Tag: Philippines

Manila, Philippines – UnionBank and Mercury Drug launched the new UnionBank Mercury Credit Card – a one-of-a-kind credit card designed to reward consumers for prioritizing their health and wellness.

With the new UnionBank Mercury Credit Card, users are not only encouraged to stay on top of their health, but also to be rewarded for it. It is also is the country’s first card dedicated to rewarding health.

The new UnionBank Mercury Credit Card was completely reimagined to cater to a new generation of health-conscious consumers. The new modern design, featuring the iconic ‘Mercury Man,’ makes it not only visually appealing but symbolic of Mercury Drug’s decades-long commitment to promoting health and well-being.

With the special credit card, users are entitled to 5X rewards points on all health and wellness-related purchases — a benefit no other card currently offers. Whether consumers are buying medicines, vitamins, supplements, fitness gear, or paying for gym memberships and medical services, the card rewards their dedication to a healthy lifestyle by maximising every peso spent in these categories.

In addition to the points, the card offers no annual fees for life. Plus, cardholders will enjoy free annual physical exams and ambulance services every year.

The launch of this card marks a new chapter in the evolving partnership between UnionBank and Mercury Drug, underscoring their shared commitment to enhancing the lives of Filipinos through innovative financial solutions that support health and wellness goals.

Manoj Varma, consumer banking head of UnionBank of the Philippines, described the card as a groundbreaking financial product that stands out in the market. “This isn’t just another rewards card. The UnionBank Mercury Card is designed to meet the growing demand for wellness-oriented financial tools, and it does so with unparalleled value.”

Meanwhile, Vivian Azcona, president of Mercury Drug, shared her excitement about the partnership, noting that this card is more than a financial tool — it’s a symbol of Mercury Drug’s commitment to helping Filipinos lead healthier lives. 

“The UnionBank Mercury Card is designed to empower our customers to make healthier choices while being rewarded for it. It truly aligns with Mercury Drug’s vision of promoting health and wellness for all Filipinos,” she said.

Philippines – Women in marketing and tech are reshaping the industry with fresh perspectives and innovative strategies. As leaders, they break barriers and champion diversity. Their influence fosters an inclusive culture, inspiring the next generation of female marketers to thrive and make their mark in a dynamic field.

With a mission to recognise the empowered women who are making waves in the marketing and technology fields, MARKETECH APAC, in collaboration with its sister publication UpTech Media, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated ‘Empowered Women Awards 2025.’

Centering on the tagline ‘Empowering Innovation, Elevating Women,’ the Empowered Women Awards 2025 highlights the inspiring journeys of women who have built successful careers and become catalysts for change. The awards go beyond recognition, serving as a testament to the strength and vision of women driving progress in the marketing and tech landscape. 

This awards ceremony builds on the success of previous iterations, such as the ‘Empowered Women Series’ and the virtual’ Empowered Women 2023: Marketing Conference & Awards,’ celebrating the extraordinary women transforming the marketing and technology sectors across Asia Pacific.

Scheduled to culminate in a prestigious in-person awards night on 26 September 2025 in Manila, this event promises to be a celebration of innovation, leadership, and the courageous spirit of women who are trailblazers in their fields. 

The Empowered Women Awards 2025 will showcase 46 categories, including individual recognition, marketing campaigns, tech innovations, special awards, and the grand prix. Each category will honour three (3) winners, awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold distinctions.

Judging criteria and eligibility will vary by category. Entries will open in November this year, with the judging process taking place in 14-25 July 2025.

Teddy Cambosa, regional editor at MARKETECH APAC, said, “We’re excited to finally launch our ‘Empowered Women Awards 2025’, as we believe that empowering women in the marketing and technology space is not only about closing gaps—it’s about recognising their immense contributions and unleashing their full potential. By celebrating their leadership, creativity, and innovation, we foster a more inclusive industry where diverse voices drive progress and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. When women are seen, heard, and valued, the future of these fields becomes limitless.”

To find out how to participate in this prestigious award series, click HERE to learn more about the Empowered Women Awards 2025.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barcenas ([email protected]); for judging opportunities, please contact Ivy Alamo ([email protected]); and for nominations, please contact Denise Obispado ([email protected]). 

Manila, Philippines – Doña Elena Olive Oils is elevating home-cooked meals, giving them a sense of luxury in a new campaign with BBDO Guerrero. 

The campaign, which shows a family sharing home-cooked dishes, incorporates opera to highlight how Doña Elena elevates the dining experience. It features the song ‘Habanera,’ from the French opera Carmen to provide a sense of nobility.

With the tagline ‘Feast like a Doña. Cook with Doña Elena,’ the campaign emphasises that through the brand’s olive oils, families can experience gourmet dining experience at home.

Dishes like pampano, paella, salpicao, and pasta were featured in the campaign video as having been upgraded through Doña Elena olive oils.

Doña Elena is a brand owned by Fly Ace Corporation and was launched in 1998.

“Our goal with this spot was to highlight the elevated experience that comes with using Doña Elena Olive Oils. These products aren’t just for cooking; they bring an authentic touch to home-cooked meals. We’re excited to reintroduce this creative twist that perfectly captures the essence of the campaign into the market, proving how any dish can be transformed with Doña Elena,” Maita Monsalud, category manager of Doña Elena (Fly Ace Corporation), said.

Andi Olbés, creative director at BBDO Guerrero, commented, “We wanted to do more than just visually represent the quality of Doña Elena products. We wanted to represent a feeling. By incorporating opera, we added that extra touch of drama that evokes the feeling of a grand dining experience, making every meal feel more special, elevated, and memorable with Doña Elena Olive Oils.”

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.”