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The 2023 Best Workplaces in Asia award honors workplaces in Asia that provide exceptional work environments for their employees, based on employee experience surveys that assess company culture and values. This prestigious recognition recognizes companies that prioritize employee well-being, foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and demonstrate outstanding practices in areas such as leadership, career development, and work-life balance.

“We are absolutely thrilled and proud to be listed as one of the Best Workplaces 2023 in Asia. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing a culture of trust, empowerment, and inspiration for our people to use their unique voices and talents to positively impact people’s lives every day – including their own,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines. “Creating a remarkable experience for our people is the first step in providing transformative healthcare solutions and contributing significantly to our society. By offering a diverse and inclusive work environment, job flexibility, and rewarding development opportunities, we make this possible. Our people are the heart of our success.”

Great Place to Work® encourages companies to continuously invest in their employees' growth and satisfaction, high-trust environment and ultimately contributing to the overall development of the respective industries. A Great Workplace is about the trust employees have with their leaders, the pride they have in their jobs and the happiness they experience with their colleagues, which has become increasingly important in today's competitive job market. Organizations on the list were selected from those that had participated in the Great Place to Work® renowned employee survey process.

Employees at Takeda Philippines are free to express their ideas, suggestions, and recommendations because the company is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and diversity while fostering a respectable, honest, inclusive and speak up culture. This will help the business determine how to make long-lasting improvements. There are numerous opportunities for employees to openly discuss issues with their leaders, such as Coffee Talks and "Thank God It's Friday" sessions.

Takeda Philippines Mid-Year Conference at Taal Vista Hotel

In addition, in the Philippines employees receive quarterly care packages from the company to make them feel valued. Fridays are also designated as "no meetings day," allowing employees to finish up any unfinished business, reorganize for the coming week, and start winding down for the weekend a little earlier. Not to mention, there are programs for leadership development, on-the-job training, and employee assistance initiatives that aim to help employees in need or develop their skills. By doing this, Takeda Philippines gives its employees the tools they need to succeed and make a real difference in their work and ultimately the lives of others.

"Well-being is the cornerstone of our People-First culture. Our mission of ‘Better Health for People, Brighter Future for the World’ is only possible when we take care of our own people. Being listed among the Best Workplaces in Asia is a remarkable achievement for us. I am so proud of our team, so inspired by our people and so motivated by their energy,” added Villanueva.

As Takeda Healthcare Philippines celebrates this remarkable achievement, the company looks forward to building on its success and continuing to serve as an example of excellence in workplace culture not just across Asia but also around the globe.

The Best Workplaces in Asia List is published here: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/asia-2023

It’s a big reunion! After 3 years of hiatus due to the pandemic, The Best of Anime (BOA) is coming back this 2023 with a vengeance. This year, BOA will be featuring a number of exciting events like the Anime Idol Dance Battle, Anime Sing-Off, All-Star Cosplay Competition, and Lolita Fashion Show — complete with special guests, performances by fan-favorite cosplayers, and more. Of course, an anime event is never complete without merchandise, so don’t forget to drop by the shops and grab some anime merch and manga or comics!

For those unfamiliar with cosplay, the term originates from the combination of the words “costume” and “play”, and refers to activities related to dressing or acting as a character from anime, manga, or any other form of media. Cosplayers don’t simply dress as them, but spend all their time conceptualizing, creating their costume masterpieces, and building their own definition of the character. As one of the biggest cosplay events in the Philippines, cosplayers from all over the country will be gathering at BOA to show off their amazing creations and have a great time as they celebrate this art. Of course, BOA isn’t limited to just cosplayers. The event welcomes everyone who loves cosplay, anime, manga, and Japanese culture!

With anime, manga, and cosplay having a huge cultural significance in Japan and a large impact all over the world, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Manila Office are excited to support this event. Both organizations will be at BOA to share more about the fascinating aspects of Japan and its culture, as well as provide engaging activities and informative material about Japan for event goers.


If you love anime, manga, cosplay, and Japanese culture, then make sure not to miss The Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion! Head on over to the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on September 16 for an anime extravaganza!


WHAT: The Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion
WHEN: September 16, 2023
WHERE: SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City
Buy tickets on-site or in advance through SM Tickets: https://smtickets.com/events/view/11993
Regular tickets: ₱380
Premium tickets: ₱1,250

Continuing its commitment to helping elevate the country's education system, SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), in partnership with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) and the Department of Education (DepEd), have recently collaborated to construct two new school buildings in Laguna and Batangas.

Upon the completion of the joint initiative, two two-story four-classroom school buildings will be donated to the Laguna Resettlement Community School in San Pedro City, Laguna and the San Antonio Elementary School in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas.

Each of the school buildings is set to be equipped with learning materials, armchairs, handwashing facilities, emergency equipment, and PWD-friendly facilities to ensure that students, especially from low-income communities, gain access to modern, safe, and conducive learning facilities.

Formalizing the partnership, representatives from the SMFI, DepEd, and the local government units of said provinces attended the memorandum of agreement signing last April 28, 2023, at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) in Malvar, Batangas.

SM Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd in various educational programs. This social good initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide. To date, it has turned over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities.

Now that travel is back to normal, bus commuters going to Northern and Central Luzon need not wait in long lines when buying tickets or paying for cargo deliveries as PayMaya enables Victory Liner with safe and convenient digital payments.

Through a tie-up with one of the country's largest transportation firms, Victory Liner, and the only end-to-end digital financial services platform PayMaya, commuters can now easily book and pay for their bus tickets at Victory Liner's website (https://www.victoryliner.com/) using their PayMaya account, any debit, credit, or prepaid card, or via other e-wallets.

Meanwhile, commuters buying their bus tickets at Victory Liner stations in Baguio, Caloocan, Cubao, Dagupan, Olongapo, Pasay, Sampaloc, Santiago, and Tuguegarao can safely scan to pay via PayMaya QR or any debit, credit, or prepaid card. PayMaya has enabled these Victory Liner stations with PayMaya One, the all-in-one Android device that allows businesses to accept QR and any card payment.

On top of these, PayMaya also equipped all 23 of Victory Liner's Drop and Go outlets with PayMaya One terminals so consumers can conveniently make PayMaya QR or any card payment for their delivery service needs.

Customers who wish to send packages can conveniently book the door-to-door pickup and delivery of items through the Drop and Go website, https://dropandgo.ph/. It offers terminal-to-terminal freight service within Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and Mega Manila.

"Filipinos deserve a better commuting experience. One way to improve it is by making it easier for people to buy tickets and pay for package deliveries safely with digital payments technology. We're happy to work with Victory Liner to create better experiences for their customers and personnel," said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya.

For her part, Victory Liner President Marivic Hernandez-del Pilar said: "Our main goal is to provide a convenient and safe commuting experience, especially with travel and tourism activities picking up, especially this summer. One of the best ways is to provide easy and contactless cashless payment options in our channels."

Joko Anwar, the multi-awarded director from Indonesia is back with another critically acclaimed horrifying film “Pegabdi Setan,” “Satan’s Slaves” in English.
The film tells the story of a family of four who must take evil head-on after their mother dies. Featuring plenty of scares and a shocking plot twist, the film is set in 1981, one year before the classic horror movie was set.

This is the most successful horror film in Indonesia of all time. It managed to attract almost 3.9 million viewers in a month. As of now, it is the 2nd highest grossing picture of the year in Indonesia with more than 4,000,000 audience.

Shot only in 18 days in mostly chronological order. The longest part of the production was finding the right house with the perfect atmosphere and tone. Approximately 3 months were spent on finding it.

The film reunites director Joko Anwar with two of his muses which are Tara Basro, whom he had worked with in A Copy of Mind (2015), and Asmara Abigail, whom he had worked with in his short film Jenny.

Experience horror like never before in “Satan’s Slaves.” In Philippine cinemas November 29 from Rapi Films and CJ Entertainment, to be locally distributed by Rafaella Films International and Axinite Digicinema, Inc.

Felix Manalo is the latest offering of Viva Films. It stands to make a new chapter in the history of Philippine Cinema as it aims to break the 2 world best attempts in the guinness World Record feat for the largest audience attendance in a firm premiere and screening last October 4.

I was in awe when I entered the Philippine Arena, they made it as a gigantic movie house, a feeling of dizziness fills me in when I look around the Arena. Philippine Arena featured 55,000 seater and 22 meters by 40 meters screen mounted for a full movie house experience.
Iglesia Ni Cristo, did it again, they got the 2 Guinness World Record, first as the Largest Audience Attendance in a Film Premiere and Screening and the second one was the very huge screen (22 meters by 40 meters screen). Congratulations INC!
Here is the video of the announcement from Guinness World Record!




During the event, the representative from Guinness World Record said that this kind of World Record attempt is not new to INC, actually they have 8 world records. Wow! it is really amazing! Now, they have in all a 10 Guinness World Records.
In the movie, Dennis Trillo plays the role of Ka Felix Manalo, Iglesia ni Cristo's first Executive Minister, was surprised as well when he walked at the red carpet.

Take a glimpse on my video during the Walk at the Red Carpet.





The Beauteous actress Bela Padilla plays the role of Ka Felix's wife, Ka Honorata. Dennis and Bela are supported by over a hundred big stars, like Gabby Concepcion, Gladys Reyes, Jacklyn Jose, Snooky Serna, Lorna Tolentino, Richard Yap, Dale Baldillo and more.


Felix Manalo was skilfully directed by the multi-award-winning director, Joel C. Lamangan.

It was shot for 58 days over a period of eight months with only the best and well respected names in the local film production scene doing tedious work to ensure world-class quality.
Direk Joel's team include director of photography Rody Lacap, production designer Edgar Littaua set design and construction Danny Red, costume designer Joel Marcelo Bilbao, hair and make-up Juvan Vermil, musical director Von de Guzman, sound engineer Albert Michael Idioma, film editor John Wong, visual efffects supervisor Adrian Arcega, assistant director Arman Reyes and associate director Julius Alfonso.
"Felix Manalo" is monumental as it traces the origins and growth of the INC since 1914. It painstankingly covers and replicates events and locations as early as 1886 when Ka Felix was born until his demise in 1963.
Mommies, head on the cinemas with your Family to have a bonding moment and learn more about INC and Felix Manalo.
For a sneak peek at "Felix Manalo's trailer, visit or log on www.felixmanalothemovie.com or at VIVA Entertainment's YouTube page.

Watch out for my review on Felix Manalo the movie on my next blog post.