Powering the Next Revolution: PLDT Enterprise successfully wraps up Philippine Digital Convention 2021

Tweet

PLDT Enterprise has successfully staged the Philippine Digital Convention 2021, sharing significant insights to entrepreneurs and company decision-makers to leverage on emerging technologies that will help empower their businesses.

PLDT Enterprise held REVOLUTION: the Philippine Digital Convention 2021 last October 6 to 8 which gathered global technology leaders and industry experts in one platform.

Titled “REVOLUTION,” this year’s three-day digital convention that happened from October 6 to 8, presented avenues to explore novel ways of doing business, opportunities to unlock greater possibilities through adopting relevant solutions, and how to successfully pivot amid the current economic and industry conditions.

To fulfill their goal of driving technological enablement to the delegates, PLDT Enterprise invited thought leaders and industry experts to impart perspectives that would catalyze a new wave of revolution, where businesses of all sizes can maximize the power of technology.

Given the exponentially growing business landscape, companies need to assess critical areas in their businesses to remain competitive. It has become pivotal to evolve and elevate their game by proactively identifying new ways that can help them maximize growth opportunities.

It is thus imperative for entrepreneurs to look at trends happening now and be prepared for what’s coming next.

As such, companies need to constantly reinvent themselves to remain relevant with their desired customers and achieve their desired business outcomes through the use of technology.

 The PH Digicon 2021 Virtual Event Platform

Reinvent.

The Philippine Digital Convention is the most prestigious digital thought leadership event hosted by PLDT Enterprise.

This year’s PH Digicon featured over 120 industry leaders and experts, sharing their expertise on topics such as technology predictions, industry evolution, emerging technologies, among others.

On the first day of the convention, the delegates were welcomed in an interactive virtual platform where they would discover groundbreaking opportunities to reach greater heights in their respective industries during the digital event.

The three-day convention highlighted plenary sessions, which presented a full roster of prominent and esteemed personalities from different companies and industries all around the globe.

ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and International Business Groups Jovy I. Hernandez

ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and International Business Groups Jovy I. Hernandez opened the plenary session by introducing what revolution means and how it will impact society moving forward.

“We need to emerge from this crisis stronger. We cannot just rebuild and recover. We have to rediscover and redefine ourselves and our businesses. To harness technology and effectively navigate the new world of business, this revolution is mandating us not only to refresh our strategies but more importantly to rethink and rewire our mindsets and attitudes,” Hernandez shared.

Hernandez added that this period would give birth to more revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence, genome editing, 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, and IoT.

“Now is the time to reimagine the world of business as we would like it to be. This is not pure imagination. It is up to all of us to make dreams into reality,” he said.

For the first plenary discussion, the first power panel discussed embracing revolutionary technology as an imperative for companies to thrive amid the shifting needs of customers in the post-pandemic era.

The thought leaders who took part in the plenary session include Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC); John Harrington, Nokia Senior Vice President, Head of Asia-Pacific and Japan; Nicholas Ma, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business Group; Yasuo Suzuki, President of NTT Global Data Center, and Dave West, President of Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan, And Greater China

PH Digicon 2021’s official host and moderator Cathy Yap-Yang with Yasuo Suzuki, President of NTT Global Data Center, John Harrington, Nokia Senior Vice President, Head of Asia-Pacific and Japan, Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Dave West, President of Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan, And Greater China, Nicholas Ma, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business Group

They shared valuable insights on how their respective companies had overcome the challenges of the pandemic and what it means to have a revolutionary leadership to steer businesses and organizations to success.

“In many ways we have to adopt the revolutionary aspects of leadership, adopting abrupt changes in certain areas that are really needed but at the same time maintaining the values that are important to our company, to PLDT and the overall First Pacific Group,” he said.

PH Digicon 2021’s celebrity speaker Charlize Theron also spoke about her experiences in different aspects of life, as an award-winning Hollywood actress, film and TV producer, entrepreneur, and the UN Messenger of Peace.

PH Digicon 2021 celebrity headline speaker Charlize Theron

Theron left a piece of encouraging advice to women leaders since women’s empowerment has been a relevant issue in the business industry.

“Be resilient, find your crew, find your team, find and surround yourself by people who make you better, who challenge you, who push you… And I think understanding the value of leadership is not something that happens in a vacuum; doesn’t happen with one person.”

“It really happens with your village, it happens with constantly being hungry for that voice out there that might be of different than yours… Surround yourself with people who are like-minded but also different people that you can learn from. And never, ever, be too proud to say that you were wrong,” said Theron.

After the first plenary session, there were also tech leadership forums where significant perspectives on top technology trends and advancements in various industries were conferred.

PH Digicon 2021 Tech Leadership Forums’ official host and moderator broadcast journalist Danie Laurel

Three of the key themes discussed for the first day of the PH Digicon 2021 include adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), empowering the retail industry through an all-new digital experience, and enabling the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry through solutions and technologies.

Rediscover.

Meanwhile, the second day was opened by key executives from the private sector together with the government in an exclusive roundtable discussion to examine the prospects of priming the Philippines as the next hyperscaler destination and data center hub in the Asia Pacific.

Present during this portion include Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Ramon Lopez, Philippine Bureau of Investments Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dochosa, MPower Senior Vice President and Head Roberto R. Almazora, Yasuo Suzuki of NTT Data Center, and Structure Research Head of Research Jabez Tan.

They discussed the measures and technology investments currently done by both public and private institutions to lay the digital foundation of the Philippines for its bid to be the next strategic hyperscaler destination in the region.

The panel stressed that the Philippines has consistently increased its attractiveness to hyperscalers with critical investments in submarine cable systems in place, its stable political and business climate, increasing access to renewable energy, and the availability of a highly-educated and talented workforce and its high internet and smartphone penetration.

"The pandemic has pushed us to maximize the use of digital platforms, which accelerated the growth of our data center market. Our country's digital landscape makes it an ideal setting to support the growth of the hyperscalers as well as data center operations," said Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Mon Lopez.

PLDT VP and International Facilities Investments Management Head Gene Sanchez, on the other hand, said that PLDT is looking at all the building blocks necessary to make the Philippines the favored hub in Asia.

“The Philippines is already part of the big chain, but we need to make us more favorable. We have embarked on implementing an international submarine network—a plan that would support hyperscaler requirements. That means we will be able to scale up submarine capacity at will,” Sanchez said.

PLDT’s current international cable network comprises 15 global subsea cable systems, which will further be expanded with its investment in additional subsea cables such as Asia Direct Cable, Jupiter, and Apricot that are expected to be operational by the end of this year to 2022.

Moreover, PLDT Group also announced that it is set to build the first hyperscaler data center in the country designed to serve the hyperscale requirements of global tech giants.

Right after the incisive roundtable discussion, the delegates were engaged in the second plenary session where key PLDT executives talked about how industries adapted to the shift brought by the global health crisis and how they stayed resilient amid these unique challenges.

PLDT Enterprise FVP and Enterprise Revenue Group Head Mitch Locsin, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head Vic Tria, and Vice President and Enterprise Revenue Group Head for PLDT Enterprise Ding V. Villarino highlighted the role of innovation in various industries and how it ultimately advanced the economy forward despite the difficulties that companies had faced.

PLDT Enterprise FVP and Enterprise Revenue Group Head Mitch Locsin, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head Vic Tria, and Vice President and Enterprise Revenue Group Head for PLDT Enterprise Ding V. Villarino

Furthermore, the panel discussion featured how businesses have successfully outmaneuvered the disruption brought by the pandemic and how they are continuously adapting their business models to facilitate growth and success in the better normal.

Several prominent Filipino tycoons spoke during the discussion, including Penshoppe Group Chairman and CEO Bernie Liu, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer Joseph Tanbuntiong, JG Summit Holdings Inc. President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Century Pacific Food, Inc. Executive Chairman Chris Po, and Alliance Global Group Inc. CEO Kevin L. Tan.

IG Summit Holdings Inc. President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Penshoppe Group Chairman and CEO Bernie Liu, PLDT and Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer Joseph Tanbuntiong, Alliance Global Group Inc. CEO Kevin L. Tan and Century Pacific Food, Inc. Executive Chairman Chris Po

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO Al Panlilio also participated during this session and shared his insights and key learnings on what makes a revolutionary leader.

“It’s people-first mindset [for] both employee and customer, making sure they’re healthy, they’re safe, and decisions made around huge considerations for the people. From a leadership point of view, you have to be authentic, clear, and transparent to your people.

“In this pandemic, it is about leading bravely. We can never tell what will happen; thus, we must be more informed and, hopefully, make the right decisions… We have always pushed for a purpose, and that is to remain relevant to our customers,” said Panlilio.

In the afternoon, the tech leadership forums zeroed in on banking and e-commerce and strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture to stay resilient amid risks and attacks.

Likewise, key industry leaders also shared how the education sector has been adapting to these challenging times and what they could do to improve the delivery of enriched education experience to the students despite having an all-digital classroom.

Revolutionize.

The third and final day of the convention focused on the preparations for the next revolution in various industries and several business technologies that would continue to disrupt different market sectors.

The tech forum sessions focused on nurturing intelligent cities and what sustainable practices the public and private institutions must do to successfully transform urban areas into smart cities with ease and efficiency.

In addition, the convention also shared insights with regards to improving the delivery of health care services and how technology can be used to better equip healthcare facilities and healthcare workers to provide efficient, accessible, and inexpensive health care services to patients.

The closing plenary session has taught the delegates the fundamental requirements they should initiate to transform and stay competitive both locally and abroad.

PLDT Enterprise Core Business Solutions FVP & Head Jojo Gendrano underscored that to fully embrace digital transformation, companies need to have a clear and well-communicated strategy to lay the vision of what their customers want and where they want to take them in the company.

“The next step is structuring a team that is fit to transform the organization is important with clear lines of ownership and accountability set. And next is to pick partners that you can trust… On the side, if you want to be a brand and product leader, investments in resources like R&D are needed to achieve that differentiation. And lastly, things will not always go our way and this is where resilience comes in,” Gendrano noted.

Be the Revolution.

For business owners – whether of small or large enterprises - looking to be part of the digital revolution, the Philippine Digital Convention encourages you to step ahead, explore opportunities and learn how you can transform your organization to be at par with global industry leaders.

By consistently searching for insights, learnings, and being willing to embrace digital transformation, you will experience how industry players are incorporating digitalization into their business activities and how it propelled their organizations to succeed.

Relive the three-day convention like no other via the PH Digicon 2021 content on-demand exclusively available at phdigicon2021.com.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com. 

Eastern Communications awarded as Asia’ Best Employer Brand

Tweet

Eastern Communications, one of the premier telecommunications companies in the Philippines, has been awarded as Asia’s Best Employer Brand at the recent Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2021 held in a hybrid awarding ceremony in India. 

With their exemplary support for employees amidst these unprecedented times, Eastern Communications with its internal campaign entitled “Happy Eastern Campaign” received the recognition among organizations that have used marketing communications and employee engagement activities in effectively in attracting, retaining and developing talent, and promoting overall employee welfare. 

The campaign focused on the well-being and health of Eastern Communications’ employees, reinforcing strong connections within the organization in the time of isolation. On top of financial and medical assistance, the company also provided interactive and engaging virtual activities such as digital dialogues, wellness webinars, online games, and donation activities for frontliners. Eastern Communications also created COVID-19 Task Force at the onset of the pandemic that implements guidelines, shares updates, and ensures proper sanitation. This unit also focuses on executing government protocol on the pandemic, addressing employees’ health related concerns, and developing safety guidelines and return-to-work plans.

“I would like to thank the organizers and jurors of the Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards for this recognition. Not only are we here to provide a strong connection to businesses, but we are also committed to ensuring that our employees are safe, healthy, productive, and are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the pandemic,” shared Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator Atty. Aileen Regio.

Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2021 recognized the organizations who used marketing communications effectively for Human Resource Development and in developing and innovating talent. It is intensely researched by the undersigned and chaired and headed by Dr. Indira Parikh Ex-Dean of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

For more information about Eastern Communications’ initiatives, visit eastern.com.ph. 

This 22-Year-Old Shopee Xpress Rider and Student-Athlete Builds a Brighter Future Through Diskarte and Discipline

Tweet

Twenty-two-year-old Josel Sisor carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He works hard as a Shopee Xpress rider, while also striving to achieve his dreams as a student-athlete.

Josel Sisor finds fulfillment in learning how to become financially independent as a Shopee Xpress rider

Josel, who is currently a fourth-year scholar, sports science major, and table tennis athlete at San Beda University, began working as a rider right after the pandemic set in a year and a half ago. After hearing about a friend who took up a side gig as a rider, he took the opportunity to earn some extra cash as well.

Though his father, a factory worker, and mother, a messenger, both work hard to provide for the family, Josel wants to lighten their financial burden by becoming more financially independent, especially during uncertain times such as these. Even before the pandemic, he busied himself with other part-time motorcycle delivery gigs to help his parents out. As the eldest in a brood of five, Josel sets an example for his siblings.

Josel wakes up before 6:00 AM each day to pick up a batch of parcels at the nearby Shopee Xpress hub and deliver them to shoppers. At noon, he goes back home for online classes and training. Whenever he has time to spare, he delivers more batches of parcels. Josel initially found it hard to focus with such a packed routine, but eventually found his groove. “Na-aapply ko ‘yung pagiging student-athlete sa pamamagitan ng disiplina at pagbalanse ng oras,” he shares.

He is determined to create a brighter future by graduating and becoming a table tennis coach someday. He also finds motivation from his sukis, fellow riders, and his family. He particularly dedicates his earnings and hard work to his beloved, ailing 78-year-old grandmother, who underwent back surgery last year. “Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lola ko sa lahat ng sakripisyo niya, sa pag-aalaga niya sakin simula nu’ng bata pa ako. Kahit walang-wala siya, lahat binibigay niya pa rin. Ang hiling ko lang, sana gumaling na siya,” he says.

Aside from his grandmother’s improved health, Josel’s only wish is for a new motorcycle. His run-down motorcycle would often break down mid-delivery, and he’d end up finishing work well into the night. After hearing of Josel’s heartening story of dedication, Shopee donated not just a brand-new motor vehicle to Josel, but accessories and groceries as well.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, says, “We are deeply humbled by Josel’s devotion to his work as a Shopee Xpress rider, but most especially to his family and dreams. To the rest of our Shopee Xpress riders, you inspire us all as well. You are indeed the true lifeblood of Shopee.”

Whether as the awesome, reliable kuya at home, the driven student-athlete at school, or the diligent Shopee Xpress rider at work, Josel inspires everyone he meets. He feels grateful for the opportunity to start securing his future and the lessons he has gained along the way from his team leads and fellow riders.

As a Shopee Xpress rider, he finds fulfillment in learning how to stand on his own two feet. He adds, “Gusto kong sabihin sa tropang SPX na kahit araw-araw mahirap ang ginagawa, kalaban natin ang init at ulan, tuluy-tuloy lang. ‘Wag tayong susuko, balang araw tayo rin nasa taas.”

Watch Josel’s journey as a Shopee Xpress rider here. Visit Shopee Philippines on Facebook and Youtube, and Shopee Cares on Facebook.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

DITO opens more Experience Stores across Luzon

Tweet

DITO Telecommunity, which now has over 3 million subscribers and covers almost 300 cities and municipalities across the country, is opening more of its DITO Experience Stores in Metro Manila and other cities in Luzon in September and October.

DITO Store, Robinsons Galleria EDSA: (L-R) Nina Baradi, Retail Area Manager for NCR, Yolly Mariano, Retail Trade Manager and Mr. Faraday Go, EVP-Robinsons Land Corporation

Designed by renowned architectural firm Manosa and Company, each store proudly reflects the Philippines’ weaving traditions to represent the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The interior design also stays true to DITO Telecommunity’s mission of weaving communities together.

Aside from promoting Philippine culture, every DITO Experience Store centers on providing visitors with a safe and unparalleled customer journey. Consumers are welcomed and assisted by friendly DITO personnel while following strict health protocols to ensure everyone’s well-being. Invited social media personalities will also be part of the opening days’ activities in all stores.

Visit the newly opened DITO Experience Stores in Robinson’s Galleria South, SM Bacoor, SM Marilao Bulacan, and Robinsons Galleria, Greenhills, SM North Edsa, SM Manila, Marquee Mall, Sta. Lucia East, and Glorietta and be ready to #MoveAtTheSpeedofLife with DITO’s featured products and offers.

DITO Store, Greenhills

Customers who visit the stores during the opening day will get a chance to receive premium DITO items such as limited-edition face masks, gadget organizers, and sanitation kits. Giveaways also await those who will post about their DITO Experience Store visits on social media.

More stores will be opening this October including SM City South Mall and Udenna Tower on October 17!

DITO Store, SM North EDSA

DITO Telecommunity

For more information, visit www.dito.ph or check out @DITOPhOfficial’s social media pages.

Ben&Ben team up with Taiwanese Mandopop star WeiBird on dreamlike track “Cheap Love”

Tweet

2021 has been a massive year for Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben in terms of commercial and critical success. Their sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno has earned glowing praises from reputable music critics and publications in the Philippines and Asia, with Rick Olivares of ABS-CBN News calling it a “brilliant masterpiece” and Paul John Caña of Esquire Philippines pointing out its vital role in establishing the band as the “pre-eminent artist of their generation.” In less than two months, Ben&Ben’s recently released album has surpassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone—a groundbreaking feat that attests to the group’s universal appeal and enduring impact for nearly an entire decade.

After achieving records in both streaming and digital sales and sending their songs to the top of the music charts, Ben&Ben are determined to put their work on the global music map with the release of “Cheap Love,” a new collaborative single with acclaimed and best-selling Taiwanese singer-songwriter WeiBird.

Epitomizing the moment when dawn shows its first light, “Cheap Love” is the sonic equivalent of wandering between a dreamlike state and an awakened mind throughout the night. It’s about the journey of finding a long, lasting love after having experienced so much pain in the past. According to William Wei, known professionally as WeiBird, the title of the song is a play on words, and nothing more than just faint bliss and ecstasy. “It’s a temporary band-aid for a big gushing wound, but it never fills the hole inside. Moreover, it increases the feeling of emptiness. What I’m trying to say is, you can’t bargain your way into love. Love is truly hard to find.”

Ben&Ben interprets the material in the same manner as WeiBird does, aware of the reality that comes with seeking genuine love in the direst of situations. “With the chorus repeating over and over how difficult it is to find a ‘rhyme better than you and I,’ it shows how drawn and enamored we are by the idea of love but oftentimes find ourselves in a pit when trying to really make it something more.”

With its stripped-down instrumentation embracing listeners with a sense of comforting warmth, “Cheap Love” expresses the woes and triumphs of a generation caught up in romantic longing and desire. The listening experience is made more compelling by the vocal harmonies of Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin, and the earnest delivery of WeiBird, making the audience feel more hopeful than ever despite the uncertainty of the present conditions.

“We’re grateful that by just being our authentic selves musically, we were able to add to the song both in production, vocals, and instrumentation something that WeiBird seemed to be happy with,” the nine-piece group shares in a statement. “We took an active role in building on the magic that the song already had, and we’re happy with how it turned out.”

The song was written and produced by WeiBird himself, with co-production and mixing duties by frequent collaborators Aven Tsai and Sean Sinclair. The Mandopop and folk-pop star explains that Ben&Ben also pitched in ideas for the arrangement and music side of things, resulting into a more polished, sonically impressive output that showcases the best of both worlds.

WeiBird adds, “I wrote, played and produced the whole song on the album version. However, for this collab I haven’t had to do much because Ben&Ben was amazing. I remember listening to a demo of them playing along to my original track, and I could already imagine how it would come to be later. And the final results were not far from my imagination. It was awesome.”

“Cheap Love” is the first single off WeiBird’s first official English album. It follows the success of his fifth studio album, Sounds Of My Life, which peaked at No.1 on Taiwanese album charts in 2020, and received four nominations at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Mandarin Album. The track also serves as the second international collaboration of Ben&Ben after “Leaves,” featuring K-pop star Young K.

“Cheap Love” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Taiwan. The official music video will premiere on 10.15.21 at 10pm, PH time.