QC sets the pace of Smart, Digitalized City and other Takeaways at the KPMG Innovation Summit 2023

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The recently concluded KPMG Innovation Summit 2023 tagged “Making things happen: From Innovation to Execution” at the Fairmont Makati dove right into discussion on the promising state of technological innovation in the Philippines and launched two innovation milestones, the Global Tech Innovator and the KPMG Digital Government Center.

KPMG Philippines Chairman and CEO Sharon Dayoan 

KPMG in the Philippines Chairman and CEO Sharon Dayoan welcomed over a thousand participants, live and online, with eye-opening remarks: “In this era of unprecedented technology advancement, our world is undergoing a remarkable shi; and we are all privilege to have the chance to shape the world that we inhabit. Let us celebrate the power of innovation, technology and collaboration.”

Digitalized Government Services of Smart Cities

In support of emerging smart cities, KPMG in the Philippines launched during the summit its very own Digital Government Center, a one-stop shop that aims to help government agencies in their digital transformation journey.                                               

When it came to the first panel, Digital Government for Smart Cities, several panelists hailed the Quezon City local government as a trailblazer for automating government services and its immediate implementation of Presidential Executive Order 32 which streamlines the permit processing of telecommunication and Internet infrastructure in its city.                                       

According to panelist, Private Advisory Council on Digital Representative and City Savings Bank Head of Legal and Data Protection Officer for Private Sector Infrastructure Atty. Ernesto Herrera, “EO 32 reduces turnaround time of permit application for telecom and Internet Infrastructure requirements from the previous 2.5 years to 2.5 months enhancing bureaucratic efficiency by reducing red tape, streamlining processes across all government agencies.” 

QC City Administrator Michael Alimurung

QC City Administrator Michael Alimurung also explained in his keynote speech that the QC government spearheaded the execution of one of the EO 32’s feature which is the one-stop shop of permit applications, including that on construction permit applications which has spurred the development of telecommunication and Internet infrastructure in the country, crucial in the development of smart cites.                                       

How does having more access to data changed the capacity of local governments, given this opportunity to have wider digital highway that comes with this new EO? According to Aboitiz Chief Operating Officer for Smart Ci5es, Mr. Alvin Ng, “Data is the new oil.”

Having access to data fosters ci5zen engagement, eliminating citizen divide and driving efficiency. QC has been a great playbook in spurring ci5zen engagement and transforming the way we think about running smart ci5es in the future. It’s also about resource allocation. The more data you have, the more connected you are within any city. Governments can make decisions quicker.                 

ESG Technology is a Way of Life

ESG Technology panel discussion explored the world of existing and emerging technologies to address and monitor environmental impact, social responsibility and corporate governance. ESG Tech is all about thinking beyond profit. Not only does ESG give substantial returns on efficiency, it attracts and pays human capital especially the next generation. It practices inclusivity and diversity that goes beyond gender including age, socio-economic status and capability. ESG gives value to investors as well as the supply chain and brings in new markets.

AIM Graduate School of Business Head and Center for Sustainable Finance Executive Director Mr. Felipe Calderon says, “ESG is a way of life that goes beyond profitability. Incorporating ESG in corporate strategies enable companies to attract investors, employees, and customers. Even lenders will also be looking at ESG component of potential borrowers.”

For Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Ms. Yoly Crisanto, the main mo5va5on for ESG incorporation is its alignment with Globe’s main purpose of sustainability and aim to uplift Filipino lives. Crisanto says, “The country is in the cusp of digital transformation. Use tech to make life convenient for citizens. We also need to adopt global best practices into the country. We take into consideration all the things that are happening globally and introduce them to our single market – the Philippines. We use technology to innovate, that’s why in Globe we have GCash, the no. 1 financial technology in the country that is doing a lot of innovation.”                                                    

Intelligent Processes through Artificial Intelligence                       

At the third panel, the Next Wave of Automaton, Analytics Association of the Philippines, President Ms. Michelle Alarcon explained “AI has been around since the 70’s and not a wave per se. Revival of the hype surrounding AI is because of the technologies particularly on computing and storage.”                              

According to Alarcon, no one is an expert yet on Generative AI. “We can be ready. We started with RPA (Robotics Process Automaton), simple automation of task with rules that are well defined. You can think of AI as something that makes that process more intelligent. They can work with each other and go hand in hand,” says Alarcon.                                              

Concepcion Business Services President and COO, Mr. Eric Sarmiento delved on the key benefits of Robo5cs, “It forces you to re-think your existing processes which leads to more efficiency and cost avoidance of rework. Because of the relentless automation we were able to reduce repetitive work by a significant rate.”                           

Robotic Process Automation Philippines Founder and President, Mr. Allan Tan discussed how robo5cs can drive efficiency, savings and business growth. “When RPA started nobody understood the company but now companies are starting to understand its advantages. In the Philippines, 70% of processes still involve a lot of the repetitive work including data cleansing, downloading files, constructing data, and aggregating certain reports but more and more companies are starting to see the impact and cost effectiveness of Robotics.” 

Game-changing innovators on disruptive technologies

The fourth and final panel discussed disruptive strategies and mindsets behind some of the most successful disruptors in the business today including Alliance of Tech Innovators for Nation Lead Convenor and DICT Former Undersecretary, Mr. Mon Ibrahim; Fuse Lending President and CEO Mr. Tony Isidro; Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GeiserMaclang Co-founder, Ms. Amor Maclang; Inpay Co-Founder and CEO Mr. Arivuvel Ramu; Angkas Co-founder and CEO, Mr. George Royeca; Mayani Co-founder and CEO JT Solis.

Attracting world-class talent with world-class challenges, and innovating nonstop for a greener intelligent world

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[Shenzhen, China] Huawei kicked off its 19th annual Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen. Huawei's Rotating Chairman Ken Hu said that the company will continue to boost investment in innovation to build new products and enhance and accelerate new technologies.

Ken Hu, gave a keynote on Huawei's approach to innovation and building a greener intelligent world. "At Huawei, when we talk about innovation, the first thing we think is people. We hope to attract world-class talent with world-class challenges, and work together to push the limits of science and technology," said Hu, referring to the Top Minds recruitment program that the company launched on its website yesterday.

"We don't care where you’re from, where you graduated, or what you studied,” he continued. “As long as you have a dream for the future and believe you can make it happen, we want you to come and join us. We provide world-class challenges, a powerful platform, and all the resources you need to explore the unknown."

Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, speaking at HAS 2022

Hu went on to discuss the specific initiatives that Huawei is working on to realize its vision for the future. "We are currently focusing on three areas: strengthening our approach to innovation, equipping all industries with the tools and knowledge they need to go digital, and helping build a low-carbon world."

The following is a summary of these three initiatives.

Innovating nonstop and advancing the industry:

• In terms of connectivity, Huawei continues to drive the industry forward. The company announced its vision to enable 10 Gbps connections everywhere with 5.5G and F5.5G, the next evolutions in wireless and fixed networks. Together, these will support a broader range of niche network requirements, including a more immersive experience in homes as well as the low latency and high reliability needed for industrial control scenarios.

• In terms of computing, Huawei is redefining system architectures for individual nodes, foundational software, and data centers in an effort to significantly increase system performance and energy efficiency.

• In cloud services, Huawei is building MetaStudio, a cloud-based, end-to-end digital content pipeline that will greatly expedite digital content production.

• In terms of devices, Huawei aims to provide consumers with a user-centric intelligent experience in all aspects of their lives – what the company calls a Seamless AI Life experience – effectively accelerating the convergence of the physical and digital worlds.

Diving into digital transformation to create new value for customers:

• Huawei is adapting its products and product portfolios to different industrial scenarios. At the same time, it will start pre-integrating and pre-verifying products, doing all the complex work beforehand to make digital transformation easier for its customers and partners. With Huawei Cloud as the foundation, Huawei aims to provide "Everything as a Service", turning infrastructure, technology, and expertise into cloud-based services, and making cloud migration easier for customers in different industries.

• Huawei is also building integrated teams that focus on specific industries, bringing a specialized group of experts closer to customers' business challenges and more tightly incorporating horizontal resources, i.e., products and capabilities from partners. The goal is to provide targeted digital transformation solutions for each industry and respond more rapidly to customer needs.

Optimizing power supply and consumption with digital technology to enable low-carbon development:

• Huawei is redefining the PV sector with AI, cloud, and other capabilities to boost the generation of renewable energy.

• Huawei is also developing system-level low-carbon solutions for green ICT infrastructure, focusing on wireless base stations and data centers.

Moving forward, Huawei is taking active steps to boost its business resilience and ensure steady development. "We have to keep the ball rolling through nonstop innovation, creating value for customers and society," said Ken Hu. "We look forward to working more closely with our customers and partners to build a greener intelligent world."

In addition to its innovation strategy, Huawei also shared its far-reaching vision for the future and some of the exploration it's doing to get there. Dr. Zhou Hong, President of Huawei's Institute of Strategic Research, said that "everything we imagine today is very likely to be too conservative – too little – for tomorrow. We have to meet the future with bold hypotheses and a bold vision, and throw caution to the wind as we push to break through bottlenecks in theory and technology. This is the only way forward."

Here in the Philippines, Huawei also had several programs for cultivating the local ICT talents, such as ICT Academy, Seeds for the Future, covered the Philippines for years, benefited over 9000 ICT students, according to Daniel Guo, the Vice President of Huawei Philippines.

In the event, Dr. Zhou outlined ten challenges that Huawei hopes to address moving forward.

Two scientific questions:

• How do machines perceive the world, and can we build models that teach machines how to understand the world?

• How can we better understand the physiological mechanisms of the human body, including how the eight systems of the body work, as well as human intent and intelligence?

Eight tech challenges:

• New sensing and control capabilities, e.g., brain-computer interfaces, muscle-computer interfaces, 3D displays, virtual touch, virtual smell, and virtual tast

• Real-time, unobtrusive blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart monitoring, and strong AI-assisted discoveries in chemical pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines

• Application-centric, efficient, automated, and intelligent software for greater value and better experience

• Reaching and circumventing Shannon's limit to enable efficient, high-performance connectivity both regionally and globally

• Adaptive and efficient computing models, non-Von Neumann architectures, unconventional components, and explainable and debuggable AI

• Inventing new molecules, catalysts, and components with intelligent computing

• Developing new processes that surpass CMOS, cost less, and are more efficient

• Safe, efficient energy conversion and storage, as well as on-demand service

Waste to Energy Summit 2019 : IGT and MPL to provide state of the art waste management to LGUs

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Integrated Green Technology (IGT) thru their founder and co-founder Mr. Michael Coronel-Jimenez and Ms. A. Leilani T. Cruz and CMPL (CNIM Martin Private Limited) based in Chennai India represented by Mr. Denis Bauer, CEO hosted their first “Waste to Energy Summit 2019” on Nov. 15, 2015 at the Grand Ballroom of Seda Hotel Vertis North Quezon City. 

This is to showcase their expertise in Renewable Energy and explain their patented European technology which is manufactured in India to cater the Asian market such as the Philippines. 

The Foreign technology CNIM are based in Paris France using a German Technology (Martin Gmbh) and has a combined 50 years experience in Waste to Energy EPC and FGT (Flue Gas Treatment) who has the highest emission standard that is compliance to our RA 8749 (Clean Air Act) of the Philippines.

(Left to Right) Architect Jesus Aguas, Mr. Michael Gimenez (CEO/President), Ms. A. Leilani Cruz (COO/Executive Vice President), Mr. Denis Bauer (CEO- CNIM Martin Private Limited), Ms. Pam Decal (Interim - Corporate Secretary), Mr. Joel Decal (VP-Business Affairs & Director)

The technology provider have built more than 170 WTE plants in 23 countries and soon 24th country will be in the Philippines. With a combined cooperation of the LGU (Local Government Units), DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and DOE (Department of Energy) IGT and CMPL believes this project investments of all stakeholders will come to reality.

It is fully supported by all European funders and back up with debt insurance and bank guarantees which are all in place for the financial support for the first three (3) projects ( 2 Provinces of Cebu and Province of Pangasinan) that has a total investment of $230M USD for the Philippines thru Allied Project Services Limited of London.

IGT and CMPL goal is to provide state of the art waste management, energy sustainability and environment protection per LGU’s. Not to mentioned this will also reduce the rate of electricity to the host Cities and Municipalities and generate employment to the community. “A Clean and Green Country-Philippines”.

GCash powers biggest mobile app summit in PH

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GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, sponsors the biggest and most anticipated mobile app summit and expo in the country—the SIGN UP! SUMMIT 2019 on September 23 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

SIGN UP! SUMMIT 2019 aims to support aspiring online businessowners in establishing their own companies and enterprises. It targets to educate around 12,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) about the essential elements in growing and expanding an e-business.

“By far, SIGN UP! is the biggest gathering of mobile platforms and mobile applications in the Philippines. We want to empower more Filipinos to go digital and help them improve their livelihood,” said Ney Villaseñor, chief corporate affairs officer of GCash.

As the biggest digital alliance in the country today, SIGN UP! attendees can expect to familiarize themselves with various mobile applications, platforms and solutions, as well as be inspired by success stories of other e-preneneurs who are going to be featured at the event.

“GCash is known by many for buying mobile load, paying bills, remitting money and the like, but GCash is more than just these financial services that it offers,” explained Villaseñor. “You can actually do more with your business by expanding it through the app. There’s so much opportunity for GCash when it comes to growing your online shop. Because with GCash, what can’t you do?”

The SIGN UP! SUMMIT is open to anyone, from students to stay-at-home parents. In addition, GCash has prepared a lot of surprises that the attendees can look forward to.

Interested participants can sign up for free and be part of the biggest mobile app summit and expo in the Philippines at www.signup.ph

XCALE: Asia e-Commerce Summit 2018 : “Tapping Into the Trillion Dollar e-Commerce Industry”

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XCALE, the collaborative partnership of topnotch e-commerce gurus and pioneers today announced the event XCALE: Asia e-Commerce Summit 2018 with the theme “Tapping Into the Trillion Dollar e-Commerce Industry”. Speakers from various e-Commerce industries will share their expertise worth spreading on September 29, 2018, 9AM at SMX Convention Center.

XCALE: Asia e-Commerce Summit 2018 is organized under the license of XCALE Group and includes a one-day summit which celebrates E-commerce and elevate the businesses of attending participants into a whole new level.

The Summit is a gathering of at least 1,000 participants to boost and brim online marketing ideas, impart knowledge and network with industry experts to strengthen their respective businesses. Confirmed partner-speakers and co-presenters are Alibaba, Lazada, Payoneer, OneOkada, ShineOn, Viralstyle and a lot more that are related and significant in the e-commerce arena.

The show will be broadcasted and covered by various media outlets, print, broadcast and digital. The host of the conference is an award-winning Sales guru and Success Coach which will make the event even more memorable.

Tickets are available for P3,000 (inclusive of meals and summit materials). VIP tickets are available at P7,000 for front seat + VIP networking dinner. Both tickets are on early bird rates of P2,000 and P3,999 respectively.

Interested parties can book their tickets and read more about the participants at: xcalesummit.com/ticket. To find out more about the XCALE: Asia e-Commerce Summit 2018, visit the link above and our website www.xcalesummit.com.

PMAP holds 2nd HR Innovation Summit on August 15

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The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the preeminent organization of people managers and HR practitioners in the country, will hold the “2nd HR Innovation Summit” at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria (Ortigas Center) on August 15, 2018 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

With this year’s theme “HR Next Practices”, this momentous event will feature industry experts and distinguished practitioners to share their knowledge and innovative ideas that will equip organizations in developing employees to thrive in the opportunities and challenges today and in the future.

The line-up of remarkable speakers includes PMAP President Michelle C. Garcia, FPM, HR Director of East-Asia Region SGS Gulf Limited (Regional Operating Headquarters), who will talk about “Revolutionary HR: The Next HR Leadership”; Ms. Amor Maclang, Chief Communications Officer of GeiserMaclang, who will discuss his experience in “Adopting the Blockchain Technology in HR”; Mr. Engelbert T. Camasura, AFPM, President of Asia Select, Inc. (ASI), who will enlighten participants in his talk “Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment”; Mr. Kogie Angeles, Co-Founder/ Vice President of The Office Cowork + Life, who will present “The Gig Economy: How It Impacts the Way We Work”; and Atty. Raul R. Cortez, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Philippines, who will give a sneak peek of “Telecommuting and Its Implications in the Workplace.”

Aside from the exciting talks, participants will also have the opportunity to be introduced to new products and services from various companies through their exhibit booths at the HR Techxhibit Hall. PMAP also welcome partnerships for this event.

The summit is open to the public and guarantees an interesting and relevant day of learning about HR best practices and innovation to be attended by HRM and business professionals, representatives from the academe, SMEs and industry partners. The Investment fee per delegate is Php3,500.00 for PMAP members and Php3,800 for non-members.

For more information, please contact Ms. Clara Delfin at tel. no. 726-1532 loc. 323 or email clara.delfin@pmap.org.ph.

The 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit

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The 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit, an initiative of the DENR - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is happening on August 10-12, 2017 at SMX Aura, Taguig City.

Aims to raise the bar of environmental awareness of consumers and beef up efforts in solving the rising problem of solid waste in Metro Manila and other urban areas in provinces across the country, the 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit is open to the public, including government agencies and non-government organizations. 

The Expo offers various activities like forums, talks and workshops that bear interesting topics on environmental protection, renewable energy, sustainable livelihood, and updates on consumer goods that help save the earth.

The Expo aspires to heighten a proactive awareness on issues that bear upon the environment and its ecological well-being. The ever-rising mountains of trash in our landfills, our rivers, waterways, and seas, is a serious matter of concern that has stared us in the eye for decades. 

Good laws have been passed, government efforts on alleviating garbage problems in Metro Manila and major urban centers across the country have seen improvements since R.A. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” was put in motion in 2000. Amazingly, seventeen years later, we are still in neck-deep sea of rubbish. Major gaps cry out to be filled because the solution lies not only on laws or government effort, but at the source of waste itself — the consumers. 

The Expo hopes to boost efforts in promoting a deeper commitment among Filipinos in every household, business establishments, and institutions in achieving positive social and environmental impact. Visitors will gain invaluable information, instruction, and insight on eco-friendly solutions that is practical, cost-efficient and sustainable.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — the global battle cry for the environment resonates. Redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are reused, imitating nature’s sustainable cycles, would mean no trash is sent to landfills and incinerators — no more air pollution, no more water contamination. Changing our consumer lifestyles and practices is the solution to making this vision possible. 

We can bring about positive change if we work together as a nation — for the environment, for the country, for every Filipino. We hold the key.

The 3rd Integrated Ecological Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit is organized by DENR - Environmental Management Bureau in partnership with Department of Interior and Local Government, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Quezon City and Taguig City. 

Admission is free. For online registration, kindly visit environmentsummit.ph.

Philippine FJ Cruisers Club Inc. presents the Pilipinas FJ Summit™ 2017

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On April 29-30, 2017, the Pilipinas FJ Summit™, a grand EB of FJ Cruiser owners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be held at the Jose Rizal Plaza, Calamba City Hall, Calamba City, right where the 22-ft towering statue of Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, is located.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a retro style, mid-size SUV with styling and off road performance reminiscent of the original Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40). 

The "FJ" in the Toyota FJ Cruiser's name refers to the chassis specification code of the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser. The classic Land Cruiser was produced worldwide from 1960 until 1984. And like the old FJ40, the Toyota FJ Cruiser has superior off-road capabilities.

The production of the FJ Cruiser has been discontinued in 2014 and only a handful is available in showrooms. If you want one, now is the time to get it. However, excitement and capability live on with adventure-ready Toyota vehicles. In the Philippines, the excitement over these vehicles is very much alive with the upcoming Pilipinas FJ Summit™.

Everyone’s invited to come and participate on the Pilipinas FJ Summit™ Run on April 30. 

The Pilipinas FJ Summit™ is organized by the Philippine FJ Cruisers Club, Inc. It heralds the first of a series of Buhayani Festival Events organized by the City Government of Calamba to commemorate our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The Buhayani is Calamba City’s annual festival celebrating its history and heroes, both historic and contemporary. 

Conquer the Pilipinas FJ Summit™ Challenge. It is a uniquely designed off-road course that was created to test the prowess of the FJ Cruiser and its driver. Feast on 100 or more FJ Cruisers, including yours, that will be displayed on the Summit Day. 

“The main attraction of the Summit will be the convergence of as many FJ Cruisers that can be accommodated in the 4-hectare Summit grounds. If the FJ Cruiser is a reflection of the personality or lifestyle of its owner, be prepared to encounter as many permutations of the FJ Cruiser as there will be Summit Delegates,” shares Philippine FJ Cruisers Club. President, Atty. Numeriano Rodriguez, Jr. 

As an official Summit Delegate, you will have the opportunity to meet and befriend fellow FJ Cruiser owners and enthusiasts from all over the country. It will be a whole day of fun and fellowship that will culminate with a Pilipinas FJ Summit™ party in the evening. Exchange notes with your new FJ friends. Ask questions, technical or otherwise, about their FJ Cruiser, their upgrades and modifications, their experiences about certain brands or parts you have been curious about, plus their off-road experiences. Listen to those who have “been there, done that” about their FJ. Talk and share your own adventures too.

Avail of big Summit discounts from the major suppliers and distributors of the best after-market parts and accessories for your FJ Cruiser. They will be there to make your dreams come true and with big discounts. 

Pilipinas FJ Summit™ 2017 will be a family event. It is open to the public and will have something for everyone, even for non-FJ Cruiser owners. Part of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the various socio-civic projects of the Philippine FJ Cruisers Club. 

For more information, please contact 09178636375, pilipinasfjsummit@gmail.com plus Facebook: FJcruisersPH and Instagram: @fjcruisersph. For inquiries about sponsorship or exhibitor’s booths, you can contact Phil Abad at 09175300818.

PAP launches its first Mom and Baby Expo in the Philippines

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The Mom and Baby Expo 2017, the first ever Mom and Baby Expo in the Philippines, organized by the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP), will be on April 21-23 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 2 and 3.

Moms and moms-to-be eagerly await the onset of summer as the countdown to the first ever Mom and Baby Expo begins. Organized by the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP), the exhibit showcases all facets of comprehensive perinatal healthcare such as products, services, technology and new methods, all of which are intended in aiding Filipina mothers and their infants.

“Our objective is simple yet powerful: to impart advices and traverse new ideas moms and expectant moms can use that will ultimately strengthen their maternal bond with their babies” says PAP President Dra. Belen Velasco. “This is very exciting because this is something big, something we have envisioned to happen for the longest time. And now, finally, we are doing it.”

The Mom and Baby Expo 2017 will showcase a series of talks from perinatal experts, pocket workshops, fun and informative activities, selling booths, food stalls and many more.

Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) heads during the Mom and Baby Expo 2017 press conference held at Cafe Romuo, Quezon City,  January 24, 2017.

“In the past, we have mounted a number of interesting, fun and successful assemblies in the aim of improving the health of both mothers and infants. This year, we are very proud our passionate members with decades of proven and justified experience in their fields of expertise, led by Dra. Velasco, thought of this exhibition” shares Dr. Diosdado Mariano, past PAP President. “The Expo is an opportunity to analyze and seek solutions to existing issues pertaining to maternal-fetal and newborn areas in an engaging and fun way.”

The Mom and Baby Expo 2017 will be held on April 21-23 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 2 and 3.

The three-day event is made possible by the PAP, in partnership with its trusted affiliates- the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecology Society (POGS), Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS), Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine (PSNbM), Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP), and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP). 

For more details on the Mom and Baby Expo 2017, visit its official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mombabyexpoph  / www.facebook.com/mombabyexpoph or follow its official Twitter account @MomBabyExpoPH.

About Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP)

Founded in 1989, Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) and its medical professionals have dedicated their time and effort to ensure that the programs are shared throughout the different perinatal healthcare providers. The organization is guided with the following objectives: to promote fetal and neonatal well-being, promote maternal welfare, promote science and art of perinatal medicine, promote research and training in perinatal medicine, maintain liaison with national and international organizations of professions, and provide expert advice pertaining to perinatal medicine. It is a specialty society of the Philippine Medical Association.

Education stakeholders gather for Education Summit 2016

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Education stakeholders from the government, the private sector, and civil society will gather for the Education Summit 2016 to be held at the SMX Mall of Asia on November 3 and 4. 

Education Summit that will focus on crafting the education agenda of the Duterte administration.

The Summit is co-organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Scheduled speakers include Senator Bam Aquino, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong.

“Times have truly changed and we need to change with it. The success of the Education Summit, moreover the national education, lies in our collective understanding and acceptance of the permanence of change, and our ability to respond to it," said Briones.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said that the upcoming event is a follow through to the recent (sectoral) Social Development Initiatives Summit held in Davao City that aimed to flesh out the social development agenda of the administration.

The outcome of the Education Summit will be the education sector’s input to the next Philippine Development Plan.

“Through this summit, we hope to lay down a clear roadmap that will make education accessible, relevant and liberating,” Briones emphasized.

Part of the 10-point socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration is to increase spending in basic education and incorporate mandatory education about the evils of drugs. According to Briones, another key focus of the Department of Education (DepEd) is to intensify and expand the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Over 500 stakeholders will attend the 2016.  Participate in the online discussion by sharing your thoughts or questions using the hashtag #EducSummit2016.

1st Philippine Environment Summit : “Greening Together, Growing Better”

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The 1st Philippine Environment Summit, a celebration of the Philippine environmental movement, will be held on Feb 9 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The 3-day event will showcase programs and projects, as well as breakthroughs and innovations that contribute to the social and economic advancement, while protecting the environment. There will also be an exhibit area featuring eco-friendly products and services.

With “Greening Together, Growing Better” as theme, the summit will feature renowned leaders of government, the church, environment, civic organizations and academia as plenary and resource speakers in breakout sessions and as exhibitors. Also attending the event are lead members of environmental civil society organizations, leaders of government and business, as well as individual and institutional environmentalists.

President Benigno Aquino III, Luis Cardinal Tagle, former SC Justice Reynato Puno, and internationally renowned environmental activists Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Vandana Shiva are some of the invited speakers, while leading Presidential aspirants in the coming national elections will be asked to present their environmental agendas. 

The Summit is co-organized by the Green Convergence -- a large coalition of environmental and developmental organizations, networks, faith-based groups and individuals -- with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR). Also supporting the event are the Energy Development Corporation, Tourism Promotions Board, Foundation of the Philippine Environment, PTFCF and Trans-Asia Renewable Energy.

The main objectives of the Summit are to disseminate information to the public on the developments, achievements, challenges, programs and projects in relation to food safety, environment and natural resource protection and conservation and sustainable economy; strengthen and energize networking between and within the public and private sector and within and across various sectors and groups, formulate policy recommendations; and showcase convergence initiatives between and /or among government, civil society, business, and other sectors of society.

“In celebrating the advancements in environmental protection achieved through private and public initiatives, we hope to create an opportunity for all sectors to unite and collaborate,” says Green Convergence president Dr. Angelina Galang. “The 1st Philippine Environment Summit is a call to government and the Filipino people to unite in accelerating the drive towards national sustainable development.” 

The Summit will be plenary sessions in the morning and breakout sessions in the afternoon, and a simultaneous three-day exhibit. Another highlight of the event is an awards ceremony recognizing LGU eco-champions. It concludes with the environment movement’s resolution for specific desired actions by the most influential sectors – government and business - that will protect the environment in pursuit of sustainable development in the Philippines.

To register for participation, join the exhibits, or know more about the 1st Philippine Environment Summit, call 225 7330 or visit greenconvergencephil on Facebook.

Youth initiatives on education heard at SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference

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Delegates with High Officials: Participants and High Officials of the 2015 SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference. 

SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO Innotech) held its 14th International Conference focusing on empowering Southeast Asian learners by further addressing the Education For All (EFA) goals to provide an avenue for the voices of young people of Southeast Asian nations, the

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the two-day conference gave an opportunity for some 150 youth leaders and educators from 15 different countries to discuss key issues on development agenda for education, especially for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. The participants’ final outputs were presented to the Council of Ministers of Education and SEAMEO high officials.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC responded by encouraging the young participants to serve their communities in order to achieve reform progress of the ASEAN, as well as on a global scale.

Luistro with Delegates: DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC responds to the issues raised on education youth agenda.

“ASEAN is a reality today. Therefore, we could actually paint a picture where there are more countries where young people and old people can go visit each other’s country and feel that we are one family. If that were so, the question for you is: 'What are you ready to give up in order to be part of this new community and what will you wish you retain?’ We'll have to live with that anxiety and reality that if we want to be a community, we have to struggle daily with what your identity is and what you are willing to give up to be ASEAN,” said Luistro.

National Youth Commission (NYC) Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra said the conference is very timely as the Philippines is going to chair the ASEAN by 2017 and will need the participation of the young people on convergence platforms and opportunities for growth and development of each of their respective localities.

“From our end, it is very important that you were able to touch on the importance on the role of the youth in the emerging ASEAN integration. The Philippine government and the National Youth Commission is in the process of conceptualizing the ASEAN communications master plan for the youth, and the next steps would be the conceptualization of the ASEAN Youth Situationer, which should be backed up by the ASEAN Youth Development Index. Your output will help us brainstorm how we could move forward and make things happen,” Saavedra stated.

Dr. Steve Anzalone, Senior Vice President for Asia of the Education Development Center (EDC) encouraged the youth to act as catalysts issues that they are passionate about.

“Part of being a youth is being rebellious. As youth, you've got to rebel a little bit against the existing order or there will never be any sort of change that will take place. If there is a sense of where we could altogether rebel a little bit, there is a wonderful and beautiful set of principles that will start,” Anzalone said. 

The conference focused on the youth and their reflections on improving the quality education in the region. One of which is capacitating individuals with leadership skills. Luistro instead challenged the delegates to go where the crisis is so that they will discover their own leadership from within. 

The education chief said, “Leadership is tested when you move out from your comfort zone and face the reality out there. During the worst typhoon that hit the Philippines and one of the worst recorded in history: Typhoon Yolanda. We never knew that there were so many leaders on the ground. Leaders emerge during times of crisis. The question is, 'Are you still preparing today so that you will acquire leadership skills?' or ‘When you go back to your locality, whether you're from Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, Mindanao, what are your steps to make a change there and what are you willing to invest to make that change possible?’” 

“The world will not change just by coming up with a recommendation that somebody else or the government will implement. We must empower young people as ordinary citizens to do it for us and for themselves,” Luistro added. 

“Bricks Click: Creating the New Marketplace”: Traditional and digital retail trends discussed in SM’s first Partnership Summit

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With the market’s adaptation to digital shopping, traditional retail businesses find it important to keep with the consumer’s growing needs and demands for shopping experience beyond the brick-and-mortar concept. 

SM Supermalls used this big idea for its first Partnership Summit titled “Bricks Click: Creating the New Marketplace” to create a venue for deeper discussion among retailers and business partners. The summit was held at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex.

SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia and Senior Vice-President for Operations Steven Tan together with panelists (second from left) Margot Torres, Executive Vice President, McDonald’s Philippines; Hiebert Dimagiba, Head of Mobile & IT Business, Samsung Philippines; Aitor Gomez Maguregui, Head of New Business Sales, Google Philippines; and Mark Gamboa, Director of Marketing, Max’s Group.

The summit aimed to inspire and motivate players in the retail industry, local and regional, through knowledge sharing and market updates from distinguished experts in the field. During the summit, discussions centered around the impact of social media on businesses; ways to elevate customer experience, and strengthening customer satisfaction.

Esteemed guest speakers included entrepreneur and inspirational speaker Francis Kong, Disney Institute Regional Business Development Manager Wing-Hoe Tan, and Samsung Electronics Vice-President for Online David Kang. Panel discussions further elaborated the topics, with executives and veterans of known companies such as Samsung, Max’s, McDonald’s and Google contributing their insights and business experiences.

Francis Kong

In his presentation, Kong explained that a business should learn to utilize social media and technology not to compete with the traditional way of retail, but to enhance and further develop its reach. Technology, according to Kong, is not the competitor of traditional retail, but its complement.

Entrepreneur and inspirational speaker Francis Kong talked about creating new and meaningful experiences for the customer with the cohesive use of social media with traditional retail.

“Co-existence between analog and click technology can never replace human involvement,” Kong added.

Tan stressed in his speech that positive results and customer delight root from company culture, from how they treat their customers to how they treat their own employees.

Wing-Hoe Tan

A playful moment from Disney Institute’s Wing-Hoe Tan, his session discussing about ensuring delightful service and maintaining good company culture.

“An organization must cultivate the same internal customer service within their employees, gauged with the same intentionality as how they do with their external ones. It is not written on any handbook; rather, it is already imbibed in the employees’ hearts and minds to provide exceptional service,” Tan said.

Kang ended the sessions with his emphasis on how technology heavily influences consumers’ decisions, but in the end, the brick-and-mortar shops are still their preferred way of shopping for their desired products.

David Kang

Samsung Electronics Vice-President for Online David Kang delves deeper into his talk about the cohesive existence of technology and traditional retail to bring another level to the customer’s shopping experience.

There were 1,000 participants who attended the summit, hailing from businesses in the Philippines and abroad, all pioneers and heads of SM’s valued tenant companies.

The partnership summit is one of SM’s projects in line with celebrating its 30th year in the retail industry. SM currently has 55 malls nationwide.​