canada, and Australia to high-quality local and exclusive brands.
Members also get to join its famous online and in-store sale events where huge discounts and promos await members, plus access to the Landers’ website where you can shop for various items and have them delivered straight to your home.
For more information or to apply for membership, visit any Landers superstore. Follow @landersph on Facebook and Instagram for the latest deals and promos.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 6, 2020 | Business
Make your baby’s OOTDs fun and extra colorful with personalized baby bibs from Bibs Manila, a new online business that offers a selection of personalized bibs that are totally cute, quirky, and functional.
The local brand was started by Kit and Kate Joaquin, who are also proud parents to now 6-year-old Kiel.
“Bibs Manila was born out of my love for personalized items. While I was on maternity leave six years ago, I would shop for items for my baby online. Most of the personalized bibs I found were embroidered and so delivery took a while. That sparked an idea for us,” said Kate Joaquin, owner of Bibs Manila.
Bibs Manila has hundreds of fun designs that are available on their website. Browse and shop for designs from flowers and mermaids to dinosaurs and airplanes and many more! You can also create your own design aside from putting your baby’s name on the bibs for a personal touch.
If you have artistic leanings, you can also opt to send in your own designs that Bibs Manila can then turn into bibs just for you. Bibs Manila can also help you create a design of your choosing. What’s more, the bibs are made of high-quality fabric, durable enough for regular use.
If you happen to know a couple who is expecting a new addition to their family, these baby bibs make a great gift, too. Give them the gift of 7 bibs – one for every day of the week – and you can get an adorable gift box to go with it.
To shop and view their collection, visit their website www.bibsmanila.com or follow @bibs_manila on Instagram. Bibs Manila ships nationwide in the Philippines and internationally in select countries.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 27, 2020 | Business
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno
The City of Manila has definitely had a resurgence under the leadership of Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. When Mayor Isko removed unlawful obstructions and cleared illegal vendors off of Manila’s streets and sidewalks, he effectively changed how the city looked and how it moved. By cleaning up the city and bringing order to chaos, the determined mayor gave the City of Manila a fresh new feel that continues to inspire business confidence and draw consumer interest. And this hasn’t changed despite the COVID pandemic.
According to Lobien Realty Group (LRG), the City of Manila has a total of 99,874.29 square meters (sqm) of gross leasable office space and only 5,650.63 square meters (sqm) are currently vacant. LRG pointed out that this translates to a single-digit vacancy rate of 6%, which is very low and signifies that in Manila, there is a demand for office spaces, and what is supplied in the market is being taken up.
Doña Elena Tower
One of the most highly anticipated real estate developments in Manila is the Doña Elena Tower, a mixed-use building developed by Happy Coral Way Realty Corporation. This 11-storey building will soon rise in the busy district of Sta. Mesa Manila near the boundary of Mandaluyong City.
The Doña Elena Tower, which has LRG as its sole leasing agent, will provide Manila with 19,051 sqm of gross leasable area.
Built at an accessible location that’s surrounded by a wide variety of businesses and essential institutions, the Doña Elena Tower offers its tenants the chance to work in a community where most of what they may want or need is readily available.
Situated close to the entry and exit ramps of the on-going Skyway Stage 3 project and within the public transport system that connects EDSA through Shaw, LRG says Doña Elena Tower gives the added benefit of having quick access to Mandaluyong’s burgeoning business and residential areas, without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of the already crowded central business districts of Makati, BGC or Ortigas.
LRG believes that the office space market is a good barometer for the state of the economy because when office spaces are in demand and supply is being taken up, it means that businesses are expanding, jobs are being generated and money is being spent. Based on the high demand for office spaces in Manila, LRG expects that finding tenants to occupy Doña Elena Tower will not be difficult. Judging by LRG’s optimism, it can be said that Happy Coral Way Realty Corporation made an excellent decision to build the Doña Elena Tower in the City of Manila.
BPI Chief Human Resources Officer Gina Eala also talked about how BPI nurtures the careers of its employees. The Bank, through its BPI Career Development Program, has become an ideal institution for those who want to start their careers in banking and finance.
Landers Superstore, the country’s fastest-growing membership shopping establishment, kicks off its 4th-anniversary celebration by giving back exciting perks and discounts to new and renewing members.
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