by admin | Oct 31, 2015 | Headlines
Telstra, an Australian telco, plans to invest US$1B in a possible joint venture with conglomerate San Miguel Corporation. Telstra chief Andy Penn was quoted by The Australian that the telco giant may spend up to $US1 billion if it closes the deal with SMC. Foreign companies may own up to 40% equity in Philippine corporations.
Penn expects a great opportunity for Telstra in the Philippines because there are only two incumbents with services that could be improved. Telstra could provide a strong alternative to subscribers in the Philippines who have been clamoring for data services that are at par with western countries.
San Miguel Corporation will roll out its mobile data network through its telecommunications unit Bell Telecommunications.
Telstra has been present in the Philippines for more than six years through its call center operations. In 2013, the company launched its own directly operate call center in Makati.
EBITDA (Earnings before income tax, deprecation and amortizations) is relative strong for the incumbent players. Telstra is bullish on the prospects of the joint venture with SMC.
Penn was also quoted as saying that the services of the current players are “lousy“.
by admin | Oct 31, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, October 31 (PIA) –To simply look at it, drastically cutting Bohol jail population is as simple as making ways to take out those facing drug suits, of which number over half of the 1038 committed in the five jails here.
That however is easier said than done.
The situation is made bleaker with the continuing uptrend in the number of drug cases filed, even at the level of the Regional Trial Courts.
According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from July to September, the RTC saw 125 drug cases filed before it.
That same span of time of three months, Bohol only saw six convictions, three acquittals and five dismissed cases, PDEA bared at the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting October 30.
At this current rate, curbing the swelling population at the jails may not be as easy.
A report delivered by Bohol District Jail warden, Jail Senior Inspector Jose RusylviAbueva at the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting revealed that persons committed in Bohol jails due to drug related problems number 541.
In his report, Inspector Abueva, who also administers four more jails aside from the BDJ, showed that violations against Republic Act 9165 significantly populate the jails, several times over murder which ranks second among the top crimes committing persons in detention centers.
At the BDJ for example, as of October 26, 2015, of the 541 presently detained in jails, 321 are kept to be easily available for the different stages of case litigation from pre-trial conferences, arraignment, trial and those awaiting promulgation or service sentences.
At the Tagbilaran City District Jail, of the 201 detainees, 105 of them are facing drug suits.
Of the 105, 10 are on pretrial conference, three are presently arraigned, 85 are on trial and six are awaiting case promulgation while one is serving his sentence.
At the Carmen District Jail, one detainee is on arraignment while 30 are in trial, at the jail where its population is 87.
In Talibon District Jail, with a population of 87 detainees, 52 detainees are on trial for the different violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act, according to Abueva’s reports to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, of which he is an officer.
At the Ubay District Jail, 54 of the 122 inmates are currently kept safe to respond to drug accusations.
Of the 54, five are on pre-trial conference, one on arraignment and 58 are on trial, Abueva pointed out. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Oct 24, 2015 | Opinion
by: Jerome Auza
The country’s longest running noon time show Eat Bulaga has broken the world record on number of tweets for its hashtag #ALDubEBTamangPanahon on October 24, 2015. As of this writing, the number of tweets in 24 hours have exceeded 36 million, surpassing the 35.6 million tweets for the #Worldcup hashtag. This is a milestone for the local entertainment industry and my congratulations go to the cast and management of Eat Bulaga.
Why is the ALDub segment of the show so popular? On the surface, it’s just a love story with a major obstacle and a cast of comedians. Behind the scenes though, the Eat Bulaga team have brilliantly developed the story in a way that it appealed to virtually everyone.
In a previous article, I talked about Eat Bulaga’s first major tweet record of more than 11 million tweets.
During the episode on October 24, Lola Nidora finally gave permission for the pair to be together without the “1 foot” distance requirement because it was now the right time or “tamang panahon”. Fans of the show burst with joy when the Alden and Yaya Dub finally were allowed to hold hands and even hug. Lola Nidora had been forbidding them to even touch each other.
In subtle ways, the show is showing its audience how young people should behave especially if there is attraction between a boy and a girl. Lola Nidora reminds Alden and Yaya Dub about trust, patience and waiting for the right time. I commend Eat Bulaga for being very responsible in handling the popularity of the ALDub love team. There was not even a hint of inappropriate actions. The love team held hands and hugged, but they never kissed because they promised to Lola Nidora that there will be no kiss on that day.
And I think this is why many Filipinos are attracted to the show. It is wholesome. It is clean fun. The whole family could watch it. It reminds us of traditional values in a subtle but effective way. We may be in a very modern world, with state of the art technology in our pockets, but we really want to stick to traditional values.
The “Tamang Panahon” episode was even used to raise funds for the building of libraries throughout the Philippines. The ticket sales on the first day it was announced was in itself a record for Ticket World. 100% of the sales would go to the library fund.
On the technical side, what does it mean if Eat Bulaga could set Twitter records? For one, it becomes a very solid proof its popularity and thus it means it can demand a very good price for ad placements. Being a trending topic on Twitter means the show will get even more exposure on the web as people who have not heard of Eat Bulaga will see the hashtags and could get curious and see the information. The topic then gets even more viral over the Internet.
The recent TV ratings conducted by independent firms are all in favor now of Eat Bulaga compared to other shows. Add to that the popularity on Twitter, Eat Bulaga and the ALDub tandem will surely get worldwide attention. Who knows what endorsement deals they can get later on? Already there are hints of them being featured in regional magazines in Asia.
The ALDub phenomenon is a great case study in marketing, specifically in digital marketing where social media was effectively used. Businesses interested in how to get their products and services popular on the Internet can get a lesson or two if they study the methods used by Eat Bulaga. Or they can just do it the easy but expensive way: hire Alden and Yaya Dub as their endorsers.
by admin | Oct 24, 2015 | Tech Talk
Solar Philippines introduces its Do-It-Yourself plug-and-play solar power generation system which is intended for residential application for houses that consume about Php3,000 worth of electricity per month. The 500W system is grid-tied and includes everything needed to setup the system. It is estimated to save about Php700 per month in electricity consumption.
At Php57,000 per system, the savings will pay off the system in less than seven years. Solar systems, when installed and used properly, are expected to last 20 years.
The kit includes everything needed to setup the system:
2pcs – 250W Solar Panels
1lot – mounting structure (V-type)
4pcs – 6mm2 solar DC wire complete with MC4
1pc – 500W microinverter
1pc – kiloWatt-hour meter (single phase, two-wire)
1pc – heavy duty male plug
After installation and connecting the wires, the system is plugged into an electrical outlet and will automatically connect to the grid and supply electricity to the house. When there is brownout, the system doesn’t produce electricity, which is a safety feature to avoid accidentally electrocuting electricians who may be doing maintenance.
To know more about the system, visit the webpage at http://www.solarphilippines.ph/do-it-yourself/
by admin | Oct 21, 2015 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
MANILA, October 20, (PIA)—Agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala reveals government plan to put up a good and strategic trading post in Bohol.
This is in line with the bid to elevate the agro-industry production here and create a local source for the demand for vegetables here.
The plan could also maximize high value commercial production in Bohol, especially that the highlands in Jagna, Duero and Sierra Bullones have proven to be good for vegetable farming.
But, with vegetables as easily damaging crops unsuitable for long storage and uncertain market connection, most farmers would rather not pant than waste these in the process of getting to the markets.
Alcala, who came to Bohol as guest of honor and speaker during the World Food day celebration in Bohol October 14, told Boholanos that about 50-60% of vegetables consumed here come from outside Bohol.
Many believe such is so because Boholanos do not see vegetable production as profitable without the proper market assistance and infrastructure set up.
“It is high time that we put up a good strategic trading post in Bohol,” Alcala announced during the jampacked crowd gathered at the Bohol Cultural Center.
Already a set up infrastructure technology during the previous administration, the trading post concept is a resurrection of the “bagsakan centers,” which then Agriculture secretary Artur Yap implemented in his term.
“We refuse to call it bagsakan anymore,” Alcala said, “because even before it could soar, it has already fallen,” he quipped, unmindful of the presence of the former aggie chief in the stage.
The Quezon born former congressman and now agriculture czar asserted that a trading post still uses the middlemen but regulates them so it levels the prices and facilitates the marketability of vegetables.
Here, with a trading post strategically located, a farmer owning 2-3 hectares can easily move up his economic status by sending their produce to the trading hub.
In his home in Sariaya Quezon, a farmer of 2-3 hectare farm have sent their produce to trading posts and are now silent millionaires.
“We will continue to help in making Bohol people’s lives better, the secretary” said. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
