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| (L-R) Green Forum Western Visayas Principal Coordinator Melvin Purzuelo, Catholic Relief Services Philippines Subregional Country Representative Sanda Rihtman, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Chairman Tony del Rosario, USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President Cecile Alcantara represented their respective organizations to cement their partnership for the IWARI program in Iloilo. (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Coca-Cola Philippines) |
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) continues to support community access to clean, safe water through its partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines and non-government organizations for projects that improve watershed conservation and promote a water-secured future in Iloilo and Negros Occidental. To formalize the partnership, CCFPI and USAID signed two Memoranda of Agreement - one for the Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative Project and another for Sustaining Watershed Health through Sustainable Livelihood and Agroforestry Project in Negros Occidental - last March 22, 2023 at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.
The Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI) Project aims to promote climate resilience and help enhance water availability from the Tigum-Aganan Watershed and Iloilo-Batiano Watershed for upstream and downstream communities, including Iloilo City, through improved resource management. Through the CCFPI grant, IWARI Project will be implemented on the ground by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippines and Green Forum Western Visayas while USAID shall provide technical oversight. This will address the urgent need for sustainable management of critical watersheds in Iloilo province and ultimately help improve water availability from the watersheds.
Meanwhile, the Sustaining Watershed Health through Sustainable Livelihood and Agroforestry (SWATH) Project in Negros Occidental aims to implement agroforestry and watershed conservation activities to help protect the province’s sources of freshwater, particularly the Himogaan River Watershed and Sicaba River Watershed — ensuring sustainable water resources for the farming communities and households of Negros Occidental residents. Through the CCFPI grant, the SWATH Project will be implemented on the ground by Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) while USAID Philippines shall provide technical oversight.
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GCash Partners With Connected Women
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| (Image Source: Connected Women) |
The country’s leading e-wallet GCash has collaborated with Connected Women, a socially-responsible platform that trains and offers flexible AI and digital job opportunities for Filipino women. The announcement of the partnership coincided with the Philippines' observance of International Women’s Day which was being celebrated last March 8, 2023 under the UN Women and United Nations’ theme of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality".
With its partnership with Connected Women, GCash aims to bring the entrepreneurial spirit of freelancing to its users, through a community of strong, empowered, and like-minded women. The Connected Women platform is now accessible through the Earn Money feature in the GCash app. Join the community and learn how to earn from home. “Women are often referred to as the ‘ilaw ng tahanan’, something that many families rely on. Unfortunately, millions of women are forced to leave the country in search of jobs and better opportunities which is why we at GCash are incredibly excited to share this opportunity with every Filipina, empowering them to support their family without having to say goodbye,” says GCash chief commercial officer Ren-Ren Reyes.
“We are thrilled to partner with GCash to empower more Filipino women in the freelance economy. This aligns perfectly with GCash’s mission to promote financial inclusion and innovation, and we look forward to working together to unlock the full potential of the gig economy for women in the Philippines,” says Connected Women Co-Founder Gina Romero. In line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), GCash aims to be an organization that supports a more diverse, inclusive and gender-balanced society by providing equal opportunity.
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Now Accepting Entries For 71st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards For Literature
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| (Image Source: ClickTheCity.com/Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc.) |
The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. announced it is now accepting entries to the 71st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA), the longest-running and most prestigious literary writing competition in the country, open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages. Like last year, all submissions must be done online. The Carlos Palanca Foundation will not accept printed or e-mailed submissions for all categories. Authors who wish to join may submit only one (1) entry per category, as follows:
• English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play;
• Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tula Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;
• Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.
The competition's special Kabataan Division for young writers below 18 years old is also now open for entries in its two categories: Kabataan Essay (English) and Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino). Submissions must be informal (personal) essays on the theme: “Emerging out of the Pandemic, what are the most pressing issues surrounding mental health among youth and how can Society and Government help in addressing these concerns for the growth and well-being of our younger generations?” for Kabataan Essay and “Sa pagsulong mula sa Pandemya, ano ang mga pinakamabibigat na isyung pumapalibot sa kalusugan ng isip ng mga kabataan, at paano makatutulong ang Lipunan at Pamahalaan na tugunan ang mga ito para sa ikauunlad at ikabubuti ng ating mga nakababatang henerasyon?” for Kabataan Sanaysay.
Deadline for submission of entries is on May 31, 2023. For the official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Awards website at http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/. For other inquiries and concerns, email info@palancaawards.com.ph or call (632) 8843-8277 / (632) 8478-7996 and look for Ms. Leslie Layoso or Ms. Susan Castillo.
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Coca-Cola PH Continues To Empower Micro-Entrepreneurs, Celebrates 500 Graduates Of Training Program With TESDA
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Coca-Cola Philippines) |
500 micro-entrepreneurs were awarded Certificates of Completion for finishing the iSTAR Program in a graduation ceremony held at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City last March 22, 2023. Launched in 2021, the iSTAR Program is the digital adaptation of the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, an enduring partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provides free access to training, resources, and peer mentoring to micro and small business owners to help them grow their businesses. The iSTAR Program has removed the limitations of in-classroom training and diversified its trainees by opening it to existing and start-up micro-retailers of all genders.
Aimed at providing entrepreneurial training, sari-sari store owners and micro-entrepreneurs will be able to enhance their business knowledge such as online selling, inventory control, and planning; and gain access to microloans that will enable them to build their businesses further. The iSTAR Program is one of the efforts of Coca-Cola Philippines in sustaining the economic empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. For over a decade, Coca-Cola’s initiatives in this area have reached more than 270,000 women entrepreneurs in the retail sector across 17 regions and 81 provinces of the Philippines.
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Robinsons Supermarket Donates To World Vision In The Spirit Of Kindness, Ensures Continued Support For 120 Sponsored Children
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.) |
Demonstrating its continued commitment to vulnerable Filipino children, supermarket chain Robinsons Supermarket Corporation (RSC) recently turned over a total of Php650,000 worth of donations and support to the humanitarian organization World Vision Philippines. The in-kind and monetary donation will be aiding the 120 sponsored children of RSC, providing assistance for their basic life and educational needs. In cooperation with its vendor partners Nivea, Mondelez, NutriAsia, and Lysol (Reckitt), RSC has been running various initiatives to raise funds to strengthen World Vision’s child sponsorship and community development campaigns.
“We are celebrating kindness at all times, and we’re very glad to have found a partner that truly cares for the Filipino children as much as we do. We look forward to helping and sponsoring more children in the near future,” says RSC's newly-installed Managing Director Mr. Stanley Co. Through its contributions, RSC continues its unmatched support to advocate for children’s rights. The supermarket chain has been an active partner of World Vision since 2005 and has been a bridge and mouthpiece for children, amplifying World Vision’s advocacy for children’s well-being and welfare by giving them access to basic needs and proper education.
World Vision has ongoing campaigns to raise awareness about the situation of vulnerable children in the Philippines. They recently memorialized their advocacy campaign to fight against child labor through the commemoration of the Global March Against Child Labor and launched their newest campaign in 2023 – The New Year of Firsts Campaign. “More than giving children their physiological needs, donations like this bring them hope. Your support does not only allow us to provide for their basic needs but also empower them to believe in themselves, and discover life-changing opportunities as they grow,” stated World Vision Resource Development Director Jun N. Godornes.
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GMA Integrated News Bulletin Continues To Update Filipinos With Important Developments
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Integrated News further strengthens its position as the 'News Authority ng Filipino’ as it continues to bring the latest news, the breaking stories, and the biggest events here and abroad via “GMA Integrated News Bulletin”. Airing in between TV shows on GMA and GTV, as well as on digital channels Heart of Asia, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits, also on GMA News Online (gmanews.tv), GMA Integrated News Bulletin informs the multi-platform audience with up-to-the-minute reports. Helmed by GMA’s roster of credible news anchors and reporters, it also features the top stories from Super Radyo DZBB and GMA News Online as well as the headlines to look forward to in primetime newscast 24 Oras. Further, GMA Integrated News Bulletin offers viewers a more visually engaging reportage using state-of-the-art set and graphics.
GMA Integrated News Bulletin complements GMA Network’s formidable line-up of award-winning national newscasts and news magazines: Unang Hirit’s Unang Balita, 24 Oras and Saksi on GMA; Regional TV News, Balitanghali, Dapat Alam Mo!, and State of the Nation on GTV; as well as GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia, GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, and GMA Regional TV One Mindanao on various GMA Regional TV channels. Completing the list are the four GMA Regional TV-produced morning news shows Mornings with GMA Regional TV, GMA Regional TV Live!, GMA Regional TV Early Edition, and At Home with GMA Regional TV. With over 60 news teams, more than 60 stringers here and abroad, and a growing pool of online reporters, GMA Integrated News remains not just the biggest but also the news authority of Filipinos.
