Manulife Philippines Wins Three HR Asia Awards for Workplace Excellence

Manulife Philippines Wins Three HR Asia Awards for Workplace Excellence

Monday, October 12, 2026

Manulife Philippines has earned three HR Asia awards for workplace culture, technology empowerment, and people transformation, while securing two finalist nominations at the HR Excellence Awards Singapore 2026.

Manulife Philippines has received three recognitions at the 2026 HR Asia Awards, highlighting its approach to employee engagement, workplace technology, and workforce development.

The financial services company was named one of HR Asia's 2026 Best Companies to Work for in Asia and received the Tech Empowerment Award and People Transformation Award. The awards were presented at a ceremony in Pasay City on October 6, 2026.

The recognitions come as organizations continue to invest in artificial intelligence, digital tools, and employee skills to adapt to changing workplace demands. For Manulife Philippines, the awards highlight initiatives designed to integrate technology into daily work while supporting continuous learning and employee well-being.

The company has also been named a finalist in two categories at the HR Excellence Awards Singapore 2026, extending its recognition to a regional HR platform.

Three HR Asia Awards Recognize Workplace and People Strategies

HR Asia's Best Companies to Work for in Asia program recognizes organizations based on employee engagement, workplace culture, and people practices. According to the supplied announcement, the assessment uses employee survey results benchmarked against market scores, alongside an evaluation of organizational practices.

The Tech Empowerment Award focuses on how organizations use technology to support employees, improve collaboration, and enable more effective work. The People Transformation Award recognizes organizations that place learning and workforce development at the center of their people strategies.

Manulife Philippines said its awards reflect investments in employee experience, innovation, and the development of skills needed in a changing business environment.

"These awards affirm that the future belongs to organizations bold enough to invest in their people," said Rahul Hora, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Philippines.

He described talent and technology as twin drivers of the company's growth strategy, adding that the recognitions validate its investments in innovation, capability-building, and employee experience.

Hora also linked workplace development to the company's customer strategy, saying employees who are equipped for the future can help deliver better experiences to customers and communities.

Generative AI and Digital Learning Support Employee Development

One area highlighted by Manulife Philippines is its use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to support employees in their daily work.

The company said it has introduced GenAI capabilities to give colleagues new ways to work and collaborate. These initiatives form part of its broader effort to embed innovation into the employee experience.

The announcement did not specify the GenAI tools deployed, the number of employees using them, or measurable productivity gains. The award therefore highlights the company's technology initiatives without establishing a quantified impact on business performance.

Workforce learning is another focus of its people strategy.

Manulife Philippines said it uses its proprietary online learning platform, Pursuit, alongside LinkedIn Learning to support continuous upskilling. The company also cited programs focused on inclusion, wellness, employee recognition, and engagement.

These initiatives reflect an approach that combines digital capabilities with the development of human skills. As AI tools become more common in professional environments, organizations must also help employees learn how to use them effectively, collaborate across teams, and adapt to changing responsibilities.

The People Transformation Award recognizes Manulife Philippines' emphasis on learning and growth as part of that broader workforce strategy.

Two HR Excellence Awards Singapore Finalist Nominations

Beyond its HR Asia wins, Manulife Philippines has been named a finalist in two categories at the 14th Annual HR Excellence Awards Singapore 2026.

The nominations are:

Excellence in Leadership Development: Recognizes efforts to develop capable leaders and prepare them for future organizational challenges.

Excellence in Total Rewards Strategy: Recognizes approaches to compensation, benefits, and employee well-being.

The nominations highlight two additional areas of the company's people strategy: building leadership capabilities and developing rewards that support employees throughout their careers.

Ardhi Siregar, chief people officer of Manulife Philippines, said the recognitions reflect the company's efforts to develop future-ready leaders, reward employees meaningfully, and integrate learning and technology into everyday work.

She also credited employees for contributing to the company's achievements, emphasizing the role of curiosity, care, and commitment in building a high-performing organization.

The Singapore recognitions are finalist nominations, rather than confirmed wins. They add to the company's award record while recognizing its work in leadership development and total rewards.

Connecting Employee Experience With Business Strategy

For financial services companies, employee development and technology adoption are closely linked to the ability to respond to changing customer expectations and business requirements.

Manulife Philippines has positioned its people initiatives as part of its ambition to become Filipino customers' first choice for trusted financial advice. Its stated approach combines workplace technology, continuous learning, leadership development, inclusion, and employee well-being.

The latest awards provide external recognition of these efforts. However, the longer-term business impact of such programs will depend on how effectively they help employees build skills, collaborate, adapt to new tools, and serve customers.

For organizations navigating digital transformation, Manulife Philippines' initiatives illustrate how technology investment can be paired with workforce development rather than treated as a separate priority.

The company's three HR Asia awards and two regional finalist nominations place its employee experience strategy in the spotlight as it continues to invest in talent, innovation, and workplace culture.

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DOJ Undersecretary Backs Wider Use of Filipino in Court Proceedings

DOJ Undersecretary Backs Wider Use of Filipino in Court Proceedings

DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato says expanding the use of Filipino in courtrooms could help Filipinos better understand legal proceedings, while highlighting the need to accommodate the country's many languages.

Understanding what happens inside a courtroom can be difficult when the language used in legal proceedings is unfamiliar. For people facing criminal charges, that language barrier can affect how clearly they understand the accusations against them and the legal process that may shape their future.

Department of Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato has backed calls to expand the use of Filipino in court proceedings nationwide, responding to a renewed appeal from the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA) for the Supreme Court to allow broader use of the national language in courtrooms.

Dato said the appeal highlights a longstanding gap between the language of the law and the people it serves.

“For many Filipinos, the courtroom can feel like a place where justice is spoken in a foreign tongue,” Dato said. He added that when proceedings are difficult to understand, people may have to depend on their lawyers to explain decisions and developments affecting their lives, families, and freedom.

The proposal raises a wider question for the Philippine justice system: how can courts make legal proceedings more understandable without sacrificing the precision required by the law?

Language Access and the Right to Understand the Charges

The 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes Filipino as the national language and directs the government to take steps toward its continued use as a medium of official communication. It also identifies Filipino and English as the country's official languages for communication and instruction, subject to the Constitution's provisions.

The Constitution's Bill of Rights provides another relevant foundation. Article III, Section 14 guarantees an accused person the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against them, along with other protections in criminal proceedings.

The constitutional provisions do not, by themselves, establish that all court proceedings must be conducted in Filipino. However, Dato argues that making courtroom language more accessible could help people better understand how these protections apply to their cases.

“It is not enough for the words to be translated; they must be naiintindihan,” he said.

The distinction matters because legal comprehension involves more than translating individual words. People must be able to understand the meaning of the charges, the evidence presented, and the decisions that affect their rights.

The 1987 Constitution provides the legal context for the discussion.

Supreme Court Decisions Show Filipino Can Be Used in Legal Writing

The discussion comes as the Supreme Court has issued decisions written in Filipino.

In July 2026, the Court released a 26-page decision in a statutory rape case written entirely in Filipino by Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh. The ruling affirmed the convictions in the case, according to a report by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The decision demonstrated that Filipino can be used to communicate complex legal reasoning in a formal court ruling. It also drew attention to the role language can play in making judicial decisions more accessible to the public.

The Supreme Court's broader reform agenda includes its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, which identifies access, inclusion, transparency, and accountability among the goals of judicial modernization. The plan is not solely a language initiative, but its focus on more accessible justice provides relevant context for the discussion.

More information about the plan is available through the Supreme Court's official website.

Could Filipino Help Witnesses Give Clearer Testimony?

Dato also pointed to possible benefits during the presentation of evidence.

Witnesses may be better able to describe what they saw, heard, or experienced when speaking in a language they know well, he said. Requiring them to first translate their thoughts into English could make it harder to express details naturally.

Filipino-language documents are also accepted under the Rules of Court without a separate translation requirement, according to Dato.

However, expanding the use of Filipino would require careful attention to legal terminology. Concepts such as preponderance of evidence and the elements of estafa carry specific meanings developed through the country's legal history.

Translating these concepts involves more than substituting English terms with Filipino words. Legal professionals would need terminology that preserves the precise meaning of the law while making it understandable to court users.

That work would be important to ensure that language changes improve comprehension without introducing uncertainty into legal arguments, evidence, or judicial decisions.

A Nationwide Approach Must Consider Regional Languages

Filipino may be more familiar to many court users, but it is not the first language of every Filipino.

Dato cautioned against an approach that treats Tagalog-based Filipino as the only answer to language barriers in the justice system. People in the Visayas and Mindanao, for example, may be more comfortable speaking Cebuano or another regional language. Others may primarily use Ilocano or a different Philippine language.

This presents a practical challenge for any nationwide policy. Expanding the use of Filipino could improve access for some court users, but a system that does not account for regional language differences could leave others facing similar difficulties.

Implementation would therefore require consideration of language assistance, consistent legal terminology, and the needs of people who cannot comfortably follow proceedings in Filipino or English.

The issue is not simply which language courts should use. It is how courts can communicate legal rights, evidence, and decisions accurately to the people involved in a case.

Making Justice Understandable to the People It Serves

The PTLA's appeal and Dato's response place language access within the broader discussion of judicial accessibility. Greater use of Filipino could help some court users follow proceedings more directly, while the country's linguistic diversity and the precision of legal concepts present challenges that would need to be addressed.

Any nationwide change would depend on the Supreme Court's rules and implementation decisions. Dato's statement supports wider use of Filipino, but it does not mean that a nationwide shift has already been approved.

For the proposal to work, accessibility would need to go hand in hand with accuracy and safeguards for court users who speak other Philippine languages.

As Dato put it, the central issue is whether people can understand the laws that govern them, the charges brought against them, and the decisions that affect their freedom. The challenge for the justice system is to make that understanding possible without losing the precision and fairness that legal proceedings demand.

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Hanabishi Joins Del Bangonanza Caravan in CDO

Hanabishi Joins Del Bangonanza Caravan in CDO

Hanabishi is bringing free laundry services and product giveaways to communities in Cagayan de Oro as the Del Fabric Softener Bangonanza Caravan begins its Visayas-Mindanao leg.

Brand partnerships can extend beyond product promotions when they bring practical support directly to local communities. Hanabishi is continuing that approach through its participation in the Del Fabric Softener Bangonanza Caravan, which is visiting barangays in Cagayan de Oro this October.

The caravan will stop at Barangay Lapasan Covered Court on October 10 and Barangay Macabalan on October 11. Residents can receive Hanabishi product giveaways, while the first 70 people to register will be eligible for free laundry services using the brand’s automatic washing machines.

The initiative brings household products and laundry services closer to residents while supporting the caravan’s broader community outreach efforts.

Hanabishi Brings Household Support to Local Communities

For Hanabishi, the caravan offers an opportunity to connect its products with the everyday needs of Filipino households.

“We would like to thank Del for inviting us to take part in this grassroots community initiative,” said Cherish Ong-Chua, vice president for finance and marketing of Hanabishi.

She said the company aims to develop products that make daily life more comfortable and convenient for Filipino families. Participating in the caravan allows Hanabishi to bring its products and practical assistance directly to communities.

The free laundry service is a central feature of the Cagayan de Oro stops, giving eligible residents access to washing machines during the event. Product giveaways will also be available, although the company has not specified the full list of items or distribution quantities.

Iloilo Next on the Caravan's Route

After its stops in Cagayan de Oro, the Del Bangonanza Caravan is scheduled to visit Iloilo to complete its Visayas leg.

Earlier in the year, the caravan completed its Luzon run with stops in Taguig, Pampanga, and Lucena City. Its continued movement across different locations provides participating brands with opportunities to engage communities beyond conventional retail and advertising channels.

For companies in the consumer goods sector, these initiatives can also serve as a way to build relationships with households through direct interaction and services connected to everyday routines.

Hanabishi Marks 40 Years in the Philippines

Hanabishi is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, highlighting a milestone in its presence in the Philippine home-appliance market.

The company says it has supported community initiatives through partnerships with organizations such as the GMA Kapuso Foundation and various cooperatives, helping bring assistance and relief to different areas across the country.

Ong-Chua said Hanabishi looks forward to working with brands and organizations that share its goal of supporting Filipino families.

“As we turn another chapter for Hanabishi, we look forward to partnering with like-minded brands, such as Del, and organizations that help Filipino families,” she said.

The company's participation in the Bangonanza Caravan reflects how consumer brands can combine product visibility with community-based activities. The longer-term value of such programs depends on sustained engagement and the practical benefits delivered to the communities they reach.

For more information about Hanabishi's products and activities, visit the official Hanabishi website.

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Home Credit Rebuilds Typhoon-Hit School in Catanduanes

Home Credit Rebuilds Typhoon-Hit School in Catanduanes

Home Credit Philippines and its nonprofit partners have completed a six-month recovery initiative at Salvacion Elementary School in Catanduanes, combining classroom reconstruction with disaster preparedness training and community skills development.

Completed in July 2026, the project delivered four disaster-resilient classrooms, repaired five existing classrooms, and upgraded essential school facilities. The improvements benefit 115 students and nine school staff members in a community repeatedly affected by typhoons.

The initiative, carried out with All Hands & Hearts (AH&H) and supported by Happy Hearts Czech, also extended beyond school infrastructure. Programs in disaster preparedness, child protection, menstrual hygiene management, and construction skills aimed to help residents build the knowledge and capabilities needed for long-term recovery.

How Did the Catanduanes School Recovery Project Help the Community?

The project addressed two connected challenges: creating safer spaces for learning and helping the wider community prepare for future emergencies.

Recurring typhoons had left Salvacion Elementary School vulnerable to damage, disrupting classes and affecting students and teachers. Rebuilding classrooms was therefore only one part of the recovery effort.

Home Credit supported the construction of four disaster-resilient classrooms and the repair of five others. The project also provided sanitation facilities, a water filtration and drinking station, electrical upgrades, furniture, and a new playground.

These improvements give the school a more suitable environment for learning while addressing basic needs such as access to drinking water, sanitation, and functional classroom facilities.

For school communities exposed to recurring disasters, reliable learning spaces matter beyond the school day. They help students continue their education and give teachers a better environment in which to work, even as the community recovers from disruption.

What Were the Project's Key Results?

The six-month initiative combined physical improvements with training and community support.

Disaster-resilient construction: 4 classrooms built

Classroom rehabilitation: 5 classrooms repaired

School beneficiaries: 115 students and nine staff members

Disaster preparedness: 393 students, teachers, and community members trained

Child protection: 126 beneficiaries participated in programs

Menstrual hygiene management: 78 community members attended workshops

Construction skills: 4 women completed female mason training

The figures show that the initiative extended beyond rebuilding damaged facilities. It also invested in practical knowledge and skills that may support community preparedness and recovery.

The female mason training is particularly notable because it introduced four women to construction skills that could support future livelihood opportunities and local rebuilding efforts. However, the number of trainees who go on to secure paid work was not disclosed.

Why Does Disaster Resilience Require More Than Rebuilding?

Disaster recovery is often measured by the buildings restored and facilities replaced. Yet physical reconstruction alone may not address the wider challenges communities face after repeated emergencies.

Preparedness training can help residents understand risks and respond more effectively when disasters occur. Child protection programs can reinforce awareness of children's safety and well-being, while menstrual hygiene workshops address practical health and sanitation needs.

The Catanduanes initiative brought these elements together with school rehabilitation. This approach recognizes that a community's ability to recover depends not only on infrastructure but also on people's knowledge, resources, and access to support.

For businesses investing in community development, the distinction matters. A completed building is a visible output, while sustained improvements in safety, education, livelihoods, and preparedness require continued attention.

The project figures establish the scale of the activities delivered. Long-term measures, such as classroom continuity after future typhoons, employment outcomes for trained residents, and the continued use of preparedness skills, would help demonstrate the initiative's lasting impact.

How Is Home Credit Linking Education With Long-Term Community Development?

Home Credit Philippines positioned the project as part of its broader social impact efforts beyond consumer financing.

"At Home Credit, we believe that true empowerment begins with creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and build better lives," said Jana Pechouckova, senior vice president of Home Credit Philippines.

She said the partnership invested in safer classrooms and stronger communities by supporting learning environments and equipping residents to face future challenges.

The initiative also opened the possibility of extending education beyond school-age learners. Salvacion Elementary School plans to expand access to learning by offering educational opportunities for adults who were unable to complete their formal education.

If implemented, the initiative could create additional pathways for personal development and economic participation. The school has not yet provided details on the program's launch date, curriculum, or expected enrollment.

For Home Credit, the partnership illustrates how corporate social responsibility can connect infrastructure investment with community-based programs. Its longer-term value will depend on whether the facilities remain functional, training translates into practical benefits, and the planned adult education opportunities become available.

What Role Did All Hands & Hearts Play?

All Hands & Hearts partnered with Home Credit to deliver the school and community initiative, with support from Happy Hearts Czech helping establish and facilitate the collaboration.

Kezz Burrows, program director at All Hands & Hearts, emphasized that recovery involves restoring opportunities and preparing communities for future challenges, not simply rebuilding structures.

The partnership brought together corporate funding and nonprofit implementation to address different aspects of recovery in Salvacion. Such collaborations can help connect resources with local needs, although their long-term effectiveness depends on maintenance, community participation, and continued support after a project's formal completion.

Home Credit said it intends to pursue further partnerships focused on community empowerment, resilience, and opportunities for Filipinos.

The Catanduanes project offers a concrete example of that approach: rebuilding classrooms while also investing in preparedness, protection, and practical skills. Its lasting significance will be measured by how well these improvements serve the school and community in the years ahead.

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Athens Property Investment Opens to Filipino Investors at €250,000

Athens Property Investment Opens to Filipino Investors at €250,000

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

For Filipinos considering overseas property, the appeal of an investment can extend beyond the property itself. Some investors are also looking at international mobility, diversification and potential rental income as part of a broader financial strategy.

A new offering in Athens is targeting that market, with Golden Visa Centrale (GVC) giving Filipino investors first access to a €250,000 property investment that offers fixed rental income equivalent to 6% annually for the first five years.

The Philippines will be the project's first market before the offering is introduced more broadly overseas.

Called Athena Arts House, the project combines an Athens property investment with access to Greece's residency-by-investment pathway, subject to the applicable requirements and terms.

What the €250,000 investment includes

Athena Arts House is located in Omonia, central Athens, where a listed building is being renovated into a professionally managed property.

The development is being undertaken by Arish Capital Partners, a real estate investor and developer with projects across the UK, Europe and emerging markets. An international hotel operator is expected to manage the property, including room operations, branding and day-to-day management.

The investment starts at €250,000 and provides fixed rental income equivalent to 6% per year for the first five years, paid annually in arrears and subject to the investment agreement.

From the sixth year onward, rental income will instead be based on the property's hotel operating income.

Investors are also entitled to seven days of use each year.

That structure means the proposition is not simply about buying an overseas property. It combines an income component, accommodation use and a potential residency pathway.

However, prospective investors should examine the investment agreement carefully, particularly the distinction between the fixed income period and the income structure from the sixth year onward.

How Greece's Golden Visa fits into the investment

The investment is also designed to provide eligible investors with access to Greece's Golden Visa pathway.

The programme can provide renewable residence rights in Greece and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, with no minimum stay requirement under the programme's applicable rules.

Eligible family members may also be included through Greece's family reunification provisions, subject to the relevant requirements.

For investors, the residency component can therefore be an important consideration alongside the property's financial characteristics.

It is worth separating the two, however. Residency eligibility does not automatically mean that an investment is suitable financially, while the projected or fixed income component should not be treated as equivalent to a risk-free return.

Investors should independently verify current Greek residency rules, ownership requirements, taxes, fees, financing arrangements and all conditions attached to the specific property investment before committing funds.

Why Filipino investors are looking overseas

According to GVC, demand for residency-by-investment opportunities among its Filipino clients increasingly includes considerations beyond simply obtaining residency.

The company says it has assisted around 400 families across its various residency programmes and has recorded 25% to 30% growth, with around 50 applicants for its Greece programme.

Vicky Luis, Founder and President of Golden Visa Centrale, said the response to the company's previous Greece offering indicated that Filipino investors were evaluating overseas opportunities from both investment and mobility perspectives.

“The profile of our clients has become broader,” Luis said. “Some are primarily looking at mobility and family considerations, while others are also assessing the underlying investment and potential income.”

That shift is relevant for Filipinos approaching retirement or planning for their family's longer-term financial future. An overseas property can potentially serve several purposes, but it also introduces additional considerations such as currency movements, foreign taxation, property-market conditions, regulatory changes and the management of assets from another country.

What investors should examine before committing

An advertised fixed rental income can understandably attract attention, particularly when paired with a residency benefit. But the headline return should not be the only factor in evaluating an overseas property investment.

Potential investors should look beyond the 6% figure and understand:

• What the 6% income is calculated on and how payments are structured.
• What happens after five years, when income shifts to hotel operating performance.
• All acquisition and ongoing costs, including taxes, management fees and other charges.
• The ownership structure and exactly what the investor owns.
• Currency exposure, since the investment and income are denominated in euros.
• Exit and resale provisions, including how and when the investment can be sold.
• Residency requirements, which can change independently of the property's financial performance.
• Hotel operating risks, particularly once returns are linked to operating income.

These questions are especially important for investors using a significant portion of their savings for an overseas purchase. Diversification can be useful, but putting too much capital into a single property, country or currency can create a different kind of concentration risk.

Filipino investors can attend upcoming sessions

GVC is holding investor sessions in Manila for Filipinos interested in its Greece and Portugal Golden Visa programmes, including Athena Arts House.

Greece Portugal Golden Visa Programs

September 29, 2026

3:00 PM

HSBC Premier, G/F The Enterprise Makati

September 30, 2026

5:30 PM

The Rizal Room, Manila House, BGC

October 1, 2026

9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Shangri-La BGC, Private Consultations

Golden Visa Centrale says its programmes cover residency-by-investment options in Greece and Portugal, with investment thresholds, timelines and residency considerations varying according to the programme and property.

For Filipinos considering an overseas investment, the Athens offering presents an opportunity to explore how property ownership, potential income and international residency can intersect. The more important question, however, is whether those features fit an investor's broader financial plan, risk tolerance and long-term objectives.

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Jobstreet by SEEK Highlights How Better Matching Is Changing Job Search and Hiring

Jobstreet by SEEK Highlights How Better Matching Is Changing Job Search and Hiring

Finding a job or hiring the right person has become less about the number of opportunities available and more about finding the right fit.

That is the idea behind “The First Choice,” a new video series from Jobstreet by SEEK that puts jobseekers and employers at the center of the recruitment process. The series features five jobseekers and three hirers from different industries, sharing how the platform has helped them find opportunities and candidates aligned with their skills, experience, and goals.

The campaign also reflects a broader shift in recruitment technology, as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into how companies identify talent and how candidates navigate the job market.

Moving beyond job listings

Traditional online recruitment largely depended on jobseekers searching through listings and employers reviewing applications. The challenge is that a large pool of applicants does not necessarily translate into better matches.

Jobstreet by SEEK is positioning AI-powered matching as a way to narrow that gap.

For jobseekers, the platform uses AI-powered tools to identify profiles that are strong matches for specific job listings. Qualified candidates can receive a badge indicating a strong fit, helping their profiles stand out to potential employers.

On the hiring side, AI-powered analysis of job descriptions and resumes, combined with information from previous hiring behavior, can help employers evaluate candidates and create shorter lists more efficiently.

The approach reflects a growing focus in recruitment technology on matching quality rather than simply increasing the volume of applications.

“A job match is more than just a job seeker finding a vacancy and a hirer filling a role. It’s about finding the better fit where someone’s skills and goals align with an opportunity where they can truly thrive,” said Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines.

A career journey shaped by the right opportunity

One of the professionals featured in “The First Choice” is Romuald John De Guzman, who has used Jobstreet by SEEK since the beginning of his career.

Through the platform, De Guzman found an opportunity to work as a business analyst at an international bank, a role that allowed him to work at the intersection of business and technology.

The position also matched his preference for working closely with people and collaborating across functions.

Fourteen years into his corporate career, he continues to view Jobstreet by SEEK as part of his professional journey.

“I started with just one resume, and it landed me in places using Jobstreet,” De Guzman said.

His experience illustrates how a recruitment platform can become more than a place to search for vacancies. For jobseekers, the value can extend to discovering roles that fit their capabilities and career direction.

AI is becoming part of the hiring workflow

The use of AI in recruitment is part of a larger transformation in how employers manage talent acquisition.

For businesses, screening applications can be one of the most time-consuming stages of hiring, particularly when a single position attracts a large number of candidates. Tools that can help organize information and identify potential matches may allow recruiters to spend more time evaluating candidates and less time sorting through applications.

For jobseekers, meanwhile, more personalized matching can potentially reduce the need to apply indiscriminately to positions that may not align with their experience or aspirations.

The technology does not eliminate the importance of human judgment. Rather, it can support the early stages of the process, where recruiters and candidates need to make sense of large amounts of information before moving toward interviews and more substantive conversations.

That distinction is increasingly important as AI becomes more common across the employment landscape. The quality of the underlying match still depends on how accurately skills, experience, job requirements, and career objectives are understood.

Eight stories about making a career choice

“The First Choice” brings together eight individual experiences, including De Guzman's, to illustrate different paths taken by jobseekers and hirers.

For Jobstreet by SEEK, the series is also intended to demonstrate how decisions made at the beginning of the recruitment process can influence what happens next, whether that means securing a new role or finding the person who can contribute to a business.

“This video series highlights every successful outcome that started with a choice. We want to tell that every decision can shape what comes next – their next job, their next employee. And with Jobstreet by SEEK, they can make that first choice with confidence,” said Edryan Lorenzo, Senior Marketing Manager of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines.

The series is available through the Jobstreet Philippines YouTube channel, where viewers can explore the featured jobseeker and hirer stories.

For companies navigating a competitive talent market and professionals considering their next career move, the larger takeaway is straightforward: having access to more choices matters, but identifying the choices that actually fit may matter more.

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Coca-Cola Philippines Partners with Biñan LGU, DILG to Expand Community-Based PET Bottle Collection in Laguna

Coca-Cola Philippines Partners with Biñan LGU, DILG to Expand Community-Based PET Bottle Collection in Laguna

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Coca-Cola Philippines continues its expansion of the Tapon to Ipon PET bottle collection program to Biñan City, Laguna through a new partnership with the City Government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Laguna, and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST Inc.).

The launch was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signing, followed by an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and registration activity in Barangay Canlalay. The program’s initial rollout onboarded 50 store owners across 10 barangays, with five participating stores from each barangay.

Present at the event were DILG Laguna Provincial Director Jay-Ar Beltran, Biñan City Mayor Angelo Alonte, Coca-Cola Philippines Senior Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Ma. Christine Ponce-Garcia, Senior Manager for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Misha Rabat, and BEST Inc. Senior Vice President for Business Development Jan Vincent.

Bringing Tapon to Ipon to more communities

The partnership aims to make PET bottle collection more accessible within communities by bringing collection points closer to residents. Under Tapon to Ipon, participating sari-sari stores and local retailers serve as community-based collection hubs where residents can bring their used clear PET bottles of any brand.

Participating retailers collect and consolidate PET bottles brought by members of their communities. Store owners can earn points based on the PET bottles they collect, which can then be redeemed for a range of rewards, including Coca-Cola products, online shopping vouchers, food products, and credits toward utility bill payments.

The program aims to collect and divert recovered PET bottles for recycling, with the goal of bringing collected materials to PETValue Philippines in Cavite, the country’s first bottle-to-bottle, food-grade PET recycling facility.

An IEC and registration activity was also held to orient partner retailers on the Tapon to Ipon program and proper PET bottle collection. Retailers also received their Cashback Cards, collection bins, and other program materials to equip them as community-based collection hubs.

Each partner brings a distinct role to the program. The City Government of Biñan will help mobilize city and barangay officials and communities, while Coca-Cola Philippines will provide collection tools and Tapon to Ipon kits to partner retailers. BEST Inc. will support program operations and collection activities, with the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO) supporting engagement with participating store owners and the local retail community as well as the DILG taking lead in monitoring the program’s outcomes.

“We assure that the city government of Biñan is committed to this project and ensure that our communities will be deeply involved in the program. The community’s active participation is key to bringing this project to life and ensuring its success,” said Alonte.

Ma. Christine Ponce-Garcia, Coca-Cola Philippines Senior Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, echoed the importance of collaboration in strengthening local collection systems.

“We know that strong and effective recycling value chains cannot be built by one organization alone. It takes collaboration. We look forward to seeing this partnership grow, and more importantly, become part of the habits and practices of communities across the city of Biñan. May this partnership inspire more communities to see every bottle returned. It is an opportunity to create lasting environmental and social impact,” Ponce-Garcia noted.

The rollout in Biñan City marks Tapon to Ipon’s expansion into South Luzon, adding to a program that has reached more than 170 cities and municipalities nationwide since its launch in 2021.

Equipping more store owners on the ground

The Tapon to Ipon team oriented participating retailers on the program, proper PET bottle disposal and collection, and their role as community collection hubs. The activity also distributed Tapon to Ipon kits and tools to help store owners participate in the collection effort.

For Coca-Cola Philippines, the partnership demonstrates how LGUs, government agencies, retailers, and private-sector organizations can work together to strengthen local PET bottle collection and support a more organized recycling value chain. The company will continue working with partners to expand community-based collection efforts and explore opportunities to bring Tapon to Ipon to more cities and communities.

To learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ packaging collection and recycling efforts, visit the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub at https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability.

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