Asean Integration: Are We Ready to Run with the Tigers?

The borderless future is today. With it comes a torrent of opportunities and parallel challenges that usher in a more complex and ambiguous world. Some turn to speed as the best response. Others bet on flexibility, and in this introspection find the enormous potential of a network with people at its center.

 

Come 2015, that network of potential will realize itself as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) actualizes its vision of an integrated bloc to navigate the intricacies of a globalized world. ASEAN 2015 – the integration of Southeast Asia into one defense, cultural and economic community – signals our collective response to leverage on shared strengths.

 

For years, the Philippines has been dubbed as the next tiger economy in the region. With the impending broad-based integration amongst member countries, how ready are with to run along with the more established states?

 

With the aim of helping in strengthening our country’s competitiveness and sustain ourgrowth momentum, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the premier organization of people managers and HR professionals in the Philippines, has launched its 51st Annual Conference during the 593rd PMAP General Membership Meeting at Hotel Intercon, Makati City last February 26. This year’s theme is “Running with Tigers: Shared Identity, Common Destiny.”

 

The 2014 Annual Conference, which will be held at Waterfront Hotel – Lahug in Cebu from 17 to 19 September 2014, zeroes in on this journey as we reach out to ourneighboring countries and chart the best business and People Management approaches to strengthen our competitiveness and sustain our growth momentum. We take our place in the league of ASEAN’s economic tigers as we run a race that fosters a shared identity and realize a common destiny. And at the heart of this integration is our belief in ASEAN’s caring and sharing community that values its people and aspires for equitable growth.

 

During the PMAP GMM, distinguished speakers presented timely topics that serve as drum rolls for bigger things to come at the conference in September. Convergys Corporation Managing Director for Asia and EMEA Marife B. Zamora talked about “Philippines Best HR Practices: What Makes Philippines Stand Out amongst the Other ASEAN Countries.” UP School School ofLabor and Industrial Relations Dean Dr. Jonathan P. Sale meanwhile shared “Comparative Analysis of Labor Laws Across Ten ASEAN Nations: From Hiring to Retiring.”  

 

Faced with these regional and global imperatives, PMAP commits a three-day learning event animated by relevance, novelty and balance which will touch on Strategic HR vs. Operational and Functional HR; Trends vs. Core HR Competencies; Best Practices vs. New Ideas and HR Innovation; Issues and Challenges vs. Skills; Global Mindset vs. Local Pre-occupation; and other relevant topic.

 

As we brace ourselves for ASEAN 2015, we reaffirm our stand as People Managers and recognize that we are indeed ”Running with Tigers” toward a Common Identity and a Shared Destiny.

For any inquiries about the 51st PMAP Annual Conference, please contact PMAP at tel. no. 726-1532 or email pmap@pmap.org.ph.

 

 

Family Finance: How We Can Allot Money for our Kids' Tuition?

For most parents, a good education for their child is a non-negotiable--no matter what the cost. We are willing to bend over backwards if only to make sure that our child gets a better, more secure future. Here are some ways to save money for tuition long before enrollment day arrives:

Set the money aside. Allot a specific and manageable amount of money per month for next year's tuition. You may create a new bank account for this and directly deposit your "payments" every payday to ensure that the money doesn't get whittled away on daily expenses.

Cut the incidentals. Jot down your spending for a couple of months and slash the payments you're making for unnecessary or frivolous items. Cancel your subscription to a magazine you rarely read. Dine out only once a week. And stop giving in to your child's whims whenever she asks to buy a toy. 

Reduce household expenses. Smart changes in home management can significantly lower your monthly bills. Save thousands of pesos by driving your child to school instead of hiring a driver. Cut your Meralco bill in half by sleeping in one air conditioned bedroom for the family. 

Use your credit card wisely. Purchase items on your credit card only when you can pay the entire balance in full when the bill arrives. Otherwise, you will be spending your hard earned cash on high interest payments and you will be setting yourself up for years of credit card debt. 

Zen Institute Redefines Holistic Medical Spa

Zen Institute redefines a holistic wellness experience as it launches the true concept of a medical spa with the recent expansion of its flagship branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, The concept of holistic wellness includes the intrinsic value of the three psyche: body, mind and spirit. Zen Institute CEO and founder Dr. Mary Jane Torres believes that "The very essence, the foundation that makes a medical spa is that it is able to fuse, blend and integrate the four important elements namely: aesthetic, integrative, lifestyle and pampering elements. 

Dr. Mary Jane Torres leads the team of highly competent doctors behind Zen Institute which specializes in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine. An active member of the international Society of Anti-Aging medicine, the Europan Congress of Anti-Aging Medicine and Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Torres also trained on Botox in Istanbul, Turkey and on lipo-therapy in Athens, Greece. " Our patients trust that once the treatment begins, we will be guiding them to fully understand and adapt the Zen lifestyle of total wellness appropriate to their needs and concern."

Established in 2006, Zen Institute embraces the Japanese belief in "achieving a healthy, balanced life with the help of Science." The very interiors and ambiance exude harmony, balance, calm, cozy luxury. The recent expansion of Zen Institute's flagship branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City boasts state-of-the-art, leading edge technology and wellness center that offers a one-stop shop for an overall wellness experience for people who work and and reside in the area. Zen Institute gives guests a taste of exclusivity and and privacy for treatments of mesotherapy and L-carnitine, colon cleansing, facial and diamond treatments to basic massage. Zen Institute now also offers weight management so they also have workout classes of yoga, Zumba, TRX and RIP. With these, Zen Institute ensures their clients to get a good workout, stretch and tone their muscles while they undergo various treatments from the medispa. Search for tranquil spirit, a strong body and radiant skin will all commence here. 

The Zen Institute has three branches: Bonifacio Global City-Ground Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St. corner 2nd Avenue, BGC, Taguig (02-856-2027), 69 Scout Rallos St. Tomas Morato Quezon City (02-441-1712/412-2528) and at the St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center, Maharlika Highway, Bgy.2, Sto. Tomas, Batangas (+43-778-4811)

For more information on Zen Institute as well as its programs, visit http://www.thezeninstitute.com and Like them on Facebook at https://facebook.com/ZenMedicalSpa

Tune Hotel Ortigas Opens

Tune Hotels--the Philippines' largest internationally owned and operated hotel brand continues to expand its operation as it recently opens its eight branch in the country; right in the heart of the business district of Ortigas. Known for its affordable and fuss free hotel service, Tune Hotel Ortigas has an impressive 182 rooms (24 rooms on each floor) in its twelve-storey building. Tune Hotels are perfectly located for both business and leisure travelers because they are within the commercial and business districts or town proper. 

For a wanderlust and backpacking traveler like me, Tune Hotels give the best deals when it comes to comfortable yet affordable lodging. Since most of the time a traveler explores what is there to see and experience in say a certain place, there is no need for too many hotel amenities, because anyway you won't have the time and energy to do other things at the hotel you're booked in because you were tired from all the traveling stuff. All you need is to have a good night's rest and a comfortable sleeping bed to tuck up at night and regain all the zapped energies to be ready for another travel the very next day, right? This is where I could rely on Tune Hotels. 

The best thing about Tune Hotels is that you could get a room and pay only for what you need. They have their affordable pay-as-you-use system of add ons (TV use and airconditioning, laundered towels etc.), as well as other energy consuming facilities and amenities. So if you're traveling on a shoestring, Tune Hotels allow you to budget your stay according to your needs. If you don't like to use the AC, there are ceiling fans in all Tune Hotel rooms for you to use. It saves you value for your money, so you can use your savings later in your travel adventures. 

Oh, and you'd be able to spend the night on a five star bed--Tune Hotels feature high quality spring mattress beds and pillows, pillowcases, bed sheets and 250-thread counts duvet which delivers a promise of a 5-star sleeping experience! 

Each room at Tune Hotels feature attached private bathrooms with high-pressure, heated Power Showers. So even if you're paying minimal room rates, you're still enjoying premium showers in maximum privacy. 

Tune Hotels also provide daily housekeeping services to ensure you have clean and pleasant stay with them too. Unlike other hotels whose wifi connection is limited to the hotel lobby, Tune Hotels have free wifi service access on each rooms. I've tried the wifi connection myself and it is indeed a fast one. So if you're a netizen like me, checking in at Tune Hotel via Foursquare, sharing your photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook will be as easy as 1,2,3. 

"By the end of 2014, Tune Hotels will have a total of 1,720 rooms with ten hotels in the Philippines, proof that we are the largest internationally owned and operated hotel brand in the country," enthuses Sahlee Zaldivia, Country Head for the hotel's owner--Red Planet Hotels, as two more Tune Hotels are set to open within the year, in Aseana City (200 rooms, May 2014) and in Ayala Makati (189 rooms, November 2014), further strengthening the company's confidence and commitment to the local tourism industry. 

"Not only are we growing in numbers, but we have received a great deal of loyal clienteles among the travelers and tourists for the money the value for money that we provide," Zaldivia added. 

Since it was established in Malaysia in 2007, Tune Hotels has 41 operating hotels worldwide and counting: 8 in the Philippines, Malaysia (12), Indonesia (9), Thailand (4), England (4), India (1), Japan (1), Scotland (1) and Australia (1). 

All Tune Hotels feature space efficient, streamlined rooms focusing on high quality basics: five-star beds, powerful hot showers and high speed wifi. They also provide housekeeping services, electronic keycard access into rooms, extensive CCTV surveillance systems, 24-hour security and no access into main lobby without keycard past midnight for all the guests' safety and peace of mind. 

Tune Hotels are strategically located close to major shopping, sightseeing and business destinations. Inside each hotel, you'll find established convenience store operators and branded food and beverage outlets to give you reliable facilities within easy reach. 

Tune Hotels in the Philippines are located in Angeles City, Ermita, Makati, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Ortigas and Quezon City. 

Tune Hotel Ortigas is located behind One San Miguel building along Shaw Boulevard and San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas.

For more information, visit www.tunehotels.com

You may also contact Benjamin Martinez, Director of Sales and Marketing, 

464-9223/ 0917-8134853

Email: benjamin@redplanethotels.com

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions and impressions expressed are my own. 

UK's Dyson Opens Shop in the Philippines

Popular British home appliance brand Dyson has set up shop in the Philippines as it understands the need of Filipino consumer's desire for durable products. The Dyson brand  was originally conceptualized by an engineer who was disappointed upon buying a vacuum cleaner which prodded him to create and invent a prototype of the kind of vacuum cleaner he wanted that uses engineering technology and eventually make cleaning a lot easier. 

Dyson brand may not ring a bell yet to Filipinos but it will surely become a household word in the next couple of years as it establishes its name in the Philippine market. Dyson senior communications manager Roanna Mottershead said the company plans to put up eight more Dyson stores of both pop up and concept stores. 

Dyson manufacturers high performance vacuum cleaners and bladeless fans, heaters and hand dryers are made in its manufacturing facilities in Singapore and Malaysia. Dyson brand is also present in 67 other countries including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Russia, and Taiwan. "Filipinos are now open to invest in things that can last a long time and Dyson appliances are a pretty good investment as it could last for more than 10 years depending on proper usage," said Motterhead. 

"The Dyson brand expands its reach in Asia and its also looking for a possibility of putting up a manufacturing facility in the Philippines. We are growing so we have to increase out manufacturing plants so it will be something that we need to evaluate," explains Mottershead. "You'll never look at home appliances the same way again after you've tried Dyson products. We have waterless washing machines, no bag/suctions vacuum cleaners and kid-safe bladeless fans to name a few of our innovative Dyson products."

Dyson home appliances have been sold in Rustan's Makati since last year. Dyson will soon open shops in Century City Mall, Robinsons Magnolia and Robinsons Place Manila. "We are getting good reviews and reception from the market. For a new brand Dyson is doing very well," says Jasper Golangco, marketing director of Dyson's exclusive distributor White Planet Inc. 

Visit www.dyson.com for more details. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are my own.