Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, December 22, 2016

StartupbBoat in Manila: Making an Impact in the Community Through a Collaborative Effort

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Impact Hub Manila introduced StartupBoat through a two-day launch on December 13 and 14, 2016. The overall aim was to build a community of creative thinkers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are passionate to bring change in the community by developing and implementing groundbreaking ideas together. Its main mission is to make innovation accessible for all.

It was during the StartHubs AsiaBerlin Roadshow in Manila when Paula Schwarz (Founder of StartupBoat), Ces Rondario and LizAn Kuster (Co-Founders of Impact Hub Manila), and Ranganath Thota (CEO and Founder of Fuel A Dream India) came together and agreed on launching StartupBoat in Manila, Philippines and Bangalore, India.

In Manila, StartupBoat worked together with Impact Hub Manila and Bayer Foundations to create a platform for individuals who wish to collaborate for the collective growth of the health sector of the country. The main objective was to share, learn and contribute for an implementable action plan in 2017 for the health sector in the Philippines and to mentor startups to act as multipliers.

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Under the direction of DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi, DOE ASec. Gerpy Erguiza visited the Malampaya platform to conduct due diligence regarding the Malampaya scheduled maintenance shutdown from 28 January to 16 February 2017.

In light of the Malampaya maintenance activities next year, the Department of Energy (DOE) through the strong directive of Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has started preparatory activities jointly with industry stakeholders to safeguard energy consumers from possible impact on supply and prices of electricity during the scheduled maintenance activities from 28 January 2017 to 16 February 2017.

“My directive was clear - the Malampaya maintenance activities should pose no substantial impact to supply of electricity by using all available resources and remedies, because power is a basic necessity for our countrymen,” Sec. Cusi said. He added that plans and alternative modes should be in place and ready before the actual shutdown.

Sec. Cusi said, “We have to ensure that the program works for Malampaya is within the prescribed schedule given to the DOE. Historically, SPEX completed its maintenance period on time. It is expected that it will do the same this time.”

In a meeting with industry participants last 15 December, the DOE was apprised by the Shell Philippines Exploration Corporation (SPEx) of the preparatory works for the Malampaya services maintenance shutdown (Malampaya SMS).

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Several businesses and individuals were again recognized by the National Customers' Choice Awards for their annual awarding for those that have successfully provided excellent products and quality services for 2016.

At the awarding ceremonies held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila on December 6, 2016, awardees gathered to receive their rightful recognition for all their hard work and diligence in continuously being bold and competitive in their respective businesses.

The event was hosted by Jun Dumlao and Eagle. Various performers, which includes belly dancers, child singer, boy band, a pole dancer, and Carlos Agassi provided entertainment during breaks and dinner.

We got the chance to mingle with a few of the celebrities, namely Bobby Yan, Carlos Agassi, Dimples Romana, and Sig Aldeen, who present at the event. We were also fortunate to interview Dimples and Sig about their Swak na Swak lifestyle show aired every weekends on ABS-CBN.

As what Senate President Aquiino "Koko" Pimentel has said from the ShopBest souvenir magazine, it is important that companies, brands, and services are recognized for satisfying the needs of their clientele. This inspires the people involved to aim for the continued growth that results to increase in employment and economic progress. For a business to be sustainable and among the top, we do need to identify and fulfill the needs of our consumers.