For the fourth consecutive year, leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. proudly participated in Pride Month celebrations, standing shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQIA+ community in the recent Love Laban sa Diliman Pride PH Festival 2025.

As the event's official connectivity partner again this year, Converge provided the event’s internet requirements, connecting the Pride Expo to the wider LGBTQIA+ community online, and enhancing online engagement.

She noted that Converge as an organization advocates for diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belongingness (DEIB) in the workplace by putting policies in place to make sure that everyone feels seen, respected, and supported.

Despite the event falling on a Saturday, more than 30 employees from Converge also showed their support by taking part in the Pride parade, on behalf of the company, embodying the values of love, acceptance, and self-pride.

In addition to their presence at the parade, Converge set up a booth where festival-goers could take memorable photos and enjoy fun games and giveaways.

Since 2022, Converge has actively participated in Pride Fest, continually endorsing initiatives that promote diversity and foster community bonding. And for the past two years, the company has served as the official connectivity partner of Pride PH for the said gathering

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the Philippines, with 27.2% of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger according to a Social Weather Stations survey conducted on March 15 to 25, 2025.

This contrasts with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 2024 Food Waste Index Report of 2.95 million tonnes a year, or 26 kilograms (kg) per capita of food waste in the Philippines. The Food Waste Index measures the amount of food and its inedible parts wasted in retail, food service, and households. The household sector worldwide accounted for 60% or 631 million tonnes of wasted food, followed by food service at 28% or 290 million tonnes, and retail at 12% or 131 million tonnes. This posts not only a challenge to overflowing landfills; the food waste materials also emit greenhouse gases that impact the environment.

Sustainable solutions to this inequity were discussed in the recent Zero Summit led by Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines, a food rescue and environment foundation that rescues good quality surplus food and makes these available to vulnerable communities 

Sustainability as a strategy

With its unwavering commitment to sustainability and social impact, Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL) continues its partnership with SOS Food Rescue Philippines. Gino Riola, AZPNBL Chief Marketing Officer, delivered the keynote message during the Zero Summit opening session.

AZPNBL is committed to operating as a responsible business, taking into account the impact of its activities on people and the environment. In his talk, “Sustainability as a Strategy,” Riola focused on the importance of making sustainability the core of every enterprise.
He encouraged other business leaders to start with Purpose. “Sustainability strategies must be grounded in the company's core purpose and values,” he explained.

He added that it is also important to link the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework to the business goals. This echoes the ESG triple bottom line principle: People, Planet, Profit. “Sustainability must be integrated into the business model, he added. “It should not be mere optics. Hindi pwedeng puro palabas lang, dapat may balik din o clear connection to the organizations mission for it to be sustainable. Sayang ang effort kung hindi rin lang maipapagpatuloy.”

Innovation and compassion

SOS Philippines Food Rescue Country General Manager Rachel Marie Q. Luna underscored the importance of partnerships in helping the advocacy reach more Filipinos in need. “It is in these partnerships that our mission is able to reach farther, respond faster and serve more communities.”

Luna proudly shared that through its partners and its food rescue ambassadors, it has already reached its year-to-date goal, with more than 2.5 million meals served. “At Scholars of Sustenance Philippines, we believe no one should go hungry while good food is being discarded. That is why we recover surplus and deliver it to those who need it most-creating a food system that is not only charitable but circular by design. One that transforms excess into access, waste into worth, and scarcity into shared abundance.”

“We are here today because of partners who help bring this vision to life-not just through generosity, but through action. Partners who give us the courage to move forward with quiet but steady confidence in tomorrow, and who show us that building harmony is more than an aspiration-it is something we can come home to.”

Since the launch of its partnership with SOS Philippines in 2023, AZPNBL has conducted food drives and volunteer activities among its employees, along with the donation of a truck that is used for food rescue missions. “We stand alongside those who believe that a better world is ours to make; that real, lasting impact grows from intention, care, and collaboration. And we are moved by those whose spirit to go further reminds us that progress happens when we push beyond limits and choose purpose, again and again,” Luna said.

The global focus of Allianz is on climate action. Riola said that this is reflected locally through Carbon footprint reduction initiatives in operations, its continued partnership with SOS Food Rescue Philippines, and the upcoming relocation to a certified green building in Makati. Riola adds, “Allianz is committed to sustainability—not just in protecting the future of its clients, but in ensuring the planet is ready for tomorrow.”

Let’s be honest — you probably started the year with all the best intentions. Maybe you even made a money mood board, listed your financial goals, promised yourself this was the year you’d finally save.

Then life happened. Expenses showed up uninvited, those online sales were way too good, and suddenly, savings? Still pending.

This is your sign to stop stressing about what didn’t happen in the first half of the year and start focusing on what can happen in the next. Maya gives you the tools, the control, and the confidence to get back on track — no guilt trips or budgeting burnout required. So whether you’re regrouping, recharging, or ready to go full financial glow-up mode, Maya’s here to help you make the rest of the year your most money-smart yet.

Visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to know more. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.

Pagkatapos ng matagumpay na Surf2Sawa dito rin sa QC noong April, muling naghatid ng walang-sawang saya, palaro at papremyo ang Surf2Sawa at Converge ICT noong Sabado, June 28, 2025, sa Quirino Elementary School, Anonas St., Project 2, Quezon City mula 7:00 AM hanggang 6:00 PM!

Ang Surf2Sawa o S2S ay ang prepaid fiber internet plan na mura, unlimited, at walang kontrata. Ito ay nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa bawat tahanang Filipino, lalo na sa mga nanay, na mapanatiling konektado ang pamilya, makapagturo sa mga anak, at makapag-manage ng pang-araw-araw na gawain online. May bilis ito na umaabot hanggang 50 Mbps (mula sa 25 Mbps) at nagkakahalaga lamang ng ₱4.00 kada araw bawat user (hanggang 6 na devices ang pwedeng kumonekta). At dahil prepaid ang Surf2Sawa, nakakapili ang customers ng top-up options na angkop sa kanilang pangangailangan. Ngayong taon, inilunsad din ang bagong Surf2Sawa 999: sa halagang ₱999 lang, kasama ng installation ay makakakuha ka pa ng 30 days unlimited internet, sulit na sulit para sa buong pamilya!

“Hindi biro ang responsibilidad ng pagiging ina,” ani Melai Cantiveros. “Pero sa tulong ng Surf2Sawa at ng MamaMo, naipapakita namin na ang mga nanay ay hindi lang ilaw ng tahanan—kundi lakas din ng pamilya. Kaya naming kumilos, magsaya, at magbigay-inspirasyon habang patuloy na nagsusumikap para sa mga mahal namin sa buhay. Para ‘to sa lahat ng nanay na gustong maging konektado, empowered, at hindi sumusuko.”

Kaakibat nito ang kaabang-abang na special performance mula kay Fiberkads Yeng Constantino! Tunay na all-out ang Surf2Sawa para sa mga residente ng Brgy. Quirino.

Syempre, hindi rin nawala ang mga nakasanayang masayang activities tulad ng Zumba2Sawa, Banda Musiko, at ang inaabangang Dance2Sawa competition, kung saan 10 kalahok mula sa Barangay Quirino ang nagpasiklab ng talento at 3 grupo ang nag-uwi ng exciting na papremyo! Tampok din ang Sugod Barangay segment, kung saan tatlong pamilya ang nanalo ng isang taon na libreng internet at iba pang sorpresa mula sa Surf2Sawa.

At tulad ng nakagawian nating mga Fiberkads, nagkaroon pa rin ng mga libreng food carts, gupit, at masahe para sa lahat. Ang mga nag-avail naman ng Surf2Sawa sa araw mismo ng event, ay hindi na naghintay dahil instant ang pagkabit sa tulong ng Instant Connect promo ng BRGY S2S!

Tunay na walang-sawa ang saya, palaro at papremyo ng BRGY. S2S sa Quirino Elementary School. Ayon kay Mr. Dhing Pascual, Vice President at Business Unit Head ng Converge ICT, “Ang campaign na ito at ang MamaMo ang diwa ng Surf2Sawa: masigasig, makatao, at laging konektado. Dahil dito, naniniwala kami na mas marami pa kaming maaabot na pamilyang Pilipino, lalong lalo na ang mga modernong nanay na siyang kadalasang gumagawa ng mahahalagang desisyon sa loob ng tahanan”.

Para sa mas kumpletong impormasyon tungkol sa BRGY S2S at Surf2Sawa, bisitahin ang kanilang official website sa https://surf2sawa.com o i-follow ang kanilang official FB page: www.facebook.com/Surf2Sawa

What does it take to shape a future where leadership is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable in our social and institutional systems?

That was the central question at “Breaking Barriers: Women Leading in Business and Beyond,” a forum organized by the Nextgen Organization of Women Corporate Directors (NOWCD) on June 23 at the BPI Wealth Lounge in Makati City. The event brought together leaders from business, government, and academia to reflect on the progress of women’s leadership and the structural changes needed to support it

Julia Andrea Abad, Executive Director of the FEU Public Policy Center, moderated a dynamic panel discussion with Mariana Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Land, Robina Gokongwei-Pe of Robinsons Retail, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Political Science Professor Dr. Jean Franco of UP Diliman. Together, they explored the lived realities of women in leadership, the role of mentorship, and how institutions can evolve to foster greater diversity at the top.

“Sustainability includes building systems that empower people equitably and evolve with the times,” Abad noted. “True progress requires dismantling the barriers that keep leadership from reflecting the diversity of our society.”

A key moment in the forum was the research presentation delivered by Patricia Thea Basilio, Data Analyst at the FEU Public Policy Center. Drawing from their 2024 College Experience Survey, Basilio shared findings on gender attitudes among Filipino college students. The study revealed that sexist views remain prevalent among young people, especially males, and are often linked to higher interest in leadership roles. These raise important concerns for the country’s future leadership landscape.

Representing FEU’s senior leadership at the event was Gianna Montinola, Consultant for External Affairs, who introduced keynote speaker Mariana Zobel de Ayala. Montinola’s involvement highlighted FEU’s broader institutional advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion across sectors.

“Inclusive leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intention, investment, and collaboration,” Montinola said. “As an academic institution, FEU takes this responsibility seriously, both in what we teach and in the research we pursue.”

Bringing the lone academic research voice to the table, FEU contributed a unique perspective that blended empirical insights with practical recommendations for cultivating inclusive leadership in a changing world. The event closed with a call to continue building networks that support women not only in reaching leadership roles, but in thriving within them.