Ateneo helps frontliners, affected communities amid COVID-19 outbreak

Tweet

With the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the need to support our healthcare workers and the underprivileged has been of tantamount importance to stave off the spread of the virus. 

The Ateneo de Manila University has been actively playing a part in making a difference in the lives of frontliners and those adversely affected by the declaration of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) brought about by the pandemic. 

Just last April 15, Ateneo opened its doors to 23 medical and support staff from the Quirino Medical Center, one of the government hospitals that are leading the battle against COVID-19. The dormitory inside the Institute of Social Order was picked to house the healthcare workers (HCWs). Under the “Project Panunuluyan: Kanlungan at Bayanihan” Ateneo will provide board and lodging for the HCWs, plus a point-to-point shuttle service to and from the hospital, until May 15, 2020. 

Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, president of the Ateneo de Manila welcomes several medical and support staff from the Quirino Medical Center.

"We consider it a privilege to be of service somehow to our [healthcare workers] by providing this place where they can rest, reflect, and renew their body and spirit," Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, president of Ateneo de Manila University said. "This is panunuluyan during Easter time, a time to open ourselves to how the Spirit is entreating and moving us in the world today.”

Aside from providing temporary shelter to our health care workers, Ateneo is also offering psychological support through the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services. The center provides free online counselling and psychological first aid to frontliners who need assistance amid these difficult times. 

Ateneo has also provided over 12,500 meals to the health care workers of the Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, East Avenue Medical Center, and the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

In addition, Ateneo has helped in providing personal protective equipment to our health care workers in 96 health institutions. The University, in close coordination with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), also gave hazardous material (hazmat) suits to The Medical City. The specifications of the hazmat suit design came from ASMPH Dean Dr. Cenon R. Alfonso, M.D., and produced by Marie Alexene Cabantac and Dennie Tan Ruiz using a fabric called Taslan 80 gsm which makes the suits reusable after proper decontamination.

Dr. Lourdes “Des” Jimenez (center), Chairperson of The Medical City’s Emergency Room Medicine and Dr. Menandro Sandoval (right), Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Alumnus and ER Medicine staff, received the hazmat suits donation.

The Areté Makerspace team has also assembled more than 1,600 face shields for the use of healthcare professionals in various hospitals in Metro Manila and around the country.

“We are one with our frontliners as they bravely face this disease. What we’re doing for them is just our own little way to help them with their burden as they continue to lead this fight against COVID-19. We are proud to support them and will continue to do whatever we can to make a difference in their lives,” Villarin said.

Meanwhile, Ateneo has also been taking part in assisting communities affected by the declaration of the ECQ. Over 44,600 families have already been given food and relief packs containing various essential goods. 

Tanging Yaman Foundation has also been helping fishing communities in Visayas by purchasing their products. This past Holy Week, Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ and the Ateneo-Jesuit consortium ordered 38 tons of assorted bulad or dried fish that were also added to the relief packs that were given to poor families here in Metro Manila. 

In partnership with the De La Salle Brothers and the Philippine Jesuits, Ateneo has also helped provide a safe shelter to 446 individuals. 

“We believe that this is an opportunity for the entire Ateneo community to come together and help people who need it most. And I am proud that many in our community are stepping up to extend a helping hand during this crisis,” Villarin added.

To know how you can help, visit giving.ateneo.edu.

Alfamart Ph continues Super Minimart openings to serve more communities

Tweet

Amid the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines, has resumed its expansion to cater to the needs of local communities.

The newly opened Alfamart branch in Bagong Silang, Caloocan enforces strict social distancing in compliance with ECQ rules. Having “walking distance” Super Minimarts nearby keep residents from having to go out too far just to get supplies.

What was once a simple and mundane task has been made more challenging and risky by the ECQ. 

Grocery shopping is now much more complicated than it used to be, as people now have to contend with curfews, checkpoints, social distancing, and quarantine passes to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To help address these concerns and alleviate the burden on individual households, neighborhood minimarts like Alfamart have become more popular destinations for these errands, as they are closer to home. 

In the recent week, Alfamart opened eight new stores across Luzon; namely, in Tabun, Angeles, Pampanga; Barangay 176, Bagong Silang, Caloocan; Poblacion, Floridablanca, Pampanga; Palico, Imus, Cavite; Silangan, Rosario, Cavite; Daan Sarile, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Saog, Marilao, Bulacan; and Grand Valley Subdivision, Angono, Rizal.

Ten more stores are opening in other locations in May.

Alfamart Philippines COO Harvey Ong pointed out that the expansion amid the ECQ is more about following through on Alfamart’s advocacy to improve communities. “The ECQ has been very challenging for everyone, especially those living in communities that are significantly farther from malls, supermarkets, and groceries,” Ong said. “We want to bring that safe, convenient, and comfortable shopping experience closer to home through our Super Minimarts,” he continued.

Ong also highlighted how Alfamart is doing everything it can to reduce health risks, and inconveniences, for both employees and customers. “Our stores follow strict sanitary and hygiene protocols. We also provide PPEs for our frontline and backend staff,” he said. “Also, as part of our walk-to-work philosophy, we hire our store crew locally. As much as possible, we prefer our employees to be within walking distance of their assigned stores. This helps manage their travel time,” he further explained.

Ong enumerated other measures that ensure the store staff are taken care of such as free shuttle rides, proper coordination with checkpoints for expedited supply chain deliveries, proper scheduling and shorter operating hours.

Alfamart frontline staff disinfecting incoming customers to minimize transmissions. As seen in the photo Alfamart branches are operating at limited hours, instead of the usual 24/7, amid the ECQ.

Alfamart frontline staff restocking personal hygiene shelves. Keeping the shelves stocked amid the ECQ is a fully operational distribution center that delivers needed supplies to over 800 stores.

Most Alfamart employees are local hires from within the community. The Super Minimart chain has been encouraging a “walk-to-work” philosophy even before the ECQ.

“In these trying times, everyone is called to be vigilant and serve. Alfamart will do its part to help the community by keeping as many of our existing stores open and reaching out to more communities so we can serve more people,” he concluded.

Makati innovates financial aid distribution amid COVID-19 through GCash

Tweet

With the help of GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, the City of Makati will disburse the second tranche of financial assistance to over 8,000 drivers to help them cope with the national health crisis and aid them in providing for their families.

According to Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, each of the 8,376 jeepney, tricycle, and pedicab drivers in Makati will receive P2,000 via their GCash accounts. Broken down, the beneficiaries are: 5,952 registered tricycle drivers, 598 pedicab drivers, and 1,826 jeepney drivers who are part of the Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA).

This is the second tranche of the local government’s initiative to provide P16.7 million financial assistance to the city’s transportation sector via electronic means to ensure transparency and to avoid physical transactions in light of the dangers brought by COVID-19.

The first tranche of the financial aid was disbursed three weeks ago via manual cash distribution, but the City of Makati found that handing out financial aid via GCash is much faster and more efficient versus having city hall employees go through each house to send money.

“Drivers who are Makatizen cardholders will receive their financial aid through their GCash e-wallets. We will also course through GCash the cash grant for our citizens who have yet to receive their Makatizen Cards. It’s a big help for both the city and its residents not only because it’s a faster way of transferring money for everyday use, but also because it also promotes public health by avoiding physical contact,” said Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.

Health experts around the world have found that paper money increases the risk of viral transmission since harmful bacteria and viruses can survive on its surface for several days. Given the safety protocols implemented by the government this past month, digital fund transfers are becoming the norm.

Establishments ranging from grocery stores to organizations collecting donations have shifted

to digital financial services like GCash for a more efficient way of transacting and transferring money amid the pandemic. Government units also are encouraged to utilize such platforms to promote accountability and health safety in the distribution of financial aid to intended beneficiaries.

Makati is the first city in Metro Manila to implement contactless financial assistance through GCash and the Makatizen Card.

Likewise, the City of Makati will be creating GCash accounts for non-Makatizen card holders based on the mobile number and other information that they have provided to the local government.

Once they receive the financial aid, beneficiaries can opt to use their card or e-wallet to buy food, medicines, and other products from grocery stores, convenience centers, and even pharmacies. They may also use the funds to pay their utility bills or government dues, or even transfer cash to their loved ones through the GCash app.

Recipients of the financial aid may also cash out or withdraw the money through authorized GCash Cash In/Cash Out agents. They only need to present a government issued ID and a text message showing the remittance of the financial assistance to their Makatizen card or GCash e-wallet.

Through its digital wallet, GCash has paved the way for 20 million Filipinos to have a safer and more efficient way of transacting either online or offline. With roughly 70,000 partner merchants across the archipelago, GCash users can dispense with the use of paper bills whenever they need to buy their essentials to protect themselves from the virus.

“We at GCash always strive to provide relevant services to our customers. Seeing our platform being used by local governments as a conduit for financial assistance to help their citizens cope with the national health crisis encourages us further to focus on creating impact to the ways of people, businesses, government institutions, and organizations especially during these very challenging times,” GCash Chief Technology and Operations Officer Pebbles Sy said.

HBO Asia Original Series ‘The Head’ Premieres June 12 on HBO GO and HBO

Tweet

WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks recently announced the premiere date and released the trailer of the brand-new HBO Asia Original, The Head, produced in association with Hulu Japan and THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO. 

The series will premiere on 12 June at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO.

The Head is a survival thriller set in the Polaris VI international polar station in Antarctica during its long, dark Antarctic months, engulfed by the cold, the wind and the vast expanses of ice. A select group of scientists from different countries are in charge of maintaining the base operational during the long polar nights. But in the midst of winter, the station suddenly stops communicating with the outside world. With dialogues in English and Danish, the suspenseful storyline develops over six hour-long episodes and is directed by Jorge Dorado (“The Pier”, “Mindscape”).

The Head’s international cast include Tomohisa Yamashita (“Code Blue”), John Lynch (“The Terror”), Katherine O'Donnelly (“Mary Queen of Scots”), Alexandre Willaume (“Below the Surface”, “Tomb Raider”), Laura Bach (“Sprinter Galore”), Sandra Andreis (“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”), Amelia Hoy (“Killing Eve”) , Chris Reilly (“Allied”, “Everest”), Richard Sammel (“Inglorious Bastards”) and Tom Lawrence (“The King”, “The Crown”), in addition to the special collaboration

The series was shot in a two-thousand-square-meter studio in Tenerife, Spain, where the purpose-built set of the Polaris VI research station where most of the action takes place was erected, reproduced to actual scale, based on information about the layout and operation of this type of scientific facility, which enabled the show-runners to film long shots of the characters wandering around inside the station with complete authenticity. The production crew also travelled to the rugged landscapes of Iceland to shoot the series' exteriors, although most of the story is set inside the polar station, which provides a particular feel of encapsulation.

The Head was presented in a forum session at Series Mania in 2017, a prestigious international festival in France, and garnered enormous interest among representatives from the media and entertainment industry.

SYNOPSIS

Winter has fallen on the South Pole. The sun will soon disappear for the next six months. A small team of scientists, known as the Winterers, will remain at the Polaris VI Antarctic Research Station to continue their innovative research. 

Their work is crucial in the fight against climate change and they are under the command of renowned biologist Arthur Wilde (John Lynch). But when spring comes, summer commander Johan Berg (Alexander Willaume) returns to the station only to find most of the team dead or missing. 

A killer is on the loose and Annika (Laura Bach), Johan's wife, is missing too. If he wants to find her alive, he will have to trust Maggie (Katherine O’Donnelly), the young doctor who is profoundly shaken and apparently the sole survivor from the group… or, is there someone else who survived?

TECHNICAL SPECS

An HBO Asia Original production, in association with A THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO and HULU JAPAN / Creators: Àlex Pastor & David Pastor / Directed by: Jorge Dorado / Screenwriters: Àlex Pastor & David Pastor and Isaac Sastre / Production Director: Anna Vilella / Production Design: Alain Bainée / Cinematography by: David Acereto / Original Score by: Federico Judid / Executive Producers: Laura Fdez. Espeso, Javier Méndez, Ran Tellem, Bernat Elías, Mariano Baselga, Kazufumi Nagasawa, Jorge Dorado, Àlex Pastor & David Pastor

The Head will premiere on HBO and HBO Go onJune 12, 2020.

Filipino startups step up, harness the power of tech to help combat COVID-19

Tweet

Manila, Philippines — The impact of COVID-19 left many businesses navigating the digital space. Some are caught off guard while others utilize their expertise in technology. Take it from Filipino startups who have been stepping up to help combat COVID-19 in their own ways. To provide tips on how they’re doing it, startup founders gathered for a QLITAN, a bi-weekly networking event hosted by QBO Philippines since 2016.

MyKuya volunteer runners serve as frontliners at this time by helping run errands for those stuck at home and vulnerable to COVID-19. Photo credit: MyKuya

But this time, QLITAN was held online. In this virtual event, founders shared how they are responding to the crisis. Headlining the session titled “Startup Survival Guide — Adapting to the New Norm” are Moritz Gastl, vice-president of Growth of First Circle, a startup which provides business financing and access to credit; Shahab Shabibi, co-founder of MyKuya, an app that allows on-demand services such as grocery deliveries; Gabby Dizon, CEO and cofounder of mobile and blockchain game studio Altitude Games; Stefano Fazzini, CEO of online grocery delivery service MetroMart; and Bonnie Factor, founder of Leading with Success.

These startups are now using this opportunity to create a lasting difference — banding together and using technology not only to ease people’s burdens but even potentially save lives.

“Startups are called to do what they do best — they are rising up to this challenge by deploying innovative solutions, moving quickly, and showing us how we can harness the power of technology for the greater good. We are seeing startups from different industries working hard at this time, from logistics to ecommerce to fintech and edutech,” said Katrina Chan, director of QBO.

Startups aiding the government on the battle against COVID-19

Now more than ever, the tech capability of startups can help the government in a number of ways. The Department of Science and Technology with Developers Connect helped launch the RapidPass system where frontliners manning checkpoints can easily inspect vehicles and individuals by scanning QR codes.

Senti, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning, provides the knowledge-base for the chatbots that the Department of Health deploys in different channels to address COVID-19-related inquiries. Local tech company Multisys, on the other hand, developed the online and mobile platform StaySafe.ph which aims to help the government in conducting efficient contact tracing.

To enable faster response from local government units (LGUs) in the fight against COVID-19, Limitless Lab, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, developed LGU vs COVID PH. The platform is an easy-to-use, updated, and reliable dashboard of all COVID-19 related information which LGUs can use and refer to.

Startups offering convenience, on-demand services

Unknown to many, some of the essential needs met at this time are also powered by startups. MetroMart enables people who are stuck at home to have their goods delivered right at their doorstep. To further harness its capability, MetroMart launched MetroMart Cares, a special online store for grocery donations in partnership with World Vision and Gawad Kalinga. Another startup, Zagana, helps bridge the gap for local farmers and consumers in need of fresh fruits and vegetables.

MyKuya also provides convenience during the quarantine by helping run errands for those stuck at home and vulnerable to COVID-19. Some of its services include meal delivery, bills payment, and pharmacy and grocery runs. AIDE, a home healthcare platform, connects patients and medical professionals straight from their smartphones.

Even outside the Metro, startups continue to thrive. Pandalivery, an on-demand food delivery service available in Camarines Sur and Albay, expanded its service by including groceries and medicines to help amidst the quarantine. Streetby, an app that allows different merchants to continue to reach households in areas in Mindanao including Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Davao, General Santos, and Iligan.

Startups connecting the world, bringing communities together

Aside from providing essentials, startups are also mobilizing their resources and skills to aid in addressing challenges brought about by COVID-19. QBO incubatees Container Living and Kumu are harnessing the power of their community.

Container Living, a startup which converts containers to buildings in its effort to lower carbon footprint and costs, saw the opportunity to pivot their innovation to address the overcrowding of medical facilities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Container Living CEO Mac Evangelista spearheaded Rapid Deployment (RAD) Hospitals alongside its team of local architects, professionals and engineers to build scalable, easy-to-deploy, isolation and intensive care facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Filipino startup Container Living spearheads the creation of Rapid Deployment Hospitals to aid in the overcrowding of medical facilities due to COVID-19. Photo credit: Container Living

Livestreaming app Kumu launched Kumu Lives Streaming Service which conducts private live streams for free in an effort to enable Filipino communities, here and around the world, to hold events and gatherings online amid the quarantine, and Social DistanSING, a livestreaming initiative for a cause which brought together artists and celebrities online to share their talents and help raise funds for families affected by COVID-19. To date, Kumu’s cause has raised an estimate of Php1.2 million pesos for charity.

“At a time when most of us are relying on technology to stay connected and keep working, these startups are showing us how it can be done. They are, in a way, frontliners in their own rights, taking initiative to tackle this crisis by leveraging their strengths in technology to help our country move forward despite the challenges brought by this pandemic,” added Chan. “Our mantra at QBO is ‘Filipino Startups Changing the World’. We have always believed that our homegrown ventures and innovators can make a meaningful contribution to solving critical challenges and create impact. Now, our startups are showing what they’re capable of, and we hope that everyone will take notice, and recognize the crucial role that Filipino startups can play in bringing fresh ideas into action and will continue to support them in future.”

Photo shows startup founders Shahab Shabibi, co-founder of MyKuya; Gabby Dizon, CEO and cofounder of Altitude Games; Moritz Gastl, vice-president of Growth of First Circle; Stefano Fazzini, CEO of MetroMart; and Bonnie Factor, founder of Leading with Success with moderator Rocky Chan and QBO Head of Operations Natasha Bautista and QBO Director Katrina Chan during the first virtual QLITAN session held amidst COVID-19. 

(Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub)

For its part, QBO also harnesses the power of tech by continuously providing support and learning opportunities to Filipino startups, making sure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to push forward despite the threat of COVID-19. For more information, visit facebook.com/QBOphilippines/ and qbo.com.ph/.

About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.