ACC:ESS May 22, 2017

may 22,

2017

About the Cover “PLDT Inc. is now looking at the fixed line business as the new battleground for the telecommunication industry. The battleground has shifted from wireless to fixed. And that plays to our strength because we have the most extensive fixed network infrastructure. We are, for example, aggressively bringing fiber to the home, which today can already reach 2.5 million homes in different parts of the country.” - MVP

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news 02 2017 PLDT First Quarter Results Home, Enterprise lead revenue growth 05 PLDT, Cisco collaborate to elevate enterprise networking experience 06 ePLDT enhances customer experience with data center tech adoption 07 PLDT welcomes new Infoteach Outreach graduates 08 QBO launches innovation hub, programs for start-ups

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#elevate 13 PLDT improves telecom services in Surigao del Norte

features 15 PLDT opens first store in Ayala mall 18 Brigada Eskwela 2017 PLDT Gabay Guro helps rebuild Catanduanes school

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regulars 01 11 14 16 20

Top Management View Photo Gallery Social Media Shoutout PLDT BAEs Arts Hub

20 PLDT MEDIA 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

Mon R. lsberto Public Affairs Head 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.

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EDITORIAL Jay-Anne R. Encarnado Editor-in-Chief Sennen F. Lacsamana Managing Editor Ederic P. Eder Social Media Officer Olive O. Barrozo Literary Editor

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PLDT Chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan was a panelist at the “Initiating ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN)” session of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s Prosperity for All Summit on April 28, 2017 at the City of Dreams in Parañaque City.

Here are some excerpts from what he shared during the forum:

On millennials, digital technology, and transcendent values The internet has broken down barriers, and by definition you have to deal with the world. I think it’s important that we know what that world is and we know what the world of the millennials is as well because it’s not my world anymore.

It’s their world.It’s a different world, and we as the seniors have to understand what this digital technology is all about.

But through it all, what should underpin whatever world might happen — digital or otherwise, in the future — are the values that are transcendent and that will continue to be the bedrock of your business. And that will ensure its continuity overtime. Methods will change.The digital world will be here maybe for the next few decades — but who knows beyond that what will happen?So you just have to be ready for it, you have to be open for it, and you have to change.And all of these disruptions that are happening — and they are happening in our business particularly because we’re the cutting edge of technology —is very, very painful.

And if you don’t adjust to it or in fact of you don’t promote it, if you don’t disrupt yourselves, somebody else will disrupt your business.

On working abroad I would say that working abroad is an entirely different experience actually. It’s an entirely different environment, so something quite unfamiliar to you, and so you have to deal with that. I worked in Hong Kong continuously for about 22 years, and the thing about Hong Kong, it’s pretty much a working environment. Apart from being a shopping environment, it has bred a community of some of the best lawyers in the world, some of the best bankers and investment bankersin the world, some of the best accountants in the world, and some of the best financial advisers in the world, so the level of competition there and the demands on you in terms of the standards of excellence that you must deliver are very high.

In all of my conversationsmentoring with the youth, I would encourage them to actually— if you a chance to work

abroad, go do it. You’re young enough to fail; you’re young enough to learn to what’s out there.It’s important for you — whether you’re a millennial or not — to know what’s out there in the world because if you’re so engrossed with things that are entirely domestic, you will never know what competition is like in the world.

On how mentorship can help micro, small, and medium enterprises I think there’s apositive part of it principally by way of sharing how large businessesconduct their businesses and joining the network that Joey Concepcion is conceiving (AMEN) both of the Philippines and in the ASEAN region,so you could travel throughout the country and talk to the entrepreneurs. And the other part of it is leading by example, showing how you conduct your business, what insights in the business or businesses might be possible for them to participate in and some model on how to conduct your business. The abiding lesson we want to show to those who want to emulate what we’re doing is that you can, you can be a profitable enterprise without having to cut corners.

You cannot teach SMEs really what entrepreneurship is all about because by definition it’s already in their DNA.So it’s a question really of just having a relationship with them, sharing your experience and their experience with you so that the spirit and the method of conducting business are shared amongst the business community.

On how PLDT reaches out to Microentrepreneurs There’s a specific unit within the overall enterprise group of PLDT dedicated to the microenterprises and small and medium enterprises, and our goal is really to bring them up to the digital level. At the end of the day, a digital company like PLDT is an enabler of businesses large and small — like giving them the ability to onboard the internet, help them in their software needs by putting their needs on the cloud, giving them the ability to forego CAPEX on servers by giving them services that our data centers provide so they can be digital savvy without having to invest heavily in both talents and inthe hardware of the internet. CC:

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NEWS MVP, 2nd from left, expounds on the positive direction the PLDT Group is heading Also in the photo are, from left: PLDT Chief Finance Officer Anabelle L. Chua, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer Ernesto R. Alberto and PLDT Chief Corporate Service Officer Ray C. Espinosa.

Home, Enterprise lead revenue growth •Home and Enterprise set pace for revenue growth, up 12% and 13% respectively year-on-year and ahead of industry growth • Home subscribers rose 10% year-on-year, net adds at 340,000, both voice and data revenues up significantly.

• Home business launched ‘PLDT Smartcity’, to bring the best broadband experience to homes nationwide • Enterprise data and ICT revenues up 24%, faster than industry growth • Data center revenues up 11% year on year, market share now at 70% • Mobile subscriber net adds for the quarter positive at 400,000, up after 2 quarters of subscriber losses •Wireless consumer revenues at P14.7 billion 2% less quarter on quarter, down 18% year-on-year • 1Q2017 core income up 46% compared to 4Q2016, down by 26% year-on-year at P5.3 billion • Consolidated service revenues stabilize while EBITDA and core

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For the first quarter of 2017, PLDT’s Consolidated Service Revenues (net of interconnection costs) was P35.6 billion, 7% less than the services revenues yearon-year but only 1% lower than service revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016, in line with the objective to arrest the negative momentum of the topline.

Fixed service revenues (net of interconnection costs) amounted to P16.9 billion, up 10% year-on-year, while Wireless service revenues (net of interconnection costs) reached P20.8 billion, 16% lower than the previous year. Quarter on quarter, fixed service revenues increased by 4% while wireless revenues declined 4%.

Consolidated Core Income, excluding the gain from asset sales and EBITDA adjustments in the Q1 2016 (subsidies and provisions), reached P5.3 billion, 26% less than a year ago. However, compared to the previous quarter, Recurring Core Income in Q1 2017 rose by P1.7 billion, or 46%, because of higher EBITDA. Consolidated EBITDA amounted to P16.5 billion, 1% less than Q1 2016, but 7% higher than Q4 2016, marking three consecutive quarters of improvement in EBITDA. This was due primarily to lower provisions and lower subsidies that compensated for lower revenues.

EBITDA margin was 44%, an improvement from 41% a year ago and 40% in the previous quarter.

As of end-March 2017, Consolidated Net Debt stood at US$2.7 billion while Net Debt to EBITDA was 2.2x.

Gross Debt reached US$3.5 billion, only 25% of which are denominated in US$ compared to 32% as of end-2016 following the refinancing inpesos of the 8.35% US$ bond which matured in March 2017. Taking into account available US$ cash and hedges, only 9% of total debt is unhedged, while 91% of ourdebt are fixed-rate loans, post-interest rate swaps.

“As we indicated earlier, our focus since the latter part of 2016 has been to stabilize the overall business, which involves stemming the decline of revenues and profitability in the wireless consumer segment, sustaining the upward momentum in the Home and Enterprise businesses and laying the ground for recovery through the digital transformation of our businesses.

We’ve produced encouraging results in the first quarter this year, thanks to the continued strong growth posted by our Home and Enterprise businesses, whilst our Wireless Consumer Group re-doubled efforts to break the negative momentum and hold the line,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Home and Enterprise take the lead PLDT’s Home and Enterprise Business units led the way in the first quarter of 2017, posting double-digit revenue increases year-on-year. Home service revenues (net of interconnection costs) reached P7.8 billion, up 12%, while

Enterprise service revenues (net of interconnection costs) rose to P8.5 billion, climbing 13% versus Q1 2016.

The combined revenues of Home and Enterprise Groups,now make up 46% of consolidated service revenues, higher than the 41% contribution of the Wireless Consumer business of Smart, TNT and Sun. The Wireless Consumer Group posted service revenues of P14.7 billion, 18% lower than the same period last year largely due to declines in SMS and voice revenues. On a quarter on quarter basis, however, the rate of decline of Wireless Consumer revenues slowed down to 2%, the difference between the two quarters stemming from the first quarter having two days less than the fourth.

Moreover, the combined subscriber base of Smart, TNT and Sun rose by about 400,000 in the first quarter of 2017 from end-2016.

Data powers growth Data has powered revenue growth across all the major business units, with Enterprise and Home providing the fulcrum for PLDT’s digital pivot.

In the first quarter of 2017, data and broadband revenues grew 10% yearon-year to P15.9 billion and comprised 44% of consolidated revenues. On segment basis, data and broadband accounted for 62% and 33% of fixed and wireless service revenues, respectively. Mobile internet revenues grew 20% year on year to P4.6 billion.

PLDT CRO Eric R. Alberto on Enterprise leading the path along with Home towards revenue growth.

Corporate data and data center revenues increased 17% to P4.9 billion while Home broadband revenues rose 15% to P4.7 billion.

In terms of their share of revenues per major business group, data and broadband accounted for 66%, 61% and 37% of the first quarter 2017 revenues of Enterprise, Home and Wireless Consumer Businesses, respectively.

“In pursuing digital transformation, we are building on our strengths as the country’s leading integrated communications and digital services group with the most extensive and resilient wired and wireless networks and digital infrastructure. Through those platforms, we are offering a growing range of services and solutions that go beyond access and meet the increasingly digital needs of our customers,” said PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer Ernesto R. Alberto.

“Our advantages in the fixed line business – particularly our brand strength and extensive network reach – is providing us a significant competitive edge since there is much more headroom for growth in fixed moving forward,” he added.

Wired and wireless network roll-out Underpinning its revenue growth is PLDT’s extensive roll out of both wired and wireless networks.

In the first quarter 2017, PLDT expanded the reach of its fiber optic network to cover over 3 million homes

passed, up from 2.8 million homes at end-2016 and tracking well vis-à-vis the 4.4 million homes target by end-2017.

This is supporting the more extensive delivery of fiber to the home (FTTH) services in key urban centers in various parts of the country.

In line with this, PLDT launched its fiber-powered PLDT SmartCity program (previously “Fibr City” program) first in Toledo City, Cebu in February, then in General Santos City in April and then Naga City in May. Working with city governments of these key urban centers, PLDT is deploying high-speed world-class internet connectivity to more homes, providing a wide range of entertainment, home security and other digital services.

Complementing its stepped up FTTH roll-out, PLDT is also set to start deploying in the second quarter of this year hybrid fiber technologies like G.fast that can deliver fiber-like data speeds through the copper wires in homes and buildings under a three-year program.

Meanwhile, PLDT Enterprise has been expanding its digital infrastructure to serve the growing need of companies and government agencies for disaster recovery and cloud-based digital solutions.

“In pursuing digital transformation, we are building on our strengths as the country’s leading integrated communications and digital services group with the most extensive and resilient wired and wireless networks and digital infrastructure.”

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“We are building for the future by further strengthening the combined reach and capabilities of our wired and wireless networks. And we are doing this in ways that are very mindful of impending advances in technologies such as 5G, so that our current network investments will deliver benefits not only today but also well into the future,” saidPLDT Group Chief Information and Technology Adviser Joachim Horn.

Going beyond access Leveraging on its more powerful data networks, PLDT and Smart have introduced more digital services and solutions that go beyond access.

“Video is the main driver of data usage.

As a result of our previous content agreements with industry leaders like iflix, Netflix and iWantTV, video consumption on Home Broadband has increased four times, year on year.

Our new partnerships with Fox+ and Roku have further enriched our content portfolio and will help accelerate the growth of our data and digital business,” said PLDT FVP and Head of HOME Business Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr. To meet the growing appetite of business and government for digital solutions, PLDT Enterprise introduced its Smart SOS Dispatch, a cloud-based emergency response solution that enables local governments, private companies and organizations to efficiently manage communications between their command center and first responders in the field during emergency situations.

PLDT also tied up with US-based global IT leader Cisco to introduce nextgeneration business solutions starting with enterprise-class WiFi connectivity for large and small companies. These solutions enable companies to manage more effectively and securely the WiFi connectivity they provide their customers and employees.

“Business and government agencies – large and small – are now more keenly interested in tapping digital and cloud solutions to boost their efficiency and effectiveness. By leveraging on our advantages such as our superior data center network, we are increasing our business with industries such as banking and finance, outsourcing, and SMEs at a pace faster than the growth rates of these industries,” said PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Juan Victor Hernandez.

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To make data services more accessible to its mobile phone subscribers, Smart and Sun have revamped their postpaid plans and prepaid packages with bigger data packages bundled with more flexible offers of voice calls, SMS and smart phones.

“We are growing our wireless business by providing better, faster network services and offering customers a wider range of more flexible choices that more closely suit their preferences. We continue to build partnerships with leading providers of popular digital content and services that add color to digital lifestyles of our customers,” said Alberto.

Voyager Innovation and its subsidiaries and affiliates have introduced new financially inclusive services on the back of its digital financial services platforms.

“Around 16 million Filipinos are now enjoying access to the digital life using Voyager’s various platforms in the areas of access and customer engagement, digital commerce, fintech and payments. We will create more value by enabling both enterprises and consumers to participate in this

growing digital community,” said Voyager Innovations President and CEO Orlando B. Vea. Conclusion “It is perhaps auspicious that the franchise of Smart Communications was renewed and extended for another 25 years by Congress, and then signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 21. We are grateful for this action by Congress, the Senate and the President. In a way, this marks a new beginning for Smart and indeed for PLDT as well. The next 25 years will be very different from the previous 25. The world today is turning deeply digital.

And, as our results for the first quarter this year show, PLDT and Smart are moving with the times and making their digital pivot at an accelerating pace,” Pangilinan said.

“Led by our Home and Enterprise business units, we are at the cusp of crossing the 50% threshold in terms of the share of data and digital revenues out of total revenues. Also, as the quarter on quarter results in service revenues, EBITDA and core income suggest, we are leveling off from our descent path, and are at the threshold of returning to the growth track in the second half of the year. Going digital is the difficultbut only viable path to growth. It is thus with watchful optimism that we are maintainingour guidance for Full Year Recurring Core Income (before exceptionals) at P21.5 billion,” he added. CC:

PLDT CFO Anabelle C. Chua explains the Company’s financial and operating results during the press briefing.

Home Business FVP Oscar Enrico A. Reyes, Jr. underscores the group’s role in posting double-digit revenue increases during the period.

PLDT FVP and SME Business Head Mitch Locsin talks about PLDT Enterprise’s growth for the first quarter.

Shown here during the event are, from left: Jojo Gendrano, Vice President and Head of Core Business Solutions, PLDT Enterprise; Jovy Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head, PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups; Eric Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer, PLDT-Smart; Irving Tan, President, Enterprise and Commercial, Cisco APAC and Japan; and Enrique Rodriguez, Country Manager, Cisco Philippines.

PLDT, CISCO collaborate to elevate enterprise networking experience The PLDT Group has collaborated with US-based global IT company Cisco as the Philippine telco leader moves to elevate the enterprise networking experience with nextgeneration business solutions powered with enterprise-class connectivity.

The Group through its unit PLDT Enterprise and ICT subsidiary ePLDT, is collaborating with leading IT innovators to offer the most secure, visible and empowering business solutions to large businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Integrating these products with PLDT’s superior connectivity, enterprises can be equipped with sophisticated IT solutions to better manage their connectivity for their end-users, and enhanced IT security for their business.

“Our collaboration with Cisco is just the first of many synergies we’re building to redefine the enterprise experience. PLDT is not just about giving fiber-fast connectivity, we aim to empower our enterprise customers with relevant, cuttingedge solutions that address today’s ever-changing and volatile business environment,” said SVP and Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Groups Jovy Hernandez.

“As we come up with forwardlooking solutions and marketattuned enhancements to our portfolio, we make sure that we have reliable partners who share our vision to empower the enterprise and can deliver the best-in class products to enrich our voice, data and ICT solutions. Our ambition is to define the new standard in enterprise experience by leveraging on the value of secure, transparent, and empowering technologies — a service level our enterprise customers truly deserve,” he added.

Business solutions redefined In line with the thrust of elevating the enterprise experience, PLDT’s initial collaboration with Cisco expands its portfolio of managed solutions by incorporating Cisco’s 4000 Series Integrated Service Routers to redefine wide area networking, and catapulting branch connectivity performance to new heights by leveraging on Meraki, Cisco’s leading line of cloud controlled wifi, routing and security solutions.

PLDT and Cisco also agreed to work hand in hand to foster enhanced collaboration and enforce greater network protection within the Philippine enterprise market, through its upcoming platform, which can provide an all-in-one collaboration

solution ideal for businesses, and Umbrella, Cisco’s endpoint security portfolio.

“Our continuous investments in future-proofing our network gives us a strong foundation which enables us to offer and expand our services with innovative technologies to better serve our customers both in the enterprise as well as in the consumer segment. The synergy arising out of our collaboration with Cisco allows our enterprise clients to enjoy greater value out of our combined strengths in the field of networking,” said PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and ePLDT President and CEO Eric R. Alberto.

“PLDT has heavily invested in expanding coverage of its fixed and wireless network which now spans 150,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables running throughout the entire archipelago, addressing the communications needs of millions of Filipinos and empowering businesses nationwide with innovative solutions,” Alberto pointed out. “We currently manage nine data centers strategically located throughout the country, and also operate four cable landing stations that serve as gateways for a variety of voice, data, and content traffic that runs through a global network, to and from the country.”

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ePLDT enhances customer experience with data center tech adoption ePLDT recently announced that it has deployed best-in-class Software Defined Networking (SDN) technology in its network of data centers. This is part of the company’s drive to elevate customer experience as SDN enables quick adoption to changing business trends and efficiency in controlling network resources.

“Businesses are looking for smarter and more agile infrastructure to support their digital transformation initiatives. This demand is obviously brought by emerging trends such as cloud computing, mobile technology, Big Data analytics, and the rise of the Internet of Things.

All these have transformed the IT paradigm and accelerated the need for infrastructure that can support rapid shifts in demand. With the back draft of natural and man-made disasters, we have also seen growth for geo-resiliency among enterprises which will need rapid network configuration and deployment. SDN will simplify configuration, control and management of enterprise networks, “ said Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group Chief Operating Officer. “By enabling our VITRO Data Centers with SDN, our entire infrastructure can address these needs with enhanced efficiency, flexibility, and security.”

Traditionally, data center networks are comprised of a large number of switches and routers that direct traffic based on the limited view of each device. This feature makes data centers independent from one another. Managing configurations and the protocols associated with it must therefore be done in various places

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which can be time-consuming and expensive.

SDN is an approach to networking in which control of network policies and resources are decoupled through a single SDN controller. Because of the open-source nature of the controller, organizations can utilize commodity hardware from multiple vendors without compromising performance.

“With this approach, traffic flow is managed through software, allowing optimization and tuning which is not available in traditional or locallymanaged switches and routers. Clients who demand certain changes and updates to their subscribed service can now receive them immediately and in an efficient manner,” explained Nico Alcoseba, PLDT/ePLDT Head of Disruptive Business.

Scalable connectivity and secure delivery at a faster pace Through SDN, a single management console with better visibility into network resources simplifies planning, and the setting up of networks, whether real or virtual. Policies can be changed quickly and easily to manage traffic loads, automatically reallocate network resources, and add devices. As a result, SDN provides organizations with the flexibility and agility to respond to market conditions and customer needs while dramatically improving management efficiency.

Faster service delivery is achieved through SDN as services such as load balancers, firewalls, and Intrusion Detection Systems are placed appropriately on the traffic path, thereby allowing users to customize

their own services based on their actual needs. Security is also assured as SDNs can handle increasing security demands that are not possible with hard-wired networks.

“With SDN, we can provide our services to clients faster,” said Dave Simon, ePLDT Group Chief Technology Officer. “Our previous provisioning standard to our clients may range anywhere between 5 and 15 days depending on the scope but now with SDN, our standard services can be provisioned to customers in a matter of hours.”

Change for the future For the country’s leading data center services provider in the country—with 10 data centers by 2018—this shift to SDN technology is just one of the company’s many innovations in its effort to provide high-quality service and superior customer experience.

This shift also makes ePLDT in pace with the latest global trends. According to a study by the International Data Corporation, the worldwide data center SDN market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.9% from 2014 to 2020.

“With its benefits, we believe that SDN is the future when it comes to networking,” said Ramos.

“As a pacesetter in data center management, we ensure that our facilities and systems are up-to-date.

In this way, our clients are assured of service at par with global technology standards.” CC:

PLDT welcomes new Infoteach Outreach graduates

Photo shows PLDT Community Relations Division Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario, 10th from left, with Davao City National High School Principal WenefredoCagape, 8th from left; ICT Coordinator of Davao City Marcelo Roco, 9th from left; Mindanao Fixed Access & Transport Operations DistrictHead Jimmy Pacete, 11th from left; and Davao Customer Service Operations Zone Head Alan Abrina,12th from left, along with the student graduates from Davao City during the PLDT Infoteach Graduation Ceremony last March 29, 2017 at Davao City National High School, Davao City.

PLDT, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), recently welcomed 626 and 632 new graduates of the PLDT Infoteach Outreach Program from Cagayan De Oro and Davao City, respectively.

PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario underscored the importance of digital literacy in the technological age. “We are currently living in a time where everything is digital and fastpaced. The PLDT Infoteach Outreach Program is a platform in which digital

literacy is continuously propagated to ensure that everyone can adapt to the demands of the 21st century learning.”

At the graduation ceremony in Cagayan de Oro, Del Rosario was joined by TESDA Regional Director Edgar Sales, Schools Division Superintendent Elena Borcillo, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, Local School Board Executive Director Ma. Dulce Potenciano, and Department of Education District Supervisor Mary Ann Allera.The graduates comprised of 294 teachers, 300 students, two master trainers, and 30 teacher-trainers. There were

15 schools in Cagayan De Oro that participated in the program.

Meanwhile in Davao City National High School, Del Rosario also grace the affair together with the Davao City ICT Coordinator Marcelo Roco, Davao City National High School Principal Wenefredo Cagape, Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, and Mindanao Fixed Access & Transport Operations Head Jimmy Pacete. A total of 15 schools participated, bringing a total of 632 graduates composed of 300 teachers, 300 students, two master trainers and 30 teacher-trainers. Ceejay Cabrera, Student-Trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Del Rosario, second row 2nd from left, is seen with, from left: the Local School Board Executive Director Ma. Dulce Potenciano, Lapasan National High School Head Teacher III Nick C. Pañares,Schools Division Superintendent Elena Borcillo, and DepEd District Supervisor Mary Ann Allera, with the teachers and students of Cagayan de Oro during the PLDT Infoteach Graduation Ceremony last March 27, 2017 at Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

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Shown here during the event are, from left: DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Carlos Primo David, QBO Innovation Hub Executive Director Katrina Chan, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Head of Communications for Philippines Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez, DTI Undersecretary for the Promotions Group NoyaTerrado, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada.

QBO launches innovation hub, programs for start-ups Bringing the first innovation hub in the Philippines, QBO Innovation Hub, finally opened its gates to start-up entrepreneurs. QBO has partnered with renowned government agencies as well as private organizations including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Ideaspace, and J.P Morgan.

Striving to develop a globally competitive start-up ecosystem, QBO considers three things to be able to grow the potentials of different startup companies, namely: Qllaboration, Qmmunity and InQbation. Qllaboration is bringing together people that will help the company to reach their goals.

Qmmunity ensures that the people under these programs are well-assisted and have a sense of belonging within the start-up community. InQbation ultimately becomes a platform where partners such as J.P Morgan is able to provide the critical resources and have these made available for the different start-up companies.

QBO is a big help to all aspiring entrepreneurs, giving every individual an opportunity to become successful. The different programs offered by QBO include QLITAN, where start-ups and explorers get the chance to mingle while learning from a resource

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speaker; BASIQS, where those who are not familiar with starting a venture will be guided on the things and basic information about business; WORQSHOPS, in which workshops are offered to starters in order to further enhance their business knowledge; FEEDBAQ is where mentors and industry leaders give comments regarding the products or business models of the starters; SHOWQASE gives start-ups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors and leading corporations in the country; QONSULTATION is where start-ups are given assistance on legal matters and accounting consultations for free; and QBO HQ is where members can share a working space and conference room for team meetings or events.

QBO has also partnered with JP Morgan to come up with the JP Morgan Incubation Program, where start-ups receive mentorship and advance training. Currently, there are 90 startups in the Philippines. Around 10-15 start-ups are to become a part of the JP Morgan Incubation Program.

QBO Executive Director Katrina Chan underscored the importance of collaboration as one of QBO’s core competencies. “It [QBO] really does care for teamwork or bayanihan, and that’s really what we’re all about. QBO focuses on collaboration and building a Filipino start-up community, with our vision of having game-changing, categorydefining Filipino start-ups,” Chan said.

Raven Bamba, Student-Trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

QBO Innovations Hub President Butch Meily, 5th from left, also graced the event with, from left: Javier-Gutierrez, Chan, Guevarra, DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña and Perlada.

PDRF advocates disaster preparedness for a better PH Among those in photo are PDRF President Butch Meily, 4th from left; Senator Benigno Aquino IV, 6th from left; Ambassador Roberto Romulo, 5th from right; Manila Observatory Chairperson and International Advisory Board Member Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, 4th from right, together with key disaster resilience advocates from the government, academe and private sector.

Rallying towards disaster preparedness, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), in collaboration with the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, the Zuellig Family Foundation, the Manila Observatory, and ARISE Philippines recently proposed an agreement with the government to create the National Disaster Resilience Council.

This provides a platform, which consists of a multi-stakeholder approach in building a disaster preparedness plan for a better Philippines. Moreover, this increases the country’s disaster resilience capacity in both the national and local government levels. Rooted in a collaborative partnership, the National Disaster Resilience Council also encourages the active participation of the private sector and the academe.

The building of the country’s National Disaster Resilience Council is one of the agenda during the recently held two-day multi-stakeholder forum aimed to sustain awareness on the urgency of building our country’s resilience both on the local and national scale. Its creation entails a stop gap in addressing the current state of the country’s disaster preparedness. This is in accordance to the Senate’s current plan of action in reviewing and consequently approving the existing law on disaster preparedness.

Serving as the third conference on disaster and climate resilience, the event was headed by Ambassador Roberto P. Romulo, who is the

Chairman of the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation for Peace and Development as well as the Zuellig Family Foundation. Joining him as part of the organizing committee are PDRF Executive Director Marilou Erni; Zuellig Family Foundation President Ernesto Garilao; Dr. Eric Lacanlale, Former Director of Strategic Planning for the UN Industrial Development Organization in Vienna, Austria; and Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Chairperson of the Manila Observatory and International Advisory Board.

creating an impactful and meaningful change,” said PDRF President Butch Meily, who delivered his closing remarks. “We can shape the future.

We have the talent as well as partners coming from the government, private sector, the international agencies, and NGOs to make this country safer and more secure.”

The session topics included lessons learned from recent earthquake disasters and pathways to enhancing risk reduction measures. Topics also cover assessments of the resilience of our health, infrastructure and local government sectors as well as an overview of pre-disaster recovery planning, policy and practice. The current legislative agenda on both disaster risk reduction and resilience was examined along with proponents in Congress and the NDRRMC-OCD.

With more than 30 speakers representing foreign experts, senior government officials and representatives of the private sector, both corporate and NGOs, the conference seeks to identify the gaps in current disaster preparedness, Joining Meily and Ambassador prevention, response Romulo as keynote speakers, and recovery plans, Department of National Defense both within the public Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and private sectors Former NDRRMC Executive and between them. It Meily banks on the collaborative partnership Director and OCD Administrator also aims to advance among the government, Admiral Alexander Pama, action plans and private sectors, and the recommendations academe to create a National DOST Undersecretary and for much needed Disaster Resilient Council for a PHILVOCS Director Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., NDRRMC Executive legislative and policy better Philippines.

Director Undersecretary Ricardo reforms to support Jalad, Mayor Abigail Binay of integrated, multiMakati City, Albay Public Safety and stakeholder efforts.

Emergency Management Office Chief Cedric Daep, Pasig City DRRM Office “All big change begins with a single Chief Ritchie Van Angeles, and Mayor idea. The two-day conference has Melchor Mergal of Salcedo municipality been overflowing with great ideas and in Eastern Samar. concepts, and this is where the real challenge begins – the leap towards

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Speakers on the resilience of our critical infrastructure included Ed Chua of Shell; DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and Undersecretary of DPWH; Bill Luz, PDRF; Engineer Erick Sison, president of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, and urban planners Dr. Arturo G. Corpuz, a board director of Ayala Land and Arch.

Nathaniel von Einsiedel, an expert in disaster recovery and urban planning.

International guest speakers from Taiwan and Japan were also present in the two-day forum as they shared their own experiences on disaster preparedness from their home countries. These included Dr. Wei-Sen Li, who is the Secretary-General and Executive Director for the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction and APEC Emergency Preparedness Capacity Building Center, respectively; Dr. Satoru Nishikawa, Executive Director of Research for Japan Center for Area Development Research; and Shingo Kochi, Director for International Center for Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas.

The final session encapsulated action plans and legislative proposals that emerged from all the sessions. Drawing on the presentations and discussions, proposed measures were drawn up with a view to strengthening the country’s disaster resilience.

This includes action programs and protocols; legislative and regulatory changes; and a multi-stakeholder institutional framework to promote continuing cooperation, dialogue and information exchange among the key sectors of Philippine society.

PLDT, PBSP turn over classrooms in Ilocos Norte

PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario, 3rd from left, turns over the symbolic key of the classroom building to Board Member Atty. Donald Nicolas (representing the Governor of Ilocos Norte); Schools Division Superintendent Araceli Pastor; Retired Fiscal Ma. Marina Calija (representing Pasuquin Mayor); Public Schools District SupervisorRuby Pascua;Naglicuan E.S. Principal Madelyn Pasol; Brgy Capt. Oliver Valite; and General PTA President Jesus Vila and student representatives of Naglicuan E.S. Also in photo are from left, PBSP Luzon Regional Center Manager Kristine Rivadelo and Oriental &Motolite Marketing Corp. CSR Officer Connie Deligero.

Continuing its advocacy of providing quality education, PLDT, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), recently turned over a single-storey two-classroom building for over a hundred students of Naglicuan Elementary School in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Enabling better learning through classroom-building for public schools, these are among the 38 classrooms that PLDT has built over the years as a way of addressing societal problems.

In support of PBSP and Motolite’s Balik-Baterya Program, PLDT donated has donated Used-Lead Acid batteries (ULABs) for proper handling and recycling.

Creating sustainable solutions for poverty reduction, PLDT Community Relations Head/Consultant Evelyn Del Rosario underscores the importance of providing access to

quality education. “Shaping the lives of our future leaders takes a great deal of effort and perseverance – it all begins by allowing each one to thrive within the best learning environment,” Del Rosario said.

Public Schools District Supervisor Madelyn Pasol relayed her message of thanks to PLDT and PBSP, emphasizing how the classroombuilding can provide a powerful teaching and learning process.

“They can now focus on teaching with this conducive and comfortable place of learning. PBSP and PLDT are not only touching the lives of our pupils but also building their future,” Pasol added.

Through PLDT’s generous support in improving quality education, more students are inspired and motivated to continue their studies and do better for their future success.

Katherine P. Marajas, StudentTrainee, De La Salle-Lipa

The conference was part of the three-year program handled by the organizers to promote multisectoral dialogue and cooperation on building the country’s resilience to natural disasters and climate change in view of the country’s continuing high exposure and vulnerability to multiple natural hazards. CC:

The blessing of the classroom is officiated by Fr. Elorde Mateo.

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PHOTO GALLERY

ePLDT, Dell EMC strengthen partnership

to optimize enterprise services ePLDT, Inc. recently forged a strategic partnership with Dell EMC to align their strengths and technical expertise in offering transformational business value to clients in the country. With the partnership, ePLDT and Dell EMC will be able to simplify enterprise processes for customers through robust solutions—from a single vendor consortium with a single point of contact. For ePLDT to accelerate the delivery of these solutions, engaging in a partnership with like-minded IT innovators such as Dell EMC is “more important than ever.” Dell EMC is a subsidiary of Dell Inc., which offers a trusted foundation for businesses to transform IT through the creation of hybrid cloud and transform business through the creation of cloud-native applications, and big data solutions. Shown in photo are, from left: Chris Papa, Dell EMC Channels General Manager; Ronnie Latinazo, Dell EMC Country General Manager; Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group Chief Operating Officer and Nico Alcoseba, PLDT VP & Head of Disruptive Business

PSF gives back to the Paglitao community The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), in collaboration with Rocketmedia Manila, Health and Development For all Foundation, Inc., and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines bring smiles to the faces of the community members of Sitio Paglitao in Antipolo, Rizal. Organized by Aptissimi Development Innovations, Inc. (ADII), the CSR companies gave joy to the Dumagats – the local community members – by setting up games, prizes, and gift-giving activities. Implemented through the Care and Share Program, a total of eight families were present during the cheerful celebration. PSF distributed 51 blankets and 60 MVP dictionaries. Seen in photo is a kid receiving his MVP dictionary.

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Smart brings #TropangReady caravan in Baguio Geared towards providing awareness and development of knowledge, attitude, and values for disaster preparedness, Smart recently went to the University of Baguio for another leg of TNT’s Tropang Ready Disaster Preparedness caravan. The activity is designed for college and university students across the country, especially those living in vulnerable communities. As part of its #SafePH advocacy, Smart through TNT aims to empower young people to lead their classes, homes and communities in making sure they are more prepared for emergencies and they can survive natural calamities. Smart partners with the Emergency Management Center, Office of the Civil Defense- Cordillera Region, and Baguio CDRRMC Disaster Operations Center. The PLDT-Smart Foundation also participated in the event to distribute whistle with lanyards to students.

Shown here is Emergency Management Center Executive Director Louie Domingo demonstrating how to use the emergency balde (e-balde). Elvin Luciano, Smart Public Affairs

PLDT supports Earth Day 2017 Celebration With its undeniable care for the environment, PLDT participated in the Earth Day 2017 celebration. PLDT supported the advocacies of Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc. (ENDPI) as it acknowledges the organization’s efforts to restore the forest and protect Mother Earth from all harm and danger. By taking part in this program, PLDT shows great concern towards nature’s current state and eagerness to help in rebuilding the environment. With this, the Company shows that there is a possibility for the Earth to be as healthy as it can be, ultimately envisioning hope for a better future. In photo are some PLDT employee-volunteers who participated in the Earth Day 2017 celebration. With a theme, “Environmental and Climate Literacy”, ENDPI believes that education is the foundation of progress. By raising awareness on certain environmental issues, every individual will be more mindful about their actions towards Mother Earth.

20 computer sets turned over in Ilocos Norte PLDT recently turned over 20 computer sets to La Virgen Milagrosa Elementary School to continuously help the youth attain good quality education by providing them with better learning resources. Photo shows PLDT Community Relations Division Head/Consultant Evelyn M. Del Rosario and La Virgen Milagros Elementary School Head Rosito V. Abraham, 4th and 2nd from left, leading the turnover ceremonies.

Also in photo are, from left: Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Vivian Luz Pagatpatan, Senior Board Member Hon. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, and Ilocos Customer Service Operations Zone Head Gerardo J. Soriano.

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Doña Helene Wilson

Bitaug

Burgos

Unib Island

San Jose

#ELEVATE

Sibanoc Island

Garcia

Santa Monica

Del Pilar

Mahayahay

Nueva Estrella

San Mateo Libertad

Gomez

Baybay

Sta Rita

Dinagat

Magsaysay

Laguna

San Benito Pacifico

Ma-atas

San José Maribojoc

Del Pilar

Roxas

Cagdianao

Tigasao

Jamuyaon

Caub

Caridad

Hanigad Island

Hikdop Island

San Isidro

Kankohoy San Roque

Del Carmen

Datu Mabini

Esperanza

IAO Sayak

Nonoc Island

Pilar Sayak Salvacion Sta Fe

San Fernando

Sta Cruz

Mabuhay

Libertad

Punta Bilar

Corazon

Lipata Ferry Terminal

Cabitoonan

Maasin

Antipolo

Lipata

Corazon

Consuelo Ipil Balibayon

Surigao

Rizal

Bitoon

Siargao Island

Malinao

Capalayan

Dapa

Bacud

pa

Union

Bayud Resort Pansukian Resort

Silop

Serna

Daku San Miguel

Nabago Magtangale

Mat-i

Mapawa Himamaug

Anomar

Masapelid Island

Tagana-an

East Bucas Grande

Middle Bucas Grande

Salog

Mahaba Island

Monserrat

Sta Felomina

Consolacion

Banban

Laurel Suyoc

Union

Cabawa

Dagohoy

Corregidor

Sering

Mabuhay

Sison

Bagakay

PLDT improves telecom services in Surigao del Norte

Cabongbongan Trinidad

Sukailang

Kalinaw Resort

Gen Luna

Osmeña

Balibayon

Poctoy

Catangnan

Tawin-Tawin

Hinatuan Island

Day-asan

SUG Surigao Honrado

Sagana Resort Cloud 9

Magsaysay

Mabua

Bucas Grande Island

Honrado

Placer

Pamosaingan

San Isidro

Sta Cruz

Sta Cruz

Bad-as Mabini

no

Songkoy

Amoslog

Macalaya

Del Pilar

Tagbongabong

Cantugas

an

Binga

Gigaquit

Marga

Sto Rosario

Claver

Mapaso Hot Spring

Dugsangon Poniente

Tubod

asgad

Mabini Quezon

San Francisco

Pautao Payapag

Magsaysay

Cantapoy

Mainit

Taruc Doña Helene

San Isidro

Songkoy Cold Spring

San Isidro

Suyangan

Navarro

Sohoton Cave Club Tara

Campo

Lake Mahokdam

Matin-ao

Sudlon

Timamana

Capahayan

ayong

Tolingon

La Januza

San Isidro

Paco

g

Socorro

San Roque

Bacuag

Boyongan Silop

Bobonaon

Rizal

Nueva Estrella

Panhutongan

San Antonio Mahanub

Pungtod

Panatao

Wangke Cabugo

Roxas

Urbiztondo

Magpayang

Taganito

Pongtud

Mansayao

Pili

San Juan

Lake Mainit

Can-aga

Tagbuyawon

Alipao

Sico-Sico

Alegria San Pedro Budlingin

Anahaw Tapian

Ombong Camp Eduard

Karihatag Camam-onan

Kitcharao

Ferlda

SURIGAO DEL NORTE

PLDT has set up interconnection links with another telco AGUSAN SURIGAO requirements in the local integrated areas.

Carrascal operator in Surigao del Norte, allowing free local calls According DEL NORTE DEL SUR to PLDT-Philcom General Manager Augustus within the province between subscribers of the two Caesar Cotelo, “Like most PLDT offices nationwide, PLDT Cantilan service providers. The second northernmost province in Philcom is also implementing an expansion program Mindanao and an important transportation hub between using fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and the latest wireless Jabonga Visayas and Mindanao, Surigao del Norte’s capital Surigao technology. Areas in Surigao del Norte will be covered by Madrid City is dubbed as the “Gateway to Mindanao.” these expansion programs in the near future and all these Cortes will be integrated to PLDT’s IP backbone network.”

Santiago “With the implementation of the interconnection agreement, subscribers in Surigao del Norte can now call Cotelo pointed out that, “This IP backbone runs on Tubay Carmen their friends, family members, loved ones, and business PLDT’s Domestic Fiber Optic NetworkLanuza (DFON), now associates toll-free anytime, regardless of their telco reaching 150,000 kilometers, which is the most extensive connection,” said PLDT VP and Head of International fiber optics network in the country that facilitates the Network and Carrier Business Genaro Sanchez. direct transmission of internet data to our gateway, providing fast and reliable internet experience to our The interconnection agreement covers PLDT and subscribers.”

Globelines subscribers in Surigao City as well as those in the towns of Loreto, Mainit, Tagana-an, Tubod, Sison, San In addition to Surigao del Norte, PLDT-Philcom also Francisco, and Malimono. serves the provinces of Compostela Valley, Agusan, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte’s Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands are Bukidnon, parts of Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental celebrated tourist destinations, well-known for their long which was also interconnected early this year. stretch of sugar-fine beaches, vast mangrove forest, and deep waters teeming with marine life.

Last year, PLDT likewise interconnected with Globelines in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Biliran, The PLDT-Philcom office in Surigao del Norte will Leyte, Southern Leyte, Aklan, and Bukidnon. Olive O. cover and cater the subscribers’ telecommunications Barrozo

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Social Media Shoutouts

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Shown are some of the state-ofthe-art facilities in the streamlined interior of the innovative PLDT Retail Store in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

PLDT opens first store in Ayala mall

By Olive O. Barrozo

PLDT executives and staff cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the newest flagship store in Solenad Mall, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

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groundbreaking PLDT Retail Store, opened recently in Solenad Mall, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, is a first in many ways. It’s the first flagship store inaugurated in 2017 and the first retail store located in a competitor’s mall.

“This is PLDT’s 1st store in an Ayala Mall, a milestone in our flagship stores project. It is part of our expansion in areas where we thought it was impossible to be present, being a competitor’s territory. But we were able to get in, so it’s such a big accomplishment,” said PLDT HOME Business Development Head Louella Aquino. “Located strategically, this newest store can be found in front of the mall’sActivity Park where people converge most, if not all of the time.”

Like the PLDT flagship stores in other areas of the country, it embodies the retail store concept while offering a

redefined customer care experience for subscribers and visitors. Featuring a Video Wall and the 32” Interactive Table with its custom-made PLDT games and apps that entertain customers and their families, this state-of-the-art facility also contains the Infotouch, the HD-quality 24” touchscreen user-friendly monitor where subscribers can learn more about PLDT products and services, as well as inquire about their bills and repair requests, among others.

According to PLDT VP for Customer Care and Sales Support Paolo Lopez: “Opening this innovative Retail Store is in line with PLDT’s direction to change and expand by competing not just in our comfort zones but in unusual territories as well. Solenad is a new location, a new battlefield that we will vanquish.” CC:

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PLDT BAE

In this issue, we will be kicking off a “feel good” feature on employees who have exemplified positive aura and admirable traits that are worth emulating and sharing. ACC:ESS has fittingly called this feature PLDT BAE – actually stands for “Before Anything Else,” a millennial term for personalities who exude confidence and good vibes in whatever they do in their professional and personal lives. Starting off with PLDT Enterprise Brand Activations Head Sara De Guzman and Payments Management Division’s Christian De La Paz, who have both been continuously endeavoring to find and attain perfect worklife balance in their own lives, ACC:ESS will be on the lookout for these PLDT BAEs who belong to the tribe of Sara and Ian.

Finding Work

-L

ife Balance Brand activatio ns head, payme nt management a nalyst take one step at a time

By Katrina A. M allari and Er icka Danielle D. Castro, StudentPamantasan ng Trainee, Lungsod ng May nila

B

alancing life and work is definitely a herculean task. It’s like trying to carry a pail full of water on one hand and a pail full of cotton on the other hand. One will always be heavier than the other. For some people, when one starts working, it becomes difficult to balance everything out in one’s life. But by taking one step at a time, Sara and Ian find the perfect balance within their own working lives.

A hands-on leader UP Diliman alumna Sara De Guzman currently heads the Brand Activations Team under PLDT Enterprise. She handles the conceptualization and execution of all PLDT Enterprise below-the-line initiatives and campaigns. As such, Sara chooses to be a hands-on leader when it comes to managing and handling her team. “My day starts with a quick huddle with my team – letting them share with everyone the status of the upcoming events they are

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handling. Then, I go one-by-one and work closely with the event lead regarding deliverables,” De Guzman said.

De Guzman also had the honor and privilege of being chosen as PLDT Muse during the 2016 MVP Olympics.

Narrating her experience, De Guzman thought of the opportunity as both fun and memorable. “The whole experience boosted my confidence and broadened my network within the PLDT Group,” De Guzman said.

De Guzman maintains work-life balance by drawing a line between the two: she keeps her social life away from work.

She checks her e-mail only on weekdays until she leaves the office and manages to talk about work with her officemates.

By following these simple ‘work-life balance rules’, as she calls them, she is continuously motivated to do her work while enjoying some much deserved time for herself, family, and friends over the weekend.

Paving opportunities for learning A BSBA-Export Management graduate from College of Saint Benilde, Christian De La Paz, known to friends as Ian, is part of the Communications Team Payments Management Division under PLDT’s Consumer Credit and Collections Management. The division operates all communication tools with the subscribers regarding payments, promoting new channels of payments, and conceptualizing new strategies to improve customer experience in paying their bills. Aside from being a hard working employee, Christian is also part of PLDT’s basketball team.

Having stayed in the Company for three years, De La Paz understands that to maintain a good work-life balance, it is important to properly manage one’s career and lifestyle.

De La Paz underscores the importance of being open to every learning opportunity that presents itself – whether in work or life. “My life here in PLDT has been great ever since I started. I’ve made lots of friends and learn new things in terms of work and life,” De La Paz said.

In his spare time, De La Paz enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and reading books about financial literacy. With his parents both working in PLDT (his dad is with Customer Service Operations Zone and his mom is also under Consumer Credit and Collections Management), De La Paz proudly regards them as his role models. “My parents raised me and my brothers very well. They work so hard to give us a good life,” De La Paz said. CC:

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Brigada Eskwela 2017

PLDT Gabay Guro helps rebuild Catanduanes school

C

PLDT GabayGuro’s Bong Padiz turns over the check donation to Juan M. Alberto Memorial Elementary School (JMAMES) Principal Ruth Sorrera. Joining them are, from left: International Carrier Billing & Settlements Head Jane Rico, International & Carrier Business Center Head & AVP Melanie Manuel, Internal Non-Core Business Coordinator Jess Astorga, DepEd Project Development for External Partnerships Service Officers Zeny Lastimoza, and Jannet Labre.

ontinuing its advocacy for equal learning opportunities, PLDT Gabay Guro participated anew in this year’s Brigada Eskwela.

Implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Brigada Eskwela is an avenue for the government, private sectors, and citizens alike to empower the youth through quality education by raising the country’s spirit of volunteerism – also known as the Bayanihan spirit.

Hope after chaos In late 2016, Catanduanes, known as the “Land of the Howling Winds”, was devastated by the occurrence of Typhoon Nina. One of the schools that was severely affected was Juan M. Alberto Memorial Elementary School (JMAMES). Buried deep within the pile of chaos and loss, the building where JMAMES once stood seemed indistinguishable.

But the people of Catanduanes exhibited a spirit of resiliency. Ruth Sorrera, principal of JMAMES, deeply expressed her gratitude to PLDT Gabay Guro for their kindness and generosity as they bring hope to their humble institution in their hometown of Catanduanes.

“On behalf of Juan M. Alberto Memorial Elementary School, we are so very thankful and grateful for this assistance given to us. Ang magiging

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recipient po nito ay ang aming mga school children. So thank you so much sa PLDT at sa DepEd because of this.

Malaking tulong po ito sa amin,” Sorrera said.

Sorrera, along with her colleagues from JMAMES as well as some representatives from DepEd, also received 122 bags and 230 shirts from the Asian Carrier Conference (ACC).

These simple act of kindness can go a long way – ultimately becoming a hopeful reminder that there are better days ahead.

A brighter future For two consecutive years, JMAMES has won the Best Implementation Award from the Brigada Eskwela Program.

The award is given to a school whose implementation plan reflects the excellent partnership among the government, private institutions, and the school. It’s an award that best exhibits the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan.

Sorrera also shared her plans in repairing and rehabilitating the classrooms, which were greatly damaged by Typhoon Nina. She narrated the devastating event – recounting the unforgettable sight of destroyed buildings and resources.

With a humble heart, she looks forward to brighter days ahead – thanks to Brigada Eskwela and PLDT Gabay Guro headed by its Chairperson and PLDT Group Comptroller and SVP Chaye Cabal-Revilla. CC:

JHANS Nightcrawlers

Finding new ways in agri innovation

By Ceejay Cabrera, Student-Trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

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group of graduates from Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet collectively calling themselves JHANS Cordillera Night Crawlers, came up with a project when they were still in their third year of college to find new ways in agricultural innovation.

Dubbed “Rejuvenating Soil through Vermicomposting,” the project focuses on the use of African night crawler worms to convert agricultural wastes that are abundant in their community into an organic fertilizer called vermicast.

Vermicast is considered as an effective input for high value crops in an organic production farming system.

The project is aimed at helping rejuvenate the agricultural farm soils not only for crop production and in yielding income; but at the same time protecting the environment and producing healthier food for the community. Moreover, it is expected to provide alternative livelihood to out-ofschool youths aside from providing an avenue for inputs needed in organic production.

According to them, a study conducted in their university showed that the soil in most farming communities in La Trinidad were exposed to excessive application of synthetic chemicals that degraded the quality of agricultural farms.

This sparked the interest of the group to try to address this concern and help the community. “[We] consulted with one of our Development Communication mentors in the university Ms. Betty S. Listino regarding the current issues concerning the community and the available technology that can be adapted to solve this problem. During our discussion, [our team’s] interest focused on the problem pertaining to agricultural wastes in the community, especially in the La Trinidad Trading Post,” Noel Lenguaje, a JHANS member said.

With Listino’s guidance and mentorship, the group decided to use a method that can decompose the agriwastes and bring it back to the soil. Hence, they selected vermicomposting technology to aid the problem.

Carrying on amidst hard times PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) has already released the first

tranche that allowed the project to flourish.

But just like any startup venture, the group faced many challenges.

Aside from natural calamities, their lack of time resulted to poor business management.

“All of us are already working in separate After PLDT Smart Foundation released the first tranche, the various agencies and some group started to build the are working outside the vermicomposting site in the region. Thus, it is hard to area provided by Benguet State synchronize our schedule to University at Strawberry Farm, meet and make plans for the Swamp, La Trinidad, Benguet. project. It’s good that other members who are available have dedicated to spend their time for the project to work,” Lenguaje said.

With the help of modern technologies, they were able to carry on despite challenging times. They also managed to budget expenses and focused on tangible outputs such as achieving target produce per production and stabilizing identified markets as the vermicast takes time to produce.

The team, thus, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given to them by PSF and Project Pagsulong.

Aspiring start-up entrepreneurs The road to success is not easy. It’s a bumpy road where ultimately, there will be times where one can lose hope.

The team encourages aspiring start-up entrepreneurs to never give up on their dream – no matter how difficult the circumstance can be. “To the youth, do not be afraid to take challenges. Believe in yourselves [and have faith] that you can accomplish great success like other successful individuals. [Faith in] God [is] instrumental to bring out the best in you. All you have to do is take the risk, take the challenge, and be the change!”

Aside from Lenguaje, other members of JHANS Cordillera Night Crawlers are John Waking, Herman Danis, Alima Bedejim and Sherielyn Banglig. CC:

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april 2017

Wer N U Photography by Jan Lester E. Bisco, Financial Business Intelligence Warehouse

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Sailing through Life

By Maria Belus

When we were small children and thoughtless about life, our parents served as our light.

When we went to school and learned our ABCs, our teachers served as our guide.

After we graduated and got our first jobs, our colleagues and superiors were our mentors.

In between these three stages there is someone who has been sailing with us in disguise.

When we were asleep, this person planted beautiful dreams in our hearts.

This person used our loved ones to inspire us and nourish those dreams.

This person used our teachers to equip us with the basic knowledge and skills This person used our parents and mentors to lead us to the right direction Many of us believe that there is someone invisible whom we can feel Just like the wind that moves the sail of our ship as we journey through life This person is called by different names in various languages In the language of the universe, His name is Love.

Tapos Na.

Ni Ericka Castro, student-trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Mula sa pag aaral kung paano mag sukat.

Hanggang sa ikaw na ang nag susulat ng sarili mong istorya.

Lakad pa, konti pa.

Gapang kung gapang.

Kayod kung kayod.

Lahat gagawin para sa pangarap mo.

Dilat ang mga mata mula umaga Hanggang sa susunod na araw Sunog na kilay ay kitang kita Pero ngayon, tapos na.

Sa wakas tapos na.

Malapit ka na sa iyong pangarap Sa layo ng nilakad mo Sa layo ng tinakbo mo Sa wakas pahinga na, hawak mo na ang diploma.

21 26

Walk With Me

Journey: LIFE

The day I first laid eyes on you Our mornings were as bright as sunlight!

Though words need not be spoken, true A reason to hug you all night.

“The world does not revolve around you.

You are nothing but a speck of dust.

The universe is many a splendor and utterly vast.

When you are gone, nobody will miss you.”

With your first little steps, you stumble I cringe yet I want you to learn.

Because when you’re all grown up and able Take heed, think and patiently listen

Harsh words from a friend yet truthfully said Like the flowers and grasses in the fields Someday I will wither, die and fade Wishing my time and talent have enough to yield

Told you stories as if we have lived them!

Felt like a hero for you my little one.

Rescuing you from the hurt and sadness, Find comfort from life’s brutal test.

There’s a time for everything – hellos and goodbyes Time to weed out those who used me in their favors and lies Time to let go those who have kept up with me long enough Forced a smile and held me up when the going got tough

Have you ever wondered why you came to love?

A place called Heaven, up above.

The Angels, Mary and the Holy Trinity.

They are more than heroes; that is what I want you to see!

While others have moved on to achieve milestones I seem stuck at the pit stop with lessons piling up as stones Still I dare not ask why, perhaps not ready to know the reasons Deep inside, I cling on to His Truth amidst the changing seasons

Time spins so fast, I noticed you’re now taller than me!

And like a beautiful sunset, let our memories be.

Though you’re still my baby, I know you’d understand.

This cycle teaches us why we need to hold hands.

My journey through Life is as bizarre as my temperament A test of faith, requiring momentous patience and trust Mostly irrational events unfolding, each day seems too eager to pass I run around it with extreme caution, even if it’s a temporary assignment

Never cry nor regret what had gone by Be thankful for life, avoid asking why?

Endings are the start of someone else’s journey.

But for now, let my indulgence, walk with me…

O my LORD, Keeper of my soul, please sustain me with Your Love You are everything I need, and I will offer all that I have May this expedition bring Your Best Legacy to shine brightly To reflect more of Your Glory and less of me

I Am Kristian Miguel 84139173 24April2017

To devoid myself of the worldly passions, I seek To be filled by Your Mercy and Grace That in Your Guidance and Divine Provision, I may speak How beautiful it is to be led by You through this maze.

By Luis C. Maglanoc, CustSvcOp Business Partner Management

By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ

Embracing My Journey Photography by Sheila Marie D. Daccog, IT Mediation & Settlement Systems Taken on: 1/29/2017 at Agas-agas Bridge, Sogod, Southern Leyte

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Photography by Laemar John V. Chavez, FSQM-Simple Products & Services

A Journey With You

By Cherry W. Alaban, EPLM

Last night, I was alone thinking of something I couldn’t help remembering the years past when I thought I was destined to be alone so lonely, I couldn’t see the rainbow after the rain.

But then you came.

I couldn’t imagine how you’ve changed my life.

You ended those lonely nights, And awakened me with hope and joy.

My life then was like a rough road without an end.

I had everything in my hands yet something was sadly lacking.

I had everybody yet no one seemed to listen.

And then you came. you’ve filled my empty cup with happiness you’ve added magic to my mundane days.

With you around every step is the beginning of a new journey every road is an adventure to explore.

With you I am ready to discover a new step, a new road, I will not tire to walk.

Because a journey with you Is like a beautiful dream I would love to repeat again and again.

Hoping it would last beyond forever.

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

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Wo, Junge Reisende?

(Where to, Young Traveler?)

By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ

You search high and low but never find what I alone can bring A love unconditional, trust unwavering and joy unceasing

Life often takes me by surprise Unprepared, I have no choice but to move Be it on land, across the seas or up in the sky I struggle to find inspiration and my old groove The events of recent times have shaken my core Still I thirst and hunger for adventure more

My child, let go of your grip on the steering wheel Surrender blissfully instead to the design of My Will It may be scary to release the controls of your being Trust Me. Have faith. Let Me be Your Friend and Your King.”

I long to be where few have dared to go To conquer my inner fears and trample their hold To discover a new frontier, to quench the thirst To fulfill this Life’s Mission, His Purpose my call

Tears flow freely as I knelt before His Throne I never felt such consolation, despite being alone The world may judge how my journey accounts But I know in Him, every piece of me counts

“Wo, junge reisende?” I hearken Him speak “You weary much about trivial things that rot and reek Driving yourself close to burnout, and being sick Physically, emotionally and spiritually weak

To walk with the Lord is the utmost quest I can aspire for, as He knows me truly and love me best.

Into The Blue Photography by Jan Lester E. Bisco, Financial Business Intelligence Warehouse 24

Toka-Kota

Ni Leonora T. Periales, Credit Policy and Risk Management Malayang ibon, lipad, lipad, lipad Kabayong mola, takbo, takbo, takbo Palasyong tahanan, saganang hapag Hungkag na kasiyahan, siyang inatupag

Photography by Laemar John V. Chavez, FSQM-Simple Products & Services

Magarang sasakyan, ikaw ay iniluwa Ligayang walang taros, halakhak na paos Sa alpombrang palapag, ikaw ay nadapa Sa iyong pagbangon, ikaw ay namangha Ikaw pala ay tulog, bulag, pipi at bingi Akala ang buhay puro galak at ngiti Masamyong bulaklak, luntiang kapatagan Payapang karagatan, liwanag saan man Toka, nang ikaw ay magising Toka, naghihintay man din Toka, dapat tanggapin Toka, sigaw ng hangin Patang katawan, yagit kung ituring Maputlang labi, sigaw na pagdaing Sunog na balat, bilanggong kalayaan Talampakang sugatan, sa diyos ang hantungan Sa iyong palasyo, sila ay kinupkop Gulanit na kasuotan, hinabi at sininop Maskarang putik, nilinis at tiniktik Inibsan ang gutom, pinawi ang uhaw

Life’s Journey

By Emily S. De Leon, Recovery Collection Management

Mata ay imulat, marami ang kapos Aring yaman, sa langit isabog Halakhak na paos, sa hamak di laos Taginting ng ngiti, sa iyo iaabot

A life’s journey is a never-ending vicious cycle There are ups and downs All roads are rough and we have to pave them ourselves For life goes on no matter what.

Mahimbing na tulog, payapang isip Pusong may kasiyahan, puno ng kabanalan Tunay na ligaya, di kayang timbangin Umaapoy na galak, di kayang tupukin

As we embark on new opportunities Our greatest enemy is our own selves Our fear and hesitations are hindrances Conquering our own weaknesses will measure our success.

Kota, sa iyong pagpikit Kota, nang ikaw ay umuwi Kota, anghel sa paligid Kota, bulong ng langit

Sure we don’t know what lies ahead, no one does But making one step at a time will give us hope We just have to believe Because without it we cannot endure.

Maigsing buhay kung iyong sayangin Anino ng kalungkutan, buntot na kapiling Isang katanungang, iyo sanang sagutin Ang toka mo ba ay kota sa langit?

Our journey is the rosary of our life Make it count.

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Photography by Laemar John V. Chavez, FSQM-Simple Products & Services

Lakbay Tulong

Ni Melvin Artugue, ESAM Team C

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After ng duty ay gumala kami ng Bestie ko SM Megamall ang meet-up place namin oh!

Nood sine, kain, at kuwentuhan Pagka-miss sa isa’t-isa’y gayon na lamang

SIngkwenta pesos ang naibigay nung estudyante Dahil ‘di nasuklian, sa pauwi’y wala na siyang pamasahe Nalungkot siya at ‘di na alam ang gagawin Extra money, ang mga kaibiga’y wala rin

Parang bitin ang oras na aming pinagsamahan Kailangan na rin kasing umuwi agad kinagabihan After ng bonding ay naglakad ako sa EDSA pa-MRT Kahit maalinsanga’t mausok ay ‘di na ako umarte

Nangingilid na ang luha sa kanyang mga mata Naawa ako’t dumukot sa aking bulsa Inabutan ko siya ng pipit Sa hiya’y siya ay tumanggi

Habang naglalakad ay may nakita akong batang babae Gusgusi’t mabaho, isang kawawang pulubi May dala-dala akong McDo pampasalubong Ibinigay ko sa kaniya bilang aking tulong

Ngunit talagang mapilit ako Ang sabi ko’y , bawal ‘di tanggapin ito Kalauna’y tinanggap niya na rin Todo-todo ang pasasalamat niya sa akin

Isang araw nama’y sumakay ako sa jeep pauwi May mamang sumakay, mga ballpen ay ipinagbibili May mga bumili sa kaniyang mga estudyanteng magkakaibigan Bumaba siya agad, ngunit ‘yung isa’y ‘di nasuklian

Sa mga lakad ko’y maraming ganito Mga nangangailangan ng tulong ko Bibigyan rin niyo ba sila ng atensyon?

Sa paglalakbay ba ika’y maaaring makatulong?

#Taiwan a journey to understand social range, from whatever origin we may be, cultural discoveries are our take home...

Photography by Leziel L. Umali, Enterprise Services Fulfillment Management – EPMVisMin

A letter to those who are feeling down

By Raven Bamba, student-trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

D

ear You,

Whatever it is you’re going through right now.

No matter how hard it is, no matter how painful it may be.

Don’t you ever give up!

You’ve been through a lot in life and I know you can still do it, I know you can make it.

The path you’re taking is not easy but I believe you can overcome the challenges that will come your way.

Remember to look back on the past, not to put yourself in pain, but to see how far you’ve come and how wonderful the journey of life has been.

Instead of overthinking and depressing yourself over something, you must go out and bravely face the obstacles.

You are wonderful!

You are amazing!

And I know you can make it through. Keep moving forward!

Photography by Laemar John V. Chavez, FSQM-Simple Products & Services 27

Happiness Each individual has different ways of satisfying himself. But we all seek for one thing and that is happiness. No matter the distance, risk, and struggles along the way, we will continue the journey to pursue what makes us happy.

Photography by Ceejay Cabrera, student-trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Wala na

Ni Raven Bamba, student-trainee, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Bawat kanto aking nilalakbay, Ilang beses na ako nagpa balik-balik sa mga lugar na akin nang napuntahan, Ilang beses na ring sumagi sa isip ko kung makikita ka pa ba.

Sa bawat araw ng paglalakbay, umaasa na matagpuan ka na.

Kay tagal ko nang nag iintay, at ang tagal ko na ring naghahanap.

Ngunit sa bawat kalye, bawat daan at bawat lugar, wala ka, wala ka pa rin.

Tsaka ko lang naisip, na kahit gaano kalayo ang aking lakbayin.

Kahit gaano kahaba ang aking lakarin, kahit na mamuti pa ang mata ko sa kakaantay.

Imposible na atang mahanap ka, sapagkat wala na talaga.

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Conquering Mt. Ulap Photography by Lex Mempin, IT Operations Support Systems

Juice-colored Ni Masayang Buhay

Ang buhay ay isang paglalakbay Saan man, sino man, kailanman Mga damdaming puno ng kulay Gaano man, paano man, ilan man Sa matatayog na bundok, sarili’y hinanap Sa malalalim na dagat, hinilom ang mga sugat Subalit hindi pa rin ito mahagilap Walang bagay sa mundo’y sasapat Narating mo ang lawa ng karunungan Sa tulong ng mga kamay na sa iyo’y gumagabay Nakapagtampisaw sa batis ng kaligayahan Hindi pa rin natatapos itong paglalakbay Patuloy pa ring hinahanap Ang pag-ibig na mamumukod-tangi Na sa katauha’y gaganap Dulot ay karanasang hindi mo mawari

World of Jungle Artwork by Gilmarie Silva, student-trainee, De La Salle Lipa

Sa dami ng taong nakakasalamuha Naliligaw pa rin sa hiwaga ng kanilang maskara Nakalikom na ng ilang galong luha Oras na ba para tanggapin ang pagkapariwara?

Ang buhay ay isang paglalakbay Dahil sa, para sa, upang sa Mga damdaming nawalan ng buhay

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

29 27

Diploma

Ni Marina Rowena I. Pumar, Regulatory “Pinaka-matiyagang mag-aaral ng taon” Iyan ang aking nakamit na karangalan Bukod sa diploma na pinakaaasam-asam Laking tuwa ng aking mga magulang Dahil paghihirap nila ay saglit na naibsan “Bangon na anak at baka ikaw ay mahuli” Sa tuwing umaga, sa akin ay sinasabi Nitong aking ina sa pagtulog ko ay katabi Na siyang nag-aasikaso ng aming family “Handa na ang gatas at almusal ay nakahain May mainit na tubig na siya mong papaliguin Ang uniporme mo ay plantsado na rin Makintab na ang sapatos na siya mong gagamitin” Madaling araw pa lang si ama ay nasa bukid na Nag-aararo ng konting lupang sinasaka Ang tanim na mga gulay ay pwede nang ibenta At ang napagbilhan pambaon ng anak niya Noong una, sa pag-aaral ako ay aktibo Iba’t-ibang karangalan ang nakakamit ko Dumating ang panahong barkada ang inatupag ko Di ko na napansing marami ang nagbago

Mas madalas pa ang cutting classes kesa pagpasok sa iskul Di alam ng magulang ko ako ay nagbubulakbol Natutunan ko na rin ang sugal, sigarilyo at alkohol Apektado ang pag-aaral, grades ko ay nagkabuhol-buhol Isang araw ang tukso ay di ko na naiwasan Habang ako ay lasing barkada ay nagkantiyawan Lumipas ang mga sandaling di ko na namalayan Init ng katawan, nakaraos, sa isang iglap lang |Laking pagsisisi sa kasalanang aking nagawa Sa murang edad ako ay nagka-anak na Payo ng mga magulang ay isinantabi ko muna Naging pasaway, matigas ang ulo at makasarili na Noong una’y di ko matanggap ang nangyari sa akin Naisip kong ako nga pala ang pag-asa ng pamilya namin Nagsumikap akong pag-aaral ay mas pagbutihin Upang maiahon sa kahirapan ang pamilya namin Sa kasalukuyan ako ay may hanap-buhay na Sina ama at ina sa magandang bahay na nakatira Ang unica hija ko naman ay nasa elementarya Masayang inaalagaan nina lolo at lola

#AsikAsikFalls Photography by Pinky G. Lising, IT Customer Support 30

book review The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton

Making Our Journeys Matter

By Olive O. Barrozo

T

ravelling can be one of the most exciting experiences in our lives. Just like passing the board exams, buying a new house, or seeing a long-lost loved one, the thrill of going somewhere unfamiliar can be staggering, the delightful anticipation exhilarating.

Apart from feasting on the sights, sounds, and staples of the new place, we can enrich our experiences by reflecting deeper, making art out of ordinary things. Not so fun? Considering we’re on a vacation? It can actually be strange but stimulating.

In The Art of Travel, author Alain de Botton tells us that: “Journeys are the midwives of thought. Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than moving planes, ships or trains. There is an almost quaint correlation between what is before our eyes and the thoughts we are able to have in our heads: large thoughts at times requiring large views, and new thoughts, new places. Introspective reflections that might otherwise be liable to stall are helped along by the flow of the landscape…”

From departing to various destinations, to motives, landscape, and art, to returning home, de Botton introduces us to prominent writers, poets, painters as guides in reflecting on the poetry and art of even the most mundane things. For instance, poet and philosopher Charles Baudelaire who was a lifelong traveler, loved the clouds: … I love the clouds…the clouds that pass by…over there…over there…those lovely clouds!

Painter and printmaker Edward Hopper found poetry in the often ignored landscapes of hotels, roads and petrol stations, diners and cafeterias, and trains. Another guide is poet William Wordsworth who went on long walks in the mountains and along the lakeshore, inspiring him to write poems about nature, such as: The cock is crowing/The stream is flowing/The small birds twitter,/The lake doth glitter…/There’s

Solitude Photography by Lex Mempin, IT Operations Support Systems

joy in the mountains;/There’s life in the fountains;/Small clouds are sailing,/Blue sky prevailing.

Wordsworth was the original advocate of our present-day nature trips. “By the time of the poet’s death at the age of eighty, in 1850 (by which half of the population of England and Wales was urban), serious critical opinion seemed almost universally sympathetic to his suggestion that regular travel through nature was a necessary antidote to the evils of the city.”

Victorian era art critic, draughtsman, and watercolourist John Ruskin also inspires de Botton with his sharp commentary on the significance of details. Ruskin “deplored the blindness and haste of modern tourists, especially those who prided themselves on covering Europe in a week by train: ‘No changing of place at a hundred miles an hour will make us one whit stronger, happier, or wiser. There was always more in the world than men could see, walked they ever so slowly; they will see it no better for going fast…’”

Although de Botton himself may not be as inveterate a traveler as Ferdinand Magellan or Thomas Cook (expressing “a degree of sympathy for those who, even in the most fascinating cities, have occasionally been visited by a strong wish to remain in bed and take the next flight home”), his book is inspiring, giving us food for thought as we embark on our own journeys. Decidedly more useful than a travel guide, it emboldens us to look beyond the manmade wonders and the overwhelming consumer attractions of foreign lands. With profound thinkers as guides, we should be able to make our experiences matter not only because we took selfies with world famous landmarks as background but because we noticed the pain and tiredness in the eyes of the street vendor selling trinkets to haggling tourists or empathized with the sweaty old rickshaw driver, overstraining his muscles from pulling overweight passengers. Details can be disturbing but they comprise the realities of travel that fancy travel brochures never mention. CC: 31

Gone With The Wind Photography by Jan Lester E. Bisco, Financial Business Intelligence Warehouse