Search for 2011-2012 Car of the Year-Philippines Launched


Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI), the award-giving body composed of motoring journalists, launched their search for the 2011-2012 Car of the Year-Philippines (COTY-PH) last 26 August 2011, at an official launch night held at the Congo Grille El Pueblo in Ortigas Center.

CAGI president Ferman Lao noted during his announcement that: "Despite the slowdown in 2011 car sales after last year's record highs, prospects for the Philippine automotive industry continue to be bright. With automotive manufacturers and distributors bringing in the latest models and offering a wider range of product offerings, Filipino consumers now have more options to choose from. From Chinese car brands offering more affordable entry level vehicles to European luxury brands at the other end of the spectrum, there is certainly a car to match every buyer's taste and budget. I believe that through COTY-PH, motoring journalists can provide useful information to Filipino consumers to guide their purchase decisions."

This year's COTY testing is open to all new passenger cars and commercial vehicles introduced in the Philippine market from 01 November 2010 to 31 October 2011. All eligible entries will be subjected to both qualitative and technical evaluation.

Qualitative evaluation examines the following vehicle attributes: (1) Aesthetics (interior/exterior); (2) ergonomics; (3) NVH or noise, vibration and harshness; (4) ride comfort; and (5) space. The qualitative evaluation process is open to all CAGI members and will be held at the Ortigas Home Depot parking lot over 6 weekends in September and October 2011.

For the rigorous technical testing, which will be held at the Clark International Speedway in late October 2011, a select team will conduct instrumented tests on the following parameters: (1) Acceleration, 0-100kph in seconds; (2) Braking distance, 100-0kph in meters; and (3) Handling, through a 120m chicane course.

Specific award categories vary from year to year, depending on the eligible vehicles. Typically, qualified entries are classified by:

  • Size: sub-compact, compact, mid-size, etc.
  • Function: sedan, crossover, SUV, pickup, van, truck, etc.
  • Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WD
  • Price: basic, premium, luxury, etc.

Winners of the 2011-2012 COTY-PH will be announced in April 2012, with the awarding ceremonies to be held during the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) at the World Trade Center.

The Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) is an award-giving body composed of motoring journalists. Every year since 2004, CAGI invites automotive manufacturers and distributors to submit their new vehicle models for technical and qualitative testing. Test results are summarized and subjected to external audit. Awards are given in various categories, with the most prestigious award being the Car of the Year Award.

Generika & UP College of Pharmacy strengthen clinical pharmacy training

(L-R): Roderick Salenga, Philippine Pharmacists Association committee chairman on public health and UP-Manila department of pharmacy chairman;  Dr. John Alonzo, medical director, St. Cabrini Medical Center; Dr. Imelda G. Pena, dean of the college of pharmacy, UP-Manila; Teodoro Ferrer, Erikagen president; Jay Ferrer, Erikagen vice-president; Mary Rose Ulit, Erikagen corporate pharmacist; Monette Nipas, of Erikagen key accounts department.

Generika, an award-winning drugstore chain, has signed a memorandum of agreement with the UP-Manila College of Pharmacy to upgrade pharmacy services by pioneering and advocating clinical care in communities, a practice now prevalent in the United States, Canada, Europe and other parts of Asia.

Erikagen, Inc., owner of the Generika Drugstore trademark, has commissioned the UP-Manila College of Pharmacy to create training modules for Clinical Skills Improvement for Ambulatory and In-Patient Services.  Tailor-made for Generika, the program consists of lecture, tools, didactics and practicals in unit dose drug dispensing and patient counseling services. 

The pilot program will be offered at St. Cabrini Medical Center (SCMC) in Santo Tomas, Batangas, where Generika operates the in-patient pharmacy for the hospital.  SCMC is the first institute to offer integrative cancer care and the first to be accredited as a medical tourism developer in the country.  The training program is expected to upgrade the standards of clinical pharmacy services provided by Generika to SCMC as an important step for the accreditation of the hospital for ISO standards.  This program is also in line with Generika's objective to offer improved clinical and ambulatory services to other hospitals.

Over the long term, the plan is to provide similar training to all community pharmacists employed by Generika Drugstore, thus ugrading the level of professional competence and revolutionizing the practice of pharmacy in Generika Drugstore outlets.  Through this concrete step taken by Generika, it hopes to encourage other drugstores nationwide to improve pharmacy practices for the ultimate benefit of the community.

The memorandum of agreement between Erikagen, Inc. and the UP-Manila College of Pharmacy was signed last 05 August 2011 in Makati City. 

Generika Drugstore is driven by a strong sense of social purpose and seeks to offer better quality and service as part of its corporate values.  Taking the extra step gives Generika an edge over competition, resulting in a successful business model that has been recognized by several prestigious awards.

In 2009, Generika was named by Entrepreneur Magazine for the Best in Franchise Support and Most Promising Franchise awards.  In 2008, Generika Drugstore was proclaimed the national winner in the drugstore chain category by the Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP).

Generika expands franchise operations nationwide

Generika Jenra Mall, Pampanga Grand Opening
Generika, an award-winning drugstore chain, recently announced that it is opening up more areas in Metro Manila and Luzon, as well as in Visayas and Mindanao for franchising. For an overall initial investment of around P1.2-million, which already includes the P150,000 franchise fee, budding entrepreneurs can have their own business minus the trial and error of most start-ups.

Target areas which Generika is now processing for franchise applications are the entire Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. It is aggressively expanding in Cebu, where it recently opened stores in Lahug and Lapu-Lapu, with three more—Pardo, Consolacion and Punta Prinsesa—in the pipeline. In Mindanao, Generika already has a presence in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Pagadian and Iligan. As part of its nationwide expansion, Generika is inviting interested franchisees from the Bicol region, as well as other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Compared to other generics outlets, Generika Drugstore has redefined the generics industry through affordable yet quality products as well as its air-conditioned stores, well-trained in-store personnel, and a host of value-added services.

All Generika Drugstore outlets are air-conditioned because studies show that heat and humidity can degrade a drug's efficacy. Thus Generika's air-con stores have been primarily designed to ensure the therapeutic value of medicines, while at the same time offering customer comfort and convenience through its more attractive premises.

As a pioneer of generic retail distribution, Generika has a wide range of generic medicines now available in the market. Each store has a licensed pharmacist who can provide patient counseling to customers. Professional staff also offer value-added services such as free blood pressure monitoring, affordable blood sugar testing, and other community outreach programs.

A team of programmers maintains superior information systems so that all Generika Drugstore outlets can provide better customer service through medical information, medicine alternatives, price comparison database, effective sales and inventory monitoring, and automated ordering replenishment. These systems ensure that Generika customers can get proper advice about their medical needs and drug options. At the same time, proper inventory monitoring ensures that stocks are always fresh and on-hand.

Taking the extra step to offer better quality and service has given Generika an edge over the competition, resulting in a successful business model that was recognized in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine with the Best in Franchise Support and Most Promising Franchise awards.

Generika Drugstore was the national winner in the drugstore chain category of the DSAP (Drugstore Association of the Philippines) Quality Award in 2008. In 2009, the BFAD (Bureau of Food & Drugs) Quality Seal Award was granted to five Generika Drugstore branches, while the Generika-Soledad branch was named overall winner for the drugstore chain category.

To explore the Generika franchise business, interested entrepreneurs may contact VisMin business development manager Mike Maquiran (922 8585112), or Metro Manila and Luzon business development manager Edward Arban (922 8984982). You may also visit the company website at www.generika.com.ph.

Petron free safety checks now year-round

Petron, the country's leading oil company, is further strengthening its road safety advocacy in response to the global call to action of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Its Free Safety Check, originally offered as a component of Petron Lakbay Alalay, the country's longest-running and most extensive motorist assistance program, has been expanded into a year-round program to encourage motorists to make sure their vehicles are roadworthy.

The extensive Free Safety covers 38 inspection points as follows: TIRES - tire pressure, tire wear, spare tire; ENGINE - air filter element, fan belt, power steering belt, alternator belt, air conditioner belt, upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose; ENGINE FLUIDS - engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, clutch fluid, gear oil, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, window washer; BATTERY - battery fluid, battery terminals; LIGHTS - headlights, signal lights, brake lights, hazard, fog lights, third brake light, light gauges; UNDER CHASSIS - tie rod ends, upper ball joints, lower ball joints, cross joints, shock absorbers, axle boots; and ACCESSORIES - wiper blades, horn, basic tools, jack, early warning device.

The Free Safety Check is currently offered at 118 participating Petron stations nationwide, with 48 in Metro Manila, 16 in North Luzon, 10 in South Luzon, 29 in the Visayas, and 15 in Mindanao. Motorists can drive in to any station with the Free Safety Check sign to avail of this service.

Through its network of service stations nationwide, Petron is in an excellent position to further promote the road safety advocacy in response to the worldwide imperative to prevent accidents and save lives.