by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 14, 2023 | Book Reviews
When I started to read My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana after my sister started talking to me about it. It’s a young adult/teen romance, and, from the way my sister was talking about it, it seemed like a fairly innocent high school romance between the most popular guy in school who has possibly slept with every other female in school, and the quiet, reserved girl who hates him for being a man-whore.
While chatting, I picked up my phone, looked it up on Goodnovel, and added it to my library to check it out myself.
I can tell you this much right now, while it needs some editing, it is well-written enough that I can be forgiving. I confess that a big pull for me is the fact that Zara, the female lead, is snarky and independent. On the other hand, Harper is highly sexed and is dealt a mighty blow on his 18th birthday.
There is more than meets the eye with My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana, and so far, I am enjoying the process. This is supposed to be a trilogy and is 254 chapters. I am on chapter 44 and still having fun reading as of this posting. This book has become part of my Goodnovel reading cycle.
I can only hope the good narrative is sustained until the end. Also, author, not too long, please.
Important update:
One of my readers gave me some good news that I just have to share with all of you. My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana is on Amazon! And the best news yet … IT IS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!
Talk about bang for your buck!
The three books in the trilogy are:
- My Dreams, His Reality
- Dreams Fade Away
- Reality Sets In
If you have a Kindle Unlimited account, reading these books is free! If you choose to buy the books, they cost $4, $5, and $6 respectively.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
AnyMind Group releases Q2 2023 earnings
Company made an operating profit for the quarter and continued to see quarterly year-on-year growth across revenue, gross profit and adjusted EBITDA
AnyMind Group [TSE:5027], an end-to-end commerce enablement company, has today announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. Please see below for some highlights pertaining to the company’s Q2 2023 earnings disclosure.
Further information can be found on the investor relations site (Q2 2023 earnings presentation; Q2 2023 financial report).
About AnyMind Group
Founded in April 2016, AnyMind Group [TSE:5027] is an end-to-end commerce enablement technology company with a purpose to make it exciting for everyone to do business. The company provides two broad offerings to brands and businesses, publishers and influencers: Brand Commerce and Partner Growth. Brand Commerce provides businesses with the company’s platforms for manufacturing, e-commerce enablement, marketing and logistics, whilst Partner Growth provides web and mobile app publishers along with influencers and content creators with platforms for monetization and optimization. Partner Growth customers can also tap on the company’s Brand Commerce offering. AnyMind Group has over 1,300 staff across 19 offices in 13 markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Chris Lu
Regional Head, Communications
ch***@**********up.com
+65 6386 7368
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
Investors look to BSP buffer after anticlimactic economic growth
Stock market investors will be bracing for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) next policy meeting on Thursday while digesting a steady stream of second quarter corporate earnings.
This comes as the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) continued its downtrend after the government released last week disappointing economic growth data for the second quarter. The PSEi lost 0.7 percent to 6,405.91 from the previous week.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi was resting just above the major support zone of 6,400 to 6,250. He pegged the key resistance areas for the PSEi at 6,730 to 6,830.
The BSP Monetary Board will have several data points to consider in the upcoming interest rate setting meeting.
The chief consideration among these was the recent July inflation report showing inflation cooling for six straight months to 4.7 percent.
HSBC Asean economist Aris Dacanay maintained their expectation that the BSP would keep its policy rate stable at 6.25 percent on Aug. 17.
“Although [the second quarter Philippine economic] growth surprised to the downside, we think risks to the inflation and policy rate outlooks are to the upside,” Dacanay said.
“To some extent, growth cooling may also support macroeconomic stability and domestic balance … Although marginally improving, the national saving rate has not normalized to prepandemic levels while investment continues to be robust,” he said.
“This imbalance may then require a tight monetary stance to help rein in demand, incentivize saving and bring the domestic economy back to balance,” he added.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
Most Grab drivers want to keep job after pandemic: ADB
MANILA — Around 90 percent of food delivery riders on Grab would like to continue working for the platform even after the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) showed.
“We asked our respondents, 12,000 of them, in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, and we asked them, were they willing to continue their work with Grab food delivery? More than 90 percent of them said that they would continue after the pandemic,” Takashi Yamano, principal economist at the ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department, said on Monday.
Food deliveries proliferated in key Philippine cities during pandemic-induced lockdowns.
“So it was not one-time shift to this work, but they are intending to stay with the work. And I believe that this workforce will continue to expand,” Yamano said.
Yamano noted that Grab drivers enjoy having an independent working environment and a decent income from their job.
“Many drivers we talked to said they enjoy not having supervisors observing their work,” he noted.
“(They also have) decent earnings, so on average, workers earn about P5,700 per week. This adds up to average monthly wage of P23,000 with Grab… In their previous jobs they earned about P15,000,” he said.
Yamano stressed, however, that government must give gig economy workers, like food delivery riders, some sort of social protection.
“Although they are independent contractors, bringing them into the social economy, formal economy is very important… This is a new form of employment,” he added.
“There’s an advantage of this kind of contract, platformers contracting independent work. There’s benefits to it. So instead of restricting their work, maybe find a proper way of helping them,” he said.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
moLotus opens-up Multi-Billion Dollar Revenues for Telcos
Singapore-based mobile technology leader, Novosol, is making waves in the telecom industry, creating new revenue opportunities for Telcos in a quick span of three months via its breakthrough moLotus mobile video customer interaction platform. Read to know more.
Singapore-based
mobile technology leader, Novosol, is making waves in the telecom industry,
creating new revenue opportunities for Telcos in a quick span of three months
via its breakthrough moLotus mobile video customer interaction platform – a
GSM-based technology which reaches out directly to the inbox of all mobile
handsets irrespective of phone type or model; no app, no data plans being
involved.
moLotus has
collaborated with international Telcos, including Indosat Ooredoo Hutchinson,
Celcom, Vodafone, Airtel, Digi, Maxis, and more; having a formidable presence
and proven track record in Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.
The technology has
become a game-changer for Telcos, offering an ARPU boost of 2% to 4%. Its
integration into the telco marketing mix has streamlined campaign planning, development,
and execution. It provides deep customer insights, easy response mechanisms,
vast scalability, and near-zero cost per interaction, resulting in substantial
revenue growth.
Telcos are
significantly enhancing EBITDA performance at an optimal cost. They are
efficiently monetizing their massive subscriber database and mobile
infrastructure; transforming customer processes, with agility, innovation and
cost savings up to 30%. They are seamlessly transitioning to enterprise
business models using moLotus.
According to
Statista, global mobile ad spending is projected to approach a staggering USD
400 billion by 2024. moLotus is showcasing an outstanding 20% annual growth in
mobile advertising, reaching a vast audience of 8.6 billion global mobile subscribers.
Advertisers,
Agencies and Resellers are being empowered by moLotus to leverage the vast
Telco data and access nationwide reach. The platform provides a range of rich
media formats, such as Video, SlideShow, Showcase, Greetings, and Brochure and
hyper-personalized campaigns. Moreover, moLotus offers unique response options
like Call, URL Click, SMS, USSD, mgram, and more to facilitate effective
customer interaction.
Consequently,
moLotus has firmly established itself as the favored option for brands
including Suzuki, DBS, HSBC, Amazon, Dell, and Samsung spanning diverse
industry verticals, encompassing Banking, Insurance, Ecommerce, Consumer
Electronics, Automobile, Retail, and Government Sectors. Its remarkable
progress is evident through its expanding presence in new markets such as
Vietnam, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other middle eastern countries.
Don’t miss out on the big mobile advertising
opportunity – embrace moLotus today!
Novosol is in the exciting and happening mobile advertising and mobile media industry. We are an innovative, challenging company on a high growth trajectory. Currently having operations in Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Novosol
mo*****@*****ol.biz
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 13, 2023 | Business
Generali Philippines Announces new President and Chief Executive Officer
Generali Life Assurance Philippines, Inc. (Generali Philippines) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Hak Hong Soo as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Edryan Lorenzo
+639164901076
ed****@************cy.com
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 12, 2023 | Business
Allianz PNB Life, one of the leading life insurance companies in the Philippines, is excited to announce that RiteMED, one of the most trusted pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines, is its newest partner for Allianz Healthbox. This partnership further enhances the health and wellness offerings available to all Allianz PNB Life Health customers.
Present at the signing of partnership between Allianz PNB Life and RiteMed Philippines, Inc. from L-R: Leonardo Tan, Jr. (Chief Product Provider Officer, Allianz PNB Life), Joe Gross (President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz PNB Life), Noel Herrera Lim (General Manager and Consumer Cluster Head, RiteMed Philippines Inc.), Lhea Laurel (Business Development Manager, RiteMed Philippines Inc.)
Allianz Healthbox is a one-stop shop for healthcare, lifestyle, and wellness needs. All Allianz PNB Life customers are entitled to exclusive perks from Allianz Healthbox partners. “Nowadays, people realize how important it is to take care of well-being. At Allianz PNB Life, we support our customers’ health journey beyond health protection products. Healthbox has been our means to provide extra care for clients through the benefits offered by our partner brands,” said Leonardo Tan Jr., Chief Product Provider Officer at Allianz PNB Life.
He added, “Our partnership with RiteMED provides customers convenient access to affordable maintenance medication. It boosts the value-added offerings of our over 50 partners who continue empowering our valued customers to safeguard physical health and peace of mind.”
Thanks to this partnership with RiteMED, Allianz PNB Life Health customers can now purchase from the RiteMED Tamang Alaga online store and enjoy a range of medicines, discounts and freebies.
Allianz Healthbox also offers well-known health and lifestyle leaders such as:
- Free Teleconsultation from KonsultaMD
- Free In-Clinic Consultation from MyHealth
- Free Gym Access from Anytime Fitness
- Free Mindfulness Meditation Workshop from Whitespace Wellness
- Free Eye Scan from Asian Eye Institute
You can also visit https://www.allianzpnblife.ph/healthbox.html to learn about Healthbox partners freebies and perks.
This partnership solidifies Allianz PNB Life’s commitment to prioritizing its customers’ overall health and well-being. As more partners join the Allianz Healthbox network, we are further strengthening our comprehensive healthcare solutions to cater to the diverse needs of our valued customers.
“At Allianz PNB Life, we go beyond health protection. Together with our Life Changers, we are here to support the customers in their health and wellness journey,” emphasized Christopher Cabognason, Chief Distribution Officer.
“That is why we offer innovative and customer-centric services that go beyond traditional insurance coverage. We believe in nurturing strong partnerships with other leading organizations in various industries to deliver value-added benefits and top-notch customer experience. Together, let’s safeguard your well-being and embrace a healthier future.”
Our dedicated Allianz Life Changers are available at our Life Track Stations at PNB branches nationwide, ready to help you identify the life and health protection you need. You can also visit https://www.allianzpnblife.ph/healthbox.html for more information.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 11, 2023 | Awards and Competitions
ADM Philippines was recently awarded the Excellent Performance recognition in Commercial Feedmill for Swine by the Livestock Philippines 2023 organizers at the World Trade Center in Manila.
ADM is one of the leading animal feed manufacturers in the Philippines and has been doing business there for over 20 years, assisting and supporting the country’s livestock and poultry producers. ADM Philippines’ feedmills are situated in strategic locations. They are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and technology that allows the company to produce high-quality feed products that are safe, nutritious and affordable.
The company’s feedmill for swine is certified by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), which assures ADM’s customers that the company’s feed products meet the high standards of quality and safety set by the DA.
“Receiving this award is a way of being recognized for ADM’s achievements and efforts in helping the country achieve vital food security. This is a testament to our Philippine farmers who continuously grow their businesses in pig farming through the technology we provide in our animal feed,” said Dr. Lorenzo Mapua, Managing Director of ADM’s animal nutrition business in the Philippines.
Livestock Philippines has always been at the forefront of international B2B events dedicated to the livestock, poultry, aquaculture, feeds and meat sectors. Attendees can access various technical seminars, conferences, and other activities that ignite knowledge concerning market trends, news, research, and the latest industry developments. The biennial event has been helping to promote and contribute to the growth of the said industries. ADM is also committed to improving by introducing innovative products and services.
ONE WITH THE PRESIDENT. ADM Philippines is committed to providing the country’s livestock and poultry producers with new technologies and quality products to improve the industry’s production and business. Dr. Aileen V. Guerrero, Marcomms and Brand Experience Manager joins the guest of honors led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Senator Cynthia Villar during the opening ceremony of Livestock Philippines 2023.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., currently acting Department of Agriculture Secretary, was the guest of honor as he formally opened this year’s event.
In addition to the Excellent in Performance in Commercial Feedmill for Swine recognition, ADM Philippines was also awarded the Sustainability Booth Design Award for Creativity. This builds on the accolades ADM earned last year with its Sustainability Booth Design Award for Information.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 11, 2023 | Business
Al-Ikhsan Sports DEPLOYS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE IN-STORE RETAIL
Al-Ikhsan Sports, a leading sports retailer in Malaysia, has partnered with ComeBy, a retail analytics platform, to revolutionize customer experiences and enhance store performance. The partnership aims to tailor products and services to meet customer-specific needs, enabling Al-Ikhsan Sports to tap into data and improve store performance. The platform will track return on investment, staff performance, and upsell and cross-selling capabilities, allowing Al-Ikhsan Sports to make informed decisions and maintain its competitive edge. The collaboration aims to provide personalized shopper experiences and enhance store performance across 51 outlets in Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur, 9 August 2023 – Al-Ikhsan
Sports, the Malaysian premier sports retailer in Malaysia, has recently
embarked on a comprehensive research initiative to identify innovative
technology providers as part of their commitment to delivering exceptional
shopping experiences to their customers. After careful evaluation, Al-Ikhsan
Sports is proud to announce its strategic partnership with ComeBy, a prominent
retail analytics platform, to revolutionize the customer’s experience and
enhance store performances across the nation.
With a strong focus on staying at the
forefront of technological advancements in retail, Al-Ikhsan Sports aims to
tailor its products and services to meet customer-specific advance needs. This
collaboration will enable Al-Ikhsan Sports to tap into a wealth of data,
improving the way they understand their customers, optimize their stores, and
drive revenue growth.
“At Al-Ikhsan Sports, we are always
looking at ways to improve the overall customer journey within our stores”
said Mr. Vach Pillutla, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Ikhsan Sports.
“Through our partnership with
ComeBy, we can really leverage on technology to understand the key metrics of
Traffic, capture and conversion at the stores and can improve individual store
performance by putting in place initiatives to drive traffic, enhance front end
look and feel to bring in higher footfalls or ensure stronger visual
merchandising or even bring in the most appropriate merchandise for the
catchment. The combination of our industry-leading expertise with cutting-edge
solutions from Comeby which surely allow us to deliver a future-ready retail
experience.”
As part of their proactive approach to data-driven
decision-making, Al-Ikhsan Sports will leverage a robust platform to track
their return on investment in real time, ensuring efficient resource
allocation. The platform will also empower Al-Ikhsan Sports stores to measure
staff performance, including visitor-to-customer conversion rates as well as
average transaction values to upsell and obtain cross-selling capabilities.
Armed with valuable insights on shopper browsing, best-selling products, and
emerging trends, Al-Ikhsan Sports will be able to make informed decisions to
eliminate blind spots and sustain its competitive edge.
According to Barry Ooi, Chief Executive
Officer/Co-Founder of Comeby,”The goal is to stitch all these ‘offline cookie’
datapoints and provide Al-Ikhsan full insights into each of its stores, so they
can understand exactly what their shoppers are interested in and exactly why
they leave, and provide a more personalized shopper experience.”
This collaborative effort highlights
Al-Ikhsan Sports and ComeBy’s shared vision to shape in-store retail’s future
by integrating advanced technology with exceptional service, setting new
industry standards.
Al-Ikhsan Sports is set to roll out the
solution across 51 outlets across Malaysia, with further expansion planned
soon.
For more latest
information about Al-Ikhsan Sports please visit Al-Ikhsan Sports official
social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and LinkeLeft
Right : Mr. Barry Ooi (Co-Founder/CEO of ComeBy)
Al-Ikhsan Sports (Al-Ikhsan) was established in 1993 with a single store of 150 sq ft in Holiday Plaza, Johor Bahru by Tuan Haji Ali Hassan and has grown to now 180+ stores throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Al-Ikhsan Sports aims to provide an affordable alternative to Malaysians living a healthy and sporty life as well as giving local football fans a wide choice. In 2016, Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (Ekuinas) invested a 35% stake in Al-Ikhsan Sports and since then, Al Ikhsan’s momentum has strengthened in terms of branding and recorded stronger development. Al-Ikhsan has also received various recognitions and awards from international as well local bodies following its encouraging achievements.
Head, Corporate COmmunication & Public Relations
Ryn Khiradin
(khairina.khiradin@al-Ikhsan Sports.com.my / +601 33568039)
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 11, 2023 | Business
BSP says may hike rates if…
MANILA — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona said the central bank would only raise rates if there were new supply shocks on inflation.
Remolona made the statement in an interview with Nomura economist Euben Paracuelles
“If we have new supply shocks on inflation, which are unusually large, and if El Niño turns out to be very severe and combined with a confluence of other factors, we would have to tighten again,” the BSP governor said when asked what would trigger a resumption of the hiking cycle.
“Headline inflation is at 4.7 percent year-on-year, and we want to get to the target of 2 to 4 percent. But we also want to be comfortable that inflation is staying within that range and inflation expectations remain anchored,” he noted.
“If we don’t tighten when those shocks materialize, then expectations could get out of hand, inflation will feed on itself, and it gets much harder for us,” he explained.
Asked if policy settings would be kept stable if no supply shocks happen, Remolona said, “The pause means the signals from the data are still mixed and not consistent. Some indicators show the economy is holding up, some show it is weakening.”
“If this continues, then it’s likely prudent for us to still pause,” he said.
Remolona said the BSP would be cautious about cutting rates.
“If there’s a chance that we might have to raise rates again after we start cutting, we don’t want to take the risk from these quick reversals. I think the exit has to be a smooth process and this is what central banks have learned over the years. Sudden reversals are bad,” he said.
Inflation further eased for a sixth consecutive month in July. The BSP has said it remained ready to adjust the monetary policy stance if necessary to ease price pressures.
Easing inflation has allowed the BSP to keep rates steady at 6.25 percent during its last policy-setting meeting. The next meeting is on August 17.
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