Community

Metro Manila, Philippines – California-based public safety technology company NGA 911 LLC has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact and Service Award by the International Asian American Business Expo (IAABE) in California for bringing a world-class emergency response system to the Philippines. Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) is a global leader in emergency communications technology that develops systems to connect people in their most critical moments with police, fire, and emergency medical responders. The provider of advanced, cloud-based next-generation emergency communications and public safety solutions modernizes traditional dispatch infrastructure by using IP-based systems to reliably transmit voice, text, and video during critical incidents. The award was presented to NGA 911 at the IAABE Legacy Gala at the Torrance Marriott…

Metro Manila, Philippines – In the wake of heavy southwest monsoon rains (Habagat), Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and its corporate social responsibility arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF) together with the local government partners, mobilized rapid disaster response operations across different communities in Bulacan and Cavite. With severe flooding and high tides disrupting their daily lives and rendering roads impassable, families find it difficult to leave their homes and secure basic necessities. Through OMF and its partners in disaster response such as Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), Meralco business centers, Meralco’s animal welfare initiative CATropa, and local governments, the initiative reached 2,500 affected families across the municipalities of San Miguel, Balagtas, Calumpit, and Hagonoy in Bulacan, as well as…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Film Concerts PH has announced Janella Salvador and Gian Magdangal as the guest vocalists for “Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert,” happening Oct. 3-4, at The Theatre at Solaire. Salvador and Magdangal will perform the iconic songs of Moana and Maui live alongside the 78-member Filharmonika Orchestra, under the baton of Gerard Salonga, as the animated film plays in full on the big screen. Salvador takes on the role of Moana, the courageous young wayfinder who ventures beyond the reef to restore the Heart of Te Fiti, while Magdangal performs as Maui, the mighty demigod who joins her on her journey across the ocean. The concert will feature the film’s acclaimed score and soundtrack performed live by the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – BDO Pay was recognized as Best Digital Wallet in the Philippines at The Asian Banker Philippine Awards 2026, highlighting its role in making everyday payments easier for customers. As more Filipinos turn to digital payments for daily purchases, sending money, and keeping track of spending, having a payment app that offers all these can make managing money simpler and more convenient. With BDO Pay, users can access their BDO accounts and cards in one app — no need to cash in — making it faster to pay in stores, transfer funds, pay bills, and check account balances without switching between different platforms. Beyond payments, BDO Pay also gives users access to rewards and offers that can…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Major rivers cleaned and maintained by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) continued to carry large volumes of stormwater during sustained rains over the past two weeks, helping mitigate flooding in surrounding areas.  SMC cleanup teams reported no major incidents of river overflow in most areas covered by the program, except along portions of the San Juan River on August 17, when exceptionally heavy rainfall pushed water levels beyond critical levels. SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said rivers under the company’s long-running Better Rivers PH initiative, now aligned with the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha program, were better able to handle higher volumes of rainwater because of increased carrying capacity and improved flow. Since 2020, SMC has removed accumulated silt, waste and other…

Metro Manila, Philippines - San Miguel Corporation (SMC) posted consolidated core net income of P54.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 48% from a year earlier, as its underlying businesses remained resilient despite volatile global markets, higher costs and cautious consumer spending.  Consolidated revenues rose 34% to P964.1 billion, driven by higher volumes and prices in its Fuel and Oil business, stronger contributions from Power, and continued growth in Food. Operating income increased 17% to P102.3 billion. Reported consolidated net income was 44% lower at P37.7 billion, reflecting foreign exchange effects and other non-core items. Last year’s result also benefited from a P21.9 billion gain from the Chromite transaction which involved the de-consolidation of certain power assets. “Our…

Metro Manila, Philippines - LANDBANK honored outstanding clients and institutional partners during its 2026 Gawad TANYAG (Tanging Yaman at Galing) Awards, on Aug. 7 as part of the bank’s 63rd anniversary celebration. The ceremony recognized exemplary farmers and fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), corporations, countryside financial institutions (CFIs), and microfinance institutions (MFIs) for their contributions to community development and inclusive growth. Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chair Frederick D. Go underscored the crucial role of the awardees in national development. "Sa loob ng mahigit anim na dekada, kayo ay naging mahalagang katuwang ng LANDBANK sa pagsusulong ng pambansang kaunlaran. Kasama ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, kooperatiba, MSMEs, at mga institusyong pampinansyal, patuloy ninyong pinalalawak ang mga oportunidad…

Metro Manila, Philippines - As financial scams become increasingly sophisticated, BDO Unibank continues to strengthen its fraud awareness efforts to help protect vulnerable sectors, particularly senior citizens, from emerging threats. In partnership with Barangay Bel-Air, Makati, BDO Foundation and the bank's Fraud Management Unit recently conducted a scam awareness session for senior citizens, underscoring BDO's commitment to empowering communities through education and prevention. The session provided practical guidance on recognizing common scam tactics, protecting personal and financial information, and responding to suspicious messages and requests. Participants actively shared experiences and learned important safety reminders, including never clicking suspicious links, never sharing account credentials or One-Time PINs, and always verifying requests through official channels. The initiative forms part of BDO's broader…

Metro Manila, Philippines - Eastern Communications has received two major recognitions for its workplace and employee engagement initiatives – Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at the 21st Employer Branding Awards in Singapore and Excellence in Employee Engagement at the HR Excellence Awards Philippines 2026. The recognition comes as the company reports a reduction in employee attrition from 13.1 percent in 2022 to 6.9 percent in 2025, reflecting the impact of its employee engagement strategy. Presented during the 21st Employer Branding Awards at Pan Pacific Marina Square, Singapore on August 3, the Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award 2026 (17th edition) recognizes organizations that have intentionally aligned human resources with business strategy by attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while building…

Metro Manila, Philippines - SM Investments Corporation (SM), the parent company of the SM Group, reported consolidated net income of ₱45.9 billion in the first half, up 8 percent from ₱42.6 billion a year earlier, as sustained consumer demand and the strength of its diversified business model supported growth across the group, the company said in a statement. Consolidated revenues for the January to June period rose 6 percent to ₱339.2 billion, from ₱319.2 billion year-on-year. "Consumer spending in our retail stores and malls remained healthy despite recent economic shocks," said Frederic DyBuncio, president and chief executive officer of SM Investments, in the statement. "The Filipino consumer was tested during the first half of the year but our businesses proved…