QBO Innovation Hub launches new QBO App, now available on iOS and Android

Tweet

QBO Innovation Hub a joint multi-sectorial venture created in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, Ideaspace and JP Morgan which aims to aid Philippine startups which have the potential to make it big in the industry.

QBO Innovation Hub, the Philippines’ first public-private sector platform for startup companies today launched the QBO App, a new and convenient way for QBO’s community to connect with each other and access QBO’s programs and services, at the City Garden Grand Hotel. 

QBO is supported by a consortium composed of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), J.P. Morgan, and IdeaSpace Foundation Inc., a leading incubator of early stage startups established by the First Pacific, PLDT and Metro Pacific group of companies. 

The launch was headlined by speakers such as Secretary Fortunato dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Roberto Panlilio, Senior Country Officer of J.P. Morgan Philippines; Chito Bustamante, founder of Chikka; Justin Hall, Principal Investor at Singaporean venture capital firm, Golden Gate Ventures; and Katrina Chan, Director of QBO. These speakers represent the bleeding-edge pioneers in the local startup ecosystem. 

The event was attended by both notable startups in the local ecosystem and top executives and officials from QBO’s partners including Butch Meily and Diane Eustaquio of IdeaSpace Foundation Inc. and Chris Young of First Pacific among others.

The QBO App is a virtual hub that allows startups to connect with a broader range of entrepreneurs, investors, partners, and other potential resource persons. It’s also an avenue for users to engage in startup-related discussions as well as stay updated with 

QBO’s events and services. Not bound by geographical or physical limitations, the QBO App enables users to discover and connect with potential partners from regions outside of Metro Manila.

“This is an exciting time for us, and indeed for the local startup community as a whole. With our app, never has it been easier for our entrepreneurs to access the essential services and resources that will help them take their companies to the next level,” said Katrina Chan, QBO Innovation Hub Director. Chan also added that the app will act as an avenue to more conveniently connect with QBO's roster of experienced mentors and consultants.

The QBO App features three primary functions. Its QNNECT feature provides access to QBO’s network and connects users with people with whom they can create meaningful partnerships. Through QNNECT, founders can meet other industry players and potential partners; startup enthusiasts can find ways to get started in the industry, or otherwise stay on top of the latest news; and mentors and investors can find new businesses and other potential investments.

The QLLABORATE feature enables a more active startup community through the QBO App. Through it, users can discover startup-related events across the country, participate in groups to seek advice, discuss trendy topics, and communicate with special guests and speakers. Important resources like government forms, speaker presentations, and other documents can also be downloaded through QLLABORATE.

Finally, with QNTRIBUTE, users can become active members of the startup ecosystem, sharing their news, pushing their own products, and posting photos, links, videos and other startup-related content on a social media-like timeline, as well as give feedback to QBO’s programs and services.

  

“Our goal is to help provide opportunities and mentorship for our budding startups, especially those driven by young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs. The convenience of an app will be very appealing to them, and eminently helpful,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara of DOST.

QBO’s partners share its passion for supporting local startups. Its collaboration with J.P. Morgan has led to the creation of the elite INQBATION Program, that seeks to develop select, high-potential startups – empowering underserved founders and creating impact for the community.

“With mobile technology continuing to disrupt the business landscape, connectivity helps level the playing field for many of our startups – in terms of access to resources and partners that they can tap as they develop and grow their business. Launching this app is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Roberto L. Panlilio, Senior Country Officer, J.P. Morgan Philippines. 

  

The QBO App is only the latest development in QBO’s vision of Filipino startups changing the world, and it is available and ready for use on both iOS and Android devices.

For more information about QBO, visit www.qbo.com.ph.

2018 Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair

Tweet

Beyond Food: Discover Healthy Halal, Urban Gardening, Entrepreneurship

The 2018 edition of the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair opens its doors to food enthusiasts from March 14 to 18 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. This annual program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is organized by the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in cooperation with the DTI’s Regional and Provincial Offices.

Three special settings are being showcased this year: 

(1) a pavilion for halal-certified products from nine regions of the country; 

(2) an organic products and hydroponics garden; and 

(3) a “kapetirya” serving different coffee blends from all over the Philippines.

There are over 200 booths featuring products of over 200 MSMEs offering regional delicacies, processed meats, wines and beverages, ready-to-eat bottled food, chocolates and snack foods, spices and condiments, jams and spreads, health supplements, and other kitchen basics. There are also exhibitors selling fresh produce like organic fruits and vegetables as well as fish and other marine products.

In addition, free cooking workshops are scheduled every day, as follows: Thursday, March 15 : (1:30pm – 3:30pm) Healthy meat products for business with Mrs. Lourdes Rivera. Friday, March 16 : (1:30pm – 3:30pm) Sysu International Inc./Clara Ole; (4:30pm – 6:30pm) Mama Sita with Chefs Philip Lim and Phye Yabut. Saturday, March 17 : (1:30pm – 3:30pm) Baguio Oil with Chef Boy Logro; (4:30pm – 6:30pm) San Miguel Purefoods with Chef Rolando “RJ” Garcia. Sunday, March 18 : (1:30pm – 3:30pm) Gardenia Bakeries with Chef Patrice Aguillo; (4:30pm – 6:30pm) Silver Swan with Chef Luis Napoleon R. Sol III.

For those who wish to learn more about food entrepreneurship, there are free lectures offered daily, as follows: Thursday, March 15 : (10:30am – 12:00nn) Development Bank of the Philippines – Loan Program/Facilities; (4:30pm – 6:30pm) PLDT Enterprise – Digital Payment (Paymaya). Friday, March 16 : (10:30am – 12:00nn) DOST Packaging Center of the Philippines – Food Safety. Saturday, March 17 : (10:30am – 12:00nn) Pasay City Cooperative Development Office – Simple Nutrients Addition Program (SNAP) Hydroponics. Sunday, March 18 : (10:30am – 12:00nn) FILPET Inc. – Packaging Technology.

By bringing food entrepreneurs from all over the country into a single venue, the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair generates not just retail business from consumers but is also an order-taking event where institutional buyers and traders discover new items for their supermarket shelves, and hotels and restaurants meet new producers and negotiate with existing suppliers. 

According to DTI-BDTP Director Rhodora M. Leaño, “In 2013, for the first Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair, the department set what was then an ‘ambitious’ goal of Php 15-million in cash and booked sales. Last year, we were able to record revenues of Php 42.17 million from over 52,000 fair goers. That is an increase of almost triple in just five years, an outstanding measure of success by any standard, and a very encouraging sign for MSMEs in the food sector.”

The Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair is open from 10:00am – 9:00pm on March 14 to 18, 2018. Admission is free.

For more information, email bdtp@dti.gov.ph or call phone numbers +632 751 3223, +632 751 3228m and fax +632 751 3224. Please follow sikatpinoyfairs on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for updates. 

Visa Winner Meets Visa Team Athlete Michael Martinez at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018

Tweet

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Visa, in partnership with Cebu Pacific, awarded Miss Leonila Parungao a VIP trip package for two to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Miss Parungao also had the opportunity to meet Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez, one of the 54 athletes on Team Visa. Martinez represented the Philippines in the Olympic Winter Games, with a last-minute spot secured barely three weeks before the competition started.

“My experience at PyeongChang is certainly one for the books. Meeting the Philippines’ pride and joy, Michael Martinez, was just the cherry on top of this unforgettable trip. It’s not every day you get to witness an event as historic as the Olympic Winter Games, and to meet an Olympian. I’d like to thank Visa and Cebu Pacific once again for this opportunity,” said Leonila Parungao.

Miss Parungao, a Filipina immigrant living in Australia, won the trip—the grand prize for the Olympic Winter Games promo campaign organized by Visa and Cebu Pacific—by booking her Cebu Pacific flight from Sydney to Manila using her Visa payment card.

“We are pleased to have provided Miss Parungao this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and support Michael Martinez’s journey to the Olympic Winter Games this year. At Visa, we are always trying to create exciting and memorable experiences for our cardholders and I really think this is a great of example of us achieving this,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

With year-round low fares offered by Cebu Pacific, Miss Parungao is able to fly to Manila to visit relatives at least two to three times a year.

“Our partnership with Visa has enabled more travellers to book their Cebu Pacific flights using the fast and easy payment options of Visa. We look forward to our continued partnership with Visa as we encourage more travellers to fly to different countries, see new places and create new experiences,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Pacific, which flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney, is the only Low-Cost Carrier plying this route.

Globe myBusiness ProjectEd Awards Night: How Learning Is Boosted Through Technology

Tweet

GLOBE PROJECTED AWARDS FESTIVITIES 

University of the East- Caloocan (Senior High School) wins the Globe ProjectED video, the best creative on  digital educational entertainment.

The best of the best were awarded top three Grand Winners and were given corresponding generous prizes: P50,000 cash and P50,000 education package for the school for the first place; P30,000 cash and P30,000 education package for the school for the second place; and P20,000 cash and P20,000 education package for the school for the third place. The Grand Winners were as follows:

1st place: University of the East- Caloocan (Senior High School)

Team Members: Geremie Ampong, John Paul Abcede, Aries Lomansoc, Patrick Concepcion

Teacher Coach: Aurora Cabote-Part'ee

2nd place: University of the East- Manila (Senior High School) 

Team Members: Xylo Pineda, Julliene Noblezada, James Ambag, Lyphelle Caparal

Teacher Coach: Dannah May Ramos

3rd place: Pitogo High School

Team Members: Eduardo G. Pequeña Jr., Abby Gayle M. Mangaser, Jerry P. Manaog, Jose Angelo C. Arboleda

Teacher Coach: Leticia Belchez Beronio II 

Winners of Globe ProjectED with the judges and executives of Globe MyBusiness

Globe myBusiness ProjectEd

How does technology affect how we learn? How different is the learning process with our gadgets and gizmos, networks and digi-communities? Globe myBusiness wanted to draw the difference and see things from the perspective of the youth using the power of video. 

For ProjectEd, the synergy of concepts is between digital technologies and education. How might we learn given the technology at our disposal? It is indisputable how technology has affected learning all around, and ProjectEd seeks to bring those changes to the forefront. ProjectEd is a nationwide video competition to all high school students. Students were asked to answer the question, "How is technology changing how you learn today?" via a three-minute video using only their mobile phone. 

Mitsch Tapia, Head of Strategy, Innovation and Transformation, Globe MyBusiness

Globe received nearly 100 entries, each with its own signature style and creative stamp. In front of an extremely engaged audience of 250 high school students, head teachers, principals, Globe senior officers, and members of the press, the results were announced during the Globe ProjectEd Awards Night, held last Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Maybank Performing Arts Auditorium. It was a celebration of all things video learning and “EduTainment.”

Miguel Bermundo, Manager Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing, Globe Telecom

More on GLOBE PROJECTED AWARDS NIGHT

After a careful review of all entries and stringent deliberation processes, an esteemed pool of judges, which comprised of Globe leaders including Globe Studios, as well as award-winning filmmakers Emerson Reyes and Keith Sicat, determined which videos deserved top spot. During awards night, there was a viewing of the top 10 finalists that bested the many creative entries collected from nearly 100 participating schools nationwide. Criteria for the top 10 and three Grand Winners include: 30% shareability on social media, 30% appropriateness, and 40% creativity. 

Aside from a fun viewing of the exciting videos and celebrating the well-deserved awardees, the VIP guests from both media and across different campuses were also treated to insightful workshops from some of today’s video stalwarts. YouTube Content Creator Riva Quenery shared tips on “How I Make My Videos Viral,” while filmmaker and professor Emerson Reyes shared his craft on “Effectivity of Video Materials in Teaching and Learning.” In between sessions, brother tandem Ben & Ben treated the audience to fun renditions of today’s hot hits. 

Moving Forward With Videos

Given how today’s digital landscape is moved by video, it is only right that education makes the most of the video revolution. What Globe’s ProjectEd proved is that students recognize the immense power and potential of hopping aboard the video wagon—and education should definitely follow suit. Globe CTIO Gil Genio and Director of Citizenship of Globe Telecom, Ms. Chelle Gray, both highlight how the inevitable merging of learning and technology is a sign of the present times. Genio further adds that “Globe continues to be committed to advocate for digital learning, and in particular video learning, reinforcing the message that you can learn anytime, anywhere using technology at your disposal.” 

Diving into the world of captivating video engagement and knowing what it takes move your audiences may change the learning and education ballgame altogether. Digitization is definitely the way of the future and Filipino students are primed and ready for the lesson plan.

GLOBE PROJECTED PHOTO3 Globe ProjectED Grand Winner: University of the East Caloocan with the executives of Globe MyBusiness (From L-R Debbie Obias, Michelle Tapia, Gil Genio, Derrick Heng)

GLOBE PROJECTED PHOTO2 Globe ProjectED 1^st Runner-Up Winner: University of the East Manila with the executives of Globe MyBusiness (From L-R Debbie Obias, Michelle Tapia, Gil Genio, Derrick Heng) 

GLOBE PROJECTED PHOTO1: Globe ProjectED 2^nd Runner-Up Winner: Pitogo High School with the executives of Globe MyBusiness (From L-R Debbie Obias, Michelle Tapia, Gil Genio, Derrick Heng)

* For consolidated posts on ProjectEd and to view the various entries, you may refer to the hashtags #GlobeProjectEd and #LeadTheWay on YouTube and across other social platforms. 

FamilyMart gives you the chance to have a fun-filled Summer getaway

Tweet

Summer is coming and it’s time for you to go on vacation mode. After working for so many hours, you deserve that break to relax and recharge. That’s why your go-to for daily essentials FamilyMart is giving you the chance to win awesome getaway packages where you get to bring along your barkada or family! 

FamilyMart celebrates its 5th anniversary in the Philippines as it brings you the 5x the Summer Fun Raffle Promo from March 15 to May 31.

FamilyMart celebrates its 5^th anniversary in the Philippines as it brings you the 5x the Summer Fun Raffle Promo from March 15 to May 31.

As the popular Japanese convenience store celebrates its 5^th anniversary in the Philippines, FamilyMart is bringing you the 5x the Summer Fun Raffle Promo. 

Get a chance to go on that dream #SQUADGOALS vacay, because the grand prize is a trip for four to Bali, Indonesia, which includes a 3-day, 2-night hotel stay and roundtrip airfare. One other lucky winner will receive the second prize of a trip for four to the beautiful island of Siargao. 

Summer is also a great time to spend a chill #STAYCATION with the #FAMBAM. There will be one winner each of either a staycation package at Hotel H20 Manila with 4 passes to Manila Ocean Park, a luxurious stay at Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila plus 4 passes to DreamWorks entertainment playground DreamPlay, or a relaxing weekend at 5-star hotel resort Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. 

Joining the raffle promo is easy. All you have to do is register for free via mobile by typing PFM Summer along with your name, complete address, email and send to 292-908. You’ll then receive a unique bCODE which you’ll scan at the counter every time you make a purchase. Registration is for one time only. 

Get one entry for every purchase worth P80 in a single receipt. You can also double your chances of winning by purchasing major sponsor products to earn 4 bonus entries or minor sponsor products to get an additional 2 bonus entries.  

Don’t just daydream about alarm-clock free mornings or sunbathing at the beach, make it happen! Head on over to FamilyMart for your daily favorites and you might just win one memorable summer getaway. 

Promo runs from March 15 to May 31. Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 3663. Series of 2018.

For updates, exciting products, and awesome deals, like and follow FamilyMart Philippines on Facebook, @familymartph on Instagram, and @FamilyMartPH on Twitter.  For store locations or more information on FamilyMart Philippines, log on to www.familymart.com.ph.

FamilyMart is the 2^nd largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across Asia. In the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, Alabang and Laguna.