De Claro assumes leadership of the Social Security System

by Info @Brand Zone | Oct. 12, 2024

Date of release: October 12, 2024

The Social Security System (SSS) has announced the appointment of Commissioner Robert Joseph M. De Claro as its new Officer-in-Charge, effective October 11, following the resignation of Rolando Ledesma Macasaet earlier this month. The decision was made by the Social Security Commission (SSC), the policymaking body of the SSS.

De Claro, who has served on the SSC since January 11, 2023, representing the Employers' Group, brings a strong background to the role. As a Commissioner, he chaired the IT and Collection and Contribution Committee and participated in key committees covering audit, risk, investment, and governance.

In addition to his new role, De Claro has been a member of the board of UnionBank (UBP) and UnionBank Investment and Trust Corp. (UBIMTC) and a member of its Executive Committee (ExCom), Governance and Risk Committees since 2023. His experience in the financial and corporate sectors adds a valuable perspective to his leadership of the pension fund.

De Claro’s professional background spans over 32 years, including executive roles in both the public and private sectors.

De Claro began his career at Nestlé Philippines in 1993, eventually holding international positions as an Expatriate (OFW) in Australia and at Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland.

With his broad leadership experience across multiple industries, De Claro is well-equipped to lead the SSS in advancing its mandate of providing comprehensive social security protection to Filipinos.

The merriest surprises are in store for you this Christmas

by Info @Brand Zone | Oct. 1, 2024

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year, as SM Supermalls launches even MORE surprises this jolly good season! Celebrate the generosity, love, and cheer with SM Supermalls, complete with activities and deals for a truly special holiday experience!

When it comes to Christmas in the Philippines, we all know that the only person as iconic as Santa Claus is Jose Mari Chan. Mallgoers and fans can catch the duo through a SPECIAL GOBO LIGHTS PROJECTION in select malls nationwide, starting October 1! Sing your heart out, too, as SM’s Christmas jingle plays throughout its 86 malls, written and performed by the one and only beloved Filipino Christmas icon, JOSE MARI CHAN! This year, he’s giving us an early Christmas gift by headlining SM’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!

From October 16 to 27, SM Supermalls will transform into a Christmas wonderland! The MERRIEST CENTERPIECES are sure to delight Christmas lovers, with giant Christmas trees and larger than life Santas and  Christmas characters and of completing this year’s displays.

SM Christmas

SM Christmas

But that’s not all—the brightest GIANT CHRISTMAS TREES will light up in all SM malls nationwide! Catch THE Jose Mari Chan’s special performance as he kicks off THE MERRIEST CHRISTMAS at SM North EDSA this October 16! You can also witness SM Mall of Asia’s PASKONG PINOY Christmas launch on October 17—and be serenaded by SB19’s STELL and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra!

SM Megamall also has holiday festivities of its own on the 17th, as soloist Maki headlines the TREE LIGHTING ceremony. Meanwhile, October 18 is for the fashion lovers, because SM Aura will be celebrating the Christmas season in style through the SINAG AND SAYA FILIPINO FASHION SHOW!

SM Christmas

SM Christmas

Lined up for October are the best holiday deals and experiences! See Santa and his squad come to life through the magic of the CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AR—he might even give you special shopping vouchers as a surprise gift!

And witness even more CHRISTMAS SPECTACLES through SM’s Christmas Parades, Santa Meet and Greets, musical performances, and spectacular firework shows happening from November to December!

Stir up the spirit of giving as SM hosts the MERRIEST CHRISTMAS BAZAAR across SM malls! Find the perfect gifts to give your friends, family and loved ones while also supporting local businesses this Christmas season starting this November.

SM will also continue its beloved BEARS OF JOY initiative; but this time, with a more cuddly, fluffy look! For every bear purchased, another will be donated to a child in need, spreading warmth and comfort to those craving the magic of Christmas. This year, SM is introducing Hug-A-Mood, a collection of huggable expressions that reflect the wide range of emotions children experience.

SM is also celebrating a hallmark of Christmas—the chorale! Starting November 22, the JOYFUL VOICES CHORALE sees the best choir groups from different schools, parishes, performing arts groups, and communities giving it their all in a stunning vocal performance, just in time for the holidays.

Meanwhile, in celebration of WORLD CHOIR DAY on December 8 , SM will be holding the first grand simultaneous gathering and performance of choir groups across all SM malls, in solidarity with the global chorale community.

It truly is a very Merry Christmas when you celebrate the holidays at SM Supermalls! Catch other Christmas activities like toy fairs, Christmas parades, and more at your nearest SM mall, and for more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Supermalls on Facebook.

Maynilad fixes over 28,000 pipe leaks in H1 of 2024

by Info @Brand Zone | Sep. 24, 2024

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has plugged more than 28,000 pipe leaks in the first half of 2024, bringing the company’s total number of leaks repaired to 523,111 since 2007 when it inherited one of the oldest pipe networks in Asia upon re-privatization. 

Plugging these leaks enabled Maynilad to recover in H1 2024 around 198 million liters of water per day, which is enough to supply the requirements of some 198,000 people. Maynilad aims to repair a total of 50,000 pipe leaks throughout its concession within 2024—its highest-ever annual target.

The repair of leaks in the distribution system is a major component of Maynilad’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management Program, which seeks to bring down physical and commercial water losses. For 2024 alone, Maynilad allotted P791 million for active leakage control. The company has increased its manpower complement so it can deploy more teams to conduct leak detection activities simultaneously over a wider area and to speed up the fixing of leaks.

Maynilad has also begun using artificial intelligence for detecting pipes leaks and for monitoring pipe condition so it can proactively replace pipelines even before a breakage occurs.

“Bringing down water losses is a task that we take very seriously, reason why we have dedicated more resources and tapped new technologies to find and plug leaks in the system. The public can also help in this effort by actively reporting pipe leaks and illegal connections to Maynilad,” said Maynilad’s Central NRW Division Head, Engr. Ryan B. Jamora.

Aside from leak detection and repair, other activities under Maynilad’s NRW Management Program include network diagnostics, establishment of District Metered Areas, replacement of old water meters, selective pipe replacement, installation of pressure-regulating valves, and anti-water pilferage drive.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Its service area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City, Makati Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in the province of Cavite.