Leading social innovator Zhihan Lee obtains support from Globe, gets recognized as the newest global Ashoka Fellow

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Ashoka, together with Globe Telecom, recently recognized social innovator and chief executive officer and founder of BagoSphere, Zhihan Lee, as an Ashoka Fellow. With this recognition, Lee will receive further support to provide high quality digital and soft skills training to rural and out-of-school youth through his work in BagoSphere.

Photo above shows Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, with BagosSphere CEO & Co-Founder of Bagosphere Zhihan Lee at his recent induction as Ashoka Fellow.

In 2017, Globe engaged Ashoka as the implementing partner for the Globe Future Makers: a nationwide social innovation program for initiatives that are using technology to help solve social problems. The program was patterned after the social innovation program of the Singtel group of companies within the Asia Pacific region. Launched in 2016 in Singapore and Australia, the program seeks to recognize the most innovative technology-enabled solutions focused on solving social issues in Singapore, Australia, and the Philippines.

To further enrich the social innovation ecosystem in the Philippines, another aspect of the Globe Future Makers initiative was to support the election of a tech-focused social innovator into the Ashoka Fellowship. Through Ashoka’s lifetime Fellowship, Zhihan gains increased global visibility, a 3-year needs-based personal stipend, and lifelong personal and professional support through a global network and programs tailored to his needs as a social innovator.

Lee’s BagoSphere was founded with the idea of working directly with employers to develop programs and training that equip rural and out-of-school youth with the necessary professional skills needed by companies. Lee knew that higher education was a prerequisite to becoming a skilled and successful individual. However, he also knew that not everyone could afford it, especially in a country like the Philippines where 70 percent of high school graduates are unable to pursue higher education, while 40 percent of those who manage to go to college eventually drop out.

Through BagoSphere, the students who graduate are placed with partner-employers while providing dedicated support in continuing to explore other job and career opportunities. Even if the youth were not able to gain access to higher education, they can still acquire high-demand positions in emerging industries such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies with the promise of a better future for themselves and their families. Through its “last-mile education” model, BagoSphere also established partnerships with microfinance organizations for a “study now, pay later” financing option for poor but deserving and talented students. 

“By enabling support for Lee and BagoSphere together with Ashoka, we know that he can reach out to more out-of-school youth in the country and spread his philosophy of ‘transformative higher education.’ With this, we also hope that he can spark a social innovation revolution not just in the Philippines but also throughout Southeast Asia, where access to higher education is still inaccessible for many. We hope he can inspire others as well in making social innovation a byword in this era of globalization,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

At present, Bagosphere has 1,054 graduates with an 85 percent employment rate since 2013, while job placement is currently pegged at 95 percent. BagoSphere's firm focus on transparent impact indicators helps to track their graduation performance, a key indicator that is often missing in higher education.

"Youth unemployment is deeply exacerbated by the acceleration of change happening in the workplace. We are grateful to work with Globe and Ashoka to tackle this global problem and bring a successful model to many other cities in the Philippines and South-East Asia,” said Lee.

Pioneering the field of social entrepreneurship in the 1980s, Ashoka is the largest professional network of social innovators in the world. With over 3,500 Ashoka Fellows from 93 countries, Ashoka helps accelerate social change through its global community of changemakers from across causes, disciplines sectors, and borders.

To be inducted as a fellow, Ashoka gauges nominees through the global selection process involving extensive research; series of interviews; local and international evaluations; and advice from key experts in related fields. This way Ashoka is able to assess whether a candidate’s proposed idea has potential for systemic change. The selection process also considers projected rate of success by taking a closer look at the social innovators themselves. Candidates must be highly adaptive, resourceful, practical, and ethical for their proposed social innovations to work.

Brillante Mendoza's AMO streaming on Netflix April 9

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AMO is a 13-episode series which bears the acclaimed auteur’s patented gritty, hard-hitting, cinema vérité style of storytelling. Starring Derek Ramsay, Vince Rillon, Allen Dizon and Felix Roco.

AMO will be made available globally to Netflix viewers starting April 9.

The series was initially set to premiere on TV5 last year Aug. 25 when Netflix acquired it from TV5.

A first on Philippine television. Catch it on TV5, in partnership with multi-awarded film director Brillante Mendoza  starting April 21.

SUMMARY

Set on the background of the Philippine Government’s War On Drugs and the rampant vigilantism against suspected illegal drug personalities, JOSEPH is a high school student peddling crystal meth, locally known as“shabu”, to his fellow gang members. While getting his supplies from a local drug pusher, he and his fellow gang member, JAY, are caught in a hot pursuit operation by the police. A crossfire erupts as the latter escaped the scene while Joseph is brought to the police station together with other drug suspects.

Eventually, Joseph bails out of prison thanks to his junior-ranked police officer uncle, CAMILO (Allen Dizon). 

But as the news of Joseph’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade spreads within the community, he and his gang are now the target of the local authority’s crackdown on suspected drug users and peddlers, coined as Oplan Tokhang. To save Joseph from further conflict, Camilo uses his influence over the Barangay Captain to strike out his nephew’s name out of the list of suspected drug personalities in the community.

Now with a clear name, Joseph discovers that Jay is a police asset spying on their gang; but too late to save their gang leader, RODEL, and his family from the violent wrath of police vigilantes. With Edgar now assuming the gang’s leadership, they vow to even the score with the traitor. The gang murder’s Jay in a dark alleyway, with Joseph leaving a cardboard note on his lifeless body –  

“Adik Ako. Huwag Tularan.”

Days after the Jay’s killing, Joseph transfers to her sister’s apartment in Manila to avoid further conflict with the law. However, he will be introduced to a bigger crime scheme by his brother-in-law, BINO, who is a big time Shabu distributor.

A police encounter led to the killing of HOWARD, a high-end drug peddler who party drugs around clubs in Metro Manila.

GENER, a big time drug lord, orders his subordinate Bino to stop distributing Shabu for the meantime and fill the spot that Howard left. Bino sets-up a meeting with REGGIE and ALEX, club owners of a high-end club in Taguig and tells them his intention to supply party drugs to their patrons.

In return, he will give 20% of the gross sales to Reggie and Alex for allowing the illicit trade to happen inside the club. But for Bino to penetrate the youngsters, he taps Joseph and his friends, Edgar and Tisoy, to serve as his arm in selling the party pill inside the club.

As condition, Bino will give his motorcycle to Joseph if they get the job done.

However, a female customer from a prominent family overdosed herself with the party drug, killing her eventually.

In reaction, an undercover police unit, led by RODRIGO (Derek Ramsay) raids the club and Edgar falls prey to the police entrapment. While Joseph and Tisoy escapes the scene, riding the motorcycle with their supplies.

Right after the incident, Joseph and Tisoy meets Bino in a gasoline station, where the latter instructs Joseph to come with him.

Bino introduces Joseph to Gener as they return the remaining supply of party drugs. As soon as Bino and Joseph got home to Jillian’s apartment, news breaks out that Joseph and Tisoy are now wanted for selling the party pill.

Bino orders Joseph to tell Tisoy to meet them in Maharlikha Village, where Bino lets his friend, RASUL to chop off the parts of the motorcycle to evade police hunt. But little that they know, Tisoy was under surveillance by Rodrigo’s team and was tracked down along his way to Maharlikha Village.

A fire fight breaks loose between the police force lead by Rodrigo and Rasul’s group with the help of Bino. On their way out of the alleyway, Tisoy and Bino are shot dead while Joseph escapes the scene. 

MAIN CAST	CHARACTER
DEREK RAMSAY	RODRIGO MACARAEG
FELIX ROCO	BINO
VINCE RILLON	JOSEPH
ALLEN DIZON	CAMILO  (UNCLE)
APOLLO ABRAHAM	ABNER
RUBY RUIZ	MYRNA (MOTHER)
DEXTER MACARAEG	ENTENG (FATHER)

How to make you and your BFF’s shots Instagram-worthy

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Liza Soberano and Michelle Vito’s Instagram #bestfies are those you wish you could pull off with your own BFF as well. If we’re not mesmerized by their close-up selfies, we’re enchanted by their chic OOTDs that amass thousands of likes and comments from their loyal followers. Apart from being equipped with a quality camera like the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro and J7+, the pair shares a few tips on how do they pull off their awesome BFF photos!

“Simplicity is our secret,” shares Liza. The young actress admits that she prefers using fewer filters in her photos. “We’d use apps like VSCO and Snapseed, but only for brightness. We never heavily edit our personal posts. From time to time, Michelle and I would take photos with cutesy details, like a floral crown, for fun. But we rarely upload them. It’s just for us and our friendship.”

Michelle, on the other hand, is more mindful of the locations where she shoots. “I like backgrounds that are not too busy, but not too plain either. You’d want your look to blend well with beautiful backdrops and places.”

For IG-worthy photos, Liza says that lighting, when done right, can be your best friend. “You must learn how to find you light, and figure out how you look like in different lighting conditions,” the actress shares. “Perfect lighting has the ability to complement and elevate a nice face angle and pose.”

As for Michelle, the student-actress says that it doesn’t hurt to go all-out sometimes! “Just capture as many awesome photos as you can! Liza and I, for example, make the most out of our bonding moments because we rarely see each other. That’s why we love taking a lot of glam and wacky photos,” she shares. “At times, we also like getting creative with our poses, backgrounds, and lighting.”

In the end, Liza and Michelle remind their fans that a picture-perfect friendship isn’t one with the most BFF photos with many likes on Instagram, but one that is built on trust and love for each other. But still, it wouldn’t hurt to have a phone that can help them capture and relive the best moments in their friendship – the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro and J7+!

“The Samsung Galaxy J7 is perfect for BFFS. Its quality camera features effortlessly capture our best moments. The new pink color is a nice touch, too, as it also makes the phone photogenic in itself!” says the pair.

With its 13MP rear autofocus and front-facing camera with LED flash, Galaxy J7 Pro and J7+ allows the pair to take awesome, IG-worthy photos.

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro and J7+ in Pink is now available in the Philippines. 

To know more, you can visit the Samsung Galaxy Studio located at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig or visit our websites, facebook.com/SamsungPH or log on tosamsung.com/ph .

WORLDBEX 2018 was held in three mega venues

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Now on its 23^rd year, the Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) sustains its outstanding streak as it opens its doors to a record-breaking number of local and international exhibitors. Plus, an increase in its total exhibition space with the addition of the 2,500sqm wide Northwing hall of the World Trade Center which house over 120 booths. 

Officially opening its doors last March 14, this year’s WORLDBEX is the show’s biggest installment yet as it is currently being held simultaneously in the three mega venues of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center Manila. With all three venues combined, this year’s WORLDBEX encompasses a total of 37,100sqm of show area and an aggregate of 1,500 booths by both domestic and foreign players of the construction sector.

In turn, WORLDBEX 2018 has noted a 25% increase in international exhibitors, a 12% increase in local exhibitors, and a 20% increase in total number of booths. Signifying something far beyond mere showmanship, the expansion undergone by WORLDBEX is a brimming testament of the show’s thriving ascendancy as a global force. And the same could be said about its decision to adopt the theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability” for its 2018 installment.

As revealed by Worldbex Services International’s (WSI) Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, “Deliberately conceived to parallel the growing concern of the international community with regard to the need to develop ingenious yet mindful solutions, our theme for this year’s show deeply echoes WORLDBEX’s commitment to connect with the global pulse.”

Present in the opening ceremony are Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Rowel Barba, Mr. Joseph L. Ang  - WSI Founding Chairman, Mrs. Levi S. Ang, Ms. Jill Aithnie Ang – WSI Managing Director,  Arch. Francisco Flamenano Jr. – WSI Executive Director, Mr. Rene Ramos, Ms. Tessie Roque and IDr. Lilia de Jesus. The members of the diplomatic corps of different countries, association presidents and the WORLDBEX ICONS of Interior Design are also there to witness the grand opening of WORLDBEX. 

It comes as no surprise that the reception of both the local and international community towards the upcoming show has been widely optimistic. Laying proof to this was the successful turnout of the WORLDBEX 2018 Exhibitors’ Orientation Program held last January 31 at the Hall B of the Philippine Trade Training Center; where over 700 attendees from 300 companies took part in the pre-show event.

As affirmed by Richmond Sy, President and General Manager of GRM Biowood, a first-time platinum sponsor for WORLDBEX, “Worldbex is the gold standard for construction expos and is well-known for showcasing the newest and most innovative products of the industry under one roof.” Moreover, Sy found this year’s theme highly relevant as it reflects what his company is all about.

On the other hand, 20 years later and Puyat Flooring Products Inc. remains to be one of the longest standing sponsors of WORLDBEX. Recalling their journey as one of the pioneer exhibitors of WORLDBEX, Missy Castro, Communications Manager for Puyat Flooring Products Inc. states, “Our participation has helped us a lot to reach out to our target customers and showcase the beauty and effectiveness of our products. Indeed, it is the most ideal venue to let our clients know about our company and our products!”

However, there seems to be no better exemplification of the burgeoning role of WORLDBEX as a key driver of economic growth on a global scale than the impressive number of international participants that will be taking part at this year’s show. Assuming the role of being the global construction industry’s gateway to Southeast Asia, among the new countries to participate at the much-anticipated event include Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, Germany, Iran, and Japan. These countries now join the roster of long time international partners that support WORLDBEX, such as Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, China, New Zealand, UAE, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

Particularly impressive is the enthusiasm expressed by Malaysian companies who are occupying the most number of booths at this year’s International Pavilion. Leading the pack is Malaysian powerhouse MATRADE which has been allocated 30 booths. As remarked by MaTrade’s Trade Commissioner, Ms. Nyaee Ayup, “WORLDBEX has continuously showcased the emerging and innovative products in the industry. Indeed, it serves as an excellent platform for trade exchange and to learn best practices from other participating countries.”

Without a doubt, this year’s WORLDBEX marks an incredible milestone not just for the show but for the country’s economic position as a whole. As remarked by Florian Gottein, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, “With the fast-changing Philippine business landscape and many developments across all industries, it is through events such as the WORLDBEX that the best in the Philippine building and construction industry can come together and showcase the many opportunities within the sector.”

Furthermore, Noel Toti Cariňo, National President of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. cites WORLDBEX’s vast global network as an “affirmation of their bright prospects for the Philippine property and construction industry.”

Once again, WORLDBEX leads at the forefront of pushing forth the expansion of the Philippine construction industry to unprecedented heights. WORLDBEX 2018 on March 14 -18 from 10am to 8pm at the three mega venues of World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the SMX Convention Center, Pasay. The show is organized by the Worldbex Services International, the country’s leading events and expo organizer. To know more, visit www.worldbex.com. To know more, follow the Worldbex Services International facebook page and @worldbex on Instagram.

Revamp and Restoration : Pink!, Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, and More Superstar Artists Reimagine Elton John’s Biggest Hits

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Revamp features the hits reimagined by the best in pop, rock and urban with Mary J. Blige, Alessia Cara, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Florence And The Machine, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Mumford and Sons, P!nk and Logic, Q-Tip ft. Demi Lovato, Queens of the Stone Age, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith.

Restoration highlights countries biggest stars with thoughtful interpretations by Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris, Miley Cyrus, Vince Gill and Don Henley, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack.

“’It’s always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it,” said Elton John. “As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp & Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We’re humbled and thank them all for their generosity.”

“Because of our love of all kinds of music, we’re not stuck in one genre,” said Bernie Taupin. “From day one we borrowed from everything that’s good about American music – whether it’s blues, country, gospel, pop, pure rock – everything got thrown in the mix. I think that’s why our music over the years has been so varied. It would be tiring if you just got stuck in one niche your entire career, especially when it’s one as long as ours.”

The album art for Restoration was created by Bernie. The rustic musical instruments and flags from both nations is an extension of his mixed-media art that’s another form of expression. It symbolizes the role that U.S. culture and its native music has played as a driver in the John/Taupin canon.

“For me, there’s an irony about the American flag,” Taupin says. “It’s been battered and beaten and burned, but it’s resilient. It’s always come back. I incorporate it with other things, and lately I’ve done a lot of pieces with deconstructed guitars and other found materials: barbed wire, broken bottles, things that people identify with on an everyday level. If it’s on the floor and it works, I’ll put it into the artwork. But it all goes hand in hand with my belief in America and my interest, I would say obsession, with Americana.”

Revamp has a pop art cover based on the Terry O’Neil photograph of Elton that was recreated in neon. The covers are very different from each other because they represent totally different albums.

“We have two completely different albums; Revamp being the pop one and Restoration being the country one and God we have so many great artists doing our songs, it’s quite incredible,” said Elton John. “Restoration was Bernie’s project and he’s a huge country fan. The ‘Revamp’ was more my project. He came up with an astonishing list of country performers both new and legendary. On Revamp I wrote out a wish list of people that I would love and asked them and to my surprise most of them said yes and we have quite an astonishing eclectic crew.”

Revamp

Bennie and The Jets – Elton John, P!nk, Logic

We All Fall In Love Sometimes – Coldplay

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – Alessia Cara

Candle In The Wind – Ed Sheeran

Tiny Dancer – Florence And The Machine

Someone Saved My Life Tonight – Mumford and Sons

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Mary J. Blige

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Q Tip feat. Demi Lovato

Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters – The Killers

Daniel – Sam Smith

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Miley Cyrus

Your Song – Lady Gaga

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Queens of the Stone Age

Restoration

Rocket Man – Little Big Town

Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters – Maren Morris

Sacrifice – Don Henley and Vince Gill

Take Me To The Pilot – Brothers Osborne

My Father’s Gun – Miranda Lambert

I Want Love – Chris Stapleton

Honky Cat – Lee Ann Womack

Roy Rogers – Kacey Musgraves

Please – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton

The Bitch Is Back – Miley Cyrus

SadSongs (Say So Much) – Dierks Bentley

This Train Don’t Stop – Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris

Border Song – Willie Nelson

The caliber of names contributing to Revamp and Restoration is another reminder of Elton’s enduring popularity at a busy and prolific time for the superstar. Last month Elton announced his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour. Comprising of over 300 dates across five continents over three years, the tour kicks off in the US in September and marks the finale of 50 years on the road. The first 60 dates sold out immediately after going on general sale, confirming that the farewell tour will be some of, if not the, hottest gig tickets of the coming three years.

Music stars honor Elton John’s illustrious career spanning five decades with a rockin’ tribute on ELTON JOHN: I’M STILL STANDING A GRAMMY SALUTE, to be broadcast Tuesday, April 10 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The concert showcases musicians from multiple genres performing classic songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, including Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Kesha, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Shawn Mendes, Maren Morris, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and SZA.