Goldilocks’ footprint ‘rises’ through franchise
Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc., one of the most enduring and beloved Filipino brands in the SM group’s portfolio investments, continues to drive expansion through partnerships as it rolls out an additional 30 franchise-owned stores in 2024.
Currently, Goldilocks has 926 stores as of end-2023, of which 360 are franchised-owned stores.
“Each of our franchisees is deeply embedded in their communities and this intimate local knowledge is crucial because it allows each bakeshop to feel less like a chain and more like a neighborhood store,” said Jerson Go Uy, Goldilocks chief operating officer.
This business relationship that Goldilocks grows with its partners often started with longstanding love and trust for the brand. Many Goldilocks franchise owners started out as loyal customers in their youth.
For example, Henry Gosyco has been a Goldilocks franchisee in Tacloban for 16 years has extended his love for the brand to community service. A number of his stores actively engage in partnership programs with LGUs in Tacloban like the Brigada Eskwela program, as well as local tree-planting initiatives and feeding programs.
Gift of wellness
PLDT mobile services arm Smart Communications, Inc. has teamed up with digital healthcare platform mWell to enable subscribers to redeem a Smart Health Pass, which can be used for essential health services.
Exclusively available to all Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, TNT, Smart Bro, and PLDT Home Wifi subscribers from May 10 to May 16, \ the Smart Health Pass may be redeemed by users for only 199 GigaPoints on the Smart App.
Originally priced at P399, the health pass may be used to avail of a doctor e-consultation, lab request, medical e-certificate, and accident insurance worth P20,000 valid for one month.
The offer is available on the Smart App.
“Our partnership with mWell for this exclusive offer underscores our commitment to bridge technology and wellness so our customers are empowered to truly live more today. We encourage our subscribers to make the most of this opportunity to gift their mothers with peace of mind and wellness,” said Alex Caeg, head of Consumer Wireless Business-Individual at Smart.
P&G delivers love with Pampers’ empowering campaign
Beneficiaries with Charm Banzuelo, P&G senior communications manager, and World Vision Philippines representatives Diana-Marie Nachor and Wichelle Cruz.
Pampers, the trusted brand of baby care products by Procter and Gamble (P&G), launched the campaign #MoreThanGold in 2022 in partnership with World Vision’s Go Baby Go! (GBG) Parenting Program to help assist moms and pregnant women on the first 1,000 days of their babies–when their physical, emotional, cognitive growth needs a nurturing environment for them to be healthy.
Go Baby Go’s program takes a caregiver-centric approach, empowering moms with knowledge to help them establish the foundation needed for lifelong learning during their children’s early development.
Pampers and World Vision Development Foundation (WDF) collaborated to bring a parenting program to six districts in Quezon City. The program included learning sessions with single mothers and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women, where they received valuable parenting strategies from experts.
Following the sessions, WVDF’s trained community health workers conducted personalized home visits for regular consultations.
In addition to enhancing their understanding of their babies’ early development, the program also focuses on supporting the self-care of single mothers. It provides them with strategies and guidance to prioritize their own wellbeing while caring for their infants.
Pampers is poised to launch the 2nd leg of #MoreThanGold in WVDF’s community in Cebu later this year.
MakatiMed launches Heart Institute
Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) launches the Makati Medical Center Heart Institute, a pioneering initiative set to redefine cardiovascular care in the Philippines.
The Makati Medical Center Heart Institute consolidates all facets of the hospital’s centers for Cardiology under one comprehensive framework, including the Cardiac Diagnostic Laboratory, the Advanced Cardiothoracic and Vascular Care Center (Dr. Mariano M. Alimurung Center), the Cardiovascular Learning Unit, and the Vascular & Lymphedema Center. This integration facilitates a holistic approach to cardiovascular health, encompassing promotion, prevention, and treatment.
The unveiling of the commemorative marker on April 11 set a historic moment for MakatiMed, witnessed by esteemed clinical leaders and guests. The event underscored the institution’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care in the region.
The Makati Medical Center Heart Institute highlights their core objectives: to provide the highest standards of comprehensive cardiovascular care through an integrated platform; to support and enhance the institution’s initiatives in training, education, and research; to align with leading national organizations dedicated to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease; to stay abreast of advancements in cardiology and related fields; and to maintain and expand the pool of top-notch cardiologists and related specialists within MakatiMed and the Section of Cardiology.
Through unparalleled service, expertise, and technology, the Makati Medical Center Heart Institute aligns and integrates all disciplines of cardiology towards achieving these goals.
Uniqlo launches latest Roger Federer Collection
Global apparel retailer Uniqlo launched the latest Roger Federer Collection by JW Anderson — a collaboration line between Roger Federer, the tennis legend and Uniqlo Global Brand Ambassador, and British brand JW Anderson, a leader in the modern fashion scene. The 2024 Spring/Summer collection, inspired by vintage tennis wear, can be styled for casual or active settings, presenting a new sport utility wear lineup that combines functionality, versatility, and fashion.
Training on non-surgical valve replacement
Dr. Jou-Kou Wang, CEO of the Cardiac Children’s Foundation Taiwan and a pediatric cardiologist at National Taiwan University Hospital, sponsored by the Rotary Club, traveled to the Philippines to train local physicians in performing transcatheterpulmonary valve replacement surgeries, hoping to improve the local medical standards and provide better care for children with heart disease.
This year, the National Taiwan University cardiac treatment team, sponsored by the Rotary Club’s International Service Project (Global Grant #2454529 for a total of $95,000), trained Filipino doctors to help them use this new technique to treat more patients with congenital heart disease. It is expected that Dr. Jou-Kou Wang will lead the medical team to perform actual surgeries at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Manila in early June. In addition to treating three children on-site, local doctors can also learn and gain experience alongside.
On May 6, the Rotary Club of Taipei North and the medical team officially signed a cooperation agreement at the PHC.
Epic Rewards
Newport World Resorts is offering exclusive perks and privileges through its Epic Rewards, a multi-category, multi-property, and multi-channel loyalty program.
These points can be earned and redeemed with every dine, shop, stay, watch, and other transactions from hundreds of partner establishments and merchants within the property and across the Philippines. Epic Points can be used for various activities and services this summer such as SuperPark, an all-in-one indoor activity park within Newport World Resorts.
On top of having travel tickets to anywhere in the world, Epic Reward members can also use their access to the Mabuhay Miles program of Philippine Airlines to shop, dine, drive, and unwind with Philippine Airlines’ partner premium brands, or use these points for extra travel perks like airport lounge access or priority boarding.
For the frequent flyers of AirAsia, they are guaranteed to get 1,000 AirAsia Points using as low as 800 Epic Points, when they convert via Air Asia’s travel booking app AirAsia MOVE.
Beachfront properties of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts are easily within reach with Epic Rewards. There is always an option to escape to the exclusive Boracay Newcoast township on the northern side of Boracay.
Epic Rewards members can redeem their Epic Points via Newport World Resorts’ official site and gaming portal, payment kiosks, membership counters in the integrated resort, and the Epic Rewards Mobile App.
Insular Foundation provides holistic educational intervention for college scholars
Insular Foundation recently awarded college scholarship grants to first-year students and conducted a career readiness summit for its scholars and other graduating students at invited schools.
The corporate social responsibility arm of InLife awarded the Gold Eagle College Scholarship Grant to 26 students who are taking up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses. The new scholars are first year students from the Foundation’s six partner schools: University of Philippines Diliman, Aurora State College of Technology, Benguet State University, Bohol Island State University, Central Mindanao University and Davao Oriental State University.
Scholarship benefits include stipend, transportation, and book allowance; the scholarship renewal rules; and the two-year requirement to serve in the country after graduation.
To help its scholars adapt in the job application process and workplace culture, the Insular Foundation has conducted a Career Readiness Summit. The summit was also opened to the graduating students from Asia Pacific College, Centro Escolar University-Makati, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
Through the Gold Eagle Scholarship Program and the Career Readiness Summit, the Insular Foundation provides holistic educational intervention to its scholars.
Mining groups launch documentary
Lawyer Michael Toledo, chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and COO of Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Philex Mining Corp, gives the welcome remarks at the premiere of the “Living with a Brighter Future” documentary, at the Rockwell Power Plant, this city.
The video documentary is part of the “Better Mining,Brighter Future” campaign, a joint initiative of COMP; Philippine Nickel Industry Association; Philippine Mining and Exploration Association; Chamber of Mines — Caraga; Alliance of Responsible Miners and Operators — Visayas; Eastern Rizal Miners Association; and Mindanao Association of Responsible Quarry Operators Foundation Inc.
The campaign seeks to reinforce public awareness of responsible mining practices in the Philippines, the manifold economic and social benefits that responsible mining brings to local communities, and the vast opportunities that responsible mining presents for our country and its people.
Maynilad offers desludging services
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this May in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.
Maynilad’s sanitation program is one of the company’s efforts to lessen pollution loading into Metro Manila’s river systems.
Customers residing in Barangay 1, 10, 81, 82, 84 to 88, 90 to 95, 97 to 99, 101 to 103, 105, 106, 108 to110 in Caloocan; Brgy. Pamplona 1 and 3, and Pulang Lupa Dos in Las Piñas; Brgy.Catmon, Maysilo, and Tugatog in Malabon; Brgy. Putatan and Sucat in Muntinlupa; Brgy. Bagumbayan North, Bangculasi, Daang-hari, San Rafael Village, Navotas East and West, and Tanza in Navotas; Brgy. Don Bosco and San Martin De Porres in Parañaque; Brgy. Batasan Hills, Bagong Silangan, Capri, Commonwealth, Gulod, and Holy Spirit in Quezon City; and Brgy. Lingunan, Mabolo, Mapulang Lupa, and Punturin in Valenzuela City may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service.
Some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly in Brgy. Aniban 2, 4, and 5, Mambog 1, Molino and Molino 6 and 7, Niog 2, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East in Bacoor City; and Buhay na Tubig , Carsadang Buaya, Malagasang 1G, Malagasang 2-D, Medicion 1-A to 1-D, Medicion 2-A, Medicion 2-C, Medicion 2-D, Molino 5, Palico 1, Poblacion 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-C and 4-D, Tanzang Luma1-6, Toclong 1-A, 2-B, and 2-C in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around P4,700 per truck.
Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures.
Usana PH receives Gold Label
Usana Philippines, a global leader in the health industry, recently received the Gold Label for the Most Trusted Natural Food Supplements at the 2024 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards.
The valued recognition, awarded during the 26th Annual Most Trusted Brand survey, demonstrates Usana’s commitment to providing premium quality-based nutritional products which exemplifies consumer trust, not just in the Philippines but all over the world.
The Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards celebrate brands that have consistently captured consumer confidence in the Philippine market. Usana was recognized among the group of esteemed brands for its dedication to delivering excellence and reliability in the natural food supplements category.
Cherry Ampig, general manager of Usana Philippines, expressed gratitude and reiterated their commitment to empowering health and wellness.
App streamlines health management
Filipino startup MILA Business Solutions Corp. has introduced MILA, a patient-centric health data management application that aims to address the critical challenge of parents losing track of their children’s medical records.
The platform allows parents to manage all their child’s health data in a unified system, offering key features such as digital immunization records, medication and appointment reminders, and personalized health notes.
MILA is designed to empower mothers by providing a user-friendly application with features that simplify health data management, making it easier for them to oversee their children’s health effectively.
The MILA app aims to streamline children’s health management and enable mothers to play proactive roles in their family healthcare. The app offers a comprehensive platform for managing children’s medical records and appointments and sharing data seamlessly with healthcare providers and family members.
With its user-friendly interface and innovative features, MILA simplifies healthcare management, empowering mothers to oversee their family’s well-being.
The health data management platform is supported by Pulse 63, the growth-focused accelerator and healthcare venture arm of Kaya Founders, ensuring a strong foundation for its ongoing development in providing a safe and convenient health records storage tool.
