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BRT Project finally breaks ground Feb. 27
CEBU CITY, Philippines — After several postponements, the ceremonial groundbreaking for Phase One of the long-awaited Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is finally scheduled on Feb. 27, 2023. This was confirmed by Engineer Bu Varquez, the city’s BRT project overseer, in a text message to CDN Digital on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. “Yes. The final […] The post BRT Project finally breaks ground Feb. 27 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Rediscover Play and Esports at Home at the Biggest Gaming Convention in PH
The much-awaited Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) takes on a whole a new turn—from a completely on-ground event to a virtual one, now fully livestreamed online. PLDT Home, the country’s fastest fixed network, powers the biggest gaming convention in the country that will bring in the best esports and gaming experience virtually on Facebook from October 23 to 25. The best of Philippine Esports and more! Die-hard Esports fans are in for an epic gaming weekend as six (6) different Esports tournaments take center stage at the ESGS Astra Arena, featuring the most popular competitive titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, VALORANT and Rainbow Six: Siege. Adding to the thrill is the presence of the very best pro-am teams which will battle head to head in a bid to win the competition’s top exciting prizes. The schedule of the competition is as follows: Legion Games Rainbow Six Siege Open Championship – Oct 23, 2020; ASUS Republic of Gamers Call of Duty: Mobile Tournament – Oct 23, 2020; Legion Games Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Open Championship – Oct 24, 2020; ASUS Republic of Gamers Dota 2 Tournament – Oct 24, 2020; Mountain Dew PUBG Mobile Tournament – Oct 25, 2020; PLDT Home Fibr VALORANT Tournament – Oct 25, 2020. In addition, something to look forward to during the event is the showcase of the latest up and coming video games from top developers – Blizzard, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Devolver Digital. The Taipei Game Show will likewise join in on the fun as they talk about their featured game titles. Other activities that esports fans can take part in include the ESGS Fan Hall for an exclusive fan experience; the ESGS Indie Fest-the home of indie games; and the ESGS launch pad for product launches. PLDT Home also brings in exclusive fan meet and greet experience with the country’s top esports and gaming idols. Esports personalities Alodia Gosiengfiao and Dexie Diaz will have an exclusive meet and greet with lucky PLDT Home subscribers. PLDT Home also powers the much-awaited exhibition game match of professional esports team TNC Predator with lucky audience members. Philippines’ fastest fixed network As the leading digital services provider in the country, PLDT Home brings the country’s esports to the next level with its strongest internet connection for the home. PLDT Home Fibr remains the preferred internet connection for the multi-player and bandwidth intensive games as it can reach up to 1Gbps and enables equal upload and download speeds for a lag-free gaming experience. Now that more and more esports enthusiasts are starting to try their hand on online gaming and streaming at home, they need a reliable internet connection that can power up their games. Make sure to level up your gaming experience with PLDT Home Fibr Plan 2999 with speeds of up to 100 Mbps which is perfect for seamless Ultra HD streaming and uninterrupted online gaming on multiple devices. For ESGS 2020 updates and schedules, follow PLDT Home on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PLDTHome), Twitter and Instagram (@PLDTHome)......»»
Small businesses may make up 60% of Philippines GDP – Visa
Small businesses in the Philippines may produce as much as 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) if financial institutions and the government could help the sector grow in the coming years, according to global digital payments platform Visa......»»
4Ps beneficiaries learn digital financial literacy from experts
Some 58 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries learn the importance of digital literacy and savings during the pilot implementation of the 4Ps Digital Financial Literacy Program on Saturday (February 24) at the DSWD Central Office Auditorium, Quezon City. Resource speakers from Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation, and […].....»»
LANDBANK, OFBank to offer financial education for Pinoys in Italy, Switzerland
Around 180,000 Filipinos living and working in Italy and Switzerland will have the opportunity to attend free financial education seminars organized by LANDBANK and OFBank. The state-run banks, in collaboration with Philippine embassies and consulates, aim to provide overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers with basic knowledge on saving, digital banking, financial security, and investing. The seminars will also cover LANDBANK and OFBank's innovative banking solutions, such as safe savings options, real-time fund transfers, investment instruments, and loan products. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz emphasized that providing financial education to Filipinos abroad contributes to the economic growth and stability of the Philippines. In Italy, financial education seminars will be organized for approximately 167,000 Filipinos, while in Switzerland, the banks aim to benefit over 14,600 overseas Filipinos. The collaboration between LANDBANK, OFBank, and the Philippine Embassy in Rome was formalized in October 2023, and several seminars have already been conducted in Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Geneva. The state-run banks are committed to promoting financial inclusion and security among overseas Filipinos and their families by equipping them with the necessary financial knowledge and resources......»»
AirAsia Phl all set for long Undas weekend
AirAsia Philippines on Friday, 27 October, assured all its guests flying to various provinces for the observance of All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day of a smooth and on-time customer journey at NAIA Terminal 2. AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla and Manila International Airport Authority OIC Bryan Co, along with other airport officials, conducted an inspection of AirAsia check-in counters, kiosks, and boarding gates at NAIA Terminal 2 to demonstrate the airline's readiness for Undas and the long weekend. The airline expects to operate more than 700 domestic flights and carry more than 90,000 guests from 27 October to 1 November. This is 8 percent higher than the figures for the same period in 2022, with all domestic destinations averaging 90 to 93 percent passenger load. In order to effectively handle the influx of guests, four customer happiness counters in addition to the 20 check-in stations were activated. In addition, four self-check-in kiosks are provided to make contactless check-in easier, particularly for passengers who aren't checking bags. "We would like to guarantee our guests a smooth journey this holiday as they travel to their provinces and fly back to Manila. We have activated all and even augmented our ground operations staff to man the check-in counters without breaks. This exercise will also support MIAA's positive on-time performance," Isla said. AirAsia Philippines is closing the month of October with a positive 90 percent on-time performance. "With the commitment of our airline and industry partners, we aim to maintain our strong OTP record from the long weekend rush this year. Our objective is to minimize crowding in passenger and aircraft movement areas through the timely dispatch of flights. We're striving to establish this as a norm at NAIA. Thanks to our partnerships with airlines and government agencies, passengers are starting to notice a positive shift in NAIA operations," shared Co. To avoid being stuck in the traffic rush, AirAsia Philippines is encouraging all its guests to allot extra travel time, at least three to four hours before their flight schedule. Guests are also advised to regularly check their mobile and email accounts or visit the AirAsia Superapp, the AirAsia website (www.airasia.com), and AirAsia social media channels for the latest travel advisories. The post AirAsia Phl all set for long Undas weekend appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine Film Heritage Building breaks ground, eyes Q4 2024 completion
The Department of Tourism and the Film Development Council of the Philippines on Thursday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine Film Heritage Building in Intramuros, Manila......»»
PBBM skips PCCI annual event’s end
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. failed to attend the final day of the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, or PBCE, sending Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin instead. PBCE is the main assembly yearly of the country’s biggest trade group Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An incumbent president usually attends the second day of the PBCE to personally receive the business group’s resolution and suggestions on various issues. Malacañang did not give any detail on Marcos’ failure the biggest gathering of businessmen yearly. However, Vice President Sara Duterte attended the first day of the conference, in which she urged PCCI officials and members to join the Department of Education in reviewing the current senior high school system and provide valuable insights on skills matching in order to produce employable graduates. Besides the President, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual also did not make it which according to the Department of Trade and Industry communication’s chief, Undersecretary Kim Lokin, Pascual has not been feeling well since Wednesday. Cabinet officials, however, were in the event. They included Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy, Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan and Internal Revenue Commissioner Artemio Lumagui Jr. Resolution submitted Bersamin received PCCI’s resolution, handed over by PCCI president George Barcelon and PBCE chairperson Felino Palafox. The resolution included the positions of various sectors, namely agriculture, energy and power; the environment and climate change; education and human resources development; industry and trade; ease of doing business and stability of rules and regulations; infrastructure, transport and logistics; innovation and digitalization; taxation, and tourism. Under the sectors of agriculture, energy and power, the business group urged the national government to develop a long-term plan to attain food security in agriculture and fishery through infrastructure support, technology transfer, product diversification, export enhancement, economies of scale, and adherence to the improvement of value chains and supply chains. For energy and power, the PCCI wanted the Marcos administration to ensure adequate and affordable power supply throughout the country by considering modern technology and harnessing renewable energy resources that meet the criteria of reliability and affordability. In terms of caring for the environment and climate change, PCCI officers and members also wanted the government to update and continue the execution of the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (2010- 2022) which envisions a climate risk-resilient Philippines with healthy, safe, prosperous, and self-reliant communities and thriving and productive ecosystems. For education and human resources development, the government was urged to propel the Philippine education system to world-class status by harnessing new technologies, fostering innovation, and implementing comprehensive reforms that will prepare students for success in the digital age and the globalized world of work. Empowering businesses For industry and trade, the Marcos administration wanted to empower industries and enterprises by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support programs to enhance their competitiveness both in the domestic and international markets, contribute to economic growth, and promote innovation in the Philippines’ industrial and trade sectors. Furthermore, the government was also advised to provide a stable and predictable business environment by ensuring clear, consistent, and transparent regulations, streamlining and simplifying bureaucratic processes, reducing unnecessary red tape, and eliminating barriers that hinder business growth and development. Bersamin received PCCI’s resolution, handed over by PCCI president George Barcelon and PBCE chairperson Felino Palafox. Despite the ongoing Build, Better More infrastructure program, PCCI urged the government to implement a comprehensive national infrastructure, transportation and logistics master plan that outlines a long-term vision for connectivity and country-wide development. Together with the goal of urban decongestion, the strategy shall encompass the development of growth/business centers in different regions to create more employment opportunities and encourage people to relocate outside Metro Manila. The post PBBM skips PCCI annual event’s end appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." "Meta earnings looked pretty good," said independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "They have clearly cut back on the bleeding surrounding their metaverse efforts and the company appears to be on a more even keel right now." The tech giant said it made a profit of $11.6 billion as ad revenue climbed 23 percent to $34 billion when compared to the same period a year earlier. "We had a good quarter for our community and business," said Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The number of people using Facebook monthly rose slightly to 3.05 billion in a year-over-year comparison while monthly active users of Meta's "family" of apps was 3.96 billion a 7 percent increase from the same quarter in 2022, the company reported. Meta said it had trimmed costs, with layoffs and other belt-tightening measures started last year providing "greater efficiency." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta's business. Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta shares, which closed the formal trading day down, fell more than three percent further in after-hours trades to $289.50. Chief financial officer Susan Li said during an earnings call that Meta is seeing "volatility" in an ad market that started to soften when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. "It's hard for us to attribute demand softness directly to any specific geopolitical event," Li said. "We have seen broader demand softness follow other regional conflicts in the past, such as in the Ukraine war, so this is something that we're continuing to monitor." Lawsuit peril Analyst Enderle maintained that Meta is at risk from lawsuits poised to damage its image and its wallet. Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. "In seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its Social Media Platforms," argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. The states accused Meta of exploiting young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta said the states were singling it out unfairly instead of working with social media companies to develop universal standards for the whole industry. "This landmark lawsuit could herald a seismic shift in how social media platforms approach product features and user engagement," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jeremy Goldman. "That said, even as tech stocks face uncertainty, Meta's consistent performance cements its leadership in the digital realm." Meanwhile, the European Union is seeking details on measures Meta has taken to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The AI race The tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. "I'm proud of the work our teams have done to advance AI and mixed reality with the launch of Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and our AI studio," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica have a starting price of $299. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing," Zuckerberg said. Meta has taken a more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. "The majority of the world's population will have their first experience of generative artificial intelligence with us," Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told AFP in a recent interview. Meta recently unveiled AI-infused chatbots with personalities, along with tools for creating images or written content using spoken prompts. The post Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM wants agenda to address global challenges as he signs UNSDCF
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for a "transformative agenda" to address global challenges and bridge divides as he signed a new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework on Tuesday. The UNSDCF is a five-year plan to guide the UN's development activities in the Philippines from 2024 to 2028. It is aligned with the Philippine government's eight-point socio-economic agenda, the Philippine Development Plan, and Ambisyon Natin. In his speech at the signing ceremony in Malacañan, Marcos said that the UNSDCF is "oriented to support Philippine government policies and priorities embodied in the eight-point socio-economic agenda, the Philippine development plan, and Ambisyon Natin." He added that the UNSDCF "enjoins us and agencies in the government's determined pursuit of the highest aspirations of our people." Marcos said that the Philippines looks forward to "vigorous engagements and key issues that bear on the future of our communities, including food security, education, climate action, decent work, digital transformation, and disaster risk reduction." He also invited new approaches to help promote innovation driven by climate-smart and sustainable growth at all levels. Marcos said that the Philippines is also fostering access to green financing, lasting peace, and better public services across the archipelago. "With the UN delivering as one fully cognizant of the Philippine needs and context and the voices of its partners including civil society, our partnership can be a catalyst for the accomplishment of our shared goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he said. Marcos also noted that the UNSDCF is among the first of its kind under the reformed UN development system. "Our collaboration will showcase the best and finest the UN development system can offer the world with programs that provide solutions and a far-reaching impact and provide good models of co-ownership, transparency, and accountability," he said. Marcos said that the UNSDCF brings with it not only the legacies of the Philippines' constructive and long-standing engagement with the UN, but also signifies the country's role in shaping more inclusive and effective multilateral institutions that embrace and bring tangible results to all. He added that the UNSDCF also acknowledges how the Philippines' best practices and experience can help the achievement of the SDG agenda elsewhere through South-South cooperation platforms. Marcos said that the UN recognizes that peacebuilding milestones in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao offer valuable insight for peacemaking across the world. He added that the Philippines' advocacies in the Indo-Pacific and in the global arena for the rule of law and a peaceful settlement of disputes also provide opportunities for a more substantive engagement with the UN. "These noble aspects of the UNSDCF show how our partnership has evolved. It is now infused with a more mature-looking synergy of efforts serving the interests of both the Philippines and the United Nations as we work for a safer and more prosperous world," Marcos said. He added that it is "truly fitting that we embark on this new journey together as we celebrate the founding of the UN 78 years ago." "This daunting and profound enterprise of making our collaboration deliver meaningful change and transformation on the ground lies before us," Marcos said. "I look forward to hearing many more success stories in the Philippines-UN partnership under this cooperation framework," Marcos added......»»
Landbank offers new savings product
State-run Land Bank of the Philippines is offering a new savings product with a tiered interest rate scheme to encourage customers to save up resources......»»
Jansen shooting: Police hunt carpenter accused of shooting neighbor during fistfight
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police here are hot on the trail of a 52-year-old carpenter accused of shooting a neighbor after getting hit with a stick during a fistfight in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City on Monday, October 16, 2023. They are also coordinating with the family of the alleged suspect to convince him to turn himself over to the authorities. This was according to Police Major Jonathan Bethooven Nifiel Taneo, chief of Mambaling Police Station, who spoke to CDN Digital in a phone interview. The shooting suspect was identified as 52-year-old Roger Tanduyan, a carpenter and a resident of Sitio Kanipaan, Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City. Tanduyan is accused of shooting his neighbor whom he got into a fight while in Jansen Street in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas around 8:40 a.m. on Monday. Taneo said that they are coordinating with the suspect’s family to convince him to surrender himself to the police. READ: Woman shot dead while doing laundry inside home in Cebu City “Nakipagcoordinate na ta sa iyang pamilya para, usa sa atong tumong is mapa-surrender. Aside ana, padayon atong pagpangita sa suspetsado kay allegedly, niadto man daw ni sa iyahang relatives,” he stated. He added that the hot-pursuit operation is ongoing to arrest Tanduyan who is allegedly hiding with some relatives. Taneo, however, chose not to divulge where the alleged suspect is believed to be hiding as the operation is ongoing. He also narrated that the shooting incident happened after the alleged suspect got into a fistfight with the victim whom he had been on bad terms with for a long time. The victim was identified as 64-year-old Joventer Margaha, jobless and a resident of Sitio Lusimba in the said barangay. The police report revealed that Margaha was standing in the area when he was suddenly approached by Tanduyan. The two then engaged in a fistfight which escalated after Margaha grabbed a wooden stick and hit Tanduyan with it. Tanduyan then drew a firearm of unknown caliber and shot the victim once, according to Taneo. Tanduyan allegedly shot the victim once on his back which caused the latter to fall to the ground. He then fled the crime scene. READ: Love triangle eyed as motive behind fatal shooting in Hipodromo The shooting incident was reported to the Mambaling Police Station by a concerned citizen minutes after. Responding officers along with personnel from the Barangay Peace and Safety.....»»
HCPTI to ‘make Subic port push NorthPhil economy to new highs’
The development and digitalization of the Subic port can help the economy of North Philippines (NorthPhil) and the rest of the country reach new highs. This projection came from economist and teacher Ronilo Balbieran of the University of Asia and the Pacific, citing the vast expanse and strategic location of NorthPhil’s constituent regions north of Metro Manila. Balbieran said Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Ilocandia and the Cordilleras could gain unprecedented economic growth from the Subic Port’s development into a truly world-class international gateway vis-a-vis a similarly ongoing modernization of the Clark Freeport Zone, creating a logistical superhighway and growth corridor, whose benefits would spill over to the rest of the archipelago. Poised to modernize the Subic Port is Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI), making its operation fully digitalized and serve as the centerpiece and crowning jewel of the entire Freeport zone. The HCPTI’s development plan envisions the Subic Port as the main draw in the marketing of Subic as an investment destination, the facility being a supposedly world-class international gateway and a catalyst of global trade and commerce. Underscoring the significance of distance in logistics, particularly involving marine freight, Balbieran said the Subic port would highlight the strategic location of NorthPhil in relation to six of the countries in the ASEAN and most of those in the Pacific Rim, including Central America. Balbieran also echoed the “sales pitch” of the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board hailing NorthPhil as an undisrupted land mass of diverse nature, culture and adventure, featuring a wealth of resources of four large regions between the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific, or from ridge to reef and from coast to coast. “Those regions account for 18 percent of the country’s total GDP (Gross Domestic Product), adding P3.9 trillion to the national economy just for 2022. And in the last two years, these (regional economies) have grown faster than Metro Manila and the entire nation,” Balbieran explained. “With larger investments in expansion and digitalization, the Subic port can further ignite domestic and international trade to and from Luzon, which will expand the economy of NorthPhil even faster.” NorthPhil comprises 84,526 square kilometers, accounting for 28.2 percent of the country’s entire 300,000 sqkm. NorthPhil’s total land mass alone is equivalent to 76.9 percent of Luzon’s 109,965 square kilometers and 87 percent of Mindanao’s 97,530 sqkm. At the same time, the HCPTI’s modernization of the Subic port is also “consistent and fully aligned” with the PBBM administration’s infrastructure and logistics development policy thrust. Balbieran said the National Logistics Strategy of the Department of Trade and Industry included both public and private investments in Logistics 1 of the 6 pillars of improving the country’s logistics efficiency. “The Strategy emphasizes massive investments in ports nationwide, as more than 90 percent of goods pass through the ports,” Balbieran said of what was revealed by the DTI at the recent conference of the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines. The DTI’s National Logistics Strategy is also expected to incorporate or be seamlessly integrated with those of the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Public Works and Highways, and Interior and Local Government as part of another plan to develop a food logistics chain, a cold chain industry, port infrastructure, and farm-to-market roads, thus ensuring affordable availability of food to consumers in real time by reducing logistics cost through investments in appropriate infrastructure and digital technologies. “Thus, the ‘expansion and digitalization of the Subic Port’ by the HCPTI is consistent with the National Logistics Strategy and Food Logistics Plan of the DTI, both getting the nod of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr. recently,” Balbieran said. “Specifically, though, HCPTI’s modernization of the Subic port will help bring down logistics costs, not just for the businessmen in Northern Luzon, but also for (those in) the rest of the Philippines who will use such facility to trade internationally.” Balbieran said both the DTI and the World Bank had described the Philippines’ logistics cost as “one of the highest” in Southeast Asia at more than 20 percent of sales, compared with Thailand’s only 11 percent. The post HCPTI to ‘make Subic port push NorthPhil economy to new highs’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LandBank named best for financial inclusion
The Land Bank of the Philippines, or LandBank, was recognized by Kantar Philippines as one of 2023’s Best Philippine Brands under the “Banking” category for providing convenient, accessible and innovative banking services to unbanked and underserved Filipinos nationwide. Kantar conferred the award to LandBank for its strong brand of service, decades of empowering the underserved, and for advancing financial inclusion in the country through the accessibility of its integrated physical and digital banking services. The market research firm also highlighted the Bank’s efficient delivery of cash grants to beneficiaries of the National Government’s social amelioration programs, particularly the digital disbursement of financial assistance under the Conditional Cash Transfer Program. “This recognition is a testament to LandBank’s unwavering pursuit to reach and serve more Filipinos nationwide. We are continuously working towards the strategic expansion of our physical touchpoints and the enhancement of our digital channels to deliver exceptional and accessible banking service,” said president and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. In support of the National Government’s financial inclusion drive, LandBank has also onboarded 8.35 million Philippine Identification System, or PhilSys, registrants for their own transaction accounts, under the Bank’s co-location strategy with the Philippine Statistics Authority. The partnership aims to bank previously unbanked PhilSys registrants and grant them formal access to basic banking and other financial services. LandBank likewise has 1,111 agent banking partners, or ABPs, nationwide offering services such as cash out, cash in, fund transfer, bills payment, and opening and issuance of LandBank Agent Banking Cards in unbanked and underserved communities. The bank also offers individuals who have no capacity for operationalizing a regular deposit savings account to open a LandBank “Perang Inimpok Savings Option” or PISO account with only P1 as minimum initial deposit and up to a maximum of P50,000 account balance. As of end-August 2023, LandBank has opened 52,406 PISO accounts for unbanked and underserved Filipinos including students, public utility vehicle drivers, vendors, farmers and fishers. Kantar BrandZ report LandBank was recognized for its strong brand image in the Kantar BrandZ Philippine Report, which was based on a comprehensive survey conducted in 2022 covering 44 local brands across four categories — banks, communication providers, general retailers and beverages. Kantar is a global marketing and data analytics company that specializes in analyzing, understanding, and interpreting consumer behavior and trends. The 2023 Philippines Brand Awards is the first edition held by Kantar Philippines in the country to honor the top brands that bring value to the lives of Filipino consumers. The post LandBank named best for financial inclusion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Metrobank gets global recognitions for exceptional performance
Built on trust, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. has been recognized as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker for the third straight year and the Best Domestic Bank in the country by Asiamoney. This attests to the Bank’s strength and reliability in putting its clients in good hands. The Bank gained these prestigious international recognitions from The Asian Banker and Asiamoney for its consistent strong financial performance across the board. In the first half of 2023, Metrobank maintained a strong 34 percent growth in net income of P20.9 billion, fueled by the Bank’s expanding assets, enhanced margins, and robust fee income growth while sustaining a stable asset quality. One of the World’s Best Companies On top of these awards, the Bank was also listed by TIME Magazine and Statista as one of the World’s Best Companies. The “World’s Best Companies” is a comprehensive list that ranks top performing companies across the globe based on employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and sustainability. “We’re honored to receive these back-to-back recognitions, especially as we celebrate the Bank’s 61st anniversary. At Metrobank, we always strive for excellence — whether it be in addressing our clients’ needs, achieving exceptional financial performance across our business, or contributing to nation-building. These awards are testaments to the steadfast commitment and relentless drive of each Metrobanker to keep Filipinos in good hands,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee. Reliable partner through Filipinos’ financial journey For decades, Metrobank served as a reliable partner for Filipinos throughout their life journey — providing them financial services and guidance that are tailor-fit to their needs, even as they now navigate a modern and digital world. But before offering them a product or a service, every Metrobanker ensures that their clients fully and clearly understand the financial products and services they will avail of. The Bank’s mission to enable Filipinos throughout their financial journey goes beyond simply offering relevant solutions. Despite its financial success, the Bank’s priority and advocacy is to educate Filipinos first as they step into their financial journey. This is to make sure that every client makes a fully-informed financial decision and know how to protect themselves against fraud. This is made evident through Metrobank’s sustained financial education efforts — designed to equip Filipinos with reliable financial advice, fit for every life stage. In 2022, Metrobank introduced a comprehensive personal finance e-book developed to help Filipinos to become financially resilient. Meanwhile, the Bank’s Earnest app aims to simplify investing, through bite-sized lesson cards and easy-to-understand articles that cover basic investing concepts. For more advanced investors, there is Wealth Insights, an online portal that contains publicly accessible market-moving news and insights, as well as exclusive premium content that includes bespoke articles which dive deep into timely and actionable investment ideas. Meanwhile, Metrobank provides its clients with regular reminders and guidance to protect themselves against fraudulent transactions via SMS, emails, and social media posts. Today, Filipinos can easily start their financial journey by going to Metrobank’s hundreds of branches nationwide or digitally via the Earnest app. Those aiming to further grow their funds through investments can do so with Metrobank’s Online Time Deposit, which offers an interest rate of up to 4.5 percent, or through Metrobank’s wide-range of unit investment trust funds (UITF). With its commitment to give customers a safe, simple and secure experience on the NEW Metrobank app, the Bank recently introduced its interoperable QR feature, which allows on-the- go clients to enjoy more convenient fund transfers to and from other banks and e-wallets. Meanwhile, clients who are ready for a life upgrade - be it a new car or their dream home, can avail of Metrobank’s home and car loan offers with affordable rates and flexible payment terms. Growth partner for businesses Metrobank’s services transcends from customers to enterprises. When Metrobank was founded in 1962, it was primarily built to be a bank for businesses. Over six decades later, the Bank continues to stay true to its roots by offering a full suite of best-in-class financial solutions designed to serve enterprises of all sizes — from SMEs to large corporations based here and abroad. The post Metrobank gets global recognitions for exceptional performance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta putting AI in smart glasses, assistants and more
Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday said the tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. Zuckerberg made his announcements at the Connect developers conference at Meta's headquarters in Silicon Valley, the company's main annual product event. "Advances in AI allow us to create different (applications) and personas that help us accomplish different things," Zuckerberg said as he kicked off the gathering. "And smart glasses are going to eventually allow us to bring all of this together into a stylish form factor that we can wear." Smart glasses are one of the many ways that tech companies have tried to move beyond the smartphone as a user-friendly device, but so far with little success. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica will have a starting price of $299 when they hit the market on 17 October. The smart glasses also add the ability for users to stream what they are seeing in real-time, Zuckerberg said. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing." Meta also introduced 28 "AIs" that people can message on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram with "personalities" based on celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and YouTube star MrBeast. Zuckerberg demonstrated an interaction with one such AI from the stage in a type-written chat promising that the new bots would soon be voiced. "This is our first effort at training a bunch of AI that are a bit more fun," Zuckerberg said. "But look, this is early stuff and these still have a lot of limitations, which you will see when you use them." The event was the first in-person edition of Connect since 2019, before the pandemic, and announcements on generative AI were widely expected. Meta has taken a much more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. 'Best value' Meta also unveiled the latest version of its Quest virtual reality headset with richer graphics, improved audio, and the ability for a wearer to see what is around them without taking the gear off, a demonstration for AFP showed. "This is going to be a big game changer and a big capacity improvement for these headsets," Zuckerberg told developers gathered in a Meta headquarters courtyard. Quest 3 headsets were priced starting at $499 and will begin shipping on 10 October, according to Meta. This is substantially cheaper than Apple's Vision Pro, which will cost a hefty $3,499 when it is available early next year in the United States only. The Quest 3 "is going to be the best value on the market for a long time to come", said Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, to laughter from the audience. New game titles for Quest 3 included "Assassin's Creed Nexus" from Ubisoft as well as a Roblox game. "Meta is trying to bring a much-upgraded version of (mixed-reality) to the masses," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Yory Wurmser. The post Meta putting AI in smart glasses, assistants and more appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipino fisherman chased by China coast guard in disputed waters
Filipino fisherman Arnel Satam guns the motor of his tiny wooden boat as he makes a dash for the shallow waters of Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, with Chinese coast guard speedboats in hot pursuit. In a high-seas chase lasting several minutes, Satam tries in vain to outrun the faster boats in the hope of slipping inside the ring of reefs controlled by China, where fish are more abundant. Friday's pursuit was witnessed by AFP journalists on board the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship BRP Datu Bankaw, which was delivering food, water and fuel to Filipino fishermen plying the contested waters, sometimes for weeks on end. The fishermen complained that China's actions at Scarborough Shoal were robbing them of a key source of income and a place to shelter safely during a storm. "I want to fish in there," a defiant Satam, 54, told journalists as he stood barefoot on his light blue outrigger bearing a Superman "S" emblem. "I do this thing often. They already chased me earlier today," he said, adding the Chinese speedboats had bumped his vessel. "I just laughed at them." Scarborough Shoal is 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China helped negotiate, countries have jurisdiction over the natural resources within about 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) of their shore. China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, snatched control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012. Since then, it has deployed coast guard and other vessels to block or restrict access to the fishing ground that has been tapped by generations of Filipinos. Philippine officials also accused the Chinese coast guard of laying a 300-metre (-yard) long floating barrier across the entrance to the shoal shortly before the BRP Datu Bankaw arrived. The temporary barrier "prevents Filipino Fishing Boats from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities," the Philippine coast guard and fisheries bureau said in a joint statement condemning its installation. Resupply missions It took 18 hours for the BRP Datu Bankaw to make the more than 300 kilometre journey to Scarborough Shoal from a port in Manila Bay. More than 50 wooden outrigger fishing vessels, which Filipinos call "mother boats", were operating in the deep waters outside the shoal when the Philippine ship dropped anchor last Wednesday. Some of the fishing crews had been there for two weeks already using nets, lines and spears to catch tuna, grouper and red snapper. To enable them to stay at sea for longer and catch more fish, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources carries out regular resupply missions. Four Chinese coast guard boats patrolled the waters, keeping the BRP Datu Bankaw and Filipino fishermen away from the shoal. The voice of a Chinese coast guard radio operator crackled over the airwaves 15 times, ordering the BRP Datu Bankaw to "immediately" leave "Chinese territory". The instruction was repeated in English on a scrolling digital message board on one of the Chinese coast guard vessels. Unfazed by the warnings, the 12 crew members of the BRP Datu Bankaw distributed 60 tonnes of fuel in blue plastic jerry cans to the fishing boats, as well as food packs for those running low on provisions. The supplies were free for the fishermen, but some showed their gratitude by giving the BRP Datu Bankaw crew tubs of freshly caught fish. 'This is ours' "We are very grateful for this assistance," said Johnny Arpon, 53, whose 10-metre boat "Janica" arrived at the shoal in time to stock up on extra diesel. Some of the Filipino fishermen crowding around the BRP Bankaw in small outriggers to receive provisions climbed aboard to eat snacks and drink fresh water. They told journalists they had been chased and water cannoned by Chinese vessels in the past and even had their anchors cut. "They should give it back to us because this is ours," said Nonoy de los Reyes, 40, referring to Scarborough Shoal. "They should leave this place." After decades of overfishing by countries surrounding the waters, the men have to spend longer at sea to catch enough fish to cover their costs and, hopefully, make a small profit. China's blocking of the shoal had made the situation even tougher and the fishermen said they hated them for it. "We barely have any catch so we'll probably need to stay two more weeks," said Alex del Campo, 41, who had already spent more than a week at sea. A day earlier, del Campo and two other fishermen had made a daring bid to enter the shoal in their small boats, but were chased away by Chinese coast guard personnel in rigid-hulled inflatable vessels. "We are defenceless because they are armed and there was just one fisherman in each of our three boats," del Campo said. "If they ram and sink our boats who will save us?" The post Filipino fisherman chased by China coast guard in disputed waters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Popular South Korean streetwear brand now in Manila
Fashion & Forward’s MLB brand is ready to create a splash in the Filipino streetwear fashion scene, thanks to its partnership with Suyen Corporation. The brand has recently opened its debut store in the Philippines at SM Mall Of Asia, with plans to launch another store at SM Aura this month. Merging two vibrant and dynamic cultures — fashion and sports — MLB is a South Korean premium lifestyle brand that captures the essence of Major League Baseball’s heritage, embodying the quintessential American sports lifestyle with 150 years of tradition. In 2023, Suyen Corporation, the Philippines’ foremost retail company, sealed a partnership with Fashion & Forward, becoming the country’s official brand licensor of MLB. “We saw great potential in this formidable partnership with F&F,” said Bryan Lim, Suyen Corporation’s vice president for business development. “Our companies share the same ethos when it comes to sprucing up the ever-changing fashion landscape with the trends of the current lifestyle and culture milieu.” For 26 years, MLB has been at the forefront of shaping consumer lifestyles and driving modern fashion trends, seamlessly weaving oriental influences into the very fabric of America’s sports DNA. The brand takes pride in its sophisticated and meticulous approach to digital marketing, continuously expanding its product offerings to reach discerning consumers worldwide. Embracing today’s culture Banking on the varied preferences of fashion-forward consumers today, MLB’s thrust in delivering a distinct fashion experience through its collection of avant-garde streetwear pieces takes precedence. The brand greatly highlights contemporary casual and street fashion, as is evident from its exposure among A-list celebrities and social media trendsetters. “Our aim in this collaboration with MLB is to provide our consumers with an expanded array of streetwear options that suit their diverse lifestyles,” Lim added. “One great thing about Filipinos is that we excel in seamlessly infusing the latest cultural trends into our fashion expressions.” Catering to diverse preferences, MLB presents an extensive range of clothing and accessories, encompassing sweaters, t-shirts, sneakers and bags, to fulfill the fashion inclinations of every individual, whether they lean toward vibrant styles or seek to infuse extra playfulness into their looks. The post Popular South Korean streetwear brand now in Manila appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’
The buzzwords this month and until November are "creativity" and "creative industries." September has been declared the "Creative Industries Month" by the Philippine government, and one reason for such declaration is the activation of the law known as Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, or Republic Act 11904. Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia is the principal author of the law, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. De Venecia's clan on his mother's side used to be entrenched in film production. He is a son of Gina Vera-Perez De Venecia, daughter of Dr. Jose Vera Perez, the patriarch of pioneering film companies Sampaguita Pictures and Vera Perez Productions. Before he joined Pangasinan politics as son of former senator Jose De Venecia, Toff was active in theater, all the way back to his schooldays at the Ateneo de Manila. Sen. Loren Legarda, aside from being Senate President Pro-Tempore, is chair of the Senate committee on culture and the arts. For years a top broadcast journalist at ABS-CBN, Legarda is the principal author of Republic Act 11961, also known as the Cultural Mapping Law. [caption id="attachment_186378" align="aligncenter" width="511"] ODANG Putik Pottery held workshops on basic pottery. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ ODANGPUTIKPOTTERY[/caption] National competition DTI has announced that it will launch on 24 September a national competition, Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) "through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos." The competition -- described as "the grandest battle of creativity" in the country with a grand prize of P1 million per category -- "aspires to ignite, acknowledge, and spotlight the brilliance of creative minds... in the fields of Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Creation." The semi-finals are set for October 2023, when the Top 30 creators and the Top 10 Grand Finalists will be revealed. At the grand finals on November 2023, cash prizes will be awarded along with millions’ worth of promotions, incentives, registration of intellectual property and possible production or commercialization of creative works. The competition has an Online Content Challenge with distinct mechanics and a separate prize pool. It offers a platform for content creators to showcase their talents and make a significant impact by raising awareness about the vibrant and dynamic Philippine creative industries. The special category will have TikTok as its main channel for entry submission. The DTI invites all natural-born Filipino citizens aged 18-35, regardless of their level of experience, to participate as either individuals or teams. Entrants are required to submit "entirely original creations." The competition theme is deliberately broad, embracing an "open" and "free subject" approach to allow the participants the creative freedom to delve into any topic or subject matter of their choosing. For more information about the competition, visit www.youngcreativeschallenge.com. Capsule workshops On 17 September, the NCCA launched the Creative Industries Month at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila with creative capsule workshops in the afternoon and a grand concert of songs, dances and puppetry in the evening. The festivities had the full support of the National Parks Development Committee and Concert at the Park. The workshops were anchored on various creative industries in the country. For instance, for the audiovisual media domain, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. conducted an introductory workshop on Learning Filipino through Wikaharian. For the digital interactive media domain, Dr. Albert Mulles of METATOKYO tackled “How to Start Your Own Blockchain Game Project” while the Department of Science and Technology presented “Learning Through Minecraft Exhibit.” Under the Design domain, there were workshops on shoemaking, parol and jewelry-making and T-shirt printing Workshop. Under publishing and printed media, Rustico Limosinero offered a basic comics workshop, while the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. discussed book- selling and exhibits. Composer-singer Joey Ayala, meanwhile, held a Songwriting Workshop under the Performing Arts domain and later, at the concert, performed the finale solo vocal numbers. Nanding Josef, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Pilipino, conducted a capsule workshop on Theater Acting. Also within the Performing Arts domain were the dance and puppetry workshops facilitated by the Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas. The other domains that presented workshops included the visual arts, traditional cultural expression and cultural sites. Aside from Ayala, the evening concert featured Noel Cabangon, the revived band Color It Red with Cookie Chua still its lead vocalist, Bayang Barrios and her band, the Sindaw Philippines dance troupe, Halili Cruz Dance Company, Teatro ni Juan and a puppetry group. [caption id="attachment_186377" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] HALILI Cruz Dance Company at the evening concert. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/ HALILI CRUZ DANCE COMPANY[/caption] In his remarks, De Venecia pointed out that there are more than 7 million people in the Philippines employed in the creative industries, and the industries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2022 was 7.3 percent percent or P1. 6 trillion, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1. 43 trillion in 2021. "This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be — which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia,” said De Venecia. May we be really number 1 just seven years from today! The post Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl phishing attacks highest in SE Asia, linked to 2% loss in GDP
At least two percent of the global Gross Domestic Product was lost due to increasing cases of online fraud, phishing, and scams, Senator Mark Villar said Monday. Villar, presiding over the hearing by the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial and Institutions and Currencies, lamented that the proliferation of online scams threatened not only the potential of online banking but also the stability of the banking system and the hard-earned money of the Filipino people. “While digitalization and the widespread use of digital finance opened opportunities for the banking sector, it is also apparent that opportunists also devise new methods to take advantage of this emerging financial market,” Villar said. While there’s an increasing number of Filipinos using online payment platforms, Villar noted that crimes related to digital financial transactions are also growing. “A significant number of Filipinos have been targeted by digital fraud attempts and a portion of them eventually fall victim to it,” he said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it has received more complaints regarding online banking transactions compared to those related to using Automated Teller Machines and credit cards, among others. In fact, the Anti-Money Laundering Council reported a rise in suspicious transactions in 2020 comprising acts of phishing, skimming, and transactions related to money mules. The Security Exchange Commission likewise noted a significant rise in complaints related to online fraud committed by online lending platforms. Villar said as these scammers take advantage of their victims, they also rattle their victims' trust in the country’s banking and financial institutions. “Trust, being the currency of the banking system, must be well-earned. Given the proliferation of online fraudsters, it is imperative that we strengthen our efforts to keep scammers at bay,” he added. Among the existing laws aimed at fighting online bank fraud include Republic Act 11765 or Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act; the RA 11934 or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act; and RA 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Villa said as criminal elements adapt to legislation to perpetuate fraud, hence, “there is a need to legislate new laws to keep them off track” such as the proposed Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. “This measure will reinforce and earn back the public’s trust in our financial institutions,” he said. The number of phishing attacks in the Philippines during the first half of 2022 already surpassed the number of attacks at over 1.8 million detected compared to 1.34 million attacks during the entire year of 2021. Villar described the spiking cases of online scams as “extremely concerning.” This, as data from Kaspersky Security Network revealed that cases of financial phishing attempts in the Philippines from February to April 2022 were highest in Southeast Asia. Villar emphasized that the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA will evidently deal with cases of online fraud and will provide a regulatory framework that penalizes scammers as well as entails safeguard measures to protect Filipinos and their financial accounts. “Because of the lack of a regulatory framework that penalizes these scammers, there are and there will be more victims in the foreseeable future,” he added. AMLC executive director, Matthew David, said they required banks and payment operators to maintain the 'Know Your Customer document' for their system and store a system that could verify the identity of the clients, including the bank account owners. “They are required to do some verification in order to make sure the true identity of the customers,” David added. The public committee hearing was followed by an Executive Session due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of the issues and information that will be discussed. Villar said the executive session was conducted to ensure that law enforcement measures being undertaken to apprehend and prosecute scammers will not be disrupted. The post Phl phishing attacks highest in SE Asia, linked to 2% loss in GDP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»