Anchored on the global theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ the one-day summit covered crucial topics such as poverty alleviation, institutional strengthening, gender-inclusive financing, and the role of technology in enabling women, particularly entrepreneurs.

Opening the summit were SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, PCW Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, and UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, whose messages also served as a unifying call to action for the advancement of women’s empowerment and equality towards nation-building.

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda spoke about the role of legislation in promoting women’s rights. She highlighted the burden of unpaid care and domestic work by women, which her bill (Unpaid Care Workers Welfare Act of 2022) seeks to address to ensure fair sharing of household and caregiving duties. Senator Legarda’s legislative efforts have included supporting the passage of crucial laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, among others.

For an international perspective, esteemed panelists Australian Ambassador HK Yu, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan, and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung spurred insightful discussions on championing women through their gender-inclusive development programs in the Philippines.

On the Philippines’ efforts, experts from key government agencies – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Atty. Charina De Vera Yap, Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Anna Liza Bonagua, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development’s Jeanne Frances Illo, Philippine Commission on Women’s Anita Baleda, Commission on Audit’s Fortunata Rubico, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Miramel Garcia-Laxa – shared transformative strategies and outcomes of financing through a gender lens and gender-responsive budgeting. 

Guest speaker, Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers, set the tone for sessions on the pivotal role of technology in advancing women’s empowerment in business. 

Robers highlighted the importance of women’s diverse perspectives in technology. She said, “We cannot understate the benefits of a world where women are involved in shaping our future through technology.”

The sessions highlighted how businesses can leverage technology to bridge gender gaps and promote social change. Panelists Anne Emperado-Macababat (Malanne), Eliza Antonino (Moment Group), and creative and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan, served as a testament to empowered women creating livelihood opportunities to uplift the lives of many more women.

Likewise, a panel discussion with Landbank’s Leila Martin, BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco and Joel Andres, and Connected Women’s Gina Romero helped participants navigate the benefits and challenges of technology, addressing the risks of fraud and scams, and the safety and security of financial transactions.

Capping the summit was SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy who reiterated the theme of the summit in her closing remarks. Sy said, “Investing in women is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic imperative for a better world.” 

The IWD summit is one of the highlights of SM Supermalls’ celebration of Women’s Month this March and was also supported by BDO, Belle du Jour, Brittany Hotel, Brownies Unlimited, Crate & Barrel, Toby’s Estate, Goldilocks, and SM Store. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

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This lesson stands out in BSM’s curriculum, particularly because the students go out and progressively immerse themselves in marginalized communities each year. Last January, the school held their second annual Make a Difference (MAD) Week, an on-ground trip where BSM students engage with different social sectors to holistically understand their stories and build lasting relationships.

Opening young eyes to intersectionality

The program is designed to progress for four years, so students can find the causes they resonate with and work with their chosen community long-term.

“We kind of flipped the model in school,” said Michael Guinness, BSM’s senior Service and Sustainability curriculum coordinator. “I think too often we make assumptions about communities and about people who are underprivileged, or even an ecosystem that’s underprivileged, and we don’t give them the space to tell us what’s going on.”

Instead of a one-and-done activity, the school focused on facilitating more authentic and collaborative experiences for both students and partner communities. This way, the students get a broader picture, seeing how larger factors like the environment or economy are entangled with these sectors’ narratives.

“It builds that long-term ability to truly understand these communities that we’re working with, and make sure that we’re working alongside them, not ‘to’ them or ‘at’ them. The heart of doing that is knowing that the people in these communities are the experts in their own problems.”

Shifting perspectives begins with language

The students began to embody this perspective with something as simple as language. As the program went on, the students learned to talk about the activities in the context of listening instead of “serving.”

Dalisaï Costa, a Year 10 student, spent her MAD Week with the Dumagat tribe in Mount Purro Nature Reserve. There, she learned about the community’s deep-rooted challenges on cultural identity after facing displacement and marginalization since the Spanish colonial time. The ripples of that problem are felt up until now, as the elders are hard-pressed to get the youth to pick up their traditions and culture.

These stories struck a chord with Dalisaï and her personal experiences as a French-Filipino individual. “They have, I guess, an identity loss. I’ve faced, of course to a much lesser extent, the feeling sometimes that I do not fit certain prospects of being a French or Filipino individual. Trying to imagine what it feels like being part of a community which is so discriminated against in Filipino and Spanish culture; it’s just a striking thing.”

Another Year 10 student, Maximillian Holden, had his first encounter with the farming ecosystem during his Costales Nature Reserve visit. The experience allowed him to widen his viewpoint beyond just planting crops.

“The people at the farm, it’s a very low population. They’re only 30 to 50 people there, and they farm every day. They support loads of businesses and restaurants here in Manila. They do all of this every day and work 12 hours, which is very impressive. Nobody really sees it,” said Max.

The visit let him come face to face with the socioeconomic effects of climate change. “They are a farm, and they need a specific temperature for their plants to grow. With climate change increasing the temperature, lots of their plans had to be [changed] and they had to invest in new seeds and plants. They had to start from the beginning again.”

Climate change was a central theme during the week, but the students learned to see it with a lens of hope as they work with partner communities, instead of social-media-fueled gloom and doom. Here, they can take real steps to help make things better.

“I feel like a lot of problems institutions face with incorporating sustainability in their curriculum is that it tends to be seen as very hopeless and tedious,” said Dalisaï, who is a senior Service and Sustainability student representative herself. “[We’re] seeing sustainability in a much more positive light, in the theme of this year’s MAD Week, which is Hope. It’s much less dreary, and that engages students.”

Deeper partnerships for lasting change

The long-term program is an exercise on openness for the students, who were encouraged to dive into their partner communities’ worlds. They communicated with help from translators, participated in local activities, gathered scientific data, and culminated their education with documentaries.

“Being able to uplift the community and highlight their strengths, that’s what MAD Week’s about. It’s not about trying to change the community, but it’s trying to empower them to be independent,” said Dalisaï. 

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This has always been the program’s DNA, which was borne of an extensive collaboration between BSM and social enterprise group MAD Travel. “The current education system tends to take [topics] apart and keep them separate, but we all know that our environment is connected to the economy. It’s integrated,” said Rafael Dionisio, a co-founder of MAD Travel.

“We can’t separate them from one another, and so dissolving those separations is important. So we’re super happy about [the BSM collaboration]. They’re setting an example for other schools that, hey, it can be done.”

The program’s current run has two years to go, but the budding growth is already palpable in both students and their partner communities. The goal of MAD Week is for students to internalize these lessons beyond graduation, and as long as they do, the country has more sparks of hope that can lead the charge to change in the future. – Rappler.com

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, presented Maya Business with an award for having processed the highest e-commerce payment volume and the largest share of contactless transactions in the Philippines for each year from 2021 to 2023.

It now powers nearly a million formal businesses, reinforcing its status as the Philippines’ Top Merchant Acquirer and a driver of economic growth and digital innovations.

Maya Business boasts a remarkable 170% year-on-year growth in its active merchant base in December 2023, powering digital payments for the country’s largest retailers such as shopping malls, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), the fuel sector, transportation apps, e-commerce platforms, government agencies, and micro-merchants.

As such, Maya Business tops the market in card and QR Ph transactions, making it the #1 Omni-Channel Payments Processor. It enables businesses big or small to accept credit, debit, e-wallet, QR, and other emerging methods in-store, online, and on mobile apps – reducing reliance on cash and promoting safety, convenience, and increased operational efficiencies.

It has also led the charge in enabling enterprises to accept QR Ph payments, processing about half of the total QR Ph transaction value for Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments for 2022 and 2023, based on BancNet data.

“Driving the Philippines towards a cash-lite future is truly energizing. Every transaction via Maya Business not only marks a significant leap towards a more digitized economy but also boosts efficiencies for businesses big and small. This transformation enhances safety and convenience for all,” expressed Shailesh Baidwan, President of Maya Group and Co-Founder of Maya Bank.

Maya Business is part of the Maya Group’s broader fintech ecosystem, catering to MSMEs and large businesses. Meanwhile, the Maya app, recognized as the top-rated local finance app, serves all types of consumers.

Maya: PH’s payment backbone

Maya Business has revolutionized digital payments for Philippine enterprises, transitioning them from dealing with multiple providers to a unified platform where convenience meets security.

Through tools like Maya Checkout, Maya Terminal, and Maya QR, merchants can process various payments, including debit, credit, e-wallet, and QR. They can reach global customers through Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, WeChat Pay, and Alipay, as well as local clients via BancNet, QR Ph, GCash, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Beep, and Maya.

Maya Business is also at the forefront of adopting the unified QR Ph standard for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, being the first to adopt QR Ph for business and personal transactions.

Maya Business merchants are also seamlessly connected to the growing base of highly engaged Maya app users for various purchases, from shopping and dining to subscriptions.

Unlocking SME banking with payments

Originally launched as an electronic payment platform in 2015, Maya has since evolved, integrating digital banking in 2022. This transformation allows Maya to leverage its deep relations and rich customer data to offer high-yield savings and instant business loans.

Maya is also solving the significant credit gap for MSMEs, which traditionally access only 4% of total bank loans, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In 2023, Maya Business introduced the innovative 1-2-3 Grow Bundle for SMEs, featuring QR Ph payments at reduced rates, enticing savings with a 2.5% annual interest rate, and prospects for significant credit lines after three months of engagement with Maya’s services.

Micro-enterprises, starting with Maya Center agents, now have access to instant credit through services like Maya Advance, thanks to Maya’s insightful use of payment history and app engagement for credit assessment. – Rappler.com

Maya is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank, and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. To learn more about Maya, check out maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Follow Maya at @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and @mayaofficialph on X (formerly Twitter)

PRESS RELEASE

Below, DonBelle peels the layers of online fame by sharing tips on authenticity, finding balance and voice during social media-heavy times. As Gen Zs themselves, Donny and Belle recognize the need to keep things grounded and authentic despite fame, and this is something their followers would spot and relate to right away.

Don’t let social media dictate who you are

It’s easy to join the bandwagon and post what everybody else is posting but for DonBelle, authenticity is a priority and people should find beauty in imperfection.

“Don’t let the digital world dictate who you are. Being true to yourself and finding your voice is what makes you genuinely shine,” said Donny to start the conversation.

Belle agreed, “Totoo ‘yan. It’s our real stories, our truths, that connect us.”

Unfiltered bravery in social media realness

For DonBelle, being real means being brave. It takes courage to be real, they said as Donny elaborated on the courage it takes to showcase one’s true self. 

“In an age where everyone is curating their online personas, being authentic is a brave act. It’s about peeling off the layers of expectation and daring to be seen for who you really are,” he added.

Belle added, “Mahirap sometimes, pero worth it. Real beats perfect any day. And you also become more relatable.”

Finding balance when it comes to sharing things online

The young actors find balance in knowing what to share and when to share things on social media.

“Every day is an opportunity to be a better version of ourselves. It’s not about the likes or the follows, but being real with yourself and with others,” Donny said. 

Belle echoed, “Stay true, kahit online. Even though we may be in the public eye, we are still normal people who value family and friends the most.”

Donny intimated that achieving balance online “is about finding those moments of quiet in a day that’s constantly buzzing with notifications.”

On the other hand, Belle offered a glimpse into her strategy, “Simple joys lang, like reading or spending time with family, help me stay true to myself.”

Evolve to inspire

“The real challenge is to continuously evolve and share that journey with others. It’s about being genuine, which truly connects us,” said Donny, underscoring the impact of authenticity on forming meaningful connections. 

Belle supported this sentiment with a simple yet powerful message, “Be real, inspire. If we can somehow encourage our community to be better versions of themselves, if we can bring joy to their lives, and if we can help them live for real to live more, happy na kami ni Donny.”

‘Live for Real’ with Smart Prepaid 

Like DonBelle, Smart Prepaid encourages subscribers to ‘Live for Real’ to live more in its latest campaign.’ This campaign highlights their commitment to enabling genuine and real connections through innovative offers, highlighting Smart’s latest prepaid offerings such as Power All, Magic Data, and Smart Prepaid eSIM.

PowerAll 99 offers 8 GB data for all sites and apps, Unlimited All-Net Texts, and Unlimited TikTok for 7 days, while Magic Data 99 comes with NO EXPIRY 2 GB for all sites and apps with no expiration, Magic Data starts at 99. Subscribers can conveniently register for these offers via the Smart App or through their trusted retailers.

On the other hand, the Smart Prepaid eSIM makes it so much easier for subscribers to enjoy greater flexibility with multiple SIMs in one device – without the need for a physical SIM card. Mobile users can now order the Smart Prepaid eSIM at the Smart Online Store and can be digitally delivered via email instantly. It is also available at accredited retailers at local and international airports, malls, and Smart flagship stores on e-commerce sites like Lazada and Shopee.

Smart Prepaid’s value-packed offers are powered by the Smart mobile network, recently recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage and 5G Availability in the latest report by independent analytics firm Opensignal.To know more about Smart Prepaid offers, visit https://smart.com.ph/Prepaid/liveforreal or follow its official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

What makes the Zenbook DUO different is its intentional design choices. The most obvious feature, of course, is the dual screens; then there’s the detachable keyboard and the built-in kickstand at the back.

The detachable full-sized keyboard and the laptop have magnetic pins that snap together easily, so switching between modes is easy. You also get the option of using a virtual keyboard. Then, the sturdy kickstand under the laptop has notches that allow you to change how you want your device to stand.

Normally, you’d expect these extra hardware features to feel wobbly, but every little design aspect feels well thought out. The same goes for the software. Transitioning between laptop mode and dual-screen mode is smooth, thanks to the powerhouse chipset built into it.

The Zenbook DUO is equipped with an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7-155H processor and 32 GB of onboard LPDDR5X-7467 memory. It also has a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD for storage. This is also supported by low-latency AI computing through Intel Meteor Lake processors with their own NPU and integrated Intel® Arc™ Graphics.

So, with a unique form factor plus some powerful specs, exactly what can you do (or…DUO) with this laptop?

Multitasking

Two screens means you can do even more! And both screens just happen to be extra sharp and color-accurate. This laptop boasts a dual 14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) 16:10 ASUS Lumina OLED display. Their refresh rates also clock in at 120Hz.

The OLED displays are also TÜV Rhineland-certified for eye protection. This is helpful for those who work on their laptop a lot because the displays emit 70% less blue light than LCD screens, which means they are designed to be safer for the eyes. And if you like doing some light content creation (say taking and editing photos or videos), the displays are also certified with Dolby Vision, are Pantone® Validated, and have a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for better color accuracy.

You can have several apps and windows open at the same time. You can place research tabs and reference materials on the top display, then maybe your Zoom or Discord calls on the bottom. Or, if you need a more vertical orientation, you can flip the device on its side.

ASUS baked-in intuitive gestures allow you to toggle between apps, activate features like the virtual keyboard or touchpad and other gestures, or switch displays and modes. Tap with six fingers, and you get the virtual keyboard, then drag down to see other widgets like a calculator. Three fingers and you summon a floating touchpad. Or flick an app towards a screen, and they instantly transfer.

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ScreenXpert, on the other hand, helps you rearrange your windows and customize your experience as you see fit. It has preset templates that you can change up or even spaces where you can save which apps are open and how they are arranged on the screen. This is especially useful if you’re particular about where you place your apps.

With so much real estate, playing while working, I mean multitasking is a piece of cake. (I swear, I don’t play games while in meetings 👀.)

Light video editing

You won’t be editing a feature-length film on this device, that’s for sure. But it is powerful enough to handle light video editing on Premiere Pro or CapCut. And with video editing, extra real estate is always well appreciated.

The earlier iteration of the ASUS Zenbook DUO integrated a narrower second display at the top of the keyboard. That was great! You can put your timeline there and have a bigger window for your source preview and program monitor. In this year’s iteration, you get to see even more. Less navigating tabs and more playing with your creativity!

The laptop is also equipped with a Harman Kardon-powered sound system, so previewing your work or watching movies is made even better.

Drawing

Did we mention that both displays for the Zenbook DUO are touchscreen? The laptop comes with the ASUS Pen 2.0 too! So, if you’re a graphic designer or just like dabbling in some digital art now and then, you can make some good use of this device.

The ASUS Pen 2.0 has a 4096-level pressure sensitivity and comes with interchangeable nibs (2H, H, HB, and B). It also has low latency, so you see your strokes as you make them.

What I especially love about this device is that since there are two displays, I don’t have to keep switching between my drawing app and my browser or use another device to check reference photos. It’s all conveniently in one device, and I can focus more on drawing.

So much you can DUO

All in all, the Zenbook DUO is one of the most versatile laptops you’ll see in the market simply because of how interchangeable the form factor and its accompanying accessories are.

There has also been a lot of work put into making sure that the device isn’t just powerful enough to run all kinds of programs but also has enough support to keep it running smoothly.

For example, apart from the chipset built into the device, the Zenbook DUO also has IceCool Thermal Technology that cools down the CPU and keeps the displays from directly contacting the CPU to preserve their lifespans. A dual-screen display also means it uses up more power, but thankfully, this laptop has a 75-watt-hour and fast-charging battery that can last up to 10 hours of straight use.

The laptop has two Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, an audio jack, and a full-size HDMI® 2.1 (TMDS) port, so if you want to, you can have a third screen!

The ASUS Zenbook DUO comes preinstalled with Windows 11 and a free Office 2021 lifetime license upon purchase. ASUS also guarantees 4A Warranty Quality & Service. 4A stands for Assured Quality, Always-on Support, All-around Coverage, and an Added-value experience for users. ASUS laptops go under US military-grade durability tests. Users can access ASUS support through several channels, including the MyASUS app, social media channels, email, Live Agent Chat support, or ASUS’s dedicated call center and service centers worldwide. What’s more, ASUS users can upgrade their warranty by subscribing to ASUS Premium Care. 

The ASUS Zenbook DUO retails for PHP 129,995, and Filipinos can get it through Home Credit’s 0% interest for up to 12 months. Want to see where you can buy this laptop? Visit https://ph.asus.click/PRWTB. – Rappler.com

“No parent would want their child to be bullied. We felt sad when it happened,” said Jodi, who  shared about a time when her son Thirdy, then a young elementary boy, had to cope with bullying. “Honestly, it angered me too.” 

Adding to Jodi’s frustration, she was overseas at the time due to work and was unable to  instantly come to her son’s aid. “I remember that I was abroad doing a show and I was sent  photos of what happened to my son. I was alarmed and I initially felt helpless because I was so  far away,” she said. 

It’s hard to watch your child go through hurtful experiences alone, and it’s times like this when Jodi and her family needed to remember and hold on to the Filipino value of alaga. 

Finding composure and care 

“During that time, I felt so mad, helpless, and guilty because I’m the mom. I should be there to  protect him, and yet asan ako? Nasa trabaho ako diba, and wala ako ‘dun sa side niya when it  happened,” said Jodi. “Ang nangyari, as a galit na mother, umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, nakipag-set ako ng meeting sa school kasi ang gusto ko confrontation.” 

She was then told that cases like this needed to first undergo levels of bureaucracy like  paperwork and parent correspondence, which aggravated Jodi inside. “Madaming ganon, so na-frustrate ako. Kakausapin ko na lang yung anak ko about it,” she said. 

Jodi was able to push past her sadness and anger, and used care and ingat instead to find a way to bring clarity to the issue. “Siyempre, kailangan ko muna i-pacify yung sarili ko kasi I don’t  want naman to say things out of rage.” 

Teach by example, #SayItWithIngat 

Jodi learned from that experience how important mindfulness is, and staying calm and composed helps her say her thoughts with ingat. “It taught me to be more mindful of my actions,  because I realized children will most of the time emulate what they see. As parents, although we shouldn’t be too imposing, we should lead through our actions,” she said.

She adds a nugget of wisdom she asks her son to live by. “I always remind my son about the golden rule: ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated.’ Now, if they still behave otherwise, then it’s on the other person na.” 

Being a genuine advocate of fighting hate with care, Jodi has partnered with Paracetamol (Biogesic) in their latest campaign to #SayItWithIngat. Together, they want to spread kindness and care amidst the environments of hate that have infiltrated both offline and online spaces. 

No matter what you’re about to say or do to another person, Jodi shares this practice of  thoughtfulness you can exercise. “I think we should start with a question na: “What if this thing you’ve done to this person was done to you. How [would] you feel?’” 

Alaga always starts from finding empathy, a trait that mothers like Jodi possess for their  children. To touch the future generation, it’s important for parents to create a culture of care that  starts from their family. 

Want to learn how to #SayItWithIngat? Follow Paracetamol (Biogesic) on Facebook or listen to Jodi’s Paano Ba ‘To: The Podcast episode for more tips and stories. – Rappler.com 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. 

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Life insurance policies help families left behind get through a life-changing ordeal. It provides them cash to fund their needs when the breadwinner is no longer able to support them because of critical illness, disability or death.

But don’t take it from us; take it from real stories of actual people who got support from insurance policies because their loved ones wanted to take care of them.

Saving grace

Allen (not his real name) was a young, newly-married business owner. During a visit to his bank, Allen was introduced to the in-house financial advisor, Lady. Allen wasn’t very keen on getting insured at first, thinking that the income from his business was more than enough for him and his wife, Grace. Lady, however, was able to convince him otherwise, saying “Bilang sole income provider ng iyong asawa at magiging anak, sakaling may mangyari sa’yong di inaasahan, paano na ang pamilya niyo?”

Lady’s remark convinced Allen to purchase a sizeable policy. With a baby on the way, and his business expanding, life was going well for Allen and Grace. She would later resign from her job to be a full-time housewife. Just three years later however, Allen unexpectedly passed away from brain aneurism.

Struggling to accept her huband’s sudden passing and with no job to support her and their child, Grace was shattered. Because Grace had no background or experience in managing Allen’s business, she was forced to close it. What was left of the proceeds were used to pay for hospital bills, estate taxes and business loans, leaving Grace with very little to get by. Fortunately, the proceeds from Allen’s policy was able to support her and her child as she slowly and surely began picking up the pieces of her new life without Allen.

Gifted with protection

Robert (not his real name), was a salesman at a logistics company. As a sign of gratitude for his years of service, his employers gave him a life insurance policy. 

A year later, Robert suddenly passed away in his sleep.

“Prior to that, Robert’s medical records from his annual physical exams were clear, so his death came as a shock to his employers and colleagues. His parents were devastated – they unexpectedly lost their only son, and the family’s main breadwinner,” shared Adrian, Robert’s BDO Life Financial Advisor.

Thanks to Robert’s life insurance policy, his parents were able to sustain the small general merchandise store they had in the province, with just enough to supply their needs, including their maintenance medicines. His younger sister, whom he was also supporting up until his death, was able to finish college and pursue her dreams of becoming a dentist.

Witnessing what life insurance has done for Robert’s family, his employers purchased additional life insurance policies for themselves.

Early start 

For married couple Mr. and Mrs. Santos (not their real names), having life insurance was a need they realized earlier on. As doctors, both Mr. and Mrs. Santos have seen how critical illnesses can twist and turn people’s lives and drain them of all their hard-earned savings. So to better protect themselves, they both availed life insurance policies.

“For Mr. Santos, getting life insurance was a way to protect the assets they had built and ensure that if anything were to happen to himself or his wife, their children would still be financially well-supported,” shared Randy, Mr. and Mrs. Santos’ BDO Life Financial Advisor.

True enough, they later benefited from having life insurance policies when Mrs. Santos learned that she had early stage breast cancer. Mr. Santos was also diagnosed with colon cancer shortly after.

Both were unable to continue their careers because of this, but thanks to their life insurance proceeds, they were able to pay for their medical needs, including their chemotherapy sessions. They also used their claim proceeds to help support their children’s daily needs, school tuition, and other household expenses.   

“They were thankful that they purchased their life insurance policy earlier on because it prepared them for what they believe is the most challenging part of their lives,” shared Randy.  Mr. and Mrs. Santos are still on their way to recovery, but they are hopeful that they will overcome this dark period of their lives. Their children, now in high school, are also looking forward to college.

How to prepare ourselves

These stories teach us that life is unpredictable. We will never know what will happen in the future, but we can prepare for it with the right life insurance plan.

To get started, just visit any BDO branch to talk to a BDO Life Financial Advisor. For more information about BDO Life and plans, you can visit www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-life. – Rappler.com

For the 20th anniversary of our favorite baon through the years, Fudgee Barr has teamed up with the Pambansang Oppa, Ryan Bang, to delight snack and Korean food lovers with three limited-edition flavors: Citron Tea, Blueberry Yoghurt, and Dalgona.

For two decades, Fudgee Barr has been a favorite in Filipino households and lunchboxes, winning our hearts with its moist and delicious cake and unique local flavors like durian, macapuno, chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla, and more. This time, the three new flavors are a refreshing take on the cakes we love. 

First is the Citron Tea, a burst of citrusy goodness that adds a zing of Honey Lemon filling and frosting to the classic Fudgee Barr flavor. Meanwhile, Blueberry Yoghurt is a delightful twist that combines creamy yogurt with the tanginess of blueberries. Lastly, the Dalgona flavor promises to take your taste buds on a thrilling adventure with the sweet balance of Dalgona coffee and candy.

These limited-edition flavors are a celebration of Fudgee Barr’s journey of bringing joy through innovative flavors. Not only are the snacks delicious, but they also feature an eye-catching Ryan Bang cartoon on the packaging – you can’t miss it! Join the fun and grab a Fudgee Bang at your nearest supermarket, sari-sari store, or order online through Shopee and Lazada. Don’t miss out on Fudgee Barr’s OBarr sa Saya anniversary activities and updates on Facebook and Instagram.  – Rappler.com

When these instances occur, they deter your plans and make it hard for you to make your next move. There is a tendency to slow down. You may even be caught in a panic. The result of which is missing out on what you need to do and not being able to perform at your best.

Some classic remedies may work, but a scratchy throat can attack anytime and anywhere. Somehow, it seems like a throat sitch always catches you in a pinch. It’s always last minute and happens when there are not a lot of options available. 

In these instances, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) should be your go-to treatment, so you can go about your life without hesitation. 

Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) works in as fast as 60 seconds up to 2 hours so you don’t have to fuzz around when you need relief.

In terms of speed, convenience, and variety, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) has got your back.  

Since you don’t know when a scratchy sensation will occur, it’s convenient that Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) is readily available at your nearest drug stores and convenience stores. You can pick one up on your way to that important engagement, or include it in your grocery list for your next trip. 

When you’re out on a road trip, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) is there at the rest stop. It also comes in packs of 8s and 24s, so you don’t run out easily. 

Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) also offers different options, depending on your preference and lifestyle that proves to be that one-step solution to keep your life spontaneous. 

ABOUT DICHLOROBENZYL ALCOHOL AMYLMETACRESOL (STREPSILS)

Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Strepsils is a soothing and medicated lozenge which contains active pharmaceutical ingredients to tackle sore throat pain deep down. The Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) medicated lozenge range provides consumers treatment options for different types of sore throats. Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) provides clinically proven relief which lasts for long (up to 2 hours) after the lozenge has gone. Grab your Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) pack now! Available in leading drugstores, convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide. You can even order online at Lazada.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

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– Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

5G refers to the latest global wireless standard characterized by fast data speeds, ultra-low latency, greater reliability, improved capacity, and efficiency for users.

Based on Opensignal’s latest Mobile Network Experience Report* covering July to September 2023, Smart dominated in five categories, including 5G Availability, 5G Coverage, 5G Download Speed, 5G Upload Speed, and Overall Download Speed.

‘Unbeaten on 5G Availability’

“Smart remains unbeaten on 5G Availability – the operator has won every 5G Availability award outright since Opensignal’s first report on the Filipino 5G experience back in October 2021,” said Sam Fenwick, Opensignal Principal Analyst and author of the report.

“This recognition stems from our mission to provide Filipinos with the best mobile experience possible,” said Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business.

“As 5G gains more traction among Filipinos, our network is well-positioned to unlock all the game-changing benefits of 5G for our customers wherever and whenever they need it,” said Kristine A. Go, SVP for Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

“Many people usually turn to their fiber connection at home for high-bandwidth activities. With Smart 5G, our subscribers can take this superior experience on the go for seamless connectivity – it’s like they never left their home,” Go added.

Smart’s widest 5G Coverage and Availability enable customers to instantly post photos, reels, or stories of their memorable travel adventures across the country; easily upload and share their epic concert and festival moments even in jampacked outdoor venues; have the edge on their peers while playing their favorite mobile games with 5G’s low-latency; and even work on live-selling or livestream content on the go without interruption.

5G where subscribers need it

According to Opensignal, Smart is the first operator in the Philippines to win the new 5G Coverage Experience award, which measures the extent of mobile networks in the places people live, work, and travel. 

“On the other hand, securing the 5G Availability award meant that Smart 5G users spent more time with an active 5G connection compared to subscribers of other networks,” said Eric S. Santiago, FVP for Network at PLDT and Smart.

Smart’s network performance is enabled by the PLDT Group’s integrated fixed and wireless networks. Smart’s mobile network, which covers 97% of the population, is supported by PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, which was at over 1.1 million kilometers as of end-September 2023.

Smart’s network initiatives are aligned with the PLDT Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government’s overall digitalization thrust. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

*Opensignal Awards – Philippines: Mobile Network Experience Report October 2023, based on independent analysis of mobile measurements recorded during the period July 1– September 28, 2023 © 2024 Opensignal Limited.