by admin | Jun 14, 2017 | Features, Globe Updates
The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are once again going head-to-head at the 2017 NBA Finals, so never miss a moment with Globe and the NBA League Pass through the NBA app!
The much-awaited rematch between the 2016 NBA Finals Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors continues to heat up, and fans can catch all the heart-pumping action of The Finals live through Globe and the NBA app.
The improved NBA app offers an easier way for NBA LEAGUE PASS promo customers to access premium NBA content, including all live NBA Finals games, with just a few taps on their mobile device. Upon subscription to any NBA promo, customers will receive a link via SMS. The link directs them to the NBA app to verify their mobile number. Afterwards, fans can already enjoy the games live on their devices.
The NBA app gives millions of fans access to NBA LEAGUE PASS where users can enjoy premium content via the Video Vault—a collection of archived NBA videos and TV shows including Hardwood Classics games, NBA Inside Stuff and Shaqtin’ A Fool among others. Customers can also experience all these in HD video, multi-game viewing modes, as well as home and away game commentary, and integrated game stats modules.
“We’ve worked hard with the NBA to make it much easier for our customers to enjoy watching the NBA, especially The Finals. With the NBA app and the NBA LEAGUE PASS through Globe, fans will never miss a single moment, whether it’s heart-stopping buzzer beaters, or those epic chase down blocks, whenever and wherever” said Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal.
In 2014, Globe Telecom and NBA signed a comprehensive, multiyear partnership that involves offering customers exciting NBA-related promotions and premium services. These include the introduction of the NBA LEAGUE PASS that allows customers to get live and on-demand HD access to games played during the NBA regular season, Playoffs, The Finals, All-Star Weekend, and most of the pre-season activities right on their devices.
Register to NBA LEAGUE PASS by sending NBA499 to 8080 for a 30-day premium access. Other available variants include NBA50 for 1 NBA LEAGUE PASS valid for 24 hours for only P50 and NBA299 for 24-hours of premium access for 7 days for only P299.
by admin | Jun 13, 2017 | DTI Updates, Tech Talk
The fabrication laboratory (FabLab), a design co-creation platform in Bohol supporting Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was cited among the top winners in an annual competition for start-up businesses using science and technology for innovative ideas.
Bohol FabLab won 200,000 yen prize money from THK, a Japanese-listed company in the Tokyo Stock Exchange who will then collaborate with FabLab for a development project involving the latter’s upcycling facility.
The award was among those given in the Tech Planter competition organized by a venture firm based in Japan Leave A Nest Co. Ltd meant for hardware makers that leverage science and technology for innovative business ideas. Same competitions are also held in countries like Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Aside from FabLab’s upcycling project, other winning teams introduced innovations such as using light pigmented ube (purple yam) for commercial use, a mind-based alert system for paralysed patients, and a vending machine for over-the-counter medicines or first aid.
“Winning the competition gives Bohol Fablab and its beneficiaries the opportunity to partner with other companies and scale up its operations,” said Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) Shiro Takaki who mentored and coordinated the Bohol FabLab participation in the competition.
The contest saw the potential of Bohol FabLab’s heat press machine, an upcycling equipment developed by Takaki to form new products from waste materials like plastic.
Global luxury brand Louis Vuitton already expressed interest to source materials for the interior designs of their boutique from the FabLab.
Established in 2014, the Bohol FabLab began as a development cooperation initiative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) JOCV Program, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bohol, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Bohol Island State University (BISU).
About 135 manufacturers in Bohol initially became part of FabLab who benefited from the platform by enabling them to make product prototypes faster, create scale models, illustrate graphic designs, combine local materials, and even mass produce products.
“The award gives FabLab Bohol opportunity to use technology in helping the community and environment through our plastic upcycling project,” said Alfred Vicere, staff of Bohol FabLab.
FabLab technical manager and BISU instructor Jerome Manatad added that ‘the prize will give chance to also commercialize the heat press to benefit more MSMEs and communities.’
Already, a women’s group in Barangay Cogon, Bohol are using the heat press machine to create souvenir items from recycled plastic, a livelihood project supported by another JOCV.
FabLab is a concept that began in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to help grassroots communities translate their design ideas into physical forms with help of computers. The concept was such a success that it already has a global network including USA, Kenya, and Afghanistan.
The Bohol FabLab encouraged the Philippine government through DTI to set up more of its kind in other parts of the country as part of MSME development.
(From left to right) Shohei Maekawa, President of Leave a Nest UK; Kihoko Tokue, President of Leave a Nest Singapore; Yukihiro Maru, Founder and CEO Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.; Jerome Manatad, Fablab Bohol Technical Manager; Shiro Takaki, JICA volunteer; Makiko Deguchi, JICA volunteer; and Katrina Rausa Chan, Director QBO Innovation Hub during the awarding ceremony at the Tech Planter competition
by admin | Jun 10, 2017 | Tech Talk
A Game Development workshop will commence this June 17th, lasting two days. It will be held at the Bohol Investment Promotion Center behind the Capitol Building.
The technology used to make entertainment apps and games, including the growing VR and AR genres, has become democratized over recent years. It is now possible with game engines such as Unity, Unreal and CryEngine to make professional looking games that would have been exorbitant to produce a decade ago.
The game creation software Unity will be the focus of this workshop led by developer Ben Skelton and artist Mariel Cerio.
Industry topics such as the development pipeline, types of work and demand for various genres will be covered. However the priority will be the hands on development of a mobile game. Art, game design and coding will all come into play. By the end of the two days attendees will have made a game that they can play on their android device.
Registration is limited to only 15 participants. Register online at tinyurl.com/gamedevbohol . Important note: see the requirements for own laptop with software already instThe cost is P500, lunch is included and proceeds will go towards future events of the Bohol Communications and IT Council. BIPC and Techtalks.ph are due thanks for being involved.
by admin | Jun 10, 2017 | DTI Updates, Photo Story
Manila – Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos is one of the recipients of the 13th Rotary Tourism Awards in the Tourism and Trade Events Category for her extraordinary contribution in export and tourism promotion and advancement of the tourism industry in the Philippines. The awarding ceremony was held on June 08, 2017 at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
Assistant Secretary Gaetos heads the Program Management Office of TIPG-DTI which oversees the management and operations of the Go Lokal! Stores Project.
Seated 5th from the left is Tourism awardee Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos, flanked by: seated 4th, former Tourism Secretary Mina T. Gabor, Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and People Asia Editor in Chief Joanne Rae Ramirez. Standing 2nd from the left: former Tourism Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, Rotary President Teodoro Ocampo, Tourism Awards Chairman Robert Lim Joseph, extreme right Ivory Coast Vince Carlos and other awardees.
by admin | Jun 9, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates, National News
MARIKINA—Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction to revive and to strengthen the country’s footwear industry, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and the members of the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. (PFFI) identified possible solutions to existing obstacles that hamper the shoe industry’s growth.
“Technological improvement remains an industry concern. While there are patrons who prefer manually-produced shoes citing their durability, still, innovation is crucial for the shoe industry to flourish and expand,” Sec. Lopez said.
In a series of site visits recently (8 June), Sec. Lopez and DTI officials explored ways to level-up current industry practices with PFFI. For one, DTI already has a sustainable Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project with PFFI that houses machines and equipment that serve as common service facilities for efficient, quality and innovative production.
Among the SSF projects is the High Value Custom-Made Footwear, which intends to capture market that prefers custom-made shoes, featuring new methodologies in shoe engineering, footwear design and manufacturing. It also uses state-of-the-art scanner that automatically produces a 3D model of the foot in seconds for measuring and size estimation.
“Small shoemakers take turn in using the equipment. They need to expand the capacity and add more and newer machines,” Sec. Lopez added.
Within the compound where the SSF is located is DTI’s Negosyo Center-Marikina and the Philippine Footwear Academy that aims to produce job-ready workers for the Marikina footwear industry. The Academy is considered the first and only footwear school in ASEAN.
Meanwhile, the trade chief guaranteed PFFI that DTI remains committed in supporting the Marikina shoe industry from the policy and program level that will improve access to raw materials and supply chain, as well as enjoin government and private sectors to give preference in buying locally-made shoes.
Assistance on design creation through the Design Center of the Philippines up to provision of market access and promotion through the Go Lokal! stores in malls, national and international trade fairs and exhibitions, and the internationally-recognized Manila FAME will also be provided.
Headed by its president Roger Py, PFFI is composed of footwear manufacturers, retailers, cooperatives and allied industries from Marikina, Laguna, Bulacan, San Mateo and Cebu, whose members belong to the sector of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
On the same day, Sec. Lopez visited production facilities of Gibi Shoes Manufacturing, Bristol Shoes and micro-enterprises like Ruperta Enterprises, all of which are Marikina-based. He called on industry leaders to initiate the kind of entrepreneurship that is idea-based, demand-driven and innovation-led.
He also visited Marikina’s pride Rolando “Tatay Oly” Santos, the shoemaker, who gave President Duterte a pair of shoes as a gift, which the president wore during his international meetings with heads of state. Sec. Lopez learned the common sentiments of small Marina shoemakers in terms of machines, shoe molds and working capital.
Tatay Oly, who is currently borrowing from 5-6 loan sharks, got emotional when he was assured of working capital assistance from President Duterte’s Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or the P3 micro-financing program.
The trade chief also talked to some of Marikina’s talented and hardworking designers and artisans, who also serve as trainers in DTI’s SSF project for MSMEs aspiring to take part in reviving Marikina’s shoe industry.
“The Filipino artisanship and craftsmanship in designs, plus the highly-skilled, highly-trainable workforce that showcase ingenuity despite stiffer market competition will help bring back the glory of Marikina as the country’s shoe capital,” he concluded.
by admin | Jun 8, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates
7 June 2017 – MSME Development. This is the main thrust of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Philippines as itpresented the priority work areas in the meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez following the second ABAC meeting for 2017 last 25-29 April in Seoul, Korea.
“This is a very welcome development and a boost to the MSMEs that comprise 99.5% of the establishments in the country,” said Sec. Lopez. “The DTI has already been laying the ground work for strengthening MSMEs, especially with the participation of the youth and women. Now as we chair ASEAN this 2017, we likewise put the spotlight on MSMEs and entrepreneurship, as well as the sector’s integration in the global value chains.”
APEC Philippines, through DTI, is working on the development of an APEC SME Marketplace as a one-stop shop for SMEs in the region. This online portal is envisioned to provide useful information such as the MSME policies and regimes in different economies. Ultimately, the project aims to serve as a platform for SMEs to access and tap into global markets and transact with other players in the region.
According to ABAC Philippines Chair Tomas Alcantara, it is important to take advantage of this opportunity and ensure that SMEs in the country will optimize use and benefit from the system.
“ABAC PH’s first project will help advance MSMEs interests by developing a pilot Philippine SME Marketplace. We are trying to make concrete outcomes by facilitating linkages between SMEs and domestic market first, then to two or more international markets. After that to ASEAN, eventually to
APEC, and then finally, the global market.”
With the very broad and varying interests of the 21 APEC economies, the Philippine team will be keen in realizing its key priority areas.Aside from MSMEs, the group has also expressed interest in Infrastructure Investment. A specific initiative being discussed in ABAC is related to the Islamic
Infrastructure Investment Platform (I3P).
ABAC Philippines will look into how the Philippines can tap into the available funds from the Islamic banks in the region. Mr. Alcantara added, “With guidance and support from the DOF, ABAC Philippines will help develop a viable Islamic financial regime to benefit Islamic banks and investments in the country, ultimately to contribute to the development of Mindanao.”
“ABAC Philippines will work on identifying and enhancing the country’s comparative advantage and unique proposition so we can optimize and at the same time add value to our participation in APEC — now and on a continuing basis for the long term,” the chair concluded.
by admin | Jun 5, 2017 | DTI Updates
02 June 2017, Manila – The Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez led the ocular inspection of the Go Lokal! concept store@DTI in Makati City in preparation for the Model Store launch slated for the end of this June.
The Go Lokal! Stores project is the brainchild of the energetic Secretary which provides a free marketing platform for the country’s MSMEs with cool modern products that have high market potential.
Aware of the constraints encountered by MSMEs, the DTI offers Go Lokal! as an opportunity for the country’s entrepreneurs to go mainstream and access the lucrative local consumer market.
MSMEs who are interested to join Go Lokal! as a Supplier must offer new, never-been-in-the-market products or be willing to undergo product development with the Product Specialists and Designers from the Design Center Of the Philippines.
The Go Lokal! Project Management Office partnered with the Design Center of the Philippines to deploy a team of Product Specialists to help MSME’s develop a new line of products and a fresh collection for the Go Lokal! Stores.
Joining Secretary Lopez at the mock up are the members of the Go Lokal! team, from left: DCP Designers Lotti Galicia, Cristine Nazareth, OASIPG Coordinating Officer Rosario T. Liwanag, OASIPG Technical Asst Krystle Fernandez, DCP Designers Kate Añoso, Janine Piguerra, PDP-DCP Head Jinel Valdecañas, Design Center of the Phils., Executive Director Rhea Matute, Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions Director Rhodora Leano, Product Specialist Team head/Creative Director Stanley Ruiz, TIPG-DTI Consultant Leon Flores, DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Rowel S. Barba, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Go Lokal! Curator and Designer Ito Kish, Trade and Investments Promotions Group Asst. Secretary Rosvi Gaetos , Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions Asst. Director Marievic Bonoan, DCP Designers Wataru Sakuma, Rey Soliven, Rachel Danganan, Ramon Pabillon, Ivan Limjoco and Mark Romualdo
by admin | Jun 1, 2017 | DTI Updates, Malakanyang Updates, World
MOSCOW—Following the USD 875 million-worth of potential investments secured between the Philippines (PH) and Russia, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez endeavored to strengthen PH-Russia business links by engaging, in separate fora, top chambers of commerce in Moscow and St. Petersburg on 25 and 26 May.
“I consider business fora in Moscow and St. Petersburg successful because of the good networking and business leads created from both sides,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that participants mostly Russians (70%) in Moscow forum reached about 450, while in St. Petersburg about 200.
“These Russian businessmen came from the industries of pharmaceutical, manufacturing, construction materials, iron and steel, property development, power energy, to name a few,” he added.
In both fora, the trade chief shared the Dutertenomics strategy for inclusive growth and emphasized PH’s current growth story characterized by strong macro-economic fundamentals, strong investors’ confidence and good governance.
Earlier, Sec. Lopez met with the principals and heads of the Business Russia Federation, composed of large-scale entrepreneurs in the area of pharmacy, medicine and mining. They were introduced to potential company partners in the Philippine business delegation.
A CEO Roundtable followed involving Russia’s top business executives from Business Russia, R-Pharma (pharmaceutical products, medical research) and Vi Holdings Group(metallurgy, mining and processing, power and energy, real estate).
Pharmaceutical, PPP, infrastructure
Sec. Lopez sought Russian businessmen’s involvement in developing the country’s infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects. He also reiterated relevance of adopting an inclusive growth model, integrating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the value chain of bigger companies.
Sec. Lopez and PH team showcased various trade and investment opportunities available to Russian businessmen, as well as key industries, wherein PH has comparative advantage.
In Moscow on 25 May, Sec. Lopez, Science & Technology Sec. Fortunato dela Peña, Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol and trade officials exchanged views with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (CCIRF), which represents the interests of small, medium-size, and big enterprises in manufacturing, domestic and foreign trade, agriculture, the finance system, and the services sectors in Russia.
Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy led the Russian delegation with CCIRF President Sergey Katyrin.
In St. Petersburg on 26 May, PH team held a business forum with St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest chamber of commerce in the Russian Federation. St. Petersburg is home to many economic clusters and is also known as an industrial, cultural, logistical and pharmaceutical center.
St. Petersburg Forum attendees also conducted networking with their counterparts, with St. Petersburg businessmen presenting their priority industries with focus on the pharmaceutical cluster.
More cooperation areas ahead
On 26 May, PH delegation also met St. Petersburg’s Chairman of the Committee for External Relations Evgeny Grigoriev, who immediately expressed intent to help in the field of cheaper medicine and pharmaceuticals industry, and healthcare solutions.
“They are also advanced in marine and naval engineering, and offer training and apprenticeship to Filipinos, as well as in education scholarships in life science and research institutions which St. Petersburg is known for,” said Sec. Lopez.
The trade chief also confirmed that PH will also do industrial cooperation agreements to promote common interests in iron and steel, machineries, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, shipbuilding and ship repair, automotive, aerospace as well as in culture, arts and many more.
“The focus really is on the pharmaceutical cluster, which is one of the biggest industries in St. Petersburg and can be a strategic avenue to cooperate with the Philippines, specifically in support of the President’s health program,” he said.
Securing business climate
Sec. Lopez said that Russian businessmen “like a lot the strong leadership of President Duterte in his approach towards lawless elements,” adding that Russian businessmen “are ready to help.”
PH-Russia bilateral economic relations is in nascent stage, according to him. There is concrete intention to thoroughly explore the opportunities and potentials that arise from the capabilities and strengths of each other’s industries.
“This is just the beginning of our deep and strong partnership with Russia. They await with excitement the return of President Duterte to Russia and they will certainly extend more fields of cooperation, building on what we have started,” he concluded.
by admin | Jun 1, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates
Badiang Self Help Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BASHMUCO) inks a Memorandum of Agreement with Islands Souvenir Incorporated (ISI) for the supply of crispy and best tasting banana chips to ISI stores nationwide. The agreement is made part of ISI’s Inclusive Business Program in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry- Region 7 which is designed to help micro-enterprises in the countryside. BASHMUCO is a beneficiary of DTI’s Shared Service Facility Program.
In photo are: BASHMUCO Chairperson Cipriana B. Amoguis (3rd from left) and ISI Vice President Ms. Camille Aldeguer (2nd from left) with them are Mr. Michael Dispo, General Manager of ISI (1st from left) and Mr. Modesto Simacon, Jr., Manager of BASHMUCO (1st from right). (Rey Anthony Regis)
by admin | Jun 1, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates
Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry-Construction Authority of the Philippines led the Philippine delegation of 20 participants from the government and local construction industry in the Technical Benchmarking on Construction Techno-Academy Training Centers in Japan.
The Philippine delegation as well as the 30 delegations from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of the government of Japan was welcomed by Mr. Toshihiko Kuwabara, superintendent of the Craftsman Development School of the Tone Numata Techno Academy in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture to observe students in training.
Mr. Kuwabara shared in his opening speech that 5 Filipino trainees will enter the roofing course in July. He emphasized the importance of cross border observations and exchange of opinions with the Philippines to bring up future leaders in the construction industry.
Numata City Mayor Koichi Yokohama together with school superintendent Mr. Kuwabara led local representatives in the exchange of tokens with the Philippine delegation led by Atty. Castelo. After the ceremony, the delegation headed to the old Municipal Nango Elementary school which functions as a training ground for ‘impact screw driver’, ‘metal sheet cutting’ and ‘wood materials cutting’ followed by a visit to the old Municipal Hirakawa Elementary School which houses the Drone Training School of the academy.
Mr. Takeshi Aoyagi, chairman of the Gunma Prefecture Construction Industry Association presented the outcome of the pioneer batch of trainees and said ‘the pioneer batch have been sent out last year and all of them are working in the field without dropping out; this is an indicator on the importance of training before entering the field’. Mr. Matsuzawa, academy director added that the ‘Numata off grid model’ has been completed in the product development class of year 2016.
Mr. Kimura of the Construction Market Development Division, MILT said “We are hoping that this academy, as a pioneering model will increase by 10, 20, 100 number of craftsmen training school nationwide”. Atty. Castelo added “we want to strengthen the ties of friendly relationship with Japan especially with the construction industry; we look forward to applying what we have learned from this visit’. Makati Development Corporation President Dante Abando furthered “what we have learned from this visit would be surely meaningful”.
by admin | May 26, 2017 | Malakanyang Updates, Photo Story
PH-RUSSIA BUSINESS FORUM IN MOSCOW. Philippine (PH) trade officials and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (CCIRF) exchanged views on the ways to strengthen the PH-Russia trade and investment cooperation, in a business forum in Moscow on 25 May, as part of the PH’s official visit to Russia. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (4th from L) led the PH delegation with Science & Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (3rd from L), Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion (2nd from L) and other trade officials. Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy (center) and CCIRF President Sergey Katyrin (2nd from R) led the Russian delegation. CCIRF represents the interests of small, medium-size, and big enterprises in manufacturing, domestic and foreign trade, agriculture, the finance system, and the services sectors in Russia. Sec. Lopez shared with Russians the Dutertenomics framework for inclusive growth, as well as PH’s current growth story characterized by strong macro-economic fundamentals, strong investors’ confidence and good governance. PH delegation showcased various trade and investment opportunities available to Russian businessmen, as well as key industries, wherein PH has comparative advantage. The trade chief sought Russian businessmen’s involvement in the country’s infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects. He also reiterated relevance of adopting an inclusive growth model, integrating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the value chain of bigger companies.
