Globe equips public school teachers with 21st century learning techniques

 Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom, in collaboration with the Coalition for Better Education and the Department of Education, kicks off the 2014 Global Filipino Teacher (GFT) Program designed to equip public school teachers with 21^st century learning techniques in preparation for the incoming school year.

GFT is a nationwide campaign that enables teachers to effectively integrate Information and communications technology (ICT) in the classroom for enhanced learning particularly among high school students.

“Globe is fully committed to its mission of helping improve the educational system in the country by harnessing its core competency to build an ICT-empowered public school system that will benefit marginalized students and teachers and give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge,” said Fernando Esguerra, Globe OIC for Corporate Social Responsibility.

                For the initial activity, 35 teachers from public secondary schools in Metro Manila, Cordillera, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and Western Visayas were selected to undergo a five-day intensive training in Cebu City.

The training covers relevant usage of ICT tools such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones; a clear understanding of the internet and its tools for education, as well as mastery of word processing applications for good classroom management.

It also involves problem-based learning (PBL) approaches that challenge students to learn through engagement in actual and relatable problems. It is a format that places students in the role of problem-solvers and teaches them how to be active and independent learners.

“We have been doing PBL but we didn’t know that it could be applied in other ways.  Usually, we tell the students what to do but through this process, we can just supervise the students and give them freedom to solve the problem on their own pace.  This way, the students not only develop their intellectual skills but also experience less pressure.  This will also help enhance their self-esteem and interpersonal skills,” said Nelia Depaynes, a Science teacher at Tublay School of Home Industries in Tublay, Benguet.

Rick Babatuan, also a Science teacher of Katipunan National High School in Carmen, Bohol said: “The training teaches us how to integrate ICT in teaching.  ICT is changing the classroom situation.  Students are no longer confined within the four walls of the classroom.”

Likewise, Globe will launch a leaders’ strand next month to formally create new GFT trainers from high performing graduates who would be tasked to independently conduct GFT workshops within their respective school, division, and other scopes of influence. 

From the leaders' strand, and along with teacher evaluations, Globe expects to produce more than 250 GFT graduates by the end of 2014 alone, on top of the 262 graduates produced during the four-year existence of the program. Globe also continuously evaluate the proficiency of graduates to maintain high standards in carrying out usage of the learning tools in public schools nationwide.

The GFT program has so far produced several outstanding graduates such as Shateen D. Seraña of Taluksangay NHS in Zamboanga who won the 2012 Innovative Teachers Leadership Award, an international award for teacher excellence given by Microsoft; and Marivi L. Castro of Gensan SPED and Galcoso Alburo of Concepcion Integrated School who were among the Metrobank Outstanding Teachers awardees.

Globe Business charts next phase of Philippine internet with robust infrastructure

Ready to support bandwidth-heavy ICT solutions for large corporations, enterprises

Globe Business was recently recognized for its major role in supporting internet use in the Philippines by The Internet Society of the Philippines (ISOC-PH) during its 20th Internet Anniversary Celebration with the theme, “Your Internet, Your Data.”

The enterprise ICT arm of Globe Telecom currently supports the ISOC-PH and the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) in their efforts in working closely with private corporations, government agencies, members of media and the academe on new technologies surrounding the internet, including big data, improve internet access and protect the rights of all its stakeholders – a concept called internet governance. It also deployed robust direct Internet for Web Exchange and LTE for Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the event. 

A distinguished luminary in the gathering was Globe Business Head of Research and Development, Technology and Design Benjie Tan, who was responsible for physically connecting the Philippines to the rest of the internet-connected world two decades ago. Twenty years from now, he foresees more affordable internet access for the majority as technology and devices become available to more people, and heavier internet usage driven by relevant applications. “I’m actually hoping for wireless technology to mature so that more Filipinos can have affordable access to internet and enjoy a host of other benefits it can offer.” Also joining Tan in the gathering were acknowledged “fathers” of Philippine internet Dr. Rudy Villarica as well as Dr. Bill Torres.

Senior Vice President Nikko Acosta of Globe Business said that “it is with great pride for Globe Business to be recognized for its efforts in supporting Internet use in the Philippines and to be tapped by ISOC-PH and the FMA to be its official internet partner for the our country’s 20th anniversary celebration of being linked to the Internet.”

“As in the early days of the internet, we continue to play a relevant role in enabling private corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations to harness the benefits of the internet for social and economic progress of the Philippines,” he added.

                Acosta pointed out that with more than 38 million Filipinos exchanging information over the worldwide web, the possibilities in the exchange of data is virtually limitless. “With organizations, businesses and large corporations, the sheer vastness of the internet as we know it can now be tapped with Globe Business as their established ICT partner. “

One major initiative going forward for Philippine internet is the Globe interconnection with the Southeast Asia-Japan Cable (SJC) System last year, which will enable high capacity data transmission to address growing bandwidth-intensive applications in the country and its neighbors. With commendations from the Philippine government led by Pres. Benigno Aquino, the Globe-SJC interconnection will provide world-class interconnectivity for the country boasting a bandwidth of 28 terabits per second, providing unmatched local and regional internet data strength.

Globe Business is considered as one of the purveyors who invested in the Internet, one of the first Filipino companies that secured IPV4 blocks and its own Autonomous System Number or ASN for commercial use. Since then, the company has been continuously improving its IP connectivity through its many investments in its domestic distribution network, international cable facilities and contracts with local and foreign peering partners.

Worldwide smartphone shipment hits 1-billion mark in 2013, Samsung corners lion’s share – global market research firm

The smartphone market reached another milestone after shipping over one billion units worldwide in 2013, global market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) said.

             According to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker*, vendors shipped a total of 1.004 billion smartphones worldwide, up 38.4% from the 725.3 million units in 2012.

            Based on the IDC report*, Korean device manufacturer Samsung emerged as overall leader in worldwide smartphone shipments with 313.9 million units shipped worldwide in 2013, generating a 31.3% market share on the back of a sustained demand for its Galaxy S4 and Note 3 models, as well as its line-up of mid-range and entry-level devices.

            For 2014, Samsung continues to strengthen its presence in the smartphone market, specifically in Southeast Asia, with its recent collaboration with the SingTel Group to provide a more seamless and richer mobile data experience to its over 500 million mobile customers across the region.

            In the Philippines, the partnership is poised to benefit over 38 million Globe Telecom customers with initiatives such as a retail collaboration program, direct carrier billing system, regional mobile app development program, and direct access to selected apps.

            Alongside the launch of the landmark partnership is the availability of the Samsung Galaxy S5 from Globe under its suite of innovative postpaid plan offers, where customers can get the Galaxy S5 for as low as P1,699 monthly at Globe mySUPERPLAN or P1,599 with P16,800 cash-out per year with the Galaxy Forever Plan which allows them to get the newest Galaxy smartphone every year.

            On top of a fully-customizable plan, subscribers are also entitled to exclusive privileges such as free 1-month Gadget Care coverage, free Facebook access, free 1-subscription to Enjoy VIP PH Mobile App, free Globe apps, app purchases charged to postpaid bill or deducted from prepaid load, and free 6-month subscription to Spotify Premium for access to over 30 million songs on mobile.

            “Maximize the powerful features of the Samsung Galaxy S5 with a Globe postpaid plan that fits you and your needs, including special add-ons and offers for the complete smartphone experience,” said Raul Macatangay, VP for Postpaid Business and Devices at Globe. “With our strong partnership with Samsung and our established affinity with postpaid consumers in the Philippines, our offers enable users embrace the smartphone revolution in an easier and faster way, allowing them to play in a wonderful world of the latest devices for their digital lifestyle.”

            Globe subscribers can also enjoy the telco’s largest 4G network nationwide for faster and more seamless connectivity while surfing on mobile using the new GoSURF consumable data plan. To know more about Samsung Galaxy S5 from Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph/galaxys5 or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

*IDC Press Release, "Worldwide Smartphone Shipments Top One Billion Units for the First Time, According to IDC," 27 January 2014

SWC also-ran makes it to Echelon Singapore

A TEAM of young multi-national entrepreneurs who competed but failed in Startup Weekend Cebu-2 in 2012 will carry the Philippine colors at the Echelon 2014 tech conference in Singapore this June.

This was proudly revealed by TechTalks.ph founder Tina Amper during the joint press launch of Startup Weekend Cebu (SWC)-4 and 1st Startup Weekend Bohol last April 11 at the Golden Hub.

Amper said the group, then known as Team Candy during SWC-2, earned the right to represent the country in Singapore when it ruled over the rest of the 11-team field in the Echelon 2014 Philippines Satellite competition on April 4 at the Meridian International College in Taguig City.

"I am very proud of these guys," said Amper, mother of Startup Weekend Cebu. "Their perseverance paid off. They did not land in the Top 3 at SWC-2, yet they never lose hope. They believe in their startup and now they're earning from it."

Team Candy won the ticket to Singapore for its novel mobile rewards platform, which the group initially pitched at the 2nd Startup Weekend Cebu in November 2012 but failed to get the nods of the judges.

Believing in the viability of its product, the team – currently composed of Filipino, Indian, and Japanese nationals -- went on to pursue its startup and launched Candy (can-dy.ph) a few months after SWC-2.

At the time of SWC-2, Team Candy was basically just an all-Japanese tandem skippered by Yosuke Fukada until a number of fellow believers, including Indian national Arnab Gupta, jumped in to form the group’s present lineup.

Now officially registered as YOYO Holdings PTE Ltd., the group has already captured a nationwide market of 75,000 users within eight months upon launching the platform. Following the success of Candy in the country, YOYO expanded its services to Thailand and Indonesia where it gained 30,000 users in a month.

Candy is a platform that offers free mobile airtime or prepaid load credit for calls, text, and internet browsing in exchange for doing some micros tasks, such as filling out surveys, making reviews of a product or brand, or downloading apps, among others.

YOYO, on the other hand, gets its revenues from advertisers on Candy, which is a good avenue for ads since netizens will be frequently visiting the site to avail of the free load credits it's offering.

At the Echelon 2014 tech conference in Singapore, Amper said YOYO will have the rare opportunity to interact and receive valuable insights from the business leaders in the tech startup industry.

The largest tech confab in Asia is also the best venue for YOYO to attract investors or forge partnerships with established companies for its expansion plans.

Meanwhile, the fourth edition of Startup Weekend Cebu is scheduled to take place on June 6-8 at the University of Cebu - Banilad campus, whereas the first-ever Startup Weekend Bohol will be held on May 23-25 at the University of Bohol in Tagbilaran City.

Globe Business honors women leaders in Davao Caps off Women’s Month with a holistic empowerment program

Coming from a successful launch in Cebu in early March, Globe Business continued its nationwide women empowerment program by gathering female business leaders in the Davao region. The second leg of their campaign themed “You are Wonderful” continued to uphold the role of female leaders as a driving force in local industries and the economy as a whole.  

“As the country continues to be a great place for women in the corporate world having more Filipinas becoming leaders of enterprises, there is also a growing need to let them feel empowered so they can strike a balance between career and family life,” pointed out Globe Business Vice President for Enterprise Marketing Charmaine Bautista-Pamintuan.

She cited a recent study from the Asian Development Bank identifying a number of fast-growing sectors where women should be encouraged to play a greater role, including the booming business process outsourcing sector, tourism, light industry, and entrepreneurship. “Through our engagements such as ‘You are Wonderful,’ we at Globe Business commend female leaders as they continue to blaze trails in the work force.”

Being the third most populous area in the country, Metropolitan Davao serves as the main trade, commerce and industry hub of Mindanao, and one of the key cities championing women power in the country. The enterprise arm of Globe Telecom exclusively invited women executives from the region as they were treated to a day of self-reflection, good food and rejuvenation at Pearl Farm Beach Resort in The Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

The women executives first went through a life-design workshop, especially created for women who want to anchor their lives and careers on their values and the principle of balance. It took participants through a fun and reflective learning journey where they were able to revisit their core values and strengths, create a personal brand that is consistent with their core values and strengths with particular focus on building their career, take a snapshot of where they are today and craft an action plan to bring them closer to an ideal place in their lives and careers.

Globe Business Senior Vice President for Enterprise Group Nikko Acosta said that “we look forward for a wonderful new culture to emerge – one that evokes compassion and balance in the workplace as we see more fully-integrated female professionals in the corporate world.  Globe Business will continue to celebrate, inspire and empower female executives as we work closely with them in creating a wonderful ICT landscape and businesses in the country.

For more information on how Globe Business can help empower your enterprise in creating a wonderful ICT landscape, visit www.business.globe.com.ph or talk to your Globe Business Account Manager.

Globe Community celebrates 1st anniversary building houses for Payatas residents

Happy faces of Globe Community members while building houses in GK Rivero-Cox Village, Payata, QC

               In celebration of Globe Telecom online community’s first anniversary, members along with company employees went out of their way to help build a real neighborhood for underprivileged communities in Payatas, Quezon City in partnership with Gawad Kalinga.

“We want a more meaningful way to celebrate the first birthday of Globe Community and at the same time support Project Wonderful, the company’s nation-building advocacy.  It is overwhelming to see that despite it being a weekend, add to that the heat and dirt, all participants were very eager to build houses and get to know our fellow kababayans in the area. This proves that our subscribers and employees are truly one with Globe in creating a wonderful world,” said Glenn Richmond Ong, Head of Digital Communications and Self-Service / Globe Community Manager.

               Globe Community was opened with the vision of empowering subscribers to help other subscribers, and for them to form genuine relationships with Globe employees. Globe Community is the first and only online telecom community in the country with over 20,000 members who come together to assist each other on general concerns about Globe products and services.

               For the special day, members and employees joined hands to help make the dreams of Payatas residents become a reality by volunteering in house building  at the Gawad Kalinga Rivero-Cox Village.

“It’s a physically demanding activity yet fun not only because we were with friends, but because it’s one concrete way for us to create a wonderful world,” said Ralf Navales, a Globe Community member.

Another member, Will Benedict said:  “I joined this activity because I believe it’s a great way to give back and help another community.”

The build proper was followed by a processing activity through an intimate discussion of its value to the community and how the participants felt during the build proper. It was capped off with lunch prepared by the GK Community residents as their way of saying “thank you”.

Globe subscribers and non-subscribers alike may join the Globe Community by signing up at http://community.globe.com.ph without any cost.

From points to productivity: Globe rewards points spark livelihood opportunities and grow businesses

Flores Bakery first set up shop in 1964 as a family business owned by Dang Flores and her husband. Five decades later, it has become an institution in Poblacion, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Dang, who has been running the shop since 2006, cites that business further grew and expanded when she was offered the opportunity to join the pilot for the TM Astig Rewards Sari-sari Store Program in October 2012.

Vice President for Customer Lifecycle Management Jay Beltran-Alfonso and the Rewards and Sales teams with Mr. and Mrs. Flores

                TM, Globe Telecom’s value brand, launched the TM Astig Rewards Sari-sari Store program in 2012 to allow TM subscribers to use their rewards points to purchase items from nearby sari-sari stores. Subscribers earn rewards points from their top-up which they can use to buy sari-sari store items, just like cash.

From bakery to grocery

                With her loyal patrons using their TM rewards points as cash with straightforward points-to-peso conversion of 1 point = P1.00, Dang’s bakery quickly evolved into a bigger store and expanded into selling grocery items. Dang says, “Yung grocery namin, nag-start lang sa rewards. Maraming hinihingi ‘yung mga customers, so kinabukasan, meron na kami ‘nun.” (“We started selling groceries because of the rewards program. Customers would request for specific items, so we make sure we have them in our store the next day.”)

 Customers can buy more than just bread at Flores Bakery

                Having this new source of revenue even allowed Dang to bundle her products sold at more compelling prices. “Kunyari, bumili sila ng softdrinks na 1.5 liters,meron na silang libreng bread na malaki. (“For instance, customers who buy 1.5 liters of softdrinks using their TM rewards points get free bread from my bakery.”)

With this sales promotion strategy, Dang attracted more customers, and in the long run, gained more profits for her bakery-grocery business. Sales grew by 25% since she introduced payment of items via TM rewards points. Customers redeem between 2,000-4,000 points a day on average.

Pulling more customers

                Tatah Pulalon of Brgy. Alabel in Sarangani Province shares the same story. Running a sari-sari store business since 2011, she makes a living selling items such as coffee, sardines, and cellphone load. She started accepting TM rewards points as payment two years ago, and was glad she did.

Tatah Pulalon grew her small business with help from TM Astig Rewards

               “Nakatabang pud sa ako-a (It has helped me),” shares Tatah. “Sukad nagsugod ko’g Rewards daghan mupalit sa ako-a, halos ni-doble akong kita (My sari-sari store’s sales nearly doubled because more people were buying from me.”) Even others who don’t intend to buy anything end up doing so because they get to use their rewards points.

With additional revenues generated from items sold using her customers’ TM rewards points, Tatah is able to send her children to school.

                “For small business owners like Dang and Tatah, the TM Astig Rewards program became more than just a rewards program for their customers. It has spurred the growth of their businesses that allowed them to scale up their profits and better provide for their families’ needs. We are inspired to have paved the way for these wonderful livelihood opportunities for them, and we’re looking forward to help more families around the country with this innovative rewards program,” says Jay Beltran, Vice President for Customer Lifecycle Management at Globe. To date, over 20 million rewards points have been redeemed with thousands of subscribers benefitting from the innovative program.

                Typically associated with credit cards, department stores and high-end establishments, rewards programs were previously unheard of in the micro-enterprise level. As a pioneer in introducing rewards programs to small business owners, TM is helping create a wonderful, productive world for Filipinos through the use of rewards points.

Globe Business focused on creating wonderful experiences for enterprises

As the enterprise information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, Globe Business has been harnessing its full potential to help make businesses perform at a higher level with its comprehensive portfolio of mobility, connectivity, business voice, collaboration, business-enabling and IT-enabled services, Globe Business empowers large corporations, enterprises and companies spanning the spectrum of various industries in the country such as business process outsourcing, manufacturing, financial institutions, services, transport and logistics, healthcare and retail, among many others.

“We enable our clients to achieve more of their corporate goals by making them better equipped and efficient through our diverse range of ICT solutions,” shared Globe Senior Vice President for Enterprise Group Nikko Acosta.

Wonderful experiences, strong network

As an ICT solutions provider, it is the mandate of Globe Business to help make enterprises’ business run better through solutions that enable their workforce to carry out their everyday tasks, keep in touch with their own clients, and carry out their work wherever and whenever they are most productive.

Its best-in-class Next Generation Network enables enterprises to connect and make decisions, especially in critical instances. A vast array of solutions also allows virtual collaboration, especially as work setups become more unconventional and borderless. More importantly, Globe Business assures that the technology they provide their clientele is secure enough to protect their organization’s most important pieces of information.  All these services are powered by a world-class network that provides the highest standards of connectivity.

ICT industry innovator

Innovation is now regarded as a vital ingredient in the success of an organization, and in the local ICT industry, Globe Business is renowned as a leading purveyor of such, consistently introducing best-in-class solutions available to the market. Recent ground-breaking endeavors include the formal link up with the Southeast Asia-Japan Cable System in the last quarter of 2013, ushering a new era in telecommunications in this part of the world. Aside from that, its Carrier Ethernet service is first in Asia to be Metro Ethernet Forum or MEF-certified, setting global standards on Ethernet services in terms of reliability, speed and service level agreements.

Globe Business has also been recognized as an ICT powerhouse. It has a Frost and Sullivan citation as the Philippines’ Emerging Infrastructure-as-a-Service Vendor of the Year for its cloud service offerings, along with certifications for its world-class data centers adherent to global standards. “All of these are by-products of recognizing what wonderful technological experience our customers require now and in the future,” remarks Acosta.

Let Globe Business empower your organization with industry-renowned ICT products and solutions. Visit www.business.globe.com.ph or contact your Globe Business Account Manager.

 

Globe Business SVP for Enterprise Group Nikko Acosta

Globe Telecom wins in ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards 2014

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom won the Integrated Communication Category in the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards 2014 for having incorporated strategic communication programs for a more meaningful impact.

                ACSSA was created to acknowledge individuals and organizations for their successful demonstration of commitment to sustainable operations, and provide a platform to showcase sustainable practices and create an avenue for benchmarking.  It also aims to establish an opportunity to promote maturity in sustainable practices through a healthy competition among industry peers.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Telecom SVP for Corporate Communications receives the award from Dr. Aditi Haldar, Director of Focal Point India and South Asia Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Recognizing the impact of environmental and social concerns on the global economy, Globe committed to integrate sustainability in its core operations. In line with this, Globe combined sustainability with its annual financial report to improve stakeholders’ perception on accountability and transparency, and demonstrate the connection between corporate responsibility and business operations and strategy.

For the past three years, Globe continues to meet international standards for its Annual and Sustainability Report by increasing its reported performance indicator and maintaining a B+ level of assurance. Last year, the 2012 ASR was recognized in Mercomm’s ARC International Awards XXVII under the specialized annual report category.

To provide its stakeholders the convenience in viewing the report, downloadable files were uploaded in the Globe website (www.globe.com.ph) on the day of the Annual Stockholders Meeting. A dedicated microsite was also developed, accessible via PC, tablet and smartphones.

In its ASR, Globe Telecom’s sustainability initiatives are divided into four areas – Environment, Workplace, Community and Marketplace.

Globe promotes efficient and effective environment protection initiatives through managing its operational carbon footprint, implementing waste management programs, and reducing energy consumption.  The company also takes care of its employees and enables them through technology, systems and processes to make the difference in the lives of the customers.

Likewise, Globe promotes social and economic well-being in communities through various corporate social responsibility initiatives while at the same time, expands network coverage and infrastructure to provide access to as many people as possible through diverse sets of products and services and minimal operation cost. In improving mobile and internet connection, and mobile e-commerce, Globe maintains high business efficiency, effective risk management strategies and customer-focused loyalty program.

DOST – ICT Office teams up with TechTalks.ph, CEDF-IT anew for SWC 4

THE Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ICT Office), is again supporting Startup Weekend Cebu (SWC) which will be on its fourth staging come June 6-8 at the University of Cebu (UC) Banilad campus.

Startup Weekend Cebu 4, organized by TechTalks.ph and DOST-ICT Office and supported by Cebu Educational Development Foundation for IT (CEDF-IT), is aimed at generating breakthrough ideas from tech communities in the Visayas region.

Startup Weekend is a 54-hour competition where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses.

The concept, which started in the U.S., is a global movement to empower young entrepreneurs to nurture their innovative ideas into becoming sustainable businesses.

The event gathers experts and practitioners from different fields of business to mentor the participants as they launch their concepts into business reality.

The whole event involves the participants in different stages of the business cycle including idea creation and business pitching, prototype development, mentorship and networking sessions until product or business presentation to possible investors and funders.

According to DOST Undersecretary and ICT Office executive director Louis Napoleon C. Casambre, the ICT Office has been moving forward in its new thrust to uplift the entrepreneurial spirit in the ICT industry, and in line with this, it is supporting Startup Weekend Cebu 4.

“The DOST - ICT Office believes that providing support in countryside entrepreneurial activities is an effective way in livening and expanding the local economy through ICT,” Ibrahim said. “Promotion of homegrown ICT products and businesses will not only provide employment in the countryside but also help develop innovative and creative solutions that can address not only the local but also the global market.”

Tina Amper, founder of TechTalks.ph, said the DOST - ICT Office has since been very supportive of their activities, which now includes a Startup Weekend in Bohol later this year.

“From the first Startup Weekend Cebu to `Geeks on a Beach’, the DOST - ICT Office has been a consistent backer,” Amper said. “They have always been there for us, and we are very grateful to them, specially to Usec. Casambre and ICT Office deputy executive director Mon Ibrahim.”

Amper is serving as adviser/mentor to a new set of volunteer organizers who have stepped up to lead this year’s Startup Weekend. Entrepreneurs Rica Serenio and Ben Skelton will be leading SWCebu and SWBohol, respectively.

During Startup Weekend, participants get acquainted with one another starting on a Friday night. They pitch startup concepts they are passionate about, and form teams around the most popular ideas. They refine their ideas and business plans and start building product prototypes with the help of the onsite mentors, and then present what they have accomplished in a four-minute pitch and demo by Sundayevening.

Following the success of its inaugural staging in May 2012, Startup Weekend Cebu organizers successfully staged its second and third and now decided to hold its fourth leg in June due to the incessant demand of startup enthusiasts in the Visayas and Mindanao area again in partnership with DOST-ICT Office.

With the support of DOST - ICT Office, Amper said the 4^th edition of Startup Weekend Cebu in June is again expected to be a resounding success, as well as the first Startup Weekend Bohol in Tagbilaran.

The DOST – ICT Office and TechTalks.ph are likewise co-organizing Startup Weekend Bohol which, according to Amper, has already drawn the backing of Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.

Everybody interested in learning how to start a business using web or mobile technologies are invited to participate in Startup Weekend Cebu 4. Technical mastery is not required.

Students, business people, and tech enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. Software developers and designers are likewise welcome to the event.

For registration or more information, visit the cebu.startupweekend.org or bohol.startupweekend.org sites, or find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @swcebu and @swbohol.

                                            

I.T. Doctors’ Prescription for Yuppies: Acer Iconia W4

Working while on the go has always been about bringing smaller devices that can provide the most basic functions to help you with your everyday tasks—sending and receiving emails, presenting documents, taking pictures and going online for a quick research or update on your social networks. Bringing your laptop may have become too bulky to carry the whole day, which causes others to bear shoulder or wrist pains.

The  so-called “mobile handhelds,” on the other hand, are getting more attention because of its practical use, plus the fact that it is small enough to carry around but still big enough to view files comfortably. The only drawback is it is still very limited in terms of functionality because it can’t do much of what laptops can.

Fortunately, there’s no need to wait for years to have a device that can function perfectly well whenever and wherever we want to. Global tech giant Acer offers a device that offers more when it comes to convenience and functionality.

The Acer Iconia W4 2-in-1 netbook is compact, easy to carry, comfortable to read and browse and can work and play on the go—something students and young professionals can use for their academic and work needs. With an 8-inch wide screen, the Acer Iconia W4 is small enough to be held by one hand and still big enough for fine and comfortable viewing.

It runs on Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 8.1, enabling the Acer Iconia W4 to perform work related tasks and provide for your entertainment needs impressively. With its Intel Bay Trail 1.33Ghz CPU and LPDDR3 1067Mhz 2GB, you get cutting-edge performance while using less battery power. With pre-installed full versions of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 edition, which includes popular Microsoft applications like PowerPoint®, Word®, Excel®, and OneNote®, students and professionals alike can do their tasks even while on the move.

You don’t even need to worry with file storage despite its somewhat diminutive size because the Acer Iconia W4 has its built-in cloud storage, the Acer SkyDrive, which functions as the default location for saving your documents. With the Acer Iconia W4, you can manage both local and SkyDrive storage in one place.

Unlike other touch devices, one of the key features of the Acer Iconia W4 netbook is that it has incredibly clear visuals because of its “Zero Air Gap” technology, which reduces light reflection by directly binding the LCD module and touch panel. Its micro USB 2.0 port, meanwhile, enhances flexibility and productivity with work and its HDMI micro port enables your work, presentations and entertainment to be shared on big screens. And for a faster typing experience, the Acer Iconia W4 comes bundled with a portable full-sized Acer crunch keyboard for those who may prefer looking—and typing—on an actual one.

And since we are in a time when self-expression is given utmost importance, the Windows 8.1 OS of the Acer Iconia W4 allows its users to personalize their start-up screen with their own style, customizing it depending on the user’s personality and ease of usage when it comes to accessing applications.

So don’t worry anymore about tough days at work and at play. With the Acer Iconia W4’s functionality and performance features, trust that it will make you perform your work flawlessly, play your usual gaming mode smoothly, and your web browsing time cooler than ever.

What more can you ask for?

For more about the Acer Iconia W4 netbook, visit Acer Philippines at www.acer.com.ph or www.Facebook.com/AcerPH. 

AirAsia Zest system upgrade from 11-12 April 2014

MANILA, 10 April 2014 - As part of AirAsia Zest’s continuous effort to provide enhanced online experience for guests, the airline will be carrying out a system upgrade and maintenance of its website (www.airasia.com) starting from 11 – 12 April 2014.

Online flight booking services via website and mobile will be temporarily unavailable from 10pm on Friday, 11 April 2014 (Malaysia time/GMT+8) to 4am on Saturday, 12 April 2014 (Malaysia time/GMT+8).

During this maintenance period, flight booking through AirAsia Zest and AirAsia sales offices, counters and call centre will also be unavailable.

During the downtime, guests will not be able to perform self-check in via self-check in kiosks, as well as the ‘manage my booking’ feature online.

Guests may still book hotel accommodation, tour packages or car rentals at www.airasiago.com, which is not affected by the system upgrade and maintenance.

All affected guests will be informed via email and SMS about the online service disruption. Guests may also refer to AirAsia Zest’s Twitter(twitter.com/AirAsiaPh) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines) for updates.