Tag: Philippines

Philippines – McDonald’s has joined Scoliosis Philippines’ spinal health awareness movement as its bandit mascot Hamburglar joins the #StripesFitCheck campaign. 

After the campaign went viral, viewers found the stripes reminiscent of Hamburglar and tagged McDonald’s Philippines, sparking the collaboration.

In a popular #StripeFitCheck by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, she wore black-and-white stripes to show how people can detect scoliosis by wearing a fitted, horizontally striped shirt. 

@mcdoph

Replying to @camzchozas Burger lover na, #StripesFitCheck icon pa! Gawin niyo na rin, fam! 🤳 #ScoliosisAwareness #McDoPH

♬ original sound – McDo_PH – McDo_PH

Responding to the netizens’ tags, McDonald’s Philippines featured Hamburglar in a TikTok video to amplify the campaign. Doing the #StripesFitCheck, Hamburglar details how scoliosis detection can be made easy, encouraging more people to try it. 

The collaboration combines Scoliosis Philippines’ medical knowledge and McDonald’s audience to further spread spinal health awareness. 

Other celebrities and personalities have joined the #StripesFitCheck campaign, including Carla Abellana and Inka Magnaye. It encourages early scoliosis detection, aiming the fit checks to lead to check-ups if necessary.

According to Scoliosis Philippines, check-ups may be necessary if people wearing striped shirts find misaligned shoulders, ribs, or hips.

Manila, Philippines – With the season being a peak time for getaways, Filipinos prioritise experience-driven travel, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan being top destinations, with a new study from Visa highlighting a significant shift in how Filipinos plan and pay for their travels, showing a growing preference for contactless payments alongside the continued use of cash.

According to the survey, December is a peak travel month for Filipinos, with 32% planning domestic vacations and 23% opting for international destinations.

The survey highlighted that most Filipinos travel primarily to relax (80%) and seek new experiences (43%). Sightseeing remains the most popular activity for travelers (82%), but local cuisine (67%) and shopping (67%) are also high on the list of priorities. These findings suggest that many Filipinos are looking for destinations that offer a mix of leisure, entertainment, and adventure.

Amongst international destinations, Singapore stands out as the top choice, with 38% of respondents having visited the city-state in the past 12 months. Its mix of urban attractions and cultural experiences, coupled with its close proximity and accessibility from the Philippines, makes it a favoured destination, especially during the holiday season.

Hong Kong follows closely, with 31% of Filipinos choosing to visit. Known for its extensive shopping opportunities and festive celebrations, Hong Kong attracts families seeking both luxury and bargain shopping, along with its diverse culinary offerings.

Japan is another popular destination, drawing 30% of Filipino travelers. Known for its scenic landscapes, festive markets, and deep cultural heritage, Japan offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it an attractive option for those wanting to experience something different during the holidays.

A growing trend among Filipino travelers is the increasing preference for contactless payments. A recent survey commissioned by Visa and conducted by YouGov in August 2024 revealed that 66% of Filipino travelers now favor using mobile wallets and tap-to-pay cards for their transactions. Additionally, 67% expressed plans to acquire cards with contactless features, reflecting the rising adoption of digital payment solutions.

However, despite the shift toward cashless methods, 71% of holiday travelers still carry cash as a backup, particularly for destinations where digital payment options may not be as widely available. This indicates that while contactless payments are becoming more popular, many Filipino travelers continue to rely on cash, especially in areas that have yet to fully embrace digital transactions.

As the holiday season approaches, this blend of evolving payment methods and a desire for experience-driven travel highlights the changing dynamics of how Filipinos navigate their journeys. Whether paying with contactless technology or cash, the core of Filipino travel remains rooted in creating meaningful experiences and moments shared with loved ones—values that remain as significant as the destinations themselves.

Jeff Navarro, country manager for Visa Philippines, said, “At Visa, we are committed to ensuring a seamless, secure, and convenient experience for Filipino travelers heading abroad and for inbound visitors to the Philippines. We recognize that tourism plays a vital role in the economy, contributing to job creation and overall growth. We’re working to support the Filipino government’s efforts to enhance tourism by improving digital payment methods and providing tourists with an enjoyable experience, which will help to further drive economic development and strengthen the tourism industry.”

He added, “As cross-border travel continues to grow, Visa sees a tremendous opportunity to remain a key part of the traveler’s journey. The convenience and security of digital payment options give travelers greater confidence when making transactions abroad—whether they are booking accommodation, dining, or shopping. Our goal is to continue supporting travelers at every stage, from planning and booking to the entirety of their trip, by encouraging the use of Visa for a seamless, secure, and hassle-free payment experience.”

Manila, Philippines – Media company ABS-CBN has announced the retrenchment of 100 of its employees, accounting for the company’s 3% of its workforce.

The company has confirmed said news to MARKETECH APAC when reached out, citing the global decline in pay TV business, as well as the TV industry being hurt by lower consumer spending translating into lower advertising spends.

“We are committed to providing those affected with full benefits and support, and are deeply grateful for their many years of service to the company and to the public,” ABS-CBN said in a press statement.

Nonetheless, ABS-CBN has highlighted how its TV ratings continue to improve, as well as its film studio Star Cinema producing two box office-hitting titles ‘Unhappy for You’ and ‘Rewind’. 

It has also highlighted that its music business has gotten a strong boost from the popularity of girl band BINI–which has been notable lately for their brand collaborations with local brands like Jollibee, Modess, Surf, Sunsilk, amongst others.

ABS-CBN has struggled to maintain its revenue since its franchise on free TV and radio has been revoked by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Following that, the network has laid off more than 4,000 employees as it affected multiple verticals of the media company.

In 2023, its radio channel TeleRadyo also ceased operations, with its 630 kHz frequency taken over by a new ‘TeleRadyo Serbisyo’ done in partnership with ABS-CBN and Prime Media Holdings.

The media industry in the Philippines has been experiencing difficulties as well, which resulted in shutdowns like of CNN Philippines in January this year.

Philippines – Kintab Toothtabs, along with the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines (MWWP) and BBDO Guerrero, has unveiled a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the environmental dangers associated with plastic toothpaste tubes, particularly their impact on marine wildlife.

The campaign, titled “The Killer Smile,” showcases three powerful visuals featuring iconic marine animals—a dolphin, a whale, and a polar bear. Each striking image portrays these creatures made from toothpaste, dramatically positioned atop a toothbrush, symbolising the deadly impact of plastic waste on marine life.

Created by the BBDO Guerrero team, these visuals highlight the harmful impact of our daily oral healthcare habits on marine wildlife, particularly when plastic waste is discarded irresponsibly.

As part of the campaign, Kintab also introduced a specially designed toothpaste box that features two variants of its toothpaste tablets—Blizzard and Herbed—alongside a bamboo toothbrush for a fully sustainable brushing experience. The packaging, made to connect with consumers visually, includes informative text about the threats posed by plastic to marine wildlife, emphasising that the solution lies within the box itself.

Guilian Sencio, CEO and co-founder of Kintab, expressed, “The Killer Smile is an eye-opening reminder that even the smallest daily habits, like brushing our teeth, have an environmental impact. It’s vital that we make the switch to more sustainable alternatives like Kintab to help protect our oceans and wildlife for future generations.”

The campaign was launched last September at a symposium in BGC, Taguig, in conjunction with Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo), reminding Filipinos of their deep connection to the sea. 

Dr. AA Yaptinchay, the executive director of Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, said, “Single-use plastics, including the packaging of everyday items like toothpaste, aside from their obvious direct effect when it chokes an animal and smothers its habitat, can break down into microplastics, which are highly toxic to marine wildlife when ingested and can lead to illness and death. It’s crucial that we become mindful of the impact our everyday actions have on the environment, as every piece of plastic that ends up in the ocean threatens the health of our marine ecosystems.”

Meanwhile, Alexandra Lopez, associate creative director of BBDO Guerrero, shared, “Creativity can inspire positive change. Through powerful visuals, we’re not only raising awareness but also sparking a conversation about how our actions, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on the world around us.”

Manila, Philippines – Local food business group Figaro Coffee Group has announced that its board of directors has approved the change to rebrand as Figaro Culinary Group, according to a recent stock disclosure statement by the company on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

According to the disclosure statement, said rebranding has been determined that it is in the best interest of the company to change its corporate name to better reflect its strategic vision and broaden its brand identity. 

“The proposed new name (Figaro Culinary Group) will outline the company’s commitment to quality and innovation as it expands its offerings to include a wide range of culinary products and experiences,” the company said.

Figaro Coffee Group consists of the coffeehouse chain Figaro Coffee, pizza chain Angel’s Pizza, Taiwanese food chain Tien-Ma’s, kebab shop Koobideh Kebabs, and gourmet coffee chain Cafe Portofino.

The group’s most popular brand is Figaro Coffee, a chain founded in 1993. As of this writing, the coffee chain has 90 outlets worldwide, including in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Papua New Guinea.

Philippines – Around 80% of Filipino respondents consider free shipping to be the most important factor when shopping with online stores or retailers, a study by Shopify showed.

The study found that the free shipping feature is a must for the majority of Filipinos when making purchases online. Other key considerations for Filipino shoppers include using mobile apps for online shopping (46%) and free returns (45%).

Meanwhile, for in-store purchases, 66% of Filipinos said attentive staff is their top priority. Additionally, 57% emphasised the importance of sufficient stock, while 52% highlighted the need for attentive customer service.

Bjarati Balakrishnan, head and director for Southeast Asia and India at Shopify, said, “Experiences in the store are really changing rapidly because, you and I, when we walk into a store today, we pop out a marketplace and read the catalogue in detail before we decide what to buy. We’re not really relying on the salesman to tell us all the details, like we used to 10 years back.” 

She continued, “Invest in unified commerce, but please get your basics right before you enter the world of (augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence). Let’s get catalogue and content assortment, inventory, pricing, and promotions right.” 

“I definitely think mainly the present is omnichannel. How it evolves into being more unified, more driven by technology, more driven by a unified experience for customers, so they feel, no matter where they want to buy you, they can find you, is really what the future is,” Balakrishnan further noted.

Manila, Philippines – HAVAS Ortega has announced the appointment of Rozzaine Valenzuela as its new head of growth, and will also serve as the deputy general manager leading the Arena Media brand. Her track record in driving business development and implementing transformative strategies is poised to propel HAVAS Ortega to new heights.

In her new role, Rozzaine will lead initiatives to expand the agency’s client base and advance its service offerings. Additionally, she will oversee operations for the Arena Media to ensure that the agency integrates strategies that only deliver impactful results for its clients.

She brings with her 15 years of experience in the media and advertising field, having previously held roles at Mindshare, Publicis Media, and most recently a regional client leadership role for SEA and Taiwan.

Rozzaine’s appointment is effective immediately, and she will be working directly with the various specialty teams of the HAVAS Village.

Speaking on her appointment, she said, “I am thrilled to join HAVAS Ortega and Arena Media. This is an exciting opportunity for me, to work with an incredibly talented team and contribute to the growth of an agency that values creativity and innovation. I look forward to building strong relationships with our clients and making meaningful and impactful change.”

Meanwhile, Jos Ortega, CEO of HAVAS Ortega, expressed his enthusiasm about the newest member of the team, commenting, “HAVAS Ortega is in expansion mode, having recently launched two specialist brands and five new service offerings. To ensure success, we need talent of Rozzaine’s caliber. Her expertise and approach will be instrumental in strengthening our position as industry leaders.”

Lastly, Jay Lim, chief operating officer of HAVAS Media Network , also shared his thoughts on Rozzaine’s appointment, saying, “We are excited to welcome Rozzaine to our team. Her creativity and analytical skills align perfectly with our mission to deliver pioneering solutions that resonate with our clients and their audiences. I am confident that her leadership will significantly contribute to our growth and success.”

Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed a new law on Wednesday that imposes a value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital services providers (DSPs), marking a significant step in regulating the digital economy and ensuring that global companies contribute to the Philippine market.

Republic Act (RA) 12023, a priority for the administration, establishes a 12% VAT on foreign DSPs like Netflix, Disney, and HBO, aimed at generating crucial additional revenue for the government.

President Marcos believes that the new law will create a more equitable environment for local service providers.

“If you are reaping the rewards of a fruitful digital economy here, it is only right that you also contribute to its growth. After all, whether you are a small tech startup or a global tech giant based halfway around the world, if you are making money here in the Philippines, you’re a part of our community, and with that comes a shared responsibility,” Marcos said in his message. 

According to the President, RA 12023 is projected to generate approximately PHP 105b in revenue over the next five years. This funding could be used to construct 42,000 classrooms, establish over 6,000 rural health units, and develop 7,000 kilometres of farm-to-market roads. 

Moreover, % of the revenue generated by this law will be dedicated to supporting the local creative industry.

“This means our artists, filmmakers, and musicians—the very people who fill our platforms with storage and the content—will directly benefit. It ensures that our creative talents are not just surviving in a competitive digital market but will be allowed by fairness and progress,” Marcos added. 

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noted that the new law is anticipated to mitigate revenue losses by clarifying the tax obligations of non-resident digital service providers and resolving ambiguities present in the previous legislation.

In a statement, Gatchalian said, “We believe in the importance of creating an environment where our digital services providers, whether they are nonresident or local, operate under fair and square tax policies.”

Gatchalian further clarified that the new measure does not mean a new tax imposition.

“We are not imposing new taxes. We will only collect the tax that we should be collecting from foreign digital service providers,” he explained. 

Manila, Philippines – Manulife Philippines, a financial services provider, has launched the ‘Manulife Stories’ video series celebrating its customers’ achievements. The campaign, which tells the inspiring stories of six customers, reinforces Manulife’s ‘Where will better take you’ strategy and tagline.

Within the three-episode series, Manulife customers including Filipino celebrity and brand ambassador Anne Curtis share their personal stories of investing in themselves.

In the campaign, Curtis shares how she managed her pregnancy during the pandemic with the security of insurance. Marielle Malaga and Yvonne Reyes also shared how they were able to continue pursuing their dreams despite financial and emotional challenges. 

‘Manulife Stories’ can be viewed via the company’s YouTube channel.

“At the core of every insurance policy is a very human story. No matter the situation, we want our customers to feel supported and know we are looking after their dreams and those of their families,” Sonali Verma, chief marketing officer at Manulife Philippines, said. 

“It is heartwarming to hear our customers talk about how the Manulife team gave them the support and encouragement when they needed it most. Through ‘Manulife Stories,’ we hope to inspire more Filipinos to take proactive steps toward their financial security, knowing that Manulife will be their trusted partner in securing a better future,” Verma added.

Manulife recently unveiled its ‘Where will better take you’ brand strategy to reflect its mission of ‘Decisions Made Easier. Lives Made Better.’

Manila, Philippines – Disney Experiences’ outlet chain Disney Store is opening its first store in the Philippines, located at SM Mall of Asia, Level 1 North Main Mall. It is also worth noting that this is Disney Store’s first physical store in Southeast Asia.

As the official destination for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars merchandise, shoppers can expect a wide selection of authentic, high-quality toys, plush items, trendy apparel, costumes, home décor, and more, including exclusive products from Disney Parks. 

Inspired by iconic Disney moments, the store also features photo opportunities and sculptures of beloved characters like Disney Princesses, Queen Elsa, Winnie the Pooh, Spider-Man, Darth Vader, as well as Mickey Mouse & Friends.

Sara Grewal, vice president of retail at Disney Consumer Products Asia-Pacific, said, “We are thrilled that Disney fans in the Philippines can connect with their favorite characters in exciting new ways at Disney Store by SM, with thoughtful collections and retail elements. We look forward to bringing the magic of Disney closer to home for guests of all ages, and creating happiness for them every day.”

Meanwhile, Rose Marie Dylim, president of International Toy World Inc. (ITWI) commented, “Disney Store by SM is more than just a place to shop. In bringing Disney Store to one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, we aspire for it to become a welcoming retail destination where guests look forward to creating memories with their loved ones.”