Concentrix + Webhelp Growth Adds New Site in Cebu Exchange

Unveiling Cebu Exchange Tower’s scale model at the site launch, from left to right: Concentrix + Webhelp Sr. Director of Real Estate Michelle Ignacio, SVP and Country Leader for PH Amit Jagga, Board of Investments Visayas Division Head Florteliza Alpuerto, and Arthaland National Sales Director Anna Marco

Concentrix + Webhelp, a leading global provider of customer experience (CX) services and technologies and the Philippines’ largest private employer, today unveiled its newest site in Cebu Exchange Tower. The launch included employees and executives, local officials from various government bodies, media, academe and private sector partners.

Media Roundtable with Concentrix + Webhelp Philippines Executives, from left to right: VP of People Solutions Hazel Banas, SVP and Country Leader Amit Jagga, and Sr. Director of Client Success Dagny Estacio

With the recent launch of Cebu Montage just last year, the Cebu Exchange site is now the company’s 9th office in Cebu, demonstrating its continued growth. Amit Jagga, SVP and Country Leader for the Philippines, says “Our site in Cebu Exchange is another milestone and visible message of Concentrix’s continued commitment to the country. As a company that designs, builds and runs game-changing customer experiences, we invest not just in creating meaningful, future-ready jobs, but also in sustainable wellness-centered workplaces that care for our game-changers as well as our environment.”

Cebu Exchange houses over 4,500 employees of Concentrix + Webhelp and now its largest staffed-site in the Philippines. It was dubbed at the launch as the “Workplace of the Future”, signifying the combination of innovative, state-of-the-art amenities that meet diverse workforce needs and sustainable facilities aligned with the company’s environmental, social and governance focus.

With various certifications such as LEED GOLD, BERDE 5-star, and EDGE Zero Carbon, Cebu Exchange is also considered the largest net-zero carbon certified building in the country, according to the company’s joint announcement with real estate developer Arthaland earlier this year. This is a win for the environment as the building operation has 25% less energy consumption and 34% lower CO2 emissions. At a physical site tour during the launch, Concentrix + Webhelp also showed guests distinctly designed facility features such as the Tech Zone, Workout and Wellness Zone, Quiet Zone, site clinic and lactation room, all-gender washrooms, and other flexible, inclusive spaces such as the Entertainment and Social Zones which are multi-purpose activity areas all employees can freely use. With its remarkable presence in 52 sites and 20 cities across the Philippines supporting over 100,000-strong game-changers today, Concentrix + Webhelp launching its newest and biggest site in Cebu Exchange as the “Workplace of the Future” truly solidifies its commitment to growth, sustainability and superior experiences for Filipinos. Take a peek at Cebu Exchange in this video: 

https://www.facebook.com/ConcentrixPH/videos/838946327776351/

WomenbizPH Launches 2023 Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair in Cebu

The Women’s Business Council Philippines, also known as WomenbizPH, has always led the way in advancing the women’s agenda in the APEC and ASEAN region. Since WomenbizPH was established in 1997 as the lead private sector of the government, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Commission on Women, it has been the leading voice of Filipinas in commerce and has provided a platform to discuss women’s issues in business and possible government policies and solutions. 

WomenBizPH’s aim is to help women-led and women-owned medium, small, and micro enterprises (WMSMEs) grow and become more sustainable. To make this happen, WomenBizPH established the Women Strong Network, an organization with 120 WMSMEs as founding members, with representatives from WomenBizPH and the DTI to serve as technical advisors. It aspires to build the capacity of WMSMEs for business continuity planning and develop a network for their sustained knowledge building, exchange, and innovation.

As part of its capacity building and business recovery program, WomenBizPH kicked off this year’s Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair at the atrium of SM Seaside Cebu. The exhibit allowed the public to connect with women MSMEs who showcased their proudly-Filipino-made goods and products. 

Apart from visiting and purchasing valuable and world-class products in the participants’ stalls, attendees explored interactive booths, participated in engaging workshops, and gained valuable insights from expert-led panel discussions and keynote presentations.

The esteemed list of speakers who graced the opening day included Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion; Senior Vice President for SM Holdings Inc. Marissa Fernan; Airspeed President and WomenbizPH President Rosemarie Rafael and WomenbizPH’s Chairperson Mylene Abiva. Abiva said: “The Hybrid Trade Fair Cebu 2023 is not just an event; it’s a movement to propel women entrepreneurs to new heights and make their mark in the global business landscape.”

Those who took part in the fair were a mix of start-ups and established brands like Tina Campos Jewelry, Clairs Enterprises, Bez Acre Farm Products, Rachel’s Homemade, Good Things Come in 3’s, Love Merlle, Fifty Shades Basketry, Aromacology Sensi, Almar Jewelry Marketing, Tesoro, Magicmelt Foods Inc., Daren Kate Footwear, Les Chocolateries, Ikiru Life Drinking Water, Virtucio, Jzaki Enterprise, Metaje and Kirby’s Chicharon.

Mactan-Cebu Airport temporarily transfers all departures to Terminal 2

To ensure the safety of passengers and staff during emergency rectification and repairs of damaged structures caused by Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021, GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) will transfer all departures for both Domestic and International flights to Terminal 2 (T2) beginning Sunday, January 16, 2022, 06:00 a.m. PHT. The damage to Terminal 1 (T1) has been far more extensive especially at T1 departure areas which requires an immediate rectification program which will last several months. In order to ensure that users and stakeholders of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continue to experience a high level of service, safety and security, GMCAC will consolidate all departures in Terminal 2 for the duration of the rectification program.

Domestic arrivals will continue to arrive at T1 South Wing Arrivals as this area is the least damaged section of T1. International Arrivals will also continue to arrive at T2 Arrivals in order to remain fully compliant with the arrival health protocols set by the national government and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

In summary, the following operational concept will be as follows for each terminal:

Terminal 1

  1. All Domestic Arrivals will arrive at T1 South Wing Baggage Reclaim.
  2. Domestic Arriving passengers will access T1 Baggage Reclaim Hall from T2 by connecting airside link bridge or be transported by bus, depending on their designated aircraft parking bay and proximity to the Domestic Baggage Reclaim Hall in T1.
  3. Domestic Arrivals Pick-up for vehicles will remain at T1 Transportation Hub.
  4. Airport Village will remain operational with selected shops open for the benefit of meeters and greeters.

Terminal 2

  1. All Domestic and International Departures will access the upper level of T2 Departures Drop-off with limited waiting time for drop-off to prevent congestion.
  2. Domestic and International passengers will check-in at T2 and proceed through final security check to proceed to their designated boarding gates.
  3. International passengers will be separated from Domestic passengers at entry to the designated international boarding gates which have Immigration Counters located at the entry to the designated gates. 
  4. All passengers (both Domestic and International) will have access to all facilities in T2. However, certain retail outlets specifically for international passengers, such as Duty Free, will not be open due to the very low volume of international departing passengers for now.
  5. International Arriving passengers will access T2 Bureau of Quarantine Verification Counters, Immigration Counters, Baggage Reclaim Hall, and Customs in compliance with the current IATF protocols for arriving international passengers. 

GMCAC will ensure adequate staff guidance and signage is in place to provide passengers with directions and information during the switchover period.

The consolidated mode of operations at T2 will remain so until rectification and repairs of both T1 and T2 have been completed. Passengers and stakeholders shall be notified in advance of any changes to the designated use of Terminals 1 and 2 prior to any change of operations.

Temporary Entry Restrictions for International Arrivals at Mactan-Cebu Airport

(Updated as of March 19, 2021) With reference to the clarification on temporary entry restrictions issued by the National Task Force (NTF) through Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021 on March 18, 2021, only passengers under the following classifications shall be permitted entry into the country via Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) during the restricted period starting 00:01 of March 22, 2021 until 23:59 of April 21, 2021:

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Updated Arrival Protocols for International Passengers Arriving at Mactan-Cebu Airport

Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution Nos. 96 and 97, all international passengers arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe the following arrival protocols starting February 1, 2021

Pre-arrival Process

Before your scheduled arrival at MCIA, make sure to complete and ensure the following:

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Fiesta Señor 2021 – Sinulog Schedule of Novena Masses at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

The 456th Fiesta Señor is kicking off in a few weeks, Sinulog 2021 will finally be on full swing! With the theme “Santo Niño: The Abiding Presence of the Father in our Journey of Faith”, the religious activities for the annual Sinulog festival will kick on January 8, 2021.

For your convenience, do take note that the Basilica will implement the one-way entry system and other COVID-19 protocols. Only residents of Cebu City are allowed to enter the vicinity of the Basilica. ALL Novena Masses are streamed on their Facebook page. BACKPACKS and other bulky bags are NOT ALLOWED so as not to delay the security inspection process.

Several activities like the Penitential Walk with Jesus, Penitential Walk with Mary, Traslacion (Cebu City to Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City), Fluvial Procession and Reenactment, and Solemn Procession are CANCELLED. As of the latest update, Traditional Sinulog dancing after the last Mass of the day is also CANCELLED. 

Check out the full schedule of novena masses below (SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR DOWNLOADABLE PHOTOS OF THE SCHEDULE):

The Sinulog Festival 2021 schedule is also available here.

DAY 1: January 8, 2021 (Friday) – OPENING SALVO

5:30AM – Enthronement of the Image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu
6:00AM – Opening Salvo Mass (Installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores)
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Sinulog 2021 Schedule of Festival Events and Activities in Cebu

The country’s biggest festival, Sinulog 2021 is back once again this year with the theme: A New Life in Faith, Hope, and Love. One Beat. One Dance. One Vision. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected most of the activities lined up to celebrate the Feast of the Child Jesus, there are still several events, physical and virtual, scheduled to keep the festive spirit alive.

See below the full schedule of events and activities for Sinulog Festival 2021!
Meanwhile, you may also check the full schedule of Fiesta Senyor 2021 Novena Masses and other religious activities here.

January 1-31, 2021 – Sinulog One-Stop Shop at Ayala Center Cebu
January 3-10, 2021
– Sinulog Kick-Off “FUN RIDE” Virtual Bike Challenge Continue reading

Binalayan Falls in Samboan, Cebu

There are at least six waterfalls in the southern tip of Cebu, (Oslob: Tumalog Falls, Ginatilan: Inambakan Falls, Samboan: Binalayan Falls, Dao Falls, Aguinid Falls), and if you’re sedentary like me, trekking might not be your thing.

But, Binalayan Hidden Falls in Samboan is definitely worth the little sweat!

How to get there

From the Cebu South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Bato (via Barili). Take note that there are two buses bound for Bato, the other one passes through the eastern coast while the one via Barili takes the western coast. Fare is P175. Alight at Samboan and hire a “habal-habal” to Binalayan Falls.

If you are driving, you can’t miss it as there is a sign by the highway.

“Leisurely Trek”

To get to the Binalayan Falls, one would have to take a 15-30 minute (depending on your pace) “leisurely trek”. Register first at the Visitors Center where you will be assigned a local guide. Tipping is not imposed, but just think of it as your donation for the locals, and the sustainability of the place and activity. After all, the local guide will not only accompany but also offer to take your photographs and assist you along the way.

The trek takes you to a mostly flat coconut grove. Definitely not something that would excite the adventure junkies, but the dirt trail is so peaceful with towering coconut trees. You’ll reach a point where you need to cross three small streams. It’s quite slippery so wear the appropriate footwear. (P.S. I just wore my trusty Havaianas flip-flops lol).

You’ll know that you’re approaching the waterfalls when you start hearing gushing water, and see makeshift swings made of old tires and ropes tied to the trees. Just a few hundred steps more and you’ll reach the main falls.