Sony Music Entertainment Philippines gives back this holiday season with ‘season of giving’ campaign

 

Funding will support the charity Reach Out and Feed Philippines in acquiring mobile kitchens and strengthening food programs for the community

Filipino band NOBITA performed their favourite hits for the charity at a special live performance

 

 

Manila, PHILIPPINES – Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and popular band NOBITA have partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines to support local communities impacted by hunger this holiday season. 

This comes as part of Sony Music Group’s global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, where the company and its artists are giving back to every local community in which Sony Music Group (SMG) operates. Across the world, SMG is supporting global organizations dedicated to providing aid for those facing food insecurity, homelessness and refugee support, as well as music industry relief and educational programs for communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This also follows the support provided through the Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, to move the needle in broadening opportunities for underserved communities worldwide. In October, the company partnered with SPARK! Philippines to champion young women’s rights through music and film. 

Beginning in the month of November, the Season of Giving program saw SMG committing sizeable amounts in each geography where the Company conducts business: Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, United Kingdom, and the United States. 

In the Philippines, non-profit organization Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., which provides food aid to children who have little or no access to nutritious food, had its outreach efforts hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the typhoons that struck the Philippines over the past two years. With this funding, Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. will be acquiring mobile kitchens that can provide meals to vulnerable communities where needed, reaching more children and their families through the organization’s ongoing feeding and nourishment programs.   

Anna Pauline Castro, Executive Director of Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., said, “The funding from Sony Music Group will be a great help in pushing forward with our school and community outreach programs. We expect these mobile kitchens to reach 1,000 children and their households on ongoing feeding programs, as well as families affected by the pandemic and recent typhoons, to provide them with nutritious meals.” 

“Ultimately, we hope that this will bring us closer to realizing our vision of seeing every Filipino child healthy, nourished, and empowered to reach their maximum potential for growth and learning.”

 

As a band that actively gives back to society, NOBITA also partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. to support outreach efforts and put on an intimate concert for some of the children who are beneficiaries of the organization.  

NOBITA said, “It means a lot to be part of a label that strives to make a positive impact on society by reaching out to underserved communities. We are truly glad to have had the chance to spend time volunteering with Reach Out and Feed Philippines – seeing smiles from children and families whilst connecting with them through music was an unforgettable experience for us.”

 

In speaking of the seasonal initiative, Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group, said, “Globally, SMG is committed to supporting local communities throughout the year. For the holiday season, we wanted to bring extra support and relief aid to those in need and dedicate our efforts to more than three million people worldwide. We’re grateful to our artists and international partner organizations who work on-the-ground to provide direct assistance to their neighbors.”   

In addition to NOBITA, notable artists and songwriters who volunteered with partner organizations in their communities during a series of in-person events include India Shawn (Epic Records), Tyler Shaw (SME Canada), Kobie Dee (SMP Australia), Tom Wilson (SMP Canada) – who volunteered with partner organizations in their own communities during a series of in-person events. 

This campaign represents the Company’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to forge partnerships and support communities that need it most, inside and outside the music industry. For ‘Season of Giving’, every global organization selected to receive funding was determined by a group of global stakeholders including the Company’s internal task forces, legal and public policy teams. Learn more about SMG’s giving approach here.

Photo and video assets are available for download at this link. 

 

Annex 1 – List of beneficiaries of this year’s campaign

· Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (SMG Latin/Iberia)

· Banco de Alimentos de Bogotá (SMG Latin/Iberia)

· Banco de Alimentos de Perú (SMG Latin/Iberia)

· Bonnie Support Services Ltd (SMP Australia)

· Covenant House (SMG)

· Dream Streets (SMG Nashville)

· Foodbank Australia (SME Australia)

· FoodForward SA NPC (SMG South Africa)

· Fundación Sí (SMG Latin/Iberia)

· help2read (SMG South Africa)

· Lagos Food Bank Initiative (SMG Nigeria)

· MUSICALLY FED (SMG Nashville)

· OzHarvest Limited (SMP Australia)

· Pinball Clemons Foundation (SME Canada)

· Plansverige (SMG Sweden)

· Polska Akcja Humanitarna (SMG Poland)

· Rainbow Youth (SME New Zealand)

· Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. (SME Philippines)

· Rise Against Hunger Philippines (SME Philippines)

· Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (SMG Nashville)

· Settlement Services International (SME Australia)

· Soles4Souls (SMG Nashville)

· The Dream Nurture Foundation (SMG Nigeria)

· The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund (SMP Canada)

· The Simple Plan Foundation (The Orchard Canada)

· The Trussell Trust (SMG United Kingdom)

· Weave Youth and Community Services Incorporated (SMP Australia)

· Worthy of Love (SMG)

 

 

PCPPI wins Corporate Excellence Award at Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

President and CEO Frederick D. Ong honored with Master Entrepreneur Award

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) wins at APEA 2022. The photo shows PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong proudly showing the company’s Corporate Excellence Award and his Master Entrepreneur Award from the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2022. The annual recognition program honors the region’s best in business performance towards sustainable growth.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, was presented the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 for achieving operational and entrepreneurial excellence. Held last October 20, 2022 in Penang, Malaysia, the APEA ceremony also honored PCPPI President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick D. Ong with the Master Entrepreneur Award. This honor highlights industry trailblazers whose strong entrepreneurial characters inspire up-and-coming leaders.

Since joining PCPPI in 2020, Ong has led the organization in embracing digitization and organizational transformation. He was instrumental in driving the renewal of PCPPI’s go-to-market strategy and the strengthening of its distribution network and expansion of PCPPI’s product portfolio.

PCPPI has also demonstrated its resilience and agility in the face of adversity. Even at the height of the global pandemic, PCPPI remained true to its sustainability commitment with clear focus on developing talent, ensuring profitability, and being responsible stewards of the environment. The organization continued to drive operational efficiencies while ensuring employee well-being. PCPPI also supports health and safety initiatives in the local communities where it operates.

Ong attributed PCPPI’s success to the organization’s initiatives to uphold the ICARE (Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, and Excellence and Empowerment) values in how it conducts business and the manner in which employees interact and collaborate.

“Despite recent challenges, PCPPI‘s commitment to our values and our vision remains strong,” said Ong. “We extend our appreciation to the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards for recognizing our contributions to the country’s sustainable growth. These awards motivate us at PCPPI to continue driving business growth without compromise to our commitments to our stakeholders,” he added.

APEA is a regional recognition program spearheaded by non-government organization Enterprise Asia. The annual awards honor organizations and leaders that demonstrate remarkable performance and leadership while remaining true to their social responsibilities.

Aside from the most recent accolades from APEA, Ong was recently named among the Top 50 Rising Tigers in the Asia Pacific by the Asia Leaders Awards. PCPPI has also received the 2022 Golden Globe Tigers Awards for Best Change Management Initiative (for Project SWIFT) and Excellence in the Production of Learning Content

(for the GREAT Playbook, PCPPI’s guide to the new normal).

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

PCPPI champions quality excellence culture

Quality assurance and food safety are at the core of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.’s (PCPPI) operations. The organization recently reinforced their commitment to uphold excellence in line with PCPPI and PepsiCo’s observance of World Quality Month this November.

“Customer satisfaction drives our commitment to excellence at PCPPI. We encourage employees to perform beyond expectations in line with our vision to be the country’s leading beverage company,” said PCCPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.

Compliance to stringent safety regulations ensures quality at PCPPI. All facilities received the Safety Seal Certification from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), certifying all plants and offices practice public health standards and occupational safety and health standards set by the government. PCPPI was also recognized for its compliance and enforcement efforts of COVID-19 health standards.

Accreditation and Certification

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is among the various organizations conducting regular audits on PCPPI’s facilities. Aside from ensuring compliance to food safety regulations, the FDA reviews PCPPI’s implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and compliance to the provisions of the facilities’ Licenses to Operate.

Currently, six of PCPPI plants have retained their Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) V5.1 through a comprehensive audit by reputable testing, inspection and certification authority SGS in early 2022. PCPPI’s plant in San Fernando, Pampanga also completed the first McDonald’s Social Welfare Accountability (SWA) and Supplier Quality Management System Audit (SQMS).

Quality and Food Safety Training

At PCPPI, development programs are in place to support ongoing learning for employees and business partners. Since 2015, over 1,800 employees and partners have enrolled in Level 1 Capability Building Program courses to broaden their understanding about quality assurance and food safety. Courses include Food Fraud Mitigation, Vulnerability Risk Assessment, and Statistical Process Control.

PCPPI’s pool of PepsiCo-certified site expert trainers have also conducted nearly 5,000 training hours. Certified training leaders have also completed courses focused on improving product quality and productivity.

Fostering Values through Engagement

Among PCPPI’s initiatives to further enhance the company-wide commitment to excellence are regular communication on policy updates, as well as best practice sharing across teams. Employees also undergo refresher courses on managing customer feedback in compliance with national regulations.

The organization’s focus on ensuring product and service quality goes beyond mere process. PCPPI upholds excellence as one of its core values. “Excellence is a shared responsibility. By holding ourselves accountable to our standards, we aim to continuously inspire our employees to remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the best value to all our stakeholders,” added Ong.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. It sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Milkis, Aquafina, and Premier.

Kasama Ka Bukas: Student-first brand Bukas marks over half a billion tuition funded for the Filipino youth

 Inspired to reach greater milestones and go beyond education financing

Manila, Philippines- Four years into its mission of bridging the education gap in the country, Bukas hits a momentous milestone of funding over P500M worth of tuition for Filipino students in hopes of a brighter future.

Funding The Future

Bukas, a tech-enabled education financing platform by its parent company ErudiFi, stemmed from the vision of building a better tomorrow for Filipino youth starting with affordable tuition loans. In the course of its operation, the student-first brand has helped over 15,000 students across 90 partner campuses nationwide, a proof of its consistent year-on-year growth.

Having onboarded more partners this year including expansions in Bacolod and Zamboanga, Bukas broadens its reach to help more Filipino students. Partners in Metro Manila include De La Salle University, Centro Escolar University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Adamson University, Mapua University, National Teachers College, Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University and FEU Tech among others. In line with the vision of delivering inclusive and accessible education, Bukas is also partnered with schools outside the metro including Saint Louis University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, PHINMA Education, and University of the Visayas, and is looking forward to growing this list soon.

The company’s growth also attests to the real demand for accessible education financing in the country. “Despite the pandemic the past 2 years, we've managed to continuously grow our portfolio. We're confident that we can scale the business to help even more students continue their studies for a better tomorrow,” says Jon Robert Emlano, President of Bukas.

Angel Aquino, a nursing graduate of Universidad de Dagupan, expresses her thanks for Bukas’ help, “My school recommended Bukas to me. Thank you very much, Bukas, for the opportunity na binigay niyo sa isang tulad kong estudyanteng ina para po makapagtapos o mairaos ko ang aking pag-aaral. Dahil po sa inyo ay naipagpatuloy ko po nang maayos yung pag-aaral ko.”

Kasama Ka Bukas

A student’s journey can be quite a rollercoaster ride– gruelling projects, suspenseful grade reveals, nerve wracking presentations, and on top of it all is the pressure to do well. Surviving the student life requires a strong support system, and Bukas is determined to be part of that for many young Filipinos.

Going beyond providing tuition loans, Bukas launched its “Kasama Ka Bukas” campaign (bukas.ph/kasama-ka-bukas) where students may expect help for their studies in more ways than one.

● Content. The Bukas Blog(bukas.ph/blog) offers a wide array of content from course, career, and financial literacy that can help students navigate through their journey.

● Advice. To maximize each student’s learning, Bukas works together with partner schools to mount online and offline events that will help students discover more about their passions, seek advice to guide them on their path, and discover new opportunities to help enrich their lives.

● Community. Joined by the same vision of achieving a brighter tomorrow through education, Bukas reinforces the importance of one’s support system. Uplifted by inspiring stories and shared experiences, students, through an exclusive community, can come together to create valuable connections.

With Bukas showing no signs of slowing down, the team is determined to add more value to the lives of its students and partner schools, and overall improve the state of education in the country through education financing and beyond.

“Our goal next year is to be aggressive in covering more schools outside Metro Manila, providing better access to affordable financing across the country. We are also working on expanding our products and services to cater to more students and improve the user experience for the school admin and the students,” shares Emlano.

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About Bukas

Bukas is an education financing platform that provides secure, flexible, and affordable tuition installment plans (student loans) to college and graduate school students, partnered with leading universities and schools in the Philippines. Since 2019, Bukas has helped over 15,000 students with presence in 90 campuses nationwide For more information, visit www.bukas.ph.

About ErudiFi

Founded in 2017, ErudiFi is a mission-driven technology company focused on making education affordable in Southeast Asia. Operating as Danacita in Indonesia and Bukas in the Philippines, ErudiFi has helped secure funding for thousands of financially underserved students through tech-enabled partnerships with leading universities and vocational schools in the region. By improving access to education, ErudiFi is driving generational transformation and helping to build a better tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.erudifi.com

Level Up With Cetaphil Ultra Protect

Cetaphil celebrated the launch of Cetaphil Ultra Protect with the Level-Up Series to advocate the importance of whole-body wellness, including healthy skin.

This fitness activation took place in four different boutique fitness studios: Electric Studio for that cardio fix, ONELIFE Private Studio to elongate the body, Polecats to learn how to move confidently, and now Rebel to lean in and discover that well of inner strength.

Each event was met with excitement from present content creators and members of the media, especially those who hadn’t done the chosen activities before. Because there were four different studios, each with different exercises, Cetaphil was able to provide a variety of experiences.

Cetaphil encouraged everyone to get fit in the name of holistic health, after which a full wash with Cetaphil Ultra Protect was encouraged because Cetaphil knows that the skin is the first line of defense against germs; hence it is necessary to make it as fit as the body.

Bodies were sweating in full force, muscles were pushed to the limit, and endorphins reached an all-time high, all in time to try Cetaphil Ultra Protect and to see the importance of having a clean, moisturized body.

Cetaphil Ultra Protect

Cetaphil Ultra Protect is a cleansing bar that combines the benefits of wider germ protection with gentle yet intense skin hydration.

There are no compromises with its 3D Derma-Mimic Technology that cleanses the skin at an antimicrobial level with a dermatological tried-and-tested formulation, which repairs the skin barrier’s defense against water loss.

It washes away 99.9% of germs and is specifically designed for frequent daily use, preventing and soothing skin irritation. The skin is now instantly protected and hydrated.

As the holidays are coming up and it is once more time to see friends and family, now more than ever, it is time to #BeUltraProtected with Cetaphil Ultra Protect.

The new Cetaphil Ultra Protect Antimicrobial Cleansing Bar is available at the official Cetaphil Philippines stores in Lazada and Shopee. You can also find Cetaphil products at Mercury Drug, Watsons’ stores, and supermarkets nationwide.

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About Cetaphil

Cetaphil is a skincare brand that has been recommended by dermatologists for over 75 years and is today used by millions with delicate skin from all over the world. For more information, visit www.cetaphil.com.ph.

Unli ang Saya this Christmas with J&T Express PH’s Huge Shipping Discount!

TAGUIG CITY – Leading e-commerce global delivery service J&T Express is giving away big discounts as an early Christmas gift to their customers nationwide. Get huge savings on shipping fees when you send your parcels via J&T Express this holiday season using its Unlisaya promo with a voucher discount, available on their mobile application.

The promo is offered to all J&T Express customers—especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Customers may pay as low as 39 pesos when they ship via J&T Express using Unlisaya promo with a J&T Express voucher. To avail of the promo, customers, whether walk-in or pick-up, must choose the Unlisaya promo and claim the daily voucher on the J&T Express mobile app.

“It is undeniable that most of us will purchase our Christmas gifts online. With the holiday craze coming, we are offering our lowest shipping fee yet as we hope to help lessen the shipping cost for consumers and to attract more businesses for the MSMEs. This is our early Christmas gift for everyone, whether our regular customers, business owners, or even those who ship via J&T Express for the first time. Now, they may enjoy shopping online for Christmas without worrying about the shipping fee,” says Zoe Chi, Vice President of J&T Express Philippines.

The promo aims to ease the hassle of paying high-shipping costs as Unlisaya offers a pouch-based rate fee, regardless of the weight of the item/s. Together with the Unlisaya promo and the J&T Express voucher discount, customers will save more budget for their Christmas shopping because of the affordable shipping rate.

J&T Express Philippines’ Unlisaya Promo is ongoing throughout the Christmas season, avail yours today!

Visit the nearest J&T Express or book a free pick-up via the mobile application or website to use the promo. To learn more about the services offered by J&T Express, log on to www.jtexpress.ph or visit www.facebook.com/jntexpressphilippines.

LeapOut Takes Home Awards at Marketing Excellence 2022

A first-time contender at the Marketing Excellence Awards, LeapOut made its mark, winning not just one or two but three awards.

MANILA, Philippines — LeapOut proudly claimed three trophies at the 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards held last December 1st, New Coast Hotel, Manila.

The awards are for Excellence in Data-Driven and Consumer Insights (Silver), Excellence in B2B Marketing (Bronze), and Excellence in E-commerce Marketing (Bronze). LeapOut achieved these in partnership with their clients, Malayan Insurance, Integrated Computer Systems, and Kultura (SM Retail).

A David-vs.-Goliath Win

Although small compared to giant agencies and brands in the industry, and considered a newbie in the advertising and marketing contest scene, the digital marketing agency has undoubtedly made an impression strong enough for the expert panel of judges to recognize its outstanding and promising work in the marketing industry.

“Great win, team! I couldn't be more proud. We may not have the most significant budget in our campaigns, but I'm glad you have driven far better results for our clients,” Mr. Marvin Ortiz, LeapOut’s Founder and Managing Partner, shared when asked about his comment on his agency’s first-ever win.

Mr. Ortiz also mentioned his overwhelming appreciation to the agency’s clients throughout the years. “To our clients, you rock and thank you so much for trusting us.”

The Marketing Excellence Awards celebrates, recognizes, and rewards the Philippines’ outstanding marketing campaigns. It is the premier platform for marketers to showcase their creative excellence, successful strategies, and effective delivery.

The champions for 2022 were chosen by an independent judging panel of high-caliber, senior industry experts from reputable brands.

Check out the complete list of winners here.

For more information about LeapOut’s latest win, click here.

This is truly a remarkable and significant leap for the agency and a testament to what its team can do, and we are all looking forward to more that LeapOut can achieve in the future.

“Cheers to the judges and organizers of this year's event. Congratulations to all the winners, and see you next year!” Mr. Ortiz ended.

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LeapOut is a tried-and-tested digital marketing agency, providing effective digital marketing solutions to clients from various industries since 2011. Its team consists of highly-trained specialists that are quick to adapt to the fast-changing trends of the industry to ensure their clients come out on top every time.

Have an excellent holiday season with promos by Taiwan Excellence products

 Don’t fret thinking about your Christmas gift for a loved one this Yuletide season anymore. Taiwan Excellence has got a complete range of excellent lifestyle products you can choose from for that all-important present you can give in this most important and joyous season.

Take Acer, for example. One of Taiwan’s best IT brands that completely took the world by storm, Acer makes unboxing during the holidays a truly exceptional experience with the whole family.

Just buy any participating Acer products and be ready to get a free Digital SM Gift Pass worth up to P8,000. Promo runs until December 31, 2022.

Shop Acer products now to get up to P8,000 worth of Digital SM Gift Pass

Ready to give the gift of beauty this season of giving? Try giving away Annie’s Way products from Taiwan through their “Buy 5, Take 1” promo. You can buy any five of their popular Jelly Masks such as their Honey + Lecithin, Arbutin Hyaluronic Acid, Lavender, Aloe + Seaweed, Anti-Aging, Calendula + Chamomile, Charcoal + Vita-C Pore, Snail Secretion Repairing and get another one absolutely free! Now how about that for Christmas beauty?

Learn more about the Annie’s Way Buy 5 Take 1 in Jelly Masks promo here

Here's another one of Taiwan’s outstanding products on information technology devices. ASUS has its “ASUS/ROG Share 2022” promo, where you can receive up to P11,000 worth of wonderful freebies through the purchase of participating ASUS products. ASUS made it even sweeter where the freebie you’ll get depends on the price range of the ASUS product you will buy. Of course, the higher priced products get a premium freebie, which is logical. But then again, just get whatever ASUS product your heart desires because every ASUS product is marked with excellence.

The ASUS/ROG Share 2022 Promo also offers limited-time exclusive bundle packages and discounts for select ASUS and ROG products such as laptops, mobile phones and others.

Better hurry since the “ASUS/ROG Share 2022” is only up to December 31, 2022. Learn more here.

Worried about your loved one’s thinning hair up there? Give the gift of Aromase and its Anti-Hair Loss Set to give your man—or woman—that extra boost in confidence. With Aromase’s Juniper Scalp Purifying Liquid Shampoo, it softens and removes unnecessary sebum on the scalp and regulates the health of the scalp ecosystem for hair growth, moisturizes scalp, and effectively relieves scalp itchiness.

On the other hand, the Aromase Anti-Hair Loss Essential Shampoo for Hair Loss helps strengthen the protective mechanism of the scalp and maintains hair visibility and makes it even stronger.

With the Aromase Anti-Hair Loss Kit as your Christmas gift, you can never go wrong.

Looking to upgrade your computer hardware this season? Give yourself that gift of Transcend solid state drives, the leading brand in digital storage and multimedia products. The Transcend SSD225S, for example, is a 2.5-inch solid state drive that’s designed for both desktops or laptops. Enjoy fast application processing times to greatly enhance your computer’s performance. Plus, with up to 2TB of storage capacity, saving your music, documents, movies and photos will be such a breeze, a better choice than the usual hard disk drives.

Meanwhile, the Transcend MTE250S SSD features the 3D NAND flash, an 8-channel controller, and DRAM cache that delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,200/6,500 MB/s (R/W) and ample capacity of up to 2TB. Its ultra-thin graphene heatsink guarantees stable performance despite working non-stop, with proven performance that gamers, content creators, and software developers will surely love and enjoy no matter what their game is.

Another award-winning Taiwanese IT product is MSI that you can consider giving as a Christmas gift for an exceptional family member or friend. Get full joy with MSI’s “Joy-Full Christmas Sale” where you get special discounts and freebies worth up to P28,500. Whether for gaming or business productivity needs, trust MSI to give your computing this Christmas a big boost. And you only have until December 31, 2022 to avail of the MSI “Joy-Full Christmas” Sale so hurry up! 

Avail the MSI “Joy-Full Christmas Sale” here.

So, forget about buying products that can be like a box of chocolates where you wouldn’t know what you’re going to get. When buying Taiwan Excellence products, you have no doubt that what you get is quality and excellence.