Nature, at its heart, is balance — a reminder to slow down, breathe, and live well. This is the inspiration behind SMDC Nature, the newest residential brand from SM Development Corporation (SMDC), one of the country’s leading and fastest-growing property developers.

SMDC Nature focuses on giving homeowners more opportunities to experience curated nature — communities thoughtfully designed to blend greenery, convenience, and comfort. Beyond simply surrounding residents with open spaces, it offers homes built for wellness, accessibility, and sustainable living.

The launch, held at the Conrad Manila, gathered SMDC executives, partners, and future homeowners for an evening that celebrated a new kind of community living — one designed around real life.

“SMDC Nature is about building homes that make everyday life lighter, healthier, and more connected,” said Jessica Bianca Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy at SMDC. “Our goal is simple: to help Filipinos live well — closer to work, closer to family, and closer to what matters most.”

Previously, SMDC launched two other residential segments under SMDC’s growing portfolio — SMDC Heights and Symphony Homes — reinforcing the company’s commitment to build thoughtfully designed communities for every Filipino.

A Home Close to Everything

At the heart of every SMDC Nature community is the 15-minute home — where schools, markets, transport, parks, and open spaces are always within reach.

This smart approach to planning allows residents to spend less time in traffic and more time with loved ones, a convenience that many Filipino families continue to aspire for.

“Accessibility is part of livability,” Sy explained. “It’s about being near what you need so life becomes easier and more enjoyable.”

Wellness Built Into Every Space

SMDC Nature communities are designed to promote balance and well-being. Wide, walkable paths shaded by trees, open spaces that invite movement, and parks where families can relax together — these are all part of how SMDC defines livability.

“Nature isn’t something we add after,” Sy shared. “It’s built into how we plan our spaces — from the way air flows through buildings to how people move, rest, and connect.”

Sustainability as a Standard

SMDC Nature is built on responsibility as much as design. Solar systems and motion-sensor lighting reduce power use by up to 35% in common areas — equivalent to preventing over 250 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually per project, or the same impact as planting more than 10,000 trees.

Rainwater harvesting and dual-flush fixtures make water conservation a daily habit, while detention tanks in communities like Charm Residences and Field Residences help protect against flooding. Generous walkways encourage movement, interaction, and a stronger sense of community.

In line with this commitment, SMDC also formalized a landmark partnership with Buskowitz Energy Inc., represented by its President James Carlos P. Buskowitz, during the SMDC Nature Media Launch at Conrad Manila.

Through the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), this collaboration will enable the installation of solar energy systems across multiple SMDC projects — generating clean energy with zero upfront investment and supporting SM Prime’s pledge to achieve Net Zero by 2040.

“This partnership marks a major step toward our Net Zero by 2040 roadmap,” Sy emphasized. “By integrating solar power, we are not only building homes that are lighter on resources, but we are also ensuring that the communities we create will remain resilient and future-ready.”

A Brand Rooted in Care

With the tagline “Where Life Grows With You,” SMDC Nature reflects SMDC’s continuing mission to build communities that grow with their residents. Each project is a modern sanctuary where comfort, convenience, and purpose come together.

“SMDC Nature is our promise to create homes that truly nurture,” Sy said. “Homes that help people live well today, and remain valuable for generations to come.”

UnionBank—recognized as the Best Wealth Management Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker—has recently partnered with INSEAD, a global leader in business education, to launch the ASCEND Program. This strategic learning initiative is designed to enhance the capabilities of the bank’s Relationship Managers (RMs) across Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Retail Banking.

The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial signing led by Ana Aboitiz Delgado, President and CEO of UnionBank, and Prof. Sameer Hasija, Dean of INSEAD Asia Campus and Executive Education. The event marks the beginning of a multi-year collaboration that reflects UnionBank’s bold, forward-looking approach to developing world-class banking talent.

Joining Prof. Hasija from INSEAD were Mr. Karthik Rajaraman, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, and Mr. VJ Posadas, Director, Corporate Partnerships. Representing UnionBank’s senior leadership team were Ms. Michelle Rubio, Chief Human Resource Officer; Mr. Manoj Varma, Consumer Banking Center Head; Mr. Gauraw Srivastava, Wealth Management Head; and Mr. Gautam Sharma, Wealth Sales Network Head.

 The ASCEND Program is a transformative learning initiative that aims to equip UnionBank’s top-performing Relationship Managers with global insights and advanced skills in macroeconomics, market dynamics, behavioral economics, and emerging trends in wealth management.

“Today marks the beginning of a meaningful partnership—one that reflects our deep commitment to investing in our people and shaping the future of banking,” said Ana Aboitiz Delgado, UnionBank President and CEO. “At UnionBank, we believe that excellence in client service begins with excellence in talent. That’s why we are focused on building the best-skilled Relationship Managers in the Philippines—professionals who are not only technically capable, but also deeply attuned to the needs, ambitions, and goals of our clients.”

“When an organization shares the DNA of learning and calls its learning service provider a partner, you know that this mindset runs deep,” shared Prof. Sameer Hasija, Dean of INSEAD Asia Campus and Executive Education. “It’s exciting to see the real potential for impact that a collaboration like this can bring.”

Under the program’s first phase, selected Relationship Managers underwent a two-day intensive training conducted by INSEAD faculty. Future phases will expand the program’s reach and integrate digital learning modules covering topics such as digital currencies, tokenization, and artificial intelligence, ensuring UnionBank’s advisors remain at the forefront of global financial innovation.

UnionBank’s partnership with INSEAD marks a major step toward redefining wealth advisory in the Philippines. At the heart of this initiative is a bold vision: to transform client relationships by positioning advisors not just as bankers, but as trusted, forward-thinking professionals who continuously learn, adapt, and evolve to serve their clients with deeper insight and expertise.

 UnionBank places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and expert-led advisory by spotlighting its Relationship Managers (RMs) as key drivers of its high tech–high touch approach. The Beyond the Graph video series highlights how RMs blend data-driven insights with advanced technology to deliver personalized strategies—while maintaining the human connection that clients value. The ASCEND Program builds on this approach, equipping advisors to go beyond the numbers and provide meaningful, tailored guidance rooted in both expertise and empathy.

 This strategic collaboration underscores UnionBank’s global outlook and its unwavering commitment to being the advisor of choice. By investing in the continuous growth and development of its people, UnionBank reinforces its reputation as a trusted steward of client wealth—equipped to navigate today’s complex financial landscape with both confidence and care.

 Learn more about Beyond The Graph and UnionBank Wealth Management at https://www.unionbankph.com/beyondthegraph. For more information on UnionBank’s wealth offerings visit the UnionBank website at www.unionbankph.com, or follow on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Youtube. Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1,000,000 per depositor. For any concerns, you can contact us through our Customer Service Hotline at (+632) 8841-8600. Union Bank of the Philippines is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with website: https://www.bsp.gov.ph.

Foundever®, a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions, reaffirmed its commitment to workforce development by participating as a resource speaker and facilitator in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Makati’s Jobstart Lifeskills Training.

Designed to improve the employability of young Filipinos, DOLE’s Jobstart program brings together the government and private sector to bridge gaps between education and employment.

Foundever and its active role in the 6th and 7th training sessions highlights the company’s dedication to more than just business excellence, but also to nation-building through skills development.

Over the course of two days, Foundever team members led interactive sessions that focused on foundational competencies such as effective communication, self-esteem building, and professional preparation. These topics are considered critical in shaping young professionals’ ability to adapt and succeed. Foundever provided participants with practical tools to begin their careers with confidence.

“Investing in the future workforce is vital in our business, both as a business imperative and as social responsibility,” said Willy Lim, Vice President of HR, Marketing and Talent Acquisition for Foundever in the Philippines, China and Malaysia.

“Programs like Jobstart bridge the gap between education and employment. It imparts to young talents the skills and mindset they need to succeed in a professional environment. Ultimately, this contributes to a stronger, more competitive labor force that benefits the company and, in the broader context, the economy as well.”

For Foundever, workforce development initiatives like Jobstart align with the company’s broader talent strategy. As one of the largest employers in the BPO industry, Foundever continues to prioritize partnerships that advance skills training, promote inclusivity, and expand career opportunities for young professionals.

“Programs such as Jobstart are an investment in sustainable economic growth,” Lim added. “By equipping jobseekers with real-world skills, we are helping create a pipeline of talent that can meet the demands of global industries. At the same time, we are uplifting communities and families.”

The Jobstart program has proven to be an effective platform for young people seeking to gain a foothold in today’s competitive job market. By engaging industry leaders like Foundever as mentors and trainers, DOLE ensures that participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also benefit from insights drawn from actual industry practice.

Through this collaboration, Foundever demonstrates its ongoing commitment to shaping the next generation of professionals, ensuring that the Philippines remains a key player in the global outsourcing and customer experience industries.

Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services provider Manulife, won the Most Creative Marketing Campaign in the Philippines at the InsuranceAsia News Country Awards for Excellence 2025.

Manulife Philippines received the award for its Manulife Stories campaign, which showcased inspiring real-life stories from customers whose lives were positively impacted by the insurer’s comprehensive suite of products and solutions.  These stories reflected how Manulife effectively addressed evolving health and financial needs through meaningful support and tailored coverage.

The featured stories are:

• Marielle, who was able to finish her medical school because of the insurance benefit received when her mother passed away;
• Yvonne, who used her husband’s death benefit to send her child to nursing school;
• KL, a mother who used her policy’s living benefits to be able to afford an IVF procedure;
• Peach, an HIV+ transgender woman, who was able to save up for her family’s needs through her insurance; and
• Mark, a father of a child with special needs, who was able to obtain health coverage for his son.

“Our mission to make decisions easier and lives better for our customers in the Philippines comes to life through the Manulife Stories campaign,” said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. “The experiences shared by our customers remind us that our interactions go beyond business transactions. We take pride in representing our commitment to being Filipino customers’ trusted partner towards a better, more financially secure future.”

Insurance Asia News is a leading regional publication, which offers commentary, features, and in-depth interviews for Asia’s insurance market. Now in its third year, the 2025 Philippines Awards for Excellence recognizes and rewards the accomplishments of market-leading companies and outstanding individuals, commending their pioneering efforts, innovation, and service to the insurance community.