ACC:ESS September 2015

iers ent r r ca plem n a i p ) Su l as a i c S p e e n c e ( ACC fer con

THE OF F ICIAL PUBLIC AT IO N O F T H E P LD T G RO U P

SEPT 2015

acc:essSEPTEMBER2015

02 19 For technology-focused September, ACC:ESS is featuring Voyager Innovations – the digital arm of PLDT and Smart

– as it bridges the country with innovations. The cover captures the diverse digital innovations that the MVPled group of companies are headed to – mandated to create digital products of the future. These products are expected to bring in additional revenue streams, and primarily to accelerate the digital transformation of the Filipinos.

our cover

regulars

01 From the Editor 06 Snapshots 18 The Bandwagoner 19 Life & Arts

news

02 PLDT HOME fortifies leadership in fixed broadband 03 PLDT beefs up data communications for APEC meet in Cebu 04 PLDT SME Nation, Smart Enterprise open Bozz Awards

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featureS

07 3rd Geeks on a Beach PLDT Group backs DOST start up roadmap 08 Digital Campus Suite Boosting PH IT education 10 TackThis!

Helping more Filipino businesses to go digital 11 Technopreneur Boot Camp All about startups 12 Voyager Innovations Bringing the Philippines into a digital age with innovations Cover Story 14 “Save the Philippine Eagle” Winner of 2015 Yale Innovation Prize 15 From field to film: CSOZ, District Heads are now camera-ready

staffbox Mon R. lsberto Public Affairs Head

T

he US-based Fletcher School at Tufts University in its Digital Evolution Index has said that only one country in the world has reached digital nirvana. While the Philippines has yet to use biometrics in its fledgling computerized elections, a third of the voting population of this country already cast their ballots via the internet. And while our tax bureau still requires all salaried employees to file hard copy returns, 98% of taxpayers of this country already pay their income taxes online. This country is tiny Estonia in the Baltic region of Northern Europe.

and thrive,” Nazareno said in his keynote speech at the Asian Carriers Conference held in Cebu earlier this month.

EDITORIAL Butch G. Jimenez Editor

“Thus, the opportunity for operators is to transform themselves into platforms for delivering new digital services – both their own and those of other players in the digital ecosystem. In this view, the name of the game is compelling digital content and powerful digital solutions,” he added, citing analyst Chetan Sharma.

Jay-Anne R. Encarnado Editor-in-Chief

Digital Nirvana

Our government can also learn a lot from Estonians. Their department ministers use an e-Cabinet system that allows them to conduct meetings, decide on, and write policies online.

This digitization is said to have saved the ministers 30 hours a week of work.

All in all, Estonians enjoy around 4,000 digitized services ranging from banking to accessing medical records and obtaining fishing licenses!

The Philippines still has a long way to go to reach this so-called digital nirvana.

But the PLDT Group is set on leading the way. To do this, PLDT President and CEO Polly Nazareno has said that PLDT has taken the path of digital diversification. For a telco company like PLDT, this means going beyond maintaining a robust network. It means moving towards digital services.

“The new view is that in this digital age, networks are no longer enough upon which to build a new future for carriers.

We need to go beyond that to survive

MAILBAG

He noted that PLDT’s digital diversification is anchored on a two-pronged strategy – partnership with global digital content and solutions companies, and investing in them and setting up joint ventures in ancillary businesses where we also contribute our own innovations.

“We’re doing this because it is quite clear to us that digital content and services are driving customer engagement and generating a growing share of revenues,” Nazareno further said.

Although at the end of the day, any innovation that we pursue should be guided by our desire to enrich the quality of life of our people as stated repeatedly by our Chairman, MVP, and also borrowed by our president in closing his keynote speech.

He said: “Whilst technology will empower us, and data bind us, it will be the welfare of our people – and the improvement of their lives – that should give us direction and inspiration.” CC:

Jay-Anne R. Encarnado

Happy subscriber Queenie Matienzo’s telephone line request has been served with the help of PLDT GMM North/ East Customer Service Operations District Head Reynaldo A. Simon and it was well appreciated. “Big thanks to Mr. Rene Simon for assisting us,” said Matienzo. CC:

Sennen F. Lacsamana Managing Editor Olive O. Barrozo Literary Editor Adrian T. Elumba Sarah Azucena-Reodica Raymond C. Co Writers

Daniel G. Moratalla Jay F. Garcia Photographers Annie O. Salazar Arnel N. Samson Circulation Nonong F. Noriega Columnist Carlo D. Gonzalez Mark Daryll P. Sambat Graphic Design CONTRIBUTORS Cherry W. Alaban, Paul Alvarez, Laemar John V. Chavez, Marilyn Dela Cruz, Ezra Ferraz, Bernie Galupe, Danny Handayan, Natividad Limpin, Luis Maglanoc, Ma. Leonora S. Malenab, Arjae S. Nuisa, Marina Rowena I. Pumar, Arnaldo A. Santos, John Paul M. Soriano, Marjory C. Sy, Francis Carlo M. Tempongko, Alice P. Tuazon

ACC:ESS is published monthly by PLDT Media Division for employees and friends. Address all communications to: The Editor-in-Chief, ACC:ESS, Ramon Cojuangco Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Telephones 810-3190 and 8168515.

Email: jrencarnado@pldt.com.ph http://issuu.com/pldtmedia

Simon

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News

PLDT HOME fortifies leadership in fixed broadband

By OLIVE O. BARROZO PLDT HOME has strengthened its leadership in fixed broadband with a commanding market share of over 70% in the first half of the year as it boosted its broadband service with an array of digital services.

Total PLDT HOME fixed broadband customers grew by 15% as of end-June, adding two times more subscribers than the competition in the second quarter of the year. Revenue is seen to further grow with the aggressive push of highend Fibr plans.

“PLDT HOME’s fixed broadband has continuously maintained its industry leadership with its significant array of new digital services and compelling content, providing entertainment to customers everywhere, whether they are at home or away from home,” said PLDT EVP and Head of Consumer Business Group Ariel P. Fermin.

PLDT is the first telco to offer Quadplay in the country. It is the innovative bundling offer where mobile services are packaged with voice, data, and cable television, providing connectivity everywhere. Fitch industry research unit, BMI Research, said

global entertainment company and Asia Pacific’s leading broadcaster. This content partnership provides PLDT HOME and Smart subscribers with subscription videoon-demand (SVOD), as well as live shows and catch-up television on the various Fox channels.

in a recent report that the quadplay service will potentially boost PLDT revenues.

“With Quadplay, we are once more leveraging our integrated approach to connectivity as our data, voice, and Cignal over fiber services are packaged with a mobile bundle. This further solidifies our leadership in the broadband market,” Fermin pointed out.

“The quadplay service will reinforce the trusted benefits of PLDT HOME brands.

With this offer, we will be able to offer our customers a one-stop shop for all their communications and multimedia needs, enabling them to experience a richer digital lifestyle,” he added.

PLDT HOME has also beefed up its content by partnering with global providers. One of the content partnerships launched in the second quarter of 2015 was with iflix, Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service with more than 11,000 hours of top shows and movies from the best content providers around the world, including top Hollywood, European, Asian, and even local studios.

Another recently-launched partnership was with Fox International Channels, a

“With this exclusive partnership with iflix, PLDT HOME and Smart subscribers can now enjoy unlimited entertainment wherever they are across the broadest range of devices – from smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, to TV screens – at a very low price, starting at P99 per month,” Fermin said. “We are also delighted to deliver a wide range of educational, sports, lifestyle, and movie content from Fox that will suit the entertainment wants and needs of our customers whenever and wherever they are.”

PLDT’s robust fixed and wireless networks enable the delivery of new services that meet the digital lifestyle needs of its subscribers. This is supported by the country’s most expansive fiber optic network, spanning more than 100,000 kilometers. CC:

PLDT improves telecom services in Capiz PLDT has recently opened up interconnection links with another telco service provider in Capiz, a province in the Western Visayas region, to allow free local calls between their subscribers.

This interconnection agreement enables PLDT customers to make local calls to Globelines subscribers for free, covering the following Capiz municipalities: Mambusao, Pontevedra, Roxas City, Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Maayon, Mambusao, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pres. Roxas, Sapian, and Tapaz.

“Our subscribers in Capiz may now call their friends, family members, and business associates, regardless of their telco connection, anytime without having to worry about long distance charges,”

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

said PLDT Panay Customer Service Operations Zone Head Rene Lescano.

PLDT’s business office in Iloilo which covers Panay Island, including Capiz, serves walk-in telephone applicants, installs and repairs telephone and DSL lines, accepts bills payment, services report repairs and billing concerns. It also offers voice, video, and data or triple play services on a single internet protocol (IP) platform.

According to Lescano, “The IP backbone runs on PLDT’s Domestic Fiber Optic Network (DFON), the most extensive fiber optics network in the country which now spans more than 100,000 kilometers long. DFON facilitates the direct transmission of the

internet data to our gateway, providing subscribers fast and reliable internet experience.”

Last year, PLDT has set up interconnection links in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zambales, and Misamis Occidental which has enabled PLDT customers to call the other telco’s subscribers in the area for free.

CAPIZ

In July and August last year, PLDT’s services in Pangasinan in Northern Luzon as well as the Bicol region in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon were also interconnected with Globelines, allowing subscribers to make free phone calls to various towns and cities. Olive O. Barrozo

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PLDT beefs up data connections for APEC meet in Cebu steps to ensure that these events have the internet connectivity the delegates need to do their work,” said PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno. “We wanted to help showcase the Philippines’ capabilities to host the APEC Summit.”

PLDT recently stepped up its efforts to provide internet services for the meetings held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event in Cebu City. PLDT strengthened its network coverage by deploying up to 100-mbps connectivity in Cebu’s premier hotels where the key APEC committee conferences were held.

Smart, on the other hand, also provided free Smart WiFi connectivity at the Cebu international and domestic airports to accommodate the influx of diplomats and officials arriving for the APEC meetings.

“As the Philippines hosted this year’s APEC meetings, we have taken

Source: apec2015.ph

Spread out over three weeks, the APEC consultations in Cebu culminated with the senior officials and finance ministerial meetings. The discussions cover trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region. Adrian T. Elumba

PLDT signs contract with PhilHealth for robust connectivity PLDT ALPHA Enterprise was recently tapped by PhilHeath for the provision of robust connectivity to link the agency’s 126 regional and local health insurance offices nationwide and overall customer support.

This is expected to benefit some 86 million PhilHealth members with the agency’s major connectivity operations upgrade program.

Present during the MOA signing are, from left: PLDT VP Renato Castañeda, PLDT FVP and Through this partnership, all Head of ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric PhilHealth offices in the country Alberto, PLDT President & CEO Napoleon Nazareno, PhilHealth President & CEO Alexander will be linked via IPVPN (Internet A. Padilla, and PhilHealth SVP & Chief Information Officer Jovita Aragona.

Protocol Virtual Private Network) connectivity. The managed said PLDT President and CEO Napoleon and we are excited to fully implement connectivity will help PhilHealth L. Nazareno. this project as this will surely translate to process more transactions efficiently immediate benefits among the general to meet customer needs pertaining to PLDT is in the best position to serve the populace that PhilHealth serves,” said membership queries and benefits claim connectivity requirements of Philhealth PLDT EVP and ePLDT President Eric R. applications, and maintain its excellent offices around the country with its robust Alberto. ratings in frontline servicing, as granted and extensive network that includes by the Civil Service Commission. more than 100,000 kilometers of fiber Apart from the private network optic cable. connectivity, a network performance “PLDT is delighted to be PhilHealth’s and management tool that offers onpartner in enhancing its operations, “PLDT has always been keen on demand and real-time network visibility knowing that all of these efforts are continuously re-investing in our network will be in place to effectively monitor for the higher purpose of providing to enable communities and enterprises the running systems. These generate the best possible health services to its with the right network platform as on-demand reports on network profiling millions of customers. We believe that they embark in their respective digital and capacity planning enabling the this initiative will enable PhilHealth to transformation journeys. We are grateful delivery of critical business services respond faster and more efficiently to to our partners in PhilHealth for trusting with high reliability for their customers. the rising demands of its members,” us to be their end-to-end ICT partner, Adrian T. Elumba

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PLDT SME Nation, Smart Enterprise open

Bozz Awards

In photo are, from left: PLDT SME Community Engagement Services Head Gabby Cui, PLDT SME Wireless Marketing Head and AVP Nephele V. Denosta, PLDT FVP and Head of Enterprise, International and Carrier Business Revenue and Operations Group Cesar Enriquez and PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde.

PLDT SME Nation and Smart Enterprise, together with online news site Rappler, launched the first social media crowdsourcing search for the new generation of entrepreneurs, the Bozz Awards.

Aimed at celebrating a new breed of Filipino business owners, the Bozz Awards will recognize entrepreneurs who harness the advantages of digital tools and platforms for growing their businesses. These entrepreneurs are leading the revolutionary changes in the country’s digital economy with the help of technology for their business.

Through Rappler, the Bozz Awards nomination was made accessible in their main site to facilitate the crowd sourcing aspect of the campaign with the online handle #BeTheBoss. More than 500 businesses were nominated since the campaign was announced last month.

“For years now, PLDT SME Nation has been known for the annual MVP Bossing Awards which celebrates local business titans whose stories of success embody perseverance and continuous innovation. They are industry icons that start-up entrepreneurs look up to,” said PLDT First Vice President and Head of SME Nation Kat Luna-Abelarde.

“This year, we are launching The Bozz Awards which is all about the new breed of entrepreneurs, who are just as persevering and innovative, albeit faced with a different set of challenges and opportunities of doing business in today’s digital age.”

To qualify for the Bozz Awards, business owners must not be more than 45 years old, are based in the Philippines, and have run their business at least two years.

A total of 15 nominees will be shortlisted by a panel of judges with three nominees falling under each of the five categories — The Boss for Mobile Readiness, The Boss For E-Commerce, The Boss for Social Media, The Boss for Customer Service, and The Boss for Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship.

As a fitting tribute to game-changing entrepreneurs who are leading the digital revolution in business, the winning Bozz awardees will also be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world’s melting pot of technology via an exclusive Silicon Valley tour.

Together with its partners, PLDT hopes to inspire more entrepreneurs with success stories of those who have boldly embraced the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.

The Bozz Awards is part of the line-up of activities for PLDT SME Nation’s recently launched Small Business Month celebration which is a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering small businesses to embrace the digital revolution.

Luna-Abelarde talks about the future of SMEs during the launch of the first ever Bozz Awards.

Cui explains the qualifications for the Bozz Awards.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

For more information on how to #BeTheBoss, visit rappler.com/betheboss. CC:

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Shown here during the contract signing rites are, from left: Marta Hernandez, executive director of TESDA; Dr. Melinda Lumanta ,vice chancellor of UPOU; Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, chancellor of UPOU; Ramon Isberto, head of PLDT Public Affairs; Evelyn del Rosario, head of PLDT Community Relations; and Prof. Liza Carascal, treasurer of UPOU Foundation Inc.

PLDT launches 12th Infoteach Outreach Program Committed to championing digital literacy, PLDT recently launched a new phase of its ongoing Infoteach Outreach Program for the ensuing year with the signing of a memorandum of agreement recently.

Now on its 12th year, the Infoteach Outreach Program aims to make Filipinos more globally competitive by arming them with the proper knowhow in basic computer skills. Together with the Department of Education (DepEd), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Intel Philippines and various local government units (LGUs), this year’s run will cover 38 cities and municipalities; 20

Department of Education (DepEd) schools division; 159 public high schools; 6,360 teachers and students; 42 master trainers and 520 trainers.

PLDT Community Relations Head Evelyn M. del Rosario explained their impetus to do so. “We (PLDT) are a compassionate company, committed to nation building.

We want people to be productive and counted in their community. If these people are at least technologically able, if they are equipped with the right skills; that is one way of empowering them,” she said.

The Infoteach Outreach Program is the brainchild of Del Rosario.

Present during the signing were select mayors of participating LGUs, schools

division superintendents, division ICT coordinators, and other UPOU officials.

PLDT Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto, concluded the event with a vision for the program. “We hope that this program will help open the door for more people to see the wealth of information and knowledge that can be found online. If our program helps to spread this knowledge amongst teachers and individuals ‘matutuwa na po kami’, if only for that we are able to create for them, a bridge to useful information,” he said.

Training for Infoteach Outreach Program’s master trainers started last September 16 and 17 at the University of the Philippines Open University in Los Baños. CC:

30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2015

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PLDT showcases PLDT HOME digital offerings

or the 2015 annual celebration of one of the biggest festivals in the country, PLDT has once again made its presence felt with different booths showcasing the Company’s digital offerings during the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw reflecting the the city’s abundance in natural bounties, rich heritage and culture and the celebration of Dabawenyos quality of life.

PLDT”s products and services were on display at the Rizal and Quezon parks where the famous Indak Indak sa Kadayawan and Pamulak sa Dabaw were being held. PLDT Home interactive booths featuring Telpad and Tvolution-Iflix and fox, product displays and PLDT Home Telpad blimp display also attracted the festival attendees who were given the opportunity to inquire, apply and try the various PLDT services. There were successful 130 applicants during the event. Alice P. Tuazon, PLDT Community Relations.

Upper photo shows PLDT ComRel Head Evelyn M. Del Rosario with a customer in the PLDT HOME booth. Lower photo shows festival participants enjoying the PLDT HOME booth’s offerings. At right, Del Rosario strikes a pose with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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snapshots

Lucky PLDT subscribers receive cash prize via Pay To Win promo

In the tradition of rewarding and recognizing subscribers for their loyalty, PLDT HOME recently awarded the first winners of the first ever Pay To Win raffle promo. The first batch of lucky subscriber were: Cecilia Valencia of Angat, Bulacan and Fe Cuison of Kalinga-Apayao. Under Pay To Win, subscribers who pay in full and on time are entitled to entries to a raffle draw wherein a grand prize winner receives P100,000, tax-free, via Smart Money and 25 winners will get P1,500 worth of PLDT credit vouchers. A special version of the promo specifically for PLDT HOME Ultera subscribers will award one grand prize winner with P50,000, tax-free, also via Smart Money, and 25 winners of credit vouchers worth P1,000 each. Valencia, who won the P100,000 grand prize, is a PLDT subscriber since 2012. A retiree and a widow, she uses her PLDT HOME DSL and Telpad services to get in touch with her two sons who reside abroad.

Her other son’s buy and sell business online has also grown exponentially with the help of their reliable DSL connection. For her part, Cuison considers the P50,000 cash prize as a gift from her deceased husband, Pedro, who passed away in 2012, and under whose name their PLDT subscription is registered. Bulacan winner Cecilia Valencia and her relatives are joined here by Home Retention executives Nida Limpiada and Jona Arcenas with Martin Datuin and Gian Malunhao SSC Team Head Ghie Roxas and SSC supervisors Susan Roque and Elisa Macapagal with Bulacan Operations representatives Joel Esquivel & Mar Tayag.

EmpDev head receives World Class Achiever award The World Class Achiever Award was conferred on EmpDev Head Nonong Noriega for being one of the plenary speakers during the 9th Philippine HR Congress. The annual learning event produced by Ariva Academy had for its theme, Leveraging Innovation for Competitive Advantage. Noriega’s talk was about Unity in Diversity. It centered on how varying temperaments, learning disposition types, behavioral inclinations and natural tendencies act as enablers in building an upbeat learning organization when managed well. This is the fourth consecutive year he has been invited to speak in the congress. Free wi-fi access was provided by PLDT & Smart to more than a thousand delegates across the country. Photo shows Noriega being awarded the plaque of appreciation by one of the convention’s committee heads Bobbie Laguitao and program host Nikki Viola.

PLDT ComRel conducts plant tour for St. Anthony’s College Spearheaded by PLDT Community Relations headed by Evelyn M. Del Rosario, a plant tour was recently conducted at PLDT Innolab in Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City for the teachers and students of St. Anthony’s College. The plant tour was facilitated by PLDT Community Relations Assistant Annie J. Ferrer, 1st row, 7th from left.

The participants were led by the school instructor Miko Ma. Estaris, 1st row, 6th from left.

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FEATURE 3rd Geeks on a Beach

PLDT Group backs DOST startup roadmap

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allying support for the fastemerging local startup community, PLDT Innolab, Smart Bro and DevNet, the IdeaSpace Foundation, and Voyager Innovations geared up for the 3rd Geeks on a Beach event with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) unveiling the country’s roadmap for digital startups.

The DOST-ICTO, in collaboration with key partners including IdeaSpace Foundation, unveils the Philippines’ roadmap for digital start-ups during the 3rd Geeks on a Beach conference.

Aiming to produce at least 500 Philippine startups with a cumulative valuation of $2-billion by 2020, the roadmap initiative is in response to the nationwide nationwide interest in the start-up ecosystem sector, attested to by a growing number of start-up events and competitions throughout the country including those from incubator IdeaSpace Foundation, Smart DevNet and PLDT Innolab.

Meanwhile, startup founders were also able to hear from PLDT VP and Head of ICT R&D Joey Limjap how the innovation center of PLDT could help them accelerate the growth of their startups. With presence in major urban centers around the country like Manila, Baguio, Clark, Subic, Cebu, and Davao, PLDT Innolab provides a venue for learning, testing, research,

During the plenary held in Boracay, IdeaSpace Foundation President Earl Martin Valencia pointed out how 2015 is a pivotal year for the local startup ecosystem as more groups here and around the world are pouring in support for startups in the country, from idea stage up to expansion stage. “Many are now realizing that the Philippines is a good market to start a business.

The fact that many of these ideas came from various regions around the country is a testament that the ecosystem is growing way beyond major urban cities in the Philippines,” Valencia explained.

Smart e-Money, Inc. (SMI) Chief Operating Officer Paolo Azzola, the keynote speaker for the conference, underscored the need for sound and efficient execution of startup ideas in order to ensure growth, especially since the local startup ecosystem has already started taking off.

IdeaSpace Foundation President Earl Martin Valencia moderates the discussion on how venture capitalists’ growing interest in the country’s start-up community.

PLDT VP and Head of ICT and R&D Joey Limjap fields questions from participants regarding PLDT’s contribution in the over-all digital innovations in the country during the break-out session.

innovation and collaboration for startups to support and develop the country’s next-generation ICT solutions. PLDT also provided Wifi connectivity at the venue for the 2-day conference.

Smart DevNet Developer Evangelist Paul Pajo talked on how to create mobile web applications that can be accessed from just about any phone, including feature phones that are not as sophisticated as most smartphones today, which could allow mobile users in the country, which are still using feature phones, access sites and applications that are relevant to their needs. CC:

SEPTEMBER 2015

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By adrian t. elumba

PLDT, Smart, Microsoft, and Samsung executives gather on stage to officially reveal the Digital Campus Suite banners.

“W

e at PLDT are confident that this partnership can significantly contribute to enriching the digital content of Philippine education. By enabling schools through these programs, we are helping them, both educator and student, to gain new critical skills and learn IT courses with globally competitive technology programs that have become essential in today’s digital work place,” said PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Educators and students will have access to Microsoft’s digital curriculum and earn IT certifications in the Microsoft IT Academy Program for fundamental technology skills as well as courses that enable students to become more competitive for employment. Schools will also receive licenses to Microsoft Office 365 to help students and teachers interact and teach using Cloud tools and platforms.

Big words from MVP as he talks about the new service packaged called Digital Campus Suite. This was recently launched by PLDT SME Nation together with global IT giant Microsoft Philippines.

Increased spending on IT cloud A study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) also revealed that increased spending on IT cloud services will open up an estimated 14 million new jobs worldwide. The same report also noted that there is an apparent “widening ICT professional skills gap” and a “shortage of skills” in the Asia Pacific Region.

Digital Campus Suite is expected to enable students and academes access to online learning programs and to earn IT (information technology) certifications for critical IT skills that are now in-demand in today’s digitally driven industries. The suite includes laptops, tablets, and WiFi access points in the campus for the use of students for their over-all digital education experience.

Through the Digital Campus Suite, schools will have high-speed connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate, and online access to training courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program.

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PLDT SME Nation has been very active in partnering with schools and learning institutions to build their technology and connectivity resources in support of the education sector’s need to improve ICT learning among the students and academe.

“This initiative fully aligns with PLDT SME Nation’s efforts to empower the future generation with an ICTenabled education system. ICT skills are no longer just

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The NU Pep Squad and UP Pep Squad perform a show-stopping routine.

DLSU’s Animo Squad and ADMU’s Blue Babble Batallion energize the crowd with their performance.

Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) President Bro. Jun Erguiza delivers his keynote address.

added value to employment but are now necessities in today’s business and entrepreneurial landscape.

This initiative will allow these students to become adept in basic ICT skills and IT programs to prepare them for their chosen careers,” said PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat LunaAbelarde.

This partnership is seen to bridge that widening skills and education gap by empowering Filipino students the tools and knowledge to be able to compete and gain advantage in today’s job market.

“An educated population is what we need to build a progressive Philippine economy, but we can’t educate tomorrow’sleaders with tools from the past,” said Microsoft Philippines General Manager Karrie Ilagan. “The increasingly competitive workplace is being driven by technology and digital literacy, and the Digital Campus Suite gives educators and students access to tools that will build their capability to excel in that environment.

We always strive to effect a positive change in the lives of our customers, and our partnership with PLDT SME Nation helps us create a bigger impact on all aspects of education” CC:

PLDT SME Nation Category Head for Data and Managed IT Christian Lim explains the Company’s role in boosting the country’s IT education.

Guests actively participate during the Digital Campus Suite event program.

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TackThis! now offers premium concierge service to better suit businesses in the age of digital e-commerce. Present to officially launch the new service were, from left: PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto, PLDT President & CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Voyager Innovations President & CEO Orlando B. Vea, and PLDT EVP and Voyager Innovations COO Benjie Fernandez.

Helping more Filipino businesses to go digital

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n industry trend analysis released

by BMI Research last July estimated that 82% of all internet users in the country or around 22 million Filipinos shop online. Retail sales account for USD207 billion but only 0.6% accounts for online retail.

need a more comprehensive suite of features on top of the basic offerings of TackThis! Together with the wide array of solutions from PLDT Alpha Enterprise and PLDT SME Nation, TackThis! is seen to further boost digital commerce in the country.

Social shopping experience “At Voyager, we believe that eCommerce is one of the building The growth rate for blocks of the digital economy. eCommerce is high. A 2014 TackThis! is already changing study by Ken Research eCommerce as it integrates the Mitch Padua and Kat Luna-Abelarde estimates that Philippine social shopping experience. Meanwhile, eCommerce can expect a our partners can benefit from the one101.4% annual growth rate from 2013 through 2018 due to stop solution that TackThis! provides, including our enhanced increasingly heavier Internet usage and mobile penetration. concierge service,” said Mitch Padua, vice president and head of digital commerce at Voyager Innovations.

Out of the over one million registered businesses in the country, it is estimated that only 1% have a website. In the past, a company “The premium concierge service gives retailers an end-towould have had to hire a large development and operations team end service that streamlines their online store requirements. to establish their digital footprint.

This way, businesses don’t have to allocate huge resources in maintaining their online stores. TackThis! allows them to focus With TackThis!, the concept is to provide the simplicity and ease on what they know best: selling their products,” said Kat Lunaof having an online store as TackThis! aims to help businesses Abelarde, First Vice President and Head of PLDT SME Business. tap into this huge opportunity to reach more Filipinos going and shopping online.

The advanced features that come as a part of the concierge service include professional services for an effortless online store creation Premium concierge service as well as hassle-free store management of logistics, payments Voyager Innovations (Voyager), together with PLDT ALPHA and customer service via a team of TackThis! Ambassadors.

Enterprise and PLDT SME Nation, recently launched its premium concierge service for online store creator TackThis! to Online shopping discovery platform partner businesses so they can quickly and efficiently build their The concierge service also includes store marketing via placement own branded digital commerce footprint which incorporates a on Takatack, the sister site of TackThis! Takatack is now the seamless social shopping experience for customers. largest online shopping discovery platform that aggregates and promotes As a platform, TackThis! enables not only offerings from the thousands of businesses to set up their online merchants who have established their shops in just a matter of minutes. online shops through TackThis!, but They can then “tack” their store also products from other online stores to Facebook and other websites and retailers in the country including and the platform facilitates Rocket Internet-backed Zalora and the customer’s entire digital Lazada. commerce journey - beginning from the point of order, through Tackthis! has over 30,000 registered the management of inventory, SMEs gets a demo on the features of the TackThis! merchants in Singapore, Malaysia and the and ending with fulfillment and concierge service. In photo, PLDT SME Nation’s Philippines with more than 400 merchants payment.

Gabby Cui and Luna-Abelarde, together with PLDT already part of the premium Tackthis!

Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto, 2nd, 3rd, and last Concierge Program - an end to end solution The premium concierge service from left, pose with SME Bossings Rosalind Wee of W tailored to get retailers selling online aims to enable larger retailers who Group, Inc. and Louie Gutierrez of Silverworks. quickly. CC:

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Startup enthusiasts participate in the various activities held during the event.

mp a c t o o b r u ene r p o n tech

ps u t r a st t u o b all a

T

he event was all about educating people on startups and everything they need to know including, among others, the startup ecosystem in the country and the resources for new, aspiring and existing startups.

The Technopreneur BootCamp, co-presented by PLDT Innolab and IdeaSpace Philippines, was actually a two-part event held in General Santos City last 1 August for the Pre-event and 8 August for the main event. This was also made possible in partnership with Hub88, Mabuhay IT Park, 3AG Business Solutions, Security Bank, DTI, and ISA XII. Startup ecosystem The pre-event, entitled Startup Bootcamp, aimed to educate people on startups and everything they need to know such as the startup ecosystem in the Philippines and the resources for new, aspiring, and existing startups.

With 80 expected attendees, Startup Bootcamp was packed with 115 registered participants from both online registration and walkins mostly composed of students and professionals who were ready to hear new things from the speakers in the said event.

Mike Martinez, founder and CEO of 3AG Business Solutions and Ralph Layco, founder and CEO of Macho Mucho, shared their expertise on How to Start a Startup while Joey Limjap, Vice President of PLDT ICT R&D, educated the audiences on the ideal Product Development Process.

of 150 participants. It was an active event involving everyone in the discussion, inspiring all to do what it takes to be successful in starting a startup.

Prior to the main activities for the whole day, the co-presenters of the 2015 bootcamp were introduced by IdeaSpace’s Andrew Cua during the morning session and PLDT Innolab’sDara Ever Juan before the start of the afternoon activities, both giving the participants on how IdeaSpace and PLDT Innolab extend their support for startups especially in General Santos City.

The talks were delivered by Junjune Gauran of Mabuhay IT Park, Au Soriano, founder and CEO of Pinoy Travel, Mike Martinez, and Dave del Rosario of IdeaSpace. In preparation for the pitching competition, participants were assembled into three to four persons per group, all encouraged to work together to come up with their own idea for a startup which will be presented and judged by the end of the session.

Every group was mentored by Brenda Valerio and Stanley Cleto of IdeaSpace, Lord Dalinas of TechTalks, and Ralph Layco who all provided their expertise on every aspect of starting a startup.

The activity was able to pitch 25 ideas in which eight were chosen as finalists. The judges: Joey Limjap, Au Soriano, and Mike Martinez considered HomeStay as the winner of the pitching competition.

The Startup Bootcamp ended leaving the attendees looking forward to the main event.

The idea was a tourism solution that promotes the Tiboli tribe in GenSan, allowing the tourists to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the Tibolis.

Success in startups A week after the pre-event, Technopreneur Bootcamp, the second part of the bootcamp series, was held welcoming an estimated

The bootcamp ended with Jan Ced of Mabuhay IT Park leaving everyone with good vibes, best ideas, inspiration, and knowledge in startups.CC:

SEPTEMBER 2015

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MVP, left gives his keynote address during the first ever business cascade that brought together Voyager, SMI and Chikka as the business unit and support group heads, above, gather on stage to celebrate the occasion.

voyag er i nn o v a t i o n s Bringing the Philippines into a digital age with innovations

By Ezra Ferraz, voyager pr and pull marketing

H

ow do you innovate? It’s a question that all companies across the world, including everyone from Facebook to Google to Uber, struggle with on a day-to-day basis. For PLDT and Smart. attempts have been made in addressing this question more earnestly over the past few years, as the Philippines makes the transition into a digital era.

The Innovator’s Dilemma It’s not enough to simply have the desire to innovate, as most companies in the world do. The problem is that when companies try to innovate, they do so on their terms. This problem is known as the innovator’s dilemma. Companies will try to innovate upon their existing products and services, rather than pioneer innovation with new products and services, even if the latter is what is most crucial for a company’s future.

This is why Voyager Innovations was founded a little over two years ago. As the digital innovations unit of PLDT and Smart, Voyager is tasked with much more than just incubating new products and services related to telecommunications.

Together with Smart eMoney, Inc. (SMI), the digital financial services arm of the group, and Chikka, creators of the popular Chikka Text Messaging and PowerApp, Voyager’s mandate is to create the digital products and platforms of the future that can serve as additional revenue streams of the PLDT and Smart group and in the larger picture, help accelerate the digital transformation of the Filipino from talking, texting, and browsing toward apps, content, eCommerce, digital payments and the internet of everything.

Creating these digital products is done in a systematic way, as Voyager is building an entire ecosystem. One of the major problems facing the Philippines is that not enough Filipinos

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are online - though the Philippines is hailed as the social media capital of the world, internet penetration is still very low, particularly outside of major cities.

Building the Digital Ecosystem One of the first goals of Voyager is enable easier access to the internet. Free internet platform SafeZone is Voyager’s attempt to address this problem. It is now the no. 1 local community mobile site based on data from Effective Measure.

Brands whitelist their apps so that they are free for the Filipino consumer (i.e. no data charge), and in the process, gain more customers. SafeZone earns from these sponsoring brands through revenue sharing or a flat rate and in turn, help drive users into buying data bundles from Smart.

On a global scale, Chikka’s home grown success with PowerApp is now poised to take off with partnerships with network equipment manufacturers such as Sandvine. This means that soon, telcos who are customers of Sandvine will be using PowerApp to enable them to offer data bundles in sachets.

Once we bring these previously unconnected Filipinos into the fold of the internet, they need to be able to buy products and avail of services online. This almost always requires a credit card, which is a problem because most Filipinos do not have one. Credit card penetration is still extremely low in the country, with most estimates pegging it at between 1 and 5% of the population.

As a solution to this issue, Smart eMoney, through the partnership of PLDT with Rocket Internet, has built financial technology platform PayMaya. PayMaya is a virtual instant Visa that anyone can activate upon downloading the PayMaya app, which is available for both iOS and Android.

It also comes with a physical card.

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MVP, 2nd from right, is shown here with, from left: PayMaya COO Paolo Azzola, Visa Business Development Director Pia Arellano, and Voyager Innovations COO Benjie Fernandez, during PayMaya’s sneak peek event.

The brand ambassador of free internet portal SafeZone poses by the SafeZone booth.

SafeZone attends many on-theground events to evangelize about the brand and help people to download the platform.

The Voyager Innovations office is designed to have as many spaces to relax and unwind. Here, two employees from the digital marketing and analytics team Arwin Abe and Monnik Togle work from one of the many couch areas distributed throughout the office.

Once Filipinos are brought online and means given to them to pay for eCommerce, more use cases should also be provided to stay online. Within PLDT and Smart, there are already so many. Filipinos can order for food delivery via FoodPanda, whenever they are craving for their favorites; book tickets via the Philippine Airlines app, whether for domestic or international travel; and sign up for iFlix, the premiere video streaming service in the country.

PLDT and Smart are striving to continue bringing premium With PayMaya, Filipinos can access all the amazing products services and products to Filipinos via innovative platforms. and services that the internet offers.

For example, Voyager fuels shopping On top of this, the PayMaya BEEP discovery platform Takatack, which is now the PLDT and Smart are card can be used for MRT/ LRT rides. biggest online store in the country with more than over 100,000 SKUs. striving to continue On the financial technology side, bringing premium Voyager has introduced security Talk2 gives overseas Filipinos a local Smart solutions like LockByMobile. so their loved ones can call and text services and products number Pivoting a Smart Money technology them at local rates. It is now the number one feature that allows users to “lock” or overseas Filipino community app downloaded to Filipinos via “unlock” cards for transaction and and in use. scaling it up and expanding its scope, innovative platforms.

LockByMobile will be used by card there are more reasons to cheer For example, Voyager Ultimately, companies and banks and offer this for the mass transition of Filipinos into the as a solution to their own customers. digital space because it will have an effect on fuels shopping the country as a whole. discovery platform To help further expand financial inclusivity through digital, both Luckily for the Filipinos, technology makes it Takatack, which is Voyager and Smart eMoney have easier for them to change behavior. This has been working with partner banks, now the biggest online been seen this before with text messaging and humanitarian and government mobile internet. And more of this will be seen store in the country agencies. Smart eMoney is now the with the influx of digital commerce, digital biggest disburser of conditional cash payments, online content, internet of things with more than over transfers. With LANDBANK Mobile the whole gamut of digital experience.

Loan Saver, Voyager is powering a 100,000 SKUs. mobile service for loan applications This is just one way that bringing more for government employees. In the Filipinos into the digital world can help the area of remittances, Smart Padala is now the biggest local very fabric of Philippine society. Voyager is committed to remittance service in the country. finding ways to create more and in the process, contribute to PLDT and Smart’s mission. CC:

SEPTEMBER 2015

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“Save the Philippine Eagle” Project

Winner of 2015 Yale Innovation Prize C

hange is happening every day as communities of indigenous people (IP) continue planting native trees in grasslands and farms in Arakan, North Cotabato.These families, despite being poor, commit to restoring the forests that actually benefits everyone. It is but fair to lend them a helping hand when they need it the most.

fees. Basic education, health and livelihood support were also facilitated as ‘conservation incentives’. Sustainable conservation financing and ‘in-kind’ incentives are brokered through ‘conservation agreements’ between communities and their government, private and corporate benefactors.”

Partners in conservation In 2010, PLDT through its Community Relations Division Philippine Eagle Foundation Research and Conservation headed by Evelyn M. Del Rosario Known as the Forest Corridor Director Jayson Ibañez, 4th from left, receives the certificate and PEF have become partners in Development Project (FCDP), the from the members of Yale Association of Tropical Forestry. conservation. PLDT provided the “Save the Philippine Eagle” initiative much needed water system and is the boldest effort of the Philippine tribal hall to the indigenous village Eagle Foundation (PEF) to bring back the forest that has been of Inamong, Arakan. They also supported the opening of a lost. The idea is to link patches of wildlife habitats by engaging primary school in the remote village of the Manobo Tinananon in families, mostly indigenous, that live nearby. another barangay.

“Corporate partnerships are crucial to conservation. The support

from PLDT provided leverage and flexibility that helps us address community needs quickly,” said PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador.

2015 Yale ISTF And for this new way of financing tropical conservation, the Philippine Eagle Foundation-Holistic forest biodiversity conservation in the Arakan Valley through ‘corridors’ and ‘stepping stones’was awarded second Innovation Prize during the 2015th International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF) Conference held at Yale University early this year.

As the Yale ISTF website put it,”Originally a lowland tropical forest, the Arakan Valley in North Cotabato, Philippines has lost 94% of its forests. What remains are confined in three forest islands, two of which are global KBAs. Using a landscape restoration framework crafted by various stakeholders, a revitalized Arakan Forest Corridor Development Program (AFCDP) began in 2010. The AFCDP is a multi-year initiative that combines forest management, poverty alleviation, resource mobilization, local capacity building, advocacy and education to restore the social-ecological resiliency of the Arakan landscape and its predominantly poor, rural inhabitants.

To date, 6,000 ha of the KBAs are legally protected with clear management regimes that also conserve IUCN ‘threatened’ species like the Philippine Eagle. Native trees were also replanted in 370 ha of non-forest areas around ‘core zones’ through small-holder ‘rainforestation’ approaches, with census showing a 60 % average survival rate in successful reforestation plots.

Using a ‘sustainable livelihoods framework’ approach, the well-being of 200 indigenous households performing clear environmental services is also being secured. During the previous year, household annual income has tripled fromrainforestation

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Taking off from the success of the partnership, PLDT sealed another Conservation Agreement with the PEF in 2012 and continued to provide socio-economic services, among these are a daycare center and allowances as well as trainings for volunteer teachers, and seed capital for selected farmers. These forms of support also encouraged other agencies and individual donors to give. This in turn resulted in a boost of community appreciation for Philippine Eagle conservation.

For instance, PLDT awarded the 13 top performers in restoration with an in-kind agroforestry package amounting to P375,000.00.

Farmers used this incentive to plant economic crops that have been giving them income for a year. The benefits they reapspread to nearby villages and more and more families expressed their support in restoration.

This experience tells us two things. First, Public-PrivatePartnerships (PPPs) can bring services to small communities that are often overlooked in many top-level development planning.

Second, PPPs can open ways to make conservation work for the common people. In this way, conservation goes full circle; everyone is involved and benefitted.

“The first time I went up at Arakan Valley, I certainly felt for the Manobo community especially the children who walk down and up the mountain miles away just to get a pale of water . That’s the first initiative we did, the construction of the water system.

That actually started our partnership with PEF for the Arakan Forest Corridor Development Program (AFCDP). We braved the rough roads and high trails to go up the mountain to plant trees and share our time and talent to the community. They were very grateful for PLDT’s sincerity to help,” said PLDT ComRel Head, Evelyn M. Del Rosario.

To date, PLDT and the PEF continue to explore more areas of partnership in saving our national bird and helping local communities.CC:

Speci

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ent

ACC Plenary speakers discuss various strategies for telecoms to continue to move forward in the digital economy. Clockwise, Isabelle Paradis, Hot Telecoms President and CEO; Lionel Gan, Ciena VP & General Manager for Global Field Sales and Operations – ASEAN, Greater China and HK/Taiwan; Ganesh John Sivasamboo, Telekom Malaysia Berhad General Manager for Regional and Alliance Sales, Global & Wholesale; Tony Poulos, Disruptive Views Editor; and keynote speaker Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT President and Group CEO.

2015 Asian Carriers Conference

Telecoms industry experts underscore innovation, quality of experience for consumers in digital world

By Olive O. Barrozo

G

lobal telecoms and technology industry experts affirmed that to attain success in the digital economy, telecommunications carriers need to take a leap from simply providing connectivity to offering innovative services and ensuring quality of experience for consumers at the recentlyconcluded 2015 Asian Carriers Conference (ACC).

speaker Isabelle Paradis, President and CEO of Hot Telecoms, a Montreal-based global telecoms research, consulting and advisory company.

Now on its 11th year, the ACC, which ran on the business theme “The Connected Digital Economy of Telecoms,” is the award-winning annual telecoms and technology event organized by the Asian Carriers Conference Incorporated and presented

by PLDT and its mobile brands Smart and Sun at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu.

Citing a report on the Future of International Carriers, Paradis said “92% of total subscribers in Asia will be mobile users by the end of 2020, and 1.5 billion mobile subscribers will be 4G users by the end of 2020.”

Innovation is the Key Carriers need to “innovate, monetize, simplify, and ensure quality of experience for consumers,” said ACC plenary

Quality of experience encompasses coverage, speed, control, and price.

She added that a study on shaping quality of experience showed that “64% of 4G users say that they would prefer to have access to data instead of voice in times of crisis, and 63% of mobile users in Asia say they would change mobile service provider to benefit from lower voice and data prices.”

Paradis stressed that the role of carriers in the future points towards providing information in the form of data, analytics, and security through IP and cloud to communicate, entertain, and control.

Digital Diversification On the different strategies that carriers are undertaking to build a new future in the digital world, PLDT President and Group CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno said in his keynote speech that PLDT has taken the path of a two-pronged strategy called the digital diversification.

“First, we are partnering with global digital content and solutions companies. Second, whenever it makes sense, we are also investing in them and setting up joint ventures in ancillary businesses that add value to our core network business. We are putting not only money but also our own innovations into these joint ventures.”

He related that PLDT has invested in leading global e-commerce group Rocket Internet.

“Alongside that investment, we are setting up with Rocket Internet a joint venture e-payments company that will use our award-winning Smart Money platform.”

Clockwise, one of the numerous workshops at the ACC; exhibit partners; delegates from various countries; more delegates in a bilateral meeting.

“92% of total subscribers in Asia will be mobile users by the end of 2020, and 1.5 billion mobile subscribers will be 4G users by the end of 2020.”

He also cited PLDT’s partnerships with global video content providers Fox and Disney, and video streaming company iflix, Smart’s homegrown music service Spinnr, and its partnership with global music content providers Deezer and Apple.

In the developmental realm, Nazareno mentioned that PLDT has provided over 1,700 tablets equipped with broadband connection and a special pre-loaded mobile app which enabled municipal agriculture officers to quickly and efficiently calculate and report the fishing capacity of small fishermen’s boats all over the country.

“As telecom companies, we are here not just to provide connectivity in the digital economy but more importantly, to

enrich connections that improve the quality of life of our people,” Nazareno said.

The other plenary speakers were Tony Poulos, Disruptive Views Editor, whose talk focused on the issue of “Why don’t we talk anymore? (Voice was once our bread and butter, what will our diet be in the future),” Ganesh John Sivasamboo, Telekom Malaysia Berhad General Manager for Regional and Alliance Sales, Global & Wholesale, on “Value Creation Through Digitalisation Across Asia,” and Lionel Gan, Ciena Vice President & General Manager for Global Field Sales and Operations - ASEAN, Greater China and HK/Taiwan, on “Changing the Momentum for Enabling the Momentum and Shaping the Future of Digital Transformation.”

Global Delegates Attended by delegates from 48 countries around the world, the ACC provides a venue for industry leaders to discuss and share the latest technologies and breakthroughs in telecommunications, ICT, and related industries. It brings together international delegates from the wholesale fixed and mobile telecom carriers, network and infrastructure providers,

Leading the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon of the ACC Exhibit are PLDT President and Group CEO Napoleon Nazareno, 4th from left, and PLDT EVP and Head of Enterprise and International & Carrier Business and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto, 3rd from left, with event partners from PCCW Global, Orange, Huawei, IDT Asia, CSGI, Data Access Solutions, HKBN, Voxvalley, China Broadband Communications, and Superloop. Also joining the group are PLDT International & Carrier Business Head and PLDT Global Corp.

President & CEO Alex O. Caeg, leftmost, and PLDT VP Gene Sanchez, rightmost.

The ACC 2015 delegates in a group photo. Inset, PLDT International & Carrier Business Head and PLDT Global Corp. President & CEO Alex O. Caeg and PLDT EVP and Head of Enterprise and International & Carrier Business and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto welcome delegates.

applications and service developers, handset and equipment manufacturers, and entertainment and content distributors.

Platinum partners of the 11th ACC included Orange of France, PCCW Global, Tata Communications and Huawei. Comprising the gold partners were Airtel Business, BICS, T-Systems (International Carrier Sales & Solutions), Digital Realty, IDT Telecom Asia Pacific, Quickcom Global, Sheng Li Tel, and TSN, while the silver partners were Ciena, CSG International, gvtele, Hong Kong Broadband Network, REVE Systems, and Telekom Malaysia Berhad. The bronze partners were Dialogic, Genband, Hutchison Global Communications, NGT Networks, Telarix, Telenor, TNZI, and World Hub Communications.

The Conference of Choice “Last year, when the ACC celebrated its 10th year, delegates from over 45 countries representing nearly 500 companies attended the event. When the ACC was first convened in 2005, there were only 195 delegates representing 33 companies,” said PLDT Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International & Carrier Business and ePLDT President and CEO, Eric R. Alberto. “The ACC has become the much-anticipated conference for both international and local delegates because it offers them great technological knowledge and updates and huge opportunities to network, collaborate, and conduct

PLDT Carrier Product Development & Marketing Head Edgar Antonio with program host Blinky de Leon at the PLDT, Smart and Sun booth.

business with industry leaders and players.”

PLDT International & Carrier Business Head and PLDT Global Corporation President & CEO Alex O. Caeg pointed out that, “The combination of networking opportunities, business meetings with fun and exciting social activities, as well as the excellent accommodations in Mactan, Cebu’s finest hotels make ACC the conference of choice for many delegates who have been attending the event since 2005.”

“The ACC is invigorating and a fun and memorable experience,” Caeg said.

The conference program included the plenary session, opening of the ACC 2015 Exhibit and Shopping Village, workshops, bilateral meetings, and the turn-over of ACC corporate social responsibility projects. CC:

Above right, Rob Van Den Dam, Telecom Industry Leader of IBM Institute for Business Value, talks about Rebooting the Internet of Things in one of the workshops; other photos show international delegates in bilateral meetings and networking activities.

interview with pldt president napoleon l. nazareno

Opening your mind to the digital world reprinted from the five asian tigers magazine interview by isabelle paradis, hot telecom president and ceo

P

LDT is one of the most dynamic telecom groups, when it comes to launching new leading edge initiatives and services and is therefore taking the necessary steps to take the leap into the digital world. Mr. Napoleon Nazareno, CEO of PLDT, has a clear vision of where the carrier world has to evolve to in order to ensure its survival and the next phase in its evolutionary path. Here is what he sees as the keys to carrier success in this new era.

OPENING YOUR MIND TO DATA In your opinion, what key trends will be shaping the international telecom market over the next 2 years?

All over the world, Asia included, markets and technologies are going digital. The pace of change varies from place to place. But by and large, the transformation is taking place faster than formerly expected.

In emerging markets of Asia, we will see this accelerate as more people turn to smartphones and as networks become more capable of handling large data flows. This will be accompanied by a surge in the usage of a growing range of applications and solutions by people – and by machines. In response, carriers are going digital, with varying degrees of urgency.

Traditional revenue sources such as voice and text remain substantial and must be managed well. But it is clear that customer engagement is increasingly being driven by digital services. That is already a large part of the present and will be the dominant reality of the future.

For example, we are offering big data services that will raise enterprise effectiveness and productivity to the next level. We are pursuing innovations developed within the PLDT Group and forging partnerships with the leading innovators in the digital world.

How do you see PLDT’s role developing to be able to support the evolving needs of your customers in this time of flux?

We’ve recently launched a slew of new offerings in both the enterprise and consumer space. I cited earlier big data services. This is an exciting new field for PLDT. With big data, we have numerous opportunities to equip private enterprises and government agencies with a higher level of intelligence in the conduct of their businesses.

In the consumer market, we have started offering quad-play packages that take advantage of the combined strength and reach of our fixed and mobile networks. PLDT will continue to take advantage of this synergy. We can deliver increasingly rich video content to the four screens – mobile phones, tablets, laptops and TVs. We are also enriching our music content and adding to our home security solutions – all delivered through our wired and/or wireless services.

We also have one of the biggest gaming platforms in the Philippines through the online portal GameX. For the enterprise market, our goal is to be the enabler of the digital economy in the Philippines. For consumers, we are offering connectivity, entertainment and peace of mind everywhere.

How should carriers evolve to survive? The carrier market will be increasingly data driven. To survive and thrive, carriers need to turn themselves as rapidly as possible into platforms for the efficient delivery of digital services. This shift has already taken place in developed markets and emerging For the enterprise market, markets are following quickly. For operators our goal is to be the enabler to succeed in this environment, they will have of the digital economy in the to make their networks much more capable of intelligently managing the growing flow of data Philippines. For consumers, traffic. Carriers need to overhaul their business we are offering connectivity, processes, billing systems and service delivery entertainment and peace of platforms so that they can quickly deliver newservices of their own and/or those of other mind everywhere. players in the digital ecosystem.

OPENING YOUR MIND TO BIG DATA How do you see PLDT’s role developing to be able to support the evolving needs of your customers in this time of flux?

As our chairman, Mr. Manny Pangilinan put it, PLDT is decisively making the “digital pivot”. We have recently implemented a major reorganization in the Group so that we clearly focus on the enterprise and consumer markets and offer our customers compelling digital services and solutions. We have stepped up investments in our networks and platforms so that PLDT can deliver a growing portfolio of services with the best possible customer experience.

OPENING YOUR MIND TO CHANGE What do you find the most challenging/exciting at the moment in your role as an industry leader?

The most daunting task that we face as industry leaders is to understand the rapid changes that are taking place in the lifestyles and work habits of young people using various digital technologies, and how this impacts on our business.

This is such a huge challenge because change is taking place at a dizzying pace and is coming from many different directions. To do this, we must be constantly curious about what is happening in the lives of young people.

I actually enjoy this because it’s a great way to stay young – even if only in spirit. It’s also a great way to be close with my grandchildren.

They are my in-house researchers.

But more importantly, we need to keep an open mind and make a constant effort to review our assumptions. We need to accept that change is inescapable and has a habit of surprising us. Thus, we should be able to keep up with these changes. We should keep on innovating. We should keep on learning. CC:

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PLDT, Smart boost open Wifi access in Cebu airport, key hotels By adrian t. elumba

P

LDT and Smart Communications recently boosted Wifi connectivity services at Mactan International and Domestic Airports in Cebu and the city’s premiere hotels to accommodate the influx of international and local delegates who attended the Asian Carrier’s Conference (ACC) this year.

Delegates were able to access free Wifi connectivity through Smart-powered access points in the primary areas of the international and domestic airports including the entrance, waiting lounges, pre-departure and check-in areas, as well as the Mabuhay lounge.

Guests were also able to access free Smart Wifi at the ShangriLa in Mactan and Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City, while LTE and 3G Smart signals were likewise enhanced to complement the wireless connectivity in these areas for Smart subscribers.

“ACC has become an international avenue for hundreds of global industry leaders from the wholesale fixed and mobile carriers to discuss and share the latest technologies, breakthroughs, and trends in the telecoms field,” said PLDT and Smart President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno.

“Through this initiative, we are supporting Cebu’s efforts to build its position as a vital business hub with enhanced connectivity services.

PLDT and Smart have long been supporting local celebrations and international events in Cebu providing the region the resilient and robust communications systems for its residents, business establishments, and tourists flying in to the city including the Sinulog Festival which draws millions of tourists every year.

This year’s ACC also closely coincided with the Senior Officials Meeting and scheduled Ministerial meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) where more than 2,000 officials from the participating countries gathered in Cebu. CC:

Three brand new classrooms replace the earthquake-shattered ones in Mocpoc Elementary School as PLDT 2G, PSF, ACC, and partners help Bohol rise from the ruins. Schoolchildren, at right, attend the program at the turn-over ceremonies.

ACC Corporate Social Responsibility

Promoting education in the community

D

By Olive O. Barrozo

reams and aspirations are two of the most important ingredients to a meaningful life. Without these, we will simply exist like tumbleweeds. Caring organizations like the Asian Carriers Conference (ACC), PLDT Gabay Guro (2G), and PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) do not allow tumbleweeds to proliferate.

Realizing dreams start with getting a good education, an opportunity that has opened up for schoolchildren in Cebu and nearby communities, including earthquake-stricken Bohol. They are assisted by PLDT 2G, the flagship program of the PSF, and its partners, including the ACC which, through the years, has been launching projects that have benefitted communities in Cebu.

The Smart TechnoCart, a complete mobile digital laboratory This year, Mocpoc Elementary School that can be easily wheeled from in Loon, Bohol, was the recipient of a one classroom to another, is an three-classroom donation from PLDT exciting learning tool for teachers and kindergarten pupils.

2G, PSF and the ACC. “These beautiful brand new classrooms will be a great help to our school, especially our pupils, and we’re very thankful to PLDT 2G, PSF and the ACC,” said Principal Felix Segitarrius who personally led the preparations for the turnover ceremonies in Mocpoc, even carrying the tent frames himself and setting them up for the program.

The pre-fabricated typhoon-and-earthquake-proof classrooms are equipped with chairs, tables, blackboards, electric fans and a comfort room.

The other ACC CSR project this year is the TechnoCart, an initiative of Smart Communications, PLDT’s mobile brand. The TechnoCart is a complete mobile digital laboratory that can be easily wheeled from one classroom to another. It contains 20 student tablets, a laptop and a projector for the teacher and a Smart Bro pocket WiFi with starter load for connectivity. Beyond the devices, each tablet in the Smart TechnoCart comes pre-loaded with the Batibot mobile app, the first localized mobile app for kids aligned with the Department of Education’s Kimder curriculum.

Through the Smart TechnoCart, administrators and teachers are also given access to Smart One Campus, a Learning Management System that allows them to track and measure their students’ performance.

2015 is an exciting schoolyear for children and teachers in Cebu and Bohol, having found in their midst comfortable brand new classrooms, complete with school amenities, that replaced the old ones that were reduced to debris by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The mobile tech tools for kindergarten are just as thrilling. These are some of the things that jumpstart children to achieving their dreams. CC:

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: m l i f o t d From fiel

PLDT Public Affairs Head Mon Isberto imparts learnings as the Company’s designated spokesperson.

s d a e H t c i r t s i D , Z O CS y d a e r a r e m a c w o n e ar

PLDT Media Division Head Jay-Anne Encarnado and PLDT Vice President for CSOM/Home Sales and Distribution Marco Borlongan, both at the center, pose with the camera-ready CSOZ and District Heads of PLDT.

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-reodica . azucena g sarah

PLDT Manila CSOZ Head Joel Sacayan puts his learnings to use in a mock ambush interview about an alleged PLDT pole that fell on the street, causing inconvenience to residents.

s Customer Service and Operations Zone (CSOZ) and District Heads are deputized to represent the Company in their respective areas, they are exposed to various stakeholders on a daily basis. And while they are already doing a great job when it comes to interacting with their community, is their machismo charms enough to gain the trust and goodwill of the media?

We think that a little help from experts can make a lot of difference.

So through the help of PLDT Vice President for CSOM/Home Sales and Distribution Marco Borlongan, and PLDT Vice President and Head of Organizational Development Alexander “Deng” Kibanoff, an Executive Media Training was created. With specially-designed mini courses for the CSOZ and District Heads, the Executive Media Training laid out the proper know-how when it comes to facing the media.

With a full day of on-cam activities with mock interviews, crisis management, lessons on information handling in social media, to workshops on how to craft the right messages for the public: the Executive Media Training prepared the CSOZ and District Heads with the do’s and don’ts when the situation arises.

Experts hailing from TV, radio, and print media were also present during the event to impart invaluable insights when it comes to handling interviews, and what they look for in quoting a representative.

Former ABS-CBN Regional News Head Charie Villa, The Standard’s News Editor Joyce Pañares, and veteran radio anchor Ely Saludar, center, join the CSOZ and District Heads, and the training organizers.

“It is our honor to represent the Company and its efforts all over the country, so we believe that trainings like this can better equip us in communicating our programs to the public. When unavoidable crises arise, like the recent one we had in Cebu, and media pressure will require for us to explain the Company’s side—we are now confident that we will say the right things and turn PLDT’s image from good, to awesome,” said PLDT Cebu CSOZ Head Elmer “Bong” Lintag.

With the success of its first run, a second batch of CSOZ and District Heads will also undergo an Executive Media Training that is equally-educational but in a surprise format.CC:

SEPTEMBER 2015

PHOTO ESSAY

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PRAI elects new officers during 2015 general assembly

BY NATIVIDAD LIMPIN, PRAI The PLDT Retirees Association, Inc. (PRAI) recently elected its new officers during its 11th general assembly to commemorate its 10th year anniversary held at the PLDT Innolab AVR recently. Elected were, seated, from left: Clarisse Bernardo, treasurer; Tess Cariño, assistant treasurer; Claude Balanga, president; Babes Ledesma, auditor; and Cora Dacillo, assistant secretary. Standing, same order: Bernie Galupe, PRO; Tony Ballesteros, first vice president; Manny Viardo, second vice president; Oca Cantor, assistant auditor; and Rey Torres, assistant PRO. Another highlight of the event was the presence of former PLDT CEO Atty. Enrique “Spanky” Perez, who never missed out a single PRAI assembly whenever he is available. He has always provided the inspiration to the officers and members, who were all part of the growth of the Company. Outgoing PRAI President Armando Reyes reported on the association activities and plans. CC:

Photography by Bernardo Galupe, PRAI

20th year in pldt

cheers to batch august 1, 1995

BY Arnaldo A. Santos, Bulacan Customer Service Operations Zone

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ime certainly flies so fast when one is having fun. For Batch August 1, 1995, their smiles are proof enough that they have enjoyed each other’s’ company (and still do) as if it was their first day in PLDT. Having been in the Company for 20 years, they still look forward to more years of friendship. Kudos to the organizers of Batch August 1, 1995 reunion. They are: Noime Covacha, Luzon CSO District; Gilbert Del Castillo, North QC CSO; the “Official photographer” Ronnie Gonzales, Pasig-Pateros-Taguig CSO Zone; Gigi Macaraeg, Corporate Bid & Offer Management 1; and this writer; and to the batchmates “na naki-balik tanaw sa dalawang dekadang selebrasyon:” Gregorio Montemayor, Ferdinand Miranda, Luisito Pancho, Charmaine Castillo, Sheryl Macaraeg, Mildred Fabro, Riomar Ramos, Flordeliza Francisco, Rodelio Felipe, Carlito Josef, Daniel Sison, Manuel Sanchez, Edgardo Renosa, Andy Laurino, Ronilo Rosell, Isidro Tadem, Leomard Lagazo, Noly Gose, Mirasol Nicolas, Edna Patrivo, Jovy Reynante, Placida Gonzales and Annamarie Madrio.

To all Batch August 1, 1995 for our 20th years in PLDT… Cheers! Proud to be part of the PLDT Family. CC:

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EmpDev welcomes PhilStar aboard

Team Dynamics caravan

A case of unabashed team merriment at the conclusion of the session.

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mployees of the Philippine Star, the leading print and digital newspaper in the country and the flagship brand of the Star Group of Publications recently joined the roster of companies in the MVP group to experience EmpDev’s teambuilding intervention at Resorts World Manila.

The first batch kicked off with 35 employees of Billing & Collection Group under the leadership of its head, Edwin Monforte and CFO Carlos Dizon in close collaboration with counterparts from their Human Resources team headed by Emie Cruz. The session facilitated by EmpDev Head Nonong Noriega provided interactive simulations to fire up zeal for a performance driven and results oriented work culture. This stands to further reinforce industry leadership stature as Philippine Star happens to be the most widely read broadsheet with a market share of over 50 percent and over 2.7 million daily readers nationwide.

Founded by Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borjal in 1986, just months after the Edsa Revolution, the first issue of the Philippine Star just had a print run of a few thousand copies wth eight pages and no advertisements. It has

grown to publish the tabloids Pilipino Star Ngayon, PangMasa, The Freeman and Banat as well as People Asia and the Sunday magazine Starweek.

It also became the first newspaper to feature a full color front page in 1995 and by 2001, it became cover to cover.

The Philippine Star holds the distinction of being a threetime winner of the Newspaper of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila. It has also earned the coveted Marketing Company of the Year Award from the Philippine Marketing Association. Since March 2014, the Philippine Star has been a subsidiary of Media Quest Holdings, Inc. Other media establishments in the conglomerate include TV5 Network, Inc. (TV5), Nation Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Cignal Digital TV, 12% interest in Philippine Daily Inquirer and 30% in Unitel Group.

Prior to the conduct of this teambuilding intervention, EmpDev has also facilitated 5 team empowerment sessions for Business World. The imperative to synergize strengths in the organization development and capability building fronts are meant to enable realization of a fully converged multi-media platform while getting allies on the same page and winning mindset. CC: EmpDev Head & Facilitator Nonong Noriega demonstrates the mechanics of an experiential activity meant to surface decision-making and execution skills.

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STAYINGPOWER A

re tenured people still being revered? Do we really still honor longevity? One business columnist wrote that some companies have already forgone the practice of holding service awards, given that the complexion of today’s workforce has radically changed with the emerging class of millennials and XYers. Time was, when people realize that you’ve served the company for 25 years, they pay tribute to your loyalty and faithfulness. Nowadays, when they find out how long you’ve worked for an organization, the possible reaction would be, “Wow, that’s been too long!What are you still doing there? You’ve become classified antique!”

While we’re glad to welcome new talents onboard, and I’ll be the first to say – go ahead, infect us with new blood, the best learning interventions can still be experiential – the ones accumulated through the years that enrich stock knowledge and get one thoroughly seasoned. Many who have opted to stay subjected themselves to the rigors of painful transitions, increased their threshold for the ambiguous and thrived through self-reinvention of skills and competencies. How many pitfalls have been weathered? How many leadership styles did they adapt to? How many market trends have they stayed on top of?

Let’s face it: the last day in any company is certain for all of us. But whether you see that day come in the near future or the distant by and by… when that day actually comes, you’ll realize that your identity as a team player transcendswearing the company ID. Ask yourself… when that day comes… what’s the hardest thing to part with? Not really the salary and benefits. Probably growth opportunities that met our selfactualization needs can be mentioned but at the end of the day, the hardest thing to say goodbye to – is each other. We have become family.

Because of the company we serve, we are able to put rice on our tables, send children to school, dream dreams and watch them one by one come true. Yes, we may have complained

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about imperfect processes, flawed structures or even questionable leadership prerogatives but when all is said and done, there’s still more to be grateful about. This is where we had the best crash course to maturity.

Now… should we still honor longevity? I suppose it boils down to common sense. A successful company owes it breakthroughs to its faithful workers… particularly those that have crossed centuries, filled each chapter with milestones and helped create history. While awards and recognitions feel good, a happy work life can be its own reward. People will remember the impact of your presence at work … not necessarily the merit it fetched. Did your work stand the test of time? Did it touch people’s lives? Will people remember you for being kind, fair, supportive, collaborative and genuine?

These are the things that outlast one’s physical stay in the company. When the seasoned ones soon pass the baton to the next generation of promising talents, be it known that they’re not just turning over tasks that address performance standards. They’re turning over a legacy of values that enrich faith, build character and empower meaningful transformation.

Don’t we feel the urgency of projects that require expedited roll outs and accelerated execution game plans? Will the remainder of the year see our performance improve in mighty leaps and bounds? Well, that will depend on many things in the market milieu – some of which may be beyond our control. But it will not hurt to aspire and think big as we take the cue from those we look up to as our business shapers.

So – let’s cheer for those who love their work! Enough to make us agree with Kahlil Gibran when he waxes philosophical on the merits of work that resonates with a divine destiny. And enough to make us realize that ‘work that has become love made visible’ is actually bringing out the best in us. CC:

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life+arts

The White Island of Camiguin Photography by Arjae S. Nuisa, FNetRes-Voice A majestic piece of sandbar situated 1.4 kms. north of the Mambajao port, the white island offers a scenic view of the whole Island of Camiguin. It is a delightful site for snorkeling, sun bathing and swimming.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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Travel through the Wonders

By John Paul M. Soriano, Properties and Subsidiaries Audit Division

Let your feet drive you to the wilderness And experience the drift of tranquility and happiness Fly your eyes to different views And consent your senses to thrust vast avenues Seize the sunlight in the midst of crushing waves Fill your mind with the phantasm of the darkest caves Calm the breathing with the magnificent sights And climb the mountains of monstrous heights Lie in the sparkling sand of dreams And fill the warm air with the most joyous screams Swim in the island of impeccable spectacles And witness the existence of unexpected miracles Feel the breeze of the earthly wonders And grasp what your imagination ponders More than to feed your sight with a heavenly ambiance But to wander your soul on the view of the lofty skies

Photo by Marilyn Dela Cruz, HOME Sales and Service Center Management

A Traveler’s Travail

By Luis Maglanoc, GMM West/CSO-BPM If you keep on wishing for places to go, Set your mind and heart, anticipate.

Plan each moment, let memories flow!

Truly, opportunity comes to those who wait!

Just Got to Have Fun

By Ma. Leonora S. Malenab, Cauayan SSC Time to go, time to enjoy…

A lot of excitement, my heart filled with joy, It’s time to travel and have fun, It’s time to relax with my loved one.

There we go, plans are fulfilled, Our way to the destination, we finally heed.

What a feeling of joy, a place so new in our sight, People everywhere, are also there with us.

Make a first step and always settle for the best!

Savor each day as if it were your last.

Rekindle your days of youth, have a blast!

These are times of no worries nor stress.

I remember the time when my child told me, “Daddy, when I am old enough, you’ll see.

I’ll take you to wonderful places where we never went before!”

Surprised! I whispered a prayer of thanks to God, Our Creator.

In every year I took my family for a vacation, I realized that what I got is more than any worldly treasure!

My kids seem to grow too fast now, a very difficult admission Yet for now, as if frozen in time, we are all one with nature!

Every place we go offers different experience, Its people, the mood and of course the food.

Food always gives me comfort and it brings me to a festive mood.

Through our travels, together we sing songs of praise!

God had blessed this nation with many awesome sights.

Let us do our share, so future generations will still be amazed.

From our families to our country, carry it on to greater heights!

We all need to relax, we need to explore.

Travelling makes one at peace with one’s self.

It makes us realize that it is a way to de- stress.

To unwind and take all the blues away!

I Am Kristian Miguel 84139173 04Sept2015

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COOKING Beautifully with a Purpose

By Francis Carlo M. Tempongko, Tax Compliance Center

“B

ut to cook, you must kill; you make ghosts. You cook to make ghosts. Spirits that live on in every ingredient.”

The Hundred Foot Journey

This was the line delivered by the mother of Hassan, the film’s lead character, when Hassan paid homage to her as his teacher. It tells us that when you cook, especially when you cook beautifully with a purpose, you give respect to all living flora and fauna who gave up their lives just so you can cook.

When I was learning how to cook, my mother taught me to cook with my heart to ensure excellence in the quality of the food. Now that I am a food entrepreneur, I always make sure that I am guided by these principles.

However, on top of these, I cook to serve food to my clients and to have something delicious to sell in our bazaars. I cook so that I can earn a living for myself and for my family.

ensure that others will live a better life thru better health. I did not donate ingredients nor give money for the activity. I just gave my time, my knife skills, my kitchen tricks, my energy and my heart for a worthy cause.

At one point, I found my 300-pound-self wiping tears flowing down my face when I saw the first batch of the children arrive.

When I asked one boy how the food was, he timidly said, “Kuya, ang sarap po ng niluto nyo! Tenk you po! Masarap po yung kanin at ulam!” My exhaustion from all the work done and from the scorching heat disappeared in a snap!

After the experience, I went home to tell my wife and my son Matteo memorable stories that recount the lives of people in less privileged communities, of selfless mothers who have given their time to help feed hundreds of children not their own, of a group of parents and friends who have arrived happy and left even happier despite the exhaustion and the heat, of people’s generosity, and of triumph that the The author scoops freshly-cooked rice at the central When I joined The Blue Plate for Better kitchen of Cainta Elementary School in Cainta, Rizal. program’s mission is being accomplished a morsel of rice at a time.

Learning feeding program of the Ateneo in Cainta, Rizal, I discovered a totally This, to me, is cooking beautifully with a purpose. It is giving different experience. The central kitchen of Cainta Elementary respect to every poultry, livestock, vegetable and fruit that gave up School feeds about 800 undernourished children from three their lives just so I can cook. This, to me, is paying homage to my public schools in Cainta on a daily basis. own mother. And this, to me, is cooking with my heart.

It was a departure from my usual routine as cook because this For these, I will eternally be grateful. CC: time, instead of cooking food for profit, I helped cook food to

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Diary of a Traveloco + Foodrool

By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ

It was a dream then to go to the places Discussed in History and Social Science classes Explore the world, a teacher once said, go around Get to know your territory, start with local ground Client call on a first project assignment To the Queen of the South I was sent I was excited to see the Magellan’s cross, Visit the Sto. Nino Church, and get “lost” In the savory meat of the famous Lechon de Cebu Aside from the seafood bounty cooked in the nearby turo-turo Durian and pomelo greeted my next stop As I set foot on the mysterious city of Davao It was a one-day-only trip to the island in Mindanao Where tuna belly and mangosteen are affordably masarap I hiked up north to the City of Pines to beat the summer heat, Indulged in the sweetness of strawberries and freshness of vegetables in season Zoomed by Subic or Clark areas to see the beach, not really to swim Simply to unwind with nature on company outings and do some duty free shopping Went south with family to Laguna resorts and Tagaytay City overlooking the Taal Volcano, Munching on broas and buko pie or getting tummy-warmed by the bulalo Kuala Lumpur, KL to most, earned me the first stamp on my passport Seafood cooked in sambal paired with nasi lemak made me go oh-ho-ho Sadly, I was only able to view Petronas Twin Towers from afar But I enjoyed the trip to its Chinatown and try the pork char siu rice and Guīlínggāo I had the chance to visit the home country of my maternal grandma And to see the places where my love usually goes on his holiday break – Dropped by Madame Tussaud’s and see the skyline view at The Peak, Took a ferry to Kowloon or the Turbo Jet to nearby Macau for hotel hopping Been a child-at-heart again in the happy place called Disneyland Resort HK Went for authentic Cantonese gastronomic experience in Tsim Sha Tsui

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Capped the day with chili crabs with fried mantou, Char kway teow and cereal prawns at the hawker places in Clarke Quay After enjoying the night time view riding Singapore Eye or atop Marina Bay Sands And shopping for cheap finds at the Bugis St or high-end likes at the Orchard Road.

The rides and sights at the Universal Studios and Sentosa kept me awake Even if it was already 9 in the evening with Mr. Sun still smiling brightly Shanghai is best remembered for the fried or fresh xiao long bao Coupled with the hot and spicy noodle soup at Yang’s Dimsum House After walking the harbor areas from the Yangtze River ferry ride to tour the city And getting educated with the rich culture of Chinese and European fusion This is the Paris of the Far East, as The Bund exudes with the European feel, Making me forget that I was in the hometown of my ancestry – Mainland China Myeongdong is a haven for the cosmetic addict while Dongdaemun for souvenirs But I enjoyed the cozy coffee shops that abound in almost every corner in Hongdae The grand palaces in Seoul enticed me to imagine the life of royalty then Amazed by the changing of guards ceremony inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace Mused on how love and war intertwined in the Changdeokgung Palace.

Seoul captivated my interests through KPOP and Korean dramas, Along with kim-chi, jap-chae, bulgogi, galbi and Samgyeopsal.

Re-enacting the scenes from the romantic moments seen, I took a day-trip to the Lotte World and Namsan Seoul Tower, Where lovers in pairs stroll in the cool breeze of spring I could feel that love is in the air as the common third wheel for them.

Tom Yam Goong, pad thai and mango with sticky rice were my usual choice dining out in Bangkok The strong and energizing aroma of lemongrass, kaffir lime and tamarind was distinctly Thai A country once known as the Venice of the East, according to history, Now Thailand is brimming with tourists like me to immerse In the rich cultural melting pot never invaded by European colonizers

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I knew I loved Japan even before I saw Tokyo in person Enchanted by childhood days of watching Bioman and other techie Japanese flicks “You will never dream of being in any other place once you have been to Japan” There is no doubt with the colorful characters seen in the busy Shibuya and Roponggi streets.

The interesting lineup of toys and hobby exhibitions in Akihabara, the majestic Tokyo station, The quaint shops serving super-b deliciously genuine ramen, tempura and sukiyaki Can make one yearn to stay longer and if possibly, never leave like Hachiko at the train station Who can forget getting sleepless in Seattle after sipping coffee from the first Starbucks store?

Or having the best seafood chowder and freshly made cheese at the Pike Place Market?

The chilly breeze of Oxon Hills coupled with the night rain sent me running for covers, The sight satisfied with the famous Washington DC tour and the taste with famous Maryland crab-cakes.

Central Park, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Times Square may be icons of sort But the best times are those spent in the comfort of friends in New York and Connecticut.

While I have quite a number of places still on my travel wish list, I am grateful to the LORD for chances to move around, enjoy His Blessings and Wonders Places and its people, uniquely different cultures and mysteries.

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

Traveling takes the mind off momentarily from the occasional outburst of strain Allowing creative juices to flow into my system again when some days get weary Food tripping sets the stage for better memories of the escapade Rekindling the culinary gusto that makes me realize the kitchen is a friend

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Mga Luto ni Nanay

Ni Cherry W. Alaban, Enterprise Service Lunes pa lang, pambato na ang Sinigang ni Nanay.

May asim na nakakakilig, gaganahan kang tunay.

Pinasarap pa ito ng labanos, gabi at iba’t-iba pang gulay.

Panghimagas nama’y minatamis na saging at sagong makukulay.

Bulalo naman ang kanyang inihain sa araw ng Martes.

Manamis-namis ito dahil sa sahog na saging at mais.

Panalo talaga ang sarap, tatagaktak ang iyong pawis.

Kapartner ang hinog na mangga, ‘di ko ito ipagpapalit.

Sa araw ng Miyerkules, panlaban ni Nanay ay paksiw na isda.

Sawsawan ay patis na may sili, hmm... nakakatakam talaga.

Upang mas ganahan, isasantabi ko muna tinidor at kutsara.

Bagay na bagay ito na kapares ng minatamis na langka.

Huwebes na, ginataang laeng naman ang naisip na iluto.

May konting anghang at alat dahil sa daing na sahog nito.

Swak na swak sa mainit na kanin, walang pwedeng tumalo.

Lalo na kung panghimagas mo’y hinog na guyabano.

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

Dahil Biyernes, walang pwedeng pumalit sa monggo.

Mas pinabongga pa, dahil may kasamang isdang pinirito.

Malunggay man o ampalaya, talu-talo na ito.

Kapares ay matamis na pinya, excited na ako!

Araw ng Linggo, ang alagang manok ni Tatay ay naging tinola.

Lasang-lasa sa mainit na sabaw ang anghang ng paminta at luya.

Tinadtad na pipino ang dito’y masarap ipareha.

Ayos na ayos ang family day at sama-samang pagsisimba.

Tuwing sabado, pakbet ni Nanay ang the best pambato.

Sa sarap at linamnam, mapapakanta ka ng bahay kubo.

Sari-saring gulay ang nagpapatingkad sa lasa nito.

Hinog na papaya ang masarap ipartner dito.

Sa dinami-dami na ng aking napuntahan.

Isa lang talaga ang lagi kong binabalik-balikan.

Ang champion sa puso ko at ‘di ipagpapalit sa anu pa man.

Ang mga luto ni Nanay at ang sangkap nitong pagmamahal.

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25

Food trip sa Laguna

Ni Marina Rowena I. Pumar-Regulatory Isang araw nagtext ang isa kong kaibigan Kumare ko na si Precy ang kanyang pangalan Galing sa ibang bansa at ngayon ay nagbalikbayan Dito sa Rizal, Laguna bayang aming sinilangan Sobra daw niya akong na-miss pati aming mga kaibigan Noong high school pa lang magkasama na sa lahat ng lakaran Sina Rosanna, Laida, Emy at iba pa naming kasamahan Mula umaga hanggang gabi masaya kaming nagkuwentuhan May karenderia sa bayan namin na paboritong kainan Sinangag, pritong itlog, tinapa ang siya naming umagahan Mainit na kapeng barako sa paghigop ay nagkapasuan Di pa yata nabusog kinain pati nakahain na suman Pasyalan natin sina Jocelie at Vicky sa kabilang barangay Mabilis kaming nakarating dahil malapit lang ang bahay Pinameryenda kami ng nilupak at amenudong gulay Bagong lutong sagimis (turon) bibingka at mainit na tinapay Habang nagkukuwentuhan sa aming nakaraan Biglang dumating ang pogi naming balediktoryan (si Artemio) May special project daw siya dito sa aming bayan Inanyayahan kami sa isang masaganang tanghalian May mainit na kanin at kalabaw na dinuguan Batsoy, bola-bola at sinaing na tulingan Inihaw na tilapia, kulawo at kalabasang ginataan At huling inihain ang specialty nilang sinantulan Sobrang saya ng tagpong ito di mapatid ang tsikahan Na-miss ang bawat isa at panay ang halakhakan Sa dulo pala ng restaurant may dalawa pang kaibigan Sina Mario at Froilan isinama na rin sa hapag kainan Food trip ang magkakaibigan ng araw na iyon Bigla nilang naalala na tag lansones na ngayon Makabahagi kaya ng limang kilo kay Mang Fanteleon Mas matamis daw kainin kung langgam ang dekorasyon Nag enjoy ang lahat sa malamig na halo-halo Sahog nito’y langka, kamote, ube, leche flan at sago Meron pang espasol at bilo-bilong uraro May kinayod na melon at sariwang buko Inabot na kami ng gabi sa lugar na iyon Di namin alintana ang bilis ng panahon Nagkasundo kaming ulitin muli ang selebrasyon Maging mas masaya pa sa susunod na taon.

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Kimberland

By Kuyang, JSQS – FSQA I wish that we could go to the places we’ve never been before Explore the heights; swim the deeps and so much more Pick up morning dewed strawberries of Benguet And savor their taste that we shall never ever forget I wish that we could spend the nights in Nagsasa cove See the twinkling stars as we ride this long winding road Re-enact the times when we were scouts And have a taste of your cooking without any doubts I wish that we could fill ourselves with the bulalo of Tagaytay Chilling while enjoying the soup from a place so high Let us hurry down to the creamy white beaches of Batangas And pretend like someone is chasing us I wish that we could ride the wheel of fate of Enchanted Kingdom Eat buko pie to relieve our never-ending boredom As I sneak a shot to capture your sun-soaked smiles Before we could play with Palawan’s crocodiles I wish that we could dive to the reefs of Mactan And as we go deep down, do not let go of my hand Or we could just go and see Magellan’s cross Wherever we go, you are still the boss I wish that we could climb up and down the seven falls And go back to Gen San for our directionless strolls As we search for tuna and the food called pastel While keeping our growling tummies still I wish that we could taste Davao’s durian coffee Your face while you eat durian is a must see Or kneel in the white sands of Samal Island We won’t care if they do not understand I wish that what I wished earlier would come true Forgive me if I’m asking you out of the blue If only I could join these places all together by the wave of my hand A simple dream that no one may understand

Taking off on a Break

By Laemar John V. Chavez, Fixed Service Network Taking off on a break, away from the buzz of living and working in corporate, Imagination runs wild on the many things I want to take Without schedule to follow on an overwhelming sense Sense of adventure takes over as my curiosity becomes a reality Far from home I set foot on my destination Immediately let my fate rest on my exciting journey.

The hardly luxurious setup I found myself To build a promise leading me through a journey.

As a wanderer breaking away from routine My goal in every visit is to somehow gain peace And get to know the locals and their ways A different life for a day or even a week Even charms of nature never fail to amaze me The outback sunset’s calming hues, the gold coast’s aquamarine seas The panoramic view takes me back away from the city Words are never enough to describe their ageless beauty The playfulness of words, symbols and signs I just surrender to whatever I can take a grasp Allow myself to enjoy the visual spectacle in front of me And make the most of the story I manage to see I remind myself to take note of how good it is to be in the company of strange, Beautiful people in a simply breathtaking place Every time I encounter these amazing wonders, I wish to instantly capture the thought and bring it home I promise to bring home a piece of history with me As I chase the sights and sounds of a majestic place I perfectly pictured this very moment Captured the beauty of what God has created.

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Lakbay

Ni Tricia Blue 1970 ang taon ng aking kapanganakan Pangalawa sa limang Maria ng aking mga magulang Payak na buhay lang ang aking kinagisnan Nagsilbing kanang kamay sa negosyo ng aking Nanay Pilipinas ang bayan na aking pinakamamahal Kung saan mayaman sa lupa at karagatan Ito ay biyaya sa atin ng maykapal Nararapat lamang ipagmalaki sa sambayanan

Sa Ilocos siguradong ika’y laging busog Empanadang Vigan ay pantawid ng iyong gutom Bagnet at pakbet ang nais sa maghapon Panahon ng lumipas, masisilayan mo doon Sagada ang puntahan kung nais mo’y katahimikan Ang ganda ng kalikasan dito ko natagpuan Masisilayan ang bukang liwayway Sa Mt. Kiltepan At sa Sumaguing Cave tiyak puso mo’y malulusaw

Sa apat napu’t limang taon mula ng isilang Ako ay lumibot sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao Maraming tanawin ang aking nasilayan Iba’t ibang putahe din ang aking natikman

Baguio ay dinadayo sa panahon ng tag-init Sariwang mga gulay ay nagkalat sa paligid Fresh strawberries sa Trinidad maaaring pitasin At pinikpikan manok doon mo hihilingin Sa Iloilo makikita ang simbahan ng Miag-ao Sa La Paz naman sumikat Batchoy na ubod ng sarap Sa Carcar Cebu, lechon ay iyong matitikman Sa Sto Nino Church dasal mo ay pakikinggan

Sa Taal Lake ng Batangas tila mapapaibig ka Lalo’t kapiling mo ang iyong sinisinta Sinaing na tulingan ang sikat sa kanila Pati goto batangas sa daan lang ay nakahelera na

Sa Bohol nakamamangha ang Chololate Hills Simoy ng malinis na hangin malalanghap sa paligid Pagkaing sutokil ay hindi mawawaglit Pinaiksing sugba, tinola at kinilaw ang laman ng aking isip

Sa Laguna ang tatak ay lansones at espasol Buko Pie na D Original ang bitbit sa maghapon Kaliwa’t kanan ang resort na makikita sa Pansol Ang mainit na tubig ay nanggagaling sa bundok

Sa The Ruins ng Negros magbabalik sa nakaraan Ganda ng lumang tahanan nasa aking isipan Iyong mararamdaman pag-ibig na walang hanggan Gunitain ang tamis ng pagsuyo habang namamasyal

Tagaytay ang puntahan kung nais takasan ang Maynila Lamig ng simoy ng hangin tiyak tanggal ang problema Samahan ng mainit na bulalo at tawilis sa lamesa Araw mo ay buo na, wala nang hihilingin pa

Sampaguita Gardens sa Kalibo bumalik sa pagkabata Precious moments na manyika bubusugin ang iyong mga mata Araw-araw dito’y Pasko, lumbay mo’y maglalaho Kahit malayo sa kabiyak, tila pamilya ay buo

Sa Mindoro ang paligid ay karagatan Puerto Galera ay dinadayo at sikat na puntahan Mga sariwang laman dagat ang iyong matitikman Bubusugin ng saging na saba sa hapag kainan

Boracay ay dinadayo sa mainit na panahon Pantanggal din sa iyong lungkot kung nais makalimot Ingat lang sa pag gastos upang baon ay di maubos At umuwing nakangiti, may bitbit pa na pasalubong

Sa Bicol matatagpuan ang Mayon Volcano Turista galing sa ibang bansa lagi itong dinadayo Pinangat lamang at kanin bubusugin ka na ng husto Sili ice cream ang panghimagas tiyak dila mo ay mapapaso

Sa Davao mo mabibili ang magosteen, pomelo at durian Crocodile meat at ice cream ang iyong matitikman Sa CDO ang pinya tiyak ika’y matatakam River rafting ang susubok sa puso mong nalulumbay

Sa Pampanga ang pagkain ay napakamura Sa paligid “eat all u can” kayang kaya ng bulsa Buro ang hinahanap saan man magpunta At ang pritong kamaro doon ko lang nakilala

Ang Coron Palawan ay tila paraiso Takot ko sa dagat ay biglang naglaho Kaakit akit na bato ang bubungad sa mga mata mo Hinding hindi mabubura sa puso at isip ko

Sa Bulacan sari-saring kakanin ang iyong mabibili Mga lumang simbahan ay magaganda at malalaki Sa Zambales ang dagat ay ipinagmamalaki Sa Subic masusubukan ang disiplina sa sarili

Ako ay nabiyayaan ng lakas na maglakbay Papuri ko ay ihahandog sa Ama sa itaas Patnubay niya’y naranasan sa daan na tinahak Ipinagmalalaki ko, bayan ko ay Pilipinas

SEPTEMBER 2015

28

Vertical Obsession

By Leopoldo Lalim

W

hen i was a child, i would always draw a mountain with the sun resting on one of its shoulders. The rays of the sun would extend to the opposite edge of my paper. I would then stripe a few lines across showing the height of the mountain reaching the clouds. It’s funny because i was already mapping out where i would be 20 years in the future.

I had started climbing four years ago, abruptly stopped, and then successfully joined the PLDT Mountaineering and Outdoors Inc (MOCI) last year with an induction through one of the more challenging routes up Mount Pulag, Luzon’s highest peak.

This year, I accompanied and welcomed into the club the new batch atop Mount Amuyao from Batad to Barlig, walking almost 17 hours straight on the day of our ascent. We walked into the night with the edge of the storm Ineng battering each step near the summit.

Being suddenly assigned to be the sweeper in the final hours of the night, I was the last man to arrive at 10pm in the bunker 2,800 meters above sea level - almost 1,000 storeys up if it was a building.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

That last hour was brutal. I was getting hypothermic. I stuffed a whole box of nerds into my mouth to get energy, literally tearing it open with a finger and stuffing everything in my mouth with about 30% of it falling to the ground – I did not care. One of my companions (who had all the poise in the world in the office) did the same thing - to a kitkat bar (haha). I remember counting 1 to 8 then 1 to 30 over and over again just to keep myself awake. I was already shouting at my last two companions to push on - I could not breathe if I didnt. I could not move my fingers as my hands bloated due to the high altitude. When we arrived, I had only enough strength to turn on my phone, only to see that there was no signal .

I woke up the next day famished.

After breakfast, we went down the mountain a little short of three hours on the western route. We hurried our lunch as we were told there were landslides on the road. We had to walk two hours more, climbing around five landslides just to get to our transportation.

It was one of my best climbs.

Why do i climb?

29

My friends ask me why I enjoy sweating and tiring myself out for days. Why would I allow myself not to bathe? Why would I put myself through the possible agony of not being able to express regular bowel movements?

Mountain climbing has taught me the discipline and patience to train. We do not ever underestimate any mountain no matter how small it is. Mountain climbing programs us to be prepared with the least amount of baggage (a life lesson in itself). There are many ways up a mountain and each way might require a different set of tools and skills.

I have eaten the best tasting food on the summits of mountains. Can anyone simply say that? I doubt it. The taste comes not from a mind connected to a starving stomach but from taste buds greeting food prepared by hands who made sure that the food would be great.

I sleep among the stars which I can actually see even if I don’t have my glasses. In the city, it would just be too bright.

Yes, the stars are out there and they are beautiful.

I step on ground which 99.999% of people would never have even trodden in their lifetime. I sometimes try to retrace my footsteps going back to the same mountain or see if the trail signs we’ve placed are still there. There is so much depth in the world that we’ve forgotten and we fail to protect. We instill in ourselves the desire to maintain the beauty that we’ve seen. We go “back to our roots” so to speak.

The pictures. Two words. The pictures. Just a subject, no predicate needed. The pictures.

And of course, the best of all reasons, mountain climbing comes with the friendship of the people you climb with.

The smiles and the high fives shared at each stop, and especially at the summit, are etched into our minds and stay for a very long time.

Mountain climbing is not all fun.

We often say that you must never underestimate any mountain – this is true. It is dangerous. It is hard and arduous but with it comes sights and experiences that you will be talking about for years to come. It makes me realize the beauty in all the things that I would possibly simply take for granted. It makes me realize the beauty in God’s creation.

Mountain climbing is not all fun but it brings satisfaction you would not be able to find anywhere else every time you step on a summit!

Tara! :) CC:

family bonding

By Alice P. Tuazon, ComRel

T

raveling with the family is always one of the best times in our lives because we get to discover new places together and relax after a stressful week. We also get to share stories and update each other on the latest happenings in our respective lives. Travelling also gives us the opportunity to see people from other cultures.

Another perk of traveling is having a taste of various food specialties. In every place that a family visits, new memories are made. Every food that they eat together during these times becomes part of the family’s preserved memory.

Exploring new places is more than just visiting or following an itinerary. It’s an avenue for creating new memories together where a more bonded family emanates. CC:

SEPTEMBER 2015