Globe Expansion of Network Infrastructure, Capacity at Full Throttle

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In line with new vision for Philippines to become an admired nation for having 1st world internet connectivity, Globe Telecom goes full throttle in its ongoing expansion of its network infrastructure and capacities to improve the internet experience of its customers. The company’s aggressive stance in expanding its network capacities is in line with the company’s new vision for the Philippines to become an admired nation for having a first world internet connectivity.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said that more and more of the company’s customers will experience improved services as adoption of LTE-capable devices increases and as the telco provider continues to deploy LTE 700 in more sites. “Guided by our new purpose of ‘treating people right to create a Globe of Good’, the company is aggressively fast tracking a multi-pronged network infrastructure and capacity expansion build to provide our customer a better internet experience,” said Cu.

Cu said the company’s deployment of LTE service using the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency is now in full swing, adding Globe expects to have around 250 LTE 700 sites by the end of September. According to Cu, the company plans to activate more than 500 LTE 700 sites across the country by the end 2016. Majority of the company’s LTE 700 sites will cover major business districts and highly-urbanized and populated areas in the country, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. He emphasized Globe is maximizing the use of the previously idle 700 MHz band in fulfillment of its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to improve the overall internet experience of its customers following the sell-out of San Miguel’s telco assets.

Parallel to this, Globe also began rolling out a capacity expansion program for its corporate data network to address bandwidth requirement of its enterprise clients as they make use of various data solutions to improve business efficiency, enhance productivity, and boost competitiveness, Cu disclosed. Specifically, the company will be upgrading its corporate sites with the deployment of fiber-optic technology. This year alone, at least 61 sites are being upgraded, with 455 sites scheduled for next year.

As part of its efforts to create an internet superhighway nationwide, Globe recently completed the deployment of fiber broadband technology in Binondo, Manila, an initiative that will provide world-class internet experience for Globe customers in the district, said Cu. Globe plans to deploy fiber optics in 20,000 barangays by 2020 that will provide ultra-fast internet access to around 2 million homes nationwide.

PhilJets Expands Operations with Acquisition of Two New H130 Helicopters

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Since its inception, three and half years ago, PhilJets, the aviation start-up is pursuing its growth and its objective to develop aerospace, aviation and tourism in the Philippines while contributing its share to develop the country image and aviation standards.

Over the years, PhilJets started to assert itself and gain credibility towards major market leaders and actors through strong partnerships, as with Jewelmer, Grab with the GrabHeli or more recently with Citibank for the launch of their Citi Prestige credit cards. PhilJets also set up a complete & diversified aviation strategy with strong connections not only with worldwide manufacturers but also with worldwide players. Thanks to the increased customer’s confidence, the company is growing and now aims at covering the whole archipelago. Indeed, before the year ends, PhilJets will welcome a new helicopter H130, previously ordered in January whose delivery is planned for October. This will be PhilJets’ 5th helicopter under its AOC fleet and its 4th Brand New H130 under operations.

The company, has recently placed a new order for 2 additional H130 this September from Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia, the subsidiary of Airbus Group. The H130 helicopter is one of the best on the market for corporate and tourism, as it is a lightweight helicopter tailored for passenger transportation, sightseeing, aerial survey as well as medical airlift. These helicopters will be operated by PhilJets Aero Charter Corp, the group air transport subsidiary, in order to sustain the company activities growth over the country.

Flores is Speaker at Int’l Peace Day, Road & Belt Int’l Conference

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Writer, college teacher and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores is invited guest speaker at the September 21 “International Peace Day” rites on September 21 (Wednesday) afternoon by International Peace Diplomacy Corps at Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City; and the September 26 International Conference on the Belt and Road Economic Initiative in Xian City, Shaanxi province.

The Xian Conference focuses on the $4 trillion Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, known as “The Belt and Road Initiative” is a development strategy linking 60 countries of Asia, China, Africa and Europe via land and sea infrastructures and trade. The regions linked by the Belt and Road Initiative covers about 40 per cent of the world’s economy and more than half of the world population

A writer on business, economics, geopolitics, culture and other topics, Wilson Lee Flores is a college teacher, winner of three Palanca literary awards and a record 13 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) including two CMMA Hall of Fame Awards such as “Best Business Column”. He is author of 5 books on Philippine business published by De La Salle University Press. Flores also bought and revived the 77-year-old, pugon-style Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City. .

Wilson Lee Flores was also guest speaker at the September 9 Dedication Day of Grace Christian College in Quezon City and at the September 13 iCon Information Conference of the UST Journalism Society at the TARC Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas.

Globe Seeks to Step Up DPWH Collaboration to Minimize Fiber Cut Incidents

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Globe Telecom is seeking to further strengthen its collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways in a bid to minimize, if not totally avoid, fiber cut incidents that often lead to disruption of telecommunication services.

Earlier this year, the DPWH issued a memorandum directing its field personnel and contractors “to observe extreme caution in the execution of their construction works” to help ensure uninterrupted services of utility companies including those of telecommunication providers. The department specifically directed its field personnel and contractors to provide maps highlighting ongoing projects within a given locality and provide the data to utility companies “to avoid accidental cutting and damaging of their lines and facilities that may cause power and communication breakdown.”

In addition to this, however, Globe is asking DPWH, through separate letters to DPWH regional contractors, to make erring contractors accountable and penalized for cable cut incidents. To discuss its proposal, Globe is seeing to have an audience with regional directors concerned “in the hope of forging lasting partnership with the DPWH,” said Globe Operations Admin Support Director Raul Taroy.

“The growing incidence of fiber cuts is getting to be a major concern for us and we would like to appeal to DPWH and their contractors to take caution in undertaking road construction activities in order to avoid unnecessary cable cuts. We also believe that penalizing DPWH contractors for such incidents would compel these contractors to be extra cautious in the execution of their projects and thus avoid recurrence of accidental cuts and damage to our cable facilities,” Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo said.

According to Castelo, network disruptions caused by fiber cut incidents adversely impact not only the company’s operations but could also potentially affect delivery of government services including emergency response, pointing out that Globe provides access to both 911 and 8888, the government’s emergency and complaint hotline, respectively, as well as inbound and outbound SMS accessibility for 2286 (Bato), a text hotline for the public to directly report incidents to the Philippine National Police.

Castelo revealed that since the start of the year alone, the telecommunications provider already experienced a total of 117 cable cuts attributed to road-construction related activities undertaken by DPWH contractors. According to him, some of these cable incidents have led to major network disruption that affected call, text and internet services of Globe. Even barring major network disruptions, cable cut incidents cause at the very least poor quality of service delivery to consumers, not to mention, additional repair costs to the company, he said.

The company’s bid for a closer coordination with DPWH is also in line with efforts to strengthen its business continuity program. “By working closely with the DPWH, we hope to address a major concern in ensuring delivery of our major services at all times,” he added. Globe Telecom is the first telecommunications provider in the Philippines to secure an enterprise-wide business continuity ISO certification. The certification attests to the company's readiness in ensuring delivery of critical telecommunications services to its customers even during disasters.

Cebuanos Find Around the Clock Hangout in Tom N Toms Coffee

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Viewed from outer space, Metro Cebu is one of the few places in the Philippines outside Metro Manila that shines bright at night amidst a sea of darkness.

With the recently opened Tom N Toms Coffee, the first in Cebu and the second in the country, Cebuanos have found a round the clock hangout fulfilling the demand of a cosmopolitan haven that has grown to ignore sleep.

“With Cebu’s dizzying growth, more and more are staying up until the odd hours. Tom N Toms Coffee is open 24 hours to serve a growing number of Cebuanos who are taking part in the Metro’s prosperity,” said Tom N Toms Cebu General Manager Jose Mari Alba.

The world-famous Korean coffee chain, the top brand in South Korea based on the number of stores, opened just last September 8 at The Greenery on Pope John Paul II Avenue, Kasambagan, Mabolo.

“Coffee lovers who need a cozy place to stay beyond midnight will find Tom N Toms to be an ideal place,” said Alba. The Cebu location follows the opening of Tom N Toms first branch last year in Bacolod.

Alba anticipates the coffee shop to be popular with millennials hanging out with friends all night, professionals, BPO workers, and others who work night shifts, adding Tom N Toms boosts the visible rise of a number of coffee shops with its 24-hour service.

Tom N Toms offers the usual variety of coffee drinks, espressos, frappes, smoothies, pretzels and snacks. But the shop also offers other amenities such as strong wifi, cozy seats, free charging, and a wide assortment of food from baked goods to healthy picks and heavy meals.

“Given any coffee shops’ need for a high customer volume to be sustainable, the availability of other food items and special drinks on top of the usual coffee fare around the clock is an advantage for Tom N Toms,” said Alba.

The Tom N Toms Cebu General Manager said the friendly staff of the new coffee chain are looking forward to serving Cebuanos during the busy nights of a progressively sophisticated city that has begun to escape the need for sleep.

AXN Announces World Premiere Date for The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 on October 13 at 9pm

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Get ready for a race like no other as AXN prepares to unleash The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 in its world premiere on October 13 at 9pm.

Adrenaline-fueled action mixed with nail biting drama and comedic overtones sets this 10-episode season apart from the pack as 11 teams from six different countries vie for the winning crown and USD100,000 in cash.

Hailing from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the teams are an eclectic bunch of brains, brawn and beauty united by their determination to win, while having a bit of fun along the way.

Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said, “This season is the most dramatic, crazy and surprising yet. It’s a wild, culturally mesmerizing ride against some truly spectacular destinations. One second a team is in the lead, only for another to come out of nowhere to take top spot. It’s anyone’s race!”

During each episode every Thursday at 9pm, AXN viewers can take their place in the middle of the action and interact with celebrity show host Allan Wu and their favorite teams live via social platforms using #AXNTARA and @AXNTARA

“I’m excited to chat with viewers and share the race experience throughout the series. We have created a lot of exclusive race footage that is only available online. It will add a whole new dimension to watching the race as viewers will witness what’s happeningbehind-the-scenes like never before,” said Allan.

The Amazing Race Asia premieres on Thursday, October 13 at 9:00pm, first and exclusively on AXN.

TheAmazingRaceAsiaSeason5issupportedbypresentingsponsorWonderfulIndonesia,andpartnersGarudaIndonesia,GrabandGreatEastern.

Check out www.AXN-Asia.com/TARA for all the latest news on The Amazing Race Asia.

AXN isseen on Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, GSat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49.

2nd One Stop Shop Center for OFWs Opens at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga

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Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arturo Tugade on Friday (September 16, 2016) led the opening of the 2nd One Stop Shop Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that will fast track government processes especially for overseas workers.

“This is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s program to provide convenience to our OFWs mostly working in the Middle East and other parts of world, they can now go to Clark to transact their requirements for their convenience,” Bello said.

According to Bello, “this is the 2nd one stop shop center for OFWs established inside Clark Freeport Zone and it is near the Clark International Airport.”

He said that “the requirement is to put up a one stop shop at Clark and at the same provide all the facilities which will include not only the Foreign Affairs, actually the NBI and DOJ as well as the medical facilities to our Kababayans.”

Bello said that they will put up the same centers in other parts of the country such as in San Fernando La Union, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City, adding that the facilities will be completed within the year.

Bello said that Clark Airport is being geared as the next alternative airport to ease decongestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila.

“There is now a move to transfer several flights at Clark Airport, and the establishment of the one stop shop in Clark is timely,” he added.

For his part, Tugade also said that the establishment of the One Stop Shop center in Clark is part of the requirements of International carriers especially those from the Middle East wherein OFWs will benefit from this facility in Clark Freeport.

Tugade also said that the facility in Clark will benefit OFws mostly residing in Central and Northern Luzon who flies at Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga.

Tugade said that the one stop shop center is now open and operational for the convenience of the OFWs.

The opening of the facility were also attended by Former President and 2nd District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Catanduanes Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, Former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz, CIAC President Alxander Cauguiran and CDC President Noel Manankil.

The DOTr and DOLE took the lead for the establishment of the said Center at Clark. The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) also provided support for the establishment of the facility.

The new facility is home to sixteen agencies in a single building located at Clark Polytechnic, just a few kilometers from the Clark International Airport (CRK).

Among the agencies are, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Philhealth, Pag-Ibig Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Social Security System(SSS), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) and Bayad Center.

The one-stop-shop center will provide services such as the processing of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), NBI clearances , the processing of Pag-Ibig OFW members contributions, Philhealth payment premium contributions and members registration, SSS registration and membership data amendment including acceptance of loans and benefits claim applications, PSA’s processing and issuance of birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, and CENOMAR.

MARINA’s issuance and revalidation of seamans’ book, issuance of PRC’s professional licenses and TESDA’s issuance of training certifications and applications for scholarship programs will also be facilitated in the Center.

The facility is also equipped with a WiFi internet connection for the convenience of the agencies and the OFWs.

The Largest IT Event in the Country Returns for its 14th Year, Joined by Lamudi PH

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Committed as an enabling event for today’s youth, the Youth Congress on Information Technology (Y4iT) returns for its 14th year on September 27, 28, and 29 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, MOA Complex, Pasay City.

The three-day congress, which has been at the forefront of information technology-gathering events in the country, is once again expected to gather more than 20,000 delegates nationide, from IT college students and professionals to enthusiasts.

“Y4IT provides a venue for IT students from all over the country, not just to learn from local and international IT thought leaders, but more importantly from each other. It is also not just about learning but also about having fun with newfound friends and getting connected,” said Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim, Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology–Information and Communications Technology Office.

The long-running event aspires be a constant source of inspiration to many as it helps bridge industry authorities and the youth. “Each year, we are overwhelmed by the number of people coming together who all want to learn. Each year, they motivate us to continue our goal to inform, involve, and encourage the youth to be active in creating and developing solutions (through technology) to urban challenges,” saidY4iT Marketing Head Cha Ramos.

Retail, the Digital Way with SMART Store Manager

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Retail continues to be one of the Philippines’ most dynamic industries, a leading economic growth driver buoyed by the robust consumer spending and a market that has become increasingly sophisticated. With local and global brands all vying for the attention of Filipino shoppers, success in the retail space may not only be determined by providing quality products and value for money, but also great customer sales experience.

The SMART Store Manager solution is one such offering from PLDT Enterprise that helps retailers enhance customer service delivery. It aims to improve the shopping process by enabling customers to check out their purchases assisted by store personnel deftly managing transactions through the mobile Point-of-Sale (POS) solution. SMART Store Manager also acts as a tablet-based menu, providing images that highlight the product or service customers are paying for, allowing them to fully appreciate the shopping choices they are about to make.

“SMART Store Manager is one of the many solutions of PLDT Enterprise that aims to support Philippine enterprises in growing their business,” said Gio Abaquin, Head for Digital Mobility, Disruptive Business Group (DBG), the emerging technologies business unit of PLDT Enterprise. “Such innovative solutions let enterprises build their competitiveness, distinguish themselves from other industry players, and deliver superb shopping experiences to their customers.”

Aside from enhanced customer experience, the SMART Store Manager also offers a range of benefits for enterprises operations-wise. Not only does it eliminate the need to invest in electronic registers or expensive software, it also frees up valuable store space -- usually taken up by cash registers -- to be used for other purposes such as merchandise display. Furthermore, the SMART Store Manager bundles the Mobile Application, Tablet, and SIM-based connectivity in one affordable package, so retailers can readily deploy their mobile POS in their stores.

“With an engaging, user-friendly interface and reliable connectivity to ensure that customers enjoy seamless shopping, SMART Store Manager truly creates an enhanced and differentiated digital retail experience for today’s Filipino consumer.” added Chet Alviz​, Head of SMACS (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud & Security).

Jacob Cordover All Set for a Free Classical Guitar Concert on Oct. 6

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The Guitar Friends and St. Scholastica's College present classical guitar artist JACOB CORDOVER with the special participation of THE KABATAANG GITARISTA and EDEL MARK BITAO in a free concert set on Oct. 6, 2016 - Thursday 7:00 pm, St.Cecilia's Hall, St. Scholastica's College Manila.

Jacob Cordover will also be conducting a guitar masterclass on Oct. 3 Monday, 3 pm at the Mini Hall, UP College of Music and on Oct. 7, Friday, 1 PM, at the Rehearsal Hall, St. Cecilia Bldg., St. Scholastica's College Manila.

Currently residing in Barcelona, Spain and enjoying a truly international career as both a concert and recording artist, Jacob Cordover “impresses with his intuitive musicianship and impeccable technique” (Leicester Mercury, UK). His “consummate artistry” (Adelaide Advertiser, Australia) has enticed audiences in over a dozen countries across four continents.

Mr. Cordover has appeared as soloist with the Las Colinas Symphony, the Arlington Symphony, the Garland Symphony, the Orquestra Simfònica de Balears “Ciutat de Palma” and the Orchestra dell’Accademia “l’Ottocento”, and his performances have “demonstrated how much poetry and feeling can be obtained from the guitar in the hands of master musicians such as Jacob Cordover.” (The Mercury, Australia).