In just three months this year, state health insurer PhilHealth has implemented two successive increases in its benefit package for hemodialysis from P4,000 in July to P6,350/session this October, making the total financial package to almost a million pesos per patient per year.

Through PhilHealth Circular No. 2024- 0023 which immediately took effect on October 7, members and their qualified dependents with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) can now avail of the adjusted package for hemodialysis from any of the accredited dialysis facilities near them.

“This is clear proof that PhilHealth is not only listening to our members. We make good on our promise to take concrete steps to ensure that our benefit packages respond adequately to the needs of patients which is a core objective of the Universal Health Care Law”, said Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr., PhilHealth’s president and CEO.

The PhilHealth chief pointed out that despite the increase in PhilHealth reimbursement rate of P4,000 per session last July 1, they have received reports of patients still paying significant amounts for their dialysis sessions.

“Our aim is to ensure that patients will no longer have co-payment when availing of the minimum set of services for dialysis. Ito ay para lubos na maramdaman ng mga kababayan natin ang kanilang PhilHealth benefit”, explained Ledesma, duly recognizing the PhilHealth Board’s swift action on their proposal: “Sa pamumuno ni Health Sec. Ted Herbosa, mabilis naaprubahan ang pagtaas sa P6,350 per session na walang dagdag- bayad sa mga pasyente.”

The Chief also cited the cooperation of nephrologists and participating dialysis centers in making the no co-payment arrangement possible.

With the increase to P6,350 per session, a CKD5 patient is now entitled to a maximum of P990,600 in financial protection per year, from the previous P624,000/year at P4,000/session.

The said Circular also clearly specified the essential services required and should be provided to CKD5 patients. This includes anticoagulation medications, and drugs and medicines for the management of PhilHealth increasing dialysis coverage to ₱1 million per year anemia, various laboratory tests, supplies such as dialyzers, hemodialysis solutions, and a dialysis kit per session. It also includes administrative fees for the use of dialysis machines, facility fee, utilities, and staff time. All these services should be accessible at all times in all accredited public and private hemodialysis facilities.

Meanwhile, patients who will require additional and premium services beyond the minimum standard of care specified in the said Circular shall be subject to co-payment. A cap of P450 for professional fees is also set should patients require additional services such as telemedicine and/or immediate interventions to manage complications arising during the session. The state health insurer has made it a requirement for the dialysis facility to fully explain such co-payment, if any. This life-saving service has given new hope to dialysis patients like Roseanne Lappay of Tabacalera, Pateros who welcomed this recent development at PhilHealth.

At the recent F&C Jewelry Studio event at SM Makati, fashion influencer Laureen Uy put together a beautiful style showcase, sharing her expert tips on how to make F&C Jewelry a part of every modern woman’s daily wardrobe.

“Fine jewelry isn’t just for gala nights anymore–it’s for brunch dates, boardrooms, and everything in between. Jewelry holds a special place in our lives, not just as an accessory, but

as a statement of personal style, heritage, and artistry,” shared Marissa Florete, managing and creative director, EVP – Marketing and Merchandising at F&C Jewelry.

Founded in 1973, F&C Jewelry has spent over five decades crafting fine jewelry that blends heritage with modern trends. Marjorie Anne Florete, F&C’s EVP for Sales and Operations, reflects on the brand’s legacy: “F&C Jewelry has always been about family, craftsmanship, and tradition. Today, as we blend these timeless elements with modern trends, we honor our legacy while offering pieces that are meant to create lasting memories for generations to come–one sparkle at a time.”

F&C Jewelry is available at The SM Store nationwide. Follow F&C Jewelry on Instagram@fncjewelry to discover more timeless pieces for your everyday style.

Speaking on workplace diversity and inclusivity, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) highlighted the importance of being an equal opportunity employer that evaluates based on merit and performance as opposed to sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status.

“We follow the principles of meritocracy wherein we put the right people in the role where they fit,” said AboitizPower SAVP for Talent Attraction Corinne Patron. “In talent management, equal opportunity for development, upskilling, and promotion is given to all regardless of gender.”

Patron made her remarks during the launch of the “Census on Women in Executive Leadership Teams in Philippine Publicly Listed Companies”, an initiative spearheaded by the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) and the Philippine Business Coalition for WomenEmpowerment (PBCWE).

The census found that from 2020 to 2022 the number of women in executive leadership teams in Philippines’ publicly listed companies increased to 40%. In AboitizPower, women comprised 37% of executive leadership and 35% of the managerial pool.

“In talent attraction, we have initiatives that showcase how anyone, including women, can succeed and thrive in our industry,” Patron added, citing partnerships with the academe and AboitizPower-initiated information campaigns like POWERTalk and BABAEngineer.

POWERTalk is a platform that showcases employee experiences, including testimonies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), while BABAEngineer (a portmanteau of the words “babae” or woman and “engineer”) is an integrated marketing campaign that showcases the company’s female engineers who help operate its power plants and power distribution facilities.

In the AboitizPower corporate workplace, Patron also commended how working mothers benefit from its flexible work arrangement policy, which enables a hybrid work environment for roles that allow such types of arrangement.

“At AboitizPower, we have embedded gender diversity into our culture by implementing strategies and policies that promote equality and inclusivity across the organization,” AboitizPower talent attraction manager Francis Cruz said, adding “In talent attraction, we highlight the success and potential of all our team members, including our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, through initiatives like POWERTalk.”

In 2019, AboitizPower launched its Diversity and Inclusion campaign, which aims to raise awareness, promote respect, and celebrate the individuality of minorities, all while practicing a culture of excellence and high performance. This paved the way for the development of a DEIB policy in 2023.

AboitizPower also started including domestic partners, whether common-law or same-sex, as beneficiaries in its HMO coverage for employees, supporting and valuing all forms of families and relationships.

A DOQAUS WORLD, the highly anticipated launch of DOQAUS headphones, delivered an unforgettable experience at SM North Annex, setting a new standard in audio innovation. With an immersive display of premium headphones, the event captivated tech enthusiasts and music lovers alike, keeping them engaged from start to finish.

Headlining the event was DOQAUS Philippines’ 27-year-old CEO and president Mark Javier, a Gen Z leader eager to make waves in the industry. “I am thrilled to officially introduce DOQAUS to the Philippines.”

The event attracted top content creators and media representatives eager to witness the audio revolution. Performances by Page Salunoy, Jessica Anne Weerasinghe, emerging band Fly Mama and rising OPM star Rob Deniel added to the excitement, making it a celebration of sound, talent, and technology.

The headphones cater to various lifestyles: DOQAUS U for student music lovers, DOQAUS HQ for Gen Z and Millennial professionals, DOQAUS Active for gym enthusiasts, and DOQAUS AIRLINES for fashion-forward travelers. 

DOQAUS is making it easier for consumers to access these must-have headphones, now available on Shopee and TikTok Shop for seamless ordering. The future of sound is here–immerse yourself in “A DOQAUS WORLD” today.

Figaro Innovation and Development Inc. (FIDI), a subsidiary of Figaro Coffee Group, has announced the signing of a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at boosting local agricultural development and ensuring food security together with San Jose Workers & Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SJWMPC), and the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative (BONFAC).

The signing event took place on October 11 in San Jose, Batangas, and brought together leaders from FIDI, SJWMPC, and BONFAC. The initiative is in line with the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and provide innovative solutions to food security challenges in the Philippines. This milestone also coincided with the celebration of World Egg Day, emphasizing the importance of local food production.

Ms. Cecille Aldueza Virtucio, chairperson of SJWMPC and BONFAC, emphasized the significance of the new commissary and cold storage facility, Stating: “Today, in celebration of World Egg Day, we once again rise to the challenge of contributing to food security… With a focus on chicken and eggs, we aim to provide affordable, nutritious food to workers and families, thereby addressing food inflation. Our partnership with FIDI strengthens our resolve to create progress through innovation and collaboration.”

Ace Azarraga, brand and partnership director at FCG, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to take this monumental step in connecting our local farmers with Figaro Innovation and Development Inc.”

Jose Petroñio Español III, president of FIDI, also conveyed his congratulations by commending the men and women driving the success of the organizations. 

The partnership sets the stage for the cooperative development of food

processing, ensuring Filipino farmers’ products are distributed to wider domestic and international markets. The collaboration will also focus on addressing food inflation and empowering farmers with innovative solutions.

In its continued commitment to quality education for the youth, SISFU will once again hold The Global Dimensions Olympiad 2025 (GDO) in partnership with The Rotary Club Makati – Salcedo (RCMS).

During this event, participants can earn 100% international scholarship grants for Academic Year 2025-2026, opening doors to global opportunities through transnational education. The Olympiad is open to Grade 12 Senior High School students from invited schools with a GPA of 85% or higher and in the top 20% of their class. This academic event is your launchpad to explore, compete, and succeed in a globalized world. This is your opportunity to stand out, showcase your skills, and take flight on your journey towards higher education.

Eligible students are invited to participate in the no-cost eligibility test and preliminary round of the GDO on January 11, 2025 (Saturday) at Southville Luxembourg Hall in Las Piñas City while the grand finale will be in April 2025. This competitive event will challenge students to demonstrate their aptitude across various subjects including Reading, Mathematics, andLanguage.

Visit their website at www.sisfu.edu.ph. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn full scholarship grants and seize your international future with SISFU today.

The Philippine Lifestyle Sourcing Expo opened on October 10 at the SMX Convention Center Manila and ran until October 12, marking a significant milestone in the sourcing industry. This dynamic event merged two renowned shows–the Philippine Apparel Textile Show & Philippine Sport Show, and the Asia International E-commerce Expo–creating an unparalleled sourcing experience that united top local and international suppliers, manufacturers, and e-commerce experts under one roof.

The event was organized by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles and Huiyuan Culture Development Group Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the Philippine E-commerce Association Inc. (PECA), Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), Garment Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (GARMAP), Confederation of  Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP), Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc., and Fashion Accessory Makers of the Philippine.

In addition to the extensive product displays, the expo presented invaluable opportunities for attendees to connect with industry experts, attend informative stage presentations, and gain insights into emerging market trends essential for business growth.