A grand welcome for Fil-Ams

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Members of the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program

World-renowned Filipino hospitality greeted the Filipino-American delegates of the 10th Ambassador, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) gala dinner held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the event served as a formal welcome for the delegates who came from different parts of the United States of America (USA) to reconnect with their Filipino roots and experience the best of the Philippines.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III

An annual excursion program for Filipino-Americans, ACGTDT organizes a special tour to popular Philippine destinations that would allow the participants to savor the foods, see the beautiful sites, learn more about the history, and experience the hospitality that Filipinos are famous for. This year, the delegates will be travelling to Cebu and their itinerary includes visits to Cebu City, Carcar, Argao, Sibonga, and Mactan Islands. 

 

DFA Usec. Evan P. Garcia, Ambassador Jose L. Cruisia and Generoso D.G. Calogne

Welcoming the excited guests were TPB COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr. and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia.

TIEZA Business Development Manager Bing Francisco, TIEZA Asst. COO Jetro Nicolas Lozada and Nanding Mendez

“We are pleased to welcome you back to the Philippines. You’re the best ambassadors in promoting the country’s tourism abroad. May this event not only deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Philippines, but also inspire your foreign friends and loved ones to come and visit the country,” says Enerio.

Lyle Cummings, Marie Cummings, Sen. Michael San Nicolas and Lynn Baker

Amidst refreshing cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and sumptuous dinner, the delegates were treated to a live jazz entertainment led by renowned Filipino saxophonist Vince Lahorra and world-class performances by Asia’s Got Talent finalists Gerphil Flores, Gwyneth Dorado and Junior New System.

James and Rose Marie Knaus

With warm vibe and friendly faces around, it was so easy for the delegates to feel at home, even for the first-timers. “I just want to see the Philippines. I think it’s a beautiful country,” says Jon Paul Puno, a US-born rising classical crossover singer. For those who have been on the tour many times, meanwhile, it’s an experience worth reliving. “We’re excited to be back,” says Rose Marie Knaus who came with her husband, James. “We’re blown away by the execution of this event. Aside from visiting beautiful places, we’re also planning to sell properties. We believe the country is rich in potential.” 

Panfilo Vallejera and Gina Berida

 Warren Gilbert Steele, Samantha Rose Steele and Aurea Steele

Welcoming as it was meant to be, the gala dinner was only the start of Philippine rediscovery for the Fil-Am delegates. Their journey will continue in Cebu, where they will experience more of the country’s grandeur and the innate warmth of the Filipinos.

Jenny Yang-Fang and Edward Lu

Gwyneth Dorado

The ACGTDT is a featured event of the Visit the Philippines 2015 campaign.

Catch more fun and exciting events happening this year at www.visitph2015.com.

From Loss to Law, Thanks to Philam Life

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There is no question that every mother dreams to see her children grow up to be self-sufficient and financially stable. But how do we guarantee their security, when quality education grows more expensive every year, and more and more parents are forced to drop their children from school due to a lack of necessary funds?

In 1997, this precise challenge hit Ms. Monserrat V. Delos Reyes. After leaving her job in the medical field as a nurse, she was unsure if she could afford to pay the tuition fees of her children. “It was a difficult time,” Delos Reyes narrated. “I was constantly worried about our expenses, most of all how I could possibly pay for the schooling of my kids.”

Fortunately, Delos Reyes found a highly rewarding career as a financial advisor for Philam Life. With full belief in both the products she was selling and company providing them, she bought an education plan with a very specific purpose in mind. 

“My daughter Regine always dreamt of studying in De La Salle University and becoming a lawyer,” Delos Reyes explained. “I wanted to secure my daughter’s future, regardless of whatever unexpected turns life would throw at me,” she enthused.

Regine Delos Reyes Graduation Pic with Family

In 2007, Monserrat’s investment was fully returned, and Regine was able to take up a degree in Economics at De La Salle University. She continued to receive checks twice a year from Philam Life, which were able to pay for three trimesters’ worth of Regine’s tuition every year. Since Regine’s course took only three years to complete, Delos Reyes was able to use the fourth year of her educational plan payout to cover other family expenses.

“It felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I had the peace of mind that Regine’s education was taken care of and assured by Philam Life. I couldn’t be happier with my choice of investment,” the proud mother beamed.

Regine was then able to go to law school, again at De La Salle University. She recently graduated as the top 4 student in her class, and will be taking the Bar exam in November. She aspires to specialize in family law and join one of the largest law firms in the country.

“I’m so thankful to my mother for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams,” a clearly emotional Regine affirmed. “Our family is a clear example of how Philam Life touches and improves real lives. They changed the course of our lives permanently, for the better,” she concluded.

Kata is now open at SM City Rosales

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Kata is now open its doors at SM City Rosales, Pangasinan! 

Here is good news to Pangasinenses!

There are surprises. In celebration of the opening of Kata SM City Rosales, Pangasinan, they are giving away FREE Screen Protector and Flip Cover for purchase of any Kata device. Offer is valid on July 29 at SM City Rosales only. 

Kata specialize in innovative mobile technology to produce high-end mobile devices with exceptional style and design.

As mobile specialists, Kata provides a full suite of end-to-end services across a multitude of industries and markets.

Visit Kata SM City Rosales, Pangasinan and enjoy and experience Kata smartphones!

For more updates and information,  visit http://www.katadigital.com.ph/ and Kata Facebook.

Google Apps for Work for SMEs now available via PLDT SME Nation

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Google Philippines Country Manager Ken Lingan talks about digital solutions for small businesses during the launch of PLDT SME Nation’s Small Business Month.

In this digital age of borderless work spaces and online marketplaces, an efficient system of collaboration is crucial for SMEs (small to medium enterprises) to thrive.

To help SMEs improve operational efficiencies, enhance productivity and consequently, improve revenues, PLDT SME Nation, through ePLDT subsidiary IPC®, an Internet data center and cloud services company, now offersGoogle Apps for Work to the Philippine SMEs, which account for about 90% of all local businesses.

Google Apps for Work is a collaboration suite packed with cost-saving, productivity and efficiency promoting tools that will enable co-workers to effectively work together from anywhere. The applications are categorized according to functionality—Communicate, Collaborate, Manage and Store.

Under Communicate, featured applications include Gmail, Hangouts, Calendar and Google+. For Collaborate, applications included are Sheets, Forms, Docs, Slides and Sites. For storage, SMEs can take advantage of Google Drive, and for management purposes, Google Admin and Vault.

“When it comes to web-based products and applications, Google is known for reliability and innovation,” PLDT First Vice President and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde said. “We look forward to being able to offer their industry-leading products and applications to our local SMEs. With IPC® and PLDT, SMEs can be assured of reliable and 24/7 customer support together with Google’s best-in-class products.”

Because Google Apps for Work is web- or Internet-based, it can help SMEs, whether with 10 or 10,000 employees, reduce operational costs including maintenance and capital investments. In fact, studies have shown that shifting from on-site to web-based applications can contribute to up to 85 percent worth of energy savings.

For budding businesses, Google Apps for Work can aid companies in establishing their unique brand. It allows SMEs to integrate their domain name in their e-mail addresses, hosted by Google’s network. For start-ups, an official e-mail domain goes a long way in reinforcing credibility among potential and existing clients.

This suite of collaboration application can also help improve coordination and communication among work mates particularly when they are out of office. For instance, co-workers can conduct meetings remotely using Google Hangouts and jointly review documents using Google Sheets or Google Docs.

Additionally, SMEs can use Google Apps for Work’s Admin and Vault applications to enhance data security and management especially of sensitive information. This is particularly helpful for easily managing office devices and configuring security settings so data stays safe. In cases of resigning employees, Vault can be used to manage, retain, search and export e-mail and on-the-record chats.

Alberto added, “Google Apps for Work is a convenient and cost-efficient way to harness the benefits of today’s rapidly advancing technology. With our reliable and powerful network infrastructures, SMEs can overcome the barriers that eventually lead to low productivity.”

SMEs can choose between two packages — the basic Google Apps for Work , priced at US$50 annually per user, and Google Drive for Work, at US$120 annually per user, which has all the inclusions of Google Apps for Work but is powered up by unlimited storage. Both packages come with mobility devices, such as tablets and pocket WiFi devices, as add-ons. PLDT subscribers also have the advantage of being able to upgrade to hardware and connectivity bundles to supplement work place tools.

To find out more about Google Apps for Work, log on to ipc.ph.

Meralco Power Tech Launch: When innovation meets vision

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The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is known as the country’s largest distribution utility with over a hundred years in service. Meralco has always been discovering means on how to improve not only its services and products to consumers but also new techniques and methods on enhancing the skills of its employees. 

Now visualize this, what if there is a state of the art facility wherein engineers can “work, play and train”? A facility that can really give you an actual feel of the concept or situation you are studying about.

Meralco Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (2nd from left) and Meralco President & CEO Oscar S. Reyes (3rd from right) lead partners to look at the scale model of PowerTech—the Philippine’s first innovation, R&D, and technical training facility featuring the grid of the future. It will be an incubator for agile and globally competent energy talents capable of supporting advancements in the power and energy ecosystem.

Welcome the Power Tech.

Being one of the most enduring and dynamic enterprises in the Philippines, Meralco once again breaks new ground with the development of the Power Tech. Power Tech will be the country’s first innovation, Research and Development (R&D), and technical training facility that will feature the use of Smart Grid. Gone are the days that the trainings will just be relying on audio visual presentations because Power Tech will act as a simulator. Meralco’s engineers will now have the chance to not only see the lesson but to actually have an “actual feel” of it. This will also serve as a vehicle for bridging the gap between the existing and the evolving technologies. 

Meralco’s Vice President and Head of Networks, Ronnie L. Aperocho said, “The Grid Enterprise will allow you to immerse on emerging technologies under a simulated network even before we apply these to the entire system”. He also added, “The Grid Inspiration will ignite the imagination and expand one’s perspective with insights from industry experts and luminaries”.

The primary objectives of Power Tech are identified into three groups. First, to serve as a facility that will rapidly accelerate competency upgrade of both Meralco engineers and other industry players. Second, to provide a test-bed for Smart Grid and as a testing area for new equipment and devices wherein different suppliers can partake. Lastly, to drive innovation and R&D in the Philippine power industry through partnerships with the academe and other power utilities.

As Meralco President and CEO Oscar Reyes said, “In Meralco, we believe that a true center of excellence is ultimately defined by the interplay of best in class hardware, software and most important, highly competent and innovative professionals.”

Meralco President and CEO Oscar Reyes 

The Power Tech is set to be fully operational early 2017. This will be a 2-storey, green architecture structure which will be occupying a total floor area of 3,139 sqm in Meralco, Ortigas. Power Tech will be powered by renewable energy sources (solar and wind) and will also be utilizing natural lighting and ventilation. This will also feature different state-of-the art facilities such as the following: The Grid Adventure, Endeavor, Pathfinder and Resolution (Training Labs); the Grid Enterprise (Test Area), the Grid Discovery (Innovation Center) and the Grid Inspiration (Auditorium). 

One good thing with the development of Power Tech is that it will strengthen the backbone of knowledge initiatives of Meralco’s engineers. It will be an incubator for agile and globally competent technical professionals who are capable of supporting advancements in the power and energy ecosystem.

Speaking of good things, there are also other benefits of Power Tech to the Academe world, its suppliers and the different power utilities. 

In the Academe world, Power Tech will be the partner of different schools, universities and other centers of excellence in ensuring the development of globally competitive professionals in the power industry, with the University of the Philippines–College of Engineering as one of its primary partners. As for the suppliers, Power Tech will serve as a test-bed for Smart Grid and developing technologies. Also, it will serve as an avenue wherein new equipment and devices will be tested. When it comes to power utilities, Power Tech targets to uphold close relations, synergy and continuous interactions with the existing local and international utilities. These utilities are those whose goals regarding the form of training and education initiatives are the same.

Power Tech is a facility with a vision. This is place where our engineers can further hone their skills. A facility where they can unleash their potentials. Meralco is working hard to make this vision a reality so as to be part of the solution –– because it is always a privilege to be able to contribute to the development and advancement of the power and energy ecosystem.

“The heart and soul of the company is creativity and innovation” – Bob Iger