MANILA, Philippines – Frontline workers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now able to avail of the special offers of PLDT-Smart products and services through the recently launched PLDT and Smart rolling store stationed in Camp Aguinaldo.
Some of these offers include discounts on PLDT, Smart and TNT products and services. This includes a PLDT Home WiFi for only P995, the unli Fibr Plan 2899 with speed up to 100 mbps and a switch offer of 50% off for six months which is inclusive of free installation and activation fees.
Meanwhile, PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications and TNT will offer sims, discounted prepaid load top-up and Sim Upgrade to LTE. Both also include a retailer recruitment with a free Giga 99 for every new retailer with a purchase of P2,000 load wallet.
Moreover, Smart also offers a discounted Smart Bro Pocket WiFi for only P999that comes with a free P250 Surfmax Load Card. For those wanting to upgrade to affordable LTE handsets, you can get discounts and exciting freebies for every purchase and best paired with our Postpaid plans from Smart and Sun.
PLDT and Smart continue to support the AFP through the latter’s long-term partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF).
“We are committed in helping our frontline military and checkpoint officers in fighting this disease. We are utilizing our resources to ensure that they are better equipped when it comes to serving our country amid this pandemic,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
The PLDT-Smart rolling store launch is attended by, from left: Mrs. Editha Lorenzana, Maynilad AVP and Head of Government Relations Anette de Ocampo, MVP Media Bureau Head Atty. Mike Toledo, Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Maj. Gen. Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutant General Erickson Gloria, Brigadier General Rodolfo Lavadia Jr., PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos, One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao and Smart Sales Department Head Gia Palafox.
PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, standing 5th from left, leads the turnover of donations to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The PLDT-Smart rolling store launch is attended by, from left: Mrs. Editha Lorenzana, Maynilad AVP and Head of Government Relations Anette de Ocampo, MVP Media Bureau Head Atty. Mike Toledo, Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Maj. Gen. Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos, One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao and Smart Sales Department Head Gia Palafox.
Pangilinan and Lorenzana check out some of the booths in the rolling store launch.
The PLDT-Smart Foundation turns over their food supply donations for the AFP mobile kitchen initiative.
On behalf of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, we’re inviting you to their virtual events happening on May 29 (8PM) & May 30 (5PM).
Party at the comforts of your homes as we bring EuroPinoy Concert to you on 29 May (Friday) 8PM. Enjoy performances from EU artists, & live session with DJ Butta B. Hosted by DJ Sanya Smith.
If you love poetry – join us on 30 May (Saturday) 5PM. Diplomates from different EU countries – Czechia, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and Poland will read carefully-selected poems – together with award-winning Filipino poets Mookie Lacuesta & Alma Anonas Carpio.
For more information, visit us on FB at @EUDelegationToThePhilippines. Thank you!
For years, the hundreds of animals at the Manila Zoo have entertained generations of kids. But in a time of crisis, who takes care of them?
Hearing that there is a shortage of food for the animals housed in the 60-year-old zoo, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI) stepped up to the plate.
A total of 2,000-kilograms of raw chicken will be given to the zoo at increments of 200kg per week.
The deliveries of goods will be every Wednesday.
“When we heard that the animals inside the zoo were about to starve, we did not hesitate to pledge two-thousand kilos of chicken to Director Pio [Morabe],” said BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas, who has been donating both fresh and ready-to-eat chicken since the implementation of the community quarantine in the country to numerous public hospitals and vulnerable communities. “All of us grew up going to Manila Zoo and now is the time to give back to it.”
Since the early part of 2019, the zoo has been closed for rehabilitation. But with the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the funds to sustain the animals in it has decreased.
With this, the caretakers of the zoo are grateful that there are kind-hearted individuals who are not forgetting their residents.
“Maraming salamat sa Bounty at kay Sir Ronald para sa donasyon na ito,” said Morabe. “Sana huwag po nating kalimutan ang ating mga zoo animals sa ganitong krisis dahil pati sila ay apektado rin.”
Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) is the number-one rotisserie chicken company in the Philippines. It is also the country’s second largest poultry integrator, together with sister company Bounty Fresh Foods, Inc. (BFFI).
Its retail brands include Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, Reyal, and Adobo Connection. The company also distributes dressed chicken products in supermarkets, wet markets, hotels, and restaurants outside Metro Manila under the Bounty Fresh Chicken brand.
Sheraton Manila Bay continue to be the world’s gathering place as its seasoned culinary team assemble a delectable array of signature recipes, refreshing healthy options, and the comforting taste of authentic local cuisine to satiate diners and families at home.
Gourmet takeaways is available for pick-up daily from 9am to 6pm and will feature home-cooked goodness good for sharing, rice specialties, salads, pastas, sandwiches, breads, pastries and cakes. The home-cooked goodness selection includes Pot Roast Beef, Lengua Estofado, Pepper Roasted Pork Loin, Whole Spanish Roasted Chicken, and “Buchon” Pork Belly Roulade.
Power up with the tastiest and freshest sandwiches such as Beef Shawarma, Chicken Shawarma and our bestseller Pulled Pork A la Cubano. For healthy options, delight in a selection of four which include Mango Kani Salad, Vegan Aubergine Salad, Caesar Salad, and our new Caesar By The Bay.
Epicurean diners are in for a treat with Sheraton Gourmet Rice Box or Seafood Paella perfect topair with side order of choice such as garlic mashed potato, ranch fries, rustic herb sautéed potatoes, Asian fried rice, and steamed rice. Foodies on the look-out for lighter variety may indulge in pasta specialties of Spaghetti Shrimp Scampi, Fettucine Carbonara, and Penne Puttanesca with BlackenedChicken.
Perfect for breakfast cravings are freshly baked Dark Chocolate Brownies, Homemade Banana Bread, Farmer’s Bread Loaf, Hand Crafted Doughnuts, Assorted Muffins, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soft Rolls, Hard Rolls, and our newest creation Ube Cheese Pandesal. Make celebrations at home sweeter with pastries and cakes-to go including the hotel’s Signature Mango Tart, Dalgona Tiramisu, Dark Chocolate Supreme, and Mango Cheesecake.
Advance order is required. Please allow 45-minutes leadtime for salad, sandwiches, pastas and rice dishes and 1-day lead time for breads, pastries, cakes, and home cooked goodness. Diners shall arrange pick-up with their courier of choice. Cash and credit card payments are accepted. The hotel will strictly implement a No Mask, No Pick-up Policy and has designated a pick-up point at the hotel main entrance canopy area to ensure social distancing measure are followed and health and safety precautions are met.
For a full listing of gourmet takeaways menu, please visit http://bit.ly/theculinarycouriermenu.
#DiscoverDeliciousDelivery and bring home the familiar Sheraton taste and flavors, from our kitchen to your tables. For orders, please call +632 5318 0788 or email [email protected].
Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico cor. Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.
A face mask bearing design elements inspired by the Philippine Flag became an
emblem of heroism and nationalism, especially during the time of COVID-19 Ayala Foundation, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines, officially launched on May 28 the Magiting Face Mask, which bears the
colors of the Philippine flag and the eight-rayed sun.
The face mask serves to honor our Filipino front-liners and essential workers who are
making a huge sacrifice for the nation to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The Magiting Face Mask was one of the key features of the commemoration of the
Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite. All guests, including the honor guards from the
Philippine Navy, wore the mask to commemorate the first unfurling of the Philippine Flag
in 1898.
The mask was also simultaneously launched at the First Digital Magiting Conference
organized by Ayala Foundation, the Department of Education, and the NHCP on the
same day. The conference, which gathered 200 Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa
Pagpapakatao teachers from Region III, discussed teaching tools, methods, and other
resources to teach history and love of country, as the education system prepares for the
“new normal.” The conference was also viewed by over 1,500 participants through
Facebook Live.
“We hope to distribute the Magiting Face Mask to our front-liners and essential workers,
in recognition of their heroism during this time,” said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala
Foundation. “Inaanyayahan rin namin kayo na patuloy na ipagmalaki ang ating bansa
kahit kailan, kahit saan. Sama-sama tayong maging magiting—sa isip, sa salita, at sa
gawa.”
Said NHCP Chairman Rene Escalante: “Sa taong ito, sa halip na mamigay ng maliliit na
watawat ang NHCP, sa tulong ng Ayala Foundation, ay mamimigay kami ng face mask
na may nakaguhit na simbolo ng ating bandila. Nawa’y pag nakita niyo ito, maalala nyo
ang kabayanihan ng mga rebolusyonaryong Filipino noong 1898 at ng mga COVID-19
front-liners natin sa kasalukuyang panahon.”
The Magiting Face Mask is part of Ayala Foundation’s Maging Magiting program, which
calls on Filipinos to express their love of country by giving our national symbols,
especially the Philippine flag, the respect they deserve.
In 2019 Ayala Foundation and its partners distributed Philippine flags to 10,000 public
schools, police stations, military camps, and other government offices across all 17
regions of the country.
This year, the foundation and its partners seek to distribute the face mask to community
front-liners and essential workers. The DepEd teachers who participated in the Digital
Magiting Conference were among the first to receive the masks.
Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan also officially turned over Magiting Face
Mask to the Philippine National Police, through Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar of the
Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Magiting Face Masks were also delivered to veterans of the Philippine military.
Receiving the masks from Maranan were Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu,
undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reservists Affairs of the Department of National
Defense; Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans
Affairs Office; and Retired Commodore Salvador Esguerra, vice president for operations
of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. Also present at the turnover was NHCP
executive director B. Gen. Restituto Aguilar.
At the turnover Usec. Mapagu thanked Ayala Foundation for the face masks, which, he
said, will help “protect our most important national resource—our citizens.”
For his part, Usec. Carolina noted the value of “continuing partnership between the
public and private sector” during this time.”
Photo captions
Photo 1 — The Magiting Face Mask, designed by the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines and produced by Ayala Foundation
Photo 2 — Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar (right) receiving a Magiting
Mask from Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan
Photo 3 — Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan (left) ceremonially turns over the
Magiting Face Mask to Retired Commodore Salvador Esguerra of the Veterans
Federation of the Philippines. Looking on are Department of National Defense
Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu and PVAO administrator Usec. Ernesto Carolina
About Ayala Foundation
As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation
envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to
be Filipino. Ayala Foundation’s main program areas are Education, Community
Leadership, Suitable and Sustainable Livelihood, and Arts and Culture.
For more information, visit www.ayalafoundation.org
FedEx Express gives a rundown on how to properly ship your gadgets
Lithium batteries – used in most gadgets – are classified as “dangerous goods” and require special documentation, labeling, and preapproval process before accepted for shipping.
Most countries affected by COVID-19 implemented lockdowns to curb its spread. And because of limited mobility, consumers have ramped up online shopping to meet their needs.[1] The ASEAN e-commerce penetration is relatively low but is likely to rise significantly due to the pandemic.[2]
Mobile phones and other consumer electronics are popular among e-commerce customers, especially now that a good portion of the global workforce are switching to work-from-home arrangements for the foreseeable future.
When purchasing products with batteries, the shipment is considered dangerous goods as they generate electricity from chemical reactions. Here are some tips on how to properly ship these items*:
Determine battery classification
Identifying if the batteries used in the gadget are wet, dry, or lithium batteries is key to safe shipping. This step is critical in properly labeling the shipment later on as different types of batteries require different packaging protocols.
Dry batteries, which can be a combination of nickel, carbon, zinc, and lead, are the power source of small or large motors[1]. These are typically used for flashlights, remote controls, and other handheld devices.
Lithium batteries, primarily classified as lithium metal and lithium ion, are used to power portable everyday devices such as laptops, smartphones, and watches.
On the other hand, wet batteries are called such because they are composed of liquid electrolyte solution. Wet batteries are popularly known to be the power source for automobiles and industrial machinery.
Secure necessary documents for shipping
Once a shipment containing batteries are identified as fully regulated dangerous goods by IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations), a Shipper’s Declaration must be prepared by either the shipper or his/her vendor who have certificate of dangerous goods training in compliance with DGR.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) requires a formal application to ship dangerous goods.
Properly label shipment
There are different protocols for shipping batteries due to differences in chemical make-up. To adhere to regulations by the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization, Shippers must use United Nations (UN)
numbers identified by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to properly label shipments that contain either wet, dry, or lithium batteries.
These labels help logistics providers determine how to package items. For instance, wet-cell batteries are packaged in metal containers with acid/alkali leak-proof liner to prevent leakage while dry batteries are sandwiched between nonconductive dividers and cushioning.
Adhere to international and country-specific requirements
Since transporting gadgets should be done carefully, there are many regulations and policies in place. While there are international standards and guidelines for shipping, each country may have its own restrictions.
For instance, most countries refer to the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Purple Book, a set of guidelines that defines the chemical categories and the proper formatting of chemical labels.
Because the UN GHS Purple Book is not legally-binding, it is recommended that each country supplement the guidelines with their own policies. As a result, most countries have their own GHS or guidebook.
The EU, for example, has regulations on classification, labeling, and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). This regulation requires sending a C&L notification, which means the suppliers need to inform the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of the classification and the labeling of the substance to be transported[1].
Additionally, inappropriate packaging without danger labels and the lack of documents pertaining to the dangerous goods transported are considered infringements of the EU regulation. These will not be allowed to be transported into the market.
Almost all the gadgets that are in use now, such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and even toys for children, have batteries in them. It is important for sellers to be familiar with shipping regulations for smoother business transactions. For more information on how to properly ship items that are considered dangerous goods, FedEx provides a checklist at https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/dangerous-goods.html.
PASAY CITY — Chooks-to-Go operator Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) gave hot meals to passengers — many of them overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) — stranded outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Thursday.
Staff distributed food packs and drinks to approximately 200 passengers whose flights back home had been canceled due to both the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the tropical depression Butchoy.
Once BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas heard that the majority of the stranded came from Mindanao, he immediately sent over packs of ready-to-eat meals to all of them.
“Most of them are from my birth place in Mindanao, and as OFWs, they are our modern-day heroes sacrificing to work in foreign lands, so we can enjoy prosperity in our country,” said BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas.
“It is our utmost responsibility as a Filipino-owned company to help out our modern day heroes in whatever way we can especially a day before the country will celebrate our 122nd Independence Day. Just like our national heroes before, they too are sacrificing a lot for our country.”
Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the country, BAVI has been supporting frontliners and vulnerable communities severely affected by the lockdowns.
ince the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the country, BAVI has been supporting frontliners and vulnerable communities severely affected by the lockdowns.
BAVI has donated chicken and poultry products fit for 386,300 meals.
BAVI is the largest rotisserie chicken company and the only poultry integrator in the Philippines that does not put any antibiotics in its chickens (together with sister company Bounty Fresh Foods, Inc.). It is also the company behind Uling Roasters and Adobo Connection.
Tanduay Distillers has released three new cocktail flavors – piña colada, strawberry daiquiri and green margarita – via its new e-commerce website, shots.ph.
Released under the brand name Tanduay Cocktails, the three variants come in three-liter containers with an easy press spout.
Also, all flavors are infused with Tanduay’s signature White Rum and contain 10% alcohol.
Piña colada is a blend of White Rum with flavors of coconut and pineapple. Strawberry daiquiri has added flavors of strawberry and citrus fruits. Green margarita, on the other hand, is a smooth blend of triple sec with flavors of tequila and citrus fruits.
Customers can also order Tanduay’s award-winning rums such as the Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Tanduay CLX, among others.
The website also carries Tanduay branded merchandise like backpacks, sweaters, duffle bags, premium pens, and hoodies.
“We want to make it easier for our customers to enjoy their favorite Tanduay products. With a few taps on their computers and mobile devices, they can have their orders delivered straight to their home. Shots.ph is mobile-optimized, so they can easily place an order through their mobile phones,” said Tanduay’s national marketing manager, Garry Ong.
No minimum or maximum purchases are required, and customers can even order in bulk if they want to. Tanduay’s own fleet of delivery vans will bring their orders to their preferred addresses.
Shots.ph carries both local and exported spirits. Tanduay’s limited-edition rums will also be made available soon.
MANILA, Philippines – COVID-19 hospitals and their health workers have received a fresh dose of help in the form of decontamination services and packages of hygiene and food items from telecoms and digital services provider PLDT Inc. and the Makati Medical Center Foundation.
PLDT sponsored the provision of high-level decontamination services using Steramist Asia’s Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) for The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
BIT is a powerful disinfectant that has been certified by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as being effective in eliminating the novel coronavirus. This is applied in parts of the hospitals in need of specialized sanitation such the laboratories, COVID wards, ambulances and even the reprocessing of N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs).
COVID Hospitals receive decontamination services through PLDT and Makati Medical Center Foundation.
Working with the Makati Medical Center Foundation, PLDT also turned over care packages containing hygiene and food items to the personnel of these hospitals including their sanitation team, maintenance staff and security officers.
A resident from Happyland, Tondo receives a hygiene kit from PLDT.
The rest of the care packages will be distributed to the frontline staff of quarantine facilities of the National Task Force.
The company also donated 210 blankets to Paco Catholic School which serves as a temporary shelter for over 200 people. This includes street dwellers and stay-in volunteers and staff. PLDT also gave financial assistance to the school to procure some immediate needs such as medicines and food supplies.
Hospital maintenance staff and security personnel are provided with care packages from PLDT.
Moreover, PLDT is supporting the Kaagapay: Protect our Healthcare Heroes project. This is a fundraising initiative that provides life-saving medical equipment which includes PPEs, test kits and ventilators for the healthcare sector. This is spearheaded by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Zuellig Pharma, ABS-CBN, Metro Drug and Go Negosyo.
To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/.
About PLDT
PLDT is the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines. Through its principal business groups – fixed line, wireless and others – PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications and digital services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone, and fixed line and cellular networks.
PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI). PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippinelisted companies.
The U.S. space agency National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to participate in a virtual hackathon May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from around the world will create virtual teams that – during a 48-hour period – will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID-19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May.
“There’s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “I can’t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions.”
The unique capabilities of NASA and its partner space agencies in the areas of science and technology enable them to lend a hand during this global crisis. Since the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system – on global to local scales – with aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the virus.
ESA will contribute data from the Sentinel missions (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-5P) in the context of the European Copernicus program, led by the European Commission, along with data from Third Party contributing Missions, with a focus on assessing the impact on climate change and greenhouse gases, as well as impacts on the economic sector. ESA also is contributing Earth observation experts for the selection of the competition winners and the artificial-intelligence-powered EuroDataCube.
“EuroDatacube will enable the best ideas to be scaled up to a global level,” said Josef Aschbacher, director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. “The pandemic crisis has a worldwide impact, therefore international cooperation and sharing of data and expertise with partners like NASA and JAXA seems the most suitable approach.”
JAXA is making Earth observing data available from its satellite missions, including ALOS-2, GOSAT, GOSAT-2, GCOM-C, GCOM-W, and GPM/DPR.
“JAXA welcomes the opportunity to be part of the hackathon,” said JAXA Vice President Terada Koji. “I believe the trilateral cooperation among ESA, NASA and JAXA is important to demonstrate how Earth observation can support global efforts in combating this unprecedented challenge.”
Space Apps is an international hackathon that takes place in cities around the world. Since 2012, teams have engaged with NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. The COVID-19 Challenge will be the program’s first global virtual hackathon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend.
Pinoy developers used NASA’s free and open data to solve real-world problems on Earth and space.
Many Filipinos participated in this annual hackathon since 2016. Recently, a dengue mapping forecasting system was developed by data scientists from CirroLytix using satellite and climate data with the goal of addressing the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. This web application, called Project AEDES won globally for the best use of data. “Earth observation data has the potential to be used in fighting epidemics and outbreaks threatening humanity nowadays, as well as to analyze its socio-economic impact,” according to software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, who led the Philippine hackathon in collaboration with De La Salle University, PLDT, Department of Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. embassy. The very first Philippine winner used citizen science and environmental data to develop a smartphone application informing fishermen the right time to catch fish. ISDApp is currently being incubated at Animo Labs.
Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized globally in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4.
Registration opens May 12. https://covid19.spaceappschallenge.org/
Powered by world-class consulting from Kantar and Medallia technology, the programme is now seen to unite every unit at Globe to delight their customers
Kantar, the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company, has launched its partnership in Asia with leading software firm Medallia for a collaborative customer experience (CX) research program for Globe Telecom, the largest mobile, fixed line and broadband network in the Philippines.
Globe Telecom successfully rolled out the Voice of the Customer (VoC) program in the third quarter of 2019. By leveraging Kantar’s expertise in CX and Medallia’s customer feedback platform, the VoC program provided Globe with a systematic, fully automated real time view of its customer engagements across touchpoints that enable its teams to quickly and proactively resolve issues as they emerge. This makes VoC a part of Globe’s day-to-day conversations, influencing their overall strategy, their ways of working, and ultimately, helping them create a truly customer-centric organisation.
Globe’s VoC program has so far mapped the experience of its over 91 million mobile and broadband customers across 7 key journey points in 9 customer touchpoints in less than 9 months. Since its launch, the programme has provided a platform for Globe’s business units to identify priority areas for improvement, making customer experience every Globe employee’s concern. According to Kantar, Globe sent 8.4 million invitations for feedback in 2019 and have, thus far, reached 4.8 customers this year.
Beck Eclipse, Chief Experience Officer, Globe Telecom says, “For us at Globe, providing the best customer experience is a key strategic priority and the defining factor that makes the organization unique. As a barometer for our success, we designed an integrated VoC program leveraging best practices from Kantar and Medallia’s leading-edge solution to crack the complex code governing the strength of customer relationships and sustainability of our business by identifying gaps between customer needs and company performance.”
“Listening” during difficult times
Today, as every individual and every business face the challenges posed by the pandemic, Globe is able to utilize the VoC program to continue “listening” to their customers, allowing them to quickly respond to pressing concerns while adapting to changing customer needs.
By being able to keep its pulse on its customers, Globe is better equipped to quickly respond to their needs, thereby, increasing market share, improving brand reputation and reducing cost to serve. Kantar data showed that, in the last 30 days, while most parts of the country were on enhanced community quarantine, the response rate for Globe’s contact centres improved by 6 points. At the same time, field engineers who were deployed to address customer issues were rated 7 points higher as compared to previous months. “Success comes from understanding customer expectations, as these are the key points of differentiation for any business. It is important to tap into the customer’s emotions in moments
that really matter, as well as to design products and services which create positive, memorable experiences that deliver on the brand promise,” said Nithia Kumar, Head of Customer Experience at Kantar Insights in Asia.
A partnership that puts CX front and centre
With Kantar and Medallia’s partnership, both companies are helping Globe Telecom identify, optimise and activate customer insights for lasting customer engagement and maximum return. This approach brings the VoC program into Globe’s daily operations, and harmonises disparate, siloed teams and data sources. In turn, the program provides critical information and insights that allow Globe to deliver unparalleled customer experiences, ultimately driving company performance and transforming its business.
The ongoing partnership of Kantar and Medallia can likewise help other companies in Asia win in the age of experience. They continue to guide organizations to becoming truly customer-centric and help in identifying impactful and profitable areas of investment. By combining customer feedback with financial and operational information, the solution helps businesses determine how different aspects of their experience affect company performance so they can allocate resources accordingly.
“There is no better time than now to keep track of customer sentiment – when it matters most. These are the times customers will remember the experience a brand gave them and will tell their colleagues, friends and families. But great customer experience doesn’t just happen in times of crisis, it’s an ongoing effort with a change in mindset to putting the customer at the heart of everything the company does,” said Gavin Selkirk, General Manager, APAC at Medallia.
About Kantar:
Kantar is the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company. We understand more about how people think, feel, shop, share, vote and view than anyone else. Combining our expertise in human understanding with advanced technologies, Kantar’s 30,000 people help the world’s leading organisations succeed and grow.
About Medallia:
Medallia (NYSE: MDLA) is the pioneer and market leader in Experience Management. Medallia’s award-winning SaaS platform, the Medallia Experience Cloud, leads the market in the understanding and management of experience for customers, employees and citizens. Medallia captures experience signals created on daily journeys in person, digital and IoT interactions and applies proprietary AI technology to reveal personalized and predictive insights that can drive action with tremendous business results. Using Medallia Experience Cloud, customers can reduce churn, turn detractors into promoters and buyers, and create in-the-moment cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, providing clear and potent returns on investment.
www.medallia.com
About Globe: Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves
the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visitwww.globe.com.ph. Follow @enjoyglobe on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Earlier this year, Allianz PNB Life launched Caffeine Boost, a podcast which provides light and relatable discussions on finance, investment, health, and other topics that have become relevant to surviving the new normal.
For Caffeine Boost’s most recent episode, “Why We Need to Rethink Universal Healthcare in Our Communities”, the show featured digital health care and health finance expert Edward Booty, the founder and CEO of Reach52, The organization is a social enterprise that seeks to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare to rural communities.
Prior to founding Reach52 in 2016, Booty worked for the UK National Health Service (NHS), one of the world’s largest consulting organizations. He has worked extensively in digital healthcare, patient access, and insurance and health financing in Europe and now in Asia’s emerging markets.
Asked about the origin of Reach52, Booty explained that the 52 stands for the 52 percent who don’t have access to healthcare.
“It’s about the 52 percent of Asia who live in rural areas,” he said, adding that “the core of what we do is to build a number of offline Android apps that will allow women in disconnected communities, with knowledge and training, one or two per barangay, to be health workers.”
Booty pointed out that insurance companies can help bridge the healthcare protection gap.
“Insurance has a huge role to play within the global healthcare development space,” he said.
He emphasized that the private sector, “should work collaboratively with government to achieve better health outcomes for all and obviously have a sustainable business behind it.”
Caffeine Boost started as an internal initiative for the financial advisors of Allianz PNB Life. Conceptualized by insurance industry expert and the podcast’s host, Josel Gaston, the podcast also features finance industry professionals Chris Cabognason, Emma Carranza, and Candice Veloso.
After covering topics such as building one’s online presence, health needs planning, equity and other locally available funds, mental health issues, and strong women in the time of pandemic, the podcast has started to draw a following from outside the organization.
“We’re now on our eighth episode, and we’d like to invite everyone to join us as we tackle different topics concerning health and insurance. We were surprised to learn that there are a lot of auditory learners among Filipinos,” Gaston related.
Listen to the entire Caffeine Boost by Allianz PNB Life podcast episodes for free on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Anchor FM.
You can listen to the podcast here:
About Allianz in Asia
Asia is one of the core growth regions for Allianz, characterized by a rich diversity of cultures, languages and customs. Allianz has been present in the region since 1910, when it first provided fire and marine insurance in the coastal cities of China. Today, Allianz is active in 14 markets in the region, offering its core businesses of property and casualty insurance, life, protection and health solutions, as well as asset management. With its more than 32,000 staff, Allianz serves the needs of over 18 million customers in the region across multiple distribution channels and digital platforms.
About Allianz
The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 92 million retail and corporate customers. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 673 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage more than 1.4 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we hold the leading position for insurers in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2018, over 142,000 employees in more than 80 countries achieved total revenues of 131 billion euros and an operating profit of 11.5 billion euros for the group
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