Allianz, represented in the country by Allianz PNB Life, one of the leading global insurer embarks on a long-term investment in Cebu as it opens at the seventh floor of Buildcomm Center right at the Cebu Business Park. Allianz agency expansion in Cebu is a boost for the thriving business in Cebu, especially that it is the insurance sector leader for initiatives directed to climate change, human capital development, information security, tax strategy, and financial inclusion.

Allianz PNB Life Brand Communications and Digital Director Rei Abrazaldo said as the world’s number one insurance company acknowledged by Dow Jones, Allianz is here to be the responsible insurance partner worthy of the trust of every Cebuano. Allianz’s long-term commitment here is to be your responsible partner in making the best sound financial decisions to grow your financial portfolio and secure your family’s future.

The Insurance Commission (IC) data showed total premiums of the life insurance industry grew at a healthy rate of 28 percent, reaching Php116.14 billion in the six months ending June 30, 2018 from Php90.79 billion in the same period in 2017.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Finance Officer Efren Caringal Jr also said they are proud of the company’s achievement since they are able to reach out to more Filipino families in providing them insurance protection and investment opportunities. Their performance is only possible due to the continuing strong engagement from their employees, intermediaries, and various partners. Caringal cited in particular the very solid contribution from its key bancassurance distribution partners, Philippine National Bank and HSBC.

The Allianz PNB Life performance last year had made it the fastest growing life insurer in the Philippines, according to the official IC statistics. The company is primed to repeat its success story. It has been expanding its business regionally, addressing the need for quality insurance and financial products in various provinces across the Philippines. More than 700 entrepreneurial-minded professionals have joined its newly established agency distribution network.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Executive Officer Dr. Olaf Kliesow attributed its success to the rising per capita income of Filipinos backed by the country's strong economic growth. The country's GDP grew six percent. Kliesow believes the country's sound macroeconomic fundamentals will also support the growth of the insurance industry.

In the next three years, Allianz PNB Life aims to sustain its growth by expanding its customer base and providing the insurance needs of around 100,000 Filipinos by 2020. Currently, it covers the insurance of more than 60,000 Filipinos. Caringal remarked that “more needs to be done in the area of expanding financial inclusion since majority of Philippines remain either uninsured or under-insured”.

The threats brought about by the lack of accessible financial security of a good number of Filipino families is an opportunity for Allianz to position itself as a partner of Filipinos in their journey towards financial prosperity and well-being. “We are doing this through the expansion of our agency channel, and the Visayas is an important growth engine for us. Through our Life Changer program, we are able to offer life insurance career opportunities for millenials and mothers. Our portfolio of products have been well-designed to cater to a wider market of Cebuanos” Abrazaldo adds.

The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers where its customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance.

90% of property market searches are being done online, this is a hint for sellers and developers alike. At the recently concluded two-day Lamudi Housing Fair held at the Ayala Center Cebu last September 8 and 9, 2018 gathers property developers, brokers, bank representatives, and buyers, led by Lamudi Managing Director and CEO Bhavna Suresh Chathambeth also in the ribbon cutting ceremony on the first day.


Project developers and other exhibitors anchored the Cebu Housing Fair and each had their own expertise, projects, and products to showcase to those in attendance. Experience Ortigas & Company their model units onsite using virtual reality (VR) technology. Titling tips and services imparted by the Land Registration Authority. Banks such as RCBC Savings Bank offered housing loan products while UnionBank actively held an auction. Brokers who wanted to expand their presence in the industry had Keller Williams Philippines to consult. This was complemented by PAREB-CESOREB, whose Cebu real estate broker membership has been growing since 2015.

Megaworld and Robinsons Land being the most active developers in the country already staked out Mactan through their respective projects, Mactan Newtown and Amisa. Ayala Land had its Amaia arm present the Amaia Steps development while Avida offered special discounts for its Riala project. Quadruple A contractor DMCI also went all out in marketing its Pasig-based Satori Residences and had hopes of having their first Cebu property soon.



Homegrown developers Gaisano-led Taft Properties partnered with world-class development group Hong Kong Land to create Mandani Bay, a beautiful waterfront township project. King Properties presented their home office concept Meridian, set to be located within Cebu City’s Golden Triangle. Primary Homes also had visitors considering its award-winning condo development, Brentwood in Lapu-Lapu City. Other Cebu-based property developers were Softouch Property Development Corp., AboitizLand, Inc., Contempo Property Holdings and RDAK Land, Inc. Event sponsors such as Food Panda, Zalora, and Lazada also made the event more engaging for the attendees.

UnionBank’s Asset Recovery Group headed by UnionBank Vice President Edzel Babas energize the mood and gave a short background talk on the team’s role, as well as the auction procedures. The special auction’s pace was systematic: items sold fast as each went to sole bidders in a matter of seconds. All properties that were bid upon were purchased at their indicative prices. UnionBank also gave special discounts to successful bidders.


It's Unionbanks's fifth Lamudi event and turned out to be successful too. Mr. Babas shared that Unionbank were able to dispose of a total of 27 properties, he also commended the partnership with Lamudi as the number one online portal in selling properties and very happy about the partnership.

Lamudi’s Senior Account Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Jeff Canonigo shared some insights on Cebu’s property market. According to him, pre-selling properties would quickly get sold out, especially those coming from local developers. He also noted that Cebu Business Park is the city’s rental condominium hotspot.

Lamudi heads the pack in its industry as the leading online real estate platform. It has grown from 2014 to now 2018 which has 1.5 million website visits every month delivering over 100,000 monthly leads for its subscribers. Its new Lead Management tool only makes selling much easier for brokers, property developers, and owners alike. New subscribers are welcome by the Lamudi team and brief with the process at the event. Online marketing courses were also provided by the Lamudi Academy for the 2-day Housing Fair. Converting online leads to sales , Delivering excellent customer service and Top channels to use online are some of the classes delivered by Lamudi’s Learning and Development Coach Nadine Pacis.

The great turnout of Lamudi’s Cebu Housing Fair signifies Cebu's property market is set out to be one of the country’s next real estate center. An insight to look for are influx of waterfront developments that has the potential to raise property values in the metro and even brighter prospects for City’s progress.

Successful Lamudi Housing Fair Cebu 2018 posted at Cebu Events Blog

Starbucks re-imagines the biggest symbol of its brand, the two-tailed Siren with the release of its limited-edition Anniversary Collection. An artwork themed “Celestial Beauty of the Undersea” has ethereal qualities with the siren swimming in a sea of stars.


Since 1971, the Siren has been the brand’s enduring logo that invites customers inside its stores across the world. The two-tailed siren is taken from a Norse woodcut from an old maritime book pays homage to the seafaring history of Seattle as a port city and the journey of coffee itself which is often being transported across the seas.

For the Anniversary Blend, Starbucks celebrates its legacy of coffee roasting, blending expertise  and craftsmanship with a complex and full-bodied cup with spicy and earthy flavors - a bold fusion of aged Sumatra, Papua New Guinea and Indonesian coffees blended together and roasted. Starbucks Anniversary Blend is available in whole bean and VIA format.

The limited edition Anniversary Blend Card, another tribute to the mythical sea creature features the siren’s blue-green tail with copper gold detailing available in minimum activation of 500 pesos.



The siren has continuously transformed through the years along with Starbucks growing global community. When the company revamped itself into a coffeehouse in 1987, its muse was colored an emerald green and given a more contemporary look. In 1992, the logo was zoomed in on the siren, focusing on her wavy locks and warm smile with just hints of her two tails. Eventually, 2011 ushered the biggest change yet as the siren broke away from her circle and became the icon that we all know today. Now, she remains the welcoming face of Starbucks, pulling in coffee-lovers with her enigmatic smile.

Starbucks celestial siren themed anniversary collection posted at Cebu Events Blog