Globe Blocks More Than 165 M Spam/Scam Messages in 2016

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Following an accelerated campaign versus unwanted spam/scam messages, Globe Telecom blocked more than 165 million of such messages in 2016, aided by the use of a comprehensive and fully automated mechanism to rid its network of unwanted and unsolicited text messages. In parallel, Globe also disconnected from the network last year around 1,700 prepaid numbers found to have been used as a source of spam/scam messages.

“Our new blocking mechanism has proven to be very effective in preventing transmittal of unwanted spam and scam messages. We are now closer, more than ever, to having a spam-free network and the combination of technology, skills, and malasakit to customers made this possible. Notwithstanding the significant progress we have achieved in our anti-spam campaign, the company remains committed in further stepping up our drive against spammers to keep our network consistently free of these annoying and unwanted messages,” Globe Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said.

The company’s currently blocking mechanism, which was established in February last year, involved the establishment of a new hardware and software solution that can filter up to 1 billion SMS a day. With the new anti-spam solution, Globe is now able to prevent transmittal of spam/scam messages being sent to the Globe network but are originating from other networks.

Following the expansion of the company’s anti-spam/scam campaign to include similar messages coming from other networks, the average number of blocked messages rose to 1.1 million/day in November. About 75% of such messages originated from spammers using other networks (35% Smart, 40% Sun) while the remaining 25% were sent thru the Globe network, Bonifacio said, adding that the mechanism now covers majority of the company’s postpaid and prepaid customers totaling 65.4 million at the end of September 2016.

To keep its customers from receiving spam and scam messages, Globe operationalized in September 2014 an automated filtering functionality that reduced the number of such messages going through the Globe network. Such mechanism has since been upgraded and expanded to effectively prevent transmittal of spam and scam messages coming from other networks. By design, the filtering mechanism can be reconfigured to address the kind of spam and scam messages that goes through the Globe network.

Aside from blocking spam and scam messages from going through the Globe network, the telecommunications provider also blocks from the Globe network prepaid numbers found to be consistent source of spam and scam text messages. Some of these numbers were subject of complaints reported through the http://www.globe.com.ph/stopspam where customers are simply required to provide all the details of spam and scam messages they received on their mobile devices. Numbers that are verified to be a constant source of spam messages are then disconnected from service.

6 Feng Shui Tips Before Starting Your Business

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Applying feng shui to your business is a great way to achieve balance, calm and even success. Feng shui is an age-old science that can be described simply as balancing man with nature. It’s very common for businesses to apply feng shui principles to their workspaces, habits and schedules. But did you know it’s also possible to apply feng shui before you even start a business? In fact, there are a few principles that you should think about before you consider going into business in the first place.

One of the country’s leading feng shui practitioners and experts, Master Francis Gaw, are giving tips to those who want to delve into a business.

Here are some of his helpful tips and requirements that influence who, when and where to open your business, as well as some feng shui advice on how to keep it going strong.

1. DO determine if you’re made to be a businessman. As they say, ‘Leaders are born, not made.’ According to Francis, so are businessmen. He states, “If your birthday is right (you were born on the right day, in the right year) you might be born a businessman.” The best way to find out is by consulting a credible feng shui practitioner and telling him your exact birth date, but if you’re afraid of the answer, don’t worry. He adds that, “If you are born not to be a businessman but you want to have a business, your solution is to find a partner who is born a businessman.” Additionally, he also adheres to logic above superstition, so he adds that before feng shui, there are two more important things to consider – feasibility, and the human factor (whether or not you know the business well, whether you have the skill to handle it, etc.).

2. DON’T start your business during the Ghost Month. This is a commonly believed superstition, and it still stands to this day. In fact, you shouldn’t start anything during the Ghost Month – weddings, businesses, moving out, etc. This year, the Ghost Month falls on August 22 to September 19, so make sure you aren’t starting your business anywhere within that range. Also, there will always be good days and bad. For example, good days to start a business in February 2017 include the 5th, 14th and 23rd. So consult a practitioner to know if your target launch date is a good one, or a recipe for misfortune.

3. DO set up in a place you’re comfortable in. Generally, when you’re choosing an office space, look for one that is well-ventilated, bright, and relaxing as soon as you enter. If you feel something wrong, eerie or heavy about a place, it’s probably best not to take it – or at least, to have someone cleanse the place before you set up. Arrangements of objects and décor are only second priority to finding a place that’s peaceful, comfortable and good for work.

4. DON’T adhere to all symbols and superstitions. Contrary to popular belief, Francis says that only 30% of superstitions should really be followed. Tumbok sa kalye – not setting up at a t-junction – is a superstition to remember, as well as having crystals in your workplace or even on your person. Crystals release piezoelectricity, which science itself has found to be a positive energy that can improve your temperament throughout the day. Water is also an important symbol, although you should check with an expert on where it should or should not be placed in your office.

5. DO push for sustainability. It’s the only real secret, according to Francis. It’s the foolproof habit – keeping yourself in the market, staying in the know, consistently pushing through both profit and loss – and it’s the only one that’s proven to work 100% of the time. As Francis says, “Sustain your business, and one day you will harvest your crop.”

6. DON’T think luck is all that matters. It’s easy to pretend that with feng shui and good luck, your business will boom whether or not you’re working for it. But even the experts themselves debunk that theory. Francis adds, “Even if you are lucky, if you are not hardworking, what will happen to you? But if you are unlucky, even if you’re just at home, bad luck will come to you.”

In the end, our destiny still depends on hard work, faith and prayer, plus a little bit of luck. As Francis says, we find signs through feng shui. Dates, experiences, and occurrences can point the way, but what matters is that we find them so they can lead us to where we want and need to be.

This year of the Rooster, create success for your business with the latest digital tools from Globe myBusiness. To learn how to make your business better, visit https://mybusiness.globe.com.ph/create-success or https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness.

Expanded Maternity Bill Reaches Senate Plenary

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A bill that seeks to increase the paid maternity leave of working women reaches the Senate plenary on Wednesday.

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chair of both the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and Senate Committee on Women, sponsored Senate Bill No. 1305 otherwise known as the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017. The proposed measure wants to increase the number of paid maternity leave from the current 60 days to 120 days, and an additional 30 days to solo working mothers. 

"A new generation bill"

Hontiveros said that the last time that the number of paid maternity leave was increased was in 1992 or 25 years ago. She described the proposed measure a "new generation bill" that will respond to the pre and post-natal health needs of different working women and everyday realities faced by the modern Filipino family.

“Today is a very exciting day for many working women. We are now in the middle of our work in reforming our antiquated maternity leave policy by aligning it with international standards, and providing it with a strong emphasis on our women’s reproductive work,” Hontiveros said in a press conference.


"Daddy quota"

Hontiveros said the bill has several progressive provisions aside from doubling the number of paid maternity leave days of women workers. She explained that 30 days of the proposed 120 maternity leave are transferrable to alternate caregivers (spouse, common-law partner, relative up to the 4th degree of consanguinity) including adoptive parents. She called this the "Daddy quota" of the proposed measure.


Available to people in the informal economy

Hontiveros said that the bill also has a provision of 120 days maternity leave for female workers in the private and public sector, as well as in the informal economy, with the option to extend for 30 days without pay.

“This bill is revolutionary. It will not only give due recognition to women reproductive rights, it will also push for a more equal distribution of child care among Filipino families by recognizing the role of fathers, adoptive parents and alternate caregivers,” Hontiveros said.

Under the existing law, women workers may take a leave of 60 days with pay equivalent to 100% of their basic salary, allowances and other benefits. For women who undergo caesarian deliveries, they are entitled to take a leave of 78 days with pay.

The International Labor Organization's (ILO) convention 183 mandates a minimum 98 days maternity leave. Vietnam provides 120 to one hundred eighty 180 days of maternity leave, depending on working conditions and nature of the work. Meanwhile, Singapore, provides 112 days of maternity leave. On the other hand, ASEAN countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand all provide a maternity leave period of 84 days