by admin | Aug 25, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
The international technology conference Geeks on A Beach opened its sessions today, August 25, 2016 at the Bellevue Hotel Pavillion in Doljo, Panglao, Bohol. The unique thing of this conference is that everyone is encouraged to come in their beach attire.
The morning session started with the national anthem and Bohol hymn. The masters of ceremony are Dave Overton, CEO/Founder of Sym.ph and Albert Padin, Founder, Sym.ph. Ms. Tina Amper, founder of Techtalks.ph delivered the opening message. Mr. Mon Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant, of the new Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) spoke about the how the government is working with the community to empower startups to innovate.
Francis R. Oliva, Head Community Partnerships, PLDT SME Nation gave his insights as a corporate entrepreneur on adaptability in an ever-changing business landscape.
David Brown, Managing Director of Techstars, talked about Global Startup Phenomenon and its Impact on Emerging Countries. Brown emphasized that they are not trying to make another Silicon Valley but rather for communities to grow their own ecosystem.
The previous night, the participants went for networking dinner at the Muro-Ami resort.
Geeks on A Beach Participants during the opening program.
Mon Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) delivers addresses the participants at GOAB.
by admin | Aug 20, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), the international tech and startup convention will have its fourth run in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines this August 25-26, 2016.
“Geeks on a Beach” (GOAB) is a unique international conference featuring the cutting-edge of the tech world in a laid-back atmosphere. With the theme “Empowering startups, leading change”, GOAB4 will once more highlight communities of startups or innovation-driven enterprises based on software or apps, which have seen remarkable growth in the Philippines in the last few years. GOAB has greatly contributed in empowering Philippine startups.
“We are looking at startups taking the lead in strategically leveraging opportunities offered by a bigger regional market of ten countries with some 617 million people and a combined GDP of US $2.1 trillion opened up by the Asean integration,” said Mon Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant, Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).
Organized by TechTalks.ph and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and co-presented by PLDT SME Nation, Ideaspace, PLDT Innolab and SmartDevNet, the 4th annual GOAB gathering will be held at the Bellevue Resort Hotel in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines.
Some of the brightest minds in the industry from the USA, Singapore and other countries will be on hand at the 2016 GOAB. Invited to speak in the confab are Techstars Co-founder and Managing Partner David Brown, Startup Weekend Co-founder Marc Nager, Chris McCann of Greylock Partners, Crowdsourcing Week Founder and CEO Epi Ludvik Nekaj, 500 Startups Managing Partner/Investor Khailee Ng, 500 Startups Corporate Innovation Director Arnaud Bonzom, Zalora Philippines Managing Director Constantine Robertz, PLDT SME Nation Head of Community Partnerships Francis Oliva, Ideaspace.ph Managing Director Diane Eustaquio, TechTalks.ph Chief Content Officer Robert Cristobal, Citrix Principal UX Designer Philip McKay, and STAC Silicon Valley President Cristina Laskowski.
Tina Amper, founder of TechTalks.ph who has been instrumental in conceptualizing GOAB said those who are into digital technology, web design, and innovation should not miss this opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the industry and meet the key players in the tech startup world.
“The Philippines’ remarkable work-play environment complemented by the famous Filipino hospitality and a unique cultural mix of East and West makes it the natural cultural doorway to the ASEAN for geeks and investors alike,” said Amper.
GOAB is held in partnership with Bohol Provincial Government, Tagbilaran City, HappyGaraje, Sym.ph, and PR Works. This year’s official airline partner is Philippines AirAsia. Silver Sponsors are Zalora, Mynimo, Teradoor, PouchNation, A Space and Infocomm Investments, while Bronze Sponsors are Yoyo Holdings, Payoneer, Eurekloud, USAID-STRIDE, Eastern Communications, RTI International, Piktochart, Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Department of Tourism, Launchgarage, US Embassy, Microsoft and StarTechUp Inc. Major organizational partners are Internet.org by Facebook and FbStart. GOAB organizational partners are Philippines Software Industry Association, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, UP CebuInit.org, CedFIT.org, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines, Developers Connect, STAC Silicon Valley and GoNegosyo. Media partners are Auza.Net, Tech in Asia, Geeks in Cambodia, Hubnob.tv, InnoPub Media, Mytechisland.com, Zerothreetwo.com, Jumpstart Magazine, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Innovation is Everywhere, e27, Newsdesk Asia, WazzupPilipinas, Escooped.com,Istorya.net, Expat Philippines, PayPerClick.ph, TopTen.ph and Our Awesome Planet. GOAB founding sponsors are Smart, Smart Bro, Smart Devnet, Ideaspace, Mynimo.com, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, STAC Silicon Valley, Islands, Istorya.net, GT Cosmetics, Chef on Demand and Ng Khai Development Corporation
Internet.org by Facebook will be hosting the “Happy Hour” closing party on the last day of the 2-day event. Facebook will present Internet.org in one of the GOAB special sessions on Thursday. Internet.org’s mission is to make the world more open and connected by developing a range of solutions to address connectivity barriers such as accessibility, affordability and awareness—in hopes that one day, everyone will be connected.
GOAB participants include a mix of software professionals, developers, designers, startups, tech/startup enthusiasts, business professionals, investors, the government, academe and various organizations supporting the innovation community in the Philippines.
“We are excited to have this fruitful collaboration with Internet.org by Facebook. We are happy that an initiative by a startup that has really made it big has gone out of its way to help GOAB empower other startups,” said Dave Overton, GOAB Chief Geek and Founder/CEO of Sym.ph.
For more information, to sponsor or purchase tickets, visit, www.GeeksOnABeach.com; or contact Hello@GeeksOnABeach.com. Facebook: Geeks On A Beach and Twitter @GeeksOnABeach.
by admin | Aug 18, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
Seven promising global startups will be joining the international pitching competition at the Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) tech and startup conference at Bellevue Hotel in Panglao Island, Bohol on August 25-26, 2016.
The seven finalists are:
- AnnualBooks(Philippines), a platform that allows schools to create Online Yearbooks, School Newspapers, Collaboration Tools for Teachers/Parents/Students, E-Learning system, Alumni Center, Grades Monitoring System, and much more;
- engageSpark(Philippines), a digital solution that lets non-techies at non-profits (and businesses) build interactive Automated Phone Calls and 2-Way SMS programs to engage the poor in developing countries.
- Grow360(Singapore), a platform that provides feedback, self-development tools and access to coaches for professionals;
- iUNGOCorp(Netherlands), a platform for managing energy demand, so that home owners, building administrators and utility service providers can manage energy consumption in a more intelligent way;
- Liser Robotics(Philippines), a robotic educational system for teaching computer coding to kids;
- LookingFour(Philippines), a platform where buyers post products they need and match suppliers notified; and
- TrustMyStaff(Cambodia), a digital service that is aimed at employers who wish to fill a job vacancy quickly, efficiently and with an honest candidate. It helps find a candidate who is a good psychological fit for the vacancy.
These startups were chosen from a pool of 14 applicants hailing from 7 countries, including Cambodia, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine and USA.
Each of the finalists will be given three minutes each to pitch and two minutes to answer question in front of the international pitching competition panel of judges and audience.
The judges are Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director, IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc.; Monchito Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant, DICT; Arup Maity, President, Blast Asia and Xamun, Inc.; Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Startups; Francis Oliva, Head of Community Partnerships, PLDT Smart SME Nation; Tong Hsien Hui, Investment Director, Infocomm Investment Pte Ltd (IIPL); and Marc Nager, Chief Community Officer, TechStars.
TechTalks.ph founder Tina Amper said the GOAB international contest will offer a US $1,000 prize to a single winner. “The event will bring publicity on the startup, hopefully attract more users, investors, or mentors to said enterprise. The most promising startup or innovation-driven enterprise will receive mentoring and limited consultation services from event organizers” she said.
GOAB, which had its debut in Boracay Island in 2013, is organized by TechTalks.ph, co-organized by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and co-presented by PLDT SME Nation, Ideaspace, SmartDevNet, PLDT Innolab, and Smart.
GOAB is held in partnership with Bohol Provincial Government, Tagbilaran City, HappyGaraje, Sym.ph, and PR Works. This year’s official airline partner is Philippines AirAsia. Silver Sponsors are Zalora, Mynimo, Teradoor, PouchNation, A Space and Infocomm Investments, while Bronze Sponsors are Yoyo Holdings, Payoneer, Eurekloud, USAID-STRIDE, Eastern Communications, RTI International, Piktochart, Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Department of Tourism, Launchgarage, US Embassy, Microsoft and StarTechUp Inc. GOAB organizational partners are Philippines Software Industry Association, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, UP CebuInit.org, CedFIT.org, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines, Developers Connect, STAC Silicon Valley and GoNegosyo. Media partners are Auza.Net, Tech in Asia, Geeks in Cambodia, Hubnob.tv, InnoPub Media, Mytechisland.com, Zerothreetwo.com, Jumpstart Magazine, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Innovation is Everywhere, e27, Newsdesk Asia, WazzupPilipinas, Escooped.com,Istorya.net, Expat Philippines, PayPerClick.ph, TopTen.ph and Our Awesome Planet. GOAB founding sponsors are Smart, Smart Bro, Smart Devnet, Ideaspace, Mynimo.com, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, STAC Silicon Valley, Islands, Istorya.net, GT Cosmetics, Chef on Demand and Ng Khai Development Corporation
For more information, to sponsor or purchase tickets, visit, www.GeeksOnABeach.com; or contact Hello@GeeksOnABeach.com. Facebook: Geeks On A Beach and Twitter @GeeksOnABeach.
Media Contact:
Doris I. Mongaya
PR Works Inc.
prworks2003@gmail.com
0917 791 9545
by admin | Aug 13, 2016 | Opinion, Tech Talk
By: Jerome Auza
Bohol will be in the international limelight this year because it will be hosting two technology conferences later this month and another one in October. On August 25-26, the tech startup, technology and design conference called Geeks on a Beach or GOAB will be held at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao, Bohol. A few days before the GOAB, another technology conference called TechStars will also be held at the same venue on August 22-23. TechStars, though, is a private event and is by invitation only.
Then in October, the OCEAN16 (Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions) Summit, a bi-annual gathering in the Philippines that brings together leaders across sectors to connect, discover new ideas, and shape the Philippine future together. OCEAN16 will be held at the Be Grand Resort in Panglao, Bohol on October 21-23.
Indeed, Bohol is on the radar screens of the international technology and startup community and this is a great opportunity for all stakeholders in Bohol. These conferences will not only bring tourism related revenue but also open up various possibilities in the ICT/BPO sector, real estate investments and other business initiatives. Venture capitalists, investors, CEOs, government officials, business leaders, innovators and designers are coming together in the province so both the private and public sectors should be on the lookout for business opportunities.
Representatives from the various sectors in business, government, academe and private sector should be sent by their respective offices to these conferences. The conference fees are pricier than the usual seminars held in the province but because there is no need to travel and get hotel accommodations for the local attendees, this is an opportunity to spend much lesser compared to when the representatives have to travel to another city to attend similar conferences.
As a province, let us all be ready to network with the international startup and technology community and spot opportunities to generate business activity and jobs in Bohol. Who knows, the next big success story might be made in Bohol.
by admin | Aug 6, 2016 | Tech Talk
It will be easy for geeks, people who are understood to be connoisseurs of tech, design and startups, to find Panglao Island to be a fun-filled and exciting place to visit. Gone are the days when the term geek used to refer to a circus performer whose act includes the eating of live animals. But today’s tech-dependent geek are not only certified tech-savvy millennials but also fun-loving, playful, witty, encyclopedic, and inquisitive party-enthusiasts. Of course, not all geeks are created equal so some may prefer quiet and relaxed atmosphere with nature. All of which can be found in Bohol.
Panglao Island has been the favored watering hole of tourists, diving enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike with its pristine waters, palm trees, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. A small town of over 68,000 people, Panglao is a mere half-hour away drive from the provincial capital Tagbilaran in the southwestern coast of Bohol in the Philippines. Its proximity to civilization while retaining its charms as an almost untouched tropical paradise should make it the perfect place for adventure-seeking yet tech-dependent geeks.
This is the place to be for geeks looking for an all-in-one escapade with resorts, bars and souvenir shops in an 80.5 square kilometer island considered to be one of the leading marine biodiversity hotspots in the world. Geeks can go island-hopping, dolphin watching, or take a dip in an underground lake inside a coral cave. Panglao is also the site of Hinagdanan Cave that hides within its naturally lighted depths a lagoon. It is also very near Loboc River which is world-famous for its river-cruise and floating restaurants.
Interestingly, Alona Beach is Panglao’s most famous beach. One intriguing detail about Alona Beach, where many of Panglao’s resorts and shops are located, is its name. This one and a half kilometer stretch was named so by locals after sexy star Alona Alegre filmed a television advertisement for an alcoholic drink in the beach wearing revealing bikini attire on horseback.
Panglao has been named by the prestigious Travel+Leisure magazine as one of the 15 best secret beaches on earth in 2012 which are said to be “understated, unexpected, and —at least for now—under the radar.” Geeks looking for a haven that is not as crowded as Boracay can choose this destination which has been favourably compared with Todos Santos in Mexico, Puako in Hawaii, Ibo Island in Mozambique, Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam, Salema in Portugal, Palm Beach in Barbuda, Cirali Beach in Turkey, Koh Lanta in Thailand, and Alagoas in Brazil.
Geeks will be happy to know that all these will become closer to more people as the Philippine government has begun the construction of a new world-class eco-friendly airport in the area. Expected to be completed by the year 2018, the eco-airport will feature state-of-the-art environmentally sustainable technologies including the use of LED lights, natural lights, and ventilation for public areas and the use of solar energy to power airconditioning.
Come the month of August, Panglao Island in Bohol will be the host of the country’s biggest tech event, the fourth edition of the annual global tech and startup event Geeks on a Beach (GOAB). Geeks who want to experience all the great stuff in Panglao should attend GOAB. It will be held on August 25-26 at the Bellevue Hotel in Panglao.
GOAB is open to all whether you have a tech background or not. If you are interested in the topics of tech, business and design then you will find like-minded people at this event. Startups are defined as high growth, high risk tech-enabled businesses. Facebook, instagram and viber used to be startups but are now billion dollar companies.
This event will feature industry leaders from the Asian region as well as Silicon Valley. It is suitable for anyone already in or interested in the tech or startup business; those who are interested in doing businesses in Asia; those who want to know how tech/online tools can help their businesses. No need to go abroad to find these world renowned speakers as they are coming to the Philippines.
GOAB is held in partnership with HappyGaraje, Sym.ph, PR Works, Zalora, Mynimo, Teradoor, Pouch Nation, A Space, USAID-STRIDE, Yoyo Holdings, Eurekloud, Payoneer and Startechup Inc. GOAB4 organizational partners are Philippines Software Industry Association (PSIA), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines., UP CebuInit.org, CedFIT.org, Game Developers Association of the Philippines., Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines., Developers Connect, STAC Silicon Valley and GoNegosyo. This year’s GOAB media partners are Newsdesk Asia, Auza.Net, Tech in Asia, Geeks in Cambodia, Mytechisland.com, Hubnob.tv, InnoPub Media, Zerothreetwo.com, Jumpstart Magazine and Mobile Ecosystem Forum.
Panglao, Bohol
For more information, to sponsor or purchase tickets, visit, www.GeeksOnABeach.com; or contact Hello@GeeksOnABeach.com. Facebook: Geeks On A Beach and Twitter @GeeksOnABeach.
by admin | Aug 6, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
OCEAN (Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions) is a bi-annual gathering in the Philippines that brings together leaders across sectors to connect, discover new ideas, and shape the Philippine future together. This year’s event will be held at the Be Grand Resort in Panglao, Bohol on October 21-23. The theme for OCEAN16 is “The Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
The organizing committee of OCEAN16 has tapped the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the local partner for the event. BCCI will play a vital role in organizing the event. Officers of the BCCI and OCEAN16 representatives held a meeting on August 6, 2016 at the Belian Hotel to discuss the details of the partnership. Earlier in July 2016, Micaela Beltran, member of the organizing committee of OCEAN16 presented the concept of the event during the regular board meeting of the BCCI.
The OCEAN16 objective is to make the Philippines and the ASEAN as leaders in the digital age through public-private initiatives. Among the speakers are Senator Paolo Benigno Aguirre Aquino IV and Winston Damarillo, an
Entrepreneur, CSO at PLDT.
Representatives of OCEAN16 organizing committee and the officers of the BCCI during the meeting at Belian Hotel on August 6, 2016.
