Symph commits to empowering Individuals via AI app, creating a smarter, more connected future

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Symph is a dynamic software development consulting firm in the Philippines where they build web and mobile apps accessible and enjoyable for everyone, pushing the limits of technology, and creating a smarter, more connected future.

To inspire and empower people to embrace and reap the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, Symph works with team of developers, designers, project managers, marketers, product owners, and QA pros are committed to crafting AI apps that are not just functional, but also fun for everyone.

Recently, Symph, had a #SymphAI30x30 Media Party held in BGC last May 23, 2023. Just a few days earlier, on May 18, 2023, another press conference took place at The Company Cebu. And now, it was Manila's turn to host this remarkable event.

Symph is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering understanding of AI's role within society. The event served as a crucial step toward achieving these goals. Symph extends its heartfelt thanks to the media representatives who actively supported the event, aiding in educating the public about the impact of AI on the community and addressing potential challenges.

Symph is eagerly anticipating its upcoming AI events and initiatives. With a strong commitment to #BuildOpenlyWithAI, the company invites everyone to join them in pushing the boundaries of technology and shaping a future where humans are the drivers, not mere subjects, of technology.

"We have this theme, Build Openly with AI. We share our AI apps as work-in-progress. More importantly, we invite the community to try the apps and we listen to their feedback. Together, we are building the future we want to create," Symph Chief Operating Officer, Jarrhey dela Peña stated during the event.

During the press conference, Symph showcased the AI apps developed by its talented team based in Manila. 

Edson Carreon, full-stack developer, introduced Grognak,

Grognak an AI Caveman app that simplifies complex topics for better understanding. This app holds great potential for museums and tech or science-related events, making learning a fun and effortless experience for kids.

Ragan Lamoc, full-stack developer, demonstrated Fitplanr.

It is an AI-powered personal trainer app that generates custom gym programs. By seamlessly integrating with gyms and fitness amenities, Fitplanr empowers both gym-goers and beginners to kickstart their workouts with confidence.

Jarrhey dela Peña showcased Prompeteer which was developed by Michael Suarez, AI and Fullstack engineer based in Cebu. 

Jarrhey personally uses the app daily, which empowers users to create AI-powered chatbots without coding. After Jarrhey demoed the app, media participants were able to create their own AI apps within minutes. Prompeteer offers businesses an opportunity to showcase their brand persona through an AI app, helping customers make informed purchase decisions through engaging conversations.

Symph is excited to captivate audiences with its upcoming AI events and initiatives. The company is dedicated to reshaping the AI landscape, constantly exploring new horizons and pushing the boundaries of technological advancements. With their unwavering commitment to #BuildOpenlyWithAI, Symph invites everyone to join them on this exciting journey. Get ready to be inspired and amazed!

Know more about Symph, visit: https://www.symph.co/

Kwentoon Fest happens this July at the SM Megatrade Hall

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An event for kids and kids at heart! Kwentoon Fest happens on July 1-2 at the SM Megatrade Hall. There will be toys, games, comics/manga, and more - the event promises to be 'the Coachella for Pinoy families. 

What to do at Kwentoon Fest? 

GET ACCESS DISCOUNTED TOYS AND MORE

Affordable toys from their partner brands and merchandise sellers.

MEET YOUR FAVORITE PINOY CREATORS 

Artists such as Pol Medina (of Pugad Baboy), Aj Bacara (of Sskait), Ivyree Del Rosario (Little Things PH), and Drew Borja (of Hunghang Flashbacks) will be present at the event, along with over 150 artists.

ATTEND FREE WORKSHOPS

Kwentoon Fest is a fun and educational event for kids where they can learn Animation from Mookie Tamara, who has worked on Big Hero 6: The Series, Ducktales (2017), Oggy and the Cockroaches, and Lackadaisy. 

Aspiring artists can also attend panel talks from Tristan Yuvienco (Character Designer for Disney, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks), Tepai Pascual (Duty Ka Ba Komiks), and Elmer Damaso (Titan Comics, Robotech), who will share their insights about the creative industry as well as character design, storytelling, and manga creation.

THE FIRST PHILIPPINE CONTENT FOR CHILDREN AWARDS

One of Kwentoon’s major advocacy is to promote content for kids and teens. Thus, outstanding works from their intensive Visual Storytelling training shall be awarded.

GAMES

Jack En Poy Competition Yes, you heard that right! Join the Jack En Poy Competition and win a cash prize (₱ 500). Open for participants from 15 and above. 

Games: Mobile Legends Who said mobile games are just for kids? Dads, Moms, Titos/Titas (MPT) are invited to compete in the first MPT Mobile Legends Competition.

Kwentoon Festival will happen on July 1-2 at the SM MEGA TRADE HALL 3 for any inquiries on how to join this event. 

Visit Kwentoon.com and their Facebook for more information. Tickets are ₱150 each, and kids 12 years old and below are FREE.

Kwentoon - Mga kwentong Cartoon atbp. for kids and kids at heart

Figaro Group partners with UnionBank to help digitize customer payments

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Figaro Coffee Group, Inc. (Figaro Group), one of the leading food conglomerates in the country, recently partnered with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) to help digitize customer payments in its retail restaurants nationwide. The partnership was formalized through a contract signing last May 25 at the Figaro Coffee Cafe at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.

Under the partnership, UnionBank shall provide a QRPh code to Figaro Group, which it can use to collect payments from customers in its more than 150 retail restaurants, expanding its available payment channels. UnionBank shall also provide training to Figaro Group's restaurant personnel to familiarize them with the use of QRPh.

"This partnership with UnionBank is beneficial to us [at Figaro Group] especially to our customers as it provides them with even more ways to pay for their purchases in our stores," said Figaro Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Divina Gracia Cabuloy. "UnionBank has been a partner of us for a very long time and we look forward and are very excited for what this new partnership will bring."

"What's great about QRPh is that it's very easy to use, it's secure, and you can be sure that the money goes to the recipient as intended. From the merchant or corporate's perspective, they get their money in real time, as opposed to cash, which the merchant needs to collect and physically deposit to their account" said UnionBank Corporate Banking Center Head, Nino Fajardo. “UnionBank is at the forefront, encouraging the wide-spread use of QRPh to help the Philippines move towards a digital and sustainable future.”

With QRPh, customers can now use the "Scan to Pay" feature of the UnionBank Online app or their favorite online banking app or e-wallet in different Figaro Coffee, Angel's Pizza, Cafe Portofino, Tien Ma's and AP Express branches nationwide, enabling more convenient and more secure transactions.

"One of the benefits of using QRPh is that it helps minimize cash handling and the pain points associated with it, such as the inconvenience of giving back loose change, and even pilferage. It also minimizes the costs of handling cash," said UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head, Gerry Austria.

The partnership is just one of the many ways UnionBank is helping promote the wider use of digital payments in the Philippines in line with its "Tech-Up Pilipinas" advocacy which aims to help the whole country digitize in the name of nation-building.

AXA Mind Health Study cites ‘the Great Resignation may not be over’ in the PH

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A recent study conducted by leading insurance provider AXA Philippines showed that Filipinos who are struggling at work are almost twice as likely to resign within a year compared to the rest of the world. This accounts for 32% of Filipinos surveyed, versus the global average of 17%, suggesting that the “Great Resignation” is still a continuing trend as professionals continue to re-evaluate their career choices.

The AXA Mind Health study also revealed that job stress (39%), better job and higher pay (39%), the need for work-life balance (32%), and a toxic work culture (31%) are among the top reasons cited by Filipino workers for intending to leave their current jobs.

Going through the ‘Great Resignation’

The study, which highlighted the importance of addressing mind health concerns in the workplace to improve employees’ retention and overall job satisfaction, revealed that the Philippines has the highest resignation rate globally at 18%. Numbers also showed that the intent to resign may not translate to actual resignations with only 14% of Filipino workers actually resigning in the next 12 months. This percentage is lower than the global average across all age groups. Despite the bullish numbers, it is still too early to tell if the “Great Resignation” is over in the Philippines.

The research found that most resignations come from the 18-24 age range, with the younger workforce most likely planning their exit from their jobs eventually. In the Philippines, the intention to resign among young Filipinos is higher, with a 28% resignation rate versus 24% globally. Majority (64%) of Filipino workers who resigned from a job in the last year found it was positive for their mental wellbeing. This number implies that employees usually feel happier when they leave a stressful or toxic environment and move on to something that suits them better.

Youth and workplace productivity

The survey revealed that young workers in the Philippines, particularly those aged 18-24, are least likely to be productive compared to their 24 to 35-year-old colleagues. This is linked to their unmanaged work demands and the difficulty in keeping up with the pace of change at work. In addition, younger workers may not have the same level of people skills as older age groups, which could be beneficial in dealing with stress. It's also worth noting that they might not have yet developed the necessary aptitude for adversity this early in their careers.

Promoting good mind health in the workplace

Employers have an important role to play in promoting the health and happiness of their employees. The research reveals that a supportive workplace has a great impact on employee retention, well-being and productivity. To help employers better understand the workforce’s current state, the study presented six key factors that promote well-being in the workplace: hybrid work, mental health support by employers, strong skill/job matching, control over workload, support for skill development, and clear goals and expectations.

To further establish the connection between mind health and productivity in the workplace, respondents were classified into four mind-health states based on their responses: “flourishing” at the top to “getting by,” “languishing” and “struggling.” Flourishing refers to the pinnacle of good mind health, getting by describes those who may have some areas of good wellbeing but not enough to reach the state of flourishing, languishing represents the absence of positive wellbeing and struggling is associated with emotional stress and psychosocial impairment.

Those who are flourishing are more productive at work and are less likely to leave their jobs. The study further explained that Filipinos are two times more productive if their skills matched the work they were being asked to do. They are also five times more likely to flourish and four times more productive if they had at least some decision-making power over how they did their jobs.

"Over the past years, we have seen Filipinos, most especially the younger generation, leaving their jobs abruptly to prioritize their well-being. It is important that we explore the reason behind this great resignation and why Filipinos are struggling at work,” said AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar. “The findings from our latest Mind Health Study reinforce the value of prioritizing mind health in the workplace like we do at AXA, and the need for employers to take a proactive role in addressing these concerns among their employees."

New understanding brings new hope. By taking into consideration the factors that affect good mental health in the workplace, AXA Philippines believes that this will benefit both employers and employees. Through the findings of the recent Mind Health study, it aims to encourage employers to be more attuned to their employees’ well-being.

Access the AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2023 at https://www.axa.com/en/about-us/mind-health-report.

Have a Neon Arcade Fun this Father's Day at Araneta City

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The City of Firsts has fun surprises and delights for the man of the house 

this Dad’s Day

From June 13 to 18, Araneta City transforms into a neon arcade wonderland for Father's Day. So bring dad, daddy, papa, tatay, ama, and other father figures in our lives to a nostalgic retro arcade day at the City of Firsts, and get ready for endless surprises and fun activities tailor-made especially for him!

Big bike lovers can feast their eyes on an impressive motorbike display at the Gateway Mall Activity Area from June 13 to 17. Motorcycle enthusiasts and dads alike will surely be thrilled to see these incredible machines up close. The exhibit promises to be a treat for all with its stunning collection of bikes.

Basketball fans may also score some Gilas Pilipinas apparel and other merchandise goodies at the cool Gateway Mall Activity Area booth on June 18. Your dad may even get a chance to be up close with former Gilas stars Jeff Chan and Gary David to make his day more memorable.

Meanwhile, the Ali Mall Activity Area and Farmers Plaza Activity Area will be transformed into gaming havens on June 18. Arcade and video game enthusiasts will have the time of their lives as they dive into a world of classic and modern games. From arcade classics to the latest console hits, there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Over at Farmers Plaza, Quaderno Band will set a more engaging dad's day mood on June 18. And as the day's events unfold, dads may take a break at the new hip place at the mall's Food Plaza -- Beer Plaza, which features live band performances and a wide array of food and beverage options. From June 16 to 18, Beer Plaza will celebrate "Cheers to Dad" with good food and music dedicated to all fathers.

The fun and surprises even extend to the digital world! From June 13 to 18, shoppers and diners can take photos with the neon arcade decor at Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza. Post the photos on Facebook or IG and use the hashtags #DadsDayAtAranetaCity and #CityofFirsts for a chance to win Novotel Manila Araneta City Food Exchange buffet gift certificates for two!

There's also the "Surprise Your Dad" digital promo. Check the post on Araneta City Facebook page and comment why your dad deserves a treat. Lucky netizens will get a chance to treat the family to lunch or dinner for 4 worth P5,000 at Conti's Restaurant at Gateway Mall!

“If not for the love of all hardworking fathers, we would not be where we are today. So we invite everyone to treat their dads to a special day of games, activities, and fun surprises here at the City of Firsts. We’re sure that dad and the entire family will have a blast this Father’s Day,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City, said.