Get a taste of your best life at Maxicare MAXIFEST

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, highlighted new and interesting ways to improve one’s fitness level in its highly anticipated family fitness event, Maxicare MAXIFEST: Live Your Best Life held at Central Park SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

“Getting fit is always better when it is done together with friends and loved ones. By gathering thousands of runners and fitness enthusiasts, we are able to build and live a better life through exercise and proper nutrition. At the same time, we hope this event helps us spread awareness on the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle, to encourage others to live healthy as well," said Maxicare Healthcare Corporation president and CEO Christian Argos.

Banding together thousands of runners and health enthusiasts, MAXIFEST took family bonding to the next level as celebrity couple Drew Arellano and Iya Villania joined the fun while sharing their insights on fitness and wellness. Drew is fond of triathlons, and enjoys sports like hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and surfing, among others; while Iya is also known for living an active lifestyle. She does CrossFit, even when she was pregnant with her second child.

Maxicare has partnered with one of the premiere race organizers in the country, RUNRIO, Inc., for an exhilarating MAXIFEST run which will feature a 500-meter dash for three to 12-year-old kids, a 2k Senior Sprint for 60-year-olds and above, the basic 3k, the easy distance of 5k, and the athletic 10k and 16k.

Aside from the run, Maxicare Market, a one-stop shop for ready-to-eat plant-based alternatives, was also featured where over 50 food stalls promoted health and wellness through plant-based nutrition.

The highlight of Maxicare MAXIFEST was setting a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously with the help of thousands of runners and guests who were given a Maxibear, Maxicare’s official stuffed plushie.

This was done to help support the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event. Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

The highlight of Maxicare MAXIFEST was setting a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously with the help of thousands of runners and guests who were given a Maxibear, Maxicare’s official stuffed plushie.

This was done to help support the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event. Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

Sun Life - 2020 looks more brighter for PH economy

Last Friday December 6, 2019, held at Discovery Primea Ayala Avenue Makati City held a press conference  which entitled Sunlife's Market Outlook for brighter economy on 2020 .

The Philippines' economy is projected get better and grow faster based on the observation of Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc.

According to Sun Life Chief Investments Officer Michael Enriquez, after reviewing the fundamentals, they are confident that the economy is set to significantly improve in the coming year. "While we can still expect challenges along the way, these should be tolerable and may be balanced by the positive developments."

Some of the factors that are in a favorable position to act as a springboard for the Philippine economy in 2020 are lower prices and accelerated government spending.

 "While inflation fell to a low of 0.8B in October 2019, we expect prices to slowly inch up as we foresee the year 2020 inflation at 24%. This figure is much lower than 2018 inflation of 5.21%," Enriquez added.

Sun Life also expects the government to go full force on capital outlays, with the administration having only two year left in its mandate.

Meanwhile, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) may also be in for a spike. According to Enriquez. Sun Life sees a 2019 GDP of 5.8% with the 2020 GDP getting stronger at 7%, strongly caused by the combination of base-effects, the recovery of consumer spending, and a stronger government spending adapting from the errors leading to the budget delay of 2019.

For currency, Enriquez said that a range of PHP 50.70 to PHP 52.50 to a dollar is possible "Our year-2019 USDPHP forecast is at 51.00, and 2020 slightly higher at 52.50, he explained.

For equities, although this year proved to be fairly volatile in nature, Sun Life expects the Philippine Stock Exchange index to end at 8.600 on a best-case scenario. "Our PSEI target for 2020 is at 9.460 with a price-earnings multiple of 18.2 times, while we foresee the earnings to have a growth rate of 10.40%, Enriquez mentioned.

DISCLAIMER Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI makes representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information  thisd This material was prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended provide, and should not be led on for investment accountinglegal or tax advice. Projections contained herein are not to be fed upon as advice or interpreted as a recommendation.

SEA Games 2019 recognized as best ever, receives SPIA Asia 2019 Excellence Award

Senator Manny Pacquiao and Naomi Osaka winners of Asian Sportsman and Asian Sportswoman of the Year

MANILA – No amount of rain was going to stop these honors from being handed out. With Typhoon Tisoy raging outside, SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference, held its fifth edition at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City Philippines on December 2 and 3, 2019. After two days of panels, case studies, and interviews on the business of sports, the business of football in Asia, sports and new technology, sports and tourism, and integrity and inclusion, the SPIA Asia Awards were also handed out, recognizing and celebrating sporting excellence of the industry,

For hosting the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) was awarded a special Excellence Award by SPIA. PHISGOC Chairman and Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano received the honor from SPIA Chief Executive Officer Eric Gottschalk.

Football legend Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, more popularly known simply as Ronaldo, was awarded the Sport and Beyond Award, an honor celebrating both his career as a legendary footballer as well as his accomplishments beyond the football pitch. The three-time FIFA Footballer of the Year, two-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, and three-time winner of the FIFA World Cup was a goal-scoring machine for Brazil on the international stage and for club teams like FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid CF, A.C. Milan, and Corinthians. Following his retirement from competition, “El Fenomeno” became the majority owner of Real Valladolid in 2018 and hopes to bring the club to new heights.

L-R) MMC Sportz Marketing LLC CEO Eric Gottschalk, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband and Dr. Edwin Moses. 

The Best Asian Sports Team honor was handed to the Japanese Rugby Team who shocked the world at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they served as hosts. After winning the Pacific Nations Cup earlier in the year, Japan was grouped with Russia, Ireland, Samoa, and Scotland. The Brave Blossoms’ 28-21 win over Scotland made them the first Asian team to top their group at the Rugby World Cup and the first Asian team to make it to the knockout stage.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka was named Best Asian Sportswoman of the Year. After being named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, Osaka famously defeated Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 US Open to become the first Japanese Grand Slam singles champion. She followed that up by defeating Petra Kvitova to win the 2019 Australian Open and became the first Asian player to be ranked first in the world in singles. Only 22-years-old, many believe that the best is yet to come for Osaka.

As if he doesn’t have enough accolades already, the only eight-division boxing champion in history, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, was awarded the Best Asian Sportsman of the Year. Pacquiao started the year by retaining the WBA (Regular) welterweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision over Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seven months later at the same venue, “the Pac-Man” won the WBA (Super) welterweight championship via a 12-round split decision over Keith Thurman.

PHISGOC’s Ramon Suzara, Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham Tolentino, MMC Sportz Marketing LLC CEO Eric Gottschalk, Dr. Edwin Moses, Speaker Peter Alan Cayetano, Ronaldo Nazario and PHISGOC’s Jojit Alcazar

Other notable winners at the SPIA Awards included The Chongqing Major as Best eSports Event of the Year in Asia, Shopee and Cristiano Ronaldo from SportQuake as Best Brand Activation of the Year, Atrium Sports – Kilsyth Basketball Connected Stadium from Atrium Sports with the Best Use of Technology in Sports, the Rugby World Cup in Japan from World Rugby/Rugby World Cup Limited won both Best International Sporting Event of the Year and Best Sports Digital Platform of the Year, while the WTA Finals 2018 from Lagardere Sports of Singapore was named Best Integrated Marketing Campaign of the Year.

The Best Mass Participation Event in the Philippines was given to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the National Milo Marathon while Honda Philippines won Best Sponsorship of Sport, Team, Individual, Venue, or Event in the Philippines for the Honda Philippines Nationwide Tour. Meanwhile, the Football 7s Youth Program was awarded Best Youth Sports Development Program in the Philippines.

Football playing brothers Phil and James Younghusband were also recognized during the awards gala as Phil, who recently retired from his international football career, had a statue of himself auctioned off for charity. Another Philippine sports personality that was recognized was gymnast Carlos Yulo who won gold at the SEA Games for the All-Around and Floor Exercise as well as silvers in the Pommel Horse and Still Rings.

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Aside from Ronaldo, also present at the two-day conference and awards night was track and field icon Dr. Edwin Moses, chairman of the education committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The American is a sporting legend in the 400m hurdles, having won gold medals at both the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Yet on top of his many accolades, Moses has arguably accomplished even more after his track and field career as he has served as chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy in 2000 which seeks to promote and increase participation in sport at every level, and also to promote the use of sport as a tool for social change around the world. Moses joined Ronaldo onstage for the “Icon 2 Icon” talk as they discussed their lives both during and after their athletic careers ended.

The SPIA Asia conference saw over 600 delegates and over 60 speakers, with over 450 submissions in 25 categories nominated for awards.

For more information about the conference program, visit www.spiaasia.com.

MAPFRE INSURANCE raises capital to P900M; Takes the lead in non-life insurance

IN PHOTO (L-R): Jean Israel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Maria Theressa Abrahan, Vice President and Technical Head; Hector Castellano Nuñez, Senior Vice President; Mr. Tirso C. Abad, President and CEO; Mildred Rabena-Hugo, Chief Information Officer; Malou Santiago, Vice President and Operations Head; and Kimmy Sanchez-Alegarbes, Vice President and Human Resources Director

MAPFRE INSURANCE recently announced last November 26, 2019  in a media launch held at Ortigas Pasig City that it has raised capital to P900 Million, having complied with the minimum net worth requirement set for 2019. Marking its 85 years in the business, the company is anchored on three main objectives: to offer non-life solutions with relevant products, to be efficient in claims service, and to better serve the Filipino people.

MAPFRE INSURANCE, formerly MAPFRE INSULAR, recently announced in a media launch that it has raised capital to P900 million, having complied with the minimum net worth requirement set for 2019 by the Insurance Commission, according to the New Insurance Code of the Philippines (RA 10607).

Amended in 2013, the law states that a domestic life or non-life insurance company should have at least a net worth of P250M by June 30, 2013, P550M by December 31, 2016, and reached P900M by December 31, 2019.

At the helm of MAPFRE Insurance is Mr. Tirso Abad, President & CEO, who shared the company breakthrough during the said event held on November 26, 2019. “This development shows the strengthened presence of MAPFRE Insurance in the Philippines, with a significant investment that will contribute to the industry and most especially improve the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

Marking its 85 years in the business, the company is anchored on three main objectives: to offer non-life solutions with relevant products, to be efficient in claims service, and to better serve the Filipino people.

Owned by MAPFRE Sociedad Anonima Spain at 75% majority, and Insular Life at 25%, MAFPRE INSURANCE is one of the non-life insurance companies with the highest capital and solvency in the Philippines.

In 2018, it introduced digital services and innovations such as the: MAPFRE INSULAR Virtual Office, centralized policy services and claims, QR code for verifying policies, 24/7 claim reporting, and expanded payment channels. The MAPFRE Insular Virtual Office is the first digital office portal for use of non-life insurance intermediaries – where partners can access accounts for renewal, draft quotations instantly, and make online payments.

“As we leap towards the digital future, we are presented with more choices to connect with people. This is a great opportunity to be more efficient and agile to serve our client’s unique needs. Since our launch last year, we have been continuously developing our channels and we look forward to be a digital leader as well for the insurance industry,” Mr. Abad added.

MAPFRE INSURANCE offers general insurance for optimum financial protection and risk management covering fire and allied lines, motor vehicles, personal accident, casualty, liability, engineering, marine cargo, and surety. The company has developed a wide network nationwide expanding from 10 branches to 16 sales offices in NCR, Isabela, Lipa, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, among many others.

For more information about the MAPFRE INSURANCE, you may visit http://mapfre.com.ph or email info@mapfreinsular.com

Customize your childs play with PROMIL® FOURs Pop-up Theatre kit

In every family, each child has a unique personality and interest. And as a parent, youve probably observed that one kid may happily play with toys, while another one can spend hours drawing with a pencil, sketching to his hearts content.

Luckily, there is an easier way to nurture your childs gift! Introducing PROMIL Fours Pop-up Theatre book, a customizable kit that allows kids to play and learn at the same time. Avail this kit with every purchase of PROMIL® Four 1.8kg in select stores nationwide.
And because PROMIL® Four believes that nurturing the gift starts with discovering it, the book is best paired with PROMIL® Fours Spot the Gift test (https://www.promilnurturethegift.com.ph/stg-home), a tool that is designed to help parents discover their childs innate gift.

According to Aci Bornea, mother of two girls, PROMIL® Fours Pop-Up Theatre is truly one-of-a-kind. I know that PROMIL Four is there with me every step of the way as it consistently nurtures the gifts of my little ones. Through this book, I was surprised that my girls were able to come up with a story almost in an instant, she said.

Meanwhile, Berlin Domingo loves how her sons talent shines as he goes through the pages of the Pop-Up Theatre kit. With such a keen interest in visual arts, he readily invented a story out of the figures. And he must have been so inspired with his new toy that in our next homeschool activities, he drew plenty images seen in the book, she noted.

Once moms retrieve the results from PROMIL® Fours Spot the Gift test, it is easier to tailor-fit the pop-up theater according to your childs particular gift. The book includes drawings of Intramuros in Manila, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Mt. Apo in Davao, and a little kids bedroom filled with toys and books.

Children will surely have the most memorable experience playing with this Pop-Up Theater kit as it encourages creativity and imagination.

Be it art, dance, music, or theatre, PROMIL® Four continuously enables parents to help nurture their childs gift, so they can bring out the best in them.

PROMIL® FOUR believes that every child is born with a gift, and they deserve nothing but the best care to help nurture that potential for their success. Customize your childs playtime depending on his unique gift with PROMIL® Fours My Little Play: A Pop-up Theatre kit.

Mindanao-based restaurateur is top 2019 CMA recipient

Eduardo Azores of Koronadal City, South Cotabato was named National Winner during the recent awarding ceremonies of the 17th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Manila. This microentrepreneur successfully developed variants of a food product and wisely used his initial success to grow his business and brand.

The owner of Ali-Ali Pastil restaurant, Azores sells the popular pastil, a Muslim dish of steamed rice and shredded fish, chicken, or beef wrapped in banana leaves; and offers close to 30 other kinds of toppings including laing and seafood. From his restaurant’s earnings, Azores was able to open a convenience store, a catering business, a lodging inn, and another restaurant branch. Azores credits his success to Rizal Micro Bank that granted him loans to raise his capital.

Also honored during the event were Regional Awardee for Luzon Lea Mancera, owner of Daniel’s Handicraft Weaving and Metal Frame; Regional Awardee for Visayas Merly Domingo of Ebina Garment Manufacturing; and Regional Awardee for Mindanao Lucrecia Neri of Manna’s Alternatives Herbal Products and Ati Manna Organic Hub.

Romualdo Blanco, Jr. of San Pascual, Batangas and who owns PK Maja’s Special, received the Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Award. Two deserving microentrepreneurs were chosen as Special Awardees for Agri-Micro business- Rolando Pega, a spring onion farmer in Pangil, Laguna; and Rosanna Sinapilo, owner of Coco Deli in Candelaria, Quezon Province. Caroline Jamias of Carol Line’s Ethnic and Fashion won the Special Award for Preservation of Traditions for her enterprise that showcases the Kalinga culture.

In his keynote address, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said, “The CMA honors the men and women whose transformed lives and journey as entrepreneurs demonstrate the power of microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool.  Most of these microentrepreneurs started with close to nothing, and yet were able to build and grow a business that support their families and even their communities. Theirs is a story of empowerment. And this is what microfinance is truly about."


Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed, in his welcome remarks, said, “The compelling stories of the CMA winners speak volumes about the winning spirit of the microentrepreneur. This highlights the need for recognizing and rewarding the journeys of these outstanding entrepreneurs who have overcome a multitude of challenges to grow their businesses, improve the lives of their families, become catalysts for motivating other aspiring microentrepreneurs and contribute to employment and development within their respective communities. We are thrilled at having the opportunity to contribute to financial inclusion through the CMA program. Additionally, we would like to highlight that 76% of the awardees over the last 17 years have been women.”

Since its inception in 2002, the CMA has recognized 141 outstanding microentrepreneurs who overcame struggles and showed determination to bring their businesses to a higher level of success. The awards program is a signature initiative of the Citi Foundation; and highlights the efforts of partners BSP, Citi Philippines, and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. to strengthen microfinance and enterprise development, and financial inclusion in the country.

Azores and the seven other winners were chosen by the National Selection Committee co-chaired by Governor Diokno and Mr. Ahmed. The committee members are: Mr. Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, President and CEO, RFM Corporation; Ms. Teresita T. Sy-Coson, Vice Chairperson, SM Investments Corporation; Hon. Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Ms. Imelda M. Nicolas, President, Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran; Ms. Marixi Rufino-Prieto, Former Chairperson, The Philippine Daily Inquirer; Dr. Michael L. Tan, Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman; and Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President, Ayala Corporation.

The national winner received a cash prize of PhP200,000; while each of the regional winners and the special awardees were given PhP100,000. They also received a laptop; life and health insurance coverage for one year; and access to grassroots entrepreneurship management and basic computer literacy training at the Citi Microenterprise Development Center, another Citi Foundation program in partnership with Bayan Academy. The winners’ loan officers and microfinance institution partners were also given a plaque of recognition and cash incentive of PhP10,000 each.

GROHE Dual Tech awards first batch of internationally certified students

Leading global bathroom and kitchen solutions brand GROHE is all set to award its first batch of internationally certified students who have completed their vocational courses at the GROHE Dual Tech training facility in Don Bosco Youth Center, Tondo Manila. Along with the awarding, GROHE will also be inaugurating the newly-constructed public restroom in St. John Bosco Parish Tondo.

“Today marks a milestone for many of us as we award the first batch of internationally certified GROHE Dual Tech students,” says GROHE management board member Michael Mager. “It gives us so much pride to see these young people gain self-confidence and improve their career potential through these trainings.”

GROHE Dual Tech is a partnership program of GROHE and Don Bosco Youth Center to empower young people to better their lives by offering vocational apprenticeship programs with widely accepted graduation certificates, and consequently open opportunities for them in the form of secure jobs with competitive salaries.

This collaboration between GROHE and Don Bosco Youth Center was first launched in 2009, in Mumbai-Kurla, India. It was initially born out of a demand for more skilled workers in emerging countries, but became more meaningful as it gave more opportunities for the youth to start a new life. Following the success of this project—winning first prize in the “Innovation Competition for Vocational Training Projects in Developing Countries” from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)—it then expanded to the Philippines, building its center in Tondo, Manila on October 24, 2015.   

“We chose Tondo because of its dense population and the low educational and job opportunities for its youth,” shares Mager. “We want to take them out of the streets and open doors of opportunity for them through our educational programs so they can develop their talents and skills, and eventually help them earn a decent living.”

Meanwhile, Fr. Manuel Nicolas SDB, Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center (TVET) director, is very grateful for this partnership with GROHE. “We thank GROHE for its continuous collaboration with Don Bosco. Because of this project, we have seen many positive changes not only among the students of Dual Tech but also in our community.”

The students who will receive international certification completed a program called General Maintenance Technician (GMT) course and  it runs for a total of 15 months—10 months in the training center, trained by Filipino mentors accredited by GROHE, and five months internship in Don Bosco-partner companies. It covers TESDA-certified electrical and ref & aircon courses and is also tied up with a special plumbing course, which is internationally certified by GROHE. A total of 42 graduating students passed the International Certificate on GROHE Standards assessment exams, qualifying them to work for GROHE in the country or abroad.

Part of the graduation requirement of students is the construction of the public restrooms of the St. John Bosco Parish. Through the generosity of GROHE, Lixil Philippines, together with American Standard and Tostem, and Wilcon Depot, the students were able to produce a 40-sqm separated men and women’s restrooms of quality facilities located in front of the parish. The restrooms feature GROHE, American Standard and Tostem products, along with products from Wilcon Depot.

GROHE’s training centers around the world has transformed lives of young people. In the Philippines alone, GROHE and Don Bosco’s collaboration has produced hundreds of certified workers.

Seeing more collaborations in the future, Mager concluded, “This is only the beginning for GROHE and Don Bosco as we inspire and encourage a bigger chunk of the youth to transform their lives at the GROHE Dual Tech training centers.” 

To know more about GROHE and the GROHE Dual Tech training, visit their website https://www.grohe.com/