The Mindanao Wanderer

  Photo from one of the Access Eastern event runs, with Eastern’s Product Manager Jovee Gecha providing guests with updates on the latest ICT solutions and digital innovations. Manila, Philippines — Eastern Communications, the premier telecommunications provider in the Philippines, recently supported the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) groundbreaking Bayang Digital initiative, a project aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and connectivity across the Philippines. In time for National ICT Month, The DICT’s "Bayang Digital ang Bagong Pilipinas" initiative envisions a nation where digital connectivity unites everyone, streamlines government services through technology, prioritizes cyber safety, and creates innovation and growth opportunities for every Filipino. Through this, Eastern Communications aims to build a digitally inclusive society by supporting government-led efforts and spur economic growth through its advanced connectivity soluti

Seeks full implementation of National ID system Globe, the country’s mobile leader, is ready to extend full cooperation to a government audit of its SIM registration database amid persistent scam texts. Darius Delgado, Globe Vice President and Head of Consumer Mobile Business, said such an audit would serve to affirm the integrity of Globe’s SIM registration database and its efforts to consistently enhance its SIM registration platform. “We’re halfway into the second year of the implementation of the SIM Registration Act, and the DICT’s call is timely. We take this as an opportunity to show our efforts in ensuring that our SIM registration data have been validated,” Delgado said. He pointed out that most scam messages now reaching mobile users are sent outside telco networks. These instead use over-the-top media services or chat apps, Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats for Android users, other Internet-based messaging platforms, and fake cell towers. Globe also renewed its call fo

In Photo:  Glen and Maribel Morales proudly showed their diverse products. This is their testament that success can be achieved when we do not give up on life's challenges. Resiliency is the key to success during trials and unexpected tragedies. "The fire destroyed our family and business, but it did not destroy our hopes and dreams," said Glen Morales, 44, a resilient entrepreneur from Barangay Luneta, La Paz, Leyte. Glen had a challenging childhood due to financial difficulties. Due to an uprising in their area, his parents had to stop planting vegetables, their primary source of income. He was only seven when they moved to Tacloban City to live there temporarily. Glen's family relied on government assistance without a permanent home or job until they returned to La Paz in 1990. At a young age, he helped in planting vegetables and processing coconut and abaca. "I was only 11 when I became a carrier of copra, earning one peso per kilo. It was meager earnings, bu

In a move that signals a new era of leadership, Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) proudly announces the appointment of Miguel Rene A. Dominguez as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. This marks a pivotal moment for the company as it continues to expand its footprint in the real estate development sector. Dominguez will be succeeding Rosie A. Dominguez, who will be retiring from her position as Executive Vice President. His ascension ensures continuity by taking on Rosie Dominguez’s comprehensive scope of responsibilities, promising to uphold and build upon the legacy of excellence that has defined the company under her stewardship. Prior to this new designation, Dominguez served as Alsons Dev’s Director. Simultaneously, he was the Vice President for Operations at the Alcantara Group’s Agribusiness Unit, running the Philippines’ largest fully integrated aquaculture farm, value-added processing, and exports of fresh bananas and pineapples.  Shaping a v

Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan are deeply honored to receive recognitions from the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. These awards are a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated teams who have consistently worked with passion and commitment to ensure our guests have memorable experiences. Travel + Leisure’s award-giving body acknowledges top standing properties and key figures in the hospitality industry across the Asia Pacific, including regions such as Australia, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the South Pacific, Thailand, and Vietnam.  These accolades highlight the ongoing dedication and hard work of the teams at Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan, who strive to provide exceptional service and unforgettable experiences to their guests.   Discovery Shores Boracay Discovery Shores Boracay has been named one of the top 10 P

In Photo:  Globe and Lynk have partnered to launch a satellite-direct-to-phone service to cover remote areas in the Philippines. In photo: (L-R standing) Bryril Alvarez, Globe Solutions Architect; Innah Antoinette Perez, Globe Sr. Solutions Architect; Ralph Cabello, Lynk’s Technical Account Manager for Asia Pacific; Gerard Ortines, Globe Vice President for Network Services and CAPEX Management; and Gerhard Tan, Globe Senior Director and Head of Network Strategy and Innovations; (L-R seated), James Alderdice, Lynk Vice President for Asia Pacific, and Joel Agustin, Globe SVP and Head of Network Planning and Engineering Globe has expanded its partnership with satellite-direct-to-phone (sat2phone) company Lynk, launching a live customer pilot program to assess the potential of satellite-direct-to-phone communication services in remote places in the Philippines. The recent signing of the new agreement signifies a crucial step towards enhancing connectivity and communication access within th

Globe has been at the forefront of efforts to strictly implement and comply with the SIM Registration Act, ensuring that all SIMs currently in use are registered. Globe does not allow any customer to use an unregistered SIM. Under its current system, a new SIM is only activated once registered through Globe’s SIM registration platforms. “We designed our SIM Registration system in such a way that no SIM can be used on the network unless registered. Therefore, all active SIMs within our network are in our system. Even as we continue to enhance our SIM registration platform, we already have measures in place that defend against the illegal use of unregistered SIMs,” said Darius Delgado, Globe Vice President and Head of Consumer Mobile Business. Globe currently has 58.8 million mobile subscribers. Following the registration period from December 27, 2022 to July 30, 2023, which covered SIMs already in use before passage of the law, Globe deactivated over 30 million unregistered SIMs. Since

  Photo (seated, from left): TG Limcaoco, BPI President and CEO; Jojo Ocampo, BanKo Chairman; Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, BSP Deputy Governor; and Eduardo Guillen, NIA Administrator together with (standing from left) Junibert De Sagun, DA Director; Ruel Amparo, Agrilever President; Yoav Schwalb, Agrilever Board Chairman; Arthur Yap, Agrilever Advisory Board Chairman; Rod Mabiasen, BanKo President; John-C Syquia, BPI Institutional Banking Head; and Junie Veloso, BPI Capital President. BanKo, the financial inclusion and microfinance arm of BPI, is partnering with agri-tech company Agrilever to launch the Agri NegosyoKo Loan Program. This initiative aims to help farmers strengthen their agricultural practices and improve their livelihoods. “The Philippines is an agricultural country, and to sustain and expand farming opportunities, we must support our farmers with programs that help them grow their businesses. The Agri NegosyoKo Loan Program introduces a comprehensive approach that undersco

Inaugural regional list includes largest companies in the region Globe, a leading telco and expanding technology company in the Philippines, has earned a spot on the inaugural Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list, cementing its stature as one of the largest companies in the region. Globe ranked 111, with revenues at $3.240 billion and profits of $441 million as of end 2023. It joins 38 companies from the Philippines that made the list. “Globe’s inclusion on the first ever Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list is an affirmation of our success in serving our customers guided by our purpose, delivering products and services that impact lives and solving the pain points of Filipinos. The company grew serving millions of customers locally and now abroad. Amid the new digital landscape, we envision to continue growing through responsible use of technology to fill in the societal gaps and allow our country to reach economic prosperity,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe. “To uplift the nation i

From L-R: Abram Barrameda (Chief Growth Officer, The Abba’s Orchard), Cathy Aleli  (Deputy Head of School-Avia Estate, The Abba’s Orchard), Aleli Rodriguez (Head of School-Davao, The Abba’s Orchard), Chris Barrameda (President and Founding Director, The Abba’s Orchard), Ann Barrameda (Founding Director, The Abba’s Orchard), Miguel A. Dominguez (Director, Alsons Dev), Alex Alcantara, Rosie A. Dominguez (Executive Vice President, Alsons Dev), Marco Alcantara, Paul Dominguez (Director, Alsons Dev) – breaks ground for SOCCSKSARGEN's first true Montessori school, The Abba's Orchard, in Avia Estate.The country’s largest and most esteemed network of authentic Montessori schools, The Abba’s Orchard, breaks ground on June 14 for its 15th campus located in Avia Estate, a township project in Alabel, Sarangani by Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev). The expansion reflects the school’s mission of "Discover True Montessori Philippines," offering high-quality

Globe Business, the enterprise and MSME arm of mobile leader Globe, has earned a total of eight prestigious accolades at this year's Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards in recognition of its excellence in innovation. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards recognizes innovation among organizations in the region’s 29 markets. It is one of the notable programs under the Stevie® Awards, the world's premier business awards. Globe Business brought home an impressive eight Stevies – 2 Gold, 4 Silver, and 2 Bronze, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the Philippine telecom sector. Its wins include: Gold: ● Innovative Use of Technology in Customer Service (Telecom) for "Project 5-Star: Next Gen CX" ● Innovation in Technology Management, Planning & Implementation (Telecom) for "Mindhive - The 2023 Innovation Series: An Immersive Learning Hackathon” Silver: ● Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications for “Project Pinaypreneurs: Globe Business’ Internat

As we commemorate the country’s 126th Independence Day, we also reflect on its meaning and relevance in today's world. Just as we had inspiring heroes fighting for the Philippines’ right to self-government and freedom from colonial rule in 1898, we have modern-day heroes that continue to contribute to the nation’s growth and to individual self-sufficiency today.   These are Filipinos who overcome hardships to achieve personal and financial empowerment through entrepreneurship. According to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, MSMEs “generate 62.4 percent of the country's total employment, contribute 36 percent of gross value added, and account for 25 percent of total exports.”   Madiskarte Moms PH, an online community that supports starting and established mompreneurs, exemplifies the enduring spirit of Filipinos whose businesses create opportunities for our people.   By creating products using materials and designs that are Filipino-centric impacts everyone in the