Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Globe Dominates Postpaid Business Anew, myLifestyle Plan Propels Postpaid Revenues to P15.8B

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom remains the dominant player in the country’s mobile postpaid segment after posting postpaid revenues of P15.8 billion during the first half of the year on the back of its innovative myLifestyle Plan which set a global standard in postpaid plan offerings.

The phenomenal growth in revenues gave Globe the upper-hand in terms of revenue market share, a global metric used in determining market leadership across telcos worldwide.

Postpaid customer base likewise grew by 12% to 2.3 million in the same period from 2.1 million in the previous year. These positive gains are derived from the success of the myLifestyle Plan that helped boost gross acquisitions to reach a new record-high of 477,608 for the first six months of the year, up 23% from last year. Year-to-date net incremental postpaid subscribers stood at 60,776, 14% higher than 2014 level.

With the myLifestyle Plan, customers get a base postpaid plan that already comes with built-in unlimited calls and texts to Globe and TM for only P499 monthly. With an additional P99, customers get data access and a free smartphone. Globe has also made available various lifestyle packs suited for their entertainment, social media or productivity needs. The more services they add on top of the base plan, the better the handset they can get.

Northpine Land Meets Increasing Demand For Horizontal Development In The South

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As the demand for horizontal developments outside of Metro Manila increases, one of the major players in the country’s real estate industry is focusing its efforts in the South.

For almost 20 years, NorthPine Land, Inc., (NLI) has been building quality yet affordable suburban communities in areas where there is a strong combination of accessibility and opportunity. NLI’s President Alan R. Cruz noted that the South, particularly the CALABARZON region, is one such area.

Mr. Cruz further stressed that, “In terms of accessibility, the South is an ideal place to raise a family, especially for professionals who work in cosmopolitan areas like Makati and Bonifacio Global City. This is why NorthPine Land made a firm commitment to change the landscape of the South to fit people’s lifestyle needs.”

Accessibility to Metro Manila will be further enhanced with the ongoing development of the Skyway extension and other infrastructure projects such as the Intermodal Transport System (ITS), the LRT 1 Cavite Extension and the LRT6 Project, among others.

These infrastructure projects are also expected to significantly decrease rush hour traffic in the near future, providing another reason why establishing a home in the South is such an appealing proposition.

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Office spaces are quickly becoming the next attractive investment in Metro Manila’s real estate. Data from Colliers International show that as of the last quarter of 2014, the Philippines’ office market boasts a stock of 6.99 million sqm worth of inventory, which will surge 36 percent to 9.52 million sqm by 2018.

Prices and rental rates of office spaces, especially in the metro’s key central business districts (CBD), are poised to increase over the next year, thanks to healthy demand and tight supply, while vacancy rate is expected to decrease further as more companies (BPOs, corporate offices, and small and medium-sized enterprises) open and expand, providing savvy investors another option to diversify their real estate portfolio.

However, just like any business venture, office rentals have potential pitfalls if one is not sufficiently informed. Global property portal Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) lists down several steps to get started on renting out office real estate.

PH One Step Closer to Faster Internet Access

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Users will now be able to access government websites faster with the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the ICT Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and telecommunications provider PLDT on Monday, September 7.

The MOA shall signal the tie up between the parties wherein PLDT, shall provide the DOST through the Advanced Science and Technology Institute, (ASTI) operator of PHOpenIX, the country’s first and only neutral Internet Exchange, fiber optic connectivity from PLDT’s Pasig City Vitro Data Center to ASTI; becoming PHOpenIX third Physical connection point, together with Globe’s MK1 in Makati and ASTI in Diliman.

Through the new link between PLDT and PHOpenIX, private networks hosted with PLDT can opt to connect and peer directly to PHOpenIX, allowing for faster access to content hosted on the Internet Exchange’s peered networks.

At the MOA signing, the ICT Office of the DOST also announced the designation of PHOpenIX as the official Government Internet Protocol Exchange (G/IPX) as specified in Administrative Order (AO) No. 39.

Internet exchanges (IX) allow for Internet data to be transmitted between users within a locality to take shorter route through an IX rather than taking a longer route outside the country. Most of the country’s providers are not peered through an IX, which is one of the reasons Internet access in the country is relatively slow compared to its neighboring countries where providers are peered through a neutral IX.

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Gumbo New Orleans Restaurant invites the whole family to celebrate this once a year tribute to our beloved elderly as we honor all lolos and lolas this Grandparents Day celebration happening from September 11-13.

Our awesome lolos and lolas will be treated to a complimentary serving of Seafood or Chicken Gumbo – one of the restaurant’s house specialties, which they will surely love, plus P250.00 gift voucher which thy can use on their next visit!

Likewise, the whole family will truly enjoy Gumbo’s mouth-watering and sumptuous dishes like Seafood Jambalaya, Bayou’s Stuffed Crabs, Shrimp Etouffe, Bourbon-Style Baby Back Ribs, Southern-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Cajun-Style Fried Chicken, Seafood Boil, Family Feast, etc.

Visit Gumbo at the 2nd Level Entertainment Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay; 3rd Level Robinsons Manila Midtown; 2nd Level SM City The Block, North EDSA: Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao; Robinsons Magnolia; and at the 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall. For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

Discovery Announces 13 New Productions Out Of Asia Pacific

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Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific today announced 13 new local productions commissioned out of Asia Pacific for the network’s various brands including flagship Discovery Channel, leading travel and lifestyle channel TLC, and Discovery Kids. The shows are produced with local production companies and crews, and/or feature local talent, bringing a truly local flavour to programmes that are made for an international audience.

The slate of local productions further reinforces Discovery’s commitment to investing in content and creating compelling local programmes that give insight into the people, cultures, and history in the region - while deepening its connection with viewers.

Charmaine Kwan, Vice President of Programming, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “We have been bringing the world stories from our region for more than 20 years now, ever since Discovery started operations in Asia Pacific. Our programmes are about celebrating human achievements and the wonders of the world, driven by curiosity. So we are very excited about these shows – from animation and sport to survival and lifestyle – all of which have their own appeal but with a distinctly local element.”

The latest topical special from Discovery Channel is SABAH EARTHQUAKE DECODED which examines the science behind the earthquake and the possibility of future occurrences, and tells the touching human stories of those affected. In the one-hour special, some of the children from Singapore’s Tanjong Katong Primary School recount their experience on the mountain – the first time they have spoken in such detail about the tragic day. The special is produced by Malaysia’s Matavia Reka.

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Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant joins the whole world on an annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome grandparents. Burgoo is laying down the red carpet for grandparents on September 11-13 in anticipation of families celebrating this special occasion.

Awaits your lolo and lola at Burgoo are quality and sumptuous dishes such as Supreme Caesar Salad, Grilled Pork Chops, Seafood Linguini, Fish & Chips, Chicken Dianne, Supreme Pizza, Raspberry Cheesecake, among others. Moreover, Burgoo is treating them with a free hot bowl of Burgoo Stew – also perfect this cold rainy season, plus a surprise gift your grandparents couldn’t resist!

Visit Burgoo at T. Morato in Quezon City; Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Makati; The Podium in Ortigas; Gateway Mall in Araneta Center Cubao; Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas; SM City The Block in North EDSA; Mall of Asia in Pasay; SM City Marikina; SM Southmall in Alabang, The District in Cavite; 3rd level Terraces Mall in Fairview; and Starmall in Taguig. For reservations and inquiries, please call 9277424, 8381815, 6875254, 7263578, 9136112, 5560091 or 6336256.

Globe Telecom Brings World Class Artists, Performances to PH for a Wonderful Experience for Music-Loving Pinoys

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The country’s number 1 mobile brand and purveyor of the Filipino digital lifestyle Globe Telecom continues to make its presence felt in the music industry to reach out to music-loving Pinoys with its participation in the country’s biggest concerts, festivals, and music events.

Globe has successfully penetrated the music industry and took the music experience to a whole new level. With its partnership with top music streaming service Spotify, Globe conquered the online music space by giving customers access to over 30 million songs anytime, anywhere using an innovative and interactive platform.

Globe has also established itself as a consistent supporter of international music festivals and concerts. From Wanderland, Unleashed, KPOP Best of the Best, and KPOP BIG BANG, Globe continues to reach out to its young market and give them an unforgettable concert experience like no other as a true music advocate.

Over the next few months, Globe broadband brand Tattoo will conquer the Valkyrie Club and the Palace Pool Club in Bonifacio Global City for a series of music events headlined by top electronic dance music (EDM) DJs Alesso, Steve Aoki and Kaskade, including the much-anticipated Halloween Ball as the biggest costume and dance party of the year.

“As part of our commitment to enabling the Filipino digital lifestyle is our constant presence in engagements and activities that bring our customers closer to their interests, lifestyles, and passions, and one of which is music. With our participation in and support for the country’s biggest music festivals, concerts, and parties, we are able to reach out to our customers and give them exclusive privileges and offers that make their concert experience wonderful,” says Issa Cabreira, Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing at Globe.

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Professional underwater photographers/writers, underwater cinematographers, ocean advocates, technical divers, and marine biologists from nine countries are set to impart their professional experiences to Filipino dive enthusiasts, marine conservationists, and the general public at the Dive Resort Travel (DRT) Philippines Show to be held on 11-13 September 2015 at the 5th Floor of the Megatrade, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

With the theme “It’s more fun to dive in the Philippines,” the three-day travel fair will gather dive industry stakeholders in one venue, especially those from Asia and Oceania. Expected to participate in the event are at least 2,000 international dive exhibitors, dive enthusiasts, and marine conservationists.

A series of underwater photography and cinematography workshops, a marine conservation seminar, and a technical diving seminar will be conducted by international experts like Dr. Terry Gosliner of the California Academy of Sciences, Charlie Fasano, Mike Bartick, Amanda Cotton, and Andrew Marriott (US); Gunter Bernert (Germany); Yoshi Hirata (Japan); Enzo Chen (Taiwan); Jerome Kim (Korea); Imran Ahmad and Zulkarnain Ng (Singapore); Tim Ho (Malaysia). Also giving talks during the event are the country’s very own Scott “Gutsy” Tuason and Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay.

Some of these diving experts will share their diving experiences in the country through thematic sessions. Dr. Terry Gosliner will deliver a lecture on “The Philippines: The Center of the Center of Marine Biodiversity” and “Marine Invertebrates of the Philippines”; Charlie Fasano will speak about “Anilao’s Underwater Fauna and their Roles to the Reef in Southern Mabini”; and Jerome Kim will deliver talks entitled ““Romblon: The New Macro Haven” and “Sogod Bay: The Hidden Treasures of Southern Leyte.”

Designation of PHOpenIX as G/IPX and MoA signing with PLDT

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The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), invited members of the media to attend a press briefing announcing the designation of the Philippine Open Internet Exchange (PHOPenIX) as the official Government Internet Protocol (IP) Exchange (G/IPX) as per Administrative Order No. 39.

Venue: DOST ICT Office Seminar Room
Date and Time: 7 September 2015, 8:30 A.M.

Also happening at the event is a Memorandum of Agreement Signing between the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company (PLDT) and ASTI as operator of the PHOpenIX wherein PLDT will become third physical connection point of PHOpenIX.

These two events will ensure that Internet traffic to and from Government Networks will be transmitted efficiently and securely in compliance with Administrative Order 39.

Speakers and Panelists at the press briefing are the following:

Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aguirre Aquino IV
Secretary Mario G. Montejo – DOST
Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre - Executive Director DOST-ICT Office
Jovy Hernandez - 1st VP PLDT Alpha Enterprise Head
Denis F. Villorente – Deputy Executive Director DOST – ICT Office
Ramon Isberto - Public Affairs Group Head PLDT