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ASEAN Foundation Joins Hands with Huawei to Bridge Digital Talent Gap in Asia Pacific

The ASEAN Foundation and Huawei signed MoU on joint efforts to bridge the digital talent gap at the Asia Pacific Innovation Day – Digital Talent Summit 2021 on Wednesday. The online summit brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry experts to share solutions and best practices in building a sustainable ecosystem that will help foster digital talents in the Asia Pacific.

The event started strongly with a series of keynote speeches from governments’ leaders such as Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene, Chair of the ASEAN Digital Senior Official Meeting H.E. Dato’ Sri Mohammad Mentek, the Philippine Ambassador to China H.E. Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana. Their speeches stressed the importance of key stakeholders’ proactive participation in developing a solid foundation for the digital talent ecosystem in the region.

“The Digital Talent Summit 2021, which aims to discuss and address the needs of ASEAN ICT youth talent, is obviously very relevant, especially in the midst of the global pandemic which forced us to significantly rely more on the digital platform. This auspicious event is very much aligned with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 objective of improving people’s capability to participate in the digital society economy,” said the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political Security Community H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene.

The Philippine Ambassador to China H.E. Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana also gave his remarks, “Today’s program is vital in the achievement of nurturing the young talent who would be at the forefront of future developments in the digital world. The Philippines has engaged major technology companies in the region to actively speed up the adoption of several digital technologies in extending services to the public and to immerse the population, particularly young Filipinos in the digital realm, to improve their familiarity and raise broad-based skills in the use of modern and up-to-date digital technologies. For instance, in improving the Philippines’ telecommunications industry and infrastructure, Chinese technology and telecommunications companies such as Huawei have entered into joint venture arrangements and other forms of collaborations with domestic firms.”

“Innovation and development rely on a talent ecosystem. Huawei is prepared to work with its partners to build a talent development ecosystem conducive to innovation,” Huawei Senior Vice President and Board Member Catherine Chen noted during her opening remarks, “Huawei’s 20 years in the Asia Pacific have been a journey to find like-minded friends. Let’s work together to build an inclusive, innovative, and vibrant ecosystem, attract and cultivate more digital talent, and jointly promote the development and prosperity of the region.”

“Cultivating innovative ICT talent ecosystem is fundamental to the digital transformation. Leveraging shared innovations with win-win outcomes, we can harness the power of ICT skills to fly us into a digital future. Together with our partners, Huawei will invest $50 million in the next 5 years to develop 500,000 digital talents in the Asia Pacific region,” President of Huawei Asia Pacific Jeffery Liu announced in his keynote speech.

The commitment to bridge the digital talent gap in the Asia Pacific, in particular ASEAN, was further strengthened with the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN

Foundation and Huawei ASEAN Academy. The agreement highlights both entities’ readiness to implement ASEAN Seeds for the Future, which is a scaled-up version of Seeds for the Future, Huawei’s global CSR flagship initiative that has been providing world-class digital skills training for young people across the globe since 2008. Through ASEAN Seeds for the Future, ASEAN Foundation and Huawei ASEAN Academy strive to build the digital capacities of youth in the ten ASEAN Member States so that they can thrive in the era of the digital economy.

The ceremony was attended by Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation Dr. Yang Mee Eng and Vice President of Huawei Indonesia Albert Yang, and witnessed by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Elizabeth Te, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ASEAN H.E. Amb. Yeap Samnang, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political Security Community H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Singapore to ASEAN Tham Borg Tsien, and Huawei Asia Pacific Vice President Jay Chen.

The ASEAN Seeds for the Future will help contribute to achieving the objectives of ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, which are to increase the capacity of youth in the region to participate in the digital economy and to create a digitally inclusive society in ASEAN. The ASEAN Seeds for the Future is set to launch in early 2022, inviting youth aged 15 – 30 in ASEAN to immerse themselves in a virtual journey of capacity building on leadership and digital skills. In the Philippines, Seeds for the Future already covered 110 students over the past six years, in this year 2021, the project will cover more than 100 students.

“We are delighted to sign the memorandum of understanding with Huawei to implement ASEAN Seeds for the Future. It is my belief that this wonderful regional program will play an important part in bridging the digital talent gap in the region by equipping our ASEAN youth with essential skills that will enable them to thrive in the era of the digital economy. Our partnership with Huawei also signifies another important milestone for ASEAN in regards to bringing in committed partners from the private sector to contribute to youth development effort in ASEAN,” said Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation Dr. Yang Mee Eng.

#ASEANFoundation #Huawei #digitaltalentsummit #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Shopee Launches 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, kicks off its annual 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, the most anticipated shopping festival in the region.

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale headlines a year where more people and businesses use the platform to connect with each other. In fact, the number of sellers and brands on Shopee surged by 60% in 2021, while 1 in 3 shoppers at its recent 9.9 event was new to the platform.

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, which ushers in the year’s busiest shopping season, presents Shopee’s greatest selection of deals, fun, and entertainment for everyone.

To add to the festive mood, users can look forward to the widest variety of discounted products from over 25 categories and unbeatable promos such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 10% off daily. With such an irresistible line-up, the number of new buyers on Shopee is expected to peak further during 11.11. Brands and local MSMEs stand to benefit from the increased traffic, supercharging business growth, and scaling their online presence.

International superstar Jackie Chan also returns with a fun commercial for the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. After his 9.9 commercial met with viral success by garnering 435 million views online, the action-packed sequel sparked excitement for all users as well. Fans can catch the commercial here: https://shp.ee/64cba9b

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas holds a special place in Filipinos’ hearts. During this season of giving, Shopee Philippines hopes to make this year’s festivities even more memorable for both our users and sellers. As the holidays approach, we aim to bring more joy to shoppers and help them save more on things they love by curating the best deals. We’ve also pioneered efforts to expand our digital ecosystem to help more consumers, businesses, and communities access and benefit from e-commerce. We invite everyone to join us in making this the biggest and most impactful 11.11.”

  1. Biggest growth opportunities for businesses

 The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will act as a springboard to accelerate growth for businesses on Shopee. In 2021, more than 8 million new local shops opened on Shopee. With a growing base of shoppers and more marketing tools provided by Shopee, 11.11 will give brands and MSMEs greater visibility to maximize demand. Businesses with an offline presence can also participate in 11.11 through ShopeePay and Shopee’s digital products feature.

  • Exclusive deals from leading brands on Shopee Mall: Shoppers can look forward to exclusive deals from top brands such as Xiaomi, POCO, realme, Samsung, Nokia, Vivo, DJI, PerySmith, Deerma, Coocaa Home, and Bata Philippines.

  • More offline deals from brands: Brands also stand to generate more in-store traffic through promotions from ShopeePay. Users can turn to ‘Deals Near Me’ to check for special in-store deals from brands such as Puregold, National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Power Mac Center, The Generics Pharmacy, Family Mart, Lawson, Olympic Village, Shoe Salon, Potato Corner, Mary Grace, Bonchon, Papa John’s, Siomai House, and Fruitas Group of Companies.
  1. Upsized variety, deals, and entertainment for the holidays

 Shopee is committed to helping more shoppers access the benefits of e-commerce, especially during the busiest shopping time of the year. To encourage more people to try shopping online, Shopee introduced initiatives such as special welcome gifts and vouchers for new shoppers, with over 5 million welcome gifts across the region redeemed since the start of the year. Throughout 11.11, shoppers can look forward to an unbeatable range of more rewards and deals:

  • Rewards for first-time shoppers: As they start their e-commerce journey, new and first-time Shopee users can look forward to a free welcome package, bills cashback, free shipping, 100% off vouchers, and ₱1 deals with their first purchase.
  • Gift guides for easy holiday shopping: Users can enjoy a quick and easy holiday shopping experience with Shopee’s Christmas in our Carts gift guides. They can get discounts up to 90% off on a wide range of branded gifts and bundles, from the latest gadgets to luxurious personal care items. They can also check out Shopee Mall for 10% off Mall vouchers, special deals on holiday gifts, and vouchers from their favorite brands.
  •  Bigger deals across different categories: Shoppers can discover the best deals on everything they need at 11.11 Big Sale. Highlights include 1-for-1 Deals, Early Platform Voucher Hunt, and Mega Midnight Sale, covering the widest range of product categories. They can also look out for themed sales such as the Big Sports & Outdoors Sale on November 4, Big Fashion Sale on November 5, Big Groceries & Pet Care Sale on November 6, Big Mommy & Babies Sale on November 7, Big Shopee Mall Sale on November 8, Big Electronics Sale on November 9, and Big Vouchers Sale on November 10.

 

  • Exclusive Shopee Mall discounts from the biggest roster of brands: At the 11.11 Midnight Mall Exclusive Sale from 12MN to 2 AM, shoppers can enjoy huge price drops and exclusive bundle deals. Throughout the sale, brand sukis can also enjoy discounts up to 90% off on leading brands in the country:
  • Secure and convenient shopping with ShopeePay: Users can shop with greater security and enjoy better deals when they pay with ShopeePay. They can also now enjoy a free, instant, and more convenient way to cash in from their bank apps via InstaPay. Until November 7, users can cash in via InstaPay and get up to ₱25 cashback.
NCT127
  • The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will also spark more joy with the big finale on November 11:
  • 11.11 Big Christmas Sale TV Special: NCT 127, one of today’s hottest K-pop boy bands, will delight Filipino audiences with their chart-topping hits at the 11.11 TV show on November 11, 9:30-11:30 pm on GMA 7 and Shopee Live. Filipinos can also look forward to appearances from top local celebrities such as Jessy Mendiola, Aira Bermudez, Rocco Nacino, Klea Pineda, Andre Paras, and Gil Cuerva. Lastly, viewers stand a chance to win prizes and giveaways worth over  ₱12,000,000, including two new house & lots and a brand-new car.

For more information about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale.

Download Shopee for free on App Store or Google Play Store.

#Shopee #Shopee1111BigChristmasSale #PaskoNaSaShopee #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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January Isaac-Bodlovic a.k.a Lumen: Not Just a Pretty Face

The laundry-conscious mama Lumen we saw on TV commercials wears two martial arts black belts – one for taekwondo and one for aikido.

We saw her lovely face on the boob tube in the role of Lumen, the worldly-wise and ingenious young wife and mom in the once-popular ad series of a detergent. Lumen is January Isaac a.k.a Sandra Gomez (her screen name).

She related that the “Lumen” commercial had contributed a lot to her popularity. However, she doesn’t want to think that it had made her an overnight sensation. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be a series. I thought it was just one project. For some people, they don’t see what I’ve gone through. It really took some time. But I should give credit to Lumen because that character has really helped me.”

Just like Lumen, she speaks her mind when it comes to being practical. “I weigh things before I buy. I’m very fond of shoes; I like shoes that are unusual and I buy them especially if they’re sporty.”

Throwback photos of January Isaac (Sandra Gomez): Personal file

A martial arts expert

This lady is not just a pretty face. In real life, she weàrs two martial arts black belts – one for taekwondo and one for aikido. She was introduced to taekwondo at the age of 11 and took up serious training at 15. After two years, she added another sport – aikido.

“My appetite for the martial arts was enhanced when I started joining inter-school competitions,” she said.  Her dad, Pastor Isaac, has become her mentor in a contact sport. “My dad used to be active in martial arts when he was my age. He suggested that I should try it.” More than anything else, it’s more of physical fitness for her. She’s also a semi-vegetarian.

Aside from being a health buff, she’s an artist, too. She loves everything that involves the arts – music, painting (she paints a landscape and still life in watercolor and acrylic), reading literature/classic, and theatre. Her favorite painters are Renoir and Monet.

Since she was eight years old, she has been watching musical plays. “From then on, I started loving it,” she said. “But that’s not the path I’m being led to.” January has taken the path to show business instead. She joined showbiz in 1997 and did some action flicks. What makes her different is that she enjoys her sports and she used it as a vehicle to get into the movies.

However, she doesn’t want to be confined to just doing drama or action movies. As much as possible, she wants to be a character actress “somebody who can be different.” “I don’t want to be stereotyped. I want a little bit of everything,” she quipped. “For me, it’s boring if you stick to just one character. I want to be versatile because that’s the joy of acting.”

Her name, January, was taken by her mother Millicent Joy, after a movie character, January Wayne, in the movie Once Is Not Enough. She was born in Cagayan de Oro City and comes from a well-to-do family. She is the eldest in a brood of three. Her other siblings are Hillary and Erik.

What is her secret of success?

“Believing in the talent that God has given you. Invest in that. Some people have talents but they don’t flourish, they don’t nurture them. For me, I really take care of it,” said the articulate January.

The Bodlovic family in the USA. Courtesy: @januaryibodlovic IG account

Above everything else, she has a strong faith, being a Christian. “Faith sustains me, that no matter how difficult life becomes, I’ll be okay. Never lose your faith in God,” said January, who has been living in the United States with her husband Wade Bodlovic. The couple has two beautiful children Hunter and Harley.

#ThrowbackSeries #BlastfromthePast #SandraGomez #JanuaryIsaac #Lumen#peopletalk #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

Featured image: Courtesy @januaryibodlovic IG account

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Landco Led the Mangrove Restoration in Laiya, Batangas

In line with its commitment to environmental and community sustainability, upscale real estate developer Landco Pacific Corporation together with Aplaya Laiya Corporation initiated the mangrove reforestation at an estuary in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas through a recent series of planting of about 3,000 saplings.

The project was held in collaboration with Laiya’s local community, barangay, and municipal officials, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and volunteers from Landco executives and staff.

The mangrove tree planting is part of the coastal conservation of Landco to benefit the communities near and around its premium leisure developments in Laiya – Playa Laiya, the master-planned exclusive seaside residential community, and Club Laiya, Landco’s latest Leisure Tourism Estates.

“Wherever Landco develops premium Leisure Tourism Estates (LTE’s), our impact on the environment is an important concern.  Our company helps ensure the restoration and conservation of the environment within the vicinity of our developments to deliver our commitment to building sustainable communities, undertake our socio-economic responsibility, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” stated Erickson Y. Manzano, President, and CEO, Landco Pacific Corporation.

“Our primary goal is to make Batangas a leading sustainable tourist destination,” he emphasized.

“At Landco, our team strives to create a healthy environment for our residents, guests, investors, and the community at large. Our company’s role is to be a catalyst for environmental, social, and economic development within and surrounding our properties. The welfare of the local community is one of our top priorities and we do our best to engage them positively and productively through employment and their active participation in environmental conservation,” Manzano added.

Landco’s mangrove tree planting in Batangas was participated by Laiya’s local community, barangay, and municipal officials, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and volunteers from Landco executives and staff.

The launch of the mangrove tree planting was led by Manzano, along with Aplaya Laiya Corp Vice President Neil Bryant Siy; Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) – Region IV Officer In-Charge Allan Estillore; Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) Head Noel Pasco; Laiya Aplaya Kagawad Ranel Domingo representing Barangay Chairman Wivin Llana.  Present during the activity were volunteers from Landco, Aplaya Laiya Corporation, and the local community.

Within the framework of its long-term sustainability program, Landco’s latest Leisure Tourism Estates — CaSoBe and Club Laiya are both LEED-registered. Its affiliate Millennial Resorts Corporation is Edge-registered. Overall, its developments implement practical strategies and solutions focused on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, waste segregation, marketing campaign on sustainability and ethical consumption, and local communities’ livelihood program on recycling materials, and opportunities for socio-economic growth.

Landco’s sustainability initiatives including its mangrove tree planting are in line with Metro Pacific Investment Corporation’s commitment to helping achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; and strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

For more information about Landco visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation.

Featured photo: Spearheading the mangrove reforestation in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas is shown on the photo (From left): Neil Bryant Siy, Vice President, Aplaya Laiya Corp.; Ranel Domingo, Kagawad Laiya, Aplaya, Batangas; Noel Pasco, Head of MENRO (Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office); Allan Estillore, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) – Region IV; and Erickson Manzano, President, and CEO, Landco Pacific Corp.

#Landco #mangroverestoration #LaiyaBatangas #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Banwa Private Island: ‘Exclusively Yours’ for the Ultimate Holiday Masterpiece

Discover the island sanctuary, be your own artist and create your holiday masterpiece.

Banwa Private Island can be entirely and exclusively yours… it’s the perfect blank canvas to design your own private holiday and off-site business experience.  There are endless possibilities of reconnecting and rediscovering in the intimate all-villa luxury destination with pockets of lush garden and stretches of pristine beach within a marine reserve in north-eastern Palawan.

Charter the whole island exclusively, and let life imitate art. Banwa Private Island can take your holiday to an exceptional level from family and friends’ reunions, social celebrations to corporate planning sessions, and select incentives.

With the island completely yours, you have the artistic freedom to create deeper connections and be completely at one with family, friends, and colleagues.  Extraordinary moments can be enjoyed in various natural locations within the enchanting garden island featuring private chefs and unscripted menus made of freshly-grown ingredients from the organic farm.

Let the tropical shade in the Coconut Grove be the perfect scene for cocktails or intimate wedding receptions. The dynamic atmosphere of the Compass Room can spark strategic ideas and future directions.  Under a starry night, the Latitude Terrace is the ideal spot toasting milestone birthdays or anniversaries.  Swim, dive, snorkel, go fishing, or take a sunset cruise.

With each brushstroke from your own color palette, the entire island is exclusively yours at Banwa Private Island.

For inquiries and charter bookings, please contact the Reservations team through mobile/WhatsApp: +63 917 888 2864, send an email to reservations@banwaprivateisland.com, or visit the website www.banwaprivateisland.com

#BanwaPrivateIsland #luxurydestination #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Trick or Film: Spook your way around Halloween with these acclaimed thrillers

We are more than prepared for some scares this Halloween season and what better way to immerse in the frights than to curl up under the covers and watch some of the best horror flicks.

From psychological to sci-fi to remakes of the classics, there are a bunch of horror films to choose from that can commence your screaming-slash-streaming fest through GMovies, the leading online ticketing platform, and UPSTREAM.PH, a new online transactional video on demand (TVOD) platform.

Grab yourself something to hold on to because here’s our list of thrillers which includes the 2018 blockbuster and critically acclaimed haunted film Hereditary and the 2019 reboot of the Child’s Play franchise.

The Forever Purge, streaming October 29

No one is safe. On the morning after The Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks a wealthy Texas ranching family and their workers. Exposed by daylight, the two families are forced to band together and fight back as the country spirals into chaos and the United States begins to disintegrate around them.

Hereditary, streaming starting October 29

When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, trying to outrun the sinister fate they have inherited. Starring Toni Collete, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Mallory Bechtel.

Child’s Play, streaming starting October 29

Karen buys a high-tech doll called Chucky for her son Andy on his birthday. However, horrific events follow as the doll reveals its ominous tendencies. Starring Mark Hamill, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry, and Beatrice Kitsos.

Mary (2019 film)

Mary, streaming starting October 29

Sea captain David is looking for a way to guarantee a better life for his family and buys a ship because he believes it’ll give them prosperity, but once they set sail they discover that the ship holds terrifying secrets. Starring Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Stefanie Scott, Chloe Perrin, Douglas Urbanski, Jennifer Esposito, and Owen Teague.

The Invisible Man, streaming now

When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see. Starring Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

Get Out, streaming now

A young African-American visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones, and Marcus Henderson.

Truth or Dare, streaming now

A harmless game of “Truth or Dare”’ among friends turns deadly when someone—or something—begins to punish those who tell a lie—or refuse the dare. Starring Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beanne, Hayden Szeto, Landon Liboiron, Sophia Taylor Ali, and Nolan Gerard Funk.

Dawn of the Dead, streaming now

Heart-pounding action and bone-chilling thrills power this edgy, electrifying fright-fest where a handful of human survivors wage a desperate, last-stand battle against flesh-eating zombies. Starring Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Sarah Polley, Jake Weber, Matt Frewer, Lindy Booth, Michael Kelley, Ty Burrell, and Kevin Zegers.

To watch the films, you just need to download the GMovies app on your smartphone via Apple Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery or visit gmovies.ph. Select the movie, tap the “Pay” button and choose your payment option, click stream now on UPSTREAM, then sit back. For a one-time payment, the entire household can even watch the movies together.

So gather ‘round, grab that popcorn, and let UPSTREAM and GMovies make your heart jump out of your chest this Halloween. Go to https://bit.ly/GMovies-Shows to book your tickets now!

#halloween #spookymovies #GMovies #Upstream #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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More PH companies recognize and support LGBT+ Diversity and Inclusion Policies

As the world continues its battle against the current pandemic to save lives, thousands of LGBT+ Communities around the globe never falter to fight for its century-aged diversity and inclusion rights. In the Philippines, where policies are still under deliberation, a growing number of locally-based companies have been recognizing and supporting LGBT+ policies as stated in the recent LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey 2021 of The Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP).

 

The Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) is a collaborative, voluntary, and non-profit community of practice for equal opportunity employers and inclusive business organizations in the Philippines that started in October 2013 and has over 50 members now across multiple industries, including banking and financial services.

 

“We conducted the LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey 2021 last June and through the help of our partners at the Asian Institute of Management, we’ve come up with an analysis that we hope could help further enhance the LGBT+ policies in the country’s corporate world, as well as enlighten the government system with new policies and laws that will protect the LGBT+ Community,” shared Mr. Chris Eugenio, PFIP Board of Trustee.

 

With more than 100 participants, which include PFIP members and non-members, the LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey 2021 reveals that the majority of 86% of the respondents have anti-discrimination policies on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The survey also shows that most of them have publicly expressed their support for LGBT+ inclusion.

 

While there’s an increase in inclusive policies, LGBT+ employees, specifically those with same-sex domestic partners still suffer from the lack of adequate ruling on equal benefits in terms of life insurance despite more than half of the respondents considered same-sex domestic partners as immediate family members.

 

The survey also revealed that among the respondents, at least 64% have a variety of leaders who come out as members of the LGBT+ community or as allies and enable diversity and inclusion policies in the workplace serving as role models to employees. They were also identified as the driver of inclusion and are accountable to diversity and inclusion targets. ​While 58% of the respondents have LGBT+ Networks for employees that help in fostering community ties.

 

This data transpired to achieve a higher outcome or more than 80% of the respondents who said that they are offering both diversity and inclusion general training to employees and include topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and management training. About 62% of the respondents are offering LGBT+ specific training, while less than half of the respondents offer allyship training.

  

In terms of inclusivity on the technical system, more than half of respondents allow their employees to declare their chosen names and pronouns in systems such as emails and company directory, while exactly half of the respondents have an LGBT+ inclusion strategy driven by data collected over time. This shows the broadening acceptance of various industries in the country wherein LGBT+ members can rightfully identify their chosen name declaration and/or pronoun declaration.

 

The Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) 2021 LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey covers six key facets of inclusivity in companies including (1) Inclusive Policies, (2) Inclusive Benefits, (3) Organizational Support, (4) Technology for Inclusion, (5) Education and Enablement, and (6) Social Responsibility and Thought Lead. 

 

The Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) takes pride in the 2021 LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey as the first of its kind survey done locally that creates a picture of the situation of LGBT+ employees in the corporate set-up across various industries.

 

To know more about The Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, you may follow PFIP on facebook.com/PFIP.Pride. To request for a copy of the 2021 LGBT+ Workplace Inclusion Survey, email secretariat@pfip.com.ph.

 

Featured photo: (Board of Trustees from left – Weena Ekid, Chris Eugenio, Jeiz Robles, Ronil Villacorta, and Michael Santos)

#ThePhilippineFinancial&Inter-IndustryPride #2021LGBT+WorkplaceInclusionSurvey #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

 

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Donny Pangilinan is the newest Galaxy A Series Ambassador

Samsung officially welcomes Donny Pangilinan into #TeamGalaxy as he becomes the newest ambassador of the Galaxy A Series. Pangilinan captures the innovative spirit of Samsung’s lineup, which brings out the confidence of content creators as they show off their awesome passions and interests to the world. As a creator, he brings authenticity to his content, making him more relatable to his fans. His energetic, fun, and charismatic personality also makes him a lovable celebrity by many. Pangilinan embodies the multi-hyphenate Gen Z with his many passions like acting, singing, dancing, gaming, vlogging, and more.

The actor, model, and singer will start his journey with the new Galaxy A52s 5G that allows creators to “speed up their awesome.” With the many innovative features of the Galaxy A52s 5G, creators like Pangilinan can show how they accelerate the fun when it comes to their interests, making it more enjoyable.

Pangilinan is a fan of the smartphone, especially its gaming capabilities. Its 5G connectivity, AI-based Game Booster, and Snapdragon 778G 5G processor give him a super smooth, fast, and awesome playing experience. The Galaxy A52s 5G’s 4500mAh battery life also allows him to play games for up to two days.

He enjoys consuming content on the 6.5” FHD+ Infinity-O Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. When Pangilinan wants to create his own, he uses the 64MP Quad Camera with an ​​Optical Image Stabilizer for clear and steady photos and videos. He can even show more of his creative side by producing water-related content since the device is IP67-rated, meaning it can withstand up to one meter of freshwater for 30 minutes.

“I’m glad to be part of #TeamGalaxy! We have so many awesome things in store for everyone so you need to stay tuned,” says Pangilinan. “The Galaxy A52s 5G really suits my needs as a creator and I’m looking forward to creating more awesome content with this smartphone!”

The Galaxy A52s 5G is available nationwide in two variants: the 128GB for PHP 22,990 SRP and 256GB for PHP 24,990 SRP.

The 256GB variant comes in the Awesome Mint, Awesome Violet, Awesome Black, and Awesome White as an online-exclusive color. While the 128GB variant is available in Awesome Black and Awesome White, and exclusively online in pastel Awesome Violet and Awesome Mint.

For more information, visit samsung.com/ph.

#DonnyPangilinan #Samsung #GalaxyASeriesAmbassador #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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ShopeePay expands presence with Lifestyle and Food Brands as more Filipinos embrace Mobile Wallets

ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, partners with more food and lifestyle brands to cater to the growing number of Filipinos patronizing e-commerce platforms and using mobile wallets as an alternative payment method.

Digital payments continue to gain momentum in the Southeast Asian region, with a 70% year-on-year growth in respondents who say e-wallet is their preferred way to pay. In the Philippines, more people opt to use cashless payment methods for their convenience, safety, and benefits, recording a 133% growth in consumers who prefer e-wallets.[1] With continuous usage of mobile wallets, it is expected to peak at 75.5 million users in a span of five years.[2] With Southeast Asia showing a promising future in terms of digital payments, ShopeePay continues to expand its services and network of partner merchants to serve the Filipino community.

Most businesses faced challenges during the pandemic, and with the recent reopening of establishments that now accept more customers in-store, ShopeePay provides a safe and contactless way for users to pay for products and services through its QR payment feature. ShopeePay continues to add more food brands to its roster of merchants to give its users a wide variety of dining options. Payment via ShopeePay is now available at family favorites such as BonChon, Mary Grace, Papa John’s Pizza, and the Fruitas Group of establishments.

With more Filipinos opting for cashless transactions, ShopeePay also partnered with various lifestyle brands. Users can now use ShopeePay to pay for their smartphones, accessories, and other electronics purchases at Power Mac Center. They can also pay for fashion and sports items from Anello, Shoe Salon, and Olympic Village for a faster and more convenient payment method. In addition to these, users can also pay via ShopeePay QR for health products at The Generics Pharmacy.

To sweeten their dining and shopping experience in stores, users can enjoy limited-time ShopeePay ₱1 Deals via the Shopee app and get greater discounts when they pay via ShopeePay at the following: Puregold and Puremart for daily essentials; Siomai House, Candy Corner, and many more food stalls nationwide for snacks and cravings. Users can look forward to more exciting and exclusive ShopeePay ₱1 Deals which they can purchase daily via Deals Near Me on the Shopee app.

The growing list of brands that ShopeePay partners with makes it easier for users to enjoy safe and cashless transactions amidst the pandemic. On top of this, ShopeePay also allows users to conveniently buy load at up to 10% off from Globe, Smart, TM, TNT, and DITO. ShopeePay users can also pay their bills through the app, and get up to 25% cashback from Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Smart, and a growing list of ShopeePay partner billers.

With ShopeePay, users are able to maximize the perks of going cashless. Once their ShopeePay wallets are activated, they can cash in through online banking, debit card, and over-the-counter partners to start enjoying exclusive perks when they Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay with ShopeePay.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Online Business, ShopeePay Philippines, said, “As more Filipinos shift to online payments and transactions, it’s essential for us to redouble our efforts to provide our users with a safer and easier contactless payment method. We are excited to add these new food and lifestyle brands to our growing network of offline merchants and will continue to collaborate with more merchants to make payments convenient and seamless for Filipinos, wherever they go.”

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

[1] Southeast Asia, The Home for Digital Transformation

[2] Statista

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1300 MWh! Huawei Wins Contract for the World’s Largest Energy Storage Project

Huawei Digital Power has concluded its Global Digital Power Summit 2021 in Dubai, UAE, with more than 500 participants from 67 countries attending, on October 16. At the summit, Huawei Digital Power signed a key contract with SEPCOIII for the Red Sea Project with 400 MW PV plus 1300 MWh battery energy storage solution (BESS), which is currently the world’s largest energy storage project. The two parties will cooperate to help Saudi Arabia build global clean energy and green economy center.

This 1300 MWh off-grid energy storage project is the largest of its kind in the world and represents a milestone in the global energy storage industry.

With more than 10 years of experience in researching and developing energy storage systems as well as more than 8 GWh energy storage system applications, Huawei Digital Power is committed to integrating digital information technology with PV and energy storage technologies to build a more efficient, stable, and safe smart string energy storage system using the string, intelligent, and modular designs, aiming to help PV become the main energy source and build a green and bright future.

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have more than 197,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; bring cloud and artificial intelligence to all four corners of the earth to provide superior computing power where you need it when you need it; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei

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http://www.youtube.com/Huawei

Featured photo: The Red Sea Project has been listed in the Saudi Vision 2030 as a key project. Its developer is ACWA Power, and the general contractor of EPC is SEPCOIII. Located on the Red Sea coast, NEOM is also known as the city of the future, powered entirely by renewable energy. It will lead to a new way of life and drive new economic growth, as resources such as oil are increasingly depleted.

#Huawei #TheRedSeaProject #WorldsLargestEnergyStorageProject #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph