Globe engineer receives ASEAN engineers’ award

A Globe engineer who leads the rollout of new technology was recently awarded the 1st ASEAN Outstanding Young Engineers Award 2022 for his contributions to the advancement of the engineering profession, his company, and the ASEAN.

The award was conferred on Globe’s Network Strategy and Technology Enablement Head Gerhard Tan at the 40th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (CAFEO 40) held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

Candidates from ASEAN countries underwent a comprehensive and demanding evaluation process. This rigorous process resulted in the recognition of just three exceptional engineers: Tan and counterparts from Singapore and Cambodia,

Tan has over 16 years of experience in Technology Strategy, Network Solutions, Access Network Planning, and Radio Network Engineering, including the planning, design, implementation, and pre-optimization of large networks with over 7000 BTS for 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi and Small Cell Networks.

In Globe, Tan is responsible for testing, research and development of new products, devices and technologies including 5G use cases, Internet of Things (IoT), and energy efficiency initiatives, among others. 

Tan has also been instrumental in spearheading several innovative projects such as Project Diwalwal, Project Pinya, and Network In A Box, an innovative solution aimed at addressing mobile coverage holes and improving connectivity in the country.

Tan has received numerous awards, including the Globe Excellence Award for Volunteerism in 2020, Global Youth Leadership Award in 2019, ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Award in 2017 and the Outstanding Electronics Engineer in the field of Communications by the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IECEP) in 2013.  The company also sponsored him to pursue the Globe-AIM Management Development Program at the Asian Institute of Management.

RCBC wins multiple digital awards

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation has been awarded as 2023’s Best Digital Bank by the World Economic Magazine for the second consecutive year. RCBC also clinched the Best Bank for ESG Philippines and Best Bank for Financial Inclusion awards. These accolades recognize RCBC’s digital services – RCBC Digital, RCBC DiskarTech, and RCBC ATM Go – as topnotch innovative breakthroughs in digital banking.

RCBC Digital features person-to-merchant QR payments, in-app unit investment trust fund (UITF) placement, mobile check deposit, and the Philippines’ first digital concierge, among others.

RCBC DiskarTech meanwhile is the Philippines’ first multi-lingual financial inclusion mobile app in Taglish and Cebuano languages, and offers a wide array of financial services like opening of a basic deposit account that earn 6.5 percent interest per annum, fund transfers for only 8 pesos to any bank and e-wallets and free to RCBC and DiskarTech users, mobile load, telemedicine, insurance, and micro-loans. It now has close to 100,000 cash in agent network.

RCBC ATM Go, the Philippines’s first neighborhood and last mile mobile handheld ATM network, covering all 82 provinces, aided DSWD and DOLE in the distribution of financial assistance to Filipinos in difficult to reach areas. Lastly, RCBC MoneyBela Barangayan Banking fuses digital prowess and empathy as the first physical-digital (phygital) blended banking experience that facilitates financial transactions even to far-flung communities of the country. 

PMC  promos

Power Mac Center (PMC) is holding a special promo this February in all its stores and online, especially for music lovers.

AirPods (3rd gen) can be had at P1,000 off at any PMC or The Loop branch nationwide, or online via the Viber Store, Lazada, Shopee, and SM Malls Online app until February 19. You can also cop the AirPods (2nd gen) at P1,500 off until February 28.

Participating premium AirPods cases are discounted at 30 percent off when bought together with AirPods at any PMC, The Loop, and Mobile Care Service Centers nationwide and at Power Mac Center until February 19.

A wide selection of in-ear, wireless, and noise-cancelling earphones and earbuds are slashed up to 50 percent off retail price, available at all PMC, The Loop, and Mobile Care Service Centers nationwide, Web Store, and in the official store on Lazada and Shopee from February 11 to 19.

Deals are valid for non-installment payment methods.

Basecamp, PMC’s official training arm, is offering its creative and technical courses on a two-for-one deal while service arm Mobile Care is giving 14 percent discount on diagnosis and software fees until February 19.

Balai Pandesal expands distribution in Cebu

Balai ni Fruitas, listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker BALAI, is expanding the distribution of Balai Pandesal baked goods in Cebu through supermarkets and convenience stores. 

Supermarkets in Cebu initially carrying Balai Pandesal baked goods include Gaisano Country Mall, Gaisano Main Colon, and Gaisano Market Square. Balai Pandesal baked goods are also available in two branches of 24 Summit Pharmacy in Cebu. Additional Metro Gaisano supermarkets are expected to carry Balai Pandesal products soon. These include branches in Ayala Center Cebu, Super Metro Colon, Metro Colon, Super Metro Lapu, and Super Metro Mambaling.

Balai Pandesal is available in its anchor store in Cebu located at 30 Cabarrubias St., Tisa, Cebu City.  Seven other community stores within the Fruitas network in Cebu.  

Top 100 leaders 

AXA Philippines chief technology and transformation officer Carlos  Santos  was recently awarded as one of the top 100 tech leaders in Asean and Hong Kong by CIO 100 2022 at a special ceremony at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

CIO 100 is regarded as a symbol of enterprise excellence. The award-giving body recognizes the top 100 senior technology leaders and teams that drive innovation, strengthen resiliency, and influence rapid development. 

Bayad and Omega BCI partnership

Bayad has sealed a partnership with Omega Business Consulting Inc. (Omega BCI), a financial management service provider, boosting the bills payment capability of the latter through its web-based application, Paymybills. 

Over 91 billers are  onboarded on the said platform, covering payments for electric and water utility, cable and internet, government contributions, loan payments, school tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others.

Emmanuel Masangkay, Omega BCI president and CEO,  said the company’s partnership with Bayad, amplifies their  shared  passion of helping their stakeholders  to effectively manage their finances. 

Digitization training for MSMEs

Shopee recently conducted a workshop and guided onboarding for Quirino Province representatives to help digitize and promote the local products in the province, as part of its commitment to uplift communities and boost local economy through e-commerce.

The Quirino Province online store featuring various local products of the province is set to be exclusively launched soon on Shopee. 

5th Bravo Awards nomination opens

Security Bank and long-time partner Zonta Club of Makati & Environs has begun accepting nominations for the Bravo Empowered Women Awards 2023, now on its fifth year.

The awards program recognizes female trailblazers who have achieved success in their careers and personal advocacies. The distinctions are given to Filipinas championing social change and economic progress in the country and work to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

One awardee will be chosen for each of the eight categories: Arts, Culture & Heritage; Business; Education; Media & Public Affairs; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Social Services; Sports, and Tourism & Hospitality.  

Aside from joining the distinguished roster of Bravo women, winners will also receive P50,000 each, to use for their chosen causes. 

Manila  to host Rotary int’l convention

Rotary International announced Manila as the winner of the provisional bid to hold its annual international convention, June 2028, which is set to be the largest and most multi-cultural gathering ever hosted in the country.

More than 25,000 Rotary members and participants from around the world are expected to gather in Manila to connect, learn from each other and various experts, and share ideas for bringing positive, lasting change to communities around the world. The annual Rotary convention is held in different cities around the world, and Rotary’s 119th convention is the first to be held in Manila.

The winning bid was led by Rotary regional leader, past district governor Samuel D. Pagdilao, Jr. and supported by Rotary clubs in the Philippines. Various public agencies including the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, and other MICE industry stakeholders also contributed to the successful bid.

PLDT Global’s TINBO raffle promo

PLDT Global Corp.   is rewarding its customers who will register and transact on Tinbo.ph with as much as P100,000 in cash in its latest raffle promo.

Tindahan ni Bossing (TINBO), the one-stop gateway for digital services powered by PLDT Global, enables global Filipinos to care for their families back home by providing access to services for connectivity, bills payment with Bayad, digital banking needs via Maya, and other partners. Overseas Filipinos can also buy food and groceries for their families in the Philippines through TINBO.

From February 9 until March 15, 2023, overseas Filipinos who will register to TINBO can immediately earn one raffle entry. Additional raffle entries may also be earned for every P50 transaction at tinbo.ph.  This promo is only open to TINBO subscribers outside the Philippines.

Winners will be able to enjoy P5,000 and P10,000 worth of TINBO Vouchers that they can use to purchase products or pay their bills on tinbo.ph. Ten  customers can also win an NCLEX Review from TOPRANK Review Academy worth P29,000 each. For the grand prize, one lucky customer will take home P100,000 cash during the final draw on March 15, 2023.

Investing in stocks for newbies

Financial advisor Mark Joseph Fernandez, a certified public accountant and registered financial consultant, is holding seminars on how to invest and manage finances.

Fernandez’ company FinancePH organizes financial literacy seminars where he shares tips on discerning which company to invest in.

He will soon publish a guidebook on making money in the global stock market. The target readers are novices, particularly students and teachers who can educate them on the basics.