by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 26, 2023 | Business
iQor — a managed services provider of customer engagement and technology-enabled BPO solutions — celebrates the registration of iQor Qares as a nonprofit charitable organization in the Philippines. iQor Qares is one of iQor’s CSR initiatives, focused on giving back to iQor employees and their local communities by providing financial assistance to individuals facing catastrophic or life-altering events.
“The recent registration of iQor Qares as a charitable nonprofit in the Philippines will expand our ability to help our employees, their families, and our local communities in need. We are inspired by the generosity of individuals and corporations that support iQor Qares’ commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. We look forward to helping even more iQorians,” said Fleurette Navarro, iQor’s Chief People Officer and Chair of iQor Qares in the Philippines.
Since 2019, iQor Qares has provided a total of $150,000 employee cases around the world. These donations have helped iQor employees rebuild their lives after natural disasters, care for loved ones in need of medical and end-of-life care, and address housing insecurity and other life-altering events.
Putting people first, supporting local communities
James Down, Senior Director for Operations
The creation of iQor Qares highlights iQor’s company value of the need to give back, as it encourages employees to support fellow iQorians and their communities. “At iQor, we want people to succeed in their careers as well as in other aspects of their lives. Part of that success comes from providing employees with opportunities to foster interpersonal connections and contribute to their communities. In this way, we are doing our part as Filipinos to keep our bayanihan spirit alive,” said James Down, senior director for operations.
“iQor Qares has provided assistance to 54 Filipino employees, and we have committed to help another 38 more people since registering as a nonprofit in April. More than 25% of iQor employees have pledged and donated to the Philippines, totaling 8,377 PH donors to date and this number is growing! In addition, the iQor Qares steering committee has visited our sites in Clark, Fairview, Dasmarinas, Sta. Rosa, Iloilo, Bacolod, Talisay, and Davao,” said Down.
For the past 25 years, iQor has been a steadfast presence in the Philippines, with 17 contact centers in Cavite, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, and Quezon City. Thus, it’s only fitting that, through iQor Qares, iQor continues to actively support the communities where they operate whenever an urgent need arises. iQor Qares remains committed to expanding support in the communities where iQor employees live and work as well as in the surrounding areas.
iQor cultivates a culture that cares
iQor Qares has helped foster empathy and unity among colleagues. As James Down said, “Every iQorian can choose to give one-time or recurring contributions and 100% of the money raised for iQor Qares in the Philippines will help local employees, their family members, and their local communities in need of financial assistance due to life-altering or catastrophic events beyond their control. We can provide financial assistance to any iQorian for three such events during their tenure with us, with a maximum allocation of PHP100,000 per event (which may be waived with approval). We value our team in the Philippines, which makes up about 80% of our total global operations.”
iQor Qares creates a sense of unity among colleagues and sustains its charitable activities, via one-time and recurring donations from iQor employees, quarterly fundraising parties, auctions, and other activities.
“I’m proud to share that every iQorian cares for their colleagues, whether it’s a team member next to them at work or in their community. Even before iQor Qares was established, we have stories of people passing the hat to fellow iQorians, helping out in any way they can to ease others’ financial burdens. With iQor Qares, we are able to expand our existing commitment to taking care of one another,” shared Michael Oliver Dela Pena, vice president for operations.
Donate and learn more at iQorQares.com today.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 23, 2023 | Business
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) continues to embody how excellence is best demonstrated through commitment and consistency. PCPPI recently announced that all its manufacturing facilities across the country received recommendations for the coveted Food Safety System Certification (FSSC), with its Naga Plant being the most recent site to be certified.
Frederick D. Ong, the president and chief operating officer of PCPPI, said completing the FSSC status fulfills the organization’s unswerving commitment to developing a strong food safety and quality culture.
Frederick Ong, President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.
“At PCPPI, our mission has always been to produce safe, high-quality, and reliable products that deliver the best customer experience. It is imperative for us to adhere to global industry standards by continuously raising our performance. We do this by adapting to regulatory requirements and consumer demand, and embracing industry innovation,” said Ong.
Obtaining FSSC recognition provides PCPPI an advantage, as the certification recognizes its capacity to produce safe food and food packaging products, reduce hazards and incident risks, roll out resource optimization initiatives, reinforce its supply chain relationships, and maintain food safety protocols and programs.
The FSSC status was recommended by SGS, one of the top global audit and certification companies, following a period of undergoing a rigorous review process that a dedicated Plant Audit Team led. This team comprises representatives across the facility’s functions: food safety and logistics to human resources and environmental health, safety, and security.
SGS tested the plants’ processes and policies in accordance with FSSC standards, which are aligned with ISO 22000 upon onsite inspection. FSSC evaluation is done annually, with scheduled and unannounced audit visits done.
“As we successfully complete our FSSC status, we are optimistic that this will enable more market opportunities for PCPPI and further grow the confidence of both internal and external stakeholders in our organization,” Ong added.
PCPPI operates 12 manufacturing facilities across the country. The FSSC-recommended facilities are Muntinlupa, San Fernando, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Tanauan, and Cebu City.
PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. Other than Pepsi, it distributes well-loved brands such as Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton Iced Tea, Milkis, Chum Churum Soonhari, and Premier Purified Water. For more information about PCPPI and its products, please visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 23, 2023 | Business
Metro Manila’s middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials have expressed growing concern over the impact of inflation during the second quarter of 2023, according to a survey conducted by the Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Singapore-Manila Branch. The survey, which was conducted from May to June, revealed that a staggering 94% of respondents felt the effects of inflation during this period.
The rising costs of essential goods and services, such as food, transportation, fuel, and utilities, have forced these young adults to make cuts in their non-essential spending, including leisure and entertainment expenses.
Among the respondents, 60% reported that the continuous price increases had the greatest impact on their food and beverage expenses, followed by transportation and fuel costs at 15%, and utilities, such as electricity, water, and internet bills, at 14%. Additionally, an overwhelming 83% of participants stated that they had reduced their spending on non-essential goods, while 79% found it necessary to cut back on leisure and entertainment expenses.
SM Megamall Fashion Hall
The survey also highlighted the financial challenges faced by this demographic. Approximately one-third of respondents (32%) reported being unable to save over the past 6 to 12 months. For those who managed to save, 44% saved a lower percentage of their income. The persistent inflationary pressures have led 38% of respondents to adjust their savings goals by either reducing the target amount or delaying their timelines. Similarly, 47% of participants had to adjust their savings plans.
To cope with the financial strain, many respondents have turned to loans. Of the surveyed individuals, 71% reported having outstanding loans. To augment their incomes, 43% of respondents resorted to taking out additional loans in the past year. Among those who already had loans, 58% had to cut back on other expenses to meet their loan obligations, while 19% were forced to delay payments.
The survey also revealed that 41% of respondents possessed credit cards. Personal loans were the most prevalent type of loan, accounting for 30% of respondents, followed by alternative installment loans and salary loans, each representing 19%, respectively.
Regarding investments, 52% of respondents had existing investment portfolios. Among these, mutual funds and stocks were the top investment products, chosen by 18% of participants each. However, due to the inflationary pressures, 12% of respondents had to partially liquidate their holdings for increased liquidity, and a minimal 1% sold off their entire investment portfolio.
Given the challenges posed by inflation, respondents have adopted diverse coping strategies. A notable 94% expressed concerns that continuous price increases would persist over the next 6 to 12 months. Consequently, 91% of participants felt the need to explore additional income streams. To adjust to the current economic situation, 86% of respondents planned to continue cutting back on expenses, while 73% intended to reduce their spending on entertainment and leisure activities.
Regarding savings, 34% of participants expressed plans to increase their savings allocations to better prepare for the future, while 33% aimed to maintain their current savings pattern. However, 16% of respondents planned to reduce their monthly savings allocation due to inflationary pressures.
The survey also shed light on borrowing habits, with 46% of respondents indicating that they were less likely to take out loans, while 28% stated they were more likely to acquire additional loans.
Regarding investments, 12% expressed a desire to explore risky investments to achieve high returns over the next 6 to 12 months. Meanwhile, 40% considered more conservative options. Notably, 30% said they would avoid investing altogether, while 18% aimed to maintain liquidity.
The online survey conducted by the NRI Singapore-Manila Branch included 295 adults from Metro Manila, consisting of 92 Gen Zs and 203 Millennials from the middle class. The participants had monthly individual income ranges of PHP 13,000 to PHP 41,000 and PHP 41,001 to PHP 163,000.
As inflation continues to impact the daily lives and financial well-being of Metro Manila’s middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials, it is clear that they are actively seeking ways to navigate these challenges and secure their financial futures.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 7, 2023 | Business
The Manila Hotel, a symbol of elegance, grandeur, and Filipino hospitality, proudly celebrates its 111th anniversary. Since its founding in 1912, the Grand Dame has been an iconic landmark reflecting the rich history and heritage of the Philippines. To commemorate this significant milestone, The Manila Hotel is delighted to present exciting offers to its valued patrons.
111 Memories at The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel invites guests and patrons to share their cherished memories at the hotel over the years, whether it’s a captivating photograph of their celebration or a memorable keepsake with a heartwarming story. Participants can submit their entries on the hotel’s official website from July 4 to 18. The first 111 entries will each receive a regular Prestige card, while the Top 11 entries, selected by a set of judges, will each receive a staycation voucher and an exclusive The Manila Hotel coffee table book.
Experience Luxury at the Presidential Suite
As part of its anniversary celebration, The Manila Hotel is offering a luxurious stay in its Presidential Suite. From the spacious living area to the elegantly designed rooms and breathtaking views of Manila Bay and Intramuros, every corner of the Presidential Suite exudes elegance and comfort. For a special rate of PHP 111,000+++ per night, guests can enjoy an overnight stay, a buffet breakfast in Café Ilang-Ilang for six (6) persons, a complimentary mini-bar, and a 24-hour butler service.
The booking period is from July 4 to 31, while the stay period is from July 5 to December 30. For bookings and inquiries, guests can call 632 8527 0011 local 1174-1179 or email re***@************el.com. Terms and conditions apply.
The Manila Hotel: True Heart of the Philippines
Discover the captivating story of The Manila Hotel through its exquisite coffee table book. This visual journey showcases nostalgic photographs, architectural splendor, fascinating anecdotes, and remarkable stories that celebrate the Grand Dame’s 111 years of history and heritage. Available for purchase at The Manila Hotel’s gift shop, the coffee table book serves as a treasured keepsake for guests, history enthusiasts, and admirers of the hotel’s enduring charm.
“As we celebrate our 111th anniversary, we look back on our storied past with pride and gratitude. The Manila Hotel has been an integral part of Philippine history, and it is an honor to continue our tradition of providing exceptional experiences to our valued guests. We are thrilled to share this momentous occasion with our patrons and invite them to join us in celebrating our cherished memories and timeless heritage,” Marvin Kim Tan, The Manila Hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing, expresses his gratitude to guests for their unwavering support throughout the years.
For more information about The Manila Hotel’s 111th-anniversary offers, please call 632 527 0011, email in**@************el.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph/.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms including three (3) ballrooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and Manila Hotel Health Club. The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery which offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists.
It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 5, 2023 | Business
Record-Breaking Store Openings. The Jollibee Group opened 23 stores of Burger King in 2022, the highest number of store openings in a single year for Burger King in the Philippines.
The Jollibee Group is focused on strengthening the performance of its foreign franchised brands in the Philippines as part of its growth plans.
“We aim to become the leading market developer of foreign restaurant brands in the country. By leveraging our brand portfolio to provide diverse offerings for various market segments at different price points, and strategically expanding our store network, Burger King, Yoshinoya, and Panda Express are expected to continuously contribute to the sustainable growth of our domestic business,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Country Head for Philippine Business.
Store Openings
As part of the company’s expansion efforts in 2022, Burger King opened 23 stores, which is the highest number of store openings in a year. It also opened its 125th milestone store in 2022 and five Bike ‘n Dine stores located in Shaw Wack-Wack San Juan; Visayas Ave. Quezon City; Vermosa in Imus, Cavite; Alabang-West in Muntinlupa; and Carmona Cavite.
In 2022, the Jollibee Group also relaunched Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, Yoshinoya. This is its first-ever Japanese food chain, making it a strong addition to the foreign franchised brands currently operated by the company. Yoshinoya serves a beefed-up menu in a newly redesigned contemporary and casual Japanese space headlined by their world-famous gyudon or beef bowl.
Successful Relaunch. The Jollibee Group successfully relaunched Yoshinoya in the Philippines with a refreshed store design and menu offering.
Last year, Yoshinoya opened four stores and renovated three existing stores. The Jollibee Group formed a 50-50 joint venture with YIPI—the Philippine subsidiary of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn. Bhd. and Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Ltd. in June 2021. The said partnership established Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods, Inc., which operates the Yoshinoya stores in the country and plans to expand Yoshinoya’s store network to 50 stores in the long term.
Meanwhile, Panda Express opened ten stores last year, five of which were the first in its host cities—Robinsons Place Ermita in Manila, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Betterliving in Parañaque, Shell SLT in Muntinlupa, and Greenhills in San Juan. In February 2023, Panda Express opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Asia with the launch of its Sumulong Highway branch. This new location in Marikina City also marks Panda Restaurant Group’s 100th international restaurant. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (PRG) and the Jollibee Group formed JBPX Foods, Inc., a joint venture in 2019 to bring the world’s largest American Chinese dining concept to the Philippines.
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Milestone Opening. The first drive-thru store of Panda Express in Asia was opened by the Jollibee Group in Marikina City. This also marks the brand’s 100th international branch.
Exciting Product Offerings
The Jollibee Group’s thrust with its foreign franchised brands is to bring an authentic experience to Filipinos. Apart from this, the Jollibee Group also provides menu offerings that are either unique to the Philippine market or among the best performing for these franchised brands in the region and the world.
On top of its iconic entree, the Original Orange Chicken®, Panda Express introduced Kung Pao Fish last year for the season of Lent. Its Beef Broccoli and Honey Walnut Shrimp are also among the best-selling dishes in the region. Meanwhile, Yoshinoya—with its signature beef bowl—also offered dishes that Filipino foodies can enjoy such as Tempura, Karaage, and desserts like Mochi Matcha Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly.
Burger King Philippines was also acknowledged as having one of the best-in-class launches in Asia for its new product Chicken King. Other exciting new products that guests enjoyed for a limited time last year were Cheese Bites, Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken, Spicy Chicken King, Spicy Chicken Nuggets, and Truffle Whopper.
For this year, the Jollibee Group is set to open more stores for Burger King, Yoshinoya, and Panda Express. These new store openings form part of the company’s goal to become one of the top five restaurant companies in the world.
“Our thrust is to bring the original experience of these popular brands to the Filipino people. I am confident that with the success of our foreign franchised brands, and with the continued support of their fans, Jollibee Group will succeed in achieving its long-term growth plans,” Tanbuntiong added.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 28, 2023 | Business
The Jollibee Group’s Global General Counsel & Ethics Head and Compliance Officer Atty. Valerie Feria Amante was named the In-House Lawyer of the Year by the 19th Annual Asian Legal Business (ALB) Southeast (SE) Asia Law Awards 2023. Amante is the only Filipino individual awardee this year.
The ALB SE Asia Law Awards 2023, judged by an independent panel of senior and expert legal industry leaders from various sectors across the region, recognizes the exceptional performance of private practitioners and in-house counsel in SE Asia.
“I am honored to have been recognized as In-House Lawyer of the Year for Southeast Asia. I have always believed that Filipinos can stand proud alongside the best in the world, and I am happy to be one of many examples showing this to be true,” said Amante.
As the Global General Counsel & Ethics Head and Compliance Officer of the Jollibee Group, Amante leads a team of 19 lawyers and 10 paralegals spanning six countries: the Philippines, China, Vietnam, the USA, Singapore, and Ireland.
“This award represents the work of the great team of lawyers and paralegals across our offices in six countries that comprise the Legal organization in the Jollibee Group, as well as the collaboration of colleagues from different functions and businesses,” she expounded.
Rewarding in-house legal career
Amante has been with the Jollibee Group for over 16 years and has led the development of the legal, ethics, and compliance functions as integral components in Jollibee Group’s growth and expansion.
“Building an effective multinational legal organization to ensure our businesses everywhere have access to quality support; setting standards, policies, and processes to facilitate legal consistency and alignment globally, balanced with agility and flexibility locally; creating and disseminating tools to empower people and manage legal risks at scale; and providing our team’s perspective in conversations at all levels to enable legally-informed business decisions — all contribute to making legal, ethics and compliance integral to the Jollibee Group’s way of doing business,” Amante added.
Amante graduated as a Salutatorian of the University of the Philippines College of Law in 2000 and placed 7th in the Philippine Bar Examinations of the same year. After starting her career in a large law firm and another publicly listed company, she joined JFC in 2007. 2016 she was awarded the ALB Philippine In-House Lawyer of the Year. This time, she won the In-House Lawyer of the Year award for SE Asia.
“My inclusion is a direct result of the meaningful, high-impact, and interesting work that I have had the opportunity to do in the Jollibee Group, and the support that JFC has given me to continuously grow and elevate the function,” Amante said.
Inclusive legal organization
“We are committed to equal opportunities and hiring based on merit. Over 70% of the legal organization in the Jollibee Group are women, and two lawyers, including myself, are Persons with Disability (PWD),” Amante said.
Asked for her piece of advice to young lawyers, Amante said: “Anchor yourself on integrity and excellence. Know your values and priorities, and act accordingly. Treat everyone – including yourself – with respect. Also, having a sense of humor helps!”
iQor — a managed services provider of customer engagement and technology-enabled BPO solutions — celebrates the registration of iQor Qares as a nonprofit charitable organization in the Philippines. iQor Qares is one of iQor’s CSR initiatives, focused on giving back to iQor employees and their local communities by providing financial assistance to individuals facing catastrophic or life-altering events.
PCPPI operates 12 manufacturing facilities across the country. The FSSC-recommended facilities are Muntinlupa, San Fernando, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Tanauan, and Cebu City.
Metro Manila’s middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials have expressed growing concern over the impact of inflation during the second quarter of 2023, according to a survey conducted by the 
To cope with the financial strain, many respondents have turned to loans. Of the surveyed individuals, 71% reported having outstanding loans. To augment their incomes, 43% of respondents resorted to taking out additional loans in the past year. Among those who already had loans, 58% had to cut back on other expenses to meet their loan obligations, while 19% were forced to delay payments.
Regarding savings, 34% of participants expressed plans to increase their savings allocations to better prepare for the future, while 33% aimed to maintain their current savings pattern. However, 16% of respondents planned to reduce their monthly savings allocation due to inflationary pressures.
The Manila Hotel invites guests and patrons to share their cherished memories at the hotel over the years, whether it’s a captivating photograph of their celebration or a memorable keepsake with a heartwarming story. Participants can submit their entries on the hotel’s official website from July 4 to 18. The first 111 entries will each receive a regular Prestige card, while the Top 11 entries, selected by a set of judges, will each receive a staycation voucher and an exclusive The Manila Hotel coffee table book.
As part of its anniversary celebration, The Manila Hotel is offering a luxurious stay in its Presidential Suite. From the spacious living area to the elegantly designed rooms and breathtaking views of Manila Bay and Intramuros, every corner of the Presidential Suite exudes elegance and comfort. For a special rate of PHP 111,000+++ per night, guests can enjoy an overnight stay, a buffet breakfast in Café Ilang-Ilang for six (6) persons, a complimentary mini-bar, and a 24-hour butler service.
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