NEWS
Lhuillier named one of year’s Master Innovator by Mansmith Innovation Awards
June 1, 2022 4:25 p.m.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, the President & CEO of micro financial services giant Cebuana Lhuillier, was recently named as a “Master Innovator for 2022” by the Mansmith Innovation Awards, an award-giving body organized by Mansmith & Fielders, the country’s leading training and consultancy company.
Lhuillier was cited for revolutionizing the face of micro insurance in the Philippines—thanks to his ground-breaking work in making micro insurance more relevant in the lives of Filipinos.
Based on the latest statistics, only 53.7M out of 111M Filipinos are covered by insurance. To date, 31% of the insured Filipinos was contributed by Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Insurance, the biggest attributor to date as cited by the Insurance Commission.
Cebuana Lhuillier captured the interest of the market especially from low-income communities by offering affordable micro insurance products that can be easily purchased in any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s over 3,000 branches nationwide, while also putting systems in place for easier claims payout through the same branches.
This was made possible by Lhuillier’s keen support and commitment in the application of tech innovations as a means to augment Cebuana Lhuillier’s wide network of branches and partners nationwide.
“The true mark of being a financially-included Filipino is having access to the most basic financial services that are essential in our everyday lives. This includes protection against illnesses, emergencies, and uncertain situations brought by disasters or natural calamities. For 40 million Filipinos, this is made possible by Cebuana Lhuillier micro insurance,” shares Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO, Cebuana Lhuillier.
Lhuillier adds, “For the past two years, Cebuana Lhuillier focused on its transition as a TechBrick company in order to ensure accessibility and convenience for our clients whenever they avail or use any of our products. We do this by expanding our network reach through physical branches while also taking advantage of proprietary technology through the development of new apps and digital channels that will bring our products and services closer to many Filipinos. In the case of our micro insurance product, we started by making sure it’s affordable and can be easily purchased by any of our kababayans regardless of their stature in life. We then made sure it’s available for purchase nationwide, in any Cebuana Lhuillier branch in the Philippines.”
From these two basic foundations, Lhuillier further expanded by pushing for more tech innovation that further elevated his micro insurance offerings.
This included the unveiling of ProtectNow in 2019, a web-based platform which aggregates the best possible insurance options for their home, auto, travel, and family insurance needs coming from some of the credible insurance companies in the Philippines; the introduction of Claims PayOut Anywhere, which allowed clients to process their claims in any Cebuana Lhuillier branch nationwide; and finally, working together with online market places like Lazada and Shopee which made buying micro insurance as easy as getting as buying something from an online store.
However, it should be noted that micro insurance is just one aspect of Lhuillier’s mission in building a nation of financially-included Filipinos.
Under Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s number one micro financial services provider, Lhuillier has been the forefront of implementing the “TECHBRICK” strategy, taking advantage of their network of more than 3,000 branches nationwide with 25,000 domestic partner doors, and 3 million partner locations globally and marrying it with technological innovations as a means to further bring the micro financial services industry to the next level.
Utilizing the concept of “TechBrick”, a term Lhuillier coined himself, his vision allowed Cebuana Lhuillier and its products and services such as pawning, money transfer, micro insurance, jewelry selling, along with micro savings, a product of it banking arm Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, to maintain its relevance by ensuring availability and access regardless of channels: whether in brick-and-mortar stores, through the development of super apps, and web platforms.
The synergy between the tech and brick capability allowed Cebuana Lhuillier to empower its clients to move seamlessly and to maximize use of its products and services from offline to online.
For Lhuillier, his push for unremitting innovation remains at the core of the organization as it sets its sights into becoming a more future-ready organization. He adds, “The world and along with it, the needs of our Ka-Cebuanas, are constantly changing and evolving. However, what remains consistent is to ensure that Filipinos remain on track towards financial-inclusion and financial mobility. To that, Cebuana Lhuillier will continue to hold on to its promise of being a partner for every one of our kababayans—constantly evolving, innovating, and maintaining our relevance for the years to come.”
NEWS
TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
7:01 p.m. July 16, 2023
TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, is taking further steps to ensure a safer and more transparent platform for its Filipino community. In response to the evolving digital landscape and the rise of AI-generated content (AIGC), these initiatives are designed to maintain a secure environment, uphold community guidelines, and ensure users can trust the content they encounter on the platform.
Strengthening Community Guidelines Enforcement
As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard its community, TikTok recently published its Q1 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. During this period from January 1 to March 31, 2024, TikTok removed 4.26 million videos in the Philippines for violations of its Community Guidelines. Of these, 99.7% were removed proactively, and 95% were taken down within 24 hours.
To further enhance transparency, TikTok updated its Community Guidelines in April to provide clearer rules and introduce new features that help creators understand and comply with policies. Available in English and Filipino, these guidelines include detailed definitions and outline moderation practices for features like Search, LIVE, and the For You feed, ensuring policies are clear and accessible to all users.
Advancing AI-Generated Content Transparency
In response to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content, TikTok has implemented new measures for transparency. Since May, TikTok has automatically labeled AI-generated content uploaded from specific platforms. This initiative is part of a collaboration with MediaWise, a program of the Poynter Institute, and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), making TikTok the first video-sharing platform to adopt C2PA’s Content Credentials technology. These labels aim to provide users with clear context about the nature of the content they consume.
Educating the Community with Media Literacy Tools
To support its community in navigating AI-generated content and combating misinformation, TikTok is launching new media literacy resources. Developed in collaboration with experts, these resources are integral to TikTok’s broader strategy to enhance user understanding and foster a more informed community. As part of this initiative, TikTok has partnered with MediaWise to release 12 educational videos throughout the year. These videos aim to teach universal media literacy skills and explain how TikTok’s AI-generated content labels can help contextualize content. This partnership underscores TikTok’s commitment to educating its community and fostering a more informed user base.
Expanding AIGC Labeling Through Partnerships
Building on its efforts to ensure content transparency, TikTok has extended its auto-labeling capabilities for AI-generated content created on other platforms. By integrating the ability to read Content Credentials from C2PA, TikTok automatically recognizes and labels AI-generated content, with plans to expand this to audio-only content soon.
In the coming months, TikTok plans to attach Content Credentials to its content, ensuring transparency even when content is downloaded, allowing users to utilize C2PA’s Verify tool to identify AI-generated content and understand its creation details.
Driving Industry-Wide Adoption
In its mission to promote industry-wide adoption of Content Credentials, TikTok has joined the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). As the first video-sharing platform to implement Content Credentials, TikTok is at the forefront of encouraging transparent content practices across the industry. The gradual increase in auto-labeled AI-generated content on TikTok is expected to grow as more platforms adopt this technology, fostering a more transparent digital landscape.
For You Feed and Creator Code of Conduct
To further enhance safety, TikTok has introduced new standards that will temporarily restrict accounts that repeatedly violate content standards. These accounts and their content will be harder to find in search, with creators being notified and given the option to appeal.
Additionally, TikTok published a Creator Code of Conduct outlining the standards expected from creators involved in TikTok programs, features, events, and campaigns. This code reinforces TikTok’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive platform.
Through these measures, TikTok continues to focus on helping its community, especially creators, understand its rules and enforcement methods to ensure a safer experience for its users. By embracing continuous innovation and collaboration, TikTok strives to create a secure and inclusive space for creativity and connection.
NEWS
SM Prime, DTI empower MSMEs with 83 SM mall spaces, training, mentorship
9:15 p.m. July 12, 2024
Good news for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)! SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) solidified a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on July 1 at the SM Prime Headquarters.
This collaboration empowers MSMEs with prime mall space in 83 SM Malls nationwide, aligning with the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines program. Besides providing space, SM Prime offers MSMEs discounted booth rentals, training programs on product development, marketing, financial management, and mentorship opportunities with experienced business leaders.
NEWS
DTI National Food Fair celebrates local flavors at SM Megamall
8:26 p.m. July 11, 2024
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the 10th National Food Fair at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls 1-3, held from July 3-7, 2024. This premier event showcased the rich flavors of the Philippines and empowered over 200 Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
Food enthusiasts enjoyed a bounty of fresh produce, regional specialties, and delectable treats from all corners of the country. Attendees had the opportunity to stock up on pantry staples, explore health-conscious options, and discover unique ingredients to elevate their cooking skills.
(L-R): Megatrade Hall’s Maite Quiogue, SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Operations Royston Cabunag, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, SM Megamall Assistant Vice President for Operations Christian Mathay, SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan, and SM Megamall Assistant Mall Manager Isabella Manjon
(L-R): Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, and DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan
The 2024 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair brings together the best food and flavors from all 16 regions.
Fresh pomelos and other local fruits take center stage at the National Food Fair in Megatrade Hall.
A potential buyer gets ready to take home bottled Bicol Express and Laing at the 10th National Food Fair in SM Megamall.
Crispy, salty, and packed with nutrients —these water spinach chips are the perfect healthy snack.
Bottled honey and baked fruit crisps, all made with local ingredients.
Davao del Sur and Misamis Oriental’s chocolate products are crafted from premium cacao beans.
Quality golden salted eggs from Rizal.
A variety of coconut products from San Pablo, Laguna.
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TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
