by admin | Nov 18, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Trade and Investment Center Los Angeles (PTIC-LA) confirmed that Malagos Premium Chocolates, a chocolate produced in the Philippines, will now be available in the United States. This was further to the announcement made by the Davao-based Malagos Agri-Ventures during their recent participation at the North West Chocolate Festival in Seattle, Washington on November 12 -13, 2016.
The Malagos line of chocolates has received acclaim from international fine food and chocolate award-giving bodies in Europe for its premium qualities. The products are single-origin, having been manufactured fully on-site on its farm in Davao, Philippines.
Mr. Jojie Dinsay, Trade Representative of the Philippines for the US West Coast and Head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco said that this is another success story for the promotions efforts of premium food products in the US market as a result of the partnership between government and the private sector. “We are very happy and proud to have another premium product from the Philippines enter this market” Dinsay said. “The Philippine Trade and Investment Centers as part of our mandate will continue to support companies like Malagos in promoting their products all over the world”.
Featuring 110 exhibitors, the Northwest Chocolate Festival is known to be among the top shows for artisan chocolates in the world today with around 12,000 visitors. Malagos Premium Chocolates, a multi-awarded Philippine chocolate from Davao, was introduced not only to choco-loving consumers but to traditional and artisan chocolatiers, chefs and baristas present at the show.
Malagos Agri-Ventures’ participation at the NW Chocolate Festival was supported by the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB). Prior to this, assistance from the DTI regional office in Davao was also recognized by Malagos.
The Malagos brand is also expected to be introduced by Ampac International Inc., its importer in the United States, to UNI-MART Niles in Niles, Illinois and UNI-MART Hoffman in Hoffman Estates.
According to Mr. Rex Puentispina, Sales and Marketing Head of Malagos Agri-Venture, joining the Festival validates his belief that their chocolates can match the quality and taste of US and other international brands. “We have received a lot of good feedback from chocolate lovers visiting our booth” said Puentispina. “There were even some who say that this is one of the best they have ever tasted,” added Puentispina.
In 2015 at the International Chocolate Awards, Malagos 65% Dark Chocolate was named one of world’s best drinking chocolates. In the same year, it won at the Academy of Chocolate Awards when its 100% Unsweetened Chocolate won the Bronze Award for Best Unflavored Drinking Chocolate.
In 2016, its Premium 100% Unsweetened Chocolate won the Silver at the Drinking Chocolate competition of the Academy of Chocolate’s Eighth Golden Bean Awards in London. It also won that year a blind-taste competition when its Unsweetened Chocolate earned two of the maximum three stars awarded by Great Taste, the world’s most prestigious food accreditation body.
The company continues to invest in equipment and technology, producing its premium, single-origin chocolate products such as Malagos 100% Pure Unsweetened Chocolate, Malagos Roasted Cocoa Nibs, Malagos 65% Dark Chocolate, Malagos 72% Dark Chocolate, and Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate.
With its expansion in the United States, Malagos is expected to generate more jobs for Filipinos back in the Philippines.
by admin | Nov 2, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
Summit readies region for next industrial revolution
MANILA, Philippines (August 25, 2016) – Filipino Young Global Leaders and Shapers recognized by the World Economic Forum are getting together and gearing up for the Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions (OCEAN) 2016 Summit from November 24 to 26 at the Be Grand Hotel in Bohol.
Chief Organizer Winston Damarillo, a WEF Young Global Leader said, “This year in Davos, we talked about the 4th Industrial Revolution – how high technology will promote rapid industrialization and how digital can impact lives for the better. We want to make sure that all emerging countries don’t miss out. We don’t want to miss out.”
“Our goal for OCEAN 16 is to take the whole concept of the 4th Industrial Revolution beyond the think tanks and the people talking theories in Davos. We want to bring it to emerging countries like the Philippines at the grassroots level,” he added.
Started in 2014 by Damarillo with fellow WEF Young Global Leaders, Karen Davila and Senator Bam Aquino, OCEAN aims to encourage local and global leaders to work together and strengthen the ecosystem for innovation, technology and creativity in the Philippines.
OCEAN 14 brought together over 200 changemakers from all over the world to Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island in Cebu. Panel discussions covered Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Social Initiatives, Environment in the Next Decade, the Creative Economy, and Igniting Private & Public Partnerships. Attendees included Tony Meloto, Maria Ressa, Manny Osmeña, Geena Rocero, Jeffrey Tarayao, Cherrie Atilano, Carlo Delantar, Lynn Pinugu and Anna Oposa.
Notable outcomes from OCEAN 14 include the Start-Up Business Bill, a proposed legislation to provide tax exemptions to young companies; the Hope Now Foundation, which activates mobile hospitals in response to natural disasters; and a bamboo school that facilitates active learning for the youth in Bohol.
What’s going to Bohol?
For this year’s OCEAN Summit, the WEF communities, led by Young Global Leaders and Shapers, are bringing discussions from Davos to Bohol. They will confer on the applications of technology in driving inclusive and sustainable growth in the region.
OCEAN 16 will focus on the question, “How can the Philippines – and other emerging countries – harness new technologies to accelerate economic development and social progress?”
The three-day summit will feature keynote addresses from government, business, and civil society leaders; plenary sessions on entrepreneurship, innovation, the Philippines, and the global community; interactive brainstorming sessions centered on how to scale emerging, youth-led social solutions; demos of cutting-edge new technologies including drones, 3D applications; and a maker market of goods from local artisans and entrepreneurs.
The Summit will also introduce and feed into a roadmap for “Digital Bohol” – a plan for holistic digital inclusion in Bohol that aims to set the standard for how local leaders can collaborate to harness technology to empower business, government and civil society.
Bohol was selected to pilot the smart city movement because of its strong public and private partnerships, and its vast work building its ICT infrastructure towards becoming a tech hub. It is also set to become a global destination with the opening of the Panglao International Airport in 2018.
OCEAN 16 signed a memorandum of agreement with the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry last August 15, as part of a joint initiative for the development of smart cities in the Philippines, starting with Tagbilaran City in Bohol as the pilot and model city.
“Technology plays an important role in society and we’re very excited to be one of the first LGUs to start utilizing it to develop smart cities, enable disaster preparedness, promote inclusive economic development, boost tourism and ensure the safety of our citizens,” says Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto.
OCEAN 16 is co-organized by the WEF communities in the Philippines; Amihan Global Strategies, a digital transformation consultancy; and Kaya Collaborative, an international nonprofit that connects the global Filipino community to entrepreneurship, impact, and innovation in the Philippines.
For more information, visit www.ocean16.asia, email info@ocean16.asia or call 0947-813-6401. You may also participate in online discussions by following OCEAN 16 on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @WEFPHOCEAN.
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by admin | Oct 8, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, October 7 (PIA)—The bid to get Bohol back into the list of next wave cities (NWC) for prospectors of information technology’s business process management (IT-BPM) starts anew this week as private and public sectors bring Digital Bohol Summit here October 15 and 14.
Set in an auspicious time when an earthquake in Bohol effectively cancelled the supposedly best time for the city and the province to showcase why it is the next best place for a BPM venture in 2013, the ICT summit now would be a chance at redemption for Bohol’s failed dream of showing off its potential as NWC call center hub.
“It is our desire that Tagbilaran City maintains its presence in the ICT/BPM radar and become an investment location for the industry,” Governor Edgar Chatto said.
The government has identified the IT-BPM as the biggest thing for the Philippines, with the potential for jobs and advancement neatly tucked in it.
Organized by the Provincial Government through its Bohol Investment Promotion Center (BIPC) in coordination with Bohol ICT Council, Tagbilaran City and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Summit brings to Bohol key information communication technology big wigs who would be witnessing the launching of the local ICT BPM development roadmap billed as “Digital Bohol Project.”
City Hall through Jeanette Laila Busano said “the summit will introduce and feed a roadmap for “Digital Bohol” — a plan for holistic digital inclusion in Bohol that aims to set the standard for how local leaders can collaborate to harness technology to empower business, government and civil society — the project will start in Tagbilaran City as the pilot and model city.”
Picking “Harnessing ICT, Powering Bohol” as its theme, the two day summit would be having the country’s secretary for the Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) Atty Rodolfo Salalima as well as DICT Director Monchito Ibrahim as keynote speaker and the electronic innovations at the DICT.
The launching of Digital Bohol also formally lays the ground plan of bringing Bohol’s competitive advantage to the fore, says BIPC head Maria Fe Dominese.
The launching program also accommodates the oath taking of Digital Bohol Student Councils, Quadripartite technical working group and coordinators while an overview of the Open Collaboration with East Asia New (OCEAN 16) Champions also happen.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap who is a staunch supporter of digital innovations has committed to financially support the event.
Other than keynote addresses from government, business, and civil society leaders, the Summit also brings out plenary sessions on entrepreneurship and digital contraptions, the Philippines and the global community; interactive brainstorming sessions centered on how to scale emerging, youth-led social solutions; demos of cutting-edge new technologies including drones and 3D application and other relevant topics. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
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.
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by admin | Jun 23, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, June 23, (PIA) –Responding to the effects of the long dry season and the searing heat brought about by the El Nino, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mobilized its resources to bring crucial relief to distressed communities in the island barangays of Bohol.
And, for its initial mobilization, DSWD Bohol reports the delivery of relief food and water packs to 22,771 individuals in 14 towns, most of them from the deprived sectors.
DSWD Bohol Chief Papiasa Bustrillos said with local resources, they are constrained to prioritize the distribution of rice, canned goods and water to families of farmers and fishermen of Bohol’s island barangays and towns, them being severely affected by the long dry season.
The drought brought about by the El Nino has not just damaged millions of pesos worth of agriculture, its searing and persistent heat ruined the multi-million seaweeds industry feeding thousands of seaweed farmers in the island barangays of northern Bohol, Bustillos revealed over at Kapihan sa PIA.
Right now, we are again continuing to pack more relief to be delivered to other areas in Bohol needing such, she said, adding that the delivery however depends on the availability of trucks from Bohol Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC).
We also intend to ask the Congressman from the Second District, Congressman Aristotle Aumentado to lend us his boat so we could deliver the goods to other islets, she said, as she hinted that the office continues with the relief despite the sudden change in climate from drought to a possible extremely wet.
The repacking, she added, is based on validated reports emanating from town teams.
The team, comprised of the town Social Welfare and Development Officer, Municipal Agriculture Officer, a representative from the DSWD Kalahi, 4Ps and the Sustainable Livelihood Programs, gather and shortlist the data of calamity-affected individuals from the barangays.
The data is the validated form the submitted list from the MAO, MSWDO and civil society organizations.
People who are severely affected may go to these teams and get into the list, but Bohol welfare officials also explained why not everyone can be given relief packs.
We are operating on a limited budget, so we make sure that only those who have no other means can get [the relief packs], Bustrillos explained.
Beyond that, by operational protocol, the local office has to keep a buffer stock of 10,000 relief packs which can be withdrawn any given time that an emergency strikes, she asserted.
The relief is just among the many interventions the DSWD is extending to communities and 4Ps beneficiaries who are severely distressed by the El Nino.
By July, the 4Ps Family Development Session, where a must attendance for 4Ps beneficiaries is exacted, would be tackling Disaster Preparedness, according to Phoebe Jen Indino, 4PS Information Officer.
The program, to be implemented in coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense, Philippine National Red Cross and the Bureau of Fire Protection would grant to communities the proper disaster preparedness to mitigate the often disastrous effects of the rain-carrying La Nina, Indino bared. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
