Author: Thoney Pascual

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2GO Receives First BALANGAY Legacy Award for Domestic Shipping

2GO, the Philippines’ leading shipping and logistics solutions provider, was honored by the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Inc. (SONAME) with the first-ever Balangay Legacy Award for Domestic Shipping as part of the year-long 75 Years of Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding celebration.

The accolade recognizes 2GO’s outstanding contributions to modernizing and advancing inter-island sea transport in the Philippines, acknowledging the company’s pivotal role in shaping the maritime landscape through innovation, resilience, and operational excellence.

Since 2022, 2GO has been actively modernizing its fleet to elevate the passenger and cargo experience. Today, the company operates nine ROPAX (Ro–Pax) vessels and one freighter, servicing 19 ports of call across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Notably, five of those ROPAX ships are among the country’s most modern and state-of-the-art vessels.

The Balangay Legacy Awards honor industry leaders who have helped chart the course of Philippine maritime history—from the seafaring heritage of ancient balangay boats to today’s sophisticated domestic shipping networks. The ceremony brought together leading stakeholders from the maritime and logistics sectors to celebrate this evolution.

“This award is a testament to our consistent dedication to excellence, resilience, and national development,” said Sharon Musngi-Ngo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Sea Solutions. “As we continue to enhance our fleet, operations, and services, we aim to provide local businesses and industries with sustainable and reliable shipping solutions—ones that prioritize safety, convenience, and efficiency for both cargo and passengers.”

2GO remains the only RORO and ROPax logistics provider offering direct routes from Manila to the Visayas and Mindanao, including newly launched services to Davao and General Santos City, further reinforcing its role in supporting regional development and national connectivity.

To learn more about 2GO’s services, visit www.2go.com.ph or email 2go_freight@2go.com.ph.

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Bell-Kenz Pharma, PHINMA Education Launch First 1000 Days (F1KD) Program to Combat Child Malnutrition

Bell-Kenz Pharma, through the Bell-Kenz Foundation, successfully partnered with PHINMA Education to officially launch the First 1000 Days Nutrition (F1KD) Program, a bold step in the fight against malnutrition and stunting among Filipino children. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held recently and will begin implementation across PHINMA campuses and partner communities.

With a strong track record in healthcare and advocacy, Bell-Kenz Pharma plays a lead role in providing medical support, research collaboration, and on-the-ground health programs. The company brings its expertise in maternal and child nutrition to support interventions during the most critical window of human development, which spans from conception to age two.

Mr Christopher Tan, Country Head Phinma Education Philippines, cites “an estimated 33% of Filipino children under 5 years old suffer from stunting.“ He further adds, “While it is not impossible for these children to succeed, acquiring necessary skills for job employment is exponentially difficult. That is why we are committed to establishing intervention centers, focused on early childhood nutrition.”

“This is not just a program. It is a movement,” said Dr James Cayetano, President of the Bell-Kenz Foundation. “We are proud to work with PHINMA Education in creating communities that prioritize health, development, and long-term wellness

Through the First 1000 Days nutrition initiative with Phinma Education, Bell-Kenz aims to create grassroots impact and a scalable model of care. Bell-Kenz is currently piloting the F1KD Program in Cebu and plans to expand its reach to more campuses in the coming months.

Dr Cayetano of Bell-Kenz Foundation expressed optimism, “ We are inspired by Phinma’s dedication, and we are confident that we will achieve an outcome greater than the combination of the partnership.”

This partnership reflects Bell-Kenz Pharma’s strong commitment to public health and social development. It empowers families, supports education, and helps build a healthier next generation.

For more information about the First 1000 Days nutrition advocacy of Bell-Kenz Pharma,  visit www.bell-kenz.net

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SM Helps Smallholder Farmers Make A Living

The SM Group keeps helping with inclusive development by giving smallholder farmers useful, long-lasting farming skills. This helps them improve their lives and make their communities more food secure.

The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program from the SM Foundation is at the heart of this project. It has trained 32,359 farmers. SM Foundation and the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, among others, have trained over 49,000 farmers across the country so far.

The KSK program will reach more rural areas in 2025, including parts of Visayas, Bicol, and Northern Mindanao that don’t get enough help. This will bring opportunities closer to where they are most needed.
Cristie Angeles, the SM Foundation’s Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Programs, said, “We think that inclusive growth starts at the community level.” “We’re not only helping to secure local food supply chains by investing in smallholder farmers, but we’re also making it possible for people in rural areas to have better lives.”

KSK teaches people how to improve the quality and quantity of their crops by giving them hands-on experience with backyard and small-scale farming. More importantly, the program helps them connect with local markets and SM’s larger supplier network, which helps farming families form cooperatives and get more stable, long-term income.

The Asian Development Bank found that smallholder farmers are the backbone of food systems in developing countries. They make up 84% of all farms and grow almost a third of the world’s food. In the Philippines, where many people farm less than a hectare of land, having access to information, technology, and markets is very important.

To strengthen connections in the market, SM started the SM Weekend Market, a place where local farmers and agripreneurs can sell their goods directly in busy malls. The weekend market helps local farmers find new customers, including people who shop there every day and people who work or live in the mall.

SM cares about the community in all of its businesses. SM supports urban farming projects in collaboration with the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) and the Makiling Centre for Mountain Ecosystems. They do this by promoting sustainable gardening and finding long-term farm sites.

The SM Group’s larger mission is to be a partner for inclusive progress by making meaningful, inclusive opportunities that support rural development, create jobs, and boost local economies. These projects are part of that mission.

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Use BDO Pay to scan, send, and pay—just like Belle Mariano.

Belle Mariano, a Gen Z star, is sharing a money slay tip with her millions of TikTok, Instagram, X, and Facebook followers. Belle recently revealed that she uses BDO Pay for her everyday payments.

Her busy schedule includes trips to both domestic and international destinations. This is why BDO Pay was the ideal fit for her. “Convenience is everything!” She exclaimed, “You never know; what if your wallet is in the car or at home?” “But with BDO Pay, you don’t have to worry. It’s just a quick tap or scan. BDO Pay offers convenient access to your wallet from any location.

BDO Pay is a daily payment app that allows you to scan, send, and pay with your preferred cards without having to cash in.

Belle acknowledged that the final feature was the decisive factor in her decision to utilise BDO Pay. “What I like about BDO Pay is that you don’t have to cash in. You can directly link it to your preferred BDO account or credit card. You don’t have to go through the hassle of, oh my gosh, cashing in. It’s easy to transport everywhere, which makes it ideal for Gen Zers like me.”

Belle understands the value of hard work and financial acumen, having started working at the age of nine. “It’s nice to spend money on ourselves and treat ourselves from time to time. But we must know when to stop spending. Gen Zs are fortunate to have guidance from their parents and mentors, and we should listen to their advice.”

Follow Belle and discover everything she likes about BDO Pay:

* Pay bills to over 1,800 billers with NO fees
* Scan to pay in thousands of stores nationwide
* Send money instantly for FREE to BDO accounts, or only P10 to other banks and e-wallets
* Split bills with friends and family easily
* Earn rewards for savings, on top of interest payments
* Access face-to-face customer service at over 1,200 BDO branches nationwide
* Contact BDO’s 24/7 customer assistance hotline for any concerns
* Keeps her money safe, backed by the country’s largest bank

Join Belle and see for yourself how BDO continues to find ways to make everyday payments simple and hassle-free.

Download BDO Pay and sign up now. Learn more at bdo.com.ph/personal/digital/bdo-pay.

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COBE Living Brings Timeless Elegance To Every Filipino Home

In today’s fast-paced world, where many use their homes for both business and leisure, COBE Living is helping Filipino families design homes that are harmonious in form and function. Offering carefully selected items that elevate daily life, COBE Living has grown into more than simply a home store; it has become a reliable lifestyle companion.

Josephine Jeresano started COBE Living with a straightforward goal: to provide Filipino families with fashionable, high-quality necessities for the house. These days, people recognise the name when they think of high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and functionally sound homeware, furniture, and décor. Every piece, from contemporary dining sets to elegant bathroom suites, is hand-picked to enhance both contemporary and traditional Filipino homes.

According to Jeresano of COBE Living, every home should tell the story of the individuals who live there, including their comfort and style. “Our products aren’t merely decorative; they’re functional tools for a better, more organised, and more pleasurable life.”

The minimalist, classic styles that the business promotes are perfect for any home because they allow personalisation without sacrificing the overall cohesiveness of the area. This practical elegance has captivated not only families but also interior designers, boutique hotels, dorms, spas, and resorts nationwide.

Customers can now shop for their favourite pieces anytime and anywhere, thanks to COBE Living’s strong online presence at www.cobeliving.store, which reflects the growing need for convenience. You can get your hands on the store’s high-quality items even if you’re not in Metro Manila because they offer countrywide delivery. As an example of its adaptability and dedication to serving a broader market, COBE Living offers bulk and custom solutions for enterprises in the hotel sector, in addition to retail.

One thing that makes COBE Living stand out is its commitment to providing affordable style and utility. Each item embodies the brand’s fundamental principles: elegance, cosiness, and dedication to elevating Filipino residences.

Inspiring every Filipino to create beautiful, meaningful homes that reflect who they are remains COBE Living’s driving vision as it continues to expand. COBE Living is not content to merely adorn houses; it actively contributes to the construction of homes with its enduring designs and top-notch craftsmanship.

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SM Retail Recognized for Exemplary Privacy Management Program at National Data Privacy Conference

SM Retail, the retail arm of the SM group, won the Privacy Management Program Award during the recently concluded National Data Privacy Conference in Paranaque City. In photo are (from left to right) Atty. Reinier Jeffrey Abdon, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Atty. Rafael Kieran Monday, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Atty. Nerissa De Jesus, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission; Atty. John Henry Naga, Privacy Commissioner and Chairman, National Privacy Commission; Ms. Honeylin Castolo, Vice President, SM Retail; Mr. Leyson San Juan, Assistant Vice President and Data Protection Officer, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Atty. Jose Amelito S. Belarmino II, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission; Atty. Ivin Ronald D.M. Alzona, Executive Director, National Privacy Commission.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) awarded SM Retail, the retail subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation, with the Privacy Management Program Award during the recently concluded National Data Privacy Conference in Parañaque City, recognizing the company’s consistent and structured efforts in upholding data privacy standards across its operations.

The Privacy Management Program Award is presented to organisations that demonstrate the effective implementation of privacy policies, proactive risk management, and clear accountability structures following the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

SM Retail was cited for its internal training initiatives, integration of privacy practices into day-to-day operations, and for embedding Data Protection Officers within its business units. These measures have contributed to establishing a robust data protection culture among employees and enhancing safeguards for customer information.

“We’re grateful for this recognition from the NPC, and we share this accolade with everyone at the SM Group. An effective data privacy management program hinges on strong leadership, active stakeholder engagement, dedicated privacy champions in critical DPA areas, embedded DPOs within the business, and practical, layman-friendly training rooted in real-world scenarios,” said Honeylin Castolo, Vice President of SM Retail.

The Privacy Management Program of SM Retail conducts training on data privacy awareness in addition to ongoing cybersecurity education for its employees. As the program empowers SM employees to evaluate and assess security risks, this translates to a more secure shopping experience for SM customers.

“This was made possible by the efforts of our Data Privacy Compliance Team, led by Leyson N. San Juan, the Data Protection Officer of SM Retail, Inc., and the full support from our different business units,” Castolo shared.

The Data Privacy program of SM Retail is closely monitored by rating agencies as part of SM’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. This underscores how data privacy is not only important to our customers. It is also a strategic driver that impacts SM Retail’s long-term value and reputation.

“SM Retail effectively implements its data privacy program, reflecting not only our compliance with the Data Privacy Act (DPA) but also our proactive efforts to lead by example across the retail industry. By making data privacy a fundamental part of how we operate, we hope to reinforce our reputation as a brand that our customers can continue to trust.” Castolo said.

SM Retail not only won the Privacy Management Program Award, but also made it to the finals of the NPC Seal of Registration Award. SM Retail’s DPO, Mr Leyson N. San Juan, likewise, was recognized as a finalist for Data Protection Officer (DPO) of the Year.

The awarding ceremony in Paranaque was held during the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW). Led by the National Privacy Commission, PAW is an annual celebration dedicated to strengthening data privacy awareness and promoting responsible personal data processing in the Philippines.