Get the picture?

June 22, 2022 | 5:55 pm

WITH THE RISE of social media and blogs as now the primary source of information and news (over 65%) for the public, photos have taken a significant amount of space. Who really wants to read text and long analysis (like this piece)? Even a 30-second TikTok, sometimes an elaborate joke with a punch line, has to be engaging enough not to be swiped left too soon.

Photographs, increasingly digital and internet-bound, are accepted as the best record that an event has taken place. This assumption drives the need to set up photo opportunities to publicize such mundane events like starting of the construction of a new condo with personalities in hard hats, with beribboned shovels at hand in the pretend act of digging the foundations of a 50-story edifice, or that ubiquitous “armpit shot” of winners, hands raised by declarers and declarees of an election contest.

These prearranged settings and body placements, as well as attire, are staged using cinematic art directing for, say, high-priced weddings. The old “firing squad” photos of a wedding couple with their entourage of parents and godparents are giving way to depictions of unrestrained revelry. Gravity-defying jumps and gawky arm flexing are immortalized. Even through the pandemic, quiet weddings with few guests tried to dress up the couple and pick such exotic locations as a volcanic eruption in the background. Photos are posted on social media before the ashfall.

Photo opportunities are not limited to people. Fancy homes of non-celebrities (somewhere in Makati) are posted by interior decorators to show off their stuff. These shots of colorful sofas and paintings hung against white walls are unadorned by people. Still, they provide a cache for the classier set.

The photo revolution has reached out to the ordinary folks. Jejune occasions like eating out with the family comes complete with photos of dishes before they are eaten (yes, even tempura); foreign trips with the Eiffel Tower in the background are sent to Viber groups (Just bonding with the family in Paris now that the restrictions have been lifted); declarations of a “special relationship” announced by celebrities with a photo of cuddling on a hammock fully clothed, eyes locked on each other — you got a booger up your nose, Dear.

By the time it comes out, a photo release (pictures with explanatory words sometimes unrelated to them) can announce an event that had taken place weeks before, and already widely known by the cognoscenti.

The photo op has now become a political tool that takes advantage of the short attention span (some say five seconds to get engagement) that has been induced by social media and its unlimited and varied offerings.

Is it any wonder that the candidate averse to interviews and debates during the campaign, and now the winner of that contest making it clear that those supposedly revealing encounters have been rendered irrelevant, has now continued to rely on art-directed photos to communicate his policies and priorities? (His wardrobe has been upgraded.)

Meetings with cabinet appointees and foreign dignitaries are photographed to show the leader at work already. Glitches (errata) with the wrong designations (No, he is no longer budget secretary) and even names are instantly corrected by the new designate for the communications office — please ignore the previous release.

There are some benefits for this brand of “photojournalism,” especially for a timid subject.

There is no need to answer any questions or explain the details of a meeting or even what was discussed. The photo of adult males around a table, curiously without any pieces of paper for notetaking in front of anyone, is enough to suggest men hard at work. They were surely asked to dress up for the occasion. And there will be several photos to choose from, before the drinks and pork rinds are served.

No questions need to be answered afterwards by any of the “participants.” Isn’t the photo enough to show the start of economic recovery?

Photos are also used by job applicants, showing proximity to the new leader, celebrating the victory party, with a bottle at hand. Is he going to be designated chief of GSIS? This release is by the applicant himself.

A picture is said to be worth a thousand words. But it’s the caption that defines a leader who accepts exposure… but not its risks.

Tony Samson is chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda

ar.samson@yahoo.com

Human interaction trumps technology in customer support

June 22, 2022 | 4:42 pm

Filipino consumers still prefer human support even if automation is on the rise. According to a February 2022 Forrester Consulting study, human touchpoints in hybrid experiences are pivotal in improving customer experience (CX).

The study, commissioned by omnichannel communications company Infobip, suggested a strong correlation in the value of human agent interactions when addressing highly emotional or complex cases.

The top three customer service touchpoints preferred by Filipino consumers are human agents over the phone (42%), online live chat (33%), and social media (31%).

Across all the markets surveyed, phone calls were also the top preferred interaction touchpoint in all support scenarios: from pre-sales to post-sales support, and all the way to feedback and complaints.

Self-service touchpoints were deemed sufficient for less complex requests like delivery tracking.

In terms of CX score, the Philippines at 3.9 sits between China (4.0) and Malaysia (3.8). Improving CX scores, the study found, correlates to an improvement in advocacy (82%), retention (80%), and spending (77%) for brands.

“To cater to the unique demands in customer experience, business leaders need to find the right balance in combining the deployment of both digital and human touchpoints to improve the customer experience journey,” said Charist Montenegro, country manager of Infobip Philippines, in a press statement. “The right technologies are also needed to complement this hybrid strategy to be able to take full advantage of the benefits that excellent CX can bring to the business.”

Forrester Consulting also found four personas among Filipino consumers that brands must tailor their CX strategies to: affluent hybrid shoppers (45%) who use digital and human channels interchangeably; reserved high-touch seekers (26%) who are inclined to human touchpoints; neutrals (17%) who remain hesitant to switch among touchpoints; and low-touch digital natives (12%) who opt for digital CX.

The different interaction preferences across personas necessitates mapping customer journeys to determine where automation and human support are best placed.

According to the study, self-serve experiences such as automated chatbot support are suited to low-touch digital natives. Affluent hybrid shoppers, meanwhile, require an omnichannel experience between human-assisted and digital touchpoints. — Patricia B. Mirasol

“Redefining Human and Automated Engagement – How APAC Consumers Have Impacted The CX Agenda” is a custom study of 1,210 consumers across mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam, to highlight the strategic components needed to build a hybrid CX. The study discovered the majority of those surveyed interacted with a financial service, retail, or telco service provider in the past 6 months for purchase and/or customer service and support.

US Senate advances first significant gun legislation in decades

June 22, 2022 | 4:14 pm

WASHINGTON — The US Senate took an initial step towards passing the country’s first major gun-control legislation in decades on Tuesday, galvanized by two mass shootings in a nation that has long struggled to curb chronic gun violence. Senators voted to speed passage of a bipartisan package of measures to toughen federal gun laws. The Senate is expected to vote on the 80-page bill this week before a two-week recess.

The bill unveiled on Tuesday does not go as far as Democrats, including President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., had sought. Still, if passed, it would be the most significant action to combat gun violence to emerge from Congress in years.

The legislation includes provisions that would help states keep guns out of the hands of those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others and close the so-called boyfriend loophole by blocking gun sales to those convicted of abusing unmarried intimate partners.

After mass shootings at a New York grocery store and a Texas elementary school that authorities said were committed by teenagers, the legislation would allow states to provide juvenile records to the national background check system for gun purchases.

The bill stops short of raising the age limit from 18 to 21 on purchases of automatic assault weapons. The shooters in both Texas and New York were 18-year-olds who used assault rifles they bought themselves.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he expected the bill to pass this week, while Senator Chris Murphy, the lead Democrat in talks to craft a legislative deal with Republicans, called it “the most significant piece of anti-gun-violence legislation Congress will have passed in 30 years.”

“This is a breakthrough,” Mr. Murphy said on the Senate floor ahead of the bill’s release. “And more importantly, it is a bipartisan breakthrough.”

The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, called the legislation “a commonsense package” and pledged his support.

With the 100-seat Senate split evenly between the two parties, the legislation will need support from at least 10 Republicans to pass a procedural hurdle. Fourteen Republicans, including Mr. McConnell, joined all 50 Democrats to move toward voting on the legislation.

The biggest gun lobby in the country, the National Rifle Association, said on Twitter that it opposed the legislation because it could be abused to restrict lawful gun purchases. The politically powerful group’s statement could affect how many Republicans vote on the measure.

Senator John Cornyn, the lead Republican negotiator in the bipartisan talks, held out hope the legislation would succeed.

“We know there’s no such thing as a perfect piece of legislation. We are imperfect human beings. But we have to try, and I believe this bill is a step in the right direction,” Mr. Cornyn said on the Senate floor.

The bipartisan group has been working on a deal to curb gun violence since a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, less than two weeks after 10 people were killed in a racist shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

Lawmakers reached agreement on a provision to encourage states to adopt “red flag” laws, in which guns can be temporarily taken away from people who are deemed dangerous. It also provides funding for states that use other forms of intervention to accomplish the same outcome.

The bill also aims to close the “boyfriend loophole” by allowing authorities to block gun purchases by those convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse against partners to whom they are not married. — David Morgan and Moira Warburton/Reuters

South Korea reports first confirmed monkeypox case, steps up monitoring

June 22, 2022 | 3:56 pm

SEOUL – South Korea on Wednesday confirmed its first case of monkeypox virus and pledged to strengthen monitoring and response systems as it raised the alert level to “caution” for the infectious disease.

A Korean citizen, who is receiving treatment at the Incheon Medical Center after showing symptoms while entering the country from Germany on Tuesday afternoon, has tested positive, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. It did not provide details of the individual.

The agency raised the alert level for the infectious disease to “caution”, the second of the country’s four levels, upon confirmation of the virus case.

It said it will step up monitoring by designating areas that require strengthened quarantine management, mainly among people from countries where monkeypox occurs frequently.

“The KDCA has been pushing for utilizing secured (monkeypox) vaccines and treatments … and additional introduction of those, while the agency is continuously expanding its diagnostic testing capabilities,” KDCA Commissioner Peck Kyong-ran said.

“Among those who have been exposed (to monkeypox virus) through physical contact with confirmed patients, those with medium or high risks will receive vaccination under their consent,” Peck said.

The country, however, is not currently reviewing ring vaccination for monkeypox, she added.

Earlier on Wednesday, KDCA reported two suspected cases of monkeypox virus, but the other case, a foreign national who entered the country on Monday after showing symptoms of blisters and sore throat, tested negative. The agency said this patient was diagnosed with another disease without giving details.

Separately on Wednesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered health authority to “step up quarantine management of foreign entrants at airports … and to be fully prepared to distribute vaccines and treatments to the medical field.”

Yoon also ordered to swiftly complete the introduction of third-generation vaccines and antiviral drugs for monkeypox.

Earlier in June, South Korea designated monkeypox as a second-degree infectious disease, according to its four-tier system, with 22 contagious diseases including COVID-19, cholera and chickenpox being included in the same category. – Reuters

Inside the hangar at the center of the $1-billion Airbus-Qatar jet dispute

June 22, 2022 | 3:54 pm

DOHA — Two high-tech Airbus A350 jets sit idle with their windows taped and engines covered in a floodlit hangar in the Gulf, hobbled by an international legal dispute between European industrial giant Airbus AIR.PA and Qatar’s national carrier.

From a distance, the planes might seem like any other long-haul jetliners crowding the busy Doha hub. But a rare on-site visit by Reuters journalists showed what appeared to be evidence of damage to the surface of wingtips, tail and hull.

The two planes, worth around $300 million combined according to analysts, are among 23 grounded A350s at the center of a $1-billion London court battle over whether the damage represents a potential safety risk, something Airbus strongly denies.

The planes were grounded by Qatar’s regulator after premature paint erosion exposed damage to a metallic sub-layer that provides protection to the fuselage from lightning strikes.

Other airlines continue to fly the A350 after European regulators declared the aircraft safe.

Reuters journalists were granted rare first-hand access after requesting the visit on the sidelines of an airline industry meeting in the Qatari capital, Doha, this week.

Sporadic surface flaws on the A350s viewed by Reuters included an elongated stretch of blistered and cracked or missing paint along the roof or crown of the jets.

In some areas, the protective lightning mesh that sits between the hull and the paint appeared exposed and corroded.

In other parts it appeared to be missing, leaving areas of the composite hull of the aircraft exposed to the environments.

The paint on the tail of one of the A350s emblazoned with Qatar Airways’ maroon Arabian Oryx emblem was pockmarked by cracked and missing paint that exposed the layer beneath.

Airbus and Qatar Airways had no immediate comment on Reuters’ findings.

EROSION
Airbus acknowledges quality flaws to the A350s, but denies they pose any safety risk because of the amount of backup systems and tolerance built into design.

Qatar Airways has argued this can’t be known until further analysis, and is refusing to take more of the planes.

Airbus has argued that some paint erosion is a feature of the carbon-composite technology used to build all modern long-haul jets — a necessary trade-off for weight savings.

It says the cracks are caused by the way paint, anti-lightning material called ECF and the composite structure interact. The tail does not all contain the ECF foil, prompting a technical debate over whether the damage there is caused by the same problem.

Amid hundreds of pages of conflicting technical court filings presented by both sides, Reuters has not been able to verify independently the cause of the damage.

Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and Airbus Chief Executive Guillaume Faury had the opportunity to mingle during the three-day industry gathering in Qatar this week.

Asked whether the relationship had improved after the event, which included the two men seated next to each other over dinner, Al Baker suggested the two sides remain far apart.

“On a personal level I am friends with everyone but when it comes to an issue with my company, then it’s a different story. If things were settled, we would not be still waiting for a trial to happen next year,” he told a news conference.

Faury said this week he was in discussion with the airline and reported “progress in the sense that we are communicating”.

One of the airline industry’s most senior officials voiced concerns after the Doha meeting that the dispute could have a toxic effect on contractual ties across the industry.

“It would be much better if we were dealing with friends that than dealing in the courts,” Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told reporters. — Reuters

Biden expected to call on Wednesday for suspending the federal gas tax, source says

June 22, 2022 | 3:50 pm

WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden is expected on Wednesday to call for temporarily suspending the 18.4-cents a gallon federal tax on gasoline, a source briefed on the plan told Reuters on Tuesday.

Mr. Biden said Monday he was considering whether to call for a pause in the tax, as the United States struggles to tackle soaring gasoline prices and inflation. A gas tax holiday faces significant opposition in Congress, including among many Democrats. The plan was reported earlier by Punchbowl News.

The White House, which said Mr. Biden will deliver remarks on gas prices at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, declined to comment.

High gasoline prices pose a significant political problem for Biden and congressional Democrats as they struggle to maintain their slim control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, on Tuesday called on Biden to support suspending the gas tax saying “getting this done will offer real, immediate relief without compromising the federal government’s ability to make infrastructure investments.”

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chair Peter DeFazio, a Democrat, said “suspending the federal gas tax will not provide meaningful relief at the pump for American families, but it will blow a multi-billion-dollar hole in the highway trust fund.”

Republicans are widely opposed to the gas tax suspension. In February, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell ridiculed a suspension backed by some Democrats, saying “they’ve spent an entire year waging a holy war on affordable American energy.”

Mr. Biden has pulled on numerous levers to try to lower prices, including a record release of barrels from U.S. strategic reserves, waivers on rules for producing summer gasoline, and leaning on major OPEC countries to boost output.

Fuel prices have been surging around the world due to a combination of rebounding demand, sanctions on oil producer Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and a squeeze on refining capacity. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”.

On June 11, the price of U.S. gasoline averaged more than $5 a gallon for the first time, data from AAA showed. It was $4.97 on Tuesday.

Adjusting for inflation, the U.S. gasoline average was still below June 2008 highs of around $5.41 a gallon, according to U.S. Energy Department figures. – Reuters

BusinessWorld Insights: Fintech Space as the Thriving Ground for Upgrading Financial Services

June 22, 2022 | 3:39 pm

Amid the pandemic-driven acceleration of digital transactions, several players have entered the Philippine fintech space to offer various financial services. Among these companies, those in the lending, payment, and e-wallet sectors currently take the top shares in the fintech space, as noted in the latest Philippines Fintech Report of Fintech News Philippines and FinTech Alliance.PH. These sectors, along with other areas like cryptocurrency, are set to shape not only the country’s fintech industry but also the overall delivery of financial services to Filipinos.

This June 22 (Wednesday) at 11 a.m., join the first session of the two-part BusinessWorld Insights series themed “Fintech PH: Making Financial Services More Accessible and Inclusive” LIVE and FREE together with high-caliber speakers and experts in an intelligent online discussion about today’s most relevant issues to help the country accelerate the push for a more financially inclusive and resilient economy through our thriving fintech industry.

This session of #BUSINESSWORLDINSIGHTS is sponsored by Maya and supported by the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and The Philippine STAR.

Taiwan scrambles jets to warn away Chinese planes in its air defense zone

June 22, 2022 | 3:35 pm

TAIPEI — Taiwan scrambled jets on Tuesday to warn away 29 Chinese aircraft in its air defense zone, including bombers that flew south of the island and into the Pacific, in the latest uptick in tensions and largest incursion since late May.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained in recent years of repeated missions by the Chinese air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

Taiwan calls China’s repeated nearby military activities “grey zone” warfare, designed to both wear out Taiwanese forces by making them repeatedly scramble, and also to test Taiwanese responses.

The latest Chinese mission included 17 fighters and six H-6 bombers, as well as electronic warfare, early warning, antisubmarine and aerial refuelling aircraft, Taiwan’s defense ministry said.

Some of the aircraft flew northeast of the Pratas, according to a map the ministry provided.

However, the bombers, accompanied by an electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft, flew into the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines and into the Pacific, before turning back to China on the same route.

Taiwan sent combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems monitored them, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response.

It was the largest incursion since Taiwan reported 30 Chinese aircraft in its ADIZ on May 30. The largest to date this year occurred on Jan. 23, involving 39 aircraft.

There was no immediate comment from China, which has in the past said that such moves were drills aimed at protecting the country’s sovereignty.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Wednesday the large-scale exercise by the Chinese military showed China’s military threat is “more serious than ever”.

“But there’s no way #Taiwan will cave in & surrender its sovereignty & democracy to the big bully. Not a chance!,” Wu said on Twitter.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters in an email that Beijing should “cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and intimidation against Taiwan”.

China launched its third aircraft carrier on Friday, the Fujian, named after the province opposite Taiwan.

China’s military said last month it had conducted an exercise around Taiwan as a “solemn warning” against its “collusion” with the United States.

That came after U.S. President Joe Biden angered China by appearing to signal a change in a U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan by saying the United States would get involved militarily if China were to attack the island.

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan to accept its sovereignty claims. The Taipei government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.

No shots have been fired and the Chinese aircraft have not been flying in Taiwan’s air space, but in its ADIZ, a broader area Taiwan monitors and patrols that acts to give it more time to respond to any threats. — Reuters

When queens come together, awra wins

June 22, 2022 | 1:20 pm

Silka Photo 1 — Awra Queens at Cosmetique Asia Plant: The Binibining Pilipinas Candidates with key people behind Silka, (From left to right) Senior Brand Specialist Jioie Anne Ragel, VP Finance & Purchasing Jane Co, Chief Finance Officer Juanito Co, Senior Brand Manager Eunice Apple De Belen, and Senior Brand Associate Alexis Marizz Gloria.

That one beautiful Awra Day: Binibining Pilipinas at the Silka Cosmetique Asia Corp. plant

It happened because of their kindred purpose.

For decades, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. has been at the forefront of discovering and nurturing accomplished, beautiful Filipinas for the national and world stage of beauty pageants. Cosmetique Asia Corp., makers of SILKA, the country’s no. 1 beauty soap has been empowering countless women and their families for more than twenty years, instilling in them their naturally fair and beautiful skin, giving them the confidence to step out into the world, with their very own AWRA enabling them to shine through.

Welcoming of the Queens: Engr. Sherwin Vaflor, the plant’s Manufacturing Director, welcomes the Awra Queens to the Cosmetique Asia Plant.

A partnership between the two is now in its second year and it can only be described as a perfect match. In fact, another milestone was reached in their shared history, as on May 24, 2022, on a bright Tuesday morning, Cosmetique Asia Corp. and SILKA hosted the Binibining Pilipinas candidates in a tour of its world-class manufacturing plant. Dubbed as the “AWRA DAY WITH THE QUEENS,” 39 beautiful candidates discovered how the no. 1 beauty soap in the country, SILKA, is produced, packed and eventually finds its way to homes all over the country, even as they indulged in some fun activities that brought out their competitive streaks.

The 39 Queens arrived at the Plaridel, Bulacan plant of Cosmetique Asia Corp. early in the morning. They were promptly awed by the plant fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and peopled by executives and personnel. They basked in the warm welcome of employees in the soap and lotion production lines who were only too happy to share their day with the Queens.

Inspirational talk from Silka: Senior Brand Manager, Eunice Apple De Belen, talks about the value of the Binibining Pilipinas and Silka partnership.

Speeches from key people behind SILKA were ahead on the agenda. First, Senior Brand Manager Eunice Apple De Belen articulated that the partnership of the brand with Binibining Pilipinas is all about providing young women the reinforcement to inspire, and to impact society. A great follow-up was Engr. Sherwin Vaflor, the plant’s Manufacturing Director, who reiterated that it is but proper that the 39 beauties from around the Philippines, get up close and personal with the plant where the #1 beauty soap of the county is being manufactured. The pillars of Cosmetique Asia Corp. themselves graced the event, Ms. Juanita Co, Chief Finance Officer; and Ms. Jane Co, VP for Finance and Purchasing, who even gamely joined all the queens for a photo op.

With a fully packed schedule, the plant visit had the 39 Queens dressed out of their high heels and into lab coats, hair nets, and shoe covers to prepare them to experience the SILKA manufacturing process. Volunteer Queens were able to pack, cap, and box SILKA lotions and soaps. Helpful plant employees mentored them, showing them the science and the art of how the packaging is completed, while they shared production know-how on the different machines in the packaging line.

Touring the Awra Queens Around a World-Class Facility: The Awra Queens experience the Silka manufacturing process with the guidance of CAC’s plant personnel.

All the Awra Queens were immersed with the manufacturing process, but they had time to soak up some fun, too! As they changed back into their Awra clothes, they took on the first game — “Ready, Set, Awra” — and the one who imitated the Awra poses best, won. With everyone prepped up for the second game, “SILKA Stack-O,” towers of SILKA soap boxes, lotions, and PR kits rose before the eyes of the audience, clinching for their builders the winning titles.

All the Queens who participated received 1 bayong filled with SILKA products along with bragging rights of having won over their fellow candidates.

Everybody went home a winner that day: to nicely cap a day of beauty and Awra, each queen was gifted a loot bag of SILKA products, packed in 1 PR Kit and 1 Eco Bag filled to the brim. Top of the list of goodies is of course, the no. 1 beauty soap in the Philippines, Silka Soap with whitening efficacy and VitaRich actives, together with the ever-essential Silka Body Lotion with papaya enzyme, Nutriblend complex, Vita-Absorb technology and SPF6. To complete their Awra beauty regimens, the Queens’ loot bags also came with the more high-end, first-class Silka Premium Whitening Lotion with SPF30 plus UVB & UVA that whitens as early as 7 days! The queens gushed over the new Silka Foaming Wash that will leave their skin smooth, bright and clean, as it removes bacteria, oil, makeup, and pollutants. More so, they excitedly discovered more of the best of SILKA with the super-specialized Silka Facial Cleanser — with variants Papaya for classic whitening, Green Papaya for intense whitening, Avocado for moisturizing, Calamansi for energizing, and Clear for pore minimizing.

The AWRA queens are now closer to their dreams. As every day is a new day, they were sent off with all the beauty and confidence that can be theirs with SILKA.

As the official skincare partner of Binibining Pilipinas, come coronation night, one deserving candidate will be awarded the title Binibining Silka 2022 and will become the next face of the Silka brand! One who embodies and exudes the Silka brand of beauty, a true queen inside and out, the one who inspires and radiates “Bagong Araw, Bagong Awra” will be crowned Binibining Silka 2022. She will receive not only the title and recognition, but also P75,000 in cash and P25,000 worth of Silka products!

Coronation night is fast approaching and that will be the day: Bagong Araw, Bagong Awra for the Queens of Binibining Pilipinas and SILKA!

#BagongArawBagongAwra #SilkaxBbPilipinas2022 #AwraQueen

You can find out more about Silka using the following links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilkaSkincare
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silkaskincare/
Tiktok: silkaskincare https://www.tiktok.com/@silkaskincare
Shopee: https://shopee.ph/cosmetiqueasiacorp
Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/silka-skincare-store
Zalora: https://www.zalora.com.ph/catalog/?q=silka

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Sun Life upskills advisors to serve business owner clients

June 22, 2022 | 12:03 pm

Sun Life Chief Client Experience & Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. is empowering its advisors to serve the unique needs of Filipino business owners by beefing up its Family Business and Wealth Advisory Program (FBWA).

A pioneering initiative in the life insurance industry, the program was launched in 2019 and had Wong + Bernstein Family Advisory Group Family Business Coach and Strategic Adviser Prof. Enrique Soriano as trainer.

The program shifted to virtual classes as the lockdowns began and recently held the graduation for its third batch of advisors.

“Sun Life is committed to serving the unique needs of Filipinos entrepreneurs, especially at this crucial time as they strive to rise above the pandemic and secure their businesses for the future,” Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong said. “FBWA stands for our determination to be their partner for life through every stage of their business.”

Sun Life is set to roll out FBWA to more of its advisors to enable the company to reach as many business owners as possible.

Complementing FBWA is Sun Future Proof, a program designed with a business owner’s journey in mind, bringing together financial education and financial solutions to help them achieve both business and personal goals.

Meanwhile, Sun Life also offers the Business Owner Insurance Packages, which are product bundles designed to address the financial needs of entrepreneurs both for their business and personal goals. The options include BIP Emergency Fund + Lifetime Protection, BIP Health Protection, BIP Education Fund, BIP Key Employee Protection, BIP Partner/Shareholder Protection, BIP Retirement Fund, and BIP Estate Protection.

“Filipino entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy. With the right financial products and sound financial advice, they can achieve more and help our country recover from the pandemic,” Gonzalez-Chong said. “Sun Life is here to help them make it happen.”

Those interested to know more about the Sun Future Proof program are encouraged to talk to their Sun Life advisor or connect with one via http://www.sunlife.co/TalkToAnAdvisor.

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 Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines celebrates 100 years of trusted service

June 22, 2022 | 9:39 am

Isla Lipana & Co. partners and staff — The partners and staff during an annual New Year Cocktails event at the Makati main office.

Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network, celebrates its 100th year today, marking a century of delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services in the Philippines.

On 22 June 1922, Scottish accountants Charles P. White and Percival S. Page established White, Page & Co., one of the earliest accounting firms in the country. The firm had undergone several name changes since Flipinos took the helm at the end of the second World War. From 1964, Joaquin Cunanan & Co. became a brand associated with quality and integrity for over 40 years. The legacy remains with Isla Lipana & Co., the name we adopted in 2005.

Former Chairman and Senior Partner Joaquin Cunanan (foreground) with partners when the firm’s name was Joaquin Cunanan & Co.

The firm became the first local accounting firm to have international affiliation when it was designated as the official Price Waterhouse correspondent in the Philippines in 1958. On 1 July 1998, the merger of two venerable firms — Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand — created PwC.

Chairman and Senior Partner Roderick Danao reflects on the firm’s longevity in the business. “Even through periods of economic disruptions and political upheavals, the firm has grown steadily at its own pace. We chose to hold onto timeless values from our predecessors, and translated into the current core values of PwC: acting with integrity, making a difference, care, working together and reimagining the possible. These carried us through difficult decisions and exciting wins, as we strive to fulfill our purpose in PwC: to build trust in society and solve important problems.”

Chairman and Senior Partner Roderick Danao (left) and Chairman Emeritus & ESG Leader Alexander Cabrera.

Eyeing the firm’s next 100 years, Chairman Emeritus and ESG Leader Alexander Cabrera shares: “I can’t help but be proud of how we as a firm have evolved. For us, integrity always comes first, with innovation a close second — it’s where our now 45 partners and 2,000 professional staff invest much of their time in. Along with our assurance, tax and business advisory services, we now bring new services for present-day urgencies: digital technology and IT infrastructure, data and analytics, forensics, IPO readiness, M&A advisory, value creation, and ESG strategy and reporting.”

Special logo to commemorate the firm’s centennial.

Isla Lipana & Co. serves its clients and stakeholders through its main office in Makati City, and offices in Cebu, Iloilo and Davao, and affiliate member firms at Pasig City and Brunei Darussalam.

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Golden MV Holdings, Inc. to hold annual meeting of stockholders on July 15

June 22, 2022 | 8:00 am

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