The Alturas Group of Companies (AGC) held its 50th Anniversary Grand Launch at the Island City Mall Carpark over the weekend, supporting terminally-ill children in Bohol while commemorating half a century of serving and enriching the lives of Boholanos.

To celebrate this milestone, AGC organized a day full of activities, including a Golden Fun Run, Zumba Marathon, and Comedy Concert.  Proceeds of the Golden Fun Run went to 25-30 young kids battling critical health challenges through the Alay Marcela Foundation outreach program. The funds raised will help support the children's treatments and provide assistance to their families.

Hon. Mayor Jane Yap of Tagbilaran City lauded AGC's commitment to the community, stating, “We are very proud of our strong and solid partnership with the private sector. Alturas Group of Companies has given Tagbilaran City not only livelihood but has uplifted the lives of our people through different socio-civic engagements – from feeding to painting of classrooms to medical assistance and many more.”

"On behalf of the city government of Tagbilaran and the 105,000 Tagbilaranons, we fully support the growth of the Alturas Group of Companies. Fifty years of excellent service, breaking barriers and norms. That is a testament to the commitment and capability only Alturas Group of Companies can do and achieve,” she added.

The Golden Fun Run began with a warm-up Zumba session led by ABODAFI member Jesther and energizing beats from the Pentagon DrumNBeaters. The event featured 5K, 10K, and 21K races. Mayor Yap welcomed the participants and AGC Retail 1 Manager, Ma'am Lyn Uy handed out the awards.

The Zumba Marathon saw participants dancing their way to fitness, with special awards given to the oldest dancer, youngest dancer, and more. The day concluded with a laughter-filled Comedy Concert, which opened with an energetic performance by the Technotronic Dancers, followed by a dance number by The Boys Selection. The concert featured Manila's premier comedians, Amazing Peanut and Justin Tan, as well as local talents Zeke Villanueva and Almar Acoustic session, creating an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

"Our steadfast dedication to enriching lives and facilitating the advancement of Bohol forms the essence of our mission. As we commemorate our Golden Anniversary, we eagerly anticipate upholding our tradition of service, championing sustainable progress, and making a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our community members for generations to come," said AGC General Manager Mar Uy.

The 50th anniversary kick off is not only for the public. AGC also made sure their employees can enjoy and partake in the celebration. On Sunday, The Alturas Group along with their employees held a caravan around Tagbilaran City. After which, they proceeded to the Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium for a basketball tournament. Players of the various teams are employees from different departments within Alturas Group.  

AGC is a key player in the progress of Bohol, providing thousands of jobs to Boholanos and championing food sustainability through the quality produce of Marcela Farms. With a 50-year legacy of service and commitment to the community, AGC continues to drive Bohol towards strategic, sustainable progress while perpetuating its service-centered legacy to the people.

For more information about the Alturas Group of Companies, visit www.alturasbohol.com. 

Leading developer in Vismin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) through Sugbo Prime Estate, the company’s joint venture with the Fararrons Family introduces its co-living brand set to open for occupancy in Q3 this year.

Located within Banilad High Street, a 7,500 sqm mixed-use property along Banilad Road in Cebu, The Pad Co-Living is CLI’s first co-living space built for students and young professionals looking for a communal space and flexible housing option right at the heart of the bustling city.

The two-tower development features 256-room accommodation available for long-term dormitory stays and hostel bookings of up to 440 persons.

The Pad Co-Living highlights a flexible room arrangement for single, double, or multi-sharing occupancy for up to 4 people. Its fully furnished rooms, curated amenities, and soon-to-open retail outlets are purposely built to provide those who are looking for shared living spaces together with people who have similar values, passion, stories, and ambitions.

Designed to complement the lifestyle of a young hardworking Cebuano, each 15 sqm unit at The Pad Co-Living is complete with a bed with mattress, an ensuite toilet, and bath, a work desk and chair, a closet, and air-conditioning.

The Pad Co-Living’s five-story building is also adorned with an in-house roof deck lounge, a shared cooking area, 24/7 security, and free wifi access ideal for those with remote work. Adjacent to the building is a rooftop restaurant and swimming pool for hostel guests.

Its strategic location along Banilad Road, Cebu City provides nearby access to central business districts, and commercial and retail establishments and is structured along a national road, making it an easy walk or travel for future residents.

The property is a walk away from Cebu IT Park—a hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms, and a ride away from top educational institutions.

CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III said: “We’re happy to unveil our first venture into co-living. The Pad will provide a secure transient home to young professionals like IT-BPO workers and students seeking well-located, affordable housing that they will be proud of.

Cebu Landmasters has a total portfolio of 10 properties under CLI Hotels and Resorts. 

If you're interested in staying up-to-date with the latest happenings, events, and news in Cebu, here are some Facebook pages that you might want to follow:

Cebu Daily News - Cebu Daily News is one of the leading news sources in Cebu. They provide daily news, feature stories, and opinion pieces about the latest events and happenings in Cebu.

Cebu is a culinary destination that offers a variety of mouth-watering dishes that will satisfy every food lover's cravings. From classic Filipino dishes to local specialties, Cebu's food scene has something for everyone. In this blog post, we will explore some of Cebu's culinary delights and the best places to try them.

Lechon Cebu - The undisputed king of Cebu's culinary scene is the Lechon Cebu, a slow-roasted pig that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. One of the best places to try Lechon Cebu is at CnT Lechon, which is famous for its juicy and flavorful pork.

Puso - Puso is steamed rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves called "puso" in Cebuano. It is a common side dish in most Cebuano meals and often served with grilled meat or seafood. You can find Puso almost everywhere in Cebu.

Chicharon - Chicharon is a deep-fried pork rind that is crispy and crunchy. It is a popular snack in the Philippines, and Cebu has its own version of Chicharon called "Bantayanon Chicharon". It is a specialty of the town of Bantayan and can be bought in most local markets.

Budbud Kabog - Budbud Kabog is a sticky rice cake made from millet and coconut milk. It is wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed. It is a famous delicacy of the town of Catmon, and you can find it in most local markets and pasalubong centers.

Dried Mangoes - Cebu is known for its sweet, juicy, and sun-dried mangoes. It is a perfect pasalubong for your loved ones. You can buy it in most souvenir shops and supermarkets in Cebu.

Otap - Otap is a flaky and crunchy biscuit that is made from flour, sugar, and shortening. It is a favorite pasalubong from Cebu, and you can buy it in most supermarkets and pasalubong centers.

Cebu's culinary delights are just some of the many reasons why the island is worth visiting. So when you're in Cebu, don't forget to explore its rich and diverse food scene.

BALAMBAN, Cebu – MagsPeak Mountain Resort and Villas, a joint venture between MagsPeak Nature Park Inc. and leading Vismin developer Cebu Landmasters, is Cebu’s newest destination for Holy Week devotions with the opening of the Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel, Stations of the Cross, Rosary Walk among others, all set against the backdrop of western Cebu’s highlands.

Beginning April 5, 2023, devotees wanting to fulfill their religious observances, especially this Holy Week can now visit MagsPeak for free to fulfill their spiritual devotions including the Way of the Cross, where 14 stations are spread from the entrance of the property up to the top of MagsPeak spanning an estimated 600 meters walk.

In addition, one can immerse in a spiritual retreat inside the Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel that overlooks the mountains, meditate quietly by the Pieta in the Meditation Garden, or take the 800-meter-long Rosary Walk contemplating on the 20 mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

CLI chief executive officer Jose Soberano III says: “MagsPeak provides a space where we can retreat, reflect and nurture our faith. It is CLI’s answer to the need of Cebuanos for a scenic and quiet place for spiritual devotion. We don’t have to go very far anymore, it’s just right here in Balamban.” 

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Leading online job portal JobStreet intends to enhance its commitment to eradicating unfair hiring practices by cracking down on the exploitation of Filipino workers across the nation. Its parent company, SEEK, is focused on Fair Hiring with the intention to improve working lives by putting an end to exploitative recruitment and modern slavery. This initiative advances as modern slavery continues to rise significantly.

The Philippines faces its own unique risks, according to the 2022 Trafficking in Person Report: Philippines by the US Department of State. The report showed that the local government recorded 1,802 victims, of which traffickers exploited 535 in sex trafficking, 501 in forced labor, and 766 in unspecified exploitations.

Moreover, Filipino workers are disproportionately at risk of falling victim to exploitative recruitment practices due to the export of approximately a quarter of workers to work overseas. The hidden nature of domestic work set within private spheres of employers’ households and the informality of arrangements typically practiced enable the exploitation of vulnerable OFWs and in some cases, forced labor and trafficking.

According to Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority

(NEDA) it is estimated that in 2023, 1.5 million Filipinos are expected to enter the labor force, which is more than double the 600,000 before the pandemic.

In response to the high volume of jobseekers, JobStreet has continued its ongoing endeavor to develop the platform to best meet the needs of those helping to be employed through well-suited career opportunities and valuable support including the vetting of safe recruitment. One of the first steps JobStreet has taken to implement safer practices was the hiring of Scott Stiles, Special Advisor of Fair Hiring in Asia.

As far as what Fair Hiring means to JobStreet, Stiles explains that “Recruitment is one of the high-risk activities that can lead to modern slavery, therefore the purpose of the Fair Hiring Program is to improve working lives by eliminating exploitative recruitment.”

For years, JobStreet has had teams focused on spotting job advertisements thus making the company one of the most trusted employment marketplaces within most markets.

Led by Stiles, JobStreet along with parent company SEEK, enacts these processes top-down with the understanding that it needs to “walk the walk’ for itself, thus prompting the rolling out of companywide discussions for customer-facing staff in order to make sure that everyone at the company feels the importance of its purpose and it engaged in keeping the platforms safe.

Trusted by around 30,000 employers in the Philippines and more than 12 million candidates, the platform’s commitment is also demonstrated through its dedicated online security team which regularly surveys the site for evidence of suspicious job ads and advertisers so that they can be removed immediately. The platform’s Terms and Conditions act as a means to ensure that all job ads on the site are for legitimate job opportunities.

Furthermore, JobStreet continuously educates the workforce on spotting potential job scams and actively screens exploitative recruitment schemes.

Regarding the role that JobStreet can play in advancing Fair Hiring, Stiles explains,“ most forced labor situations start with recruitment, whether it happens through a recruiter, family member, or on social media. Connecting people to safe jobs is the best way to eliminate situations of forced labor and modern slavery. JobStreet has teams dedicated to ensuring JobStreet is the most trusted platform for candidates and hirers.”

Stiles believes that the platform should serve both employers and candidates, reflected in its approach to screening for potential partners. “Many companies claim a social purpose. But truly impactful companies align their social purpose with the core competencies of the business. The ones that are most successful can do this in such a way that benefits their clients, employees, and ultimately shareholders—making our marketplaces safe benefits candidates and hirers alike,” says Stiles.

JobStreet’s vision has always been to connect businesses with talent and improve lives through better careers. By leveraging world-class products to match talented job seekers with reputable employers across South East Asia, both parties can expect efficient and safe matching on the platform.

To find safer recruitment opportunities in 2023, visit https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/career-resources/.

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Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, believes that now is an ideal moment to begin anew, thus providing aspiring entrepreneurs with more business opportunities through its Fleet Management Program for large vehicles, such as L300 and trucks.

With the upcoming summer festivities, businesses expect the peak season with orders pouring in. This is an opportune time for fleet owners to maximize their assets and earn more through the on-demand delivery platform.

Focus on flexibility

Lalamove’s Fleet Management offers a lot of benefits for fleet operators and partner drivers

as it allows them to operate either full-time or part-time. Part-timers can juggle having a side hustle while maintaining their full-time job or another business. Fleet

owners can register an unlimited number of vehicles that can be tracked and managed

through the platform, ensuring more efficient fleet operations.

The vision of the same-day delivery platform is to combine ease and profit, which led to the

creation of fleet operations. The brand has been putting efforts into developing platforms for

the transport and logistics industry to give everyone a chance to “be their own boss”,

especially aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs.

Productive investment

Fleet operations are lucrative in nature, but the main benefit of joining Lalamove’s Fleet

The management program is that of earning a steady income without having to operate and run

the fleet 24/7.

Patrick Guiyab, a newly onboarded Lalamove Fleet Operator, shared that upon seeing how

in-demand trucking and transportation services are in the Philippines, he knew that enrolling

in the fleet management program meant good business.

“It’s a good business that fits well into the budget and has a quick ROI (return on

investment). It's easy to juggle being a Cost Engineer and managing my small fleet of

vehicles,” he said.

Easy sign-up process

Being “your own boss” is possible with Lalamove’s easy sign-up process. Aspiring fleet

owners can even do online or walk-in applications.

Those who decide to apply online only need to access Lalamove's official website and fill out the application form. The Lalamove team will then get in touch with the fleet owner to follow up on the submission and discuss the next steps. Once the application is accepted, the fleet owner will get a notification through SMS with login details, at which time they can begin registering their vehicles and drivers.

For walk-in applications, aspiring Lalamove fleet owners may visit Lalamove offices in

Pampanga, Cebu, and Manila.

Makati

Tuesdays to Saturdays; GF, 114 Herco Center, Benavidez St. Legaspi, Village, Makati City

Quezon City

Tuesdays to Saturdays; GF, Hexagon Corporate Center, Quezon Ave., West Triangle,

Quezon City

Pampanga

Mondays to Saturdays; Gruppo Del Diamante, Magalang Ave., Angeles, Pampanga

Cebu

Mondays to Saturdays; Unit 3-104, Ground Floor, OIC3-Oakridge Business Park, Mandaue

City, Cebu

Explore business opportunities in the logistics industry with Lalamove’s Fleet Management program. Those looking to start a trucking business with Lalamove but have no fleet may also visit Lalamove Automotive to learn about the available rental and brand-new vehicle options. Stay updated on the latest about Lalamove by visiting www.lalamove.com/en-ph/ or following Lalamove’s official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.

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ABOUT LALAMOVE

Launched in the Philippines in late 2016, Lalamove is an on-demand logistics company that matches drivers with customers and SME businesses to fulfill same-day deliveries. Lalamove’s mission of making local deliveries faster and simpler across North, Central, and South Luzon, and in Cebu is achieved through innovations such as instant order matching, real-time GPS vehicle tracking, 24/7 services, and a driver rating system. Lalamoveallows these businesses to scale their deliveries and operations at an accelerated rate. Lalamove now operates in over 40 cities across Asia and Latin America. Visit Lalamove’s website: http://lalamove.com