Startup Weekend Cebu Winner GIGBox: bringing venues and artists together

Startup Weekend Cebu winner GIGBox is trying to do something new in the local music scene:  bring venues and artists together through an online gig scheduling system.

“I love music.  Whenever I go around the world, I go to local hangouts where I can listen to independent music and check out the scene. Since then, I’ve met a lot of interesting people like John, a restaurant owner in Cebu. One time he was so irritated because the band they hired cancelled for the night.  He was telling me that he’s tired of the system.  So I thought, why not try to bridge the gap between artists and venues by coming out with a web-based platform where venues can connect with bands and support independent artist groups?” said Nathan Salugsugan, co-founder of GIGBox.

The jubilant GIGBox team from L-R:  Jeb Saldariega, Victoriano Eco, and Nathan Salugsugan

Thus, GIGBox was formed. It is a scheduling system where venues can easily find a band, a DJ, a solo artist, or even a dance group and also help them figure out which artist is trending. It also supports those who need a place to perform as well as provides information to fans who are interested in the schedule of their favorite artists.

GIGBox bested 16 other participants in this year’s Startup Weekend Cebu organized by TechTalks.ph and the Department of Science and Technology – Information and Communications Technology Office.  And since its first run in May 2012, Startup Weekend Cebu was supported by Kickstart Ventures, a wholly-owned incubation and investment firm of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom together with Globe Labs.

“This was the fourth Startup Weekend in Cebu and we saw how the participants: developers, non-tech entrepreneurs, students, and local startup founders have, to some extent, benefited from the previous runs. The 17 ideas that survived the 34 first pitched last Friday night certainly showed more thought and not just because they’re fun to do,” said Pia Angeli Bernal, Social Enterprise Investments Manager of Kickstart.

She added:  “Kickstart supports activities like Startup Weekend Cebu because participants discover that it is entirely possible to transform any idea into a business in just 54 hours – “who knows, a future Kickstart startup investment might attribute their birth to one Startup Weekend Cebu.”

                The judges were fairly impressed with the original concept since the idea was born out of need rather than patterned against successful business models in other countries.

“It was a close fight among the top three teams but ultimately, we chose GIGBox because they started their pitch with a problem statement, which guided the team well in the next 54 hours from ideation to presentation of a prototype. Second, we haven’t seen anything like this.  We don’t think there’s much competition out there,” said Dave Overton, one of the judges and the one responsible for bringing Startup Weekend to Cebu. Overton is also founder of Symph, a design and development studio in Cebu.

Neck-to-neck with GIGBox is Likha, a shirt-printing web-based platform wherein anyone can create, browse, and share their design and have it printed on a T-shirt.  Third place went to JustBecause, an SMS-based event notifier for people who are not online 24/7 to ensure that they will not miss any important activity despite the absence of Internet.

Startup Weekend is a Seattle-based global grassroots movement where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses. It is an intense 54-hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend.

Startup Weekends are specifically designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback for an idea, looking for a co-founder, or who want to learn a new skill, especially in the field of mobile and internet applications. The concept quickly became a global movement to generate breakthrough ideas in communities all over the world, taking digital start-ups businesses from ideas to investment readiness through intensive mentoring from industry experts and access to mobile markets and investors.

GT Cosmetics goes global at 20

GT Cosmetics aims to go global as the Cebu-based manufacturer of handmade soaps from natural extracts and other skin care products celebrates its 20^th anniversary June 28 of this year.

“GT Cosmetics products are beginning to have a global presence with our entry to the US and Canada. We plan to firm up our strategic position in the emerging markets of Asia,” said GT Cosmetics CEO and founder Engr. Leonora B. Salvane.

GT Cosmetics will kick off its 20^th year anniversary with today's launching of the GT Essential Facial Scrub, a multi-crystal exfoliating complex with collagen and witch hazel extract that cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

“We believe that Filipino entrepreneurs and manufacturers can be globally competitive. GT Cosmetics is preparing seriously for the Asean integration. Come 2015 we will be ready,” she added.

From humble beginnings

GT Cosmetics has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1994 when Engr. Salvane started producing beauty products with little more than P500 as capital.

Engr. Salvane began producing GT Cosmetics papaya then carrot soaps using her baking pans as moulds in her home kitchen with the help of only 4 workers. Production was then limited to only 50 soap bars per day with the engineer’s children doing the packing.

Today GT Cosmetics has over 300 employees manufacturing 25,000 products daily in all lines from its main plant in Liloan, Cebu and another in Marilao, Bulacan.

“Our first customers were close friends who found our soaps effective. They recommended the soaps to friends and today 20 years later I am proud to say that GT has become a part of daily beauty routine for many Filipinos,” said Engr. Salvane.

Starting with papaya and carrot soaps, GT Cosmetics later on developed other skin care products like moisturizing and bleaching creams, sunblock, clarifying toner, and recently the carrot lotion.

Giving back to the community

The GT Cosmetics anniversary commemoration will include a series of fun yet helpful activities aiming to give back to the community.

There will be a free soap-making training workshop in partnership with the Liloan Local Government Unit on June 16 for representatives from all 14 barangays of Liloan.

A Facial Care Day will be launched on June 22. This is a treat for moms that include free demos on the proper way to care for the face, free skin care product sampling, and picture taking with GT endorsers.

Finally, there will be a team building for GT Cosmetics employees on the morning of June 28.

A thanksgiving fellowship party for employees, family, suppliers, and friends will be held on the night of the same day. Awards will be given to the 20 longest-staying GT Cosmetics employees.

Out of the 2013 Zamboanga seige, a Globe “heroine” rises

The siege of Zamboanga City in September 2013 claimed the lives of hundreds and made hundreds of many thousands others homeless as battling in between Muslim rebels and government soldiers levelled seaside communities of the beleaguered city.

Rather than looking for the safety and comforts of her home for the whole period of the dilemma, Glenda Atilano, retail manager of Globe shop in Zamboanga, rose over her stress and anxieties and supplied a lot greater than exactly what was expected of her-- saving the lives of fellow Zamboanguenos.

For her worthy and selfless and generous efforts and initiatives throughout the crisis, Glenda was just recently selected as Globe Employee of the Year at the recent Globe Excellence Awards held at Shangri la Hotel in Mandaluyong. “It was totally unexpected. I was just doing things that I thought would best help our customers,” said Atilano. 

Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (left) and Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu (right) congratulate Glenda Atilano, retail manager of Globe store in Zamboanga, who was adjudged Globe Employee of the Year. Her 10-year old daughter Tara joined her on stage.

The siege, which paralyzed business operations and activities in the city, didn’t stop Atilano from sharing what she could despite the dangers involved. She personally organized and facilitated food assistance for communities adversely affected by the conflict, enabling her and her team to distribute relief food packages to Red Cross and to the Armed Forces, benefitting 4,000 individuals. Atilano further organized Brigada Eskwela program, involving distribution of school supplies to schoolchildren in war-torn areas, as well as a clean-up drive program for the benefit of those who were displaced by the conflict.

 “Glenda has done something outstanding beyond the call of duty during the siege of Zamboanga. Her example will surely inspire many into going the extra mile to serve our customers in the best way possible,” Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said.  He noted that Atilano’s commitment to service by reaching out to Globe customers in a personal way enabled her to be relevant to them even in moments of dire need.

Atilano 43, has consistently steered her team to excellence, surpassing her team’s sales target last year despite the siege’s adverse impact on the local economy. She joined Globe in 1995, after she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. 

Aside from Atilano, the following were recognized as group employees of the year: Cindy Toh, Core Business Group; Jose Carlos Valenzuela, Office of the Chief of Operating Advisor;  Shiela May Sumilhig-Juco, International Business Group; Cyril Parrenas, Enterprise Group; Ricardo Lopez, Small and Medium Business Group; Jeffrey Echaluse, Network Technical Group; Restituto Garcia, Network Technical Group;  Michelle Rodriguez, Information Security Group; Lorie Ambagan, Human Resource; Jonathan Villeta, Finance; Connie Yu, Officer of Strategic Management; and Fernando Esguerra, Corporate Communications.

Other awardees include Albert Tinio (Consumer Sales, Core Business Group), Excellence in Leadership Award; Karla Inigo Yuipco (Stores Operations, Core Business Group), Excellence in Leadership Award, Cyril Parrenas, (Enterprise Group), Outstanding Achievement in Innovation, individual; Mark Anthony Latoja,( Core Business Group), Outstanding Achievement in Wonderful Customer Service, individual; Team Cappucino (Globe Prepaid), Outstanding Achievement in Innovation, team category; and Network Operations Division Mindanao, Outstanding Achievement in Wonderful Customer Service, team Category.  Other finalists for Excellence in Leadership category were Ma. Corazon Martin, Jerome Jacobo Datu and Winsley Bangit.

Held annually, the Globe Excellence Awards recognize top achievers across ranks, positions, functions in the organization nominated by colleagues who recognize and celebrate the success of others. Awardees were selected by a panel of leaders. The annual Awards honor employees who consistently demonstrate excellence in performance and service commitment.  

#TheBestFriendEver :Globe brings National Best Friend’s Day in the PH

Let's celebrate National Best Friends Day today and create and enjoy wonderful world with our family and best friends!

As the digital brand for the youth, Globe Telecom is bringing National Best Friend’s Day to the Philippines this Sunday, June 8, alongside the launch of its new offer GoUNLI20 for prepaid subscribers.

“We are excited to offer to our prepaid customers our newest calling and surfing combo GoUNLI20 which allows them to keep in touch with their best friends at a price that’s within their easy reach. We understand that calling makes conversations more meaningful and personal, so we give them a promo that enriches their relationships anytime, anywhere. A real friend calls and with GoUNLI20, we give everyone the opportunity to be a real friend by calling all you want to make your presence felt all the time,” shared Issa Cabreira, VP for Globe Prepaid Business. 

Globe as the digital brand for the youth, leads National Best Friend’s Day only in the Philippines with fun activities.

You and your best friends can visit SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Baguio, SM Megamall, Ayala Fairview Terraces and Ayala Cebu to enjoy exciting activities, freebies and prizes. 

Special “Best Friends” cards with Globe Prepaid SIM will be distributed to those who will be at the Globe Best Friend’s Day event on Sunday. Globe Prepaid customers can also enjoy the new GoUNLI20 for free this National Best Friend’s Day.

GoUNLI20 is an all-in-one prepaid promo perfect for best friends and pals to stay connected with each other at an affordable price.

To register to GoUNLI20, dial *143# for free or text GoUNLI20 to 8888. To know more about GoUNLI20, visit www.globe.com.ph/prepaid/gounli20.

To be in the loop this National Best Friend’s Day, Globe invites netizens to share their wonderful moments and experiences with their BFFs on social media using the official hash tag #TheBestFriendEver.

Text2Teach to boost quality of education in Patikul, Sulu

he Text2Teach launch in Patikul, Sulu was led by its governor, Abdusakur “Totoh” A. Tan II, third from left. Together with him are (From L-R):  Fernando Esguerra, CSR Director, Globe Telecom;  Miguel Bermundo, CSR Expert, Globe Telecom; Sabiriya I. Hadjirul Ed.D, Education Program Supervisor, DepEd; Farouk B. Yunus Ed, Education Program Supervisor, DepEd; Sitti Lina A. Asjali, West District Supervisor, DepEd; Mercia Salarda Alli, Chair, Matawkasi Inc.; and Archimedes G. Velasco, Senior Manager, Ayala Foundation, Inc.

Mobile learning based program Text2Teach is set this academic year to enhance the top quality of education and learning in 15 primary schools in Patikul, Sulu, among the most remote island groups in the Philippines where pupil dropout rate has reached disconcerting proportions.

Text2Teach is a partnership between the exclusive and public sectors made up of Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation, Nokia, Pearson Foundation, Toshiba, the Department of Education, and the local government units.

This initiative also acts as a driver for peace and development initiatives. Text2Teach helps forge and grow cooperation between the local government of Sulu, the Philippine Marine Corps, and the academe to engage in academic programs as an efficient method to go after peace and prosperity in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Educational products will be offered to the youth in Sulu for them to obtain the exact same kind of learning materials gotten by the remainder of the nation. The Text2Teach training program is expected to enhance educator spirits and boost the knowing setting in the class, with the end-goal of dramatically decreasing the drop-out rate and significantly boost the discovering gains.

To find out more, you may see this website: http://www.globe.com.ph/press-room/text2teach-to-boost-quality-of-education-in-patikul

Globe backs NTC stance of mandatory IP peering for faster internet speeds

Globe Telecom supports the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) placement that a mandatory IP peering amongst providers should be put in place to improve internet services in the country. Globe preserves that there should not be any type of gain access to charge to this to sustain or reduced internet prices.

At a recent joint hearing of the Senate task forces on field and civil services, the NTC cited the absence of IP peering among local ISPs as one of aspects that contribute to slower internet speeds in the nation. The governing body pointed out that when it come to Singapore and South Korea, for instance, web content are primarily created internally, as an outcome of an effective IP peering plan, which in turn enhances net speed.

IP peering allows one ISP to connect with an additional carrier, giving both ears companies a direct route for fast exchange of info, significantly enhancing throughput and latency efficiency of ISPs and improve bandwidth application.

To find out more, you may see this site: http://www.globe.com.ph/press-room/globe-backs-ntc-stance-of-mandatory-ip