Text2Teach expands to Sulu

Innovative mobile learning programText2Teach which is being powered by Globe Telecom expands its operations to the far-flung province of Sulu in an attempt to improve the learning abilities of students in the province.

Text2Teach will initially cover 10 of 23 public elementary schools in Patikul, Sulu which have a total student and teacher population of 9,914 and 219, respectively.

The current educational landscape of Sulu is highlighted by a very high drop-out rate of students, even reaching 50 % by the end of primary schooling as a result of the low value given by parents and students to education.

The Text2Teach alliance composed of Nokia, Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation, Inc., Pearson Foundation, Toshiba, and the Department of Education selected Patikul in view of the lack of core teaching resources such as textbooks and regular teaching training in the local schools which further adds to low quality learning in the classroom and the significant drop out rates.

“We want to address the lack of appeal of education in the community by providing an abundant supply of teaching resources through the Text2Teach videos. We also believe that the Text2Teach training program can boost teacher morale and enhance the learning environment in the classroom as teachers will be equipped with new ways of maximizing classroom engagements. In the end, the success of the project should be reflected in a significant decrease in drop-outs,” said Maria Lourdes “Luli” Heras-De Leon, President of Ayala Foundation, Inc.

“Text2Teach shows how mobile technology can be used in various ways, not only to call, text, and browse the internet but also to enhance the educational experiences of the students.  Through the Text2Teach alliance, we at the private sector together with our public sector counterpart, are able to work hand-in-hand in harnessing this technology to give our underprivileged students a chance to gain access to the kind of education that other children around the world are enjoying,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

Conceptualized in the United States and piloted in the Philippines in 2003, Text2Teach provides teachers with a highly effective visual aid, creating an interactive, student-focused learning environment in the classroom. Videos on Math, Science, English, and Values Education are downloaded from a smartphone using Globe Telecom’s network and are watched using 29-inch television sets provided by the project. The lesson plans that come with the teachers’ guides are fully integrated into the basic education curriculum and created to meet local education guidelines and standards.

To date, Text2Teach has been deployed to 816 Philippine public elementary schools, and has served 309,672 students and trained 2,617 teachers across 14 provinces, 15 cities, and 26 municipalities. 

Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly C. Crisanto hands over a Nokia smartphone with Globe SIM card to Dalma Indanan,Principal of Kaunayan Elementary School and representative of the Department of Education – ARMM, one of the recipients of the Text2Teach learning package in Patikul, Sulu.  Looking on are Ayala Foundation Inc. President Maria Lourdes “Luli” Heras-De Leon (left) and Mercia Salarda Alli of Matawkasi, a community-based organization in Sulu

Globe and Grab Taxi extend Free Booking Fee promo until January 1, 2014!

As the Holiday intensifies, there is one thing that everybody’s concerned about when the carols start playing and the cool air starts blowing - the inevitable Christmas rush all over the Metro.

And with all the hip and happening Yuletide events, mall-wide sales and last-minute shopping coupled with the dreaded waiting game to hail a cab, Globe Telecom, the mobile data service provider of choice, and GrabTaxi the country’s most phenomenal taxi-booking app continue to give the most wonderful deals as they extend their free booking fee promo until the new year rings in on January 1, 2014!

By booking a GrabTaxi cab from a Globe-powered mobile phone, Globe slashes off the P70 regular booking fee for a more affordable and convenient cab-ride!

“With the partnership between Globe and GrabTaxi, we ensure you more value for your money as you navigate through the Metro during these busy times. And when we saw how delighted our subscribers were when we started this promo, we all decided to extend the offer to January 1, 2014!” said Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Head of Globe Mobile Data Services.

Sure to be safe, GrabTaxi makes it possible for you to share your ride details over Facebook and email, so your loved ones can track your taxi route in real time. The driver’s phone number, plate number, and other important details will be made available to you even before you get in the cab. And what’s more, all cabs linked with the GrabTaxi network is of the finest quality, ensuring you a cool and comfortable cruise throughout the city.

Pair your GrabTaxi app with a mobile surfing plan to use it to its fullest potential. Grab the Globe PowerSurf99 which comes with 50MB of mobile data good for 30-days. Globe PowerSurf99 is available to both Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers.

To register for Prepaid, text PowerSurf99 to 8888, or PowerSurf 99 to 8888 for Postpaid.  For more information on PowerSurf, visit http://surf.globe.com.ph 

Photo 1: Globe subscribers can now use the Grab Taxi app for stress-free holiday shopping and reunion-hopping, plus free booking fee all throughout the holiday season

Globe Telecom to offer the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display

Philippines, Manila—December 9, 2013—Globe Telecom today announced that it will offer iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular and iPad mini with Retina display with Wi-Fi + Cellular in the Philippines starting December 19, 2013. Globe Telecom will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast Long Term Evolution (LTE) network with speeds up to 42mbps.

For more information on iPad, please visit www.apple.com/ipad.

SM Cinema to Participate in SM Supermalls’ Pamaskong Handog Para sa Global Pinoy with Free Movie Day

As a way of giving back to the Filipino overseas worker, SM Cinema is launching this December the SM Global Pinoy Free Movie Day, an initiative that is part of SM Supermalls’ nationwide event Pamaskong Handog sa OFW which is now on its second year.

The SM Global Pinoy Free Movie Day is slated on December 7, 2013, with SM Cinema branches nationwide (except SM Aura Premier, The Podium, SM Las Piñas, and SM BF Parañaque) dedicating one of their theatres to a free movie screening for overseas Filipino workers and their families. The following blockbuster movies will be screened for free: Caregiver (2008); Dubai (2005); Milan (2004); and Anak (2000).

Interested OFWs and their families may register online until December 6, 2013 at www.facebook.com/smgpc to get a voucher. Confirmation vouchers may be exchanged for movie tickets at the e-PLUS booth of their preferred cinema branch. Walk-in registration at SM Global Pinoy centers nationwide will also be accommodated.

To cap off their free movie watching, OFWs and their families may join in the fun activities of the Pamaskong Handog sa OFW event to be held at the event center of all participating SM malls, save for the following select branches: SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Lanang and SM Cebu.

Visit www.facebook.com/smgpc and www.facebook.com/eplus.sm for more updates regarding this event.

Robust postpaid business sustains momentum for Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom technology partner Huawei Philippines makes a donation of $30,000 to Ayala Foundation Inc. for the benefit of typhoon Yolanda  victims. Huawei Philippines CEO Gavin Dai (3^rd from left) hands over the check to AFI President Luli Heras-De Leon (3^rd from right) while Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu (2^nd from right) looks on.  Also witnessing the simple turn-over rites are Chenjiakai, (utmost left) Head of Huawei’s Globe Account Network Business, Albert Antig, (2^nd from left) Head of Huawei’s Globe Account Consumer Business and JP Orbeta, President of Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp. The donation will go to Globe Telecom’s Bangon Pinoy campaign, an enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. 

Get the iPhone 5c for as low as P1,349 monthly from Globe

The iPhone 5s now available at P1,799 monthly with unlimited LTE

Globe Telecom is now offering the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s at more affordable price points under its fully-customizable Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, a next-generation postpaid plan that features fully-customizable plan components and a bigger plan value.

                The iPhone 5c 16GB is now available for as low as P1,349 monthly at Plan 499 with a monthly cashout* of P850 for a 24-month contract period. The postpaid plan bundle comes with 300 megabytes (MB) of mobile Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing and free calls and texts.

                On the other hand, the iPhone 5s 16GB is offered for as low as P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout* of P800 for a 24-month contract period. The plan is bundled with unlimited LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

                “Customers can now purchase the newest iPhones under our suite of fully-customizable postpaid plans at a price that’s easier on their pockets and enjoy the same best deals and innovative offers only from the leader in postpaid and trusted expert in iPhone,” shares Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid.

               On top of the offers now made more affordable, Globe subscribers also get free subscription to Globe Gadget Care, the complete mobile phone protection program against theft and accidental damage available in the market today, as well as free access to Facebook along with customer experience innovations until January 2014.

Globe is also offering the iPhone 5c 16GB in prepaid for only P29,000 and the iPhone 5s 16GB at P34,400 payable via credit card for up to 12-month installment at 0% interest. The prepaid kit comes with a free prepaid nano-SIM and free 900 MB of mobile browsing for 3 months.

                New and existing Globe subscribers who are loyal iPhone users can also avail of the iPhone Forever plan, an exclusive phone upgrade program that allows them to swap their current devices to get a new iPhone every year for free or with minimal cashout. The iPhone 5c 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1599, while the iPhone 5s 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1999, both for a contract period of 24 months. Both plans are bundled with 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

                To know more about the Globe iPhone offers, visit www.globe.com.ph or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

*Cash-out for 24 months payable at 0% installment via participating credit cards 

TATTOO partners with Gawad Kalinga to rebuild 100 homes, provide livelihood opportunities in Ormoc, Leyte

TATTOO, Globe Telecom’s mobile and home broadband brand, is focusing its share in nation-building efforts by partnering with Gawad Kalinga (GK) to rebuild 100 homes and provide livelihood programs in Ormoc, Leyte.

                Tattoo is allotting all profits of the Tattoo Prepaid Mobile WiFi and Tattoo Home Broadband Plan 1599 and Plan 2299 for Gawad Kalinga for the construction of the ‘Tattoo-GK Village’ which will accommodate 100 Yolanda-affected families and sustain them with livelihood opportunities that GK will lead.              

                As Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao shared, “Most of the homes in Ormoc were damaged, but everywhere you go, you can see and feel the spirit of positivity from the people despite what happened. And that’s when we realized that on top of offering free services and extending relief efforts, we needed to extend assistance in a way that’s tangible and sustainable. That’s when we decided to partner with Gawad Kalinga to put up 100 houses and help design sustainable livelihood programs for the affected families in Ormoc.”

 

Tattoo partnered with Gawad Kalinga to rebuild a Tattoo-GK Village in Ormoc, Leyte that would house 100 families and provide them with livelihood opportunities. In the photo (middle) is Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquinena who accepted the donation from (L-R) Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, Globe Vice President for Tattoo Home Broadband Business Jurist Gamban, Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo and Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao

                Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu together with Simpao, Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo and Globe Vice President for Tattoo Home Broadband Business Jurist Gamban presented the donation to Gawad Kalinga and was accepted by GK Executive Director Luis Oquinena.

                “While some corporations are focused on providing the basic necessities such as food, water and clothing, we are now doing our share in helping our kababayans get back on their feet by allotting funds for various sustainability projects centered on livelihood,” added Simpao.

                The Tattoo Village is part of Globe Telecom’s Bangon Pinoy program, an enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. It is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by calamities to benefit from various efforts geared towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country.  

For more updates and information on how you can help, visit www.globe.com.ph/BangonPinoy. Follow us on Twitter @ChooseTattoo and @EnjoyGlobe (#BangonPinoy) and on Facebook.com/globeph and Facebook.com/GlobeTattoo.

Globe expands international presence with establishment of operating company in Italy

Italy-based Pinoys get Globe-connected: Globe SVP for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe EVP and COO for Int’l and Business Markets Gil Genio, Effortel Technologies Founder and CEO Arkadi Panitch and Compagnia Italia Mobile CEO Antonio Cortina lead the establishment of Globe Mobile Italy S.r.I., which also introduced the Globe local Italy SIM over the weekend in MiIan.

Globe Telecom recently widened its scope of services in the global arena with the creation of Globe Mobile Italy S.r.I. (GMI), making it one of the members of the Globe group of companies. GMI will handle the offering of various telecommunications services such as voice, SMS, MMS, load top-up and mobile data in Italy.

With this development, Italy becomes the sixth country where Globe currently has a robust retail presence, which also includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, extending its footprint to more countries and empowering Filipinos to be even more connected across borders.

               

Coinciding with the establishment of GMI is the launch of the Globe local Italy SIM, a prepaid mobile service powered by the synergy between leading Italian mobile network virtual operator Compagnia Italia Mobile S.r.I., and network enabler Effortel Technologies, a Belgium-based network enabler company.

“The Filipino community is known to be one of the most numerous and organized in our country, and though it is well integrated into Italian society, they keep alive the sense of belonging to their homeland. From now on, communicating with the Philippines through the Globe local Italy SIM will make them feel closer to home," said Antonio Cortina, CEO of Compagnia Italia Mobile S.r.l.

               

About 200,000 Filipinos living in or visiting the Italian Republic can now use this Globe local Italy SIM for their daily communication needs, having access to competitive domestic mobile rates as the service offers bundles that include all net voice, all net SMS and mobile data. In addition, they can keep in touch with friends, family and associates in the Philippines. With 5 euro cents per minute, it is the most affordable service from an Italian mobile operator for calls to Globe and TM subscribers in the country.

               

Italy-based Pinoys can also have access to competitive domestic mobile rates as the Globe local Italy SIM offers bundles which lets them call and exchange SMS to all Italian mobile networks as well as connect to the internet with affordable mobile data charges.

“Globe is very excited to set foot in Italy with the establishment of Globe Mobile Italy S.r.l. and the unveiling of services for the local Filipino community,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe Senior Vice President of International Business, adding that “Italy is home to Filipinos who are permanent migrants or working in a variety of sectors. They have already embraced Italy as their second home but continue to find ways and means to keep in touch with family in the Philippines. It is our vision to provide innovative and value-for-money communications services that allow them to maintain strong ties with their loved ones back home.”

“Globe aims to provide the best connectivity offers to over 11 million Filipinos overseas. We are pleased to be able to introduce the Globe brand of service to Pinoys in Italy, making it more affordable to keep in touch with family and friends back in the Philippines,” said Gil Genio, Globe’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for International and Business Markets.

               

To know more about GMI, visit www.globemobile.it.

Globe Telecom partners with Radio Mindanao Network for relief distribution to typhoon-affected areas

More than a week after supertyphoon Yolanda hit the Visayas region particularly Samar and Leyte, massive properties remained ravaged and countless families are still starving and left homeless. In the spirit of unity and bayanihan, government and non-government organizations are pooling resources together to extend assistance by providing food, clothing, communication and medical assistance.

In order to expedite relief goods distribution to serve the immediate needs of affected families and individuals, Globe Telecom, under its Bangon Pinoy initiative, has partnered with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) to help and reach out to typhoon-affected kababayans in the Visayas and Mindanao region.

RMN is one of the largest radio networks in the country with almost 60 company-owned AM and FM radio stations located around the Philippines.

            With the collaboration, RMN will serve as the relief distribution partner of Globe that will send the relief goods to various locations in the affected areas of the typhoon. RMN will also handle pick-up of goods from participating Globe Stores and other drop-off stations.

Currently, Globe has distributed relief goods to over 4,730 families and provided hot meals to over 3,000 individuals.

“We are grateful to partner with Radio Mindanao Network for this meaningful endeavor. It is truly rewarding to know that there are organizations like RMN that share the same vision as ours – to help our kababayans especially in times of need. We hope that through this partnership, Globe and RMN would be able to provide assistance to typhoon survivors in a faster and more reliable way,” expressed Fernando Esguerra, OIC for Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We would like to thank Globe Telecom for allowing us to extend our help to typhoon Yolanda victims by partnering with them in their relief operations and distribution. We hope that we may also inspire others to take part in helping our typhoon-affected kababayans in their own little way,” said Gene Sitjar, National Sales Director for RMN.

Bangon Pinoy is Globe Telecom’s enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. It is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by calamities to benefit from various efforts geared towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country.  

Grab a Cab, Share Some Love

Globe teams up with GrabTaxi to slash off P70 booking fee for all Globe subscribers

  

            The Filipino spirit is tested once again with another calamity that proved that there is not a storm so strong that can wear out the country’s unity. Relief drives are being organized left and right, and everyone is filled with the same selfless action to help by sending out used clothing, canned goods, bottled water, medicines, as well as volunteering time and effort in relief operations, packing goods, and distribution to affected areas. Getting these contributions to its destination is already proving to be quite the challenge, with the urban traffic and the rigorous commute, yet everyone still finds a way to carry on.

               

Globe Mobile Data Services Head Jenny Granada-Echevarria with Grab Taxi’s Natasha Bautista partner together to provide one of the most convenient services especially for the season of giving.

                This is why Globe Telecom and Grab Taxi, the country’s leading taxi-booking mobile app, have teamed up to give the telco’s over 36 million prepaid, TM, and postpaid subscribers access to hassle-free and affordable commute during these times.

By stripping off Grab Taxi’s booking fee of P70, every Globe subscriber who is a Grab Taxi patron is assured of an affordable, safe, and comfortable ride around the Metro with savings to boot to encourage more donations. With Grab Taxi, you can volunteer in various relief and repacking operations and drop off donations worry-free, at a price that’s easy on the pocket.

“Given the recent devastation that happened in the Visayas, Globe, in line with our Bangon Pinoy program, constantly finds ways to make our offers relevant to the times and use our products and services in helping those in need. We hope that through this, we are able to contribute and provide convenience and bring more value to our subscriber's hard-earned money who are devoting their time and effort to be of assistance to others," shared Globe Mobile Data Services Head Jenny Granada-Echevarria.

                Currently, Globe and Grab Taxi allow customers to pay a discounted booking fee of P50 instead of the regular fee of P70.

Grab Taxi makes it possible for users to share ride details over Facebook and email, so loved ones can track taxi routes and other important details real time, making the journey safe and secure. The driver’s phone number, plate number, and other important details will be made available to users even before they get in the cab. Further, all cabs linked with the Grab Taxi network is of the finest quality, assuring customers a cool and comfortable cruise throughout the city.

                Download the Grab Taxi app for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Grab Taxi’s booking fee of P70 is free for Globe subscribers from December 1-15, 2013.

Globe to aid in community reconstruction via P15M Gawad Kalinga donation; holds disaster relief caravans

Concerned citizens flock at the Globe Prepaid On The Go caravan booth in Market!Market! to give donations for typhoon victims

Globe Telecom through its Bangon Pinoy (#BangonPinoy) program has pledged P15 million to help community reconstruction activities of Gawad Kalinga (GK) in the typhoon-devastated provinces even as the company holds mobile caravans to encourage donations for disaster relief efforts.

                The amount will be used primarily to build houses in GK Rotary Village in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte for the benefit of 100 families while part of the funds will be set aside for livelihood support to the residents.

                The institutional grant for GK was pulled together by Tattoo, Globe Telecom’s mobile and home broadband brand. A significant portion of the P15 million will come from the sale profits of Tattoo Prepaid Mobile WiFi from now until yearend and the 100 % profit donation from the plans sold by Tattoo Home Broadband in November and December 2013.

In addition, Tattoo will give 5,000 units of various Tattoo Prepaid Mobile Wifi and stick devices to be disseminated to the typhoon victims.

Gilbert Simpao, Head of Globe Broadband, said: "Apart from providing reliable connectivity, Tattoo would also want to extend all our resources to assist those who are most in need. And with majority of the families in badly hit areas losing their homes, Tattoo chose to focus on rebuilding and giving back sustainable life to families starting with Brgy. Tambulilid."

At the same time, the Enterprise Group of Globe Business provided WiFi connectivity to the GK Command Center in FTI Complex in Taguig City to enable fast coordination with the organization’s various partners in different parts of the country.  GK uses the internet service to perform webcasts via Ustream and to send real time updates of their activities. With GK relief operations in full swing this week, the business ICT arm of Globe Telecom will be increasing the bandwidth to 10 MBPS.

Meanwhile, Globe rolls out its Globe Prepaid On the Go caravan to raise subscribers’ awareness on various ways to help the typhoon victims.  Through the caravans which started at Market!Market! in Taguig City and Abreeza Mall in Davao City last November 16 to 17,  Globe subscribers may donate via any of five options:

1.       With every peso loaded in the Globe Prepaid On the Go Caravan, Globe Prepaid will match it with the same amount of donation for typhoon Yolanda victims. ​

2.       Through SMS. Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe).  Amount can be any of the following denominations - 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000.

3.       Donation of old phones to be given to subscribers in affected areas.

4.      Redemption of Globe Rewards points in 5, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 denominations.  Text DONATE<space>YOLANDA<amount> to 4438.  One point is equal to P1.

5.       GCash donation to Red Cross via Mobile GCash APP or by dialing *143#> GCash > Others > Donate > Amount > MPIN > Red Cross.

The Globe Prepaid On the Go caravan will also be held on November 23 and 24 at the Activity Center of The District mall in Imus, Cavite; November 30 and December 1 at the Promenade of Harbour Point in Olongapo City, Zambales; and December 14 and 15 at Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Globe currently has 26 Libreng Tawag stations, 39 Libreng Charging sites, 8 Libreng Tawag and Charging booths, and three Libreng Internet facilities in Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Antique, Capiz, and Pasay City. 

Over 200 Globe employee volunteers have so far provided relief packages to almost 4,500 families and hot meals to 3,000 individuals.

Details of Globe Bangon Pinoy efforts can be viewed at http://globe.com.ph/bangonpinoy.

Globe Bangon Pinoy is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by the recent calamity to benefit from relief operations, free call and text services, network restoration, and a series of community-rebuilding activities. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country.  

Globe announces winners of 2nd Davao Media Excellence Awards

Winners of the 2^nd Davao Media Excellence Awards (from L-R):  Vinafel Araneta, ABS-CBN; Olan Emboscado; Bing Gonzales, Mindanao Times; Henrylito Tacio, Sunstar Davao; Allen Doydora, DYRD Sonshine Radio; and Stella Estremera, Sunstar Davao.  Together with them are Globe officials headed by Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications (2^nd from right), Jerry Yntig, Head for External Affairs – VisMin (right), and Jocel de Guzman, Head for External Affairs (left).

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom has announced the winners of the 2^nd Davao Media Excellence Awards who have shown exemplary communication skills in bringing social issues to the attention of the public via print, broadcast, or digital media.

                The nine media professionals and social media practitioners were feted during the awarding ceremonies held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on November 21.

                “The 2^nd Davao Media Excellence Awards is all about making a difference and creating opportunities to move forward and to change for the better.  The print, broadcast, digital, and social media journalists of Davao should be commended for their sheer determination and unwavering passion for delivering stories that matter and for continuing to do more than just their jobs for a far more fulfilling purpose,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President for Globe Corporate Communications.

                Bagging the Reporter of the Year for Print award was Henrylito Tacio of Sunstar Davao who wrote “A season of floods” while Feature Story of the Year for Print went to “Watershed:  Our Treasures” of Stella Estremera, Editor-in-Chief of Sunstar Davao.  Each winner received P20,000 and a trophy while the editors got P5,000 and a plaque.

Columnist of the Year Renato Bartolo of Mindanao Times took home P15,000 and a trophy for his entry “Peace in Smiling Child’ while Photojournalist of the Year Robert Vincent “Bing” Gonzales also of Mindanao Times received P10,000 and a trophy for his entry “Picking up the Pieces.”

Vinafel Araneta of ABS-CBN was awarded the Best Reporter of the Year for TV for “Menor Trabahador while “Shabu mo diha” of GMA’s John Paul Seniel bagged the Feature Story of the Year for Broadcast.  For radio, top recognition was accorded to Allen Doydora of DYRD Sonshine Radio. All of them received P20,000 each and a trophy while the editors got P5,000 and a plaque.

                The Awards for Blogger of the Year and Social Media Advocate both went to Olan Emboscado who took home a total of P40,000 and two trophies for the recognition.

Russian relief goods handed out

CLOSE to 40,000 families in the calamity-stricken areas of Cebu and Leyte provinces have received the relief assistance extended by the government of the Russian Federation in the wake of supertyphoon Yolanda.

The nearly 60 tons of Russian relief goods were entirely released last Wednesday (Nov. 20) to the families affected by the supertyphoon in the Cebu northern towns of Sogod, Medellin, Malapascua, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, San Remigio, Tabuelan, and Borbon, the islands of Camotes and Bantayan, and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban in Leyte.

The Russian relief aid arrived in Cebu on Nov. 14 aboard two Ilyushin-76 military freighter aircrafts which took off from the Ramenskoye airport in Moscow.

Including hundreds of boxes of canned goods and sacks of sugar, the relief goods were immediately repackaged for distribution and then transported without delay to the affected towns in Northern Cebu.

Russian Honorary Consul Armi L. Garcia said the relief goods came from the State Reserves of the Russian Federation (Rosrezerv) and were personally delivered by Gen. Vladimir Stepanov, the deputy minister for Civil Defense and Emergencies for Natural Calamities.

The relief aid was duly turned over to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Atty. Mark Tolentino, on behalf of the Cebu Provincial Government, for the distribution process.

“On behalf of the Russian government, I wish to extend my gratitude to all the school children and volunteers responsible for the efficient repacking of the goods,” Garcia said. “The joint efforts of the volunteers, the Sweet Alert Society and friends, together with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Provincial Government made it possible for us to deliver the goods to the families in the affected areas in such a short time!”

Consul Garcia also expressed total appreciation for the very enthusiastic response of Ateneo de Cebu by instantaneously opening its gymnasium for the temporary storage and repacking of the relief stocks.

GCash services now offered in Puregold Digos, Tagum, and Lanang branches

: Davaoenos visited the recently opened GCASH registration booth at Puregold Lanang to avail of the different  GCASH services such as bills payment, cash-in/cash-out, point-of-sale and domestic and international remittances.

GCash, the flagship mobile money service of G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), the mobile commerce arm of Globe Telecom, strengthens its regional presence in Mindanao with its partnership with Puregold to offer GCash services in Digos, Lanang and Tagum branches of the supermarket giant in Davao.

With the said expansion, not only GCash subscribers and Puregold’s Aling Puring members composed of sari-sari store owners, carinderia operators, food resellers, and bulk buyers, but all customers can now avail of any GCash service at these Puregold outlets. GCash services include Bills Payment (Davao Light, Pag-IBIG, SSS, etc.), Cash-in/Cash-out, Domestic Remittance (Send and Receive Money), International Remittance via GCash Remit, and POS payment using GCash card.

“It is our commitment to better serve our customers in every possible way. As part of Globe Telecom’s commitment in expanding our business with Puregold, we will now be offering GCash services in these three Puregold branches in Mindanao. We hope that Globe subscribers and Puregold’s Aling Puring members will enjoy safe, secure, and hassle-free mobile money transactions at our designated GCASH counter in Puregold”, says Paolo Baltao, GXI President.

The availability of GCash outlets in Puregold branches is set to provide ease of access and convenience to Puregold shoppers who have GCash accounts as well as to Aling Puring members in claiming their remittances where GCash Remit is available in over 40 countries worldwide, sending money within the Philippines, and paying their bills through the customer service area at a Puregold branch nearest them.  

                “We are grateful to have GCash as our partner for this Mindanao ‘market invasion’. It gives us an opportunity to provide easier and more convenient shopping experience to our valued customers. What’s good about this is that they can also do other transactions like pay for their bills, claim their remittances and send money within the country via GCash services at these 3 Puregold outlets in Davao, aside from purchasing goods and services from us,” shares Antonio Delos Santos, Store Operations Head, Puregold Price Club Inc (PPCI).

The partnership between Globe and Puregold began in 2010 when the Aling Puring Super Suki SIM card was launched. It is a special multi-function SIM card exclusively for Puregold's Aling Puring members which allow them to receive text blast announcements, promos, and reminders at discounted call and text rates.

In 2011, a reloading channel for Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers as well as AutoloadMax retailers was unveiled, allowing Puregold customers and Globe subscribers to buy prepaid load for as low as P500 to as much as P150,000 from Puregold branches nationwide via its point-of-sale (POS) technology.

Last June 2013, GCASH also successfully participated in the 8^th Aling Puring Sari-sari Store Convention by offering Puregold GCash Card to over 200,000 Aling Puring members who attended the annual convention.

Globe “Bangon Pinoy” provides relief ops, hot meals to thousands of families in the Visayas

Various relief activities of Globe Bangon Pinoy (clockwise):  Manapla, Negros Occidental; Antique; Capiz; and San Remigio, Cebu.

Globe Telecom employee volunteers have trooped to typhoon-devastated areas in the Visayas region to provide relief packages to almost 5,000 families and hot meals to 3,000 individuals.

Globe Bangon Pinoy relief operations were held in Panay, Bogo, Bantayan, San Remigio, and Malapascua in Cebu;  Ormoc and Tacloban, Leyte;  Poblacion, Iloilo; Roxas City, Capiz; Barbaza, Antique, Manapla, Negros Occidental, and Kalibo, Aklan.

Hot meals, on the other hand, were distributed via Red Cross Mobile Kitchen in San Dionisio and Concepcion, Iloilo and Roxas, Capiz. while 50 sacks of rice were turned over to the Iloilo provincial office.

The relief packs are composed of basic necessities such as food and bottled water even as the company is set to send donations of usable clothes and footwear, sanitation kits, and blankets.

At the same time, Globe volunteers again lent their time and efforts to the repacking operations at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City.

                Meanwhile, Globe Tattoo has put up Libreng Internet sites at the Globe Store, Ground Floor, MFT Bldg., Real St, Ormoc City; JCT Hub, Ormoc City Plaza; and Mactan International Airport in Cebu.  This is in addition to the Tattoo Libreng Internet booths already operational in Villamor Air Base, Philippine Naval Base in Cebu.

Four more Libreng Tawag and Charging centers were also set up in Iloilo namely:  Lemery Municipal Hall, Concepcion Municipal Hall, San Dionisio Municipal Hall, and San Rafael Municipal Hall.  To date, there are 36 Libreng Tawag and 58 Libreng Charging booths in Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Iloilo, Antique, and Capiz.

Outside of the affected areas, Globe Bangon Pinoy is rallying for help across the Philippines.  One of the initiatives is the TM Republikaravan, a one-stop-shop where subscribers may know more about typhoon-related activities of TM.

Likewise, TM has started its TM Republikaravan at the Angeles City National High School in Pampanga and Golden State University in General Santos City over the weekend.  More are scheduled at the University of Southern Philippines, Davao City (Nov. 20); Mindanao State University, Iligan City (Nov. 22); Brgy. 72 Covered Court, Moriones, Tondo, Manila (Nov. 23); Commonwealth National High School, Quezon City (Nov. 29); Waltermart, Gapan, Nueva Ecity (Dec. 1);  Glorietta, Baliwag, Bulacan (Week of Dec. 2-8); and Polytechnic State College, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (Dec. 13).

During the TM Republikaravan events, TM will match every load purchased by the subscribers for donation to the typhoon victims and will also encourage teachers and students to give anything in kind.  All Rewards points used to purchase items in TM Sari-sari Store will be donated as well.

TM Republikaravan has also organized  “Dance for a Cause,” an Inter-barkada dance competition wherein the winning group will be donating half of their cash prize for the affected families.

Bangon Pinoy is Globe Telecom’s enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. It is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by calamities to benefit from various efforts geared towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country. 

For more updates visit www.globe.com.ph/BangonPinoy. Follow us on Twitter @EnjoyGlobe (#BangonPinoy) and on Facebook.com/globeph.

Globe Telecom ups service in 16 more towns mostly in Samar, Leyte

Globe Telecom expanded further its cellular service in Leyte and Samar provinces as the telecommunications company continues to prioritize restoration of cell sites in areas that are hardest hit by the typhoon.

Globe said mobile services are now available in the towns of Isabel and Palo in Leyte; Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Lope de Vega  in Northern Samar; Hinunangan, Limasawa and Sogod in Southern Leyte;  San Sebastian and Pagsanghan in Western Samar and Culasi and Laua-an in Antique, Dumarao in Capiz and Daanbantayan in Cebu

“Optimization of cell sites by increasing transmission power has resulted in substantial expansion of its cellular coverage in typhoon-stricken areas,” noted Robert Tan, Globe Chief Technical adviser.

The telecommunications provider said it also expects to restore cellular service in Borongan, Eastern Samar anytime soon. “A major cell site facility in Borongan is essentially intact and that would give us good umbrella coverage once transmission alignment is completed,” Tan said.

Globe has already restored network coverage in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Guimaras and Siquijor.

In Leyte, municipalities with cellular coverage are as follows:  Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palompon, Palo, Santa Fe, Tabango and the cities of Baybay, Ormoc and Tacloban as well as the towns of Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Lilo-an,  Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos,  Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, Silago, Sogod  and in Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte.

In Samar island, on the other hand, areas with cellular coverage include Calbayog City, Catbalogan City as well as the towns of Gandara, Hinabangan, Jiiabong, Pagsanghan, San Sebastian, Marabut, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Pagsanghan , San Jorge, Santa Margarita, Santa Rita, San Sebastian, Tarangnan, Villareal and Zumarraga all in Western Samar as well as the municipalities of Bobon, Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Lavezares,  Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Palapag, Pambujan, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Victoria, all in Northern Samar.

In Panay, areas with mobile services include the municipalities of Altavas, Banga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Numancia, Tangalan, Nabas and  New Washington in Aklan and the areas of Ivisan, Dumarao, Tapaz and Roxas City in Capiz as well as the towns of  Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Culasi, Hamtic, Laua-an Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom, Tibiao and Tobias Fornier in Antique.

Globe Telecom restores cellular service in Borongan, Eastern Samar

Globe Telecom restored on Wednesday its cellular service in Borongan, Eastern Samar, further expanding mobile coverage in Samar and Leyte islands , which were hardest hit by the typhoon. 

The telecommunications company said it was able to bring back cellular service in Borongan through the deployment of a cell site on wheels at around 5 pm Wednesday. This development will allow subscribers in the area to access call and text services.  The COW facility is located along E. Cinco St., in front of St Mary’s College.

Aside from Borongan,  mobile services  have also been restored in the towns of Isabel and Palo in Leyte; Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Lope de Vega  in Northern Samar; Hinunangan, Limasawa and Sogod in Southern Leyte;  San Sebastian and Pagsanghan in Western Samar and Culasi and Laua-an in Antique, Dumarao in Capiz and Daanbantayan in Cebu.

The company said it will continue to prioritize restoration of cell sites in areas severely affected by the recent super typhoon.

Globe Telecom bags Platinum Asset Award for Excellence in Management and Corporate Governance

In testament to the unwavering commitment of Globe Telecom to integrity, transparency and best practices, the company has received a Platinum Award for Excellence in Management and Corporate Governance from The Asset, an integrated multi-media company serving the elite community of leading corporate and financial decision makers in Asia.

The Asset Excellence in Management and Corporate Governance Benchmarking Awards 2013 has gained a reputation with institutional investors for its independent and internationally recognized assessment of Asia’s listed companies in their business and governance performance.

The criteria used to assess the companies include a range of metrics of financial performance, which are also a proxy for gauging management acumen. But since the purpose of the awards is also to recognize the importance of sustainable growth, companies were also evaluated according to the quality of their corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental responsibility and investor relations.

“It is truly an honor for Globe to be consistently recognized both locally and internationally for its management and corporate governance practices.  This recent award is a testament to the unwavering efforts of Globe Board of Directors, management, officers, and employees to commit themselves to the principles and best practices of governance in the attainment of corporate goals while at the same time ensure transparency and social responsibility in company operations,” said Marisalve Ciocson-Co, Globe Head for Legal Services.

Through corporate governance policies, Globe is able to pursue the mandate to protect the interests of the investing public and is accountable for governing and providing direction to the corporation.  Globe firmly believes that good governance together with integrity and transparency are critical aspects to its success. 

Last year, Globe won the first ever Bell Award for Corporate Governance given by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and also received a similar citation from Hong Kong publishing giant FinanceAsia where the company garnered high marks in the Best Corporate Governance category.