PLDT SME Nation’s #BeTheBoss is back!

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And they’re looking for the country’s most promising and tech-savvy entrepreneurs

(L-R) AVP and Head of SME Community Engagement Services and Marketing Communications Gabby Cui, VP and Head of PLDT SME Nation Mitch Locsin and AVP and Head of SME Fixed Product Marketing Amil Azurin

PLDT SME Nation’s pioneering social media crowd sourcing search for the new generation of entrepreneurs is all set to welcome a new batch of digitally-driven industry game-changers.

#BeTheBoss, in partnership with Rappler, is back for year two as it continues on its mission to recognize excellence in technological innovation and digital integration. 

VP and Head of PLDT SME Nation Mitch Locsin reiterates the pivotal role of digital in today’s business landscape.

“Our goal is simple and poignant—to demonstrate how digital technology can empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and help them grow their business by looking to young and savvy entrepreneurs who’ve actually done it,” VP and Head of PLDT SME Nation Mitch Locsin said. 

Online nominations are currently ongoing until July 10, 2016 at rappler.com/betheboss. A panel of judges will short list the nominations and choose the top three finalists for each category. The final phase will be the online public voting which will comprise of 40 percent of the finalists’ score. 

This year’s categories are: Boss for E-Commerce is for the e-commerce champ who knows how to own the internet and its opportunities through an innovative application or an online service; Boss for Social Media is the entrepreneur who knows how to maximize social media platforms and use it for growing an online community; Boss for Social Responsibility is the entrepreneur who goes beyond marketability and profitability by giving back to the community; and finally, Boss for Innovative Solutions is for the leader who thinks outside the proverbial box and utilizes technology to offer services and ideas that cater to a broad audience.

Last year’s first batch of winners and finalists, narrowed down from over 500 nominations from around the country, flew to Silicon Valley for a unique digital immersion in one of the world’s technological melting pots. 

Boss for E-Commerce Kim Lato of online tech store Kimstore, Boss for Social Media and top wedding photographer Jason Magbanua, Boss for Customer Service and queuing solutions company TimeFree Innovations founder Chino Atilano, Boss for Social Responsibility and Messy Bessy founder Kristine Reyes-Lopez, and Boss for Mobile Readiness and mobile app MobKard founder Carlo Calimon also received mobile business kits from SME Nation. 

This year’s winners will also get the opportunity to broaden their horizons and globalize their business with the Silicon Valley experience.

Locsin added, “For traditional entrepreneurs, digital can be daunting and discouraging. But that’s exactly what we want to disprove with #BeTheBoss. We want to show everyone that the right digital business solutions can actually democratize and level the playing field especially for MSMEs who are only starting to carve their niche in the industry.”

Cordillera vegetable farmers find an ally in Exalt 60 SC

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Farmers on their way to discover a new insecticide by Dow AgroSciences, Exalt 60 SC, fortified with an ingredient called Spinetoram, effective in eradicating plant pests.

Cordillera farmers are touted to be some of the largest vegetable producers in the country, belying the fact that from time to time they need to grapple with the biggest challenge to their livelihood: the damages wrought by pests and plant diseases. 

This explains why farmers and agriculture officials in the region continuously look for products that eradicate these pests without sacrificing the quality of their crops and increasing the costs of production. 

To this end, Jardine Distribution Inc. (JDI) recently introduced the Exalt 60 SC, a powerful but economical insecticide that is specifically effective against the Diamond Black Moth.

Cordillera farmers are known as one of the country’s best vegetable producers, although sometimes faced with problems on pests and plant diseases.

Reiterating the company’s committment to helping local farmers eliminate such threats to their sustainable livelihoods, Sandra De Guia , Senior Product Manager, reveals that “the Exalt 60 SC is now aiding farmers in the Cordilllera region, especially in Benguet.”

The Diamond Black Moth is reportedly the most destructive insect pest in the world, especially for brassica crops such as cabbages, cruciferous vegetables, and mustard plants. Much of the damage to crops is caused by moth caterpillars tunnelling into the heads of plants such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts. 

The Diamond Black Moth likewise causes the contamination of produce by pupating inside broccoli florets and cauliflower curds.

Manufactured by Dow AgroSciences, Exalt 360 SC was formulated to arrest this insidious process through its active ingredient called Spinetoram, the newest molecule in the spinosyn class. Spinetoram professes fast knockdown and good residual control of the Diamond Black Moth.

Cordillera farmers learn about Exalt 60 SC, an economical insecticide that can eradicate pest problems without sacrificing the quality and nutrients of vegetable crops. 

While the Exalt 360 SC is considered a very strong insecticide, it is harmless to the environment and does not expose our local farmers to health hazards.

What’s more, reliance on chemicals as a control measure for the Diamond Black Moth may result in the development of resistance to many insecticides. 

However, pests have no cross resistance to Exalt 360 SC, making it a very effective agent against pest infestation even after several years of use. 

These Exalt 60 SC bottles guarantee a quick extermination and control of the dreaded Diamond Black Moth and other pests, without any health or environmental hazards, unlike other pesticides. 

A winner of the 2008 US Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, the Exalt 360 SC is distributed by JDI nationwide.

Jardine Distribution Inc. (JDI) reaffirms their commitment to providing assistance to local farmers by introducing Exalt 60 SC to Cordillera farmers, as an aid in combating pest infestation, a daily threat to their livelihood.

Jardine Distribution Inc., a member company of Jardine Matheson Group, represents a number of leading brands in crop protection, local and foreign-made pesticides, plant growth regulators, hybrid rice seeds, and vegetable seeds.

“Change.Move.Achieve: Moving forward through Social Media” - AFP all geared up for 3rd Social Media Summit on July 15

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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is all set to hold its 3rd Social Media Summit on July 15, 2016 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Spearheaded by Media and Civil Affairs Group (MCAG) and Civil-Military Operations School (CMO School) of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP (CRSAFP), the conference now on its 3rd year is scheduled to tackle current social media trends and issues as a tool to further enhance online engagement within the Armed Forces and key partner organizations.

With this year’s theme: “Change.Move.Achieve: Moving forward through Social Media”, the Summit is aimed at boosting and synergizing AFP’s online initiatives and strengthening nationalism and public service awareness through social media networks.

This one-day conference will cover issues on getting the most out of social media networks and its capabilities in nation building and how to utilize its potential and its relevance to the Philippine society in stewarding and synergizing online reputation management and strengthening nationalism and public service awareness through online presence.

One of the main topics that will be discussed is how did social media shape and affect the 2016 Philippine National Elections.

LTC MICHAEL T AQUINO (INF) PA, MCAG Commander, CRSAFP said: “We have been feeling the power of Social Media in recent years. We saw how Social Media technology has created an impact on the lives of many Filipinos even in the 2016 Philippine National Elections. With its fast-paced advancements and developments, it is high time for all of us, not only the AFP, to move forward through Social Media and utilize its power to achieve our personal and organizational goals.”

More than 1,200 participants (30% AFP, 20% PNP/BJMP/BFP, 30% from the public audience which includes students, working public, and academe, and 20% from other government agencies) are expected to attend this conference.

The event is co-presented by Smart Communications and HAIER Philippines. These organizations share the same value on the importance of social media in promoting the goals of their organizations.

“We have been part of the AFP’s social media summit since the beginning.  Not only because we are a partner of the AFP, but more importantly we share the AFP’s strategy of a connecting and engaging our stakeholders.  As more and more Filipinos connect to the Internet and with a new Administration in place, the 3rd AFP Social Media Summit could potentially be a powerful tool for developing the value of nationalism,” said Wo Rosete, Head of Public Affairs at Smart Communications. 

Invited participants in the conference include information officers from various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of National Defense, the Philippine National Police, academic institutions and other government organizations and agencies. Non-government and civil-society organizations will also be invited.

BGEN RHODERICK M PARAYNO AFP, COMMANDER, CRSAFP said: “With about 50% of Filipinos actively engaging in Social Media networks and the enormous number of people around the world, the Internet has become not just an efficient tool for disseminating information but it has also become the most important venue for connecting to those we in the AFP serve. The 3rd AFP Social Media Summit will tackle how we can optimize the power of Social Media to connect for change while we actively move forward to achieve the AFP’s organizational goals related to public service.”

The 3rd AFP Social Media Summit will provide participants the opportunity to get insights on:

• Content Marketing and Social Media Benchmarks
• Organizing and Mobilizing Online Community
• Going Viral: Lessons for Creating Stories with Impact
• Bridging Generation Gaps and Social Media
• Shaping National Issues through Social Media
• Social Media and Countering Violent Extremism

The summit is open to all interested parties who want to know more about trends, developments and issues in Social Media, the effect of Social Media in organizations, and best practices in utilizing Social Media in spreading useful information to intended audience, among others. Interested parties may contact: 09265540787.

Event partners include Ardent Communications, DWDD Katropa Radio 1134 kHz, AFP General Insurance, AFP Theater, ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, and PNP Police Community Relations Group.

Media partners include Philippine Bloggers Network, Llamadista TV, StyleList, Inquire.net, Newsbytes.ph, techTV.ph, TechBeat.ph, DigitalFilipina.com, and Spice.ph.

More information about the 3rd AFP Social Media Summit can be accessed at http://AFPSocialMediaSummit.dwdd.com.ph/.

Connect with AFP Social Media Summit on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/afpsms.

Rainy Day Beats and Backup with the Ekowave and Ekopack Luna!

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Ekotek is serving up double the fun with the Ekopack Luna and Ekowave! 

Get more out of your day by charging up with the first power bank of its kind in the Philippines. Ride the soundwaves with a pair of headphones that sound and feel great, not just for the ears but also for your pocket! 

Ekopack Luna

Our newest Ekopack is sure to brighten your day! 

With a one-of-a-kind design, it functions as both an LED lamp and a backup for your gadgets. A unique shake feature indicates the charging power left in your Luna and to see it, just give your Ekopack Luna a shake!

With 7500 mAh of power a dual-charging capacity, it'll be sure to keep you (and a friend) going through the day. All encased in a stylish white and chrome case, the Ekopack Luna is functional as it is fashionable.

SPECS:

Capacity: 7500mAh

Input: DC 5V/2A

Output 1: DC5V/1A

SRP: 1199

Ekowave

Ride the sound waves like a pro with the Ekowave! 

It can take the heat like a pro-headphone with an impedance of 32 Ohms. This means that can you plug the EkoWave in to your favorite mobile gadgets, and even use it with professional audio equipments such as amplifiers and mixers without worrying about blowing it out.

Aside from the built-in comfort cushions around its earpads, EkoWave's equally-comfy headband can be custom fit with its built-in adjuster for anti head-bobbing accidents.

SPECS:

Speaker Size: 40mm

Sensitivity: 102dB±3dB

Impedance: 32Ω

Frequency Response : 20Hz to 20KHZ

Cord Length: Approx. 1.5m

Plug Type: 3.5mm Stereo

Microphone: 6×5.0MM 

Sensitivity: -58dB±3dB

SRP: 999

Catch our Ekopack Luna and Ekowave at our kiosks in SM North Edsa the Annex, SM Megamall, SM Pampanga, as well as selected Office Warehouse, Astrovision, and iStudio branches. We're also chillin over at IGIG in Greenhills Promenade. See you there!

Epson Philippines reveals latest printers in Print & Label in Cebu

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Epson Philippines Corporation officially unveils its S-Series signage printers in Print & Label, Cebu 2016. The SureColorTM S-Series printers are Epson’s latest high-performance roll-to-roll eco-solvent signage printers with new technological advancements. The event held  from 30 June to 2 July at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu.

This line’s features include the high-performance PrecisionCoreTM TFP printhead that provides output quality at high speed, a new Print Mode that improves image quality by reducing visible banding, and an auto media adjustment system that ensures great ease on any task. Among these is the Epson SureColor SC-S60670. The SC-S60670 incorporates the latest Epson printing technologies that allow high-volume printing with minimal downtime through its advance features.

Engineered with the industrial setting in mind, the Epson SureColor SC-T5270  also was showcased at the event. The T5270 ensures that every user is able to print with exquisite quality and precision. With its PrecisionCore technology, line placement is accurate to within +/-0.1%, ensuring that graphics come out as envisioned by the user. 

The Epson F-series printers were also highlights at the event - The SureColor SC-F6270 and the SureColor SC-F2000 printers are both set to redefine textile printing. The SC-F6270 is designed for sheet production, ideal for short-volume dye-sublimation transfer printing of custom clothing, soft signage, merchandise and even hard surface work. For the technology-inclined visitors, the SC-F2000’s digital t-shirt printing technology makes garment printing more efficient and easier than it ever was. 

And lastly, photography aficionados who want to make an income out of their prints witnessed the SureLab SL-D700 up close. The SL-D700 can print high-quality photos of up to one meter in length. Also, the SL-D700 is Epson's first 6-colour compact photo production printer with inkjet technology. It utilizes Epson’s Micro Piezo printhead and image processing technology which all make for the vivid quality on photos, cards, art reproductions and other quality print products.

“We are truly grateful to officially launch our S-Series Signage printers here at the Print & Label, Cebu 2016 since this event is the perfect avenue for our products to reach professionals here in Cebu City”, shared Pamela Albar, head of Epson Philippines Corporation’s Commercial & Industrial Printers business. “Epson Philippines is proud to be a part of this trade event as this is our way of strengthening our relationship with business leaders in the region who continue to support our products”, she added. 

The Print & Label, Cebu 2016 is a major event where companies showcased advanced machineries, technologies, and services that trade buyers and industry leaders can use for their business. This event also serves as a one-stop shop for companies to discover new markets, learn more about the latest innovations and generate better brand awareness.