NEWS
Ramirez: PH’s sports success a result of hard work, sacrifices of athletes, coaches
June 14, 2022 4:00 p.m.
THE OUTSTANDING success of Philippine sports in major competitions, highlighted by weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics, the last six years was not by chance or conjured out of thin air, stressed Philippine Sports Commission chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez on Tuesday.
“These achievements were not done by magic. Hindi ito tsamba,” noted Ramirez in what he described as his ‘exit interview’ during a solo appearance in the first face-to-face Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in over two years at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex administration building audio visual room in Manila.
“Kung wala kang itinanim, wala ka rin aanihin,” added the PSC honcho of the hundreds of millions of pesos the government sports agency has poured into elite sports and national athletes that led to the country’s fruitful campaigns overseas.
“I was blessed that we had the money when I came back as PSC chairman and knew the need of our national athletes since I stayed with them at the Philsports Complex dorms in Pasig,” said Ramirez in the session backed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Unilever, Amelie Hotel Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
He disclosed the PSC invested P600 million in elite sports at the start of his second term in 2016, P800 million in 2017, then over P1 billion in 2019 as the national athletes primed themselves for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The fruits of that investments resulted in the country bagging four golds, two silvers and five bronzes in the highly-competitive 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, recapturing the SEA Games overall crown in 2019 at home with 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals, and its first gold medal in the Olympics in Tokyo last year courtesy of the heroics of Diaz.
Counting the Olympic silver medals of boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, and the bronze of fellow fighter Felix Eumir Marcial, the Tokyo Olympic edition was the best Philippine outing in the quadrennial Summer Games since Filipinos made their debut in the 1900 Paris Olympics.
“These so-called golden years of Philippines was the result of the hard work and sacrifices of our athletes and coaches. And it was people’s money, taxpayer’s money that made it all possible,” Ramirez underscored.
“The PSC has not been remiss in supporting our Philippine delegations to overseas competitions. This has been very, very clear,” he said, adding that the feats were a “collaborative effort of the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, and National Sports Associations.”
To sustain the gains in Philippine sports in the next six years, Ramirez said the new leaders of the agency should learn how to adapt to the changing conditions
“One of the most important pillars of management is adaptability. Our leaders need to be alert and adapt to the times. Hindi puwedeng patulog-tulog,” he said.
“We have to provide money, provide proper support for our sports such as sports science and provide good governance by our leaders. You will not achieve this high level of performance in international competition without these provisions,” the PSC chief explained.
Ramirez said he was ready to step down at the end of the month after more than two decades of being associated with PSC, beginning as commissioner in 1998 under the administration of the late chairman Carlos Tuason.
“I am ready to return to Davao but am willing to be an adviser and share my experience and knowhow with the incoming PSC leadership,” the 72-year-old Davao City native 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
