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Wilcon books Cebu Masters 3×3 slot

WILCON Quezon City booked a ticket to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters next month with a stellar championship run in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Quest 3.0 over the weekend at the Ayala Malls Solenad in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Local aces Keith Datu, Yutien Andrada and Terence Tumalip with Spanish import Jose Blazquez joined forces in Wilcon’s surprising run capped by a 19-15 win over Pasig Banh Mi Kitchen in the finale.

“Honestly, we didn’t expect anything. We just wanted to give our best in this kind of competition,” said Wilcon Depot 3×3 mentor Anton Altamirano.

More than the championship and a ticket to the Chooks-to-Go Cebu Masters though, Wilcon cherished a golden experience to help the country gain more points for the Paris Olympics through the top-level 3×3 tourney hosted by Chooks.

Wilcon topped Pool A with convincing wins over Botolan Th3rd Floor, led by celebrity-athlete Gerald Anderson, 21-13, Pasig Banh Mi Kitchen, 21-11 and Taguig Happy Hotels, 21-10, for a slot in the semifinals. But it met strong resistance from Pool B second placer Makati MNL Kingpin before Mr. Datu came to the rescue with a booming deuce for Wilcon’s thrilling 22-20 win.

Messi lifts Inter Miami to Leagues Cup crown

INTER Miami beat Nashville SC in a thrilling Leagues Cup final on Saturday after a 1-1 tie was settled by a marathon 10-9 penalty shootout, as Lionel Messi extended his winning streak since joining the MLS side to seven games.

Mr. Messi opened the scoring in the 233d minute, notching his 10th goal of the inaugural tournament with a blistering shot from distance past multiple defenders and into the top left corner of the net. Nashville’s Fafa Picault leveled for the home team in the 57th minute and both teams came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the rollercoaster second half.

In the shootout, Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco missed the final kick of the night to deliver Inter Miami, who joined the league in 2020, their first trophy.

Messi’s overjoyed teammates tossed the Argentine in the air as ecstatic Miami co-owner David Beckham shook his fists above his head in triumph. Miami have the worst record in MLS this season, but Mr. Messi’s arrival has ignited an offensive explosion with the squad scoring 22 goals in their last seven games.

The trophy is Mr. Messi’s 44th, the most by any player. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was named player of the tournament, which includes teams from MLS and Liga MX.

Inter appointed Martino as coach last month and signed Mr. Messi’s former Barcelona team mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, have also secured a CONCACAF Champions League berth with their Leagues Cup run. — Reuters

Smart delivers world-class network coverage of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 global partner Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with its technology partners Huawei and Ericsson to further expand and permanently optimize its LTE and 5G mobile network coverage across all World Cup venues, including Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Smart subscribers can expect world-class mobile experience not just from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, but also in all the biggest concerts and epic events after the tournament, can share gameplays on social media in real time, send videos of iconic moments to their loved ones and friends in seconds, and upload all their memorable photos online in an instant.

Smart also transformed the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Ball into a giant basketball with a hoop. Measuring a circumference of 111 meters long, the MOA Ball ring was a collaboration of Smart with creative agency GIGIL as well as media agency Metropolis and production partner UpRising.

Earlier, Smart mounted a massive basketball ring at EDSA-Pioneer Street and launched a 3D Digital Billboard in Bonifacio High Street Crosswalk. Basketball fans were also treated to exciting appearances of FIBA basketball World Cup 2023 mascot “JIP” in all the major activities. 

FREE BUS RIDES
Fans can go all-in on the action by watching FIBA games at the venue, most especially the Gilas Pilipinas’ opening-day match on Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where they will face the Dominican Republic national squad bannered by Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony Towns.

Tickets are available at select Smart Stores nationwide, and fans can avail of free bus rides to and from the Philippine Arena courtesy of Smart and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for the opening-day match.

Tournament organizers have arranged to deploy 400 buses from 12 strategic take-off points, namely, the PITX Bus Terminal, Mall of Asia Arena, One Ayala Bus Terminal, BGC Market Market Bus Terminal, SM Megamall, Araneta City, Trinoma, SM North, Clover Leaf Ayala Mall Bus Terminal, SM Baliuag, SM Pampanga, and SM Clark, to transport fans to the venue.

The free shuttle bus rides are scheduled to depart from each boarding terminal at 11 a.m. and 12 noon, and hourly from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eventgoers can check https://bit.ly/3rNFIR4 to choose their preferred pick-up location and time of departure. The buses will also be available after the Gilas Pilipinas-Dominican Republic game to take riders back to their starting point.

JOLLIBEE FREE TICKETS
The world’s most highly anticipated basketball tournament is making its way to Philippine shores and Jollibee is giving away free tickets to the opening game.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is the 19th tournament of the international basketball event for men’s national basketball teams. The opening game will be held at the Philippine Arena on Aug. 25, with the Philippine team carrying the country’s flag high. As Jollibee joins the entire nation in rallying behind the home team and uplifting the Filipino spirit.

From Aug. 15 to 24, basketball fans can get their free tickets by simply ordering through the Jollibee app:

• In the Jollibee app, click on the “Promos” tab, followed by the “FREE FIBA Opening Game Ticket” App Coupon.

• Place an order with a minimum single-receipt purchase amount of Php 1,500.00 to get one FREE FIBA Opening Game Ticket. The coupon will be applied upon checkout.

• An email confirmation will be sent with instructions on how to claim the free ticket, as well as a physical Jollibee receipt attached to your delivery order.

James Harden

For longtime pro hoops habitues only too keen on following controversy wherever it goes, James Harden is like a gift that keeps on giving. For the third year in a row, he is forcing his way out of a situation into which he brought himself. At every stop in his National Basketball Association career, he has seemingly gotten into kinks that he cannot — or, perhaps more accurately, does not want to — iron out. Money drove him out of the Thunder, and money now also appears to be fueling his desire to leave the Sixers. Meanwhile, players issues triggered his wanderlust with the Rockets and Nets.

For a while there, it appeared as if Harden had found peace in red and white. He was certainly productive with the Rockets. For eight years until the turn of the decade, he counted himself among the best of the best in the league; no one was arguably more efficient offensively, with his isolation-heavy style resulting in perennial playoff contention. Yet, with power came responsibility, and, unfortunately, the lack of structure that underscored his greatness on the court likewise marked his travails off it. At his peak, he had command of the ball in sneakers; he also had a ball in dancing shoes. And, at every turn, it was his way or the highway.

Meanwhile, Harden kept lofty goals. He constantly put pressure on the Rockets to improve. And if he and general manager Daryl Morey developed a solid relationship en route, it was because he almost always got what he wanted — to the chagrin of such noted workaholics as Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. His luck took a turn for the worse with the Nets; injuries and COVID-19 protocols limited the time he spent with fellow superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, turning promise into frustration. After that, he somehow straightened his act enough to turn in a solid season for the Sixers; for all the back and forth he had with head coach Doc Rivers on how to run point, he managed to lead the NBA in assists alongside Most Valuable Player awardee Joel Embiid.

Fast forward to the present, and Harden is demanding to be shipped to the Clippers. In a bid to preserve the Sixers’ competitiveness under Embiid, however, Morey’s acquiescence comes with a price that the potential suitors are not willing to match. Why would they want to do so, when his very unpredictability depresses his value? He’s no spring chicken at 33. The explosiveness that propelled his historic numbers is all but gone, and high maintenance and diminishing returns do not go together. And that’s not even taking into consideration his constant disappearing acts in pivotal postseason outings.

Whatever Harden wants, he gets — so it’s no surprise that he amped up the pressure on the Sixers by casting Morey in a negative light. For what reason is the latter a liar? Because he made a stink in China, the biggest market in the world where he just so happens to be immensely popular, the NBA would now like to know. Needless to say, he’s not helping his reputation any in the process. Not that he cares about anything other than getting to where he pleases. And whereas he previously had little leverage, the league’s involvement improves his footing. As to where he finally lands, only time will tell.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Eris, BA.2.86: Do people need to worry about the coronavirus again?

THE WORLD Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking a new, highly mutated lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Six cases in four countries have been detected since late July. Scientists are keeping an eye on the new lineage, named BA.2.86, because it has 36 mutations that distinguish it from the currently dominant XBB.1.5 variant.

So far there is no evidence that BA.2.86 spreads faster or causes more serious illness than previous versions. The CDC said its advice on protecting yourself from COVID remains the same.

What is new about COVID?

COVID infections and hospitalizations have been rising in the US, Europe and Asia, with more cases in recent months attributed to the EG.5 “Eris” subvariant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage that originally emerged in November 2021.

Over the past few days, public health authorities have documented one case each of BA.2.86 in the United States, the UK, and Israel, and three cases in Denmark.

What do scientists say about BA.2.86?

BA.2.86 stems from an “earlier branch” of the coronavirus, so it differs from the variant targeted by current vaccines, explained Dr. S. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital.

He said it remains to be seen whether BA.2.86 will be able to out-compete other strains of the virus or have any advantage in escaping immune responses from prior infection or vaccination.

But many countries have drastically reduced testing of patients and their efforts to analyze the genomes of the viruses causing new COVID cases. In that situation, the trajectory of BA.2.86 “doesn’t look good right now,” given the speed at which new cases are being identified, said Dr. Eric Topol, a genomics expert and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California.

Its many mutations make BA.2.86 “radically different in its structure” compared to earlier variants, Mr. Topol said.

The main question, he added, is whether BA.2.86 will turn out to be highly transmissible.

Do the new variants make people sicker?

US emergency department visits and hospitalizations for COVID remain low, but have been rising since early July, according to data on the CDC website. So far, however, doctors have been reporting that patients seen in recent weeks, as the Eris variant has been spreading, are not as sick as those they treated during earlier waves of the pandemic.

Wider spread of BA.2.86 would likely cause more illness and death in vulnerable populations, Mr. Topol said.

It is too soon to know whether BA.2.86 will cause more-severe illness.

“Based on the available evidence, we do not yet know what risks, if any, (BA.2.86) may pose to the public’s health beyond what has been seen with other currently circulating lineages,” a CDC spokesperson said.

Will vaccines protect against new variants?

Due to the waning of the pandemic, it may have been a year or more since many people were either previously infected or vaccinated against COVID.

“The vaccine is still going to provide you great defense against illness and death,” Long said.

Updated COVID booster shots now being developed have been designed to target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5.

Moderna said preliminary trial data suggest its latest version of the vaccine shows promise against Eris and a related variant called Fornax, which has begun to circulate in the US

Pfizer, Inc. has said its updated COVID-19 shot showed neutralizing activity against the Eris subvariant in a study conducted on mice. — Reuters

Fire tourists, drone fliers told to stay clear of British Columbia blazes

THE McDougall Creek wildfire burns next to houses in the Okanagan community of West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, Aug. 19, 2023. — REUTERS

WILDFIRE tourists and drone operators who could be impeding the work of firefighters are being told by British Columbia officials that they are unwelcome while fast moving and unpredictable forest fires rage in the Canadian province.

More than 35,000 people were under evacuation order by Saturday following British Columbia Premier David Eby’s declaration of a state of emergency late on Friday, giving authorities more powers to tackle fire-related risks.

“Drones are a significant hazard to our air crews fighting fires,” British Columbia’s minister of forests Bruce Ralston said at a press conference. “Now is not the time to take the footage of photos of active wildfires. Not only is it irresponsible, but it is illegal to fly them in fire areas,” he said.

Some tourists have posted their wildfires experiences on social media and there are images of people lining up to see forest fires.

Summer camps and water activities are popular among Canadians but for many, this year’s wildfires have meant fewer outdoor activities, with skies filled with highly-pollutant smoke. Mr. Eby issued a new order on Saturday curbing non-essential travel, which was also aimed at finding rooms for the large number of people being evacuated across the province.

Mr. Ralston also asked people to stay clear of lakes which water bombers are using to refill water to douse fires.

In response to a question whether the government is concerned about people traveling to watch the fire activity, Bowinn Ma, the province’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said the non-essential travel ban in place restricts any such activity, including “fire sighting.”

“I don’t know if that’s actually a real term … but what we absolutely cannot have on our roads is people … take photographs, getting out of their cars, visiting communities, where there is high wildfires activities, getting in the way of crews,” Ma said.

Drones can ground aircraft involved in crucial firefighting missions, Minister Ma said.

Some 3,400 workers are involved in firefighting in British Columbia in western Canada.

Brent Saulnier was vacationing in the far north of Canada’s Northwest Territories when he realized he had to retrieve his camper van parked in Yellowknife, which officials had ordered evacuated.

“Leaving Yellowknife, you’re driving into the smoke,” the 33-year-old said of his 20-hour journey home to Calgary in Alberta province. “I’ve never driven through a spot where you’re like, the road is open, but it is on fire on both sides of the road.” — Reuters

Hackers target US-S.Korea drills

SEOUL — Suspected North Korean hackers have targeted a joint US-South Korea military exercise being held this week though classified information has not been compromised, South Korean police said on Sunday.

South Korean and US forces will on Monday begin 11-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian summer exercises to improve their ability to respond to North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats.

North Korea objects to such exercises saying they are preparations by the US and its South Korean ally for an invasion of it.

The hackers were believed to be linked to a North Korean group that researchers call Kimsuky, and they carried out their hack via emails to South Korean contractors working at the South Korea-US combined exercise war simulation center, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said in a statement.

“It was confirmed that military-related information was not stolen,” police said in a statement on Sunday.

North Korea has previously denied any role in cyberattacks.

The Kimsuky hackers have long used “spear-phishing” emails that trick targets into giving up passwords or clicking attachments or links that load malware, according to researchers.

South Korean police and the US military conducted a joint investigation and found the IP address used in the hacking attempt matched one identified in a 2014 hack against South Korea’s nuclear reactor operator, police said.

At that time, South Korea accused North Korea of being behind that cyberattack. — Reuters

Study calls attention to ride-hailing, delivery drivers’ working conditions

FREEPIK

By Miguel Hanz L. Antivola

The conditions of gig workers at local ride-hailing and delivery platforms have shown no improvement since last year, according to a study, highlighting financial insecurity and safety risks due to limited protections.

The Fairwork Philippines Ratings 2023 study on protecting workers’ health, safety, and security in the local platform economy evaluated ten ride-hailing and delivery platforms.

Fairwork is an action-research project coordinated by the Oxford Internet Institute and the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. It evaluates the working conditions on digital platforms and ranks them based on five principles: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation.

Platforms are only given a point when they can satisfactorily demonstrate their implementation of the principles.

None of the ten platforms demonstrated fair pay and representation among workers, Fairwork said in a statement e-mailed to reporters on Thursday.

On the fair conditions principle, one out of the ten platforms (GrabCar) received a point for providing workers with “sufficient protection.”

Meanwhile, on fair contracts, four out of the ten platforms (GrabCar, GrabExpress/Food, Angkas, and Lalamove) received a point for showing evidence of clear and accessible contracts or terms of service.

On fair management, two out of the ten platforms (GrabCar and GrabExpress/Food) received a point for having formalized processes that allow workers to appeal decisions.

The study used desk research, interviews with platform management, and worker interviews with a sample of 6-10 workers per platform. In cases where platform managers do not agree to interviews, scores are limited to evidence obtained through desk research and worker interviews.

According to the 2022 edition of the Fairwork Philippines study, there are around 500,000 gig workers in the ride-hailing and delivery sectors.

“Platform-related indebtedness, a major finding in this year’s study, pertains to a situation where gig workers become indebted – to informal money lenders, vehicle companies, operators, and contractors – in the aspirational process of gaining access to platform work,” said Cheryll Ruth R. Soriano, the principal investigator at Fairwork Philippines, in a press statement.

“Only to experience financial insecurity as they assume the costs of production that platforms do not shoulder,” she added.

“The end result is the rider or driver being chained to platform labor for survival, working longer and harder hours to make a living.”

The study said that a two-wheel delivery rider earns a daily average of P750. Although above the minimum wage, daily work-related costs are not factored in, such as P150 for gas, P20 for mobile data load, P30 for vehicle maintenance and repairs, and a P90 daily charge of a monthly motorbike amortization.

After working for 11 hours, a rider is only left with P460 take-home pay on top of unpaid waiting hours, safety risks, and a lack of accessible insurance mechanisms, the study noted.

“Platforms must adopt measures that include free group life and accident insurance coverage,” said Virgel C. Binghay, a co-investigator at Fairwork Philippines. “Which should be accessible to workers, alongside assurances that their ability to work will not be limited during claims processing.”

“Platforms must have welcoming and responsive mechanisms to encourage workers to report experiences of bullying and harassment without consequences to their accounts, ratings, tiers, or incentives,” he added.

Prospects of regulation regarding the welfare of gig workers include the four Senate bills currently under consideration in the 19th Congress: Senate Bill (SB) 1234 or the Delivery Riders Protection Act; SB 1275 or the Delivery Platform Riders Protection Act of 2022; SB 1373 or the Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders, and Raketera Act of 2022; and SB 1385 or the Delivery Services Protection Act.

Fairwork noted that SB 1373 has outlined the most progressive proposal. “While it recognizes the possibility that gig workers may be declared as employees using the existing tests of the employment relationship, the Bill also provides stand-alone protections and standards of work regardless of the gig workers’ employment status,” it said.

Grab, Angkas, and JoyRide were sought to comment on the claims of the report. 

“JoyRide Philippines did not participate in any survey of Fairwork Philippines for the purpose of rating our MC Taxi (2-wheel) and JoyRide Car (4-wheel) services,” JoyRide said in a Viber statement to BusinessWorld. 

“JoyRide is not aware of the factual or legal basis of any and all reports of said company,” it added. 

Meanwhile, Grab responded with a study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 1,200 GrabFood two-wheeler driver experiences in the Philippines (Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao) conducted on July 2022. 

According to the ADB study, GrabFood delivery drivers reported positive feedback on their job experience due to three main reasons: flexibility in working hours, decent earnings (P5,699 per week), and independent working conditions. 

Additionally, about one-third of the drivers had an accident in the past 12 months. More than 70% of drivers were willing to pay for health insurance if affordable programs are made available. 

Based on data from the national statistics agency, the category of self-employed Filipinos in the transport sector increased to 14% in 2018, from 9% in 2012. This was the year when ride hailing and delivery platforms such as Grab, Uber, Lalamove, and Angkas became active in the market. 

Jayvy R. Gamboa, legal consultant at Fairwork Philippines, recommended the establishment of an inclusive legal framework granting living wages after cost, government-mandated social security and health insurance, and compensation and insurance coverage for work-related illness and injury.

“While delivery drivers were relatively well protected against COVID-19 by the vaccine, protection of worker welfare more broadly remains a key area for growth,” the ADB study said on GrabFood drivers. 

“Given the risk of accidents that drivers face on a daily basis, this can be supported by affordable medical insurance schemes [to] promote the sustainability of gig economy employment as an outlet for workers in times of economic crisis,” it added. 

“We hope platforms operating in the Philippines and the policy makers would follow suit in promoting critical and urgent pro -worker reforms,” said Tobias Kuttler, research associate at Fairwork. 

“If we do not attend to this now, we will have a large segment of our labor force in the near future that is physically depleted yet without access to insurance or protection, which reinforces cycles of insecurity and poverty,” Mr. Gamboa said. 

Explore BGC at night with vivo Y36

With the continued adoption of the digital lifestyle, sharing cherished events through images or videos has become second nature.

We need a smartphone that can capture moments superbly from day to night to enable such a lifestyle.

Most of us today, especially Millennials, Gen Zs, and Gen Alphas–love to take pictures and videos at night because of the dramatic city scenes when buildings, streetlights, and signages are all in a full magical glow. Having a mobile device that has an excellent night photography feature to rely on is vital.

Not only because it is difficult and pretty challenging to focus on the subject when it’s dark but because usually night photos and videos don’t come out as vivid, photogenic, and clear as compared to the ones taken during the daylight. This is primarily due to the low-light conditions at night.

With vivo Y36, capturing nighttime scenes at their best is easy! vivo consistently improves its smartphone devices.

In July 2023, it introduced vivo Y36 with a 50MP Super Night Algorithm feature that combines numerous exposures, as well as clever blueprints to improve details, eliminate noise, and create stunning images and videos with vibrant colors.

Let’s take you to some scenic views of BGC at night, the financial business district of Taguig City, Metro Manila, with vivo Y36.

Chill in Bonifacio High Street

Bonifacio High Street is the perfect place to be when you are looking for an area to rest, sit in, and relax after a long day of work or school.

From its luxurious shopping centers, boutiques, and restaurants that colorfully light up and become more lively at night, it is a place for relaxation that is worth taking pictures of and can be a worth it priceless possession as it manifests how spectacular nighttime landscapes can be.

By this means customers can use the vivo Y36 as their best companion to capture stunning night photos in this IG-worthy area in BGC.

The vivo Y36’s Super Night Algorithm leverages advanced computational photography techniques to significantly enhance the camera’s performance in low-light scenarios.

You can now capture clear and vivid images without the need for external lighting equipment.

Appreciate BGC Arts Center

Looking for a place unleashes your creativity at its fullest potential or highlights arts and culture? Well, BGC Arts Center is the place to visit!

Make your BGC Arts Center adventure at night a memorable one. Click and effortlessly capture images at night with vivo Y36. The phone has a user-friendly interface that makes it effortless for users to activate the Super Night Algorithm feature.

With a simple tap, you can switch to the dedicated night mode and experience instant improvement in photo quality. 

Al fresco dining in Forbes Town

Get away from the hustle of city life with al fresco dining in Forbes Town. It has bars, aesthetic cafes, and fine dining options with a stunning ambiance at night.

We all know that simply dining in without taking a perfect picture of the idyllic set-up would be a sin. Use the vivo Y36 to make your al fresco dining at night memorable.

Take home the vivo Y36 for only P12,999. Available in two colorways, Glitter Aqua and Meteor Black, you can now purchase the vivo on its official website, e-stores such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok, as well as physical stores nationwide.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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MR.DIY celebrates grand opening of 400th store in Baler, Aurora, alongside multiple store milestones nationwide

MR.DIY, the leading home improvement and lifestyle retailer, is gearing up for a monumental celebration as it opens its 400th store in the picturesque town of Baler, Aurora. This grand event will take place from Aug. 18 to Aug. 20, and promises an array of exciting activities, promotions, and giveaways for shoppers to enjoy. Simultaneously, MR.DIY will be commemorating the grand opening of several additional stores, reaffirming its commitment to serving communities across the Philippines.

MR.DIY BALER, AURORA STORE HIGHLIGHTS

MR.DIY Baler, Aurora Branch, MR.DIY Philippines’ 400th Store Milestone

The Baler store grand opening festivities will be a vibrant display of MR.DIY’s dedication to its customers. The event will kick off with a lively motorcade, setting the stage for the main attraction. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing will officially mark the store’s entrance into the Baler community graced by Aurora’s Local Government Officials together with MR.DIY’s CEO Roselle Marisol Andaya and MR.DIY’s Business Development Head Ferdinand Gasis. Customers will have the opportunity to take home MR.DIY fans and keychains as exclusive giveaways, and the beloved MR.DIY mascot, panda, will make an appearance to delight both young and old.

PROMOTIONS IN MR.DIY BALER, AURORA STORE

Shoppers visiting the Baler store from Aug. 18 to 20 are in for a treat with fantastic promotions:

Gift With Purchase: Customers who spend a minimum of P500 will receive a free Rainbow Umbrella or Trolley Bag.

Free Milk Tea: A delightful offer awaits those who spend at least P700, as they can savor free milk tea from Aug. 18 to 19.

Lucky Shopper Challenge: From Aug. 19 to 20, shoppers with a minimum spend of P1,000 can partake in the Pachinko game for a chance to win exciting freebies.

CELEBRATING NATIONWIDE EXPANSION:

MR.DIY’s celebration goes beyond Baler, as the company is also inaugurating several new stores across the nation. These branches include:

  • Porac, Pampanga
  • Prince Baybay
  • Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
  • Narra, Palawan
  • Talisay, Cebu
  • Cauayan, Negros Occidental

Each opening underlines MR.DIY’s commitment to providing convenient access to quality products for customers across various regions.

PROMOTIONS IN 400th+ STORES

In tandem with the grand opening celebration, the 400th+ MR.DIY stores will offer enticing promotions from Aug. 18 to 20:

Gift With Purchase: For a minimum spend of P500, shoppers will receive a complimentary Rainbow Umbrella, Trolley Bag, or water bottle, depending on branch availability.

Lucky Shopper Challenge: Shoppers who spend at least P1,000 on Aug. 19 will have a chance to win exciting freebies through the Pachinko game

MR.DIY’s 400th store milestone signifies not only a remarkable achievement for the company but also an opportunity for shoppers to experience exceptional products, services, and promotions that reflect MR.DIY’s dedication to customer satisfaction. With the grand opening in Baler, Aurora and the simultaneous celebration across multiple branches in the Philippines, MR.DIY is poised to make this an unforgettable event for all.

For more information about MR.DIY’s new stores and promotions, visit MR.DIY’s official website or follow /mrdiyPH on Facebook, and @mrdiy.philippines on Instagram and TikTok.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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One of the fastest-charging entry-level phones coming this Aug. 19

Rumor has it that one of the fastest-charging entry-level phones will enter the Philippine market this Aug. 19, 2023.

Recently released in countries like India and Malaysia, the upcoming vivo Y27 boasts a speedy 44W charging speed. Let’s dive into why charging rates are important these days.

Life in the digital era

Smartphones are becoming extremely vital resources in the digital era. They are used not only for communication, but also for other activities like photography, gaming, and entertainment.

For most people, it is troublesome to run out of juice as it holds them back from finishing their tasks, causing delays in their daily errands at school, work, and home.

That is why people need to own a phone that they can fully rely on in terms of battery capacity, usage efficiency, and especially, charging capability.

Bye bye battery anxiety

Say goodbye to battery anxiety as the upcoming vivo Y27 will sport a 44W fast charging feature that can recharge from 0 to 29% in just 15 minutes.

Allegedly, the phone may be one of the fastest-charging phones among its competitors in its price range. Although the official price has not been announced yet, it has been tipped that it may fall from Php 8,000 to 10,000.

Dangers of overcharging, things of the past

Apart from its 44W fast charging feature, vivo said that the phone has nighttime charging protection.

vivo claims that the AI-powered protection for nighttime charging will intelligently prevent overcharging and help extend battery lifespan.

Damaged phone, overheating, or worse, battery explosion? They may be things of the past with vivo Y27.

Know more about the upcoming vivo Y27 by following vivo’s website and official channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Building transparency and integrity: Quantity Solutions, Inc. pursues ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS) certification

From left to right: Ma. Nina M. Alejandro - SGS Representative, Juvy Ann B. Elnar - SGS Representative, Rhea A. Jamandre - QSI VP for Business Support and Quality Management Representative (QMR) and Engr. Noel M. Marcelino QSI Director for QS Operations Mechanical and Deputy for Quality Management Representative (DQMR)

In today’s business landscape, maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring transparency in operations is critical for sustainable success. In line with this philosophy, many organizations are actively seeking accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to ethical behavior and anti-bribery practices. Quantity Solutions is determined to be the first quantity surveying firm in the Philippines to acquire ISO 37001:2016 certification, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to integrity, accountability, and compliance.

In a strategic move to solidify its commitment to upholding ethical standards and combatting corruption, QSI has partnered with SGS Philippines, a distinguished leader in certification and auditing services. This partnership has been forged with the primary objective of successfully obtaining the ISO 37001:2016 Certification, a globally recognized standard for anti-bribery management systems. By partnering with SGS Philippines, a company renowned for its expertise in evaluating and verifying adherence to international standards, QSI is set to embark on a journey toward ensuring absolute integrity, transparency, and compliance in all aspects of its operations.

By pursuing ISO 37001:2016 certification, Quantity Solutions Inc. aims to identify and assess potential bribery risks that may exist in its operations. Quantity Solutions Inc. recognizes that understanding these risks is crucial to developing preventive measures. Through meticulous due diligence, the company will thoroughly evaluate its relationships with suppliers, clients, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all interactions are conducted with the highest level of integrity. This proactive approach will strengthen the company’s ability to detect and promptly address bribery.

The acquisition of ISO 37001:2016 certification serves as a testament to Quantity Solutions Inc’s commitment to ethical behavior and anti-bribery practices. By obtaining this globally recognized standard, the company aims to build trust among its stakeholders, including clients, partners, employees, and investors. The certification serves as a differentiator in a competitive industry by providing external validation of the company’s commitment to conducting business with the utmost integrity.

Learn more about Quantity Solutions, Inc. at www.quantitysolution.com.

 

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