WATCH: McDonald’s shows us what it means to be a perfect pair

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Some things are good on their own but even better together—just like the two of the most iconic Filipino showbiz personalities, Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, as highlight of McDonald’s TVC released on Friday, February 9.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ81Fe3Nbp6oao8iRhhsuaY5wYK1iBcQugW63rpqaerHh-Za_rJNv4WaxINpilGSFsiRhaDYYM7XuEszYheqdQDwEbJEWqzLL4j-vLIwVJH6_WS3VbRb6E9zJqFN2Rr_TF9VkeLwDRg8yk/s1600/sharon-gabby-mcdo.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="McDonald’s shows us what it means to be a perfect pair" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ81Fe3Nbp6oao8iRhhsuaY5wYK1iBcQugW63rpqaerHh-Za_rJNv4WaxINpilGSFsiRhaDYYM7XuEszYheqdQDwEbJEWqzLL4j-vLIwVJH6_WS3VbRb6E9zJqFN2Rr_TF9VkeLwDRg8yk/s1600/sharon-gabby-mcdo.jpg" title="McDonald’s shows us what it means to be a perfect pair" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic loveteam of Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta star in latest McDonald's commercial | Photo Courtesy: McDonald's Philippines</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the latest viral commercial, we see “ShaGab” chancing upon each other in a McDonald’s store and enjoying a quiet meal together—their first after a very long time.<br /><br />“Strikingly, there are many similarities between our Chicken McDo with Fries Meal and ShaGab. The Chicken McDo with Fries Meal is one of our best-sellers and has truly become a favorite of our customers over the years. In the same way, ShaGab is one of the most-loved tambalans all time, truly transcending generations,” shares Christina Lao, McDonald’s Marketing Director.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />And just like Sharon and Gabby, who are popular in their own right but pack a more powerful punch when paired up, Filipinos love Chicken McDo and Fries separately, but even more so when enjoyed together in one complete meal experience. <br /><br />McDonald’s said it made the ShaGab comeback possible to let everyone appreciate what a perfect pair means.<br /><br />Watch the latest TVC starring Sharon and Gabby here.<br /><br /><center><div class="video-wrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMcDo.ph%2Fvideos%2F1671441612905092%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="100%"></iframe></div></center><b><br /></b> <b>— The Summit Express</b></div>

WATCH: McDonald’s shows us what it means to be a perfect pair

MANILA, Philippines - Some things are good on their own but even better together—just like the two of the most iconic Filipino showbiz perso...

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Quezon City’s newest business and leisure destination Prime Hotel now open

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines — A new addition to Quezon City’s vibrant commercial and leisure circles is now open to cater to a growing group of business travelers and visitors, as the new Prime Hotel at 70 Sgt. Esguerra Street recently launched. Prime Hotel is located near EDSA, walking distance to the MRT Quezon Ave Station, walking distance from ABS-CBN, ETON and Vertis North.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORiN6FbPQlHCkkgz8cU3nVBcbTyfxDS-kKpOk_R1ptkQk4C2jZ7svc5ngF8vqOJf-ll8ir_hYWdHeYYU05GAYOYC1U8g5ho-KLSRtEidNfMLp1M5Ox_BcDkYK3oy7rbhPpqsVpcMl28iE/s1600/prime-hotel-open.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Prime Hotel Quezon City now open" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORiN6FbPQlHCkkgz8cU3nVBcbTyfxDS-kKpOk_R1ptkQk4C2jZ7svc5ngF8vqOJf-ll8ir_hYWdHeYYU05GAYOYC1U8g5ho-KLSRtEidNfMLp1M5Ox_BcDkYK3oy7rbhPpqsVpcMl28iE/s1600/prime-hotel-open.jpg" title="Prime Hotel Quezon City now open" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prime Hotel aims to cater to the city’s local and foreign visitors.</td></tr></tbody></table>“Quezon City is Metro Manila’s largest city and is fast-becoming an important destination for business and leisure travelers,” said Marvin Tiu Lim, Vice President for Marketing of Prime Hotel. “We want our hotel to become a watering hole for people, who want a different kind of business traveling and leisure experience.”<br /><br />The new hotel boasts of its ballrooms that can be used as venues for all occasions. Among these is the Grand Ballroom that features an elegant design, high-ceiling, and wide space, suited for formal gatherings or big business conferences or large wedding celebrations. For banquet dinners, it can accommodate up to 200 persons and can be extended to fit up to 250.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />There are also two other ballrooms that can accommodate 100 persons and 70 persons, respectively. These halls are also perfect venues for smaller business meetings, as well as for hosting banquets or activities for smaller groups. All function rooms comes with state of the art audio visual equipment. <br /><br />For smaller events, Prime Hotel also has several function rooms to choose from that can be utilized for photo shoots and other more intimate activities.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the 39 hotel rooms offer patrons several sizes to choose from. The room sizes range from 12sqm to 15sqm for the Traveler’s room to a spacious 38sqm floor area for the Two-Bedroom suite. For those who need a more convenient space for themselves or their families, Prime Hotel also has other rooms, such as the Superior and De Luxe, as well as the Premium and the Presidential suite. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoqcEtgsGj9kDlRVo44q1xhiFkvE4YV9uvwgYvQjOLjvAReBXmxOspcxa1oN-eN61o_KyjDZ9l34XxLNRfiLwvPQ6-UGrNcWLyzBU0uixaoxHmzjrEDl-Y0cIBSRq3B25mlvqSLA1alHT/s1600/prime-hotel-qc.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prime Hotel Quezon City now open" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoqcEtgsGj9kDlRVo44q1xhiFkvE4YV9uvwgYvQjOLjvAReBXmxOspcxa1oN-eN61o_KyjDZ9l34XxLNRfiLwvPQ6-UGrNcWLyzBU0uixaoxHmzjrEDl-Y0cIBSRq3B25mlvqSLA1alHT/s1600/prime-hotel-qc.jpg" title="Prime Hotel Quezon City now open" /></a></div><br />All of these rooms and suites are appointed, beautifully, with the most modern furniture, fixtures, and amenities with the guests’ comfort and relaxation in mind.<br /><br />Moreover, the rooms are affordably priced starting at PhP2,500.00 per night for the Traveler’s room; to PhP3,000.00 per night for the Superior room; PhP4,000.00 per night for the De Luxe room; PhP5,500.00 per night for the Premium Suite; PhP6,500.00 per night for the Presidential Suite; and PhP15,000.00 per night for the Two-Bedroom Suite.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2kD8PIanWRJwaBm7kMgY5VsDKLW0wZXd6GOHibq6FLvnuR0EP0xGkJnJ480XXAFAB-0MyQUdDNmQWDtCKWOrox1FXRS2YyQ1ZWdSeJZOlLD0qREwKxkIBuSTFy_4G7aTboAXlQ6zUHBf/s1600/prime-hotel-qc-promo-rates.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prime Hotel Quezon City room rates" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2kD8PIanWRJwaBm7kMgY5VsDKLW0wZXd6GOHibq6FLvnuR0EP0xGkJnJ480XXAFAB-0MyQUdDNmQWDtCKWOrox1FXRS2YyQ1ZWdSeJZOlLD0qREwKxkIBuSTFy_4G7aTboAXlQ6zUHBf/s1600/prime-hotel-qc-promo-rates.jpg" title="Prime Hotel Quezon City room rates" /></a></div><br />Finally, aside from the well-appointed rooms, guests can also avail of the hotel’s several amenities. After having their meetings and events, the hotel offers these other features to help them relax and unwind, like the Nautilus Rooftop Whisky Bar – with one of the best designed bars in the Metro, KTV room ,a fitness center and the first hotel in the Philippines with a Game Room that offers Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality for guests.<br /><br />To know more about the Prime Hotel, as well as for inquiries and reservations, please visit their official Facebook page (@primehotelph), visit their website at www.primehotel.com.ph or call 962-8000.<br /><br /><b>— The Summit Express</b></div>

Quezon City’s newest business and leisure destination Prime Hotel now open

MANILA, Philippines — A new addition to Quezon City’s vibrant commercial and leisure circles is now open to cater to a growing group of busi...

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UNESCO, DTI, and CHED push innovative entrepreneurship education

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The youth will play a crucial role in the future of the country’s economy with 70 percent of the Philippine population aged below 30. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognizes by identifying young entrepreneurs as the nation’s hope. However, reforms must be made in the educational system to help them reach their full potential. “If we want to make smarter entrepreneurs, we should start by changing the mindset of the young through the establishment of entrepreneurship education,” Sec. Ramon Lopez, Chairperson of the DTI said.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1yhlbtER7t1pzUjOg-wvOeyF6NtmClCaRoJ_bClHPkPqhpkEZ0StbBgNW830gWV4vdCoh6KntoinVX-u7OanKPwcPyMhWiRY4z9g6Wmh03du74uWx9mExzhMFjgBsE6-c8VGeCmtoBn/s1600/6th-UNESCO-event.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UNESCO, DTI, and CHED push innovative entrepreneurship education" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="927" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1yhlbtER7t1pzUjOg-wvOeyF6NtmClCaRoJ_bClHPkPqhpkEZ0StbBgNW830gWV4vdCoh6KntoinVX-u7OanKPwcPyMhWiRY4z9g6Wmh03du74uWx9mExzhMFjgBsE6-c8VGeCmtoBn/s1600/6th-UNESCO-event.JPG" title="UNESCO, DTI, and CHED push innovative entrepreneurship education" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHED Chair, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan (center) with (from lef)t Senior Program Coordinator for the Women and Gender Institute of Miriam College Prof. Aurora De Dios, Miriam College President Dr. Rosario O. Lapus and Educational Innovation and Skills Development (EISD) UNESCO APEID Bangkok Chief Mr. Libing Wang, and 6th UNESCO APEID Meeting on Entrepreneurship Education Chair, Dr. Antonio M. Lopez.</td></tr></tbody></table>Sec. Lopez posed this challenge at the 6th UNESCO-APEID (Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development) Meeting on Entrepreneurship Education held in Manila. The three-day conference brought together delegates, educators, and policy makers from UNESCO, DTI, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to discuss how to advance youth entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific region.<br /><br />In his keynote speech, Sec. Lopez stressed the importance of collaboration among nations to progress as a collective: “This meeting is an opportunity for our countries to learn from each other in advancing entrepreneurship education in our society.”<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />He specified the steps needed to achieve this goal and highlighted the importance of the youth’s role in national development. “The way to foster an entrepreneurial mindset is establishing a more advanced ecosystem, policies, and programs for competence building. That is what this meeting is all about: establishing an innovative entrepreneurship education that would reshape the mindset of the youth towards the journey of entrepreneurship,” Sec. Lopez said.<br /><br />Sec. Lopez added: “Our young entrepreneurs can help create stability and drive sustainable development via economic growth, employment generation, innovation, and poverty alleviation.”<br /><br />Here are some insights from this year’s UNESCO-APEID Meeting:<br /><br /><b>Creating policies aligned with ASEAN’s developmental goals</b><br /><br />To be aligned with ASEAN’s developmental goals, government policies must be formed to support young entrepreneurs and their businesses. The approval of Republic Act No. 10679, also known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, was a step forward in this direction. “With this law, government agencies like DTI, CHED, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are obliged to develop and promote entrepreneurship and financial literacy among the youth,” Sec. Lopez said.<br /><b><br /></b> <b>Better equipped universities</b><br /><br />In order to set a strong foundation for future business owners, universities must have the necessary tools for educating them. CHED Chairperson Dr. Patrcia Licuanan addressed this need in her speech: “All institutions offering BS Entrepreneurship must be able to provide a business incubation facility that must be equipped with a business center that provides students access to conference rooms, computer units with internet, telephone lines, facsimiles and the like.”<br /><br /><b>Technopreneurship</b><br /><br />Part of CHED’s efforts in preparing future entrepreneurs is to form them into tech-savvy individuals through the implementation of a mandatory 3-unit elective on Technopreneurship included in the New General Education Curriculum that takes effect in 2018. “In early 2015, CHED inked a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine S&T Devolopment Foundation Manila Inc. (PhilDev S&T) with the goal of producing Filipino engineers who can transform their ideas and innovations into economic enterprises,” Dr. Licuanan explained.<br /><br /><b>Empowering women</b><br /><br />Dr. Licuanan’s speech highlighted the opportunity to further support the vital role of women in economic development. “An international study on entrepreneurship revealed that 70 percent of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) start-ups in the Philippines are led by women,” she stated.<br /><br /><b>— The Summit Express</b></div>

UNESCO, DTI, and CHED push innovative entrepreneurship education

MANILA, Philippines - The youth will play a crucial role in the future of the country’s economy with 70 percent of the Philippine population...

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Bonifacio Global City is now PLDT Fibr-powered SmartCity

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT has recently completed its program to roll out fiber-powered broadband facilities in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a thriving business and residential center in Taguig City, providing its residents with Fibr-fast internet speeds.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNG4BP4gh9GXtM447QgHfbBxLi0jygQeSWXnbmRVGsDsU0v2TWa-taR0PKmY4oYUE-8nHqCc9GqV2rXqzgvFVE7568eG9si1bqQSlfDBX9DzmH-YDmIbV-ZRDsSdF11dGAGJwYZ2GRTeK/s1600/bgc.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bonifacio Global City is now PLDT Fibr-powered SmartCity" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNG4BP4gh9GXtM447QgHfbBxLi0jygQeSWXnbmRVGsDsU0v2TWa-taR0PKmY4oYUE-8nHqCc9GqV2rXqzgvFVE7568eG9si1bqQSlfDBX9DzmH-YDmIbV-ZRDsSdF11dGAGJwYZ2GRTeK/s1600/bgc.jpg" title="Bonifacio Global City is now PLDT Fibr-powered SmartCity" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Bonifacio Global City. (Mjdiamzon/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>All residential buildings in BGC are now Fibr-powered by PLDT HOME. Among these buildings are One Serendra, Two Serendra, Bellagio One, Two and Three, Arya Residences, The Icon Residences, The Beaufort, One McKinley Place, 8 Forbestown Road, Essensa East Forbes, Pacific Plaza Towers, and all upcoming residential buildings in BGC such as the Grand Hyatt Manila Residences, Uptown Parksuites, High Street South Block’s One and Two Maridien, and Verve Residence Towers, East Gallery Place, West Gallery Place, and the Park Triangle Towers.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>“As a cosmopolitan community, BGC residents have a strong demand for high-speed broadband given their digitally-driven lifestyles. PLDT HOME Fibr fulfills this demand,” </i>said PLDT FVP and Head of Home Business Marco Borlongan.</blockquote><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />“BGC residents can now enjoy ultra-fast broadband speeds for lag-free browsing, gaming and streaming via the game-changing Roku Powered TVolution. This entertainment box offers Cignal TV, and over 100 streaming channels including Netflix, iflix, and YouTube. The powerful connection from PLDT HOME Fibr will also enable families to enjoy the benefits of PLDT’s SmartHome security devices such as the home monitoring system Fam Cam, the cyber security platform Fam Zone, and the multi-functional kiddie gadget Smart Watch. They can also now sign up for the country’s first-ever Whole Home WiFi service — the first intelligent Home Wi-Fi technology in the Philippines, designed to blanket the entire home with wireless connectivity,” Borlongan added. <br /><br />A former military base, BGC is now one of the country’s fastest-growing commercial business districts and residential communities. It is home to many of the country’s major industries and a preferred location for many global brands and foreign investors. BGC is also a popular cultural and leisure destination for city dwellers, with its open spaces, sports fields, parks, art installations, museums, cinemas and diverse array of dining options.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>“PLDT Home Fibr is the future of broadband. With our aggressive nationwide fiber network roll-out, we are ushering in a future for Filipino families where world-class internet is accessible to everyone. Our network program for the year is on track and we will continue our mission to give more Filipinos access to high-speed broadband,”</i> said PLDT FVP and Head of Consumer Business for Market Development Oscar A. Reyes Jr.</blockquote><br />As of end-June, PLDT’s fiber facilities have passed 3.3 million homes. PLDT is expected to expand its Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) coverage to about four million homes passed by the end of 2017. It is also deploying hybrid technologies to allow existing customers connected via copper facilities to enjoy fiber-like speeds.<br /><br />PLDT has invested around P300 billion or nearly US$6 billion over the last decade to roll out the country’s most extensive fixed and wireless network infrastructure which now has 150,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables designed to support the Filipinos’ growing use of fixed and mobile data.<br /><br /><b>— The Summit Express</b></div>

Bonifacio Global City is now PLDT Fibr-powered SmartCity

MANILA, Philippines - Leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT has recently completed its program to roll out fiber-powered broad...

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Enchanted Kingdom (EK) tickets now available for 11% off at TravelBook.ph

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - As an exclusive offer from TravelBook.ph, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in the Philippines, travelers can now book Enchanted Kingdom park tickets that are 11% lower than the theme park’s walk-in rates!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGXQ1DKfeonbcgKAcPMcz11Tl7l_zROBp8NcZOSXFYtKw4dpCcpzGOgcyPZ1uNA7cfhN3eg8fYAIXy_fRC61dV8voQoKykgN0_IMomvQ1qburhy_VnQIHVB31owd6fgzM63t-TvICNJE6/s1600/ek-promo-october-2017.png" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" Enchanted Kingdom (EK) tickets now available for 11% off at TravelBook.ph" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="708" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGXQ1DKfeonbcgKAcPMcz11Tl7l_zROBp8NcZOSXFYtKw4dpCcpzGOgcyPZ1uNA7cfhN3eg8fYAIXy_fRC61dV8voQoKykgN0_IMomvQ1qburhy_VnQIHVB31owd6fgzM63t-TvICNJE6/s1600/ek-promo-october-2017.png" title=" Enchanted Kingdom (EK) tickets now available for 11% off at TravelBook.ph" /></a></div><br />Travelers going to Enchanted Kingdom on a weekday can enjoy ride-all-you-can passes for only PHP 536; while those taking a weekend getaway can get park tickets for only PHP 625. All rates are inclusive of VAT and service charges.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br /><b>Exclusive discounted tickets to Agila: The EKsperience</b><br /><br />Meanwhile, those who want to try Enchanted Kingdom’s newest attraction—Agila: The EKsperience can also book discounted tickets with TravelBook.ph. Travel across the Philippine archipelago in just one ride with this leisure package exclusively available in the said OTA. Agila: The EKsperience is the first and only flying theater in the Philippines that offers an innovative virtual experience to discover and explore the best of the country’s 7,641 islands.<br /><br />For as low as PHP 714, travelers get a single ticket to Agila: The EKsperience and a ride-all-you-can pass to Enchanted Kingdom’s rides and leisurely attractions. Those who want to bring children aged six (6) years old and below, meanwhile, may avail of this Enchanted Kingdom leisure package for only PHP 500. This weekday promo rate offered by TravelBook.ph will surely let you enjoy a hassle-free transaction as it is also already inclusive of VAT and service charge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VLUOPeAMxEAN32Uct7qdoQTbQVaQJcuRLVT18xWIIYt8Ua_oqBs4e5MeHUW5C0lam1pjk5H_DoDT3nMb5fgOmZt6vp2p2t6e4v84IEphyzcI2DgqfkBAup5ur8GPBQDGujosKvBHyiv-/s1600/enchanted-kingdom-promo-2017.png" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="EK packages October 2017" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VLUOPeAMxEAN32Uct7qdoQTbQVaQJcuRLVT18xWIIYt8Ua_oqBs4e5MeHUW5C0lam1pjk5H_DoDT3nMb5fgOmZt6vp2p2t6e4v84IEphyzcI2DgqfkBAup5ur8GPBQDGujosKvBHyiv-/s1600/enchanted-kingdom-promo-2017.png" title="EK packages October 2017" /></a></div><br />Enchanted Kingdom describes the Agila ride as “an exhilarating multi-sensory adventure that takes park entertainment to incredible heights.” Thrill-seekers can expect to soar high and see the country’s must-visit destinations like how a powerful eagle can, in a magical experience like no other.<br /><br />Tick off some of the local destinations you’ve been dreaming to explore in a magical and thrilling journey when you choose to book your next Enchanted Kingdom adventure with TravelBook.ph Tours! Discounted ticket rates offered by TravelBook.ph for Enchanted Kingdom ends on October 29, 2017.<br /><br />As TravelBook.ph introduces their Tours platform, exciting activities like flying adventures at Trampoline Park, Manila Ocean Park escapades, and day tours at Zoobic Safari are also offered at discounted rates.</div>

Enchanted Kingdom (EK) tickets now available for 11% off at TravelBook.ph

MANILA, Philippines - As an exclusive offer from TravelBook.ph, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in the Philippines, travelers can now...

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Experience the Philippines with TravelBook.ph's Tours and Activities

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines — TravelBook.ph, a leader in providing excellent online hotel booking deals in the Philippines, now becomes a one-stop website for all your travel needs as they launch their Tours, Activities, and Transfers platform!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIHtNBS31aeUfDjLRhcCNxYd6M4o2ClIPp7CxpOz22MtuaW5Lt7kDusE9SphOr_YweJ-cavKqeDyQgZx2Jrn2b1X0hmjId5bbIVuGUjslsLAVQRhULC86yRyG_Uu4TM4VsKqBf5RH39T9/s1600/travelbook-tours-activities-launch.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TravelBook.ph's Tours, Activities and Transfers" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="839" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIHtNBS31aeUfDjLRhcCNxYd6M4o2ClIPp7CxpOz22MtuaW5Lt7kDusE9SphOr_YweJ-cavKqeDyQgZx2Jrn2b1X0hmjId5bbIVuGUjslsLAVQRhULC86yRyG_Uu4TM4VsKqBf5RH39T9/s1600/travelbook-tours-activities-launch.JPG" title="TravelBook.ph's Tours, Activities and Transfers" /></a></div><br />Customers may now experience the best in the Philippines when they book affordable travel packages, exciting tours and activities, and convenient in-land and boat transfers via Travelbook.ph. All they have to do is log on to www.travelbook.ph/tour, choose an activity, transfer service, or travel package to avail, and indicate their preferred travel destination and date.<br /><br />During the official launch of their Tours, Activities, and Transfers recently, TravelBook.ph provided several reasons why travelers should book their next trip with them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxpf3Ty7yYfm_fhuOyrzGjkJG9sdOSmIsxd7q9RyldpflSiXZuK_O63reNpfad9ciE9hc4J1yUOzFjRX8XaOwlMC1KXiiNwARKBY7O6vM4jF9X36UF444N-PlcO7W7TF4ZzxHGNZLYTIc/s1600/travelbook-tours-activities.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TravelBook launch Tours and Activities" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="848" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxpf3Ty7yYfm_fhuOyrzGjkJG9sdOSmIsxd7q9RyldpflSiXZuK_O63reNpfad9ciE9hc4J1yUOzFjRX8XaOwlMC1KXiiNwARKBY7O6vM4jF9X36UF444N-PlcO7W7TF4ZzxHGNZLYTIc/s1600/travelbook-tours-activities.JPG" title="TravelBook launch Tours and Activities" /></a></div><br />Known for having the cheapest rates on hotel accommodations among other OTAs, TravelBook.ph performs daily market monitoring so they can also offer even their tour services at its most affordable prices.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />In addition to that, customers no longer have to wait too long for their booking confirmation. Travelers can expect immediate confirmation on their reservations alongside the necessary details of the activity they availed. Prices are also fixed so customers don’t have to worry about the additional fees and charges that is usually charged by other OTAs. With TravelBook.ph, that is how convenient and reliable it is!<br /><br />With over 1,300 exciting tours and transfer choices available nationwide, customers may now plan the activities that they want ahead of their trip.<br /><br /><b>Get ready for the September Promo and Discount Blast from TravelBook!</b><br /><br />TravelBook.ph never stops in giving you more opportunities to travel more! As TravelBook.ph introduces their Tours, Activities, and Transfers to the public, they will also be giving huge discounts and multiple raffle prizes in the whole month of September!<br /><br />If you’re planning to go on a trip anytime before 2017 ends, book it ahead as TravelBook.ph will be giving an amazing 25-60% discount on popular tour plans for all confirmed bookings made within the month of September! Popular activities and plans like Zoobic Safari, Underground River Tour and Coron Island Tour are guaranteed to have lower prices compared to the ones offered by other travel agencies! The huge discount varies on the wide selection of TravelBook.ph’s popular tour and activity plans. Check out the popular plans of TravelBook via www.travelbook.ph/tour.<br /><br />Aside from huge discounts, every week of September, TravelBook.ph will be offering exciting raffle promos for customers who will book a tour, activity or transfer service!<br /><br />Take part of the most exciting raffle from TravelBook.ph this September! Book your Tours, Activities and Transfers anytime within September 18 to October 4, 2017 to get a valid entry for our Book Now! Travel More Raffle Promo! This promo will be giving an All-In Travel Package that includes a luxurious accommodation, tour package and flight for eight (8) lucky winners! The winners may win any of these packages:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>3D2N stay in El Nido Palawan</b> with free luxury accommodation in El Nido Lagen Resort’s Forest Room (With Breakfast) and roundtrip economy class flights straight to El Nido via Airswift airline good for two (2) pax</li><li><b>3D2N stay in Bohol</b> with free luxury accommodation in Hennan Resort Alona Beach Pool Villa Room (With Breakfast), Tagbilaran & Panglao Tour Package and roundtrip economy class flights via Cebu Pacific airline good for two (2) pax</li><li><b>3D2N stay in El Nido</b> with free accommodation in El Nido Beach Hotel Deluxe Room Sea View (With Breakfast), El Nido Tour C Package, and roundtrip economy class flights straight to El Nido via Airswift airline good for two (2) pax</li><li>2 Winners of <b>3D2N stay in Coron Palawa</b>n with free accommodation in K-Heights Inn Standard Room or Coron Vista Lodge Standard Room (With Breakfast), Coron Town Tour and Coron Island Hopping Tour Package and roundtrip economy class flights via Cebu Pacific good for two (2) pax</li><li>3D2N stay in <b>Boracay</b> with free accommodation in La Carmela De Boracay Semi Deluxe Room (With Breakfast), Barkada Activity Package with helmet diving, parasailing, banana boat, and island hopping, and roundtrip economy class flights via Air Asia good for four (4) pax</li><li>2 Winners of 2D1N stay in <b>Antipolo, Rizal </b>with free accommodation in Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens with meals and body massage with inclusion of free accommodation in Loreland Farm Resort Standard Double Room, and roundtrip transfers from Manila good for (2) pax</li></ul><br />The winners of the said raffle promo will be drawn on October 5, 2017 and will be announced on the Facebook page of TravelBook.ph on October 6, 2017. Apart from the eight winners of the All-In Travel Package, 100 lucky customers that booked within the same period will be chosen to receive a gift check either from Trampoline Park or Tree Top Adventure as consolation prize.<br /><br />With all the huge discounts and exciting raffles for the month of September, you can now spare yourself from those boring ber-month weekends! Start planning your next bonding activity that you’ve been eagerly waiting to happen!</div>

Experience the Philippines with TravelBook.ph's Tours and Activities

MANILA, Philippines — TravelBook.ph, a leader in providing excellent online hotel booking deals in the Philippines, now becomes a one-stop w...

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Yolanda-affected entrepreneur rises, now earns P100 - 300k through online business

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Who would have thought that supertyphoon Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons on record that lashed central Philippines, would push an entrepreneur to rise from the ashes and rebuild her business?<br /><br />In November 2013, The Purpektion Shop owner Vanessa Tinitigan lost almost all of her products due to the flood brought about by the super typhoon. Aside from losing money, Vanessa also lost the trust of some of her clients who didn’t get to receive their orders.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83jBPnbIJ0dvVpOkL3mp1hPtzzvQq6blKAdigyJqS8jFzPDI6XOKd94wk1LfUGQByYWLebnjWUw1mf6V5TKOj8V77DJUAiO7NqF9fEKZwgi6rflyXWVdBN_S1uEdxQfD-VQMLw5qqojqv/s1600/yolanda-entrepreneur.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vanessa Tinitigan Yolanda entrepreneur" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83jBPnbIJ0dvVpOkL3mp1hPtzzvQq6blKAdigyJqS8jFzPDI6XOKd94wk1LfUGQByYWLebnjWUw1mf6V5TKOj8V77DJUAiO7NqF9fEKZwgi6rflyXWVdBN_S1uEdxQfD-VQMLw5qqojqv/s1600/yolanda-entrepreneur.jpg" title="Vanessa Tinitigan Yolanda entrepreneur" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO CREDIT: YouTube/Shopee Philippines</td></tr></tbody></table>This incident prompted her to close down her bazaar and Facebook business and search for greener pastures.<br /><br />In the hopes of starting over again, Vanessa decided to work abroad. However, things didn’t seem to work out so she eventually decided to come home. Little did she know that she was destined for something greater in the Philippines.<br /><br /><i>“Pero umuwi po ako noon as in wala akong kita. So ang nangyari po noon, yung natitira kong stocks na hindi ko maibenta sa bang platform ipinost ko po siya sa Shopee,” </i>Vanessa told ABS-CBN’s My Puhunan.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />In a matter of 24 hours, buyers took interest in her products. This gave Vanessa enough courage to give business a second chance. However, she concentrated on online business particularly the Shopee platform this time.<br /><br /><i>"Inipon ko po 'yong pera. Araw-araw namimili ako kasi para mapaikot ko siya nang mabilis. Tapos after a month po, na-award-an po ako ng 'Shopee Seller of the month’, </i>Vanessa happily revealed.<br /><br />Vanessa even took advantage of her experience in her failed venture abroad to make her business grow. <br /><i><br /></i> <i>“From that time po, nag-research po ako kasi, no'ng nabigo po ako sa abroad, sa skin care po iyon, sabi ko gusto kong magkaroon ng sarili kong skin care brand, saka po para ma-cater sa mga tao yung mura, affordable,”</i> Vanessa said.<br /><br />From earning P20,000 to P50,000, Vanessa now makes P100,000 to P300,000 a month. In the future, Vanessa wants her brand to be recognized internationally. <br /><br />Towards the end of her interview, she encouraged millennials to take risk, overcome their fears and dream big.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Normal lang pong matakot. Hindi ka po nangangarap nang malaki kung di ka po natatakot. Ang sa 'kin po, sipag lang po talaga at saka tiyaga. Kasi po ako nag-start po ako nang walang puhunan, kung di 'yong sipag at tiyaga lang po. Eventually po, everything will fall into place,” Vanessa added. </blockquote><br /><center><div class="video-wrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cr8GvxXAtTU" width="100%"></iframe> </div></center><br /><b>-- Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Yolanda-affected entrepreneur rises, now earns P100 - 300k through online business

Who would have thought that supertyphoon Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons on record that lashed central Philippines, would push an ent...

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LIST: Top 10 companies 'Pinoys aspire to work for' 2017

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Country’s leading job portal JobStreet.com has recently released its Top Companies 2017 survey, a list that reveals companies that Pinoys dream to work for this year.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86-WFRORVEXV1N5EVaYIR9Ef8RDhGPh3SV4M4Fqe2WUB0aezEBFZwf8X1_sB23lJ7i9Kg5BYmsoAck2VE7ZB0aQ8fzAU9lrB-V26NRNv6xsW0IeiKRznfSYi-M8fGKCCCqeDtoPxKCctS/s1600/PLDT-makati.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top 10 companies ‘Pinoys aspire to work for” 2017 PLDT" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="715" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86-WFRORVEXV1N5EVaYIR9Ef8RDhGPh3SV4M4Fqe2WUB0aezEBFZwf8X1_sB23lJ7i9Kg5BYmsoAck2VE7ZB0aQ8fzAU9lrB-V26NRNv6xsW0IeiKRznfSYi-M8fGKCCCqeDtoPxKCctS/s1600/PLDT-makati.JPG" title="Top 10 companies ‘Pinoys aspire to work for” 2017 PLDT" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PLDT Headquarter in Makati City. File photo.</td></tr></tbody></table>The survey carried out in May 2017 involved a total of 3,658 respondents coming from different position levels predominantly junior executives and fresh graduates with various specializations.<br /><br />Based on the results of the ranking released on Wednesday, August 30, power distributor Manila Electric Co. <b>(Meralco)</b> was the <b>number one choice of jobseekers</b>, putting last year’s first-placer, food and beverage firm San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to second place.<br /><br />From eighth place last year, Internet-based service Google Philippines snatched the third spot, while international nutrition and wellness multinational giant Nestle Philippines slid down to fourth place.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />BPO firm Accenture in the Philippines secured the fifth spot from third place last year.<br /><br />Other firms that made the fourth edition of the list were Henry Sy-owned financial institution BDO Unibank, consumer goods giant Procter and Gamble, top media and entertainment company ABS-CBN Corp., telecommunications giant PLDT Inc, and consumer goods multinational Unilever.<br /><br />1. Manila Electric Co (Meralco)<br />2. San Miguel Corp (SMC)<br />3. Google Philippines<br />4. Nestle Philippines<br />5. Accenture<br />6. BDO Unibank<br />7. Procter and Gamble<br />8. ABS-CBN Corp<br />9. PLDT Inc.<br />10 Unilever<br /><br />While last year’s list showed that a competitive basic salary was the top reason why jobseekers choose to work for a firm, jobseekers this year considered job security as their primary reason. Other factors include career growth offerings, training and development opportunities as well as strong leadership team. <br /><br />“These choices indicate that professional Filipinos are more interested in the long-term gains, as factors that directly affect their professional lives such as career growth offerings, job security, career-enhancing training and development opportunities, and a strong leadership team that can mentor them in their professional trajectory are now more preferred than the short-term offerings such as competitive salaries,” JobStreet said in its report.<br /><br />Check out last year’s <a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2016/07/list-top-10-companies-pinoys-aspire-to-work-2016.html" rel="nofollow">list</a>.<br /><br /><b>-- Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

LIST: Top 10 companies 'Pinoys aspire to work for' 2017

MANILA, Philippines - Country’s leading job portal JobStreet.com has recently released its Top Companies 2017 survey, a list that reveals co...

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Megaworld, Lamudi Philippines tie-up for 'next big thing in Makati'

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Real estate giant Megaworld has partnered with the online property portal Lamudi Philippines for the new big project in Makati Central Business District targetted for the tech-savvy millennials.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjpXTdYdav2SjBekIzDfThyUKfisGr7iwXcFG8gqt6tzSUzeomJy1dZLoLICICTvkxfdOxSt3de5ixXYszTJZjbBhAhiWMKiIPMb17dd8kQlB4agi_vFFL5Njo621tKwYJA81T4o4VRth/s1600/megaworld-lamudi-partnership.png" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lamudi PH CEO Jacqueline van den Ende" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjpXTdYdav2SjBekIzDfThyUKfisGr7iwXcFG8gqt6tzSUzeomJy1dZLoLICICTvkxfdOxSt3de5ixXYszTJZjbBhAhiWMKiIPMb17dd8kQlB4agi_vFFL5Njo621tKwYJA81T4o4VRth/s640/megaworld-lamudi-partnership.png" title="Lamudi PH CEO Jacqueline van den Ende" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamudi PH CEO Jacqueline van den Ende talked about digital trend that will strengthen partnership with Megaworld.</td></tr></tbody></table>In an event on Tuesday night at Resorts World Manila, Eugene Em Lozano, Megaworld vice president for sales and marketing for Makati CBD, announced its online marketing campaign for its San Antonio Residence project.<br /><br />“San Antonio Residence is Megaworld’s 20th residential masterwork in the Makati central business district designed as the ideal home for millennials. Its location and amenities complement the fast-paced lifestyle of the millennials, enabling them to make the most of their time, whether it’s moving up the career ladder or being with their loved ones,” Lozano said.<br /><br />Taking advantage of Lamudi’s premier listings, recently upgraded mobile app and expert market data, Megaworld will up the game in real estate online advertising. “Now that digital is the way to go in real estate, we believe that Lamudi’s online expertise can help us reach our target market,” Lozano added.<br /><br />"Philippines has a massive market of millenials and they are mostly online," Jacqueline Van den Ende, managing director of both Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty.ph said.<br /><br />"Mobile is next big thing for us. We have 46 percent Internet penetration. Lamudi gets 40 percent of traffic from mobile," Van den Ende added.<br /><br />She noted that about 70 percent of the country’s top developers have already partnered with them.<br /><br />Lamudi Philippines, together with MyProperty.ph (which the former acquired in 2015), is now the dominant real estate listings portal in the Philippines. And in effort to make itself the go-to place for everything related to real estate, the company also released its <a href="http://www.lamudi.com.ph/research/whitepaper-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Real Estate Market Report for 2015</a>.<br /><br />Scheduled to be completed in 2020, San Antonio Residence is equipped with amenities such as the very first B.O.N.D. (Begin, Open, Nurture, Discover) area, a Street Fitness Park and a two-story mall. This residential condo project is located along Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., near all landmarks of the Makati CBD.<br /><br /><b>RELATED STORIES</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2015/11/top-10-most-popular-cities-for-filipino-homebuyers.html" rel="nofollow">Top 10 Most Popular Cities for Filipino Homebuyers</a></li><li><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2015/11/live-work-play-14-top-townships-to-watch-out-2016.html" rel="nofollow">Live-Work-Play: 14 Top Townships to watch out for in 2016</a></li><li><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2016/02/more-pinoys-plan-to-buy-homes-in-near-future-research.html" rel="nofollow">More Pinoys plan to buy homes in the near future - research</a></li></ul></div>

Megaworld, Lamudi Philippines tie-up for 'next big thing in Makati'

MANILA, Philippines - Real estate giant Megaworld has partnered with the online property portal Lamudi Philippines for the new big project i...

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US firm to open BPO-call center in MOA

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Harte Hanks is consolidating its Manila operations and adding room for hundreds of new employees with the opening of the company’s BPO-call center at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, in Pasay City on April 21.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7m48ZJ7lo-MZgB0pwOQaCZvqzCpsSvAiJl4Y_YcRRAa731tpNC8R8CKkOaGEx8XFIaqvUm258HW-MHNsTxBGIdAVulOkBvuH1rYamyj8kc_raSlB7SqgCsSBvqbfXtnunMqZ86-8Y5rF/s1600/Five-ECom.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Five E-Com center" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7m48ZJ7lo-MZgB0pwOQaCZvqzCpsSvAiJl4Y_YcRRAa731tpNC8R8CKkOaGEx8XFIaqvUm258HW-MHNsTxBGIdAVulOkBvuH1rYamyj8kc_raSlB7SqgCsSBvqbfXtnunMqZ86-8Y5rF/s640/Five-ECom.jpg" title="Five E-Com center" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />Harte Hanks Philippines, a subsidiary of the US-based marketing company currently employs about 2,000 people in its main and secondary locations in Metro Manila.<br /><br />The move allows the company, which has established its presence in Asia-Pacific with the launching of its call center in the Philippines over a decade ago, to integrate the secondary locations with the Pasay facility.<br /><br />“We have been always impressed by the skill and dedication of our employees in Manila and look forward to sustaining our growth here,” said Jonathan Bondoc Harte Hanks Manila-based Site Director, in a statement.<br /><br />Among Harte Hanks’ clients are companies known worldwide in information technology, computer software, sports media, banking, mobile phone and health insurance industries.<br /><br />Besides the Asia-Pacific, Harte Hanks has offices spread across North America, Europe and Latin America.<br /><br />“The Philippines’ consistent support of innovative business models such as buy-operate-transfer model and investment in dependable infrastructure priorities are just two of the reasons we are expanding our investment here,” added Ben Chacko, head of operational planning and strategy for Harte Hanks.<br /><br />The American outfit, whose call center business focuses on North American clients, started doing business in the Philippines with a buy-operate-transfer partnership in 2001.</div>

US firm to open BPO-call center in MOA

MANILA, Philippines - Harte Hanks is consolidating its Manila operations and adding room for hundreds of new employees with the opening of t...

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Goodbye Telstra, San Miguel to launch 'BellTel' this 2016?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Despite the botched partnership with Telstra, San Miguel Corporation is expected to launch this year its mobile services through Bell Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (BellTel).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweW9RUfsYYfunCpQCa4tihkxYUl21e2RLVKYQE-bXyouII-zrrcTjgo1p2vknRIyEadzi54JiqiwDidPNd6ZXxfDzDPmIkpVddXqbA0bFwyG0fQPwrhtrxw42Bkk0yh6016ZMwRkYMBTv/s1600/san-miguel-belltel-telstra.PNG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="San Miguel to launch 'BellTel' this 2016" border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweW9RUfsYYfunCpQCa4tihkxYUl21e2RLVKYQE-bXyouII-zrrcTjgo1p2vknRIyEadzi54JiqiwDidPNd6ZXxfDzDPmIkpVddXqbA0bFwyG0fQPwrhtrxw42Bkk0yh6016ZMwRkYMBTv/s640/san-miguel-belltel-telstra.PNG" title="San Miguel to launch 'BellTel' this 2016" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Ramon Ang’s SMC and Australian telecom giant Telstra ends joint venture talk with a “no.”<br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Then, ring the 'Bell.'</span></td></tr></tbody></table>“San Miguel’s entry in the telecom market will definitely be a game changer. When we launch, consumers will benefit from better, cheaper service,” SMC President and COO Ramon S. Ang said.<br /><br />Belltel, which SMC acquired in 2010 through Vega Telecom Inc, has 197 base stations in Metro Manila, of which 191 already have radio station licenses, Interaksyon has reported.<br /><br />Ang added that the company is currently testing the LTE service, which would be rolled out “very soon” or within 2016. “We won’t switch it on until it’s perfect,” he said to the media.<br /><br />Reports said that the company has ongoing rollout of base stations from Pampanga to Batangas. Same with major players, the concentration is still the National Capital Region (NCR).<br /><br />While on the stage of developing a mobile network, Telstra has offered aid in technical network design and construction consultancy to make SMC's network brand an equally competent rival of industry leaders, PLDT and Globe Telecom. The company also hired experienced engineers allegedly coming from the existing players in the country.<br /><br /><b>“Both SMC and Telstra worked hard,” Ang says</b><br /><br />In a statement, San Miguel announced to public that both SMC and Telstra worked hard to come up with an acceptable resolution to some issues. <br /><br />"However, we agreed we can no longer continue with the talks. I believe this is best for all parties," Ang said.<br /><br />It can be remembered that the Filipino business tycoon made an announcement last October 2015 at the Forbes Global CEO Conference of the possibility of SMC having a joint venture with Telstra that will finally provide an unparalleled mobile and internet services in the country. <br /><br />The announcement was greeted with a very warm response by some Filipino mobile subscribers who have been consistently complaining of the alleged poor telecommunication service experience in the country. Some also claimed they are willing to pay a higher price just to enjoy the promising services of the SMC-Telstra backed network.<br /><br />On the other hand, Telstra's CEO Andrew Penn confirmed the news on a separate press statement saying that "While this opportunity is strategically attractive, and we have great respect for San Miguel Corporation and its President Mr (Ramon) Ang, it was obviously crucial that the commercial arrangements achieved the right risk-reward balance for all involved."<br /><br /><b>Telstra supposed to invest USD1 billion to speed up PH internet</b><br /><br />Originally, Telstra was supposed to pour in a huge $US1 billion for the joint venture with SMC with the hope to enable the Philippines to experience the standard high-speed mobile and internet services, something which it doesn't have as compared to its ASEAN neighbors. <br /><br />The Philippines ranks lowly among its ASEAN peers in terms of having the fastest internet services while at the same time serves as one of the leaders in terms of having the most expensive broadband services being paid by its consumers. <br /><br />When Ookla conducted a household speedtest last May 2015, the Philippines showed very poorly among its Asian contemporaries, ranking 21st among the 22 countries, just above the cellar dweller Afghanistan.<br /><br /><b>May 2015's Ookla houshold speedtest index result:</b><br /><br />1. Singapore - 122.43 Mbps<br />2. Hong Kong - 102.96 Mbps<br />3. Japan - 82.12 Mbps<br />4. South Korea - 59.77 Mbps<br />5. Macau - 50.66 Mbps<br />6. Taiwan - 50.59 Mbps<br />7. Thailand - 19.82 Mbps<br />8. Mongolia - 17.92 Mbps<br />9. Vietnam - 17.70 Mbps<br />10. Bangladesh - 9.86 Mbps<br />11. Cambodia 9.04 Mbps<br />12. Nepal 8.63 Mbps<br />13. Brunei 7.99 Mbps<br />14. Bhutan - 7.82 Mbps<br />15. India 7.04 Mbps<br />16. Malaysia 7.03 Mbps<br />17. Laos 6.92 Mbps<br />18. Indonesia 6.68 Mbps<br />19. Myanmar 6.54 Mbps<br />20. Pakistan 4.00 Mbps<br />21. Philippines - 3.64 Mbps<br />22. Afghanistan - 2.52 Mbps<br /><br /><br /><b>Duopoly and corruption seen as obstacles in Telstra-SMC joint venture</b><br /><br />Aside from the differences that kept the two conglomerates from sending the go signal for their joint venture, other factors were also being analyzed in the business world. <br /><br />First, the threat of having a third player in the telecommunications industry backed by a foreign telecom giant made the duopoly of Philippine Long Distance Telephon Company (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Incorporated to allegedly implement all the necessary measures to block any possible attempts for SMC to bring the services of Telstra with it. <br /><br />Reports said that both have ramped up public awareness and lobbying to secure part of San Miguel’s 700 Mhz spectrum, a low-band frequency good for covering large areas efficiently.<br /><br />Utilizing the 700-MHz band would allow the deployment of a high-capacity LTE-based wireless and fixed broadband network to deliver higher data rate and LTE wireless broadband service. With the use of the 700-MHz frequency, broadband prices can go down further benefitting consumers.<br /><br />Another issue is the rampant bureaucratic corruption in which the Philippine government has been notoriously known for. Although the present government lifted up the global image of the Philippines, the vestiges of its old identity as an accessory to high-level corruption activities still persists. Take for example the busted 2008 NBN-ZTE deal in which the former first gentleman Mike Arroyo was accused of having a hand on it. <b>-Michael Santiago/The Summit Express</b></div>

Goodbye Telstra, San Miguel to launch 'BellTel' this 2016?

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the botched partnership with Telstra, San Miguel Corporation is expected to launch this year its mobile servic...

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How GMA-7, ABS-CBN fared in TV ratings in February 2016

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Broadcast media giants ABS-CBN and GMA-7 both claim their lead for the month of February 2016 citing data from different TV ratings provider - Kantar Media and AGB Nielsen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8My8WjLKl5Fi-Hv6q4VwijyWSygj3FdJ963AuKmoQWf8NnNy6o0yGO8hDjFww4Qj_jH8hyO5x7t_m9_0iC6I-i7nEC0P9vKNdyQRWKXBgn9fc1JHNDbYjwqgduf_1o5X26514sGa_RKuz/s1600/ABS-CBN-vs-GMA-tv-ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GMA-7, ABS-CBN tv ratings February 2016" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8My8WjLKl5Fi-Hv6q4VwijyWSygj3FdJ963AuKmoQWf8NnNy6o0yGO8hDjFww4Qj_jH8hyO5x7t_m9_0iC6I-i7nEC0P9vKNdyQRWKXBgn9fc1JHNDbYjwqgduf_1o5X26514sGa_RKuz/s640/ABS-CBN-vs-GMA-tv-ratings.jpg" title="GMA-7, ABS-CBN tv ratings February 2016" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Kantar Media: ABS-CBN sweeps Top 10 programs in February</b><br /><br />ABS-CBN swept the top 10 programs and has average audience share of 45% from combined urban and rural homes nationwide vs. GMA-7’s 35% based on Kantar Media report.<br /><br />The primetime's action-drama series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” (43.2%) is still the number one program in the country. It is followed by “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” (40.1%), which repeatedly broke its ratings record during its final month. This is the first time both shows breached the 40% mark for its monthly average rating since they premiered. Another show that ended in the Top 5 was “Dance Kids” (35.2%) at the 3rd spot, followed by the new primetime favorite “Dolce Amore” (34.6%), and the weekend program “Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5” (32.7%).<br /><br />Completing the Top 10 are “MMK” (31.6%), “TV Patrol” (30%), the only newscast in the Top 10, “Wansanapataym” (29.8%), “Home Sweetie Home” (26.7%), and Rated K (24.6%).<br /><br />Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 2,000 homes based solely in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population.<br /><br />The primetime block remained Kapamilya country with ABS-CBN recording an average audience share of 51% vs. GMA’s 32%<br /><br /><b>AGB Nielsen: GMA is undisputed no. 1 in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila</b><br /><br />GMA claimed it outranked rival networks in Urban Luzon with 40.1 percent, up 7.1 points from ABS-CBN’s 33 percent based on service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.<br /><br />GMA said it has a big lead in Mega Manila, which now makes up 60 percent of the urban TV household population in the country. GMA registered 41.7 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s 30.2 percent by 11.5 points.<br /><br />Nielsen has a nationwide urban sample size of 2,000 homes; while in Mega Manila, it increased its sample size to 1,200 homes effective this year. </div>

How GMA-7, ABS-CBN fared in TV ratings in February 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Broadcast media giants ABS-CBN and GMA-7 both claim their lead for the month of February 2016 citing data from differe...

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Forbes World's Billionaires 2016 List: 11 Richest Filipinos named

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Forbes magazine on its 30th Annual Issue named the world's billionaires with SM Investments Corp.'s founder, chair, and CEO Henry Sy Sr. topped the list of richest Filipinos.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBP7UeZFFg0CrHH_3_PD9TWCWfH3WabthCtYdMI_YxJQNnl3RyXlGu4UDK1nsr5iekMlTt7Ahtaio2YOuoKXNVl_7KPiin4VHdKWEEXp_8Fn-4Nszm53xAIWOb8ShZWqEGejdlXbTQYl1/s1600/forbes-richest-filipinos-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Forbes 2016 List: 11 Richest Filipinos named" border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBP7UeZFFg0CrHH_3_PD9TWCWfH3WabthCtYdMI_YxJQNnl3RyXlGu4UDK1nsr5iekMlTt7Ahtaio2YOuoKXNVl_7KPiin4VHdKWEEXp_8Fn-4Nszm53xAIWOb8ShZWqEGejdlXbTQYl1/s640/forbes-richest-filipinos-2016.jpg" title="Forbes 2016 List: 11 Richest Filipinos named" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleven FIlipinos included in the 2016 world billionaires list of Forbes Magazine. <a href="http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/#version:static_tab:youngest_header:position_country:Philippines" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Forbes.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sy, 91, who led the 11 returning Filipinos in the billionaires list this year jumped from rank 73 to 71. His net worth dropped from $14.8 billion last year to only $12.9 billion this year.<br /><br />JG Summit Holdings' John Gokongwei Jr. ranked second for the Philippines and no. 270 in the world with $ 5 billion wealth.<br /><br />On the third spot and 380th worldwide this year is Philippine Airlines and Asia Brewery's Lucio Tan with $4 billion.<br /><br />There's only one female on the list, Susan Co, and she shares the slot with her husband Lucio.<br /><br />Note that 9 out of 11 are of Chinese blood and identified as self-made, citing hard work and determination as their initial capital.<br /><br />Here's the full list of richest Filipinos who made it to the 2016 Forbes World’s Richest People Club:<br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 580px; width: auto;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1499; mso-width-source: userset; width: 31pt;" width="41"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 4169; mso-width-source: userset; width: 86pt;" width="114"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 2450; mso-width-source: userset; width: 50pt;" width="67"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 7058; mso-width-source: userset; width: 145pt;" width="193"></col> </colgroup><tbody><tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 31pt;" width="41"><b>Rank</b></td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 86pt;" width="114"><b>Name</b></td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 50pt;" width="67"><b>Net Worth</b></td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 21pt;" width="28"><b>Age</b></td> <td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; width: 145pt;" width="193"><b>Affiliated Brands</b></td> </tr><tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;"> <td class="xl71" height="34" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 25.5pt; outline: 0px;">#71</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Henry Sy</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$12.9 B</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">91</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">SM Investments Corp., City of Dreams Manila</td> </tr><tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;"> <td class="xl69" height="34" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 25.5pt; outline: 0px;">#270</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">John Gokongwei, Jr.</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$5 B</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">88</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">JG Summit Holdings, Cebu Pacific, Universal Robina</td> </tr><tr height="68" style="height: 51.0pt;"> <td class="xl73" height="68" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 51.0pt; outline: 0px;">#380</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lucio Tan</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$4 B</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">81</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Asia Brewery, Philip Morris-Fortune Tobacco, Philippine Airlines, Philippine National Bank</td> </tr><tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 15.0pt; outline: 0px;">#421</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">George Ty</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$3.7 B</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">83</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">GT Capital, Metrobank</td> </tr><tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl73" height="20" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 15.0pt; outline: 0px;">#569</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">David Consunji</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$3 B</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">94</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">DMCI Holdings</td> </tr><tr height="51" style="height: 38.25pt;"> <td class="xl69" height="51" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 38.25pt; outline: 0px;">#569</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Andrew Tan</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$3 B</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">63</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Megaworld, McDonald's, Emperador Distillers, Resorts World Manila</td> </tr><tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;"> <td class="xl73" height="34" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 25.5pt; outline: 0px;">#569</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tony Tan Caktiong</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$3 B</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">63</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Jollibee Foods, Greenwich Pizza, Chowking</td> </tr><tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;"> <td class="xl69" height="34" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 25.5pt; outline: 0px;">#722</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Enrique Razon, Jr.</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$2.4 B</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">55</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">International Container Terminal Services, Solaire Resort</td> </tr><tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl73" height="20" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 15.0pt; outline: 0px;">#1121</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lucio and Susan Co</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$1.6 B</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">61</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Puregold Price Club</td> </tr><tr height="51" style="height: 38.25pt;"> <td class="xl69" height="51" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 38.25pt; outline: 0px;">#1121</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Robert Coyiuto, Jr.</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$1.6 B</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">63</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Prudential Guarantee & Assurance, PGA Cars, National Grid Corp.</td> </tr><tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;"> <td class="xl73" height="34" style="border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; height: 25.5pt; outline: 0px;">#1367</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Manuel Villar</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">$1.3 B</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px;">66</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; width: 145pt;" width="193">Starmalls, Vista Land & Landscapes</td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The richest Filipinos on the list have a combined wealth of $41.50 billion or P1,961.27 trillion—a trillion short of the Philippine government’s P3.002 trillion national budget for 2016.<br /><br />Bill Gates was once again on top as the world’s richest person (ahead of 1,809 billionaires) with a current net worth of $75 billion, down from $79.2 billion in 2015.<br /><br />The biggest gainer on the 2016 list is Mark Zuckerburg (No. 6), whose fortune is up $11.2 billion for a total net worth of $44.6 billion. He is the sixth richest in the world.<br /><br />The U.S. led with the greatest number of billionaires, with 540, followed by China with 251, Germany with 120, India with 84 and Russia with 77.<br /><br />The FORBES Billionaires list is a snapshot of wealth taken on Feb 12, 2016, when stock prices and exchange rates were locked in from around the world. It lists individuals rather than multigenerational families who share large fortunes.</div>

Forbes World's Billionaires 2016 List: 11 Richest Filipinos named

MANILA, Philippines - Forbes magazine on its 30th Annual Issue named the world's billionaires with SM Investments Corp.'s founder, c...

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More Pinoys plan to buy homes in the near future - research

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - An overwhelming majority of Filipinos are planning to move house of apartment in the near future, and almost 80 percent of them said that their main reason for moving is that they are planning to buy their first home.<br /><br />This is according to a research conducted by global property website Lamudi Philippines as presented during the media night on Wednesday, February 17 at the Dillingers 903 in Greenbelt, Makati.<br /><br />Other reasons for moving house or apartment cited by the survey’s participants include area preference (either looking for a better area, planning to move to another city, or planning to live close to relatives) (14.66 percent), work-related relocation (2.4 percent), and proximity to schools (1.44 percent).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTdQkb5wqumUla7Z1Ho3usWQ0U7_VwRXTUVSuE-_Nq_UtBXVB22tE7MnTMgdAI_jO17mkUHhGhDIvCKXuMl6JcMCha5bJYoKaOEyllkRyIBl2DoA79lh99pOv_ZIGy7PL3pzqrDco0EZY/s1600/lamudi-reasons-moving-house.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reasons for moving house" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTdQkb5wqumUla7Z1Ho3usWQ0U7_VwRXTUVSuE-_Nq_UtBXVB22tE7MnTMgdAI_jO17mkUHhGhDIvCKXuMl6JcMCha5bJYoKaOEyllkRyIBl2DoA79lh99pOv_ZIGy7PL3pzqrDco0EZY/s640/lamudi-reasons-moving-house.JPG" title="reasons for moving house" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />In terms of property type, an overwhelming majority of the respondents said that they are looking for a house (94.86 percent), and only a small proportion are considering to buy a condo (2.42 percent) or a townhouse (1.21 percent). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dZYBBv6WV6K9_i54v4GLnPdzRB5GfD4FSO1aLbREyySTCpiFd2WZSlWALKhWmhZBWrIlVV3CauD-tHid8lTj9bUIEDWOensBjurZOUeWSbuO8M-Mq6ryq-I3tHIdEp5dabm7AIXPL2po/s1600/lamudi-moving-to-new-house.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2.42% looking for condo" border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dZYBBv6WV6K9_i54v4GLnPdzRB5GfD4FSO1aLbREyySTCpiFd2WZSlWALKhWmhZBWrIlVV3CauD-tHid8lTj9bUIEDWOensBjurZOUeWSbuO8M-Mq6ryq-I3tHIdEp5dabm7AIXPL2po/s640/lamudi-moving-to-new-house.JPG" title="2.42% looking for condo" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />In terms of location, more than half (55.05 percent) of the respondents cited Metro Manila as their preferred area for their property purchase, with Quezon City being the most preferred city (19.47 percent), followed by Makati (8.65 percent) and Manila (8.41 percent). Cebu Province is the next most cited large area after Metro Manila. Almost 7 percent of the respondents said that they are planning to buy a property in Cebu. The province is followed by Cavite at 6.73 percent.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1zXOZGvDtF7mYffTXLuKRO0Ls6iakdM_-Oklyl6OOnwhG0wpg2iMBtEhfOKQE1VAasTAijD3dwjP18fEwI_F6HQkg7VJPCBze6We-4wihdgPEca7Hf1vvq2KuMTqmcHYF4670bqf8cNi/s1600/lamudi-most-popular-cities-homebuyers.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="most popular areas for homebuyers" border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1zXOZGvDtF7mYffTXLuKRO0Ls6iakdM_-Oklyl6OOnwhG0wpg2iMBtEhfOKQE1VAasTAijD3dwjP18fEwI_F6HQkg7VJPCBze6We-4wihdgPEca7Hf1vvq2KuMTqmcHYF4670bqf8cNi/s640/lamudi-most-popular-cities-homebuyers.JPG" title="most popular areas for homebuyers" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Homebuyers becoming Internet savvy</b><br /><br />Lamudi’s survey also found that Filipino homebuyers are fast becoming Internet savvy. Almost 80 percent of the surveyed participants cited the Internet as their starting point when researching about real estate. These survey participants cited real estate websites (such as online listings platforms), social media sites, and search engines as their usual starting point when researching about properties in the Internet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xURgUjZ69hmnyn7TN95Kf0_Srrr8VwinEN2GALMd2Br0CZ_Hz6z-n3FORQLyx2mVoYhQYVgHFu79n5yhFxLs_a0UX-jdjFdWIcwQQhVbboHrd17j2hsXauxBDEfD-F_iNOHC3QoJcenD/s1600/lamudi-pinoys-internet-savvy.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="internet savvy pinoys" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xURgUjZ69hmnyn7TN95Kf0_Srrr8VwinEN2GALMd2Br0CZ_Hz6z-n3FORQLyx2mVoYhQYVgHFu79n5yhFxLs_a0UX-jdjFdWIcwQQhVbboHrd17j2hsXauxBDEfD-F_iNOHC3QoJcenD/s640/lamudi-pinoys-internet-savvy.JPG" title="internet savvy pinoys" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />Lamudi’s customer survey was conducted in mid-2015. The survey revealed that 33.89 percent of the respondents were aged 50 years and older, followed by the age groups 31–40 years (28.13 percent), 41–50 years (21.15 percent), 21–30 years (16.11 percent), and under 20 years (0.72 percent).<br /><br />There are slightly more female respondents (54 percent) than male, which is consistent with Lamudi Philippines’ onsite data that shows that more women search for properties online than men.</div>

More Pinoys plan to buy homes in the near future - research

MANILA, Philippines - An overwhelming majority of Filipinos are planning to move house of apartment in the near future, and almost 80 percen...

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ABS-CBN vs. GMA: Which network is the real no. 1 in TV Ratings for January 2016

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN and GMA Network both claimed leadership as the most watched TV network nationwide for January 2016 based from different ratings service provider Kantar Media and AGB Nielsen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWNtx6It__t6T8Whhb-fg5CT2OEWRc_YQu_kYgzpz3VefB8vbEPJJ0PFN32ugCwfpiiqbHFaqXbVjc5up1g-iLlnwsJb26sBQMt9zv8GQ8nz-j2U4OR08ABZ2QCZt701aAn0gqp6HUApI/s1600/ABS-CBN-vs-GMA-tv-ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ABS-CBN vs. GMA: Which network is the real no. 1 in TV Ratings for January 2016" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWNtx6It__t6T8Whhb-fg5CT2OEWRc_YQu_kYgzpz3VefB8vbEPJJ0PFN32ugCwfpiiqbHFaqXbVjc5up1g-iLlnwsJb26sBQMt9zv8GQ8nz-j2U4OR08ABZ2QCZt701aAn0gqp6HUApI/s640/ABS-CBN-vs-GMA-tv-ratings.jpg" title="ABS-CBN vs. GMA: Which network is the real no. 1 in TV Ratings for January 2016" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />The Kapamilya network said it ruled last January after the station garnered an average audience share of 43% from combined urban and rural homes vs GMA 7’s 36%, according to recent data from Kantar Media.<br /><br />Meanwhile, GMA claimed the network garnered 37.5 percent in NUTAM (National Urban Television Audience Measurement) in January (with the dates of January 24 to 31 based on overnight readings), up 2.2 points from ABS-CBN’s 35.3 percent.<br /><br /><br /><b>Kantar Media: ABS-CBN tops January 2016 ratings game </b><br /><br />ABS-CBN kept a stronghold of the primetime block hitting an average audience share of 48% nationwide versus rival’s 33%. The station’s afternoon block also garnered a 42% nationwide rating versus GMA’s 37%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.<br /><br />Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 1,980 homes based solely in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population.<br /><br />Still topping the list of most watched programs during the previous month is “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” with an average national TV rating of 39.8% followed by “Pangako Sa’Yo” with 31.4% which tied at second with weekend top-raters “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Wansapanataym.” “Dance Kids” maintained its good showing (29.8%) at third place.<br /><br />Primetime newscast “TV Patrol” continues to be the choice news source of majority of the Filipinos as the only news program in the Top 10 programs of January, landing at the fourth spot with an average national TV rating of 28.7%.<br /><br />Two new programs also debuted strongly in January. “Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5” averaged a rating of 26.6% while late morning feel-good series “Be My Lady” earned a remarkable 18.3% rating, almost 10 points higher than competition. “Rated K” (24.3%) and “Home Sweetie Home” (24.1%) rounded up the Kapamilya programs in the Top 10.<br /><br />“It’s Showtime” (16.1%) was also able to regain the lead in the weekday noontime slot as its rival show’s rating dropped to 15.2%.<br /><br />ABS-CBN also fared better than its competition in other territories such as Balance Luzon (areas in Luzon outside Mega Manila) where it scored a national average audience share of 45% vs GMA’s 36%; in Visayas with 54% vs rival’s 26% and in Mindanao with 55% vs GMA’s 27%<br /><br />Kantar Media is a leading television (TV) audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both digital and analog platforms. It is a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries, has 26 TV networks, ad agencies, and pan-regional networks subscribing to its ratings services.<br /><br />Among its local current subscribers are ABS-CBN, Peoples Television Network Inc., The Huddle Room Media Inc., JRA Advertising (J. Romero and Associates), 720 Consumer Connect, ZenithOptimedia, Viva Communications Inc., Manprom, Philippine Daily Inquirer , CNN Philippines, Starcom, Clubmedia, Havas Media Ortega, and Media Agency groups IPG Mediabrands (Touch BPN, UM), Dentsu Aegis Network (Dentsu, Mediaforce, Carat), Omnicom Media Group (OMD, PHD and M2M) as well as Group M (Mindshare, MEC, MediaCom, and Maxus).<br /><br />International subscribers to Kantar Media include Turner Broadcasting System Asia, NBCU Global Networks Asia Pte Ltd, Google Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Home Box Office (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Scripps Networks Interactive (Asia) Pte. Ltd., MTV Asia, Fox International Channels, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd, CSM Media Research (China), AETN All Asia Networks Pte Ltd, Celestial Tiger Entertainment and Sony Pictures International.<br /><br /><br /><b>GMA Network keeps nationwide ratings leadership in January </b><br /><br />GMA continued to be the most watched channel across all timeblocks in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, where most of the urban TV households are found. Urban Luzon accounts for 77 percent, while Mega Manila increased its urban population share to 60 percent effective January 2016.<br /><br />In Urban Luzon, GMA posted a total day audience share of 42.5 percent, higher than ABS-CBN’s 30.1 percent by 12.4 points and TV5’s 7.4 percent by 35.1 points.<br /><br />The Kapuso Network was also largely ahead in Mega Manila with 44 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s 27.4 percent by 16.6 points and TV5’s 7.8 percent by 36.2 points.<br /><br />Compared to its rival ABS-CBN, more Kapuso programs entered the top 30 programs (including specials) list in NUTAM, Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.<br /><br />The reality sitcom Pepito Manaloto took the top spot in Urban Luzon; while multi-awarded news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho emerged number one in Mega Manila and led the list of Kapuso shows in NUTAM.<br /><br />Magpakailanman, Eat Bulaga, Marimar, 24 Oras, Ismol Family, Sunday Pinasaya, and Little Nanay also ranked among the top-performing programs in January.<br /><br />Completing the list are Because of You, That’s My Amboy, Celebrity Bluff, Wowowin, 24 Oras Weekend, The Half Sisters, Karelasyon, Kapuso Primetime Cinema, Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, IMBG 20 I Am Bubble Gang, Wish I May, Wanted: President, Buena Familia and i-Witness.<br /><br />So, which network do you think is the real number 1? Tell us in the comment section below.</div>

ABS-CBN vs. GMA: Which network is the real no. 1 in TV Ratings for January 2016

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN and GMA Network both claimed leadership as the most watched TV network nationwide for January 2016 based from...

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TV Ratings: ABS-CBN is most watched TV Network in 2015, says Kantar Media

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN ended 2015 on a high note after the Kapamilya network ruled nationwide ratings from January to December last year (excluding Holy Week) with an average national audience share of 43% versus GMA 7’s 36%, according to the consolidated data from Kantar Media.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhyphenhyphenr-lQ75KURukvbFIHi4jY6aXOIIATFRIQ-Tb8i2OmbuP-B8BVpLWaSQKshu-XaPWmF_Rq4UKMicq9_Qru-JwRgiXUjXzbOO0db_MHQtElz30kCIav5yTXsGPpMVS8uYpS6b5Oz2tlwO/s1600/GMA-ABS-CBN-november-2015-ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" ABS-CBN is most watched TV Network in 2015" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhyphenhyphenr-lQ75KURukvbFIHi4jY6aXOIIATFRIQ-Tb8i2OmbuP-B8BVpLWaSQKshu-XaPWmF_Rq4UKMicq9_Qru-JwRgiXUjXzbOO0db_MHQtElz30kCIav5yTXsGPpMVS8uYpS6b5Oz2tlwO/s640/GMA-ABS-CBN-november-2015-ratings.jpg" title=" ABS-CBN is most watched TV Network in 2015" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />ABS-CBN also kept a stronghold of the primetime block whole year round as it scored an average national audience share of 50% compared to rival’s 31%. This means half of the Filipino viewing population in combined urban and rural homes tuned in to the top-caliber programs offered by ABS-CBN on primetime.<br /><br />The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.<br /><br />Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 1,980 homes based solely in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population.<br /><br />Meanwhile, ABS-CBN shows also dominated the top 20 list of most watched programs for 2015, 19 of which were produced by the network. GMA-7 has 'Magpakailanman' with 21.7 average rating to secure 18th spot.<br /><br />Topping the list as the most watched program last year is “The Voice Kids” (41.7%) followed by “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” (38.8%), “Nathaniel” (34.6%), “Pangako Sa’Yo” (33.5%), and “MMK” (30.5%).<br /><br />Having aired for over a month since it premiered last November, “Dance Kids” still managed to land on the sixth spot with an average national TV rating of 30%. It is followed by “Dream Dad” (29.9%), “Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1” (29.8%), “Forevermore” (29.2%), and ABS-CBN’s flagship news program “TV Patrol” (28.2%) in the tenth spot.<br /><br />Other programs in the top 20 are “Wansapanataym” (27.9%), “Rated K” (25.2%), “Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2” (25.1%), “Home Sweetie Home” (24.2%), “The Voice of the Philippines” (23.2%), “Pasion De Amor” (23%), “Bridges of Love” (22.2%), “Goin Bulilit” (21.4%), and “On the Wings of Love” (21.3%).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPpdwJ_d4s0CRdbX6K4tYw6OxnRBTzw93Z1EPwuneLJiuDUlK8Vn111aVrh9jjjhYknvaEH55iVfVGILAXUG1uOWNP5Hc8IvqAKqUYsAEBUV0SLg9mPWsV7RHCXVNtQNYS4nz58wizXYI/s1600/top-20-PROGRAMS-2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top 20 Programs in 2015. Data from Kantar Media." border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPpdwJ_d4s0CRdbX6K4tYw6OxnRBTzw93Z1EPwuneLJiuDUlK8Vn111aVrh9jjjhYknvaEH55iVfVGILAXUG1uOWNP5Hc8IvqAKqUYsAEBUV0SLg9mPWsV7RHCXVNtQNYS4nz58wizXYI/s640/top-20-PROGRAMS-2015.JPG" title="Top 20 Programs in 2015. Data from Kantar Media." width="539" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top 20 Programs in 2015. Data from Kantar Media.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />ABS-CBN also fared better than its competition in other territories such as Balance Luzon (areas in Luzon outside Mega Manila), where it scored a national average audience share of 45% versus GMA’s 36%; in Visayas with 55% versus rival’s 27%; and in Mindanao with 54% versus GMA’s 28%<br /><br />Kantar Media is a leading television (TV) audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both digital and analog platforms. It is a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries, has 26 TV networks, ad agencies, and pan-regional networks subscribing to its ratings services.<br /><br />Among its local current subscribers are ABS-CBN, Peoples Television Network Inc., The Huddle Room Media Inc., JRA Advertising (J. Romero and Associates), 720 Consumer Connect, ZenithOptimedia, Viva Communications Inc., Manprom, Philippine Daily Inquirer , CNN Philippines, Starcom, Clubmedia, Havas Media Ortega, and Media Agency groups IPG Mediabrands (Touch BPN, UM), Dentsu Aegis Network (Dentsu, Mediaforce, Carat), Omnicom Media Group (OMD, PHD and M2M) as well as Group M (Mindshare, MEC, MediaCom, and Maxus).<br /><br />International subscribers to Kantar Media include Turner Broadcasting System Asia, NBCU Global Networks Asia Pte Ltd, Google Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Home Box Office (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Scripps Networks Interactive (Asia) Pte. Ltd., MTV Asia, Fox International Channels, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd, CSM Media Research (China), AETN All Asia Networks Pte Ltd, Celestial Tiger Entertainment and Sony Pictures International.</div>

TV Ratings: ABS-CBN is most watched TV Network in 2015, says Kantar Media

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN ended 2015 on a high note after the Kapamilya network ruled nationwide ratings from January to December last ...

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ABS-CBN Corporation names new President and CEO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corporation announced today the appointment of Carlo L. Katigbak as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2016.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozSAFBTwC_SkRWXKikkhGOtwlh3Cl5Cd8shbIqdpj_4rAQ2a8LIuRm4J5w3fXDf-QRFgwIpOZe2bLsyjfpsSoC_WVG0NEO_nkGBSXv7y6I4KRfn-EjE_OF8Jvfd7pT1dZJYfO-1AZVh9r/s1600/ABS-CBNs-newly-appointed-president-and-CEO-Carlo-Katigbak.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ABS-CBN Carlo L. Katigbak as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)" border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozSAFBTwC_SkRWXKikkhGOtwlh3Cl5Cd8shbIqdpj_4rAQ2a8LIuRm4J5w3fXDf-QRFgwIpOZe2bLsyjfpsSoC_WVG0NEO_nkGBSXv7y6I4KRfn-EjE_OF8Jvfd7pT1dZJYfO-1AZVh9r/s640/ABS-CBNs-newly-appointed-president-and-CEO-Carlo-Katigbak.jpg" title="ABS-CBN Carlo L. Katigbak as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlo Katigbak is new President and CEO of ABS-CBN. Photo Credit: ABS-CBN</td></tr></tbody></table>Charo Santos-Concio will retire on December 31, 2015 and will continue to serve the company as Chief Content Officer, President of ABS-CBN University, and Executive Adviser to the Chairman. Eugenio Lopez III remains the Chairman of the Board of ABS-CBN.<br /><br />Katigbak has 20 years combined experience in financial management and business operations, corporate planning, and general management.<br /><br />Prior to his appointment as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in March 2015, Katigbak was the Head of Access. He helped pave the company’s forays into promising technologies and ventures and managed the operations of Sky Cable, ABS-CBNmobile, and ABS-CBN TVplus.<br /><br />He began his career at Sky in 1994, handling various key positions which culminated with his appointment as VP for Provincial Operations of Sky in 1998.<br /><br />Katigbak was then assigned to establish the internet business of ABS-CBN in 1999. He served as Managing Director of ABS-CBN Interactive, which ventured into online and mobile businesses.<br /><br />He returned to Sky Cable and served as its COO from 2005 to 2012, and then its president in 2013. Under his leadership, Sky launched the Digibox, which eventually staunched the number of illegal connections and allowed customers greater flexibility in customizing their subscriptions. Sky also re-launched its broadband products, which are now the fastest growing segment of its business.<br /><br />Katigbak completed an Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School in 2009. He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Management Engineering in 1991.</div>

ABS-CBN Corporation names new President and CEO

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corporation announced today the appointment of Carlo L. Katigbak as its new President and Chief Executive Off...

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Have the best holidays with Great Samsung Giveaways promo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - To go with its line-up of next-level technologies, Samsung is taking its holiday offerings to the next level with the Great Samsung Giveaways daily raffle featuring awesome prizes for lucky consumers of Samsung mobile devices.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK7QdXea1GidN1ZicZQaqg4mV4vhgz5cTn-ddNHHt1rKAizgUrBYRSHC50u1Otn79YTJdvsoRVuQ2U4REKRvXVCSIL53PcHgOboeUYGuoYmXC0GxRlXMQhGF8o6DKq5MjDrt4Uz5rfEC5/s1600/samsung-raffle-2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Have the best holidays with Great Samsung Giveaways promo" border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK7QdXea1GidN1ZicZQaqg4mV4vhgz5cTn-ddNHHt1rKAizgUrBYRSHC50u1Otn79YTJdvsoRVuQ2U4REKRvXVCSIL53PcHgOboeUYGuoYmXC0GxRlXMQhGF8o6DKq5MjDrt4Uz5rfEC5/s640/samsung-raffle-2015.JPG" title="Have the best holidays with Great Samsung Giveaways promo" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />The Great Samsung Giveaways, the technology giant’s biggest and merriest holiday offer to date, gives you the perfect opportunity to win over P3 million worth of prizes. Each time you purchase a Samsung smartphone or tablet, you’ll be entitled to one entry to the DAILY Raffle, giving you 31 opportunities to take home a prize throughout the month of December. <br /><br />Samsung has assembled a dazzling line-up of raffle prizes that makes purchasing a Samsung mobile device even more exciting. The daily raffle prizes include a buffet for 2 at Escolta; sunglasses from Ideal Vision; a year’s worth of coffee from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; trip for 2 to Korea; Trek road bike; Samsung digital appliances and Samsung gadgets; P10,000 worth shopping spree at Robinson’s Department Store, among many others. And for the grand prize on December 31, the lucky winner will be driving home a sweet new ride – a limited edition Volkswagen Beetle!<br /><br />The raffle is not just the only bonus. Since it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, every purchase of select Samsung mobile and tablet devices gets you FREE bundles worth up to P4,300.Take home freebies such as, battery packs, memory cards, pocket Wi-Fi units, Bluetooth speakers, and many more, freebies vary depending on the purchased bundle. Participating products include the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5, both of which have revolutionized the way people use their smartphones. <br /><br />To make things even bigger, Samsung is giving away GIFTS with all devices worth up to P2,600 from iFlix, Uber, Zalora, and Globe. To be more specific, every purchase gives the consumer up to 12 months subscription from iFlix, Zalora vouchers of up to 500 pesos discount, Uber’s 500 peso voucher for new riders; and of course free data surfing for two months with Globe with every smartphone purchase.<br /><br />Spend that year-end bonus right! The Great Samsung Giveaways is a great way to treat yourself for all your hard work. Head to the nearest Samsung Experience Store or any authorized dealer to purchase that Samsung gadget you’ve always wanted. Log on to www.samsung.com/ph to know more. <br /><br />Make your holiday purchase truly rewarding with the Great Samsung Giveaways promo!</div>

Have the best holidays with Great Samsung Giveaways promo

MANILA, Philippines - To go with its line-up of next-level technologies, Samsung is taking its holiday offerings to the next level with the ...

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ABS-CBN, GMA-7 both claim nationwide ratings lead in November 2015

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Television networks ABS-CBN and GMA-7 both claimed their ratings lead for November 2015 citing data from different ratings service providers Kantar Media and AGB Nielsen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXw_WMrSakC7I_00rzwsCOoIjml1ZI9kxJbltLSwZCAyVsKuRd-Qt2gJQlMtA8JvuZfOgQ2a3tPgEVio3k27nqi5nT0sKb1uo1KtWNZnlmeyimsbfiu1dmhHqAov72DH4bxTxiccE4eOC/s1600/GMA-ABS-CBN-november-2015-ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ABS-CBN, GMA-7 both claim nationwide ratings lead in November 2015" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXw_WMrSakC7I_00rzwsCOoIjml1ZI9kxJbltLSwZCAyVsKuRd-Qt2gJQlMtA8JvuZfOgQ2a3tPgEVio3k27nqi5nT0sKb1uo1KtWNZnlmeyimsbfiu1dmhHqAov72DH4bxTxiccE4eOC/s640/GMA-ABS-CBN-november-2015-ratings.jpg" title="ABS-CBN, GMA-7 both claim nationwide ratings lead in November 2015" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />According to Kantar Media, ABS-CBN remains to be the most watched TV network in the country last November after the Kapamilya Network garnered an average audience share of 42% from combined urban and rural homes vs GMA 7’s 38%.<br /><br />Meanwhile, GMA Network claimed dominance in TV ratings using the dates of November 22 to 30 based on overnight data of AGB Nielsen. It says that GMA continued to pull away from its closest competitor in National Urban Philippines, increasing its lead over ABS-CBN to 5.7 points. Driven by its strong performance across all dayparts, GMA posted a 39.3 percent total day household audience share in NUTAM, beating ABS-CBN’s 33.6 percent as well as TV5’s 8.2 percent.<br /><br /><br /><b>ABS-CBN remains on top of ratings game in November</b><br /><br />The Kapamilya Network kept a stronghold of the primetime block hitting an average audience share of 49% nationwide versus rival’s 33%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.<br /><br />Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 1,980 homes based solely in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population.<br /><br />Still on top of the most watched programs list in the previous month is “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” with an average national TV rating of 39.9% followed by “Pangako Sa’Yo” with 34.8% and newcomer “Dance Kids,” which instantly landed on the third spot with 31.6% after only three weeks on air.<br /><br />“Wansapanataym” climbed two notches to number four from previous month’s sixth with 31.5% followed by primetime newscast “TV Patrol” (31.4%) and weekend favorites “MMK” (28.2%) and “Home Sweetie Home” (28%).<br /><br />Primetime series “Pasion De Amor” and comedy show “Goin Bulilit,” meanwhile, tied at the ninth spot both scoring an average national TV rating of 26%.<br /><br />ABS-CBN also fared better than its competition in other territories such as Balance Luzon (areas in Luzon outside Mega Manila) where it scored a national average audience share of 42% vs GMA’s 40%; in Visayas with 53% vs rival’s 29% and in Mindanao with 54% vs GMA’s 29%.<br /><br /><br /><b>GMA Network strengthens nationwide ratings lead in November</b><br /><br />The Kapuso Network maintained its robust performance in the daytime blocks in NUTAM with its audience share in the morning block reaching 36.3 percent, 6.1 points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30.2 percent and 25.6 points ahead of TV5’s 10.7 percent. GMA was also largely ahead in the afternoon block with 46.4 percent, up 18.2 points from ABS-CBN’s 28.2 percent and up 39.3 points from TV5’s 7.1 percent.<br /><br />Leading across all dayparts, GMA also kept its stronghold in viewer-rich Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which represent 77 percent and 59 percent, respectively, of all urban TV households in the country.<br />In Urban Luzon, GMA recorded 44.1 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s 29 percent by 15.1 points and TV5’s 7.3 percent by 36.8 points; while in Mega Manila, GMA ruled with 46.3 percent, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 25.5 percent by 20.8 points and TV5’s 7.6 percent by 38.7 points.<br /><br />The Kapuso Network also asserted its dominance in the list of top-rating programs in NUTAM with 18 out of the 30 top programs belonging to GMA based on Nielsen data. More GMA programs also entered the lists for Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.<br />Magpakailanman became the most watched program in Mega Manila and Urban Luzon, and led the roster of Kapuso shows in NUTAM.<br /><br />Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Ismol Family, Marimar, 24 Oras, 24 Oras Weekend, and Sunday Pinasaya also occupied top slots in the lists.<br /><br />Newly launched dramas Little Nanay and Because of You, along with Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, Imbestigador, Karelasyon, Beautiful Strangers, Kapuso Movie Festival, Celebrity Bluff and Wowowin also made it to the top programs list.<br /><br />Which TV network is the real number one?</div>

ABS-CBN, GMA-7 both claim nationwide ratings lead in November 2015

MANILA, Philippines - Television networks ABS-CBN and GMA-7 both claimed their ratings lead for November 2015 citing data from different rat...

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Smart topples Telstra, wins 'best mobile operator ' award from int’l body

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight year, the country's wireless services leader Smart Communications (Smart) was named Best Mobile Operator in the prestigious World Communication Awards, an annual recognition program for innovation and outstanding performance in the global telecommunications industry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT71HIflekchvOPicZ3wI6OIx24SO44cOL-ivI_YEhXNYkwtwTXVASEc_Z2FUwYfOPxEAgWw_kfN1SPPHS7T_fRvNmMvkMM4UaJ3zQiejuJODGGZguwpngzVlVtp2t6V2mrDaKgRpqAzVP/s1600/smart-telstra-wca-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="smart vs telstra" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT71HIflekchvOPicZ3wI6OIx24SO44cOL-ivI_YEhXNYkwtwTXVASEc_Z2FUwYfOPxEAgWw_kfN1SPPHS7T_fRvNmMvkMM4UaJ3zQiejuJODGGZguwpngzVlVtp2t6V2mrDaKgRpqAzVP/s400/smart-telstra-wca-2015.jpg" title="smart vs telstra" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Smart bagged the coveted prize over Australian company Telstra and Middle Eastern operator Ooredoo in the recent ceremony held in London.<br /><br />Last year, Smart won in the invitation-only category over six other finalists, including Philippines' Globe Telecom and Turkcell (Turkey).<br /><br />The WCA is organized annually by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.<br /><br />In naming Smart Best Mobile Operator, the WCA recognized the company’s ability to “develop its business by moving into new areas or through service innovation.”<br /><br />Powered by its strengthened digital strategy which focuses on new mobile data offers and digital partnerships, Smart posted an all-time high growth for its mobile data and broadband businesses in the first nine months of 2015. Combined revenues reached P15.6 billion, aided by a 139% upsurge in mobile data usage within the network.<br /><br />Smart recently forged partnerships with leading global digital technology companies like Uber and Airbnb, and with entertainment companies like iflix, FOX, MCA Music, and Sony Music. It introduced a slew of digital offers under the “Smart Life” campaign, which gives Filipinos the best of entertainment, convenience, urban comforts, and peace of mind wherever they go.<br /><br />These new partnerships are tied into a more streamlined suite of mobile data offerings, bannered by Smart’s Big Bytes 50 offer that includes 350MB of open-access data, plus 600MB of additional data for iflix, FOX, and SPINNR, valid for three days.<br /><br />Smart has received several international awards this year, including Best Mobile Music App for SPINNR which was given at the Global Mobile Awards in Spain. Smart’s president and chief executive officer Napoleon L. Nazareno was also named Telecom CEO of the Year at the Telecom Asia Awards in Indonesia.<br /><br />Smart remains the undisputed Philippine leader in mobile, with 67 million cellular subscribers under the brands Smart, Sun, and TNT. It has 3.8 million broadband subscribers under the brands Smart Bro and Sun Wireless Broadband.</div>

Smart topples Telstra, wins 'best mobile operator ' award from int’l body

MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight year, the country's wireless services leader Smart Communications (Smart) was named Best ...

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