The Mindanao Wanderer

Anton Bonifacio, an expert in cybersecurity and data privacy and currently Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer, has been named as Globe’s first Chief AI Officer (CAIO). Sustained tech exploration aims to solve Filipinos’ pain points In yet another industry-leading step, Globe, a frontrunner in telco services and digital solutions in the Philippines, has created a new group to lead the company’s adoption of artificial intelligence, as it consistently innovates to address Filipinos’ daily pain points. Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO, announced the establishment of Globe’s AI Development and Enablement Group (AIDE), marking a significant stride towards leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance business operations, service delivery, and customer experience. AIDE, which will formally start as a group on June 1, 2024, will spearhead Globe's AI initiatives, focusing on strategic AI planning, development, business integration, and governance. “To sustain our competitive

In Photo: Melanie Tepora is preparing karioka (deep-fried coconut rice balls), a new addition to the range of rice cakes she sells. As her business progresses, she also enhances her skills and knowledge in this field of rice delicacies. Melanie Tepora, 60, from Indang, Cavite, believes that business success is more than just daily earnings or customer counts; it is also the personal development of one's knowledge and perspective on life. Melanie only completed elementary school due to a lack of finances. At a young age, she decided to help her parents and quit school to not add to the expenses. Before achieving success in the rice delicacy business, she started her entrepreneurial journey as a vendor in Pasay, Manila. Alongside her husband, Antonio Tepora, they buy and sell fruits, vegetables, and various items from Baclaran. She also tried selling a variety of dishes but had to stop after experiencing crossed eyes caused by excessive fatigue and prolonged exposure to the heat of

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, and Dipayan Bhattacharyya, WFP Philippines Country Director ad interim, seal their partnership to address involuntary hunger in the Philippines.  Globe has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to open up the Hapag Movement to international donors, launching the collaboration on World Hunger Day to spotlight the lingering hunger problem in the Philippines. Driving on the positive momentum the Hapag Movement has built over the past two years, this landmark collaboration takes the initiative to the global stage, enabling Globe to rally support from individuals and organizations outside the country. The partnership is seen to expand the Hapag Movement’s donor reach and amplify its impact. So far, it has helped feed over 95,000 beneficiaries and produced 2,662 livelihood training graduates since its launch in 2022. The Hapag Movement aims to address involuntary hunger by providing sustain

The City of Smiles can finally get their hands on the latest HONOR Magic Series and HONOR X Series in the newest HONOR Experience Store located at SM City Bacolod!  In Photo:  HONOR Philippines PR Manager Pao Oga, GTM Director Steven Yan, Regional Sales Director Johnny Quiao, Galleon Owners Reynaldo and Gio Eusebio, SM City Bacolod Assistant Mall Manager Lorenzo Benedicto.  Manila, Philippines, May 27, 2024 – Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, continues to expand in the country as it opens its latest HONOR Experience Store in the City of Smiles, SM City Bacolod.   “We are continuously expanding, now offering the HONOR experience to Negros Occidental consumers made accessible in SM City Bacolod. This milestone would not have been possible without our HONOR fans all over the country. We are thrilled to become part of their future festivities in celebrating tech innovations for the Bacolodnon community,” the l said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.  T

Globe continues to optimize its capital expenditure (capex) strategy with a Php 13.7 billion investment in the first three months of 2024, a notable 22% decrease from the same period last year. This spending aligns with the company's reinforced guidance of lower capex following peak levels reached in 2022. The first quarter investment is equivalent to 33% of Globe's total service revenues for the quarter, significantly lower than the 44% recorded in 2023.  It highlights Globe's emphasis on capital efficiency while ensuring sustained growth and enhanced digital experiences for Filipinos. "Our recalibrated capex strategy focuses on optimizing future investments to support the growing data requirements of our customers while ensuring we are on track to achieve our goal of being free cash flow positive by 2025," said  Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe's Chief Finance Officer. Approximately 91% of the first quarter capex was used for data network expansion and enhancements

Avia Estate by Alsons Dev integrates prime residential communities, first-class leisure amenities, wide retail & commercial offerings, reputable educational institutions, and government support facilities in one address. ALABEL, Sarangani -  A year after its launch, Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) is revving up the development of Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani. The vision for the 121-hectare mixed-use community is to provide a modern and complete living experience, and ongoing developments are laying the foundation to bring this vision into reality. "Building on the momentum of last year's launch, we remain steadfast in our belief in Sarangani's boundless growth potential," affirms Miguel Rene Dominguez, Director of Alsons Dev. "Avia Estate stands as a testament to our commitment to fueling progress in the region by cultivating a dynamic and secure community where families and businesses thrive." Live, work, play, and thrive

In Photo:  Clarissa Ditchoso shows the place where she started sewing her dreams and where she started to be an inspiration to others. As her business continues to flourish, so does the business of the mothers she taught to sew and dream. To inspire other people is a different level of success.  For Clarissa Ditchoso, a CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. client from Pililla in Rizal province, success isn’t just about what she accomplished in life but how she was able to give hope and change other people’s lives through small initiatives.  Originally from Zambales, Clarissa was only seven years old when they moved to Rizal. Here she got an education, got married, and built her own family. At a young age, she had a strong interest in sewing. When the opportunity arose to pursue free vocational education in their municipality, she seized it eagerly. She engaged in courses like electronics and tailoring where she honed her skills. She used her knowledge of sewing to work as a subcontractor at a loc

Globe has achieved another milestone in its corporate data business with a significant 10% year-on-year increase in revenues, reaching an unprecedented high of approximately Php 5 billion in the first quarter of 2024. The substantial growth in corporate data revenues underscores Globe's ongoing commitment to supporting enterprise clients and fostering digital transformation across various industries. The first-quarter surge was principally driven by the stellar performance of core accounts, which saw a 12% rise from the previous year, along with a 7% increase in revenues from Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, corporate data revenues exhibited a healthy growth of 4%. “We are happy to see our corporate data business demonstrating remarkable resilience, surpassing performance targets amidst challenging market conditions. Globe's success in this segment is a testament to its agility and customer-centric approach, ensuring that

Buy your tickets now for the much-awaited sequel of the Academy Award-winning animated film May 22, 2024, Philippines — Disney and Pixar are thrilled for the arrival of “Inside Out 2” in Philippine cinemas on June 12, 2024. Kids and kids-at-heart can now start securing their seats for this heartwarming and much-anticipated sequel that will encourage you to “feel all the feels”!  “Inside Out 2” will offer audiences a front row seat into the next exciting phase of Riley’s life: her teenage years. This new chapter introduces a host of new characters – Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment – emotions that perfectly capture the highs and lows of adolescence. They are joining the beloved favorites, Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust, promising a blend of familiar warmth and fresh challenges. WHO’S THERE?  – In Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Fear (voice of Tony Hale), and Disgust (voice of Li

 Globe posted a healthy 8% rise in mobile revenues for the first quarter of 2024, reaching Php 29.1 billion, compared to Php 27.1 billion in the same period last year largely driven by mobile data usage.  The growth in mobile spurs optimism in the sector despite challenging economic conditions impacting consumer spending.  The company’s mobile business represented 71% of total consolidated gross service revenues versus 68% a year ago, underscoring Globe’s effective monetization efforts coupled with market repair given the absence of price wars with competition. Customers continue to choose Globe for its differentiated network quality and service. Globe’s subscriber base stood at 58.8 million as of end-March 2024.  Mobile data was a significant driver of mobile revenues, with its contribution rising by 10% to Php 23.8 billion from Php 21.7 billion. Mobile data constituted 82% of total mobile revenues, up from 80% the previous year.  Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Busine

FX’s most watched show ever “Shōgun” will likely yield two additional seasons, intending the story and characters to continue the saga  Philippines, May 17, 2024 – FX, Disney+ and the Estate of James Clavell are working to extend the critically acclaimed global hit drama Shōgun, moving forward to develop the saga with two additional seasons of the drama series.  The show’s key creative partners including Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, Executive Producer Michaela Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada are on board for the development. Production timing has not been locked in, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer. Through its first nine weeks, Shōgun has become FX’s most-watched show ever based on global hours streamed.   Shōgun has received tremendous critical acclaim, including:  “the best TV show of the year” – Esquire “a genuine masterpiece” – TIME “not only one of the best shows of the year but

In Photo: Ms. Marivic M. Austria (7th from left) stands with her family alongside San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante (5th from right, front row) during her recognition as one of the 2024 Outstanding San Pableños. Also present at the event are CARD MRI Founder and Chairman  Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (3rd from right, front row), CARD MRI Research Advisor Aniceta R. Alip (2nd from right, front row), CARD Bank Senior Advisor Dr. Dolores Torres (2nd from left), and CARD MBA CEO Jocelyn Dequito (rightmost), all showing their full support as Austria receives the special awards. Image courtesy of CIO San Pablo  CARD Bank President and CEO Marivic M. Austria has been awarded the 2024 Natatanging San Pableño in the banking sector by the City of San Pablo, coinciding with the City’s 84th Charter Anniversary on May 7, 2024. Out of 17 individuals acknowledged for their exceptional contributions across various fields, Austria was distinguished for her steadfast commitment to banking and

GFiber Prepaid marked a 53% acquisition growth in the first quarter of 2024, underscoring Globe's commitment to providing the most affordable and reloadable UNLI internet to Filipinos.  The month of April further saw GFiber Prepaid acquisitions triple. The service's strong growth trajectory is anticipated to continue during the second half of 2024. This achievement is an affirmation that GFiber Prepaid is the right product that delivers the needs of the prepaid consumer market. GFiber Prepaid, known for its fully digital experience, reloadable UNLI connectivity, flexibility and reliability without any lock-in period, continues to draw positive feedback from a broad spectrum of customers since its launch late last year. The rapid adoption of GFiber Prepaid is Globe’s direct response to the critical need for improved internet infrastructure. According to a recent World Bank report, the Philippines has historically underinvested in telecom infrastructure, resulting in higher costs

PHOTO 1:  Herbert Frias, Core Network Facilities Manager at Globe, inspects batteries at a Globe core network facility in Metro Manila. Globe, the leader in Mobile, assures its customers that network resilience measures are in place to ensure reliable connectivity despite periodic power outages due to high electricity demand. Globe has long put in place multiple layers of power supply redundancies to ensure undisrupted connectivity for its customers as much as possible. Its core network facilities are equipped with power sources that ensure optimum uptime. These include multiple sets of batteries and generator sets, with fuel reserves enough for three full days of operations. "We understand the importance of maintaining seamless connectivity for our customers. Our unwavering dedication to network resilience is reflected in the comprehensive redundancy systems we have in place, ensuring that our services continue even during power outages," said Joel Agustin, SVP and Head of N

Shōgun, the monumental series that just released its finale on Disney+ a week ago, is taking the entertainment world by storm. Kudos to its rich historical context, compelling storyline, shocking twists and turns, and intricate characters, the show has got everyone talking online – expressions of love and appreciation, comparisons to the legendary series Game of Thrones, and the clamor for a second season and Emmy Awards recognition. With its breathtaking visuals, riveting performances, and masterful storytelling, Shōgun has undoubtedly made an impact and could even potentially grow its audience in the future. The Shōgun Phenomenon: The Epic Journey and Cultural Impact that Captivated Audiences Worldwide Shōgun, the monumental series that just released its finale on Disney+ a week ago, is taking the entertainment world by storm. Kudos to its rich historical context, compelling storyline, shocking twists and turns, and intricate characters, the show has got everyone talking online – exp