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.