The PR & Events Circuit

All core businesses recorded double-digit growth Andrew Tan-led property giant Megaworld Corporation, registered a net income of P19.3-billion in 2019, up 22% compared to P15.8-billion the previous year. Excluding non-recurring gains of P691-million, net income grew 18% to a new record high of P18.6-billion. Net income attributable to parent company stood at P17.9-billion, also up 18% from P15.2-billion the year before.  Consolidated revenues grew at a robust pace of 17% to P67.3-billion in 2019 from P57.4-billion in 2018. The healthy growth was underpinned by the strong performances of all of its key businesses. Megaworld’s rental business posted another record growth last year, soaring 18% to P16.8-bilion from P14.3-billion in 2018. Its office leasing arm, Megaworld Premier Offices, primarily contributed to the record growth in rentals, soaring 20.5% to P10.5-billion from P8.7-billion the previous year. The company was able to complete around 192,300 square meters

In times of uncertainties during natural calamities and pandemic crises, Filipinos are known for their resilience, strength and unwavering toughness even in the most trying times, rising above all odds and challenges. This is why pickup trucks such as the Ford Ranger have become a popular choice among Filipinos who look for a tough and reliable vehicle for their needs. Built purposeful, the Ford Ranger has a durable design, proven performance, and segment-leading technologies to help get the job done.  Time-tested utilitarian characteristics give the Ford Ranger the ultimate edge as your daily workhorse. Its generous cargo space tied with 1.3 tons maximum payload capacity and impressive 800mm water wading capability with 230mm high ground clearance enable you to carry numerous back-breaking loads while effortlessly carving through obstacles both on and off-road. It features a Tailgate Lift Assist that makes lifting and lowering the tailgate easier when loading and unloadi

The companies of tycoon Andrew L. Tan under its holding firm Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) have already donated over P603-million to various efforts in the country's fight against COVID-19.  Since the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon last March 17, the group has instituted projects to help both government and other organizations in protecting Filipinos from the spread of the virus:  1. P100-million donation to Project Ugnayan, which was used to distribute food vouchers to thousands of urban poor families in Metro Manila.  2. P250-million worth of disinfectant alcohol distributed to various hospitals, local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and organizations throughout the country.  3. P60-million donation of Megaworld Corporation to Philippine Red Cross for the purchase of four (4) brand new COVID-19 test laboratories that can conduct around 10,000 tests per day.  4. P65-million donation to various LGUs and non-government organiza

Globe has successfully deployed its Cell Site on Wheels (COW) in two  designated COVID-19 quarantine areas in Metro Manila. Front liners--doctors, nurses and other medical health workers-- and patients now have a better and wider coverage  at the Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS)  in Manila and at the Philippine International Commercial Complex (PICC) Forum in Pasay City starting today, April 16 until further notice. The Cell Site On Wheels (COW) installation at the PICC Forum with Globe Engineers Jupiter Bugayong and Aldy Valdez with vendor partner ASB Enterprises. The COW is an equipment installed to improve Globe’s mobile signal within the area. Normally it takes at least two weeks to put up the COW but due to the high demand and the importance of the two sites in the government efforts to stop the spread of the global health emergency, efforts were made during the Holy Week to set up the COW as soon as possible. With its installation, medical staff and  patients  acc

With the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to April 30, people will still have to stay home as the whole country continues its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Life in isolation and physical distancing has changed everything in the way we live and connect. Community and human connections prevail as the country’s premiere telecom stands with Filipinos in this COVID-19 crisis.  In the midst of challenging times however, there is hope --- with increased recovery rate, increased capacity of health units to accommodate patients, and as the country begins its COVID-19 mass testing. Through these, Globe remains committed to standing with the Filipinos in this fight and shares its message of hope through a video that shows support and faith that we will all overcome this crisis: “Dyan ka muna. At dito ako. Magkalayo. Kasi close tayo.”   https://youtu.be/AZNnrEKbyJ4 The story talks about the “pain” that Filipinos are experiencing. Social and phys

With the extension of the enhanced community quarantine until April 30, 2020 to further contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, private vehicles will now have to be parked in the garage for a longer period of time, limiting movement only to purchase essential products such as food and medicines. In order to keep your vehicle in good condition while parked in your garage, here are car care tips from Ford that you can follow: 1.    Choose a parking spot Picking a spot where to park your vehicle is very important to its overall well-being. Do not park it on grass or soil, because moisture can make its way up and rust certain parts of your vehicle. Make sure to choose a covered area, or an area out of direct sunlight, and has a solid floor.  2.    Give your vehicle a wash Spend time to wash your vehicle in your garage or parking area once in a while to ensure you are able to remove dirt particles or even bird droppings. These will be harder to remove after a cou

Despite mounting fears over the continuous spread of COVID-19 in the country, hardworking telecom technicians bravely go to the field day in and day out, leaving the safety of their homes just to ensure that customers are connected even while under enhanced community quarantine. Installers, repairmen, and other technicians working for Globe Telecom’s various contractors all over the country, for instance, visit as many as 10 homes a day but their challenges start before they reach the residence of the customers.  Many barangays refused to grant them entry even with government orders exempting telecom services from ECQ. “Mahirap po pakiusapan ibang barangay na papasukin mga technicians natin, kung minsan kami naharap at pinapakita namin yung ID na issued ng Globe pero ayaw pa din (We’re having difficulties requesting some barangays to allow our technicians to enter their areas.  Sometimes, we even have to face them and show the IDs issued by Globe but they still refuse),

SERVICE in the time of COVID-19 Dear Clients, Having prepared for two months, I thought we were as ready as we could be for the government’s implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to fight COVID-19. But the ECQ presented some unexpected challenges. Prior to the lockdown, the steps we had taken included splitting our specialist teams, having units of bigger teams swap locations, and moving subsets of head office units to alternative sites. We were organized so that all of the bank’s critical head office functions could run even if some of our employees were to contract COVID-19. As for our branches, we believed that with over 850 of BPI/BPI Family Savings branches and 300 BPI BanKo branches, we could respond to an infection in any one branch by simply closing it, and our footprint would remain sizable. The comprehensive lockdown revealed the limitations of our planning. When it was first announced, we were concerned that amongst the many bank fun

Experts weigh in on challenges and winning strategies for digital integration in schools About 200 educators recently joined the E-Skwela webinar hosted by Globe myBusiness on how to migrate classes online as schools have been closed under the COVID-19  enhanced community quarantine protocols. A robust discussion on the Philippines' e-learning roadmap took place among a panel of experts that included Mark Arthur Payumo Abalos, Education Industry Lead at Globe and Learning Technologies Scholar; Bro. Dennis Magbanua, FSC, Community Director at La Salle College, Hong Kong; Rogelio Dela Cruz, Head of the Center for Instruction, Research, and Curriculum- Education Technology Office at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde; Miguel Bermundo, Head of the Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing Division at Globe; and Gerson Abesamis, Executive Director of Habi Education Lab and Senior Lecturer at UP Diliman and Miriam College. Challenges in digital access, security and familia

■ Investors include Kickstart Ventures, ABS-CBN, Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, Summit Media, and Foxmont Capital Partners.  Kumu Holdings Pte. Ltd., the firm that owns the technology behind Philippine live streaming app Kumu, has announced that it has raised approximately US$5m in a Series A funding round to roll out new features and scale up its operations. The funding round comes at a time when quarantines and social distancing measures are keeping people at home at an unprecedented scale, driving increased usage of apps in the media and entertainment categories. In the past month, Kumu has rolled out new initiatives to help groups such as churches and industry associations move their events online, and organized some of the Philippines’ top celebrities to raise funds for families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Series A was led by Openspace Ventures, one of the largest venture capital (VC) firms in Singapore known for leading the Series A round of Indonesian

Globe Telecom encourages its customers to share inspiring stories and messages of upliftment to those suffering from fear, stress, anxiety, and depression especially in light of the current pandemic that the world is battling. Globe’s Hope Bank Facebook Community (http://bit.ly/hopebank_), aims to serve as an empowering channel for those who are trying to cope with the emotional and mental challenges caused by COVID-19 and to boost the morale of frontliners, patients who are being treated for COVID-19, as well as their families and friends. Through this online space, community members may share messages of hope for encouragement, strength and inspiration. “We want to rally people into becoming a community support group to make others realize that they are not alone, that there are people who are willing to provide empathy and emotional connection virtually.  This is the time for each of us to reinforce one another, even if only to provide support to those who need the

The Department of Health (DOH) has tapped KonsultaMD for the provision of free telemedicine advice to individuals who need non-emergency medical assistance in order to alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary visits to hospitals. The move is expected to augment the DOH COVID hotlines 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555 for general COVID-19 related inquiries. According to DOH, health care providers, particularly the hospitals, are currently experiencing a high number of consultations regarding COVID-19, many of which are manageable at the primary care level. Thus, to address the issue, those residing in the National Capital Region can call KonsultaMD’s 02-7798-8000 hotline to consult with a medical professional for non-COVID-19 related health concerns, free of charge.  This will be available from April 7 until May 31, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “We are glad to partner with DOH in this undertaking as we anticipate that there will be more demand f

SM Foundation Inc together with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo, recently brought smiles to residents of SM Cares Villages when they distributed food packs to almost 900 families in Bogo City, in Cebu province, Concepcion in IloIlo, Ormoc City, and in Tacloban City. The SM Cares Village in Bogo City, the first of the four Villages constructed by the SM Group, is located in a one-hectare lot in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City. Like us, many of them are homebound by the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were happy to receive kilos of rice, cup noodles, cans of sardines and tuna, and bottles of distilled water. Families from the SM Cares Village in Concepcion, IloIlo are all smiles after receiving their food packs from SM Foundation, Inc. The SM Foundation and Uniqlo Philippines respond to the needs of almost 900 beneficiaries of the SM Cares Village who are unable to continue their livelihood brought about by the enhanced community qua

■ Restaurant businesses provide meal packs to medical frontliners amid enhanced community quarantine Strengthening its support to medical and business frontliners, Globe initiated a unique collaborative effort with its partner institutions in the healthcare and food industries, the result of which is a wonderful ecosystem that supports all partners. The initiative aims to extend aid to healthcare frontliners around the country who have been leading the fight against COVID-19 through distribution of free meal packages produced by partner food SMEs to select partner hospitals. It also seeks to ensure continuity of operations and gains for local food businesses who have been hit the hardest by the onslaught of the pandemic. The first batch of meal packages were provided by North Park Noodle House, Amber, Tuesday Kitchen, and Penong’s, and distributed last March 26-30 to Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center in Rizal, St. Claire Hospital in Makati and San Pedro Ho

KonsultaMD is hosting live webinars on COVID-19, mental health, and other health issues as a way to assist Filipinos staying at home who may have queries concerning their physical and mental well-being. The webinars will be aired via KonsultaMD’s Facebook account on April 3, 17,  and 24 at 8pm and will feature Dr. Gia Grace B. Sison, a practicing medical doctor specializing in Occupational Medicine and is currently the Philippine Leader for Livestrong Foundation and the National Adviser of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition.  She is a co-founder of #HealthXPh which promotes the responsible use of social media in healthcare. “We understand the need of many Filipinos to know more about what is happening  about COVID-19 and how they can cope with the stress that this situation is giving us, among other matters.  That is why we are offering free webinars to make health advice easily accessible to everyone especially with the proliferation of fake information,” said Maridol Y

To ensure that its workforce remains safe and healthy while on enhanced community quarantine, Globe Telecom has created a chatbot that automatically checks on the health status of each of its over 8,000 employees everyday. Called Digital Usher for Disasters and Emergencies or DUDE, the chatbot makes a friendly visit in the morning to inquire if the employee is well or not.   Employees are asked to choose between the two options provided - “I’m good” and “Not so well.”  Those not feeling well may key in their symptoms and DUDE will forward the information to the appropriate support team. There is also a COVID-19 Helpdesk and hotline to assist the employees. “We are committed to protect our workforce while we continuously bring telecom services to the country.  We value the safety and welfare of our employees so we decided to implement a daily health check to ensure that all of them are looked after even with the full work from home and critical skeletal force in place,