High-impact tech startups get boost from INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019

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QBO Innovation Hub, J.P. Morgan team up to find startups elevating PH startup landscape 

Filipino startups making a difference. Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña (middle) graced the recently held INQBATION Startup Showcase, an initiative of QBO Innovation Hub in partnership with J.P. Morgan where 15 high-impact startups showcased their ideas and stories of success. 

There is no problem too difficult for a plucky startup with a purpose. 

Startups have gained increasing recognition for offering solutions to problems, and startups in the Philippines are no exception. Tech startups that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities are also gaining ground, with some setting their sights on regional expansion even in the early years of their inception. 

Kumu, a livestream and community platform, which only started last year, has exhibited an explosive 2000% growth rate since it started. The app has been downloaded almost one million times and is currently the only Filipino company to be included in Google Play’s Top 10 grossing social apps. Roland Ros, the company’s co-founder, shared that revenue has been exponentially growing 300% quarter on quarter, as it has found a way to monetize global Filipino millennial and Gen Z users. Hundreds of content creators are now earning part time income on the app as well, with a growing base of full-time creators earning as much as 50,000 pesos a month. 

Senti, a data and sentiment analysis platform, started as a one-man university research project that sought to better understand local jargon and dialects. The company has since grown to become one of the most highly-recognized AI and natural language processing companies in the Philippines. Ralph Regalado’s brainchild is now home to half of the country’s Google Developer experts and is helping to create high-value tech jobs in the lucrative AI field in the Philippines. Senti has since expanded to Singapore and Malaysia because of its success. 

Another startup that has made a positive impact is Investagrams, a social fintech platform which helps Filipinos invest in the stock market through in-app tutorials, virtual trading, social networking, and other tools designed to make investing in equities more accessible, easy and fun. Only three years old, Investagrams now has over 360,000 users. Investagrams caters not only to seasoned traders and investors but also to regular Filipinos, from millennials to retirees, and even overseas workers seeking to increase the value of their savings. The startup also regularly conducts programs on financial literacy and equities investing that has attracted thousands of participants, with the goal of increasing participation in the stock market among Filipinos (currently at less than 1%) to at least 5% in the next five years. The fintech startup founder and CEO John Christian Bisnar announced that the company is expanding to Singapore. 

Kumu, Senti, and Investagrams, along with 12 other startups, are just some of the rising stars in the Filipino startup scene featured in INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019. 

“The INQBATION Startup Showcase draws attention to awesome Filipino startups that are creating innovative and scalable solutions for real world problems, and we hope that investors, corporations and partners across the globe will take notice,” said Katrina Chan, Director of QBO. “The startups we featured today grew with QBO and J.P. Morgan through the INQBATION program and are creating tremendous impact. We’re glad to give them the spotlight they deserve and invite more partners to join us in uplifting our burgeoning local startup community.” 

The event is organized by QBO Innovation Hub, a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow, that was created through the joint effort of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, IdeaSpace, and J.P. Morgan. 

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to help create opportunities for these startups,” said Carlos Ma. G. Mendoza, Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan Philippines. “We are proud to have supported this program as it enabled small businesses and positively impacted underserved communities.” 

“The vision for this program is for QBO and J.P. Morgan, as well as other partners, to open up more opportunities for startups and founders to grow,” explained Rene “Butch” Meily, President of QBO. “We want to give people who are creating scalable, positive impact through their startups a better shot at success.” 

INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019, an initiative championed by QBO Innovation Hub and J.P. Morgan, provides startups with access to resources, mentorship, and network to help them scale up their business. Photo shows from left to right: INQBATION Startup Showcase Program Lead Ross Fallorina; Kumu President Rexy Dorado; Washub head of Operations Brean Abrea; OneWatt Chief Technology Officer Paolo Samontanez; Learntalk Managing Director Nicolo Luccini; DTI-EMB Assistant Director Agnes Legaspi; Streetby CEO Rhey Minoza; DOST- PCIEERD Senior Science Research Specialist Engr. Edward Paul Apigo; MAD Travel Co-founder Rafael Dionisio; DTI-EMB Director Senen Perlada; J.P. Morgan Philippines Head of Communications Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez; QBO President Rene “Butch” Meily; J.P. Morgan Philippines Senior Country Officer Carlos Ma. G. Mendoza; QBO Director Katrina Chan; Investagrams CEO JC Bisnar; Lexmeet CEO Atty. Marlon Valderama; Exora COO Matt Tan; Payo CEO Liron Gross; Senti CEO Ralph Regalado; Container Living Lead Innovator Mac Evangelista; Pushkart.ph CEO Joshua Aragon; and QBO Head of Operations Natasha Bautista. 

Meily added that by showcasing startups that have the potential to change lives as well as succeed as a business, they hope to get more companies and institutions to realize the value of supporting local startup ecosystem. 

Aside from the startups mentioned, the showcase also featured AdMov, Cropital, Pushkart.ph, Exora, Learntalk, OneWatt, Payo, Lexmeet, Streetby, Washub, Container Living, and MAD Travel. 

QBO said that it will continue to support startups in different ways including INQBATION, an acceleration program where the country’s most promising but underserved startup founders receive mentorship, training, exposure, resources and other support tailor fit to their needs. The INQBATION program was created in order to help highly promising Filipino tech startup companies scale up, fundraise and become globally competitive-- in the process generating jobs, developing the technology sector and creating impact. 

QBO envisions more organizations becoming more involved with Filipino startup companies— whether as mentors, investors, or customers—and being able to help more local startups attain success. 

For more information about the INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph/incubation/.

SM Cinema, SM Cares and Disney come together to bring The Lion King to Payatas families

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Watching movies has always been a favorite family bonding activity among Filipinos. 

Recently, SM Cinema, SM Cares in partnership with Disney’s through its local distributor Press Play Philippine Inc. invited families from the Payatas community in Quezon City to a special screening of Disney’s The Lion King at SM North EDSA. 

Driven by their shared advocacy to promote positive change in society by collaborating with communities, SM Cinema and SM Cares organized the screening event to cultivate a positive family bonding activity for the members of the chosen community. 

“We always ensure that our corporate social responsibility activities serve catalyst for positive change in beneficiary communities. Today, we take a simple yet significant step to enrich Payatas families’ lives through a wholesome bonding activity.” Ruby Ann O. Reyes, SM Cinema Vice President for Corporate Marketing. 

SM Cinema has always believed in giving Filipino moviegoers an experience that takes movies from reel into reality. With the benefit screening SM Cinema is able to carry out this principle in a more inclusive manner. 

Together with SM Cares and Disney, SM Cinema is able to give the children from Payatas an opportunity experience family moments in the cinema. 

“Today, we were able to carry out a meaningful take on our reel to real campaign. We were able to give Payatas kids an experience they rarely get to enjoy.” Reyes said. 

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility division of SM Foundation. Their programs have several focuses including persons with disabilities, children and youth development, women and breastfeeding mothers, overseas Filipino workers, senior citizens, social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, disaster resilience, and green campaigns. 

To learn more about the SM Cares initiatives, you may visit them at www.smcares.com.ph or follow /OfficialSMCares on Facebook. For SM Cinema tickets, you may book them through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates! 

Parent’s Guide: How Internet helps your Children excel in school?

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Students are faced with an even challenging and demanding academic environment as they tackle a more advanced curricula, research, and skills development.

That is why access to online information through the Internet is crucial for students nowadays. The wealth of online content available today – from current events to learning aids – allows kids to keep up in their studies and gain competitive advantage on their extracurricular activities like sports, music, arts, and more.

For parents, all these mean convenient ways to be able to teach their kids at home and actively participate in their school activities. Having internet access right at their own homes enabling moms to participate actively in their child’s education may give children a leading edge in education.

Bring Your Own Bottle and refill your favorite condiments in NutriAsia’s BYOB

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Well-loved Pinoy brands such as Datu Puti, Golden Fiesta, UFC, and Locally participated at NutriAsia’s Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) kick-off event held last July 30 at The Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. NutriAsia not only brings joy to Filipino homes through its popular food condiments but also proactively reduces plastic wastes through its initiatives such as the BYOB campaign.

NutriAsia, the home of well-loved Pinoy brands like Datu Puti, UFC, Golden Fiesta and Locally, has been the partner of Filipino homes in levelling up their meal times for years. 

As a brand committed to making Masarap Masaya moments for its consumers, it aims not just to bring joy to Filipino homes, but to assume responsibility on a much larger scale through timely efforts that will benefit the environment during these increasingly critical times. 

Since 2014, NutriAsia has been taking part in the movement towards a zero-waste community through projects like Jumbohalang Tambalan and participation in DENR-EMB’s Refill Revolution. 

This year, NutriAsia carries on with its vision of a more environmentally sustainable world through a project called Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB), which encourages users to bring their own reusable bottles and refill their favorite condiments and products like Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce, UFC Banana Catsup, and Golden Fiesta Cooking Oil. This simple act is expected to raise awareness on responsible plastic use and help build a zero-waste community as a stepping stone to sustainability. 

NutriAsia’s Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) refilling station was built with eco-bricks that use plastic discards as components. These came from the Arca South Eco Hub, a project of Arca South, Green Antz, and Ayala Land Inc. The store also serves as a drop-off point for donated plastic materials to be used for repurposing. BYOB was launched last July 30 and runs until September 12, Mondays through Sundays, 12NN to 8PM at The Mind Museum in BGC.

Through the support of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation and The Mind Museum, shoppers can visit and experience the first BYOB refilling station located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). To participate, consumers have to bring their own clean and dry reusable bottles and have these refilled with their chosen products atdiscounted prices. 

BYOB’s store is made from eco-bricks that use plastic discards as a component, and which come from the Arca South Eco Hub, a project of Arca South, Green Antz and Ayala Land Inc. The store will also serve as a drop-off point for plastic materials for repurposing. 

NutriAsia, through its Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) advocacy, hopes to create more Masarap Masaya moments by encouraging shoppers to craft their own ideas on how to build zero-waste communities. Until September 12, consumers can visit and experience the first BYOB refilling station at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig. BYOB, which was launched last July 30, is open Mondays through Sundays, 12NN to 8PM. For more info, please visit https://nutriasia.com/bring-your-own-bottle

“NutriAsia has been a trusted partner of every Filipino home in making Masarap Masaya meals. And with BYOB, we hope to go beyond and create more Masarap Masaya moments by encouraging shoppers to help build a zero-waste community in their own ways. We are also happy to share that all proceeds from BYOB, along with the plastic materials donated, will be used to produce upcycled furnishings for our beneficiary, GAT Andres Bonifacio High School,” said James Lim, NutriAsia’s Corporate Marketing and Communications Head 

Mr. James Lim, NutriAsia’s corporate brand marketing and communications head, discussed the importance of recycling and environmental sustainability during the Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) project launch held last July 30 at The Mind Museum in BGC in Taguig. BYOB runs until September 12, Mondays through Sundays, 1 NN to 8PM. For more info, please visit https://nutriasia.com/bring-your-own-bottle.

NutriAsia’s James Lim, corporate brand marketing and communication head, Ms. Joana Lagurin, Assistant Corporate Marketing Manager, and Ms. Zsarlene Chua of Business World show a tote bag made from upcycled plastic materials during the July 30 launch of NutriAsia’s Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) advocacy at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig. 

Mr. James Lim, NutriAsia’s corporate brand marketing and communication head, Ms. Iza Gabrielle Iglesias of Manila Times, and Ms. Joana Lagurin, Assistant Corporate Marketing Manager, are shown with a decorative lamp cleverly made from upcycled plastic bottles. This and other surprises highlighted the launch of NutriAsia’s Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) campaign at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig, last July 30. 

Mr. James Lim, NutriAsia’s corporate brand marketing and communications head, Mr. Quinn Arreza, Principal of Gat Andres High School and Ms. Joana Lagurin, Assistant Corporate Marketing Manager, showcased a sleekly designed table made from upcycled plastic at the Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) launch held last July 30 at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig. 

Mr. Christopher Cahilig, filmmaker and president of Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc., who is shown with Ms. Joana Lagurin, Assistant Corporate Marketing Manager, flaunts a bag made from upcycled plastic during the launch of NutriAsia’s Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) project at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig, last July 30.

NutriAsia’s James Lim, corporate brand marketing and communication head, Ms. Joana Lagurin, Assistant Corporate Marketing Manager, and Vlogger, Mr. Khym Manalo, showcased a lamp made from upcycled plastic bottles during the Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) launch event last July 30 at The Mind Museum in BGC, Taguig.

BYOB, launched last July 30 and set to run until September 12, will be open Mondays through Sundays, 12 NN to 8PM, at The Mind Museum in BGC. For more info, please visit https://nutriasia.com/bring-your-own-bottle. 

CIGNAL TV Launches ONE PH—Ang Boses ng Nagkakaisang Pilipinas

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CIGNAL TV, the country’s no.1 Pay TV Provider, formally launched the latest addition to its exclusive lineup of news channels, ONE PH.

The hosts of One PH banner programs with the President and CEO of Cignal TV and TV 5 Ms. Jane J. Basas and the Head of Radio 5 Operations Ms. Gladys Lucas.

Names from left to right top row: : Patrick Paez, Manny Mogato, Atty. Bruce Rivera, Cheryl Cosim, Raffy Tulfo, Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, Ed Lingao, Lourd de Veyra, Dr. Jondi Flavier

Bottom row: Jove Francisco, Jerwin Camua, MJ Marfori, Arnel Ignacio, Ms. Jane J. Basas, Jennica Garcia, Marga Vargas, Ms. Gladys Lucas and Chiqui Vergel

The all-Filipino news channel is the third Cignal channel under the One branding, complementing One News, the English-language news channel and its sports channel One Sports.

“One PH furthers our commitment to deliver reliable news and public affairs programs that matter most to Filipinos,” says Sienna G. Olaso, Cignal TV Vice President of Channel Management.

“True to our goal to be ‘Ang Boses ng Pinagkakaisang Pilipinas’ One PH will be home to news programs that inform and educate, talk shows that inspire and entertain, and public service programs that will provide our fellow Filipinos a venue where they can seek help for their problems,” Olaso added.

One PH will continue its partnership with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Radyo 5 92.3 NewsFM, The Freeman and News5, to create more exclusive and engaging content for the channel.

ALL IN ONE PH: NEWS, PUBLIC SERVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT

ONE PH’s programming block will be headlined by its news and commentary programs such as “One Balita”the noontime daily news program hosted by Raffy Tulfo and Jamie Herrell and primetime news “Sa Totoo Lang”with Cheryl Cosim and Jove Francisco.

Make your weekday evenings more interesting with veteran journos Ed Lingao, Patrick Paez, Lourd de Veyra, Melvyn Calderon, Manny Mogato, and Jove Francisco as they talk about the day’s top headlines in “Wag Po”.

When it comes to public service, no other show comes close to Wanted Sa Radyo, as “Idol” Raffy Tulfo brings a different kind of drama every afternoon and proves why he is the true “Sumbungan ng Bayan”.

In need of advice? Mr. Chink Positive Chinkee Tan and Christine Bersola-Babao will teach you how to manage your finances in Mag-Badyet Tayo!, while millennial momsJennica Garcia and Pat Fernandez give parenting tips in Inay Ko Po!And for those who have questions about legal procedures, Atty. Ted Te has the answers in Usapang Kapa-TED.

As they say, “There’s no business like showbusiness,” and the Pambansang Iskuperaand Reyna ng IntrigaCristy Fermin will make sure you are always updated with the latest happenings in the local entertainment scene in Cristy Ferminuteas well as the juiciest blind items as she teams up with Manay Lolit Solis and Mr. Fu in Take It Per Minute.

Finally, for sports and motoring enthusiasts, you can catch all the exciting highlights with Zaldy Perez in Isport Lang,get motoring tips from Mike Potenciano and Lindy Pellicer in Turbo Timeand ride with Jay Tarucin the firstweekly motorcycle show Ride Radio.

ONE PH is a 24-hour news service on Cignal channel 6.