ACC:ESS April 2016 by PLDT Media

a p r i l 2 0 1 6

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PLDT GROUP

g n i o L g D

A T i G i

APRIL2016 NEWS///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 02 PLDT alpha enterprise, akamai offer optimized web experience for businesses 03 PLDT smart sme nation, paymaya drive digital payments, commerce solutions in kampo event 04 pldt home fibr, sony ps4 teaM up for ultimate gaming at home

FEATURES/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

REGULARS/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

08 Inspiring Silicon Valley dreams PLDT Smart SME Nation takes Bozz awardees to once-in-alifetime learning experience 16 from enterprises to consumers everybody is going digital! Cover Story 18 2nd #BilangPilipino tweet-up zeroes in on the psychology of corruption 19 Embodying Oneness PLDT supports 79th Araw ng Davao 22 Cultivating Culture: CineFilipino captivates audience

01 From the Editor 01 Mailbag 24 The Bandwagoner 25 Life & ArtS

ABOUT THE COVER

Living the digital life is exemplified in this issue’s cover

featuring a collage of a face juxtaposed with graphics of binary code (zeroes and ones) and internet programming language. This speaks of how technology has become so pervasive (and oftentimes, invasive) in our lives that one can not imagine leaving their homes without their smartphones in tag. PLDT is at the forefront of providing digital solutions that seek to quench the modern Filipino’s insatiable thirst to connect with the Company’s innovative array of products and services.

EDITORIAL

MAILBAG

Living the

digital lifestyle

PLDT Diliman SSC CSA Asuncion A. Macabasag received a commendation from one of her satisfied customers, Nicolas G. Abella, who said Macabasag that Macabasag was very attentive and accommodating to all of his concerns. “She was very helpful in attending to my unresolved telephone Dinio line repair complaint,” Abella said. Macabasag was even able to upsell both the Telpad and the Wave 8 HD Fabtab unit, as DSL retention for his account. ***************************** One happy and smiling customer Ma. Teresita B. Roxas has extended her appreciation to PLDT South Quezon City Customer Service Operations Zone Senior Telecoms Technician Rogelio C. Dinio for restoring her telephone line and internet service, which has been out-of-service for quite some time. Dinio was also kind enough and helpful in replacing the old telephone units at her house, which she mentioned was issued to them since 2003. CC:

friend of mine just discovered that she can change the playlist in her newlyopened restaurant through her mobile phone from anywhere in the world. How? Spotify. The restaurant’s music is linked to her Spotify account. As I was traveling, I still get to talk to my kids almost daily. How? Messenger. All of them are my Facebook friends. Even when I’m on vacation, I am able to hold meetings with my PLDT Media team as needed. How? Viber. We created a chat group. My 18-year old son who is a League of Legends fanatic can play with the best in the world. How? Online gaming. He and his friends have formed a Philippine team that challenges other teams elsewhere. Sometimes, he wakes up at four in the morning to catch the playing time in other countries. It’s really amazing how the world has become so connected because of digital technologies and social media. Nearly everybody is living the digital life. As the PLDT Group goes full throttle in its digital transformation, we are at the forefront of this digital and social media revolution. We have moved our network into an all-IP based system while we continue to expand our fiber optic footprint, which has already reached more than 100,000 kilometers across the country and connecting our international routes. With our robust fixed and wireless networks, we are able to offer innovative digital services for both consumers and enterprises. After launching first in the country services like quadplay and data sharing, PLDT HOME beefed up its gaming offers through a partnership with Sony PlayStation. Meanwhile, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise tied up with content delivery network global leader Akamai to provide a more optimized web experience for its customers.

Manny Pangilinan, the 15 lucky finalists get to be inspired by and learn from game changers like Google, Amazon, and Airbnb.

Our commitment to enabling the digital economy is also clearly seen in the recent Silicon Valley trip of young entrepreneurs who were finalists in the #BeTheBoss Awards organized by PLDT Smart SME Nation. With full support from our Chairman, President and CEO ACC:ESS is published monthly by PLDT Media Division for employees and friends. Address all communications to: The Editor-inChief, ACC:ESS, Ramon Cojuangco Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City. Telephones 810-3190 and 8168515. Email: jrencarnado@ pldt.com.ph http://issuu.com/ pldtmedia

Mon R. lsberto Public Affairs Head EDITORIAL Butch G. Jimenez Editor Jay-Anne R. Encarnado Editor-in-Chief Sennen F. Lacsamana Managing Editor Olive O. Barrozo Literary Editor

Despite these strides, our digital journey is still in infancy. An exciting future awaits!

Adrian T. Elumba Sarah Azucena-Reodica Katrina A. Mallari Raymond C. Co Writers Daniel G. Moratalla Jay F. Garcia Photographers Annie O. Salazar Arnel N. Samson Circulation

Jay-Anne R. Encarnado Carlo D. Gonzalez Graphic Design Contributors Melvin Artugue, Reggie Marie B. Barrientos, Jan Lester E. Bisco, Laemar John V. Chavez, Shiela Marie D. Daccog, Marilyn B. Dela Cruz, Danny Handayan, Luis C. Maglanoc, Loida VerdaderoNardo, Patricia May B. Ramirez, Rebelyn Q. Rosales, Marjory C. Sy, Bienvenido N. Timoteo, Alice P. Tuazon

Nonong F. Noriega Columnist

OUR VISION STATEMENT To be the proactive strategic communications partner of our stakeholders so that together we can inspire brand love and loyalty for PLDT. #SUPERMEDIA

news

Shown here are, from left: PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Head of Corporate Business Solutions Gary Ignacio, PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PLDT/ Smart Executive Vice President and ePLDT President and CEO Eric R. Alberto, Akamai Technologies, Inc. Regional Vice President Vaughan Woods, Akamai Technologies, Inc. Senior Director of Product Management Jason Hatch, Akamai Technologies, Inc. Head of Product Management Rishi Varma and Akamai Technologies, Inc. Director of Product Management Amol Mathur.

PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, Akamai offer optimized web experience for businesses to deliver and manage content delivery from anywhere in the world, leveraging on Akamai’s globally distributed network.

PLDT ALPHA Enterprise has recently expanded its service portfolio to include innovative solutions that will enable enterprises to provide an enhanced and more secure web experience to their customers. As the local channel partner of Akamai, a global leader in Content Delivery Network (CDN) services, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise will offer Akamai’s superior solutions for delivering, optimizing and securing online content and business applications. These include Akamai Web Performance solutions to enhance an organization’s web presence by accelerating and fine-tuning the internet experience for end-users across different devices, browsers, and networks; Akamai Cloud Security solutions to detect potential threats and protect organizations

with cyber-threat defense and mitigation capabilities; and Akamai Media Delivery solutions to ensure a high-quality viewing experience of web-based media assets. PLDT’s nationwide network further enhances these service offerings, ensuring that enterprises will be able to provide their customers with a faster, high quality and more secure web experience. The partnership with Akamai also strengthens PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s capability

“Delivering an excellent and secure user experience is a fundamental requirement in any business, to earn the trust and patronage of customers across all engagement touchpoints,” says PLDT First Vice President and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. ““PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Akamai’s transformative solutions are ideal for businesses that want to expand and enhance their online presence and leverage digital channels to connect to customers.” Companies engaging in e-commerce or in the media and broadcasting, BFSI, and tourism

industries, and that generate revenue from their online presence, will also enjoy great benefits from these solutions, as it will enable their customers to get information easier, accomplish their online transactions without worries, and even download content faster. “As the market battleground shifts towards the web, enterprises are fast recognizing how the end-user experience can make or break online transactions. Today’s digital-driven enterprises require a differentiated customer online experience in maximizing their revenue potential. This suite of transformative solutions from PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Akamai will certainly enable enterprises to provide a differentiated web experience to your customers — another first for the country’s pioneering digital enabler,” added Hernandez. CC:

PLDT Smart SME Nation, PayMaya drive digital payments, commerce solutions in Kampo event Foodies were treated to great food and entertainment at the Kampo in Taguig as PLDT Smart SME Nation partnered with PayMaya Philippines to bring the typical food festival and night market experience to another level with digital payments and commerce solutions. Merchants were able to experience a more modern way of accepting payments as each were equipped with PayMaya Swipe terminals powered by Smart. Using only a mobile point-of-sale (POS) device attached to their smart phones, business owners

were able to easily accommodate customers’ credit card payments. Attendees were encouraged to avail of PayMaya cards at the event and use them as the preferred mode of payment. As a special treat, the first 300 customers of the night were given a free PayMaya card. Alongside the e-payment solution, PLDT Smart SME Nation provided the Smart Store Manager to the participating merchants, allowing business owners to

Foodies at the Kampo event try out the cashless payment terminals to purchase their orders.

sales reports, but it also enables entrepreneurs to organize data that they can leverage for the growth of their business.

efficiently manage their day-to-day operations while departing from the manual modes of processing information. The suite enables the easy documentation of customer purchases and real-time inventory tracking, all made possible through a single mobile application. Not only does the solution generate fully-automated

VP and Head of PLDT Smart SME Nation Mitch Locsin emphasized how MSMEs should be empowered by providing tools that provide opportunities for this sector to truly maximize their potential. “We are here to help MSMEs harness opportunities in utilizing digital technologies to make their services and operations more efficient,” Locsin said. CC:

First ever cashless shopping bazaar launched In the spirit of shopping, summer, and all that is fashionable, PLDT Smart SME Nation and PayMaya Philippines recently teamed up to bring the hottest retailers in town under one roof at the first-ever Summer CLIC! E-Bazaar – the first cashless shopping bazaar. During the three-day bazaar, customers and merchants were given the chance to experience the rising culture of cashless transactions with PLDT Smart SME Nation and PayMaya’s digital payments and commerce solutions—Smart Store Manager and PayMaya Swipe. According to VP and Head of PLDT Smart SME Nation Mitch Locsin,

Eager shoppers find new summer apparel and bargains at the first cashless shopping bazaar organized by PLDT Smart SME Nation and

cashless transactions are expected to gain more traction in the coming years, as more online platforms arrive to bring this service to mainstream consciousness. “Our online services should evolve together with our consumers who are now more technologically savvy and inclined towards digital processes,” he

said. “We see this now in the form of cashless and digital payments most common in e-commerce transactions. Eventually, we will transition to a society where cashless transactions are no longer an exception.” Participating merchants were provided with Smart Store Manager, allowing business

owners to efficiently manage their dayto-day operations while departing from the manual modes of processing information. The suite enabled the easy documentation of customer purchases and real-time inventory tracking, all made possible through a single mobile application. Meanwhile, Smartpowered PayMaya Swipe terminals allowed cashiers to accept credit cards using only a mobile point-of-sale (POS) device attached to their phones. As a card-preferred bazaar, attendees were encouraged to avail of PayMaya cards to purchase their latest summer buys. CC:

PLDT HOME Fibr, Sony PS4 team up for ultimate gaming at home Following a historic year marked by successful partnership launches with renowned global brands like iflix and Fox Entertainment Channels for content, and Microsoft and Intel for the TVolution Stick, PLDT HOME heralds the arrival of a new era in ultimate gaming at home. After bagging the best digital innovation honor at the recently concluded CIO Asia Awards, PLDT HOME’s most powerful brand, Fibr, in partnership with multinational entertainment giant Sony, is set to provide the best home gaming experience with an exciting partnership offer for fun-loving Filipino families and gaming enthusiasts. Considered by gamers as one of the most powerful gaming consoles in the world, the PS4™ provides deeply immersive experiences through rich and high-fidelity graphics. It is powered by a custom chip that contains eight x8664 cores and a state of the art 1.84 TFLOPS graphics processor with 8 GB of ultra-fast GDDR5 unified system memory. This translates to easier game creation and enhanced richness of content achievable on the platform. One of the most popular games for PS4 is the Nathan Drake series dubbed Uncharted. Widely known as one of the most revered game series of all time, it is recognized

In photo during the launch are, from left: Sony Playstation Singapore Head of Product Marketing Arata Naito, Sony Philippines President and Managing Director Nobuyoshi Otake and PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali.

as a genre-defining epic that changed the game for adventure storytelling. After three successful installments, a fourth chapter, entitled Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, is expected to be released this year. It picks up several years after the last adventure of retired fortune hunter Nathan Drake as he is forced back into the world of thieves. PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said, “Last year, we raised the bar for home entertainment with our compelling product and multimedia content portfolio. This year, we’re bringing gaming into the fold and leveling up the experience for our subscribers by empowering them to enjoy ultimate gaming at home. PLDT HOME Fibr will be bundled with a Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4™) gaming console for an additional P749

PLDT HOME Fibr subscribers only need to add P849 per month to their monthly bills to avail of a Sony PS4 gaming console and the new game Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

per month within a 36-month period. And for only an additional P100 at P849 per month, subscribers will also get complimentary copy of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End when it launches on May 10th. “We’re thrilled to be working with a likeminded digital leader like PLDT HOME.” President and Managing Director of Sony Philippines Nobuyoshi Otake said.

PLDT HOME Fibr delivers the first and fastest internet of up to 1 Gbps, allowing high-speed browsing of multiple websites and the country’s first symmetrical speed service. Fibr is now available in over 1,600 Fibr-powered villages nationwide including Valle Verde 1-6, Forbes Park, Dasmarinas Village and Ayala Alabang Village, among others. CC:

Partners come together to support ASEAN women entrepreneurship. They are, seated, from left: Elena Horn of SM Cares, Chit Juan of AWEN, Norma Sit and PSF President Esther Santos of ASEAN BWWG and GREAT Women Project Lead Jeannie Javelosa. Standing, same order: PLDT’s Patrick Tang and Sabrina Aguado, together with partners from SM Supermalls.

PLDT Smart SME Nation and Micro Business Group and PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) recently hosted the kick-off meeting of the leaders of the ASEAN Business Women Working Group (ASEAN BWWG) and the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN). The ASEAN BWWG is part of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) where PLDT and Smart CEO and Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan is the Philippine Chair. PSF is also one of the members of the Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) program led by the Philippine Commission on Women. Held last

PLDT Smart SME Nation, PSF host ASEAN women leaders’ kick-off meeting March, hailed as the Women’s Month, the group launched the GREAT Women Forum, which was both a Stakeholders “Market Match” Forum and Trade Exchange. The event brought together all stakeholders supporting women’s economic empowerment on purchasing and sourcing from women vendors under the GREAT WOMEN Platform. “As PSF works for a connected, empowered, progressive Philippines,

The team behind the ASEAN BWWG Project discusses ways in enhancing the project.

we count on women to play a major role in this endeavor. Women entrepreneurs bring creativity and care for the customer, so we would like to support them.” PSF President Esther Santos said. “Through collaborative efforts, we strive to provide various platforms that will allow these women to do better in business.”

One of the products available during the event as owned by one of the GREAT Women Project participants.

PLDT Smart SME Nation, in partnership with PSF, Business and Professional Women (BPW) Makati, and IBM Philippines developed the GREAT Women ICT platform to enable women entrepreneurs to use broadband

internet connectivity and digital services to grow their businesses. The platform can be accessed through a mobile application readily downloadable on iTunes store or Google Play. Katrina A. Mallari

With PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s #MyNumber

Jollibee’s #87000 hotline now accessible nationwide

Flashing the A sign during the event are, from left: PLDT Product Manager Caloy Octavio, PLDT Enterprise Voice and Managed IT Category Head Fay Ocampo, Jollibee Call Center Delivery Specialist Jhaymie Pili, PLDT AVP and Head of Corporate Business Solutions Gary Ignacio, PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship Management Jay Lagdameo, Jollibee, Jollibee Delivery Manager Val Abadesco, Jollibee Call Center Delivery Officer Vergel Sapo, and Jollibee Delivery Channel Officer Mina Sarreal.

ith over 308 stores all throughout country, Jollibee now has a single hotline number through PLDT’s #MyNumber (hashtag my number). A first-of its-kind in the Philippines, the new hotline number centralizes the food

chain’s hotline system to a single easy-toremember number that starts with a hashtag followed by a fourto-eight digit vanity number. With its widest coverage nationwide, PLDT can ensure Jollibee’s customer satisfaction through landline calls free of charge and a lower per

“What we wanted was to have one national hotline that customers can easily remember and call, regardless if they are in Manila or anywhere in the country.” - manjie yap, jollibee vice president and national business channel head minute call cost to over 75 million Smart, TNT and Sun subscribers.

PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez shakes hands with Jollibee to signify the partnership to further centralize the fastfood giant’s delivery hotline.

“We are grateful that Jollibee decided to simplify their entire delivery hotline system through PLDT #MyNumber,” said PLDT First Vice President and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. “The service is seen as a great way to help the company drive

more sales, further build its brand, and enhance the overall customer experience. We look forward to seeing Jollibee Foods Corporation’s other brands switching to a singular #MyNumber. Similar to its relevance on social media, we are confident that #87000 will trend very soon.” From the former division of home delivery hotline for

example in Metro Manila with 8-7000, Cebu dials 238-7000 and Pampanga uses 888-7000, the new #87000 reduces unnecessary cost for the business when having multiple contact numbers to manage in different areas. This also creates a more memorable set of numbers as an edge to their marketing campaigns. The brand recall in a unified hotline is much more powerful and an improvement their delivery service. “What we wanted was to have one national hotline that customers can easily remember and call, regardless if they are in Manila or anywhere in the country.” Jollibee Vice President and National Business Channel Head Manjie Yap said. “To ensure that we meet the satisfaction levels of customers, we continuously introduce innovations to the delivery business.” Jollibee as a Filipino fast food empire founded by Tony Tan Caktiong as an ice cream parlor in 1975 has now grown into 309 stores in the country and expanding 139 stores across the globe. #87000 is a commitment to deliver to everyone and to be reached by anyone. “PLDT Alpha Enterprise provided us with the best service through PLDT #MyNumber. With this, we will have only one national hotline number for delivery,” Yap said. CC:

ePLDT expands cloud expertise with Amazon web service partner ePLDT continues to expand its cloud expertise and strengthen its portfolio of cloud solutions with its recent elevation to Standard Consulting Partner in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). As an AWS Standard Consulting Partner, ePLDT enables enterprises to design, build, migrate, and manage their workloads and applications on Amazon Web Services. This fits our overall strategy to offer a fullspectrum of enterprise cloud solutions via our own managed infrastructure and expertise as well as through partnerships with the best in the business,” shared Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group COO. “We recognize that when it comes to cloud adoption and implementation, one size does not fit all requirements since different workloads require different deployment models and infrastructure tuning. The mission is to empower enterprises with the countless benefits that cloud offers - lower cost of ownership, operational agility, auto software updates, increased collaboration, easy and affordable business continuity and disaster recovery implementation- to name some. Of course, this is wrapped around by the combined expertise of ePLDT and AWS.” Amazon Web Services, widely regarded as the leading cloud

infrastructure provider globally, is the cloud computing platform of Amazon. Operating on 11 regions around the globe, it includes a wide range of web-based services including Compute, Storage, Network, Mobile, and Database. The Amazon Partner Network (APN), the global partner program of Amazon Web Services, is focused on providing members of the AWS partner ecosystem with program, technical, business, and go-to-market support. Consulting Partners, which include System Integrators, Strategic Consultancies, Agencies, Managed Service Providers, and Value Added Resellers, gain access to a range of resources and trainings to support customers in deploying, running, and

managing applications in the AWS Cloud. “We are proud of joining the AWS Partner Network as a Standard Consulting Partner, as it reflects our commitment to help our customers leverage on cloud technology to drive growth and performance in their businesses,” noted PLDT Enterprise, International & Carrier Business EVP and ePLDT President Eric Alberto. “This, along with our membership in the Asia Cloud Computing Association, is just a few of the many initiatives we have undertaken to expand our solutions portfolio and strengthen our expertise to ensure we sustain our status as the digital solutions partner-of-choice for the Enterprise market.” CC:

The finalists of the first #BeTheBoss search with PLDT Smart SME Nation officials take a break from their packed Silicon Valley tour for a souvenir batch photo.

feature

Inspiring Silicon Valley Dreams

PLDT Smart SME Nation takes Bozz awardees to once-in-a-lifetime learning experience

By Adrian T. Elumba

ilicon Valley has been a breeding ground for some of the most gamechanging innovations that shaped society today. From Google, Apple, Facebook, and the biggest names in technology, it’s a California dream destination that anyone would want to check off their bucket list. And for any technopreneur wanting to be the next global game-changer, setting foot and learning the secrets of this tech mecca is an experience unlike any other.

visited the head offices of tech giants Google, Twitter, AirBnB and Amazon last February, and toured the Singularity University in the San Francisco area. The tour is part of the program of the US Philippine Society (USPS) and the Silicon Valley Science and Technology Advisory Council (SV-STAC) tosupport and mentor Filipino technology-enabled entrepreneurs in a week-long immersion in different tech companies in the Valley.

The first batch of #BeTheBoss finalists, Fifteen of the country’s young, tech-savvy and promising entrepreneurs flew to Silicon Valley in California, USA and

These new breed of young, techsavvy, and highly influential business entrepreneurs got to live, breathe, and study the ways of some of the people

Participants enjoy a live demo from one of their daily tours at the headquarters of one the tech companies they visited in Silicon Valley.

Some of the participants outside of Twitter’s headquarters in Silicon Valley.

The pioneering batch of the Silicon Valley immersion program for Filipino entrepreneurs together with officials from PLDT Smart SME Nation pose at the receiving area of the Google Headquarters.

Tina Sambalido of Renegadefolk takes a souvenir shot at one of the life-size Android statue displays found all over Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Participants listen intently during talks about technology and its importance in entrepreneurship at the networking and learning session at Stanford BASES in Silicon Valley.

and “changing mindsets” was very much on his mind. “There has to be a change in our mindset in the country. Our education system needs to be more science-oriented. More recognition must be given scientific achievements. That’s what made Silicon Valley what it is, because of the intellectual incubation nurtured by Stanford University,” Pangilinan said.

working for the IT giants in the valley for a week. Organized by PLDT Smart SME Nation, the #BeTheBoss Awards recognizes young entrepreneurs who harness the power of digital tools and platforms to grow their businesses. Launched last year, 15 finalists were selected among the roster of promising entrepreneurs – with the five winners being awarded the grand prize of the week-long tour in Silicon Valley. PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, however, decided to send all 15 finalists to the trip

“Our entrepreneurs need to be exposed to what is out there. We need to look beyond the domestic setting and apply our solutions to the global market. Competition is notjust here in the country, it’s around the world,” he added. #BeTheBoss finalists who formed part of the week-long immersion program were Kim Lato of Kimstore.com, Reese Fernandez of Rags2Riches, Jacqueline Yengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo of Happy Skin, Danella Yaptinchay of Homegrown, Kristine ReyesLopez of Messy Bessy, Denise Gonzalez of Indigobaby, Carlo

Brian McClelland of Bambikes registers as a visitor at the digital displays during the start of their tour of the Uber headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Calimon of Mobkard, Paolo Hilario of Lay Bare Waxing Salon, Gian Javelona of OrangeApps, Tina Sambalido of Renegadefolk, and Brian McClelland of Bambike. First day of the packed week had the participants meeting officials of the US Philippine Society (USPHS), Silicon Valley Science and Technology Advisory Council (SV STAC) and Singularity University who briefed them on the planned week ahead. As announced late last year, the #BeTheBoss finalists are the pioneering batch of this immersion program for the Philippines to support technologyenabled entrepreneurship. It’s an opportunity for Filipino gamechangers in the digital economy to visit Silicon Valley. With power positioning workshops held every morning during their trip, participants got glimpses of trade secrets and strategies to help entrepreneurs progress their businesses. Happy Skin’s Rissa MananquilTrillo shares how the power positioning workshops opened up

Participants are all ears to Airbnb officials for the debriefing of their HQ tour.

Participants in a posterity shot at “Empower” signage.

Mobkard’s Carlo Calimon tries out the 180-degrees Google Earth display at the Google Headquarters.

new perspectives for her on how entrepreneurs should integrate digital strategies in their business. She points out that whether “you’re a global brand or a shop around the corner, the big shift to mobile phones is really changing consumer behavior in and out of the store. I read that 75% of searches happen on mobile devices, and I realized it’s crucial that your business is ready for those moments. Without a strong digital presence, you could be missing out on connecting with potential customers during that exact moment that they’re interested. During those moments, consumers aren’t just getting information, they’re also making decisions and often heading straight to the stores. In our own store surveys, probably 4 out of 5 women shared that they found out about Happy Skin through social media on their phones. It’s really during these mobile phone searches where hearts and minds are being won and lost. Being there is the first step in winning them.” The power positioning workshops were particularly special in the

immersion program as these not only exposed learnings for the awardees but the speakers were also brilliant Filipinos who have found their successes in Silicon Valley. Aireen de Peralta, a digital marketing consultant based in California, particularly stood out in the workshops for the participants. “Her talk focused on website performance and I think she had the most impact on me. She shared with us industry secrets and valuable tools geared for start-ups like us who didn’t have a lot of money, time, and resources to analyze our website,” said Mananquil-Trillo. #BeTheBoss finalist Gian Javelona of OrangeApps also took note of Aireen’s presentation citing what he learned about tools that are valuable in business and growth hacking. “The difference of the valley from the Philippines is the mindset of the people. They think differently and don’t see the limitations as problems but as opportunities to make things happen. We do not

have to replicate what happens in the valley but create our own culture and our own advantage,” said Javelona. The tours included a trip to Google Headquarters where the group were introduced to members of the Filipino Googlers Network and a visit to Twitter headquarters where they met with members of the Fil-Am group. “My favorite topics during the trip were the exponential mindset in the Singularity University, and the Y combinatory in Google. The exponential mindset is just something so new to me - and this mindset being so data driven has altered how I see the world. The y-combinator discussion was also so inspiring, seeing how much effort goes into ensuring that entrepreneurs create relevant startups. Both topics were also made extra special since they were delivered and mastered by Filipinas,” shared Krie Lopez of Messy Bessy, Boss for Social Responsibility. AirBnB’s Dolores Bernardo gave the group a talk about making it big for entrepreneurs despite

We have a lot to learn from the Silicon Valley experience. We can create something similar here in the Philippines. It is indeed something we can aspire for. However, we should keep in mind that we should also create something that is relevant to us and fits the Philippines,” – Mobkard’s Carlo Calimon Participants observe a live demonstration of a prototype project at the Singularity University.

competition. She cited how a digital company such as AirBnB can compete in the market despite an already established hotel industry. “One of the most important things that I have learned during this trip is that even if the competition is strong, the market is big. A good example is Air BnB, a simple lodging and accommodation idea to welcome guests to your place. It was only an idea that the founders were passionate about but because of hard work and determination to make it work, no matter how competitive the hotel and lodging businesses were, they figured it out and they succeeded. They even made an impact to the society that changed history,” shared Kim Lato, first-ever Boss for E-Commerce and founder of online gadget retailer Kimstore.com.

The group also watched the Plug and Play Entrepreneur in Residence Pitch Session and the Hacker Dojo lightning talks. Some also visited the headquarters of online retail giant Amazon. Mobkard’s Carlo Calimon, Bozz winner for Mobile Readiness, also Kristine Reyes-Lopez of took note of the Messy Bessy gets to try way Silicon Valley golf putting in one of the companies invest common areas during their and nurtured tour of Google HQ. their people to help drive innovations in their business. “The companies that we visited took care of their people. They created a conducive environment where people would like to work and contribute to the organization, and create a culture that fit the type of personalities that worked for them,” he said. “We as start-ups have something to look forward to - something to

aspire for, but we have to create our own version that is localized and something that fits our culture. We cannot just copy something – we need take their best practices, learn from their experience and develop our own. We have a lot to learn from the Silicon Valley experience. We can create something similar here in the Philippines. It is indeed something we can aspire for. However, we should keep in mind that we should also create something that is relevant to us and fits the Philippines,” added Calimon. With the initial #BeTheBoss awards already giving Filipino entrepreneurs exposure to the likes of Silicon Valley, PLDT Smart SME Nation plans to continue recognizing the new breed of Filipino start-ups and technopreneurs who are not afraid to compete against the big giants of their respective industries. As more talented Filipinos find their success and place in Silicon Valley, nurturing a Filipino-run Silicon Valley of young, innovative, and brave technopreneurs might not be such a farfetched vision after all. CC:

$ ÄáÖ $

Kim Lato, owner and founder of Kimstore.com, serves as a mentor to her employees who are delegated to various teams such as marketing, customer care, and logistics.

Kimstore.com’s Humble Beginnings

Growing a successful online shopping store in PH By Katrina A. Mallari

imstore.com has been a goto online store for gadgets by tech-savvy shoppers because of its very affordable prices, making it one of the few thriving pioneers of e-commerce in the country. Despite the growing competition from regional online stores taking foot in the Filipino market, Kimstore.com proves to be a leading local retailer when it comes to affordability for the latest gadgets around. And at only 27 years old, owner Kim Lato, whom the business is so aptly named, has been consistent in making it big as she takes her humble business from the streets of Tondo to the rest of the world. A Marketing Management student back then at De La Salle University in Manila, Lato made good use of what she learned in school at an early age. Her first try at selling online was

when she got into the idea of selling mobile phones and gadgets through the now defunct social sharing site Multiply. She was 18. “It was during the peak usage of Multiply.com when I thought selling gadgets online would be a great idea,” Lato recalls. “Starting out eight years ago, I used my study room as the storage of all the products I would sell back then.” Balancing both her academics and running an online business, Lato admits being challenged with the tasks but quickly made adjustments with proper time management. “There were times that I have to wake up at 3 in the morning to review and study and get only a few hours of sleep because I need to go to school again then deliver orders afterwards. I had to think of different ways to deliver on time because that’s the promise I gave to the client.”

She fondly recalls that her first Kimstore.com employee was their family housemaid. Lato briefly narrates the time their housemaid would tag along with her during deliveries, helping her carry the products to be sold that day. “Plastic bags would be wrapped around her arms,” Lato said. “It seemed so simple, but it really was such a huge help.” E-commerce as online shopping convenience Despite her tender age, Lato has banked on technology’s advancements as her primary tool in establishing her business. “It was a good and untapped opportunity back then, and the selling channel was already provided. I’ve always had a strong interest in gadgets, so it was the most natural thing for me to go into this industry.” Lato underscores the importance of establishing online presence to enhance brand awareness through

the digital platform as well as highlighting how such tool is crucial for website optimization. “Social media can spread the word about a company’s products and services, and help build brand awareness in a very unique and powerful way.” Aside from credibility and reputation, she emphasizes that e-commerce is all about the convenience of online shopping. “Your reputation and credibility depends on the overall shopping experience of your customers. These include a userfriendly online platform that your customers can easily access when they browse, wider selection of payment options that they can choose from, and the speed of order delivery.” Selling products at an affordable price draws consumers to further trust her brand, she emphasizes Kimstore.com’s mission of providing consumers with high quality products at the best price. “Kimstore.com stands out from other online businesses because we not only ensure high quality and original gadgets gets delivered but also through a hassle-free service,” Lato shares. “We now offer different modes of payment, shipping and delivery. This is our initiative to guarantee hassle-free, fast, and easy transactions.” Word of honor As an entrepreneur, Lato admits continuously improving and learning from her mistakes - picking up important skills and lessons along the way. “I have learned that exceptional customer service is the key to success,” Lato said.

Despite the growing popularity of online shopping, Lato recognizes how some Filipinos still have reservations when it comes to online transactions. She notes that once a customer has a good experience from doing online shopping, then they could potentially come back and make more purchases. “People will recommend you if you have given them a happy and memorable shopping experience. Technology enables us to solve problems at a faster rate and get more informed responses from customers in real time. Word of honor in business is very important, so always keep in mind that being true to your promise such as the ones stated in your company’s terms and conditions and making your customers feel very important will set you apart from others,” Lato added. A big enough market Hailed as the Bozz for E-commerce during PLDT Smart SME Nation’s #BeTheBoss campaign last year, Lato joined 14 other finalists to an immersion program in Silicon Valley as part of their winnings. Lato shared how the Silicon Valley experience was truly an eye-opener. “The trip opened my eyes to new concepts and strategies. We also got a snapshot on how renowned companies operate and manage their resources, with an emphasis on human capital development. Not everybody is wellversed about the complex underlying system that it has.” Through the experience, Lato firmed up her believe of always having room for growth. “You

may be the best today but there will always be another disruptive idea that can challenge your organization. In order to achieve that, you and your company should work together to adapt to your customers’ ever-changing needs,” she shares. Now approaching almost 10 years of serving their online customers, her simple study room for storage is now a 4-storey building in Tondo that houses all aspects of Kimstore. com’s operations. And from the housemaid alone, she now has dedicated teams handling their work operations for marketing, selling, customer care, deliveries, and logistics. Despite having started a successful career at such a young age, Lato’s advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs is to continuously work hard and finish their studies. “A good head start as a budding entrepreneur is always ideal,” Lato said. “But education is very important. Nothing beats earning your diploma. It can take you anywhere.” As a pioneer of the e-commerce industry, Lato sets an example of what a reliable trusted e-commerce store should be. It is never solely about the profit gained; rather, it is about how a business continuously grows – having planted seeds of humble beginnings, forging a solid foundation, having the courage to take leaps and calculated risks, and patience to wait for the perfect time to bloom. CC:

People will recommend you if you have given them a happy and memorable shopping experience. Technology enables us to solve problems at a faster rate and get more informed responses from customers in real time. - kim lato, kimstore.com founder At 27, Kim has made it big in the e-commerce industry, proving that with hard work and perseverance anything is truly possible.

Happy Skin co-founders Jacq YuengtianGutierrez and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo at the Happy Skin store in Glorietta 3.

A Beauty Brand in the Digital Age

Happy Skin’s flawless social media strategy inspires love for homegrown brands

s Filipina shoppers stroll along the “Make-up Lane” of Glorietta, one of the premiere shopping districts in town, a local brand is sure to stand out among giant, global names. Happy Skin, touted as a dualcitizen of make-up and skincare, makes shoppers stop in their tracks not only with the store’s dreamy color palettes and selfieperfect lighting, but also because the homegrown brand has become such a social media star that it’s hard not to recognize it. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and over 41,000 likes on Facebook, Happy Skin is not just reaching out to Filipinas and teaching them about “on fleek” make-up trends, but it has also succeeded in espousing a truly digital strategy. “I think we entered at the right time—the perfect time during the explosion of social media, and this

By Sarah G. Azucena- Reodica helped propel our brand so much to what it is today. If you have so much genuine love to share through your brand, people tend to give that love back. People post about our products and blog about it on their own. Or a celebrity will say that they use Happy Skin in their TV show, and it is super inspiring for us to make the brand even better,” said Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Happy Skin Chief Brand Officer. “In the Philippines where there are over a hundred million people, more than 40 percent are active internet users. And out of that 40 million, 90 percent have social media accounts. So as a brand as small as Happy Skin, if you enter it [the market] perfectly we get to tap 40 percent of the country’s market. Who else can do that with a very limited budget,” added Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, Happy Skin CEO. Remaining humble despite their two-year-old brand’s

accomplishments, Gutierrez and Trillo are quick to admit that they still have a long way to go and a lot more to learn before they consider themselves to be a “big” name in the make-up industry. So when they heard the good news that they will get the “learning opportunity of a lifetime”—an exposure trip to Silicon Valley—the Happy Skin cofounders immediately seized the opportunity to open up to a world of innovations and inspiration. “We’re actually very thankful to PLDT that they took us on a trip to San Francisco. We were not expecting it because we were just a finalist at the #BeTheBoss Awards of SME Nation and they announced a last-minute surprise during the event that even the finalists will get to go to Silicon Valley. It felt like an Oprah moment, actually. Like, wow,” recalled Trillo.

Happy Skin’s Instagram account shows followers how to “steal” their favorite celebrity’s look.

From Happy

#BeTheBoss Awards is PLDT Smart SME Nation’s search for the next generation of entrepreneurs who excel in innovations and digital integration. Happy Skin is one of the game-changing brands who entered the contest and became a finalist—but with the invaluable experience of the Silicon Valley trip, Gutierrez and Trillo felt like real winners just the same. “Silicon Valley for me is the tech-centric brain pool. I was

Gutierrez and Trillo enjoying the unique features of the Air BnB Headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Skin’s Instag

ram account

With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Happy Skin is truly a rising star.

very excited to meet the people behind the technologies that have literally transformed and changed our daily lives. I was also looking forward to engaging with fellow Filipinos working in these companies and gaining insights that could help our business,” Gutierrez enthused. When asked about the most important thing they gleaned from the trip, Gutierrez highlighted the importance for local businesses to go digital. “We are one of the most social-savvy citizens of the world. Filipinos are hungry for information that’s literally available at their fingertips. We should take advantage of this, as there are a lot of free technologies that can help transform a business. We should network and learn from

Beauty blogger Rowena Wendy Lei is all raves to the Glisten Up line of Happy Skin.

other entrepreneurs on how to maximize technology to our advantage,” “I truly believe that this is the time where small businesses can play in the same field as multinational giants. Social media is the great equalizer, now everyone has an equal voice to be heard. Now is the time for SMEs to thrive and conquer the world,” added Gutierrez. As Happy Skin positions itself for a graceful flight to the top, it nurtures a mindset among other entrepreneurs to continue to remain relevant in the digital space, one “like” at a time. CC:

cover story FROM SES RPRI E T S N R E E M SU N O C TO

n vans that bring commuters to Makati’s financial district, space is a prized commodity. Every inch of the seats have to be occupied, so people need to compress and sit squeezed together like matches in a full matchbox. In tightly packed public transports like these, it takes enormous effort and skill to rummage through your bag without rubbing arms with strangers. But passengers are oblivious of the discomfort because they are immersed in their gadgets. Either they’re watching the nth episode of their favorite telenovela, playing online games, or checking their social media accounts and smiling fondly at the screen. Even those who choose to spend the trip in dreamland are lulled to sleep by music from earphones attached to a mobile device. And this only depicts a scene in a public transport. The rest of humanity, in school campuses, malls, restaurants, and almost everywhere else, is equally glued to gadgets that they’re not about to let go in the foreseeable future.

The digital transformation With countless Filipinos embracing the digital lifestyle like a newfound soulmate, providers have stepped up their efforts to offer digital products and services to their customers. But for an industry leader like PLDT, a dependable infrastructure must come first. To set a more efficient, high-speed, and reliable system, PLDT has completed its migration to a purely Internet Protocol (IP)based Next Generation Network (NGN). Transforming the network

By Olive O. Barrozo

entailed the migration of a total of 782 switches and nearly 1.3 million lines, covering the PLDT Group’s 271 offices in 48 provinces nationwide. Customer experience is central in the digital world, and with the NGN system ensuring a more reliable and robust service, customer experience will significantly improve. As an all IP-based network, NGN is capable of delivering new digital services such as high-quality voice, data and multi-media services to customers. In his message during the full year results briefing, PLDT President Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said, “Data remains the key growth engine for the PLDT Group. Our Consumer and Enterprise Groups therefore need to focus their efforts on providing an excellent customer experience in this area. To achieve this, we need network dominance and reliability, ease of use and a superior portfolio of content, applications and solutions.” The digital enterprise According to Pangilinan, “The PLDT Group is uniquely positioned to serve the Enterprise sectors with six data centers that offer colocation, server hosting/outsourcing, disaster recovery, connectivity and data scrubbing. These centers are telco-grade, carrier-neutral, and vendor-agnostic with an aggregate rack capacity that is the largest in the country. We are also actively enabling the digital capability of our customers by expanding our mobile and data-driven solutions portfolio, introducing innovative e-commerce platforms and fostering

ICT leadership and expertise.” Both the PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and PLDT Smart SME Nation have been supporting their customers with business solutions that help enable the digital economy. PLDT’s Big Data services allow enterprises to analyze openly the available data and gain insights to drive predictive and datadriven decision making in their businesses. The Company has also zoomed to the skies as it utilized cloud technology. One of the offerings under the PLDT Cloud is the Desktop as a Service (DaaS), introduced by PLDT ALPHA in partnership with virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions leader VMware. DaaS enables enterprise personnel to virtually access their desktop applications and data over the internet or private network so they can easily access their respective desktops over any device. PLDT Cloud likewise offers the IBM Cloud which gives organizations the speed and security of expanding their IT capacity based on dynamic needs such as seasonal demand. There’s also the Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider Program that enables PLDT to customize its cloud service packages, combining Microsoft Cloud services with its own product offerings to meet the varying requirements of customers. To assist the educational sector, PLDT Smart SME Nation, in partnership with global IT giant

The all new Telpad is the most advanced centerpiece of the digitally connected Filipino home. It can control home appliances thru WiFi and Infrared and is also ideal for controlling PLDT HOME’s FamCam, a home monitoring camera that transmits live footage to mobile devices.TVolution is an ingenious device that turns subscribers’ TV into an internet TV through wireless connection from their PLDT HOME WiFi modem. Consumers in the digital world require a unified experience that brings together both content and connectivity, hence, the PLDT Group has integrated its extensive talents and resources to present a delightful customer experience, establishing partnerships with international content providers like iflix, Fox International Channels, and Disney Kids Channel.

Consumers in the digital world require a unified experience that brings together both content and connectivity, hence, the PLDT Group has integrated its extensive talents and resources to present a delightful customer experience, Microsoft Philippines, launched the Digital Campus Suite, a program that aims to upgrade digital technology and connectivity resources in campuses. This endeavor provides schools with the high-speed connectivity of PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate, as well as online access to training courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program. Digital innovations PLDT Group’s digital unit Voyager Innovations, Inc. has been developing innovative products and services including SafeZone, the free internet platform for the Filipino consumer that earns from brand sponsorships through revenue sharing. SafeZone enables enterprises to open their websites and mobile applications to mobile data users for free, increasing customer engagement in their digital channels. Another Voyager product is the PayMaya, a virtual instant Visa that anyone can activate upon downloading the PayMaya app which is available in both iOS and Android. PayMaya, which comes with a physical card, empowers

Filipinos to access all the products and services available on the internet. In addition, the PayMaya BEEP card can be used as payment for MRT and LRT rides. LockByMobile, also a Voyager innovation, is the world’s first security service that allows bank customers to “lock” and “unlock” their ATM, debit, and credit cards with their mobile phones. To help Filipino businesses reach more online customers, Voyager, together with PLDT ALPHA and PLDT Smart SME Nation, launched TackThis!, the premium concierge service for online store creator. TackThis! makes it easy for businesses to set up their online shops in minutes and “tack” their store to Facebook and other websites, and the platform facilitates the customer’s entire digital commerce journey – from ordering, inventory management, to fulfillment, and payment. The digital consumer With more Filipinos going digital, PLDT continues to provide their requirements through the “Connected Home,” driven by devices like the Telpad, TVolution, and the FamCam.

iflix is a Subscription Video-OnDemand (SVOD) service that has more than 11,000 hours of top TV shows and movies in its portfolio. It offers consumers popular TV serials and an updated catalogue of Hollywood, European, and Asian releases, among others. Streamed through PLDT and mobile subsidiary Smart networks, these shows are available on five devices, such as smartphones, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, and TV. PLDT’s partnership with Fox International Channels, on the other hand, enables the PLDT Group’s subscribers to enjoy Fox content via live and catch-up TV, as well as Video-On-Demand (VOD). Other integrated content and services that highlight customer experience include Cignal on Telpad which allows PLDT HOME Telpad subscribers to access select kidfriendly Cignal programs on Telpad, and Cignal on Broadband (Cignal over Fibr, Cignal over DSL), the only IPTV service in the country.

Welcome to the digital world!

With so much to watch and look forward to everyday, people are inevitably drawn to their gadgets and devices that they bring everywhere so they can constantly check for messages and posts and watch the vital screen wherever fate takes them. In the digital world where screens breathe life into people, nothing can replace the significance of compelling content and a reliable internet connection. Because in this realm, virtual is basically real. CC:

CHARACTER-DRIVEN PARENTING

What do we reward our children for?

feature

What do we punish our children for?

ROLE MODELING OF PARENTS

PLDT Spox and Public Affairs Head Mon Isberto moderated the talks.

What behaviors do we role model?

BUILDING A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY AT HOME

2nd #BilangPilipino tweet-up zeroes in on

the psychology of corruption By Sarah G. Azucena- Reodica

ollowing the success of the first “Bilang Pilipino,Ano’ng Say Mo?”talk, TV5, together with the companies under the MVP Group, hosted a second Tweet-Up in the aim of analyzing the most atrocious problem that isplaguing today’s society: corruption. This time, TV5 invited college students to be a part of the discussion, which was led by Psychology expert Dr. Gina Hechanova and TV5’s resident legal specialist Atty. Mel Sta. Maria. With a theme Psychology of Corruption: Pang-aabuso ng Kapangyarihan, Bakit Talamak at Hinahayaan? The Tweet-Up allowed the audience to understand what makes corruption happen, and what makes it “tolerable” for society.

and how they got away with it. For instance, one Senator was charged with plunder over the pork barrel scam but was granted bail due to “fragile health and advanced age for humanitarian reasons.” At the end of each speaker’s talk, the students fired away with their burning questions and the #BilangPilipino topic riled Twitter with insights from those who were watching the livestreaming.

my challenge is, gusto niyo mawala yung corruption? it has to start with hope, with you. - ma. regina hechanova-alampay

TV5 is slated to hold one more Bilang Pilipino,

But more importantly, the Tweet-Up underscored the importance of cultivating values and building a culture of integrity. “My challenge is, gusto niyo mawala yung corruption? It has to start with hope, with you,” Hechanova said. Meanwhile, Atty. Mel Sta. Maria cited corruption cases filed against erring officials,

Student leaders from different colleges join speakers Hechanova and Sta. Maria, as well as Isberto.

Dr. Gina Hechanova, who also chairs the Psychology Department of Ateneo de Manila, highlights the importance of every individual’s participation in the fight against corruption.

Ano’ng Say Mo talk before the elections, and it aims to shed light on one of the current national issues that definitely needs to be prioritized: the territory dispute with China. PLDT is a proud partner of Bilang Pilipino, TV5’s extensive coverage of the 2016 elections, and its voter education initiatives. Watch out for the next Bilang Pilipino, Ano’ng Say Mo talk, and use that social media clout to join relevant discussions on national issues. CC:

PLDT joins the Araw ng Davao parade.

Embodying Oneness

PLDT supports 79th Araw ng Davao By Alice P. Tuazon, PLDT Community Relations

PLDT ComRel Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario & PLDT Davao CSOZ Head Alan Abrina leads the employees during the Araw ng Davao parade.

PLDT Home booth showcases the Company’s products and services such as PLDT Home DSL Instant Patrol, Speedster Fam Plan and PLDT Telpad.

n the spirit of Davao’s traditional festivities, the 79th Araw ng Davao is a pride for the oneness of the Davaoeños and a manifestation of its continuous governance stability over the years. With unwavering support, PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) headed by Evelyn M. Del Rosario joined the celebration of the city’s biggest event. A day filled with street events in the fields of arts, music, culture, culinary and sports as well as a parade in the major parts of the city, showcasing the Mutya ng Dabaw (Ambassadress of Goodwill), the celebration was a vibrant feast which brought to light the camaraderie and togetherness

have — one that thrives in togetherness and is deeply sustained by every Davaoeño’s concern for each other’s welfare.”

visibly expressed by the Davaoeños. More than just a colorful festivity, the Araw ng Davao also remembered the city’s utmost growth and milestones as it continuously takes leaps in their flourishing economy. “Taking part in one of Davao’s biggest celebrations is always a pleasure,” Del Rosario said. “The Davaoeños have proven time and again what a strong community they truly

“Celebrating the Araw ng Davao shows how strong community ties enable better connections that not only merely shape an individual, but also strengthens the city’s culture,” Del Rosario added. PLDT’s presence is completed with a set up booth in the major event. PLDT Home DSL Instant Patrol, Speedster Fam Plan and PLDT Telpad are among the offered products and services to the Davaoeños. Lamp posts with PLDT logos along the parade route are also seen as the PLDT ComRel and PLDT Davao teams join the parade. Visiting applicants in

discouraged students from going to school. In 2013, RCSPC only attained an overall average mean percentage score (MPS) of 52.37, which meant that the school has been underperforming. Additionally, the school’s enrolment dropped from 1,077 in 2013 to 1,026 in 2014.

The Paaralang Laan sa Dunong at Talino is the first disaster-resilient school building in Roxas City.

First-of-its-Kind

“We are truly grateful that PLDT chose our school because the new classrooms are inspiring more students to do better and continue their studies,” he said.

PLDT, Motolite, PBSP build disasterresilient school building in Roxas City By Reggie Marie B. Barrientos, PBSP Visayas Regional Center

aintaining its commitment to improve the quality of education in the country, PLDT recently turned over a twoclassroom disaster-resilient school building for students of the Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen (RCSPC).

asset that will help drive the kind of development we wish for our nation,” del Rosario said. The new classrooms donated by PLDT will be used to hold cosmetology and dressmaking classes for Grade 7 and 8 students.

With the new school building, Jeremias hopes to improve the school’s MPS and enrolment by 10 percent. For Grade 9 student Keejay Launio, the new classrooms give him new hope to do better in school and achieve his dream of becoming a lawyer. After the typhoon, he had difficulty maintaining his grades because he had to hold classes under the trees while several construction activities have been going on.

Changing lives The classrooms, worth more than P3 through education million, are the first disaster-resilient As Roxas City’s first disasterrooms built in Roxas City and will resilient school building, PLDT’s benefit more than 1,000 students. “It really distracted us from our Paaralang Laan sa Dunong at Talino These are also the 24th and 25th lessons because of the noise and the can withstand three-hour fires, classrooms built by PLDT out of heat. Our classes were also shortened seven-magnitude earthquakes and the used batteries it has donated so we had to absorb our lessons for the Balikas fast as we Baterya Program, can. Most of our a partnership classmates were between Oriental and also absent, which Motolite Marketing discouraged Corporation others from and Philippine attending the Business for Social classes,” he added. Progress (PBSP) that encourages Unlike his companies to donate classmates their used lead acid though, Launio Present during the ceremonial turn-over of the key for the two-classroom disaster-resilient school building are, batteries (ULABs) for from left: Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation CSR Head Connie Deligero; PBSP Visayas Regional Center took every Manager Angelie Yulo-Millan; PLDT ComRel Head/Consultant Evelyn Del Rosario; DepEd Assistant Schools Division proper recycling in experience Superintendent Ferdinand Sy; DepEd Schools District Supervisor Ma. Antonia Capapay; RCSPC Principal Rodrigo exchange for various Jeremias, Jr.; Supreme Student Government President Meryl Losanta, and Student Representative Ivan Losanta. as a learning education projects. opportunity. He learned how to super typhoons as strong as Super During the turnover, PLDT be more resilient and hopeful. With Typhoon Yolanda. Community Relations Consultant and a better classroom, he knew he can Head Evelyn M. del Rosario said that excel more in the future. RCSPC Principal Rodrigo Jeremias, Jr. the project honors the partnerships said that the classrooms are the best PLDT has created through the years “The typhoon really taught me a lot of gifts RCSPC received after Typhoon in support of the Company’s effort things, but the most important thing is Yolanda tore out the vocational school in creating sustainable solutions for that disasters and hardships are not in 2013. poverty reduction. hindrances to success. We survived after the typhoon, and because of that A total of 40 out of the 49 classrooms “We believe that as a corporation, I am now more alert in case situations in RCSPC were partially damaged it is our responsibility to share our like that happen again. I know this while two needed complete resources on causes that drive the new skill will help me overcome all replacement. This affected development of this country. And we challenges and succeed in life if I put the school’s performance and also believe that education is a prime my heart into it,” he said. CC:

Sponsors and beneficiaries of the refurbished computer sets in Katipunan High School gather together during the turn-over of the computers, from left: PLDT IT Customer Support , Client Systems Engineer Bong Orig; PLDT Davao CSOZ Head Alan Abrina; PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador; PLDT ComRel Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario; Katipunan High School Principal Ferdinand Mariano; Katipunan Barangay Captain MaximoB ragat; Barangay Katipunan Kagawad /Committee on Education Richard Gensing and Katipunan High School PTA President Bienvenido Ranario, Jr..

ontinuing its pursuit for a better quality education, PLDT, in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation Inc. (PEF), donated five computers of five refurbished PC units to Katipunan High School of Katipunan, Arakan, Cotabato City.

A Letter Answered

PLDT donates computer sets to Cotabato students By Patricia May B. Ramirez, Student-Trainee, Far Eastern University

Initiated by the school principal Ferdinand T. Mariano, together with senior high school coordinator Glendale Ilaguison and PTA President BienvenidoRanario Jr., a letter was sent to PLDT Community Relations Head and Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario. In the letter, Mariano and his colleagues have underscored the importance of better quality service for their students with the goal of providing a platform for the students to truly see their potential and thrive. Catering to 287 students living in the nearby barangays of Arakan, Davao and Bukidnon, it is difficult for a school to operate with few computer facilities, especially now that the school is implementing the K-12 programs. Including a General Academic Strand (GAS) in Tourism specialization and Tech-Voc Strand with Horticulture as specialization, Katipunan High School seeks for further support from companies like PLDT in advocating computer literacy and better quality education for students. Extending this specific need is brought about by the bond held by PLDT with some IPO members living in Barangay DatuLadayon, which is a barangay supported by PLDT and Forrest Corridor Development Program (FDCP), which attends school in Katipunan High School.

Del Rosario, center, signs the deed of donation during the turn-over ceremony of five personal computers with Katipunan High School representatives, from left: Ranario Jr. and Sr. H.S. Coordinator Glendale Ilaguison.

Going beyond the commitment for wider and faster connectivity, seeing growth and progress among rural areas is also one of PLDTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocacies. As a response to the preparation of the upcoming Academic Year 2016-2017, PLDT replenishes the 11 computer units donated by DepEd-SEDIP last 2007 with five

new computers to suffice needs of the Senior High School program. With the recent success of the turn-over of the computer units, PLDT ensures that the continuous efforts in helping communities will go beyond answered letters. Rather, it aims to realize dreams through well-planned and concrete solutions for the communities. CC:

Main organizers and partners take to the stage during the CineFilipino Film Festival, from left: Former Gilas Head Coach Chot Reyes, CineFilipino Festival Director and Unitel Productions President and Group COO Madonna Tarrayo, TV5 President and CEO Noel Lorenzana, PSF President Esther Santos, and TV & Film Director Jose Javier Reyes.

e: r u t l u C g n i Cultivat nce e i d u a s e t a ptiv a c o n i p i l i F Cine Seen onstage is the cast and crew behind “Ned’s Project”, which bagged the Best Film award.

By Katrina A. Mallari

e it acting, singing, or dancing, art has permeated people’s lives, creating a venue for self-expression and communicating a widespread of messages ranging from hope, love, culture, and nation-building. Organized and led by Unitel Productions and in partnership with the MVP Group of Companies and PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF), the recently held biennial CineFilipino Film Festival was a resounding success, surpassing expectations with extended screenings of the films in five cinemas as well as extra screenings of Ice Idanan’s Sakaling Hindi Makarating. The film festival’s original run concluded on March 19 at the CineFilipino Film Festival Awards Night which saw Ned’s Project take the Best Picture award, followed by Sakaling Hindi Makarating and Star Na si Van Damme Stallone which won Second and Third Best Pictures, respectively. Aside from winning Second Best Picture, Sakaling Hindi Makarating also won awards for Best Director (Ice Idanan), Best Actor (Pepe Herrera), Best Cinematography (Ice Idanan), Best Musical Score (Mon Espia), Best Sound (Raffy Magsaysay) and Best Editing (Hannah Espia). Additional awards for Best Picture Ned’s Project include:

Best Actress (Angeli Bayani), Best Supporting Actress (Max Eigenmann), Best Cinematography (Tey Clamor), Best Screenplay (John Bedia) and Best Production Design. Meanwhile, Third Best Picture Star Na si Van Damme Stallone bagged the following awards: Best Actress (Candy Pangilinan) and Best Supporting Actor (Isaac Aguirre). “We definitely surpassed the previous CineFilipino Film Festival with more genres and more categories which reached a wider audience. Though, at par with other film festivals, CineFilipino has clearly found its niche among the audience. Our diverse and audience-friendly films make us relatable to many people,” Madonna Tarrayo, CineFilipino Festival Director and Unitel Productions President and Group COO, said.

As a testament to the success of the film festival, a separate run will be held at the UP Film Theater in UP Diliman fromApril 18 to 23. This is spearheaded by Cineastes, the film organization of the UP College of Communication Arts. In addition, CineFilipino is also being tapped by interested groups for special screenings as well as theatrical and international film festival runs. “It is awe-inspiring to be surrounded by a talented group of people who are passionate about film and its power to touch lives.” PSF President Esther Santos said. “The new categories such as Best Online Content and Mobile Video also make filmmaking more accessible by using these new forms of technology. Young and old now have the opportunity to share their view to a wider audience. We are happy to see that Filipino cinema is alive and well with CineFilipino.” CC:

The CineFilipino Film Festival is a well-attended event, both by prominent and rising stars, from left: Pilar Pilapil, Cai Cortez, and Martin Escudero.

A rousing display of commitment inspired by the team empowerment activities.

motivation overload:

EmpDev’s team workout for Service Operations Center

echnical experts get subjected to quality checks and exacting scrutiny for jobs rendered. Understandably so. The best customer experience is highly determined by the reliability of our network performance. Here lies the core of our business. This is where all the initiatives of marketing, sales, finance and human resources revolve around. Standards can never be relaxed anywhere as we find ourselves in the thick of a challenging digital transformation journey. But standards are loftiest this side of the workforce. Both the delight of our subscribers as well as the brunt of horror stories can emanate from how our allies in the Technology Group deliver. That is why staff motivation matters immensely here and becomes the priority of any HR and OD practitioner in the organization. Through the leadership of Smart Manager for Technical Services Faye Esquillo, a teambuilding and goals cascade session For Smart’s Network Operations Centerpaved the way for a most rewarding partnership with EmpDev Assistant Vice President and Head Nonong Noriega. The memorable learning event took place at Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite.

A moment of team introspection led by Nonong Noriega.

The motivational segment kicked off with Network Services & Assurance Executive Advisor Rudi Frey articulating the performance objectives on customer experience and culture transformation imperatives followed by a Q & A. This set the climate for the Team Workout portion that surfaced breakthrough realizations in attitudinal enablement and behavioural syndromes that both enhance and impede productivity. Center Heads Ike Gabriel and Ariel Medina were on the forefront of robust participation while the rest of the troops revelled in the activities where teamwork, open communication, accountability, ownership and creativity found enlightening applications. Here are random samples of reactions after the rousing finale rites:

“Everyone has the potential to be a leader. Coaching, encouragement and affirmation can bring out the best in everyone.” – Omar dela Cuesta “All matters discussed struck me like a lightning volt!” – Arcelilza Tabornal “Never give up during a crisis. The more we should strive harder and maintain enthusiasm in all things” – Zuriel Perocho “As a team, we share the same willingness to change ourselves, our team and our company for the better.” –Ryan Chavez Cascade sessions are now being planned to get everyone on the same page and winning stance. CC:

THE BANDWAGONER

et’s not call them supervisors. We want them transcending the ‘sit and sign,’ ‘updates please’ and the ‘for your perusal’ directives. We want them to be enabling motivators. Call them team leaders. Let’s not call them ‘raters and ratees.’ We want them to see their jobs beyond the KRA & KPI machineries. We want them to look beyond earning points for their units alone but looking at how their merits impact the big picture. Call them ‘coaches and coachees.’ There’s a revolution going on in the workplace today when it comes to managing people. Gone are the days when we look at employees as order takers or mere individual contributors. We’re letting them have their say when it comes to shaping the business. Leadership is now everywhere in the organization, not confined to titles. The matrix interfaces are allowing even non-executive people to call the shots in certain projects if the discipline needed

Technology Innovation & Network Access Planning enthusiasts are all aboard the Digital Transformation journey!

in the process heavily rests on their expertise and capabilities. The ego of the seasoned veterans should be left by the doorstep of the war room if we want an atmosphere where receptiveness to change enables meaningful transformation. Get the culture right and the swift processes follow. Get the ‘mind-set’ right and the collaborative spirit gets induced. Get the ‘heart-set’ right and the support systems fall into place. Well, not neatly all the time. Transformation involves managing the aftermath of radical alterations in the way we do business and birth pains where bleeding finds its first aid in people who care enough to make the change happen with envisioned results that matter. All transitions necessitate movement. The challenge to break in the bad news of certain realities in cut throat competition and market trends accompany resistance and grief, especially for those who’ve established a track record of past achievements. There is

By Nonong noriega

danger in lingering on the denial state. This will just delay bouncing back. But this is also the time when we cannot afford to have demoralized people. While we’re communicating the harsh truth, we must continue to affirm strengths that will propel recovery and the wise resolve to regain solid ground. Let’s be careful of the way we treat fellow workers when we’re raising the bar of performance. While reinforcing the need to raise standards, dare we not give the impression that we want robot like compliance for the imperatives. Respect, affirmation and appreciation should be embedded in the culture of performance as we celebrate small victories on our way to the bigger ones. Let’s gun for an all-time high in people engagement. We want everyone aboard the transformation journey. Losing direction is tragic. But losing inspiration can be fatal. CC:

life

arts

poetry | prose | artworks | photography

Chilling with technology Photography by Sheila Marie D. Daccog, IT Mediation & Settlement Systems

digisaurus By Kuyang – JSQS - FSQA It took us by surprise. It was too late for us to realize. Technology has paved its way. And it’s slowly eating us away. From the simple dreams of someone, To be held by the hands of anyone. How these little things could do so much With a simple help of your touch. It is truly and remarkably fascinating, That they could be considered everything. And how they replaced our usual hobbies. That without them, we are nobodies. This transition has devoured almost everything. It can wolf so much to its liking. I’m looking forward to hearing the legend of kites, The stories of hide-and-seek and tales of childhood hikes. The new age gave the human history a beating. From simple sweats to a more complicated breathing. It appears that we can control everything in the palm of our hands. But is it really the case in these earthly lands?

“Recording Artist” Photography by Jan Lester E. Bisco, Financial Business Intelligence Warehouse

Artwork by Danny “Bimbo” Handayan, PLDT Tondo Sales & Service Center

piso-net By Melvin Artugue, FMA – ESAM Team C Ako’y naglalakad sa isang makitid na lansangan Pauwi na galing sa aking eskwelahan Medyo nagugutom na yung mga bulate sa tiyan ko May nadaanan akong comshop, yun ang kaso Tinignan ko muna ang laman ng aking kalupi ‘Pag bumili ba ako ng tinapay, sasapat ba ang sukli Para pang-FB saglit sa Piso-Net Ayoko munang umuwi kasi mainet Habang ako’y nag-e-FB, may mga katabi akong maingay Nagdownload sila ng apps at sa iPhone daw ilalagay Pinangangalandakan pa nga na syota ang nagbigay Samantalang yung sa akin, ‘di touch-screen, meron pang sungay Inisip ko na lang, “at least, ‘di ako mahohold-up” Mas maganda pa yata yung phone nila kaya shut up Mas maganda na yung mamuhay ng simple Kaysa naman yung buhay ko ay manganib ng matinde Hindi naman siguro masama ang sumunod sa uso Ngunit uunahin mo pa ba ito kung walang laman ang tiyan mo Kung hindi mo afford, huwag kang bumili Ibig sabihin nun ay mag-ipon ka muna nang mabuti Matutong makuntento kung ano ang mayroon Hindi yung makikigaya ka, inabot naman ay gutom Gamitin ang makabagong teknolohiya sa mabuti Maaari itong makatulong sa atin ng malaki

instagram of life

By Patricia Ramirez, student trainee – Far Eastern University Instant grams of society Instant grams of praises Instant grams of technology Instant grams for me In a world of instants I wanted things permanent And so I capture life Through little lenses of A four cornered device smarter than me Instagram discovered me It felt like I’m an artist Every angle, good lighting The farthest places, my sumptuous plates You’ll see it here and envy In one tap all is for eternity If they push that heart, I’ll be happy My plus one are opinions of society My another one is self-therapy My image is polygamy

H .U.G .O.T ( Help Understand Gravity of Truth) Pa More By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ

have the tendency to like/love a person who cannot reciprocate the same affection or whom i can merit a certain degree of attention. My usual dilemma. Yes, love is to give without expecting anything in return. Love even the most difficult or undesirable person in your midst. Or maybe I was the undesirable one…but they cannot swallow the thought of appreciating me anyhow. It’s okay as I have grown kind of used to the situation. The wish/ dream lives on…someday, His Planned One will make everything worth the pain, the tears, the heartache and heartbreak. Do not cry anymore for the people who choose to desert you, unfriend on Facebook, unfollow you on Twitter or simply remove you from their universe. Thank them for the peace of mind and that finally they will no longer bother you with their concerns or bombard you with angry Viber chats or calls as if you owe them a lot. Finally you can be free from the indecent/awkward requests to satisfy their temporary madness, which when fulfilled will make them develop amnesia and forget your presence and existence, just like what we did to Friendster or MySpace. *** Marrying age. Some may insensitively comment that I am way past the marrying age as my years of existence so far have fallen off the standard calendar. Their comments may somehow make me feel like a commodity past its expiry date, but I refuse to believe I am a commodity with a “best before” date. I feel like I am just starting to hone skills and make my niche. 3-0 is the new 1-0 for me and that would mean I am just starting my “teenage”

years. Okay, I am trying to ward off the negative energy that usually comes with the topic. Age is not a problem as long as we are learning and applying these lessons to improve our lives. Yes, there is the human desire to feel loved and cared for…to [finally] meet that special person who will be brave and faithful (having a strong faith in the Lord) to accept me for whoever I am wired to be. There is sometimes the occasional daydreaming session where someone will bring me flowers (in shades of blue and purple), opening a small box with blue sapphirediamond ring, and say: “Will you spend the rest of this lifetime with me?” Imagination. Illusion. However you may call this daydream thingy. In reality, I am enjoying life as it is – plain and simple routine of home-work-and-a-little-personal-time. Love. Let Him grant me when it’s His Time. We only live once and it is costly to make the mistake of a lifetime. If it is not part of His Plan, I sincerely pray that this desire be diminished and that He will fill me with more of His Love and Grace. Loneliness. I have been Misery’s friend for quite a long while. It is only when I emptied myself enough that I find myself filled with the joy that comes with hoping on the Lord’s promises and awed by the Miracles of His Grace and Mercy. There were times in the past when I discretely requested friends who may have potential prospects for me to introduce. 介紹, that’s the Chinese word for

introduction. Yes, there are still existing matchmakers, formal or informal. I’ve been introduced twice, in futility - two failed attempts. Why did they fail? Because it was a mutual thing -I didn’t like the guys and they didn’t like me as well. 介紹… I guess my friends will not dare to do the honor as most of them say i have very high standards in guys that are very difficult to fulfill – well, maybe. Because i used to dream of marrying a CCIE if i cannot become one. However, the good Lord granted my prayer to become one so I am thinking now if I would still like to marry a fellow CCIE. Maybe I would still include that quality in the list. If I would enumerate my wish list of ideal man’s qualities, it would include among other things: • GOD-fearing, Christian by faith (not only by religion) • loves his family especially his mom • East Asian features (aka Chinito) but at least 5 inches taller than me. Let us set it at 5’9” or taller • Slim and looks well in white formal polo • has a good overall personal hygiene • can carry intelligent conversations, even if he may sound corny in terms of humor • double master’s degree holder or multiple technical certifications is a major plus • Financially, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually stable • does not have vices (i.e. smoking, gambling, flirting/girl-hunting, drinking liquor/ beer) • sports and musically oriented/talented; “can dance gracefully” is a plus • handy-man (i.e. knows his stuff, fixing around the house) can cook, wash the dishes/his own clothes

I trust and believe He can exceed beyond my wish list and I shall wait in joyful and faithful hope as always. *** Lady Antebellum’s song “Just A Kiss” reminds me of you, my North Star I can only admire you from afar. The thought of possibly meeting you again makes me smile and I treasure every chance I get. My shallow randomness is fueled fervently by watching you on YouTube, where your genius, outof-this-world ideas captivate my senses –my eye-candy, the sugar rush that pumps up my adrenaline. I follow you in every LinkedIn news and technical article on Heavy and Light Readings. The empire you built in the technology innovation space astonishes me – how you were able to influence and establish the multinational, multi-brand, multi-technology collaborative linkage, with no intention of clashing the clans but rather forming a community of knowledge and practice. *** This is not “hugot” (unearthing emotions from the deep abyss of resentment and discontent). I honestly don’t understand why people have the tendency to overuse the term “hugot” to brand the hard/harsh facts of life. They have to accept the sad reality that some individuals experience more sufferings than others…that relating these sufferings will help ease the pain and allow that person to let go gradually. HUGOT = Help Understand Gravity Of Truth. CC:

connection lost By Paula R In today’s world where We become friends through Facebook, You start a conversation on Messenger, You ask for my mobile number, We chat and share photos via Viber, We talk on the phone, We send text messages all day long… Was there ever really a connection? I wonder. Was any of it real? I couldn’t really tell. No point now in searching for the answers… Connection is lost, let’s not reconnect.

keeping ourselves planted

By Luis C. Maglanoc, GMM West/CSO-BPM Much work, mind’s grinding to a halt. How can I take you off my head? Oh, do tell lest I re-set into default? Else make me smile, instead! Tried to decode messages kept hidden. Misspelled words with incomplete sentences. Is it too hard, a very heavy burden? You really knock me off my sense. Wish that we could be more connected, Yet my sentiments were lost in translation! Though I can hear and see you, that’s true. Words seem to lack emotional action. Yes, I find it funny and most of the time weird. Maybe, just maybe, this is what I feared! I may not weigh heavily on your heart. And accept, that it’s better to be mostly apart! Technology has its advantage, that we all know! But when it interferes with our human nature, It sometimes casts a doubt, whether we stop or go. And never will replace a touching gesture! I Am Kristian Miguel 11April2016 84139173

the leader in you

By Laemar John V. Chavez, Fixed Service Network In the past, technology played a supporting role The driver of change in society Today, it influences all of humanity Playing a leading role in our daily lives Just like the evolution of our telephone It’s now a multifunctional device that provides interaction Face to face video chats, text messaging, email, and social media Along with the same voice call we had been used to Adaptive to change in a brave new world An eye to the future’s technological wonders What skills should be cultivated to be a great pro With profound determination and utter gung-ho Who will be the leader in this brave world? What skills are needed to survive and thrive? How can you stand out like our innovative telephone With multifunctional deeds and impressive goals Character is important and listening skills With an eye to the future and a creative mind Anticipate external issues with the convergence of technology Work collaboratively and conceptualize effective solutions As our world becomes more complex Competitive as more technological advancements arrive In an ever increasing speed of almost everything around Be a leader that we can all be proud. We are a people of patriotic heritage and we stand as one like no other in the world!

social media: noon at ngayon Ni Rebelyn Q. Rosales, Business Process Assurance

Sa aking pagbabalik-tanaw ako’y napapangiti Makakaugnay ka dito pag ikaw ay batang 90’s Naaalala ko ang isang tsinelas at lata Tama, tumbang presyo nilaro mo rin ba? Pagkatapos ng klase ang grupo’y sama-sama Kung hindi Chinese garter, ten twenty, o luksong baka Siyato, Jack-en-poy at patintero nilalaro naming magbabarkada Pati trumpo walang ligtas sa tropa

Kay saya noon ng aking kabataan Punong-puno ng magagandang alalang mahirap kalimutan Simple pero walang katulad Salamat at doon ako namulat

Sabado o Linggo dadalaw kami sa bahay ng bawat isa Magluluto ng nilupak o di kaya’y manunungkit ng suha Magtatawanan sa lilim ng mga puno di ba’t kay saya Next week tara sa ilog ang hirit ng isa

Sa paglipas ng taon kay laki ng pinagbago Yung tradisyunal na larong Pinoy pinalitan na ng Dota Ang dating slumbook at diary ngayon Facebook at Instagram na Hindi lang isa o dalawa kundi libo ang nakakabasa

Meron pa akong gustong ibahagi Saksi kami sa ligawan ng aming kaibigan Palitan ng kanilang mensahe ay sinusulat sa kuwaderno Kami ang taga abot syempre binasa na namin ito

Ako’y napapatanong bakit kailangang isa publiko Araw araw pinopost pa ito Awayan sa pamilya, kapitbahay, kaibigan at sa kahit na sino Bakit di na lang isa pribado at ayusin ito.

Kami’y kinikilig habang naglalakad Patingin tingin sa paligid baka may makaalam Halakhak nami’y hindi matatawaran Pasensiya na’t nagiging pakialamera minsan

Mas magandang sabihin ang salitang I Love You, happy birthday Congratulations, happy mother’s and father’s day ng personal Kaysa gawing facebook status na hindi naman nababasa ng taong pinagsasabihan Iba pa rin kasi pag nasabi ng harapan

Buti na lang wala pa noong cellphone Masarap kasing makatanggap ng mabangong stationary Dito kasi lumalabas ang pagiging makata Ng isang tagahanga ng isang simpleng dalaga

Ngayon ang buhay natin ay isa nang bukas na libro Kung wala kang social media accounts hindi ka sunod sa uso Bago pindutin ang POST pag-isipan ito Ito ba’y kaayaaya o ikasisira mo

diginfantuation By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ Curiosity got the better hold of me When I first read your name From electronic books, journals Interviews and tech talks I wondered about this man With such a brilliant mind I searched for you everywhere - every hit Mr. Google and Mr. Bing pointed to Alas, I saw you virtually in front of me YouTube videos where you spoke eloquently Captivating this heart, filling my senses With your passion as a technology visionary I got thrilled when we finally met in person Your suave ways of speaking your mind

Nothing beats the feeling of getting up close Your voice resonates through like Bono’s on my Spinnr replay mode Things get better when we got connected on LinkedIn Where we collaborate on jargons only geeks like us understand I appreciate the light moments shared through iMessage, WhatsApp and WeChat Linking us beyond the thousand miles and time zones between us My life has changed ever since you came You inspire me, serving as my instant espresso boost Just like CSI and Candy Crush Saga games Entertaining when waiting time is making one insane

In a changing world By Katrina A. Mallari, Media

e have well gone past the time Marty, Doc, and Jennifer travelled to October 21, 2015 at 4:29 P.M. from 1985 in Back to the Future II. Yet many of the things they thought would happen in 2015 did come true – hoverboards, wearable technology as brought now by the innovative experience called virtual reality, video calls through apps like Skype, Messenger, and FaceTime, and tablet computers now brought to us by brands like Apple and Samsung. Even in 1985, Marty, Doc, and Jennifer tried to immerse themselves in the digital age. And whether they have come prepared or not, the digital age does not stop itself from permeating people’s lives. The digital age is a force to reckon with – boundless and often times, unrecognizable. We did not see it coming until it is already here. We may get a hint of its forthcoming; but when it arrived, we are often at a loss on what to do. With new iPhone and Android releases, new high-powered advanced machineries, ultra-fast internet connectivity, and lightweight and thinner versions of laptops, we have ultimately found ourselves in a vacuum – not for the lack of the tools we need to keep up with in order to become digital but with the conscious effort on drawing the line between

what it is that we want and need. We are often consumed with our many idealistic wants that our realistic needs are often overlooked. But the digital age allows us to be more conscientious – constantly remembering our whys and finding better answers to it. Why do we create a virtual world? The answer is never simple and it is never the same if you ask any individual coming from a different generation. But from a millennial, a virtual world is a reality that introduces itself while wearing a mask – it seeks a chase, an unraveling of answers amid a mystery. It is important to understand that living in a digital age requires an open mind. You may be a baby boomer, a millennial, or a generation z, and still be able to adapt to a changing world. And while all we may see for the next few years are small steps towards progress, these are all still glimpses of tiny victories reaching a greater core. And all we really have to do is try. CC:

alone with everyone By Loida Verdadero-Nardo, Specialist-Fixed Service Network Quality Assurance

screen capture By Paula R

A story. On a page in a document. A file stored on hard drive. Easily retrieved and edited. If only it were that simple.

Shared with others online. On social media, or in a blog. Open to interpretation. Touching others. Hopefully. Changing lives, maybe. Receiving feedback. Attention.

It’s late and already past twelve midnight But still awake and my eyes are open wide, Engaged in making up extension of my being Remote eyes and ears are busy in the making. Rapid video pranks, unsourced blogs and comments Light weight mash ups seem trivial and harmless, They seem to conquer the emotion of loneliness This modern place of hope called the web access. Living in this digital world, I recreated myself As an online personae with memory expanded, Enough to build hundreds and thousands of friends Attending to everyone until losing my own sense. The network is seductive and entices me to be on Getting a grasp of the news or merely shopping online, The web connects me to the world and loved ones Till I wake up and realize I am alone with everyone.

I wish it were that simple. And then a photo. Or a sketch. A memory. To add flair, a little color perhaps, To the otherwise plain set of words on white canvas. If only life were that simple… To type in my story, alter what I can. To connect with someone, show them all I am. To create a bigger picture and live it. More than just ordinary. Vibrant. Appealing. But I am not fiction. There is more than just the 1s and 0s. No tool to change what has been. No relationship that ever comes easy. Yet we learn. Adjust. Embrace it. And though it may never really become easy, We live. Survive.

“Sa bukid daw walang papel. Pero, meron namang signal. Kaya pwede ang call, text and social media.” By MARILYN B. DELA CRUZ, HOME SSC MANAGEMENT MODEL: Fhebie M. Perdido

Simple.