Power Mac Center Inspires Tech-Savvy Bicol Youth

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Power Mac Center, the premier Apple partner in the Philippines, recently supported the 2nd Bicol Youth Technology Expo (BYTE) held recently at the Pili Capitol Convention Center in Camarines Sur. The expo was organized by the Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC) of the Ateneo de Naga University.

As the main presenter, Power Mac Center partnered with ICTC to bring the technology of Apple Education Ecosystem to the Bicol academe in its efforts to share with and empower the teachers, students, and enthusiasts with the latest digital literacy skills through the use of Apple products.

Representatives from Power Mac Center’s Education Business Group acquainted the 750 people in attendance with the workings of iTunes University, iBooks Author, iCloud, and iOS App Development, as well as the production of digital creative content. Teachers also learned how they can access an extensive selection of references from educators worldwide to make students excited about learning. Since the dawn of the digital age, it has become increasingly important for teachers to keep pace with their students in terms of technology to grab and retain their attention.

“We’re very thankful to ICTC for inviting Power Mac Center to give these seminars,” Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center’s Marketing Director said. “You see, Apple products are more than just gadgets -- they are tools that fuel creativity and provide endless possibilities for everyone, especially the youth. And it has always been our mission to support the academe in cultivating a love for learning.”

Passage of Social Enterprise Bill Ensures No One Is Left Behind

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As the world hails the International Day of Poverty Eradication and the recent adoption of 17 new global goals during the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit in New York City, social enterprises call to the Philippine government to put poverty at zero rates by fast-tracking the passage of the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Bill.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a set of universal agenda critical in ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the environment across nations, adding that the integration of goals hinge on people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership will set a world where ‘No one is left behind’.

The SDGs succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is consisted of 17 goals and 169 targets serving as blueprint for 193 UN member states to work for in the next 15 years, from 2015 to 2030. First of the goals is poverty eradication with other important goals on gender equality, climate change, decent employment, inequality, and justice which were absent in the MDGs.

In the 2014 country report of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), achievement in poverty reduction is dismal from the country’s target for MDGS. Poverty incidence declined from 34.4% to 25.2% from 1991 to 2012 despite the MDG target of 17.2% by 2015. The rate of poverty reduction has also been slow for the period of 2006 to 2012 with an over-all reduction of only 1.4% in six (6) years time. 

PH hosts the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) was the proud host of the recently-concluded ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan, and Korea) Tourism Youth Summit 2015 with the theme: “Building the Future through Culture, Identity, and Community” held on 28 September to 03 October 2015 at the South Palms Resort in Panglao, Bohol and at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

The program is one of the components of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2013 – 2017 adopted during the 12th Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and ROK Tourism Ministers last January 2013 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Philippines and Thailand were selected as the lead country coordinators to organize the summit which Thailand convened for two consecutive years.

With the goal of informing the youth about the ASEAN initiatives and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as agreed by the tourism ministers in January 2015, the summit provided a venue for cultural exchange, immersion, and appreciation. It also raised the level of awareness among the ASEAN youth on issues pertaining to cultural preservation, environmental protection, and socio-economic growth. The activity likewise established a strong foundation for the ASEAN youth in the tourism industry and highlighted the equality of men and women in the tourism industry.

Presentations were made on the travel and tourism industry situation in their respective countries. Group workshops ensued on three main topics: 1) Promote ASEAN as a single destination, 2) Enhance human resource development and quality tourism, 3) Ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism.