Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Globe Board OKs P22/share Cash Dividend; Allots Capex of Up to $750M for 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom said its board approved the declaration of a first quarter cash dividend of P22 per share for common shares. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on record as of February 22, 2016, with payment date on March 4, 2016.

“The dividend payout is in line with the policy of distributing 75%-90% of prior year’s core net income,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe Acting Chief Finance Officer, adding the quarter’s dividend payment totals about P2.9 billion. On an annualized basis, the dividends represent a payout of 77% of 2015 core net income.

Notwithstanding its dividend payment, Globe is also allocating a capital expenditure of up to $750 million for 2016, of which majority will be related to data, including spend for deployment of LTE mobile and LTE @Home, increased network capacities and coverage as well as enhancement of fixed line data infrastructure and transmission facilities. The company’s aggressive stance to continue investing in its network reach and capacity is geared towards enhancing its customers’ digital lifestyle.

Globe Telecom’s spending for its network infrastructure is one of the highest among Asian operators over the last two years, as it devotes up to 24% of annual revenues for its infrastructure build. Based on publicly available regulatory reports, Globe had a capex to revenue ratio of 28% in 2015, and 27% in 2014 for both wireless and wireline, which were higher than the Philippine telecommunications industry average of 23% in both 2015 and 2014.

Lumia 550 Now Available in the Philippines

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Microsoft today announced the availability of the Lumia 550 in the Philippines for only PHP6490.

The newest smartphone to join the Lumia family, the Lumia 550 is our most affordable 4G LTE smartphone with Windows 10, signature Microsoft apps and services such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)***, Cortana ****, OneDrive, Outlook Mail and Outlook Calendar on a premium 4.7” HD display.

· Enjoy the familiarity of Windows 10, with Microsoft Office apps tailored to your screen size and OneDrive cloud storage so that you can view, create, and edit documents on the go

· See and do more with a premium 4.7” HD display even in bright sunlight, whether you are reviewing documents, looking at photos or watching videos

· Stay on top of everything in your life with Cortana, your truly personal digital assistant, that helps you be more productive and stay organised by completing basic tasks like sending emails, scheduling events and syncing your reminders across your Windows 10 devices

· Get more done with a superfast LTE 4G internet connectivity combined with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon Quad core processor and 1GB RAM that keeps you up to speed

· Power through the day with up to 14 hours of talk time and 28 days of standby time, thanks to a long-lasting 2100 mAh battery

Wazzup Pilipinas!

U- hop will soon be launching new products. On top of the product launch is the "U-Hop Q," an automated queuing system enabled through a smartphone app. By using the U-Hop Q app, you no longer have to physically line up for transactions and services; the app will generate a number for you and you can do other things meantime while you wait for your turn. The app has a real-time update of the number being served at that given moment, so you can manage your time well. U-Hop is working on their partnerships, which include banks and other government services. Their technology is provided for by Q Happy, a Thailand-based Tech company.

Another new product is the Froehlich Tours. Froehlich Tours Inc. is a service that provides tour buses all over the Philippines. U-Hop will provide the tap cards which is similar to MRT's Beep Card. By using their tap card, traveling will be more efficient as you can always hop on the tour bus without the hassle of pre-booking. For every time you board the bus, you are updated on how much credit is left on your card.

Lastly, U-Hop has the B to B or Business to Business service. This is a shuttle service that provides employees with a ride to the office and back. They recently did a pilot test with the employees of Banco de Oro, and initial feedback includes the increase on productivity because the employees are no longer late, and compared to the toll that commuting takes on your mind and body, employees find that they are more efficient being ferried to work. U-Hop is excited to tell you about their new products, all within their vision to provide a more efficient transport service for the public.

E-Club To Launch Seminar For Micro-Entrepreneurs

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In line with its goal to empower small scale enterprise, The Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) of Far Eastern University (FEU) in partnership with Rizal Technological University – Young Entrepreneurs Society, DTI, and Mandaluyong Negosyo Center invites aspiring entrepreneurs and seventy sari-sari store owners to take part in E-Raise on February 15, 2016 in Mandaluyong City.

This six-month program will include a comprehensive plenary discussion on the fundamentals of business, including funding, accounting, marketing, sustainability and scalability, which are of paramount importance to smalltime entrepreneurs.

The notable speakers invited to the seminar are Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) member Ronaldo De Los Santos from BCYF Advisory Council, BCYF Executive Vice President J Anton R. Yap, Ronda Palengke Initiatives founder Kevin Dela Cruz, and Strokes of Broke artist Nikky Rivera. Members of Go Negosyo, Grant Thornton Philippines and Junior Achievement Philippines will also be present at the event to share their expertise.

Aside from the valuable discussions, E-Raise will also be open for entrepreneurial consultations on general micro-business, bookkeeping, basic accounting, and regulatory process and requirements. More so, the FEU students will be in charge of monitoring the participants and mentoring them regarding sales, profit, cost accounting, pricing, and marketing aspects of business throughout the program.

Red Bull Asks PH Students: Can You Make It (in Europe)?

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Are you a local university student with an up-for-anything attitude and a great sense of daring? Got two other friends who crave adventure as much as you do? If so, Red Bull wants you for Can You Make It? 2016, an epic journey featuring 165 student teams from more than 50 countries around the globe, traveling across Europe using Red Bull as their only currency.

Open to teams of three current university students, Can You Make It? invites interested Filipino participants to create a minute-long video explaining why they should be chosen to represent their country while showing their love for adventure and their smarts – a few of the more important attributes that make a winning Can You Make It? team.

Entries should be uploaded to www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com no later than February 14, 2016. Then teams are encouraged to gather as much social media support during the online voting period to make it as finalists. Among them, a panel of judges is set to pick winning teams that will represent their countries and will get a chance to begin their one-of-a-kind, week-long adventure this April 2016 at one of five starting points in Europe: Barcelona, Florence, Berlin, Edinburgh, and Prague.

During its first season in 2014, Can You Make It? had among its roster the Philippines’ own Beasts of the Southeast made up of Dave Agbayani, Red Calayan, and R-jay Esposo from the University of the Philippines. They began their journey in Schwechat, Austria and traded Red Bull cans through Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, until their final stop with the rest of the international teams in Munich, Germany.

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Vikings Luxury Buffet restaurant has been synonymous with special celebrations since it opened its doors of its first branch in the SM by the Bay area of the Mall of Asia. Families and friends have gathered to savor the specialty seafood, meat, vegetarian dishes and desserts of the international buffet especially prepared by its experienced chefs.

The concept has become very popular as a venue for celebrating milestones and special occasions, and it is now launching its Vikings Venue in the Seaside Boulevard of the SM By the Bay complex because of numerous requests. The patrons of Vikings Luxury Buffet love to celebrate the most important events of their lives. This is why it has decided to offer a more spacious and private place that offers an all-you-can-eat dining experience unlike any other, without having to pay for the events place. Clients will only pay for the buffet, which will include the well-loved dishes from the Vikings restaurants.

There are Five (5) function rooms in the event venue that can be combined to accommodate more guests. Function Room 1 can fit 120 to 150pax, Function Rooms 2, 3, and 4 can accommodate 50 to 70 each, and Function Room 5 can accommodate 120 to 150 guests.

With its tagline of "All Occasions in One Place", the Vikings Venue is ideal for romantic wedding receptions, family reunions, or fun birthday celebrations. The interiors are classic and luxurious, with a high ceiling and stylish accents. For client’s convenience, Vikings has partnered with Carousel Styling by A. Sia Design for event styling needs. At the moment, clients also have the option to book their events suppliers such as party stylists, photo booths and entertainment to personalize their celebrations.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I keep telling people that the number 13 is not unlucky. Well, it was indeed a lucky number for candidate number 13 of the Miss Aviations Philippines 2016 competition on February 9, 2016 at the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati.

The new muse of aviators is now Kristine Malicsi, followed by Reichelieu Santos as 1st runner up and Trizia Abaya as second runner up. Congratulations to the girls for a well deserving win.

Coincidentally, all their numbers were in a series as the other two were candidates number 15 and 14 respectively. Also, from what was revealed during the swimsuit competition proper at Camaya Coast, the leading candidates were also the three who also won awards during that part of the competition.

I pretty much like everything that happened on the grand coronation night as the girls were all splendid on stage. From the different attires they wore up to the Question and Answer portion where they all answered the judges questions very intellectually.

Capt. Joy Roa and Carla Cabrera Quimpo couldn't be any prouder for the candidates who were all spectacular that night. Cleo Margaret Brown also gave his last walk as Miss Aviation Philippines 2015 to make way for the new Aviation beauty.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Make sure you know how to get to the Weekend of Everything that Flies! or the 20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

www.philballoonfest.net/directions-venue/

*By Public Transport*

From Metro Manila, ride a Victory Liner bus bound for Dagupan and go down at Dau common terminal. From Dau terminal, walk a bit towards the highway where jeepneys or tricycle are available, and take a jeep to Clark or SM Clark. Then take another jeep into Clark and tell the driver you're going to the Balloon Fiesta. After the jeepney drops you off, you'll be walking a bit more to the entrance gates, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!

*Via Car*

Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic. For parking information, please visithttp://www.philballoonfest.net/visitors-info/parking-info/

*By Air*

You can hop on regular commercial flights to Clark International Airport. Carriers that land at Clark are Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, and Tiger Airways.

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HIV/AIDS awareness advocacy group, LoveYourself, Inc. will open its new clinic and community center along Buendia in Pasay City on 13 February 2016 in an effort to widen its reach in providing free and confidential HIV testing and counseling, and promoting safer sex practices, while also readying to offer treatment services within the year.

The new clinic, dubbed as LoveYourself Uni, boasts a bigger facility to accommodate the growing number of clients availing HIV testing services as well as HIV treatment services to newly diagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV). It has a more accessible location, which is situated right beside the LRT Buendia station.

“We really wanted our new LoveYourself Uni clinic to be accessible to everyone. It's just walking distance from the LRT which will let many more people to get tested, know their status and, very soon, seek treatment right away,” said Loveyourself Founder and Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan. He added it is an upscale version of the previously operating clinic located in Malate in Manila, which has been closed since December 2015.

Meanwhile, the LoveYourself treatment program, the organization’s new offering, revolves around the 4S Model (Sensing, Synchronizing, Shifting, Sustaining) approach, which is designed to combine biomedical intervention as well as a psychosocial assistance.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get ready as we give you a taste of the most exciting and unique drink of all time as Verve Productions proudly presents to you….

“COCKTAIL: MIXING DIVERSE MARKETING CONCEPTS”

It is a one-day seminar covering topics about DIGITAL MARKETING, BRANDING, and ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

Featuring the Following Program Blocks:
1. DIGIMIX: Concocting the Newest Trends for Digital Marketing Supremacy
2. BRANDISH: The Ultimate Recipe for a Great Brand
3. COSMO: Blending Flavors of an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Prepare to MIX IT UP as we MIX, BLEND, SHAKE, and FUSE TOGETHER DIVERSE MARKETING CONCEPTS this coming FEBRUARY 16, 2016 at SM CITY STA. MESA, CINEMA 1, 12 -5 PM.

This event is spearheaded by Nasser Ferrer as Project Chairman, Angelyko Mathias Cruz III as Co-project Chairman, Pinky Jardinico (Brandish), Christtian Boyet Gahol (Digimix) and Franz Caitom (Cosmo) as Project Heads.