Globe Telecom Most Awarded PH Telco Operator in 1H of 2016

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Globe Telecom was declared first runner-up in the Best in Ethics & Governance category during the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Awards 2016. Globe Corporate Brand Management OIC EJ Francisco (center) and Globe Corporate Communications’ Strategy and Management Operations Head Mitchel Cloyd Masaudling (right) receive the award from Dr. Oscar P. Bulaong, Jr. (left), Executive Director of Ateneo Ethics Center.

Globe Telecom is the Philippines’ most awarded telecommunications operator in the first half of 2016 following a series of recognition given to the company by various institutions.

“The string of awards given to Globe testify to the company’s excellence in creating shared value to all our stakeholders even in the face of intense industry competition amid a continuing customer adoption of a digital lifestyle,” Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto said.

Photo above shows Sandip Gupta (right), Vice President, Cloud Business, Singtel, receiving the Telecom Service Provider Award on behalf of Globe Telecom from Manoj Menon (right), Senior Partner and Asia Pacific Managing Director, Frost & Sullivan.

Two of such awards conferred on the company are Frost & Sullivan Philippines Telecom Service Provider of the Year Award and Mobile Service Provider of the Year Award. Both awards were given to Globe for having demonstrated exemplary growth and performance in 2015. Both awards were evaluated based on the number of subscribers, subscriber growth, revenue growth, EBITDA margin and net margin.

Breaking Insights on Global Freelancing Economy as Freelancer.com Hits 20 Million Users

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Freelancer.com further cements its status as the world’s largest online freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace, celebrating 20 million users­­a community of online freelancers and employers that has been growing steadily since the company’s inception in 2009. 

Inspired by its mission to improve the world of work by providing employment to one billion professionals globally, the company has significantly grown seven years later, with offices in Sydney, Australia; Manila, Philippines; Vancouver, Canada; Buenos Aires, Argentina; London, United Kingdom; and Jakarta, Indonesia. “We at Freelancer.com are inspired by the many lives we have positively changed from across the globe,” says Matt Barrie, Freelancer.com Chief Executive. “We dedicate our hard work to the millions of professionals who stand by us and believe in our vision to innovate the way we work.” 

Joining Workers of the Developed and Developing World Freelancer.com’s users are present in 247 countries, regions, and territories, in both the emerging and developed markets. Freelancer.com has over 900 job categories as diverse as Aerospace engineering, Biotechnology, Sales, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering. 

From Freelancer.com’s research on its users, top skills of developed and developing countries are almost alike, with professionals from developed countries mostly possessing talent related to Data Entry, Graphic Design, Excel, Photoshop, and Articles (Writing); while those from developing countries having skills related to Data Entry, Excel, HTML, PHP, and Articles (Writing). 

Fujitsu Philippines, Aspect Software collaborate to accelerate cloud offerings

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Fujitsu Philippines, a leading Information Technology (IT) solutions integrator, has joined hands with Aspect Software to integrate its Workforce Management solution on the cloud.

The partnership with Aspect Software—a leading provider of fully integrated consumer engagement, workforce optimization and self-service solutions—will enable companies specifically contact centers to optimize their operations and meet customer demands without setting up an on-premise platform.

Since manpower accounts for the bulk of a contact center’s expenses, Aspect Software believes that contact centers need to manage dynamic workloads and staffing requirements across multiple skills, channels and sites. The efficient utilization of these resources will go a long way in optimizing business processes and empowering customers.

“The Philippines, being one of the contact center hubs in the world, is a rapid growth market for workforce management and can be optimized through a robust cloud-based platform. Aspect and Fujitsu are excited to support contact center companies with the right tools needed in expanding their business,” says Sanjay Gupta, Head of Aspect’s Cloud Business in the Asia Pacific of Aspect Software.

With the new partnership in place, customers will be able to enjoy a complete end-to-end cloud portfolio solution, enabling Aspect Software’s Workforce Management platform to be best delivered by a robust cloud solution to help them drive instant value and boost employee productivity.

“We are pleased to partner with one of the leading Information and Communication Technology service providers in the Philippines and offer through their Fujitsu Cloud Services, a robust and reliable Workforce Force Management solution,” says Richard Loberas, Head of Sales, ASEAN & Korea of Aspect Software.

The cloud-based Workforce Management solution hosts a myriad of features that include an intuitive dashboard-based UI; a centralized visibility into employee characteristics, preferences, schedules and performance; sophisticated forecasting algorithms that support multiple business objectives; and a simplified management of workforces across multiple sites and outsourced locations, among others.

Furthermore, operating the Workforce Management system in the cloud gives customers the ability to convert capital expenditures to operating expenditures; rapid scalability; elimination of software and hardware maintenance; and the lowest possible total cost of ownership.

According to Raul “Cricket” Santiago III, president of Fujitsu Philippines, Fujitsu is privileged to run Aspect Software’s Workforce Management because “it is one of the major steps in achieving a more hyper-connected society.”

He adds, “Our cloud solutions are the very foundation of our digital services, delivered in such a way that meet customers’ demands for business agility, optimum security and data regulation. This is why we are glad that a company as trailblazing as Aspect Software engaged with us—this proves our track record of offering new ways to innovate and modernize businesses the way they foresee it. Together, we can help contact centers maximize their value.”

BulSU OSO Proudly Presents Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016

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Ahoy! Come and join BulSU Office of the Student Organizations (OSO) as we navigate the ship on the first fresh wave of Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016 (PAP '16) This is one of the newly pondered project of the BulSU OSO, a daylong event, in line with the Freshie Week themed Handog ni BulSU para kay Bunso of the University which will help the university-wide and college-based student organizations to officially acquaint every BulSUan about their corporality, to recruit members, and to serve as an opportunity in boosting their pecuniary status for the Academic Year 2016-2017.

Pamamalakaya and Pondohan was conceptualized based on the general and annual theme of the BulSU OSO exploring the boundless breadth and depth of the sea. Pamamalakaya is a biblical term where some disciples were sent and Jesus said "Come & follow me", "and I will send you out to fish for people" – Mark 1:17 NIV (only the notion of the verse was adapted and not the religion aspect) Pondohan is a place where caught fishes will be delivered and it will be market through the middle men.

Look what is in store for us in Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016 (PAP '16) — happening this August 11, 2016 @BulSU Activity Center; 12:00nn- 6:00pm

For more inquiries, you may reach us through our official facebook page, BulSU OSO. You may also email and contact us at bulsuoso@gmail.com. Let us see your feedbacks by using our official hashtag #BulSUOSO #PAP2016.

Lamudi Ranks Most Searched Neighborhoods in the Philippines

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Familiar neighborhoods top list of most-searched areas in the Philippines, according to latest Lamudi data

The first half of 2016 saw the continued dominance of Metro Manila areas or neighborhoods among places in the Philippines most searched for by online property-hunters. Sixteen of the top 20 areas or neighborhoods viewed by users of the Lamudi website were in Metro Manila, with interest shifting slightly among the areas as the year progressed.

Fairview in Quezon City was top among the areas or neighborhoods searched by online property-hunters. This Quezon City district was the most searched area in Metro Manila and the Philippines in the first half of 2016, according to Lamudi data. Although Fairview remained the most searched area from April to June 2016, search volume for this popular Quezon City location dipped 22% from Q1 to Q2 2016.

Fairview is followed by the Fort Bonifacio area in Taguig. Home to Bonifacio Global City, this area generated almost 150,000 page-views of properties in the first half of 2016. Furthermore, interest for this location among online property-hunters increased 14% from Q1 to Q2 2016.

Fort Bonifacio was followed two other Quezon City locations: Tandang Sora and Batasan Hills. However, similarly to Fairview, it looked that online property-hunters’ interest for these areas also waned between Q1 2016 and Q2 2016. Page-views for Tandang Sora dropped 38% between the first two quarters of 2016, while those for Batasan Hills dropped 15% during the same period.

Fifth on the list is the highly popular BF Homes in Parañaque. Properties in this gentrifying residential area, home to many restaurants, generated almost 130,000 page-views in the first half of 2016. In addition, search volume for BF Homes increased 9% between Q1 2016 and Q2 2016.

Wrapping up the top 10 most searched areas/neighborhoods in the Lamudi website are Legaspi Village (Makati), Novaliches (Quezon City), Talon Dos (Las Piñas), Poblacion (Makati), and Cubao (Quezon City).

From highest to lowest, the top 11 to 20 most-searched areas/neighborhoods included Talamban (Cebu), Malate (Manila), Don Bosco (Parañaque), Banilad (Cebu), Guadalupe (Cebu), Commonwealth (Quezon City), Salcedo Village (Makati), New Manila (Quezon City), Lahug (Cebu), and Bel-Air (Makati).

Together, these 20 areas/neighborhoods made up more than 24% of all searches conducted in the Lamudi website in the first six months of 2016. There were a total of 4,536 areas/neighborhoods all over the Philippines included in this data analysis.

According the Lamudi, the results of this analysis offer insights on which specific locations property-hunters are researching for online. Although certain locations definitely are easily remembered due to high real estate activity, notably by major property developers (e.g., Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village, and Fort Bonifacio), some definitely are constantly in prospective homebuyers’ mind, perhaps because they have been popular residential areas for many years (e.g., BF Homes, Tandang Sora, Batasan Hills, New Manila).

Fox Sports Philippines to Air WSOF Global Championship 3

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FOX Sports, synonymous with being the exclusive provider of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) worldwide, is now home to World Series of Fighting Global Championship (WSOF-GC) in Philippines.

A programming license agreement was reached between WSOF-GC and FOX Networks Group, seeing FOX Sports Philippines as the Official Media Partner for the Manila event this Saturday, July 30, and the exclusive Philippine Pay TV home for the 2016 WSOF Global Championship Events. WSOF Global Championship 3 airs July 31 at 10am on FOX Sports Philippines, with multiple repeats the following week, and will likewise be available via linear streaming and via video-on-demand via www.FOXsportsasia.com and FOX Sports Play shortly after.

Jude Turcuato, SVP and GM of FOX Networks Group Philippines said, "FOX Sports has always aligned itself with the biggest, top-tier international sports properties. At the same time, we realize the value of local relevance and being able to cater to the Filipino sports fan. We are excited to work with World Series of Fighting Global Championship, to help further their global brand to this market, and we hope to contribute in growing MMA in the Philippines through this partnership.”

“Today marks a huge step in the direction that WSOF Global is taking on airing our events around the world,” stated Dunesa Hesser, Owner of WSOF-GC. “We may not have the brand that UFC has, but we certainly have the talent. Our first fight with FOX Sports Philippines airs the day after the live event, which includes a main event with our reigning heavyweight champion, Evgeny Erokhin, on a 9-fight KO win streak, against 11-2 Richard Odoms, who was previously signed with the UFC but was released due to injury before he could make his debut there. Our event also showcases a 4-man tournament featuring four of the best flyweights in the world, as well as undefeated prospects from Philippines, Pakistan, and India. This exposure will be great for our company, the fighters, and for FOX Sports, as we continue to be the leading brand in the Asian market.”

Globe Denounces PCC’s Extra Judicial Stance and Mob Rule

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Globe reiterated its stance to provide its customers with better mobile internet services using the various frequencies it can now access through its joint buyout of the SMC telco assets. To date, Globe has fired up 20 sites using the 700 MHz frequency which were never used and stockpiled by SMC. On top of the 700 MHz, Globe also fired up 669 sites using the 2600 MHz through carrier aggregation in various parts of Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. All these frequencies are using LTE technologies that will enable faster mobile internet browsing.

To use these frequencies using its current network, Globe is investing bulk of its $700 million in capital expenditure this year to retrofit cell sites, purchase new antenna systems specifically for 700 MHz, and install upgrades in new software that will make the use of multiple frequencies more efficient and optimized.

“By immediately using the additional capacities from these frequencies, coupled with additional network investments, our customers in various parts of the country are starting to feel the improvements in their mobile internet experience. This only affirms the urgency to meet customers’ demands. The additional capacity can only be generated by using a new set of frequencies, sadly it is the PCC that is exerting all efforts for us to prevent using these idle frequencies,” said Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo.

Recognizing this urgency, Globe cooperated with all regulatory bodies including the SEC, NTC, and the PCC in providing all documentary requirements and disclosures, to ensure regulators the transaction is above board. However, based on its pronouncements to the media, the PCC has decided to block the deal by declaring it is “not deemed approved”. The PCC has also accused Globe of “its refusal to cooperate”, stating that its application is deficient.

Castelo said, “The PCC is not forthright in saying what is deficient in our notice. The PCC acted in bad faith and dragged their response, saying all sorts of excuses, even going against their own rules to justify a review of the transaction that is not within their transitory provision.”

“For the PCC to subject the telcos to mob rule is appalling. By asking for public comment on a so-called ‘review of the transaction’ is highly irregular and against the rights of the private parties involved,” adds Castelo.

Contrary to the press release of the PCC, it is merely the application for TRO that was not granted in the case Globe filed against the PCC in the Court of Appeals. The case is still set for deliberation, and technically, the Court of Appeals can still issue a writ of preliminary injunction, and eventually decide the case on the merits in favor of Globe. “We are still in the initial stage of the legal proceedings”, Castelo adds.

Congress Champions Band Together for Anti-Discrimination Law

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House Bill #51 was filed by Dinagat Islands Lone District Rep. Kaka Bag-ao in the House of Representatives. A senate version was filed yesterday by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The said bill, penalizing discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, was first filed by Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales sixteen years ago. Although supported largely by human rights and LGBT groups, the bill remained at a standstill in the lower house during the past congresses.

The meeting this morning was attended by old and new champions: L-R: An Waray Rep. Binky Noel, Batanes Rep. Dina Abad, Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Toff De Venecia, Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, and Senator Risa Hontiveros.

"We will win Anti-Discrimination Law in the 17th Congress", committed Hontiveros.

WSOF-GC 3: Philippines 10-Fight Event is Set for This Saturday July 30 at Smart Araneta Coliseum

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World Series of Fighting – Global Championship (WSOF-GC) has officially arrived in Philippines and is bringing 10 exciting fights featuring fighters from 11 countries from 5 continents. The event will be held this Saturday, July 30, at Smart Araneta Coliseum, home of The Thrilla in Manila, starting at 6pm PHT (Philippines Time UTC +8).

WSOF-GC 3: PHILIPPINES will host a heavyweight championship main event. The match up will pit WSOF Global Champion, Russia’s Evgeny Erokhin (14-4), vs WSOF Global #1 Contender, USA’s Richard “The Black Eagle” Odoms (11-2).

Evgeny Erokhin won the inaugural WSOF Global World Heavyweight Championship back on February 7 in Tokyo, Japan, with a first round TKO victory over former Bellator contender, Brandon Cash. Evgeny brings an impressive win streak into the decagon with nine straight wins via knockout, including wins over Brett Rogers, Mike Kyle, Jeff Monson, and Tim Hague.

Richard Odoms made his debut with WSOF Global in Tokyo in February and was on hand to witness Evgeny win his championship. Odoms had a very powerful first round KO stoppage, flattening Japan’s Yusuke Kawaguchi in the first round with a knee to the head. Odoms has won three straight fights, with two of those wins coming by first round KO/TKO.

An interesting fact about each of these warriors is that when they aren’t training, they protect and serve with their respective police forces at home. Evgeny is a police officer in Khabarovsk, Russia; while Richard wears the badge in San Antonio, Texas.

SAP Digital Experience Report Reveals Only 50% of Ph Consumers Delighted with Digital Experience

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The SAP Digital Experience Report states that around 50% of consumers in the Philippines are either unsatisfied or ambivalent toward the digital offerings delivered by some of the Philippines’s largest and well-known brands.

At a media briefing held on July 26, 2016 at the SAP Philippines office at the NAC building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Ryan Poggi, Managing Director of SAP Philippines, shared the finding of the report to the members of the media.

Joining the media briefing was Bennett Aquino, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development from the Consumer Business of Globe Telecom, who also shared some facts and explained the efforts of his telecommunication company in addressing the evolving needs of the consumers as influenced by the fast-changing and developing technologies.

Melissa Lim, Integrated Communications Specialist from the Global Corporate Affairs from Singapore,  moderated the event.

I took a video of the entire media briefing which includes the talks of both Poggi and Aquino including the Question and Answer portion where members of the media got to inquire more about the report.