NEWS
GoClark returns to New Clark City
July 13, 2022 2:42 p.m.
Pursuing their shared vision of positioning Clark as the premier destination for cycling and running, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and GoClark Sports and Events will be hosting the first New Clark City (NCC) Duathlon race this July 17.
Around 650 professional and amateur duathletes are expected to participate in a test of strength and endurance, with New Clark City’s iconic sports facilities and extensive road network as backdrop.
The event signals GoClark’s return to New Clark City after two and a half years, following the hosting of the New Clark City Triathlon back in October 2019.
It is the first of three GoClark-organized events lined up in New Clark City this year, to be followed by the Clark Cycling Classic on August 27 to 28, and the New Clark City Multisport Weekend on September 24 to 25.
“The New Clark City Duathlon will be our inaugural duathlon race with New Clark City as the venue partner. It will also be the third leg of Clark’s Duathlete of the Year Race Series,” said Jumbo Tayag, GoClark race director.
“The series is aimed at supporting and highlighting Duathlon Elites and is part of GoClark’s program of developing and finding grassroots talents in the sport. Through the series, we also aim to highlight Clark and New Clark City as premier training and racing destinations for cycling, running, duathlon and triathlon,” he added.
BCDA Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Arrey Perez welcomed GoClark’s return to New Clark City, as well as the hundreds of athletes who will compete during the event.
“We hope this exposure will stir up more interest in the sport and expand the talent pool to choose from for decades to come. Our country abounds in talent; and that talent just needs to be nurtured. And what better place for this to happen than here in New Clark City–the home of future champions,” Perez said.
The New Clark City Duathlon will have three categories: NCC Long, a 12 kilometer (km) run-50 km bike-six km run race; NCC Short, a six km run- 25 km bike- 3k run course; and the NCC Long Two-Person Relay.
Duathletes will compete in different age groups. All finishers will receive a four-inch Finisher’s medal, while the top three of each group will receive additional plaques. The event will be highlighted by the ELITE races, to be joined by members of the National Team training pool.
The run course will take participants around the whole National Government Administrative Center compound and will feature the River Park and the New Clark City Athletics Stadium. The bike course, meanwhile, will cover the New Clark City to Clark International Airport and the New Clark City to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway access roads, which were constructed even amid challenges brought about by the pandemic.
“Since New Clark City played host to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the facilities are world-class. The BCDA also built a massive network of roads that can be used for cycling, duathlon and triathlons,” Tayag said.
Comeback of multisport events in Clark
GoClark Sports and Events aims to promote an active lifestyle by organizing a series of endurance and multisport events in Clark, which is now dubbed as the “Duathlon Capital of the Philippines.”
This year, GoClark has already organized three events at the Clark Freeport Zone–Clark Duathlon Classic, Clark Triathlon Classic and TriFactor Philippines Duathlon–all of which got strong participation from duathletes and triathletes.
“All three prior races have been well-participated and this is a good sign that people are starting to get comfortable with these events. Nevertheless, the virus is not going anywhere, and we still have the responsibility to wear our masks when necessary. Of course, one of our advocacies is getting into an active lifestyle, and this helps combat any virus if we are strong and healthy,” Tayag said.
To keep this momentum going, GoClark will be holding more events in Clark and New Clark City this year.
The Clark Cycling Classic to be held on August 27 to 28 will feature individual and team trial cycling courses and a Gravel race. The New Clark City Multisport Weekend, which will take place on September 24 to 25, will be highlighted by the return of the New Clark City Triathlon.
“We hope that through this race and upcoming sporting events, more homegrown athletes will emerge as stronger individuals who can serve as examples to their families, communities, and the Filipino nation,” Perez said.
NEWS
Cebuana Lhuillier ventures into future of payments at Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland
10:40 p.m. December 30, 2024
Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ leading microfinance institution, is stepping into the future of payments by exploring innovative blockchain solutions.
This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and its strategic move towards adopting digital technologies. Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier attended the prestigious Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland, where financial leaders and innovators gathered to discuss the next evolution in payments, blockchain, and digital finance.
A Global Stage for Financial Innovation
The Plan B Forum serves as a vital platform for thought leaders to explore the future of blockchain and digital currencies in the global economy. With a focus on the growing impact of decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and digital currencies, the forum highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of financial services. Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation signifies its drive to stay ahead of technological advancements that can reshape and bridge TradFi and DeFi in the Philippines.
The event was attended by some of the prominent names in the digital currency space, demonstrating Cebuana’s commitment to industry and reinforcing its role in shaping the crypto landscape.
Cebuana Lhuillier: Championing Financial Inclusion in the Digital Space
Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, highlights the company’s growing focus on digital transformation. “As Cebuana Lhuillier continues to expand in the digital space, it aims to enhance payment services by adopting stablecoins and partnering with innovative digital solutions companies. These technologies promise faster, more affordable, and secure transactions for Filipinos, offering a modern way to manage payments with greater transparency and ease.”
Following this, Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier added, “Blockchain technology and digital currencies are not just tools for innovation; they are vehicles for empowerment. By leveraging these technologies, we can democratize access to financial services, enabling Filipinos from all walks of life to participate in a global digital economy.”
This move reflects Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to providing reliable financial services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers across the country.
In representing Cebuana Lhuillier at the forum, Philippe Andre Lhuillier emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in the digital age. In an era where internet access and digital infrastructure are rapidly expanding, especially with advancements in web3 technologies, it set the stage that highlighted the importance of emerging payments in the web3 space and the role of Cebuana Lhuillier in bridging this technology with traditional finance.
Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation at the forum reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion. By incorporating digital wallets, blockchain technology, and digital currencies, the company aims to expand access to financial services, beyond traditional finance.
President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier remarked “With the evolution of financial landscapes, Cebuana Lhuillier is positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation in the Philippines. By attending the Plan B Forum, the company is not only seeking to learn from global leaders but is also reaffirming its role as a key player in the future of payments and financial inclusion. Philippe Andre Lhuillier’s participation marks a critical step towards realizing Cebuana Lhuillier’s vision of becoming a fully integrated financial service provider that leverages cutting-edge technology.”
As blockchain and digital cryptocurrency technologies continue to grow, Cebuana Lhuillier is well-positioned to lead the way in providing innovative financial services.
NEWS
InLife wins Best in Future of Intelligence Award at IDC Future Enterprise Awards 2024
3:30 p.m. December 25, 2024
Insular Life (InLife) received the Best in Future of Intelligence Award – Philippines during the IDC (International Data Corporation) Future Enterprise Awards 2024 held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore on November 18, 2024.
The award recognizes InLife’s Agile Academy, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering an Agile mindset among InLife employees, or InLifers.
Through bootcamps, masterclasses, workshops, and curated resources, the Agile Academy empowers InLifers to tackle organizational challenges with innovative solutions, contributing to the company’s business and digital transformation journey.
At the heart of the Agile Academy are the Mission-Based Teams (MBTs)—cross-functional, user-centric, and self-organizing groups that leverage the Agile framework to address critical customer and enterprise issues.
To date, the Agile Academy has activated 21 MBTs, resulting in innovations like the InLife App, a mobile and web application for managing life insurance policies; and the InLife Compass Super App, designed to boost the productivity of InLife financial advisors. MBTs have also developed solutions addressing pain points of Gen Zs, Group account holders, and the silver generation, demonstrating InLife’s customer-centric and inclusive approach.
“InLife’s recognition at the IDC Future Enterprise Awards reaffirms our commitment to continuous innovation and transformation in service of our customers,” said InLife Chief Transformation Officer Efren C. Caringal, Jr. “At 114 years, InLife remains true to its pioneering spirit, leveraging initiatives like the Agile Academy to deliver meaningful solutions that benefit our policyholders and other stakeholders.”
The IDC Future Enterprise Awards recognize organizations that lead the way in digital transformation, demonstrating resilience, and a commitment to enhanced customer experiences.
NEWS
Converge engages Unang Yakap beneficiaries in gift-giving activities
8:30 p.m. December 24, 2024
Leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. shared the joy of Christmas to the mothers and volunteers of its Unang Yakap Community in Baseco, Tondo.
With the help of the mentors and mentees from its women mentorship program Grace Under Pressure: MentorSHE, the company celebrated with the beneficiaries and community volunteers through games, raffle, and gift-giving activities.
In partnership with Caritas Manila, Converge has been supporting the Unang Yakap Program that aims to provide healthcare and nutritional assistance to underprivileged pregnant and lactating mothers, and their infants, during their first 1,000 days.
Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde grateful for MMFF’s recognition of Topakk
Cebuana Lhuillier ventures into future of payments at Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland
Topakk bags MMFF’s Jury Prize Award, 2 other citations
