by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2018 | Business
- Underlying earnings per share up 7% to Euro 2.40
- Dividend of Euro 1.26 per share, up 9% from FY16, to be proposed by the Board of Directors
- Solvency II ratio of 205%, up 8 points from December 31, 2016
“AXA delivered another year of strong operating performance, with a 7% increase in underlying earnings per share and our highest ever reported net income”, said Thomas Buberl, Chief Executive Officer of AXA.
“AXA’s underlying earnings and net income both crossed the Euro 6 billion mark for the first time in the company’s history, with all major geographies contributing to this achievement. Our new business value was up 8%. Health was our fastest growing business in 2017, with revenues and earnings growing at 6% and 11% respectively.”
“In the context of the continued successful delivery of our Ambition 2020 plan and our balance sheet strength, the Board of Directors is proposing a dividend of Euro 1.26 per share, an increase of 9% from last year, which corresponds to a payout ratio of 49%.”
“In line with our vision to empower people to live a better life, we enhanced our Payer to Partner capabilities with the acquisition of Maestro Health. We continue to lead our industry in the fight against climate change, notably by quadrupling our 2020 green investments commitment.”
“I would like to thank our customers for their trust, and our teams and distributors for their commitment to our vision, as we strive together towards sustained long-term growth and continued value for all of our stakeholders.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 22, 2018 | Business
ASUS Philippines formally announced today the official opening of its three “concept stores” online namely – ASUS ZenFone Store, ASUS Republic of Gamers and ASUS Store which are all officially operated by ASUS Philippines together with its select key dealer partners.
The newly opened online stores will be ASUS’ gateway to its fans and other Filipinos end-users all over the country who want to purchase its whole range of product line from smartphone, notebooks, gaming laptops, motherboards, monitors, mini PCs, peripherals and all key devices conveniently through the hassle-free online shopping experience.
The ASUS ZenFone Store will be carrying the complete line-up of smartphones of the company and as well as their soon-to-be-launched devices which is dubbed as the “most intelligent ZenFone ever” the ZenFone 5 series. On a similar note, ASUS Republic of Gamers will be also offering its key gaming machines in the newly opened online store which brings ROG closer to its fans all over the country. ASUS store, on the other hand, will be more focused on selling ASUS’ entire consumer line-up from mainstream notebooks, ultra-books, 2-in-1s, convertible, all-in-one and mini-PCs and monitors.
“We started our business in the Philippines ten years ago and we have experienced a lot of changes in the business ecosystem locally. From just selling motherboards in our early days in the country now we have a full line-up of products that we share to Filipinos to meet their evolving demands,” shares, George Su, ASUS Philippines Country Manager for Systems Group.
Opening three concept stores online is our way to make our products easily accessible for our fans and all Filipinos who want premium yet value-for-money devices. There is no doubt that Lazada is the perfect online partner for us because they are the number-one online shopping website in the Philippines that offers effortless shopping experience, Su added.
Newest ASUS and ROG products available in Lazada
The ASUS x407 and X507
The ASUS X407 and X507 is a perfect device for people who are looking for a notebook that offers great performance, portability, premium design without hurting your wallet.
Both devices are powered by the latest Generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor with 1TB HHD and NVIDIA® GeForce® MX110 discrete graphics while the Pentium and Celeron are equipped with 500GB storage.
The X407 and X507 have a super thin NanoEdge display with a slim bezel for an immersive viewing experience. Both feature a fingerprint sensor for quick and easy logins with Windows Hello. Despite its large display, X507 is extremely portable, with an overall weight of just 1.68kg. The 14″ version, ASUS X407, weighs just 1.42kg.
Both X407 and X507 are designed for daily computing and entertainment. These Windows 10 laptops also support new and exciting Windows features including Cortana with voice recognition, allowing the user to wake the device from sleep mode simply by saying the “Hey, Cortana” command. For maximum convenience and compatibility, X507 includes a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port and a microSD card reader, as well as 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® 4.2, despite coming in an ultrathin form factor.
Both laptops support fast charging, requiring only 49 minutes to charge a near-flat battery to 60%. In addition, ASUS SuperBattery technology ensures a 3X-longer battery lifespan compared to traditional laptop batteries.
ASUS AiMesh Whole-Home Wi-Fi Routers
AiMesh overcomes many of the limitations found in alternative off-the-shelf whole-home Wi-Fi systems, such as mesh-networking systems. Although these systems can be convenient all-in-one solutions, they are often only available in fixed bundles, with a limited choice of Wi-Fi speeds, hardware features and upgrade paths.
With AiMesh, users can create a completely flexible whole-home Wi-Fi system tailored to their needs, while continuing to enjoy all the functions of each individual ASUS router, such as extreme Wi-Fi performance and exclusive advanced networking features. AiMesh also offers convenient central management and control via either the ASUS Router mobile app or the ASUSWRT web interface.
Enabling AiMesh on a compatible ASUS router just requires an easy — and completely free — firmware update that allows it to be added to any AiMesh network, so users can mix and match models according to their budget and/or needs, and make good use of their old router when they upgrade.
AiMesh is an unbeatable solution for discerning users looking for the ultimate whole-home Wi-Fi system, adding yet another dimension to the award-winning family of fast and reliable ASUS routers.
The ROG Strix GL503 and GL703
All-around performers, the 15-inch ROG Strix GL503 and 17-inch ROG Strix GL703 are powered by the newest Intel Core i7 processor, and Windows 10, equipping the gamer to control the competition. Both laptops also offer up to 32GB of fast DDR4 2400MHz memory and include a VR-ready GeForce GTX 1060 GPU that delivers smooth and stutter-free gameplay for unforgettable virtual-reality experiences.
Strix GL503 and GL703 feature built-in Aura RGB illumination technology, so you can fully customize the backlighting to match your gaming style or mood! The newly designed four hotkeys are for in-game convenience and speedy control: With mute, volume up/down, and ROG Gaming Center buttons right where you need them, full control is at your fingertips.
The keyboard features a highlighted WASD key group and anti-ghosting technology with n-key rollover to ensure that your inputs are tracked precisely, no matter how many keys are pressed; and the 0.25mm-deep keycap curve is precisely shaped for typing accuracy.
Both the Strix GL503 and GL703 includes ROG Sonic Studio software with in-game noise cancellation and voice-volume stabilization technology, to deliver clearer, louder and more enjoyable audio and chat.
Sonic Radar helps gamers detect opponents through an on-screen overlay that shows the relative position of gunshots, footsteps and other in-game sound effects. With Sonic Studio and Sonic Radar, gamers enjoy high-quality in-game audio that provides a strategic advantage.
ROG Strix XG32VQ and XG35VQ
The ROG Strix XG32VQ and ROG Strix XG35VQ are two impressive curved gaming monitors that deliver an immersive and comfortable viewing experience.
The 32-inch ROG Strix XG32VQ isversatile curved monitor that offers the perfect balance between smooth gaming and brilliant image quality, while the 35-inch ROG Strix XG35VQ is the largest curved monitor in the ROG family and offers unparalleled viewing immersion.
Both models feature Adaptive-Sync (FreeSync™) for extremely fluid gameplay without tearing and stuttering and include ASUS Aura Sync lighting that allows for seamless synchronization with other Aura-enabled components and peripherals.
The ASUS ZenFone “Battery King” Max Plus
ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1) is a smartphone designed to go the distance, to accompany you on all of life’s adventures, and to bring you the bigger picture. With its 5.7-inch full view display, high-capacity 4130mAh battery with advanced power management and 16MP dual cameras, ZenFone Max Plus keeps up with your active lifestyle and is always at the ready to capture every extraordinary moment.
With a full view 5.7-inch Full HD (2160 x 1080) resolution with its outstanding 80% screen-to-body ratio and 2.5D front glass design, allows you to dive in the immersive visual experience. ZenFone Max Plus makes photos, videos, and all your other content like you never experience before.
ZenFone Max Plus features an advanced dual-camera system designed to take your mobile photography to new heights. Its 16MP main camera is equipped with the wide, F2.0 aperture lens to capture clearer photos.
Its 120° wide-angle camera lets your fit more scenery and people in the frame for dramatic landscape shots, better group photos, and a more convenient photography experience in confined indoor spaces.
The 120° wide-angle camera on ZenFone Max Plus has a 200% larger field of view than standard smartphone cameras, so you can fit more scenery and people in the frame for dramatic photos and videos that capture a true sense of place.
When taking photos indoors, the wide-angle view makes it much easier to get the shot you want — especially in confined spaces where it may not be possible to take a few steps back to fit everyone and everything into the photo. The unique perspective of the wide-angle lens can also be used to stylistic effect, allowing you to exaggerate the sense of space in any setting to capture more dramatic scenes and stunning, expansive landscapes.
To know more about the activities of ASUS Philippines, head over to ASUS and ROG Philippines’ official social media pages. For hassle-free purchasing of ASUS and ROG products online please check out the official ASUS and ROG store in Lazada:
- ASUS Official Store
- ASUS Republic Of Gamers Official Store
- ASUS ZenFone Official Store
About ASUS
ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired companies and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow’s smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR, and IoT. ASUS employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and over 5,000 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,511 awards and earned approximately US$13 billion of revenue in 2017.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 17, 2018 | Business
The Philippines’ inflation rate has risen to 4% year on year in February, a three-year high, from an average of 2.9% in 2017 (using the new 2012 Consumer Price Index base year). While bond yields have risen in 2017, policy rates have yet to increase.
This was among the topics discussed in the recent Citigold 2018 Annual Market Outlook Briefing, “Navigating A Maturing Bull Market” attended by more than 600 Citi customers in the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Cebu.
Also on the agenda was the United States economy. The briefing heard that the United States is showing early signs of inflation that may have implications for both Asia and Europe. However, the good news from the speakers was that they expect no serious financial consequences and remained bullish on Philippine and select global financial markets as these continue to present potential investment opportunities.
Ramon Melchor Tejero, Investment Product Head of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc., said, “We believe that the recent decline in markets was caused by the sudden change in sentiment among investors related to inflation and rising interest rates.”
Aftab Ahmed, Citi Philippines Chief Executive Officer said, “This is Citi’s 116th year of serving the Philippines and we owe our continued leadership in the country’s banking sector, to the loyal support of our valued clients. Our wealth managers are committed to guiding our clients make sound investment decisions.”
“We are also enhancing our digital capabilities to make our services more accessible to everyone who banks with us. Our priority remains to be the best through the eyes of our clients. Our goal remains one of delivering a strong value proposition.”
Manoj Varma, Citibank Consumer Business Manager, shared Ahmed’s optimism “because of the opportunities and growth I see in the Philippines.” Varma said, “The Philippines remains as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The demographics are supportive of growth. The population is young, productive, and growing. The financial industry still sees a lot of opportunities.”
The Philippine economy remains robust with a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.7% in 2017. GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 6.9% this year because of the government’s infrastructure spending and higher private sector consumption both supported by the recent tax reform law. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) revenues and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) remittances are both expected to continue to grow steadily especially with the recent strengthening of the U.S. Dollar.
With the latest market forecasts, Tejero suggested that, overall, the current environment calls for staying diversified, riding the structural trends like Asian growth and the technology sector, positioning for higher interest rates, and coping with an eventual weaker U.S. Dollar.
Varma said Citigold is constantly innovating to serve clients better. “Citigold has and will continue to invest in digital and mobile capabilities that will allow our clients to manage all their investments in one place,” he said. “Citi has also partnered with the Wharton Business School to help train our people and make them even better in relationship management. The recent market leading product launches will continue and this is something that we are passionately pursuing for our clients.”
You can start your Citigold relationship today and get up to two roundtrip tickets to Japan plus up to PHP77,000 in cash credits. Visit www.citibank.com.ph for more details.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 9, 2018 | Business
AXA Philippines, through its service provider AXA Partners, strengthens partnership with Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue as one of its world-class medical service providers for AXA Global Health Access (GHA).
The GHA provides clients with up to P150 million extensive annual medical coverage for in-patient and out-patient treatments in the Philippines and any other country in the world, depending on plan variant. Other benefits include 24/7 health advice and support through a telephone health information service staffed by professional healthcare practitioners; and global concierge services, such as flight and travel arrangements for scheduled treatments, including transfers to and from the hospital.
Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue is a general hospital with a wide array of services. It is the only hospital in the Visayas and Mindanao area with the most comprehensive Cancer Center service, from screening and detection to treatment. It will soon have the Positron Emission Technology/ Computed Tomography Scan (PET / CT Scan), the first in the Visayas and Mindanao area.
AXA Philippines recently visited the Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue to formalize the partnership, attended by AXA Partners Philippines liason officer Jerson Billones; CFO Gerardo Almerido; CEO Ronald Carillo; network officer Karen Santos; AXA Philippines protection & health Director Grace Mallabo; with Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue VP medical ancillary 1 Dr. Eric Lasala; hospital administrator Atty. Dean Decal; and Dorothy Ann Ruedes.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 8, 2018 | Business
Homegrown Phoenix Petroleum unveiled its leveled-up fuels powered by Phoenix PULSE Technology on February 14, 2018. The leading independent oil company also introduced its newest endorser, car-racer and actress, Rhian Ramos, at the event.
Phoenix PULSE Technology is made from cutting-edge fuel technology by world-class fuel experts exclusively for Phoenix Petroleum. It’s a fuel additive with advanced cleaning and protection properties for enhanced power and acceleration, making trips come alive.
The upgraded fuel products promise three main benefits: Avoids fuel filter blockage in diesel-powered vehicles, removes deposits from fuel injectors, valves, and piston surfaces, and provides engine protection. Phoenix PULSE Technology can help result to better fuel economy when used continuously.
“As a homegrown brand, we aim to be the Filipinos’ top choice not only for their fuel needs, but also for fueling their dreams and aspirations. We work hard and continue to grow our business not only so we can bring our vision of being an indispensable partner to life, but also because as the next generation company, we want to provide this generation with the best products and services at the best value,” said Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy.
Actress and car racer Rhian Ramos joins the Phoenix Petroleum family as the face of Phoenix PULSE Technology.
For Rhian Ramos, she says she made the right choice with Phoenix Petroleum, a brand she’s sure her fellow millennials would love because, just like her, they want to get more value for their every peso.
“When I hit the tracks, I make sure that my drive is smooth, high-powered, and worry-free, which is why I choose to gas up at Phoenix Petroleum. Especially now that their fuels are powered with Phoenix PULSE Technology, I feel more confident every time I get behind the wheel, because it enhances my car’s power and acceleration,” she said.
Phoenix PULSE Technology is available at all Phoenix stations and in all fuel grades. These next generation fuels are suitable for Filipino drivers who are looking for a smooth and exciting ride.
To experience Phoenix PULSE Technology, drive to the nearest Phoenix Petroleum station now.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 7, 2018 | Business
Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), the leading dental clinic in the Philippines and one of the best in Southeast Asia, make quality dentistry accessible to patients from different parts of the Metro with the opening of two new clinics at SM Megamall and Ayala Vertis North.
With the opening at prime locations, patients can now experience superior dental services offered by a team of highly skilled and experienced dental practitioners who have completed their training in top-notch hospitals, universities, and global institutions in the US, Europe, and Asia.
The operating room at GAOC Ayala Vertis North
The treatment room at GAOC SM Megamall
The SM Megamall clinic will be one of GAOC’s cosmetic centers, which will focus on prosthodontic and cosmetic procedures such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and veneers.
It will have a Consultation Room, an X-Ray Room, a Sterilization Room, 4 Treatment Rooms and its very own dental laboratory for greater efficiencies and speedier processing of laboratory results. Meanwhile, patients from Quezon City and neighboring areas do not need to travel to Makati for surgical procedures as the Ayala
Vertis North branch will have its own operating room, which features operating lights with a camera that records 40k videos.
Founded by Dr. Steve Mark Gan, GAOC takes pride in its unparalleled excellence in oral care including oral diagnostics, surgical procedures, dental implantology, and jaw reconstruction.
His acumen for world-class dental treatments and top-notch customer service has led him to become the choice of celebrities, politicians, diplomats, and socialites.
Visit GAOC SM Megamall at Level 5 Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City or contact (02) 725-4262, 0917-158-4262, or email me******@********al.com.
For GAOC Ayala Vertis North at Level 3, Ayala Vertis North, Quezon Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City or contact (02) 292-4262, (02) 368-1838, 0917-157-4262, or email ve****@********al.com.
For more details and information, like and follow GAOC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @gaocdental or visit www.gaocdental.com.
Both devices are powered by the latest Generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor with 1TB HHD and NVIDIA® GeForce® MX110 discrete graphics while the Pentium and Celeron are equipped with 500GB storage.
AiMesh overcomes many of the limitations found in alternative off-the-shelf whole-home Wi-Fi systems, such as mesh-networking systems. Although these systems can be convenient all-in-one solutions, they are often only available in fixed bundles, with a limited choice of Wi-Fi speeds, hardware features and upgrade paths.
Strix GL503 and GL703 feature built-in Aura RGB illumination technology, so you can fully customize the backlighting to match your gaming style or mood! The newly designed four hotkeys are for in-game convenience and speedy control: With mute, volume up/down, and ROG Gaming Center buttons right where you need them, full control is at your fingertips.
The ROG Strix XG32VQ and ROG Strix XG35VQ are two impressive curved gaming monitors that deliver an immersive and comfortable viewing experience.
With a full view 5.7-inch Full HD (2160 x 1080) resolution with its outstanding 80% screen-to-body ratio and 2.5D front glass design, allows you to dive in the immersive visual experience. ZenFone Max Plus makes photos, videos, and all your other content like you never experience before.
ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired companies and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow’s smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR, and IoT. ASUS employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and over 5,000 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,511 awards and earned approximately US$13 billion of revenue in 2017.
Ramon Melchor Tejero, Investment Product Head of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc., said, “We believe that the recent decline in markets was caused by the sudden change in sentiment among investors related to inflation and rising interest rates.”
Aftab Ahmed, Citi Philippines Chief Executive Officer said, “This is Citi’s 116th year of serving the Philippines and we owe our continued leadership in the country’s banking sector, to the loyal support of our valued clients. Our wealth managers are committed to guiding our clients make sound investment decisions.” 
Manoj Varma, Citibank Consumer Business Manager, shared Ahmed’s optimism “because of the opportunities and growth I see in the Philippines.” Varma said, “The Philippines remains as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The demographics are supportive of growth. The population is young, productive, and growing. The financial industry still sees a lot of opportunities.”
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