Pru Life UK Employees Champion Bayanihan Spirit in Brigada Eskwela 2025

Pru Life UK once again rolled up its sleeves for Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s nationwide schools maintenance programme, rallying employee volunteers last month in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City.

The initiative began at the Pru Life UK’s headquarters, where employees painted pots and planted vegetable seedlings. These were later donated during a school outreach, part of a wider effort to prepare classrooms for the new academic year.

Volunteers spent the day painting walls, cleaning rooms, and organising books—bringing fresh energy to the school community. Pru Life UK also provided painting materials to support ongoing refurbishment needs.

“It’s fulfilling to give back in such a tangible way,” shares Maria Junifer Maliglig, one volunteer. “Seeing the impact first-hand is what makes it all worth it.”

A long-time participant in Brigada Eskwela since 2012, Pru Life UK’s commitment to education goes far beyond paintbrushes. Through its flagship Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Programme, the company has empowered over 1.5 million students across the Philippines with essential money management skills. Read recent story on expanding and fully integrating it in Bicol region here. The Pleasant Hills Elementary School is also a partner school for Cha-Ching.

Complementing this is the Adopt-a-Madrasah initiative, which supports Islamic schools in Mindanao with learning resources, teacher training, and tailored content on Takaful (Islamic insurance), digital skills, and sustainability. In 2025, the programme aims to reach over 1,500 learners across nine madaris.

These efforts reflect Pru Life UK’s broader mission: to foster inclusion, champion financial education, and empower communities—one classroom at a time.

Pru Life UK volunteers painted pots and classroom walls in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City’s Brigada Eskwela programme.

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Pru Life UK volunteers helped prepare the classrooms of Pleasant Hills Elementary Schoolin Mandaluyong City for the new academic year.

Sustained Commitment to Education: Brother Philippines Celebrates 13 Years of Brigada Eskwela in Inigan

For the past 13 years, a dedicated team from Brother Philippines has consistently visited Inigan Elementary School, a small riverside school nestled in Rodriguez, Rizal for Brigada Eskwela. This year, the tradition continued on June 7, as employee-volunteers once again arrived and brought with them essential school supplies, engaged in interactive learning activities, and upheld their steadfast commitment to supporting education in underserved communities.

What began as a simple donation initiative has grown into a consistent and impactful partnership that has helped enhance learning conditions at Inigan Elementary School.

“Our 13-year journey with Inigan Elementary School through Brigada Eskwela embodies Brother Philippines’ core values of supporting communities and fostering education,” said Glenn Hocson, President of Brother Philippines. “We believe that by investing in the next generation, we are contributing to a brighter future for the Philippines. This partnership is a source of immense pride for our organization."

The annual Brigada Eskwela event saw the participation of key partners, including representatives from Upson International Corporation and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit driving this long-standing initiative.

Lasting impact of consistent support

Each year, Brother Philippine employees contribute school materials and volunteer their time to support teachers and students of Inigan Elementary School. The project has expanded over the years, with Brother Philippines and its partners making tangible improvements to the school’s infrastructure, such as the installation of solar panels, upgrades to the water system, and the provision of technology to strengthen classroom learning.

During the pandemic, Brother Philippines pivoted its support to meet urgent needs by donating printers and learning kits to aid in distance education. In 2023, the company followed up with more technology-focused donations, including laptops and printers to assist with both teaching and school administration duties.

This year’s Brigada Eskwela kept the spirit of service alive. Brother Philippines employees volunteered their time and resources, assisting students with their school needs through direct donations of school supplies and facilitating classroom games. Parents were grateful for these yearly donations and activities, stating that they no longer have to worry about buying school materials for their children.

In addition to the school supplies, Brother Philippines also donated three brand-new multifunction printers. At the same time, Upson International Corporation gave five laptops as support to the teachers of Inigan Elementary School. These tools are intended to help enhance classroom instruction and streamline administrative tasks, contributing to a more efficient and enriched learning environment.

“Malaki po talaga ang tulong ni Brother [Philippines] kasi, katulad po n’yan, iyong mga gamit hindi ko na po kailangang bilhin. Bilang single parent po, malaking bagay po para sa akin n’yan na taon-taon po ay bago ang mga gamit nila. (Brother Philippines provides us with significant help. Like the school supplies they donate, that means I don't have to think about buying them anymore. As a single parent, it means a lot to me that my kids’ get new supplies every year),”  shared  Amy Lanuza, a parent from the Inigan community.

Teachers at Inigan Elementary School also expressed their appreciation for the company’s yearly initiative. They noted that Brother Philippines’ donations serve as a profound inspiration for students to study well and pursue their academic goals.

“Ever since dumating ako dito nung 2019, nakita ko iyong suporta ng Brother Philippines at PBSP. Ang laki ng impact kasi ang mga bata, inspiradong mag-aral. Walang hindrance…Inspirado sila kasi alam nila na, despite ng kanilang kalagayan sa buhay, may mga mabubuting tao na tumutulong sa kanila. (I witnessed Brother Philippines and PBSP's support since I came here in 2019. It had a great impact because the kids are inspired to study well. There’s no hindrance…They're inspired because they know, despite the circumstance, there are good people helping them),” said Sheilini Buenaflor, Head Teacher 1 and Teacher-in-Charge of Inigan Elementary School.

Advancing education through sustainable action

The tangible results of Brother Philippines’ sustained support are evident. Inigan Elementary School recently achieved the remarkable feat of placing in the top 2 in the National Achievement Test (NAT) across all of Rizal province. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the school's faculty and the enhanced learning environment fostered by consistent contributions.

As Brother celebrates its 25th year in the Philippines, the annual Brigada Eskwela event at Inigan Elementary School reflects the company's ongoing commitment to inclusive and quality education, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). More than a single-day event, it stands as a meaningful example of how consistent, purpose-driven action can help shape a better future for students and communities alike.

To learn more about Brother Philippines’ corporate social responsibility efforts and community initiatives, please visit the company’s official website at brother.com.ph and follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside

Yokohama Tires Philippines, Inc. Gives Back on its Silver Anniversary

In recognizing the value of the company’s success, Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. (YTPI) kicks off its 25th anniversary by giving back to the communities within the company’s vicinity.

The tire manufacturing company is set to donate tires for the emergency service vehicles of its neighboring communities to support the quick Covid-19 and emergency response of its local health units. Aside from this, YTPI will also be donating printing materials to nearby public schools that are currently under the modular learning system due to the pandemic.

"YTPI has come so far in the past 25 years. I am humbled and grateful for the support the company and our team have received over the years. Despite the global pandemic, I feel blessed that we have grown YTPI into a business that can give back,” said YTPI President and CEO Tetsuya Nagao.

Moreover, several events are also lined up to commemorate the plant’s 25th anniversary, including a social media project that will feature some of the people behind the success of the company, and a photo exhibit about the company’s milestones through the years.

To build camaraderie in the workplace, several in-house activities will also be held, including a board design contest, an online gaming contest, and the launching of an informative video series. In addition, custom-made insulated bags and free food will be distributed to employees on the anniversary launch and culmination day.

From producing 5,000 tires per day to manufacturing 27,000 tires everyday

25 years had passed since the Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd. (YRC) established YTPI in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Two years after the company’s inception, the first S-760 passenger tire model was manufactured at the first Yokohama tire manufacturing facility in Asia outside Japan.

Since then, YTPI has become a strategic and vital subsidiary of YRC that is essential to the local and global distribution of high-performance passenger car radial and recreational vehicle tires.

Over the years, tire demand and industry growth have resulted in YTPI’s several business expansions marking the company’s focus to proceed in several phases. On June 9, 2003, Phase II expansion started to ramp up production to 10,000 tires per day. Two years after, the company started the construction of its Phase III expansion, increasing production by 70 percent. 2008 was a banner year as YTPI set a record by producing 22,000 tires in a day. In 2011, YTPI officially started building the West Plant. The expansion move increased the company’s total land area from 16.5 hectares to 44.7 hectares. It also ramped up production resulting in a huge increase of the company’s manpower. By 2014, the second and last phase of YTPI’s West Plant Expansion was finally completed. To date, YTPI manufactures 27,000 tires per day and employs over 3,000 staff.

In less than a decade, amazing strides were made exponentially increasing production by fastidious and daring shifts. As manufacturing continues to achieve gain after gain, its workforce has grown as well, providing even more opportunities to the community.

Triumphed over challenges

Things did not go easily for the company as misfortune struck on May 14, 2017, when the YTPI East Plant – Phase 3 was razed with fire. As an agile and resilient company, YTPI began rebuilding and reconstruction the same year. And by June of the following year, partial production has already commenced.

In the constantly changing business environment, the company was able to recover and quickly stay the course. YTPI’s dauntless leadership and ability to adapt with complex shifts was crucial not only to maintain its momentum but also to move beyond. Nowhere is this more pronounced than the symbolic year of 2018, a year after the unfortunate event, when YTPI manufactured its 100,000,000th tire.

“Credit goes to every diligent employee who gave their all day in and day out. Their commitment and dedication to build quality tires that people can trust can only be matched with an unquenchable thirst for success,” said Nagao

As a testament to quality and excellence, the tire manufacturer has obtained ISO 9001 in 1998 for the Quality Management System and ISO 14001 certification in 2000 for the Environmental Management System. Moreover, in 2010, the Occupation Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001) certification was given to the company. A tire produced from YTPI guarantees that it has been manufactured abiding by the international standards of quality, and safety.

For YTPI, it has never been easy to create a good enterprise. As the company strives to attain its business goals, the management ensures that its business processes are founded on fair practices and compliance to all regulatory agencies. YTPI’s accomplishments are the employees’ achievements as well. It is a shared purpose, where the company’s leadership invests in its workforce and both have worked together towards the company’s mission and vision. YTPI’s singularity of providing safe work spaces whilst yielding quality that meets international standards has been a yardstick that defines it, all while committing to an environment where employees thrive, are valued and heard.

Giving back to the community

As a keen adopter of sustainability and eco-friendly business, it was all too clear that corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship has been part of the company’s mission. As an industry leader in reducing its carbon footprint, YTPI undertook the expansion of the Forever Forest, a global initiative of its parent company. Several generations ago, it all seemed that the world’s resources were infinite, but in the intervening years, wisdom and experience has shown otherwise, and in the time that YTPI has been involved with Forever Forest, over 44,000 trees have been planted within the facility and nearby areas.

The company has admirably committed and invested in sustainability and in 2019, YTPI has installed its own 4MW solar power rooftop. It is the second largest rooftop solar plant in the country and the largest in Central Luzon. It is considered as one of the company’s biggest environmental milestones to date as it greatly reduced Freeport’s annual CO2 emissions. In addition, a 1,020m3 rainwater recovery tank to harvest rain water for industrial purposes was constructed.

YTPI also devoted equal importance to strengthening partnerships with the local communities. Some of its notable projects include scholarship grants to nearly a hundred college students. The company has also donated health and sanitation facilities to public schools and has provided extensive and active support to Brigada Eskwela. In 2006, YTPI donated Php 1,000,000 worth of materials and supplies for the rehabilitation of the water system providing potable water to Indigenous Peoples (Aeta) families in San Vicente in Tarlac province. Socially responsible to itself, its stakeholders, and the public, YTPI is conscious of the kind of impact the company has on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental facets.

Braving through the new normal

As the whole world faces the challenges brought by the pandemic, the tire manufacturer officially launched The New Normal: Together We Can Beat This Better protocols and programs to ensure the safety of its people. Notwithstanding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the company continued to contribute to the economic development of the country by generating employment opportunities, paying its taxes dutifully, and creating profit through fair and honest business activities.

In the face of both adversity and privilege, within a score and five years, what makes the YTPI’s silver anniversary worth celebrating is that despite the recent challenges of being in the midst of a global pandemic – the company continues to produce and deliver millions of tires that people can trust. All of this, operating within complexities big and small. This kind of success does not come without difficulties. It is through hard work, meticulous planning, cooperation and a great degree of foresight that this degree of accomplishment is envisioned, let alone, achieved.

“I want to congratulate all our former and current employees on this special milestone. It has been a wonderful journey altogether. Let’s continue to defy the odds and hope for the best in the coming years,” Nagao ended.

Coca-Cola Iloilo Gives Back, Fields Volunteers through Brigada Eskwela

For over a decade now, associates from Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) Iloilo have been volunteering in the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education, helping repair and prepare public elementary and high school classrooms and other facilities before the opening of classes. This is to help ensure that these structures are ready for the students upon the start of the school year.

Last May 25, over 30 volunteers from Coca-Cola Iloilo plant and distribution center trooped to the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School in Cabugao Norte, Pavia, Iloilo to wholeheartedly lend a hand in the cleaning and painting of the main gate, entrance pathway, and school façade; in the painting of chairs for one Grade III Classroom; and to donate cleaning materials and liquid hand soap to support the school’s hand-washing program.

“Iloilo has long played a big part in Coca-Cola’s story in the country,” said Paz Pollentes, Iloilo Plant’s Manufacturing Executive . “As a way of expressing our thanks and giving back, we actively involve ourselves in worthwhile efforts such as Brigada Eskwela. Volunteerism has always been a fundamental part of our culture at Coca-Cola. The motivation comes from purpose or, as we say it, 'why we are inspired to work.’ We want to create a positive impact through advocacies.”

Pollentes adds, “We firmly believe in the value of education, and in giving kids a conducive environment for learning. By taking part in Brigada Eskwela, we hope to have made a lasting difference in the lives of our potential leaders of tomorrow.”

Throughout the Coca-Cola system, thousands of CCBPI associates nationwide actively volunteer their time and resources to positively contribute to programs and projects on education, health, and livelihood, and environment conservation.

As a company, CCBPI ensures that it leaves a lasting positive impact in its host-communities, as it works toward continuously strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders through environmentally- and socially-conscious policies. #

Paintbrushes in hand, CCBPI associates help paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. #

CCBPI associates paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. #

All in a day’s work: CCBPI Brigada Eskwela volunteers pose for posterity, following a productive and fulfilling day of volunteering at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School.

DepEd-Las Piñas school gets a fresh coat of colour and hope from Nippon Paint

Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines recently launched its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative dubbed as Colourful Dreams, which aims to be a catalyst for positive change to children of all ages.  This is part of the bigger Colour, Joy and Love CSR programme implemented by the NIPSEA group across the 15 countries and 300 cities in Asia where they operate. 

Carrying the theme “Create Joy Today, Hope for Tomorrow”, Nippon Paint Colourful Dreams has endeavored to support the Department of Education-Las Piñas Division’s Brigada Eskwela Adopt-A-School-Program, which encourages private companies, professionals, and education stakeholders to contribute their time and resources in helping in the school maintenance effort to ensure that public school facilities are ready for opening this June.   For this project, Nippon Paint has also partnered with the Philippine School of Interior Design Alumni Association (PSID-AA), whose members have volunteered to share their skills and talents. 

“We at Nippon Paint have always wanted to give back to the community and share with them our success in the three years that we have been in the Philippines. What better way to do these than to support a meaningful project like Brigada Eskwela. We are thankful to have found partners in DepEd-Las Piñas and PSID-AA, with whom we share a common goal of creating a safe, conducive and colourful environment for children’s learning and development,” relates Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines General Manager, Michael Chung.

According to PSID-AA President Paolo Jara, “Our organization has always been inspired by the saying, ‘what person is a person who does not make the world better?’.  We support Brigada Eskwela with Nippon Paint as it is another opportunity to make the world better for others.”

DepEd-Las Piñas Schools Division Superintendent Loreta Torrecampo conveys, “Bayanihan spirit is really the essence of Brigada Eskwela.  As you know our public schools really need much support.  That’s why we appreciate all the time, effort and help that we receive from the community and the private sector.  We thank Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines and PSID-AA for upholding their commitment to the country and their eagerness to contribute to national development.”



Nippon Paint Colorful Dreams’ first Brigada Eskwela beneficiary school is Pamplona Elementary School Central in Las Piñas City, which welcomes about 3,000 students every school year.  Together with volunteers from PSID-AA, Nippon Paint will be painting the school’s library, reading corners, hallways, and exterior premises with designs that inspire creativity and fun learning.

As part of its Green movement, which emphasizes on developing and offering green products to ensure sustainability, and the agreement with DepEd - Las Piñas, Nippon Paint will be using its new toluene-free Pylox Spray Paint and Green Choice Series, a line of high-quality coatings that are water-based, no added lead and mercury, and near-zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) coatings.  This means these products are environment friendly and most significantly, safe for everyone specially children.

Pamplona Elementary Central School Principal Felix Perido muses, “We are delighted to be chosen by Nippon Paint as a beneficiary school for Brigada Eskwela.  When classes start, our students will surely be happy to be in a learning environment that is clean, freshly painted and colourful.” 

Being a paint company, Nippon Paint knows that even a little bit of paint and colour can go a long way in making learning fun and engaging.  Through its Colourful Dreams and Brigada Eskwela CSR program, Nippon Paint aims to motivate students to learn with joy, be their best and hope to achieve their most colourful dreams.   

As a final note, Chung concludes, “While this is the first time that we are launching Colourful Dreams in the country, we have been reaching out to the academic community through the Nippon Paint Young Designer Award, which recognizes the talents and potentials of student interior designers and architects, a service that we do for the professional design industry.    Brigada Eskwela, on the other hand, is geared towards younger students and the community as a whole.  In the future, Nippon Paint aims to expand its CSR initiatives by working with more communities on projects that are meaningful and beneficial to people.”

For more information about Nippon Paint, visit www.nipponpaint.ph or check out www.facebook.com/nipponpaintphilippines



*This is Press Release