’ Riera U. Mallari, Editor advertise@manilastandard.net FROM the messages we send, to the food we eat, all the way to the shows we watch, technology is now very much a part of our lives. Technology has merged with our psyche, we are now pre-programmed to check our phone the first thing in the morning, then open the television to listen to news while we eat our breakfast, tweeting #itsagoodday, along with a photo of you enjoying the morning. Who would have ever thought that electronic gadgets and social media would become an integral part of how we conduct our lives and interact with each other? A day without a Facebook post or an Instagram photo or even a Twitter rant using devices that we can’t do without makes our lives seemingly incomplete. That is not all what we can do with our devices, in recent years, banks have developed a way to make banking easier. Banking apps have sprung into existence that functions the same as meeting a banking personnel for specific transactions. One can check the balance of their account in a banking app, while drinking coffee and basking in the dawning sunlight. Along with the development of apps and features for phones, there is also a surge of new phones coming to the market. Each company, joining the Battle Royale of releasing the best phones this year. Other gadgets such as laptops and televisions are also in a tight match to be the best. With the Yuletide season nearing, join us as we make our Christmas list of gadget must-haves to guide not only the tech-savvy, but also the common folks looking for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. As we embark on a digital transformation in our homes and workplaces as our tool for progress, let Manila Standard satisfy the techie in you when it celebrates the 3rd anniversary of its Tech and Gadgets Section.
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By MJ Blancaflor
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F YOU can afford a flagship phone, then good for you! So we prepared a list of the toughto-beat, hottest flagship phones in town.
Smartphones that make you go wow! battery and huge storage that starts at 128GB is a real knockout. As a speedy device capable in low-light situations, the unit is a real contender of Apple phones. Price: P49,990 4. OPPO Reno 10x Zoom With fast-charging battery, this powerhouse device shares the same 10x hybrid zoom feature of Huawei’s P30 Pro, but without the camera hump on its back. It has also a notorious front camera hidden in a motorized popup module which achieves stunning night shots. Price: P45,990 5. Huawei P30 Pro Known for unprecedented camera, Huawei P30 Pro won’t disappoint. Its 5x optical and
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1. iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max Many of the features that these latest iPhone models have been found in Samsung and Huawei phones before, but who cares? Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro models offer not only a little bit extra and features that matter a lot to extreme mobile users and pixel experts, but their build quality and reliability have been their selling point for years. Price starts at P70,000
2. Samsung Galaxy S10+ This is Samsung’s easiest to use S Pen-toting phone yet. This premium phone is known for its gorgeous build, beautiful glass construction, and a significant bezel reduction from the Note 9. With a versatile camera system and loud speakers, the device gives an exquisite feel for users. Price: P55,990 3. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 This big, beautiful phone with top-tier specs including a big
Your Smart TV doesn’t have to drain your bank account
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Huawei P30 Pro
10x hybrid zoom are phenomenal and we cannot simply get with any other phone in the market. Plus it has high-speed Kirin 980 chip, massive 4200mAh battery, and curved OLED display. Price: P45,990 6. OnePlus 7 Pro As the most expensive OnePlus unit, the phone provides stunning design, top-of-the-line specs, and impressive cameras the can rival Samsungs and Huaweis. It has a sharper notchfree display, a pop-up selfie camera, a faster in-display fingerprint sensor, and a triple-camera system on the rear.
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By MJ Blancaflor
W What Makes Local Government an Enticing Cyber Target?
Recent and well publicized cyber attacks are damaging, costly, and have the potential to deprive communities of essential services, but stopping them poses significant challenges.
Local government CISOs and IT departments face pressures from all sides: on the one hand, citizens are demanding digital services and frictionless online experiences, but on the other, government leaders want to reduce risk within the IT infrastructure, and face increasingly stringent data security compliance requirements. Moreover, limited budgets are always a reality. Today’s cybercriminals are savvy and well aware that local governments hold massive amounts of data. They’re readily equipped to exploit that data’s value, whether by selling it on the dark web, or through extortionary tactics like ransomware attacks. Attractive Data As local governments and municipalities are called upon to deliver services more efficiently, they’re quickly expanding their technology infrastructures and the number of services they offer online. This means that their IT environments are growing rapidly and their complexity is skyrocketing. It also means that governments are collecting, storing, and transmitting everincreasing amounts of sensitive data from their citizens. Growing Cybersecurity Challenges With these increasing services comes infrastructure sprawl and complexity. Many local governments now offer services via mobile or web applications, and a growing percentage of government organizations are turning to cloud-enabled storage or computing solutions. But, this IT modernization brings challenges: IT infrastructures are increasingly distributed and heterogeneous, and attack surfaces correspondingly larger. At the same time, IT departments struggle to maintain visibility and control in these diverse environments. In many ways, this creates the perfect storm for adversaries, and local governments’ capacities for defense, response, and remediation are not always growing to keep pace with the size of the threat, due to some key challenges:
awareness of the problem and better employee education— if there is to be real change. Budget Constraints Taxpayer-funded organizations like municipalities and local governments often have extremely limited resources. It’s not uncommon for them to operate with legacy hardware or software, and a lack of technical security controls. In the current job market, cybersecurity talent is hard to come by, and salaries are high.
HILE some budget phones have impressive features, you might want to treat yourself with the more pricey devices. Which ones are worth it? Here’s a list of our fave mid-range phones which range from P11,000 to P20,000.
Ransomware is Top of Mind The attacks on multiple cities, local governments, and education systems serve as a reminder that ransomware is not going away, but instead continues to pose a serious threat going forward. Ransomware attacks continue to move away from mass-volume, opportunistic attacks to more targeted attacks on organizations, which are perceived as having either the ability or the incentive to pay ransoms. In some instances, cybercriminals have conducted considerable reconnaissance before deploying their ransomware on carefully selected systems to maximize opportunity. Regardless of the vector, as our latest Threat Landscape Report shows, ransomware continues to pose a serious threat for organizations going forward, serving as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing patching and infosecurity awareness education. What’s Needed: Simpler Security Solutions In order for local governments and municipalities to continue their digital transformation initiatives without compromising on security, it’s imperative that CISOs identify and deploy the security solutions that will enable them to make the best use of their limited resources. Not only must they compare the purchase and implementation costs of the technologies they’re considering, but it’s vital that they consider the management and administrative burden they would impose as well. A consolidated, end-to-end solution offers significant advantages over an assortment of disparate point products. When local government IT departments adopt a fabric approach, it becomes easier to deploy and administer. If all components in the infrastructure can be managed through a central pane-ofglass interface, labor hours are much reduced, and costs will be a great deal lower.
Nokia 8.1
1. Samsung Galaxy A50 If you’re into a flagship-looking phone at a mid-range segment, then this is for you. It has In addition, integrated solutions are more effective, reducing a large AMOLED display, three rear camoverall risks. When devices are capable of sharing intelligence and eras and surprisingly capable in taking taking automated action in response to threats, no component of the IT environment remains an island. Comprehensive quality photos. A50’s bright screen also solutions enable more seamless coverage, better visibility, and looks sharp and it comes with a massive automated compliance reporting. 4,000mAh battery. Price: P17,990 2. Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Dubbed as “compact flagship,” it has a triple camera with a virtually identical setup of a more pricey Mi 9. If you’re looking for a phone that won’t hurt your pockets both in size and price, check it out. Price: P15,990 3. PoT IS not a cover of a magazine or a poster for an upcoming movie. cophone F1. But fans and social media followers of Maine Mendoza will truly be The phone follows the surprised and intrigued on what the young actress is up to when trend for tall phones they see a screengrab of her latest video for Vivo. with thin displays. With a color-accurate screen and long-lasting battery life, this device is stongkingly good value for money. The Pocophone is fitted with Qualcomm’s fastest-ever mobile processor, the Snapdragon 845—the same chip that powers phones costing upwards of twice the price.
Breaking Down Silos The agencies and departments comprising local governments often have highly-segregated organizational structures. This can make it difficult to develop centralized and consistent cybersecurity programs and standards, and implement them throughout the whole of the organization. Simply put, silos don’t lend themselves to efficient collaboration. But stakeholders throughout all parts and segments of local government organizations must come together in support of a stronger cybersecurity posture—including greater
Price: P15,990 4. Xiaomi Mi 9T Mi 9T offers very capable performance at this price point, and is the first handset to run Qualcomm’s Snapdraon 730. This is an 8nm octacore chip paired with 6GB of memory. With a fullscreen display, fast internals, and a big battery at this price, this phone is worth every buck. Price: P15,990 5. ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 It has all the elements of a reliable, powerful mid-ranger. This unit is suited for those who want a steady performer that can both handle the daily tasks and heavy gaming. It also lasts long thanks to a large 5,000mAh battery. Price: P12,995 6. Realme 3 Pro With a powerful camera, nippy performance, great battery life and an included fast charger, the Realme 3 Pro is up for a game. Constructed from polycarbonate, the phone feels sturdy enough to take a few knocks and keep on rocking. It isn’t as fragile as glass or as prone to chipping as metal. Price: P12,990 7. Vivo V15Pro The Vivo V15Pro will put the “pricier” flagship phones of other brands to shame. Data storage is excellent, and so is the huge 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display. But it is the cameras that are the scene stealers here. Much of the attention has been focused on the 32 megapixel pop up camera, but the Vivo V15 Pro
Fans abuzz over Maine, Vivo V17 Pro flagship smartphone silhouette
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Samsung Galaxy A50
Screengrab shows a silhouette of Maine teasing with the Vivo V17 Pro.
The image, a silhouette of Maine teasing with what appears to be Vivo’s latest flagship smartphone, the Vivo V17 Pro, has many of her adoring fans already speculating when the new handset would be launched in the country. Aside from the screengrab,
a new video which will soon be up on Vivo’s Facebook page, will also feature the celebrity, garbed in highly-fashionable dresses, completing wacky fantweeted 17-second challenges such as eating polvoron while reciting the alphabet, or stuffing
marshmallows in her mouth. Prior to teasing about the V17 Pro, Maine was introduced as Vivo’s brand ambassador and endorser in May following the launch of the Vivo V15 Pro and Blossom Pink special edition smartphones.
rear triple camera is very nice, too. Price: P20,369 8. Nokia 8.1 If you want a solid smartphone that delivers a little bit of everything, you can do no wrong with the Nokia 8.1. It is fast, has a decent camera and audio quality and excellent display. Its sturdy build quality and looks also don’t disappoint. Price: P19,900 The best part of purchasing mid-range phones is while you enjoy features that budget phones might lack, you need not spend your entire savings for that dream gadget.
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Digital payments for DTI registration now possible with PayMaya THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has tapped digital financial services leader PayMaya to enable business name registration applicants to pay using various payment options online. Launched along with DTI’s new Business Name Registration System (BNRS), the digital payment options provided by PayMaya aim to make the process of business name registration and renewals more convenient for the public. “Long queues, inefficient and slow services in government will soon be a thing of the past. Our agreement with ePayment platforms completes our Business Name Registration System as we are now able to provide our citizens the convenience of having to transact with DTI through their mobile phones at the comfort of their homes, or wherever they are, 24/7,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez. DTI is a proponent of Ease of Doing Business and is at the forefront of government efforts to provide responsive and clientfriendly services to the public. “The government’s current thrust to make its services publicfriendly is a giant step towards global competitiveness and of course a happy citizenry. We are proud to be part of this transformation to egovernment, enabling both sides— the citizens and the government,” said PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea. PayMaya is providing its unique universal payments platform to DTI to accept all forms of non-cash payments. For online payments, the BNRS site is now powered by the PayMaya Checkout payment gateway, allowing DTI to accept Visa, Mastercard, and JCB credit, debit, and prepaid card payments for business registration fees.
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Bang-for-the-buck Smartphones By MJ Blancaflor
PAY FOR DTI REGISTRATION ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. In a
landmark partnership, PayMaya along with Land Bank of the Philippines, Bureau of the Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry sign an agreement to offer the widest digital payment options for DTI’s new Business Name Registration System, including acceptance for any credit, debit, and prepaid card payments, as well as via the PayMaya app and PayMaya QR payments. Present during the signing of the agreement were (seated) DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez (second from left), PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea (rightmost), National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon (second from right), and LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino Geron (leftmost), as well as (standing) LANDBANK Senior Vice President Ramon Monteloyola (leftmost), Deputy Treasurer Sharon Almanza (second from right), DTI Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco (second from left), and PayMaya Enterprise Head for Government Sector Marvin Santos (rightmost).
Improving government service
The initiative is a direct response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s mandate to reduce government inefficiencies and employ digital technologies to make the process of doing business in the country simpler and easier for all, in support of RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which he signed last year. This is also in line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goal of increasing digital transactions in the country to 20% by 2020 under the National Retail Payment System (NRPS). PayMaya is the only FinTech company in the Philippines offering integrated consumer and merchant payment solutions.
It is the first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device. For the merchant, PayMaya’s universal payments platform enables them to accept all payment options, including credit, debit, prepaid cards and mobile wallets. PayMaya is the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations, the leading technology company in the country backed by PLDT, KKR, Tencent, World Bank’s IFC and the IFC Emerging Asia Fund. Its universal payments platform enables the country’s top eCommerce sites, major retail and quick-service restaurants, government institutions, as well as MSME to accept multiple kinds of cashless payments.
2. Xiaomi Redmi 6 It features a 5.45-inch screen, octa A GREAT smartphone comes with core processor and Android 8.1 Oreo a price tag. But a price tag doesn’t operating system. It has 720 x 1440 mean we have to lose all the blue pixels with 18:9 aspect ratio. Best bills on our wallets. Good thing there phone for music lovers. are available and P r i c e : affordable P7,490 phones suit3. SamSam ed for those sung GalGal who are on a axy J4 Plus. tight budget. It has a M a n i l a 6-inch disdis Standard got play, 13MP you covered. back camcam We listed era, 5MP the most affront camcam fordable era, and a smartphones 3300mAh (P10,000 bebattery low) and why capacyou should ity. It also give it a try. comes 1. Vivo Y71 w i t h The phone Q u a d sports a 6-inch Core CPU display with and runs an HD+ resoluon AnAn tion of 1440 x droid. 720 pixels, an The smartsmart aspect ratio of HONOR 7S phone comes with 18:9, and a pixel density a 6.0 inches IPS LCD of 268ppi that is almost capacitive touchscreen and 720 x identical to its V7+ sibling. It boasts 1480 pixels. Best for video recording. 13MP rear camera and 5MP front Price: P6,990 camera. Best for taking photos. 4. Huawei Y6 Pro Price: P7,990 for 2GB variant, The phone has a 6.09-inch screen P8,990 for 3GB Turn to E4
Revel in the rain with the LG Dual Inverter heat Pump Dryer By Angelica Villanueva
Dryer also scores style points. It has a sleek brushed steel finish, with a big chrome rim door and a hidden handle providing an uninterrupted silhouette. The door is also reversible, giving you the flexibility to maximize space and ergonomics. You never have to worry about aftersales as the LG Dual Inverter Heat Pump
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HENEVER monsoon season arrives in the country, it brings along with it horrible traffic, deep floods, and of course, piles of clothes waiting for the sun to shine. Doing laundry with unpredictable weather is one of the most difficult things to do because if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’re going to end up with damp clothes that everyone can smell from a mile away. LG’s Dual Inverter Heat Pump Dryer (RC09VHP2V) Front Open
Heat Dryer vs. LG Dual Heat Pump Dryer
The best solution for this problem is to invest in a dryer, which guarantees a significant lifestyle improvement. LG’s Dual Inverter Heat Pump Dryer (RC09VHP2V) is one of the best dryer options in the market today since it gives you the flexibility to focus on energy efficiency or time. While drying a load, its advanced DUAL Inverter Heat Pump™ with Eco Hybrid technology provides you the choice of saving energy, or saving time, tailoring it specifically to your needs and lifestyle. Not to picky about the eco options? You can let it do its own thing, since it
also has Sensor Dry technology which optimizes drying performance by detecting moisture on the clothes and automatically sets the drying time. Shrinkage is a non-issue with the RC09VHP2V, as LG’s Dual Heat Pump Dryer technology uses a lower temperature than regular dryers, which smoothens creases and significantly reduces shrinkage. It’s also perfect for families with young children or those with allergies, as the Allergy Care Cycle reduces 99.9% allergens, such as house mites that can cause allergy or respiratory issues, improving your
quality of life by keeping an allergenfree environment. The dryer is certified by the British Allergy Foundation (BAF). Committed to the vision of a true smart home, LG also outfitted the RC09VHP2V with SmartThinQ technology, which makes it easy to interact with it together with your other LG home appliances. Using the app, you can operate and monitor your laundry from anywhere, track energy consumption, and download cycle presets. It also comes with a Smart Diagnosis function to quickly troubleshoot any minor issue before it becomes a problem. The LG Dual Inverter Heat Pump
LG’s Dual Inverter Heat Pump Dryer (RC09VHP2V) Right side view
the Inverter Motor has a 10 year warranty, giving you the guarantee that the dryer will always be hassle-free. About LG Electronics
LG’s Dual Inverter Heat Pump Dryer (RC09VHP2V) Front view Dryer has a 10 Year Warranty—both the DUAL Inverter Compressor and
Life’s about more than having the latest technology, rather, it’s about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers consumer electronics through topof-the-line home entertainment, home appliances, and air solution products, that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring “Innovation for a Better Life” nationwide—from Luzon, to Visayas, and Mindanao. For more details, log on to lg.com/ph, like @LGPhilippines on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Instagram.
LG’s Dual Heat Pump Dryer’s Allergy Care Cycle
Auto Cleaning Technology of LG’s Dual Heat Pump Dryer
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(with pre-installed screen protector) with HD+ resolution or 1560 x 720. At 282ppi, it’s good enough for browsing social media accounts and gaming. The Y6 Pro has a 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. It’s best for PUBG gaming. Price: P6,990 5. Vivo Y91 It is packed with a 6.22-inch HD+ IPS display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset with 3GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, 13MP + 2MP main cameras, and 8MP front camera. Near bezel-less phone. Price: P5,999 6. OPPO A3s It has 13MP and 2MP camera and sports 6.2-inch display with 720 x 1520 pixels. It also comes with Octa Core CPU and runs on Android. Best
Nokia 2.1
Vivo Y91 phone with big screen. Price: P5,990 7. Honor 7S The 5.45-inch screen has a resolution of 720 x 1440 and 18:9 ratio. It features 13MP rear and 5MP front camera with LED flash. It runs on MediaTek MT6739 1.5GHz quad-core processor and PowerVR GE8100 GPU. Best for low-light photography. Price: P5,490 8. Asus ZenFone Live L1 It sports a 5.5-inch HD+ display, 1440 x 720 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9 with a Snapdragon 425 SoC. It features 13 MP or 8 MP and 5 MP. Best for stock Android 8.0 Oreo OS (which gives a cleaner and unaltered Android experience.) Price starts from P3,995 9. Nokia 2.1 It sports 5.5-inch 16:9 display with front-facing speaker and 4000 mAh battery. It also runs on Android Go Edition OS. Best phone with big battery. Price: P3,990 10. Meizu C9 The phone is a 5.45-inch device in 1440 x 720 pixels with a 13MP rear and 8MP selfie camera, face unlock feature and 16GB ROM + 2GB RAM storage. Best cheap phone. Price: P3,799
Smart holds its second leg of Smart Play: Vlogger Camp in Silliman University
Are you an aspiring vlogger looking to take the internet And here’s how you can join the camp: by storm? Want to learn how to come up with the most 1. Go to this page: https://smart.com.ph/Pages/ smartplay entertaining and compelling content on YouTube? 2. Register to Giga Video 99 or Giga Video+ 149 and wait for the confirmation email, Your vlogging journey starts here as Smart brings you 3. Follow the instructions in the email to continue your Smart Play: Vlogger Camp! This first-of-its-kind event registration; is a convention that brings together the best vloggers 4. Wait for the final email containing your e-ticket, in the country to a school near you, so you can learn which you’ll present at the event. and perfect the basics of vlogging—and create content 5. You can also catch on-ground registration booths in schools to buy tickets. that captures the attention of millions online. Your favorite Filipino vloggers Will Dasovich (Travel Vlogger), David Guison (Fashion Vlogger) and Carlo Ople (Sneaker Vlogger) are joining Smart Play: Vlogger Camp as guest speakers to teach you the how-tos of video equipment, unique content creation, knowing everything about your audience, and making money off your content!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity! With everything you’ll be learning from today’s top vloggers, you might be the Philippines’ next big YouTube star! Catch the next leg of Smart Play: Vlogger Camp at Mapua University this October 5.
Don’t be afraid to pursue your passions and avail your #FreeYouTubeForAll! All you need to do is dial *123#to get a FREE additional 1 hour (1 GB) of YouTube on top Recently, Smart Play: Vlogger Camp kicked off last of your GIGA VIDEO or GIGA VIDEO+ subscriptions. August 14 in Ateneo De Davao University. You can catch For more info and updates on Smart Play: Vlogger it as well in some Universities near you. Camp, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/smartplay. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
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Laptops Lenovo IdeaPad 5540
for aspiring entrepreneurs
By Peter Paul Duran
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ITH today’s modern employment conditions, the workforce demographic landscape is gradually ousting the older generations towards higher level positions, opening up more office workloads to millennial workers. But in the fast-paced hyper-connected age of emerging business models and processes, the type of workloads have shifted as well. Workers rely on their office laptops in accomplishing time-sensitive or critical tasks. To keep up with the increasingly demanding tasks, their devices should be able to perform whenever necessary, and outdated software and hardware is counterintuitive for that goal. In a business environment, here are the currently best workplace laptops that combine functionality, style, and durability: 1. Dell XPS 13 (2019) The fan favourite ultrabook was
launched last April in the Philippine market. The XPS lineup is usually the go-to device for the millennials working in the freelancing or creatives industry because of the flexibility it brings to the table. Especially for users who also integrate mobile phones in work, its Dell Mobile Connect feature will come in handy. With retail price starting at P100,990.00, users will have an access to up to 2TB of SSD, an impressive 4K InfinityEdge display, a refreshed design with new webcam module placement, and Intel’s Whiskey Lake chip Core i7-8565U partnered with 16GB of RAM. Turn to F2
Laws, education needed to curb piracy in the Philippines
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IRACY has long been an issue in the Philippines. Unfortunately, there are no real regulations preventing people from illegally consuming content from the internet. This, explained Globe Telecom Vice President for Content Portfolio & Partner Management Jill Go, is one of the major reasons why online piracy continues to be a problem in the country. Go revealed that from 2017 to 2018, Globe Telecom experienced a 50 percent increase in terms of online traffic. And 18 percent of that increase can be attributed to the consumption of illegal content—from the use of illicit streaming devices and viewing content via illegal piracy or torrent sites. “That in itself, if you think about that in terms of petabytes, is already huge. This is theft that’s actually going around unchecked because there’s no regulatory teeth to actually put them behind bars,” Go said during the Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) Summit. Neil Gane, General Manager of the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA)’s Coalition Against Piracy, supported this claim when he revealed that 34 percent of Filipino online consumers use an illicit streaming device—a media player that allows viewers to watch pirated movies and television shows for free. According to Go, the lack of regulations curbing the illegal consumption of content online is the reason why Globe Telecom got into partnerships with content service providers such as Spotify and Netflix. Globe, Go said, can prevent piracy by providing consumers with legal options to consume content. Consumers resort to online piracy because they “feel everything on the internet is free because no one told them otherwise.” But the existence of legal means to consume online content—from TV shows and movies to music—is not enough to stop piracy. Go pointed out that even streaming service provider Netflix, for instance, spends “substantial amount of research and development so that they can give you a very good customer proposition.” It also “doubles its content budget every year.” Still, the company is losing money because of piracy. A Techcrunch report earlier this year claims Netflix could be losing up to $192 million in monthly revenue due to piracy. With its anti-piracy campaign #PlayItRight, Globe Telecom is helping curb the Filipino consumer’s reliance on illegally acquired content. “Globe Telecom sees it as a responsibility to help shape the regulations in terms of creating rules or laws that can
really put into place some teeth in terms of curbing piracy,” Go said. Earlier this year, Globe Telecom officially announced its support for Senate Bill No. 2109. Also known as the Philippine Online Infringement Act, the bill, once approved, will enable the National Telecommunications Commission to cancel the licenses of internet service providers that allow websites to facilitate the infringement of copyright. Besides setting up regulation, Go said informing the public about the perils and negative effects of piracy can help prevent it. “[We are working on] customer awareness in terms of what perils illegal content consumption brings to you, whether it is identity theft, malware, and sorts of security risks,” Go said. S h e added: “But it is also bringing to mind the consciousness that you’re actually stealing from the livelihood of countless of individuals behind the creative industry in terms of moviemaking or whether it’s short term or long term. So, if you put a face to theft, for example, maybe the man behind the camera, you begin to actually make it real for customers, that this is a real crime that we’re actually creating.” Go said Globe Telecom has partnered with private entities such as AVIA and government agencies such as the Optical Media Board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines via its Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino film festival to create more awareness via a video campaign that explains the need for Filipinos to be socially responsible users of the internet. Globe is also hoping that it can eliminate the consumer’s need to avail content illegally by continuing to give consumers “unprecedented content experience” via its local and foreign content partners. “[We hope for a] good merger between the regulatory, corporate, and also the partnerships so that we can provide a very good end to end customer experience [and also] put forward a very savvy corporate social responsibility to enforce legal use of content,” enthuses Go.
Globe to Real Estate Developers: Connectivity must become a priority to achieve PH 4th Industrial Revolution readiness
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LOBE called on real estate developers to prioritize internet connectivity in their estate development master plans as it is a key requirement for the Philippines to be ready for the 4 th Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
Globe SVP for Network Strategy Manny Estrada said during the IR 4.0 Summit “Winning Together in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” that real estate developers must realize connectivity has become a necessity just like electricity and water.
“As we prepare our country for the IR 4.0, real estate developers can no longer say that connectivity will just follow after the property is built,” Estrada said.
The National Building Code does not require real estate and property developers to have provisions for connectivity unlike electricity and water, making it more difficult to provide telecommunication services within buildings and other property developments to the detriment of tenants. Estrada revealed that the real estate industry is part of the digital ecosystem that is crucial for the growth of the digital economy as more and more people transact online. “For those in the Airbnb business, how many of your clients would ask how strong is your internet? Or how many of your tenants shop u s i n g Lazada, Shopee or Zalora? How many of them pay their bills online?” Estrada said. He also explained that industries w h i c h dominate the real estate sector like the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) or even the growing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) would require not
just a stable connectivity but redundancy as well. “Telco exclusivity in the real estate landscape should no longer be practiced. Redundancy is a crucial aspect in business continuity for many enterprises leasing your properties,” he added. He emphasized the need for telcos and real estate developers to collaborate to make the Philippines ready for IR 4.0. “We know that the real estate and property developers have a vision of how communities will be empowered by technologies. This is why we need to work together because there is no point of talking about housing and real estate in IR 4.0 if we aren’t on the same page,” he exclaimed. “Telcos need to be involved from day one. You have architects and urban planners and we have IT and network engineers with us. We can be successful in building intelligent communities together if we are working together from day one,” he said. “Connecting the Links: How the Real Estate, Transport and Manufacturing Industries Can Collaborate To Prepare for IR 4.0” was the key topic at the 1st IR 4.0 Summit presented by the Philippine Chambers of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO). Housing & Land Use Regulatory Board Acting Commissioner Atty. Melzar Galicia and Chamber of Real Estate & Builders Association President Noel Carino were part of the panel with Estrada. The event was also attended by 30 delegates from various real estate development companies.
Cybersecurity must be a critical component of customer service—Globe
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YBERSECURITY has become a necessity.
This was the statement made by Globe Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio during a panel discussion entitled “Beyond Connectivity and Access: The Cybersecurity Initiative” at the recent Industry 4.0 Summit. “Cybersecurity may sound like alien terminology but business leaders must recognize it as a vital part of customer service given the growing threats to data privacy in this digital age,” Bonifacio said. He pointed out that many businesses are not investing enough in cybersecurity and see it as unnecessary cost that can wait. This mindset can potentially expose
customers of the company to the growing dangers online. “As a business if you think you are not affected by it you couldn’t be more wrong. As you talk about IR4.0, you are actually talking about Cold War 4.0. Nowadays it’s no longer a real spy that is sent, it’s actually hackers. The adversary has become more difficult. They’re looking for financial gain or espionage,” he said. “Cybersecurity is about ‘serving’ your customers. It is an integral part of customer experience. Whether your customers are direct consumers or enterprises as part of a supply chain—it is all part of customer care. It cannot wait and it is not optional. Cybersecutiy is something that you do to make customers feel comfortable like a retailer investing in air condi-
tioning,” he added. Globe invests US$12 millions annually in cybersecurity to protect the data of its customers and to comply with the Data Privacy Act, as part of the company’s good governance policy. The company also provides a roundthe-clock support to its Enterprise customers from its Advance Security Operations Centers (ASOC) and follows the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework that helps business identify, protect, detect, respond and recover from cybersecurity threats online. To find more about Globe cybersecurity, please visit https://www.globe.com. ph/business/enterprise/cybersecurity. html for more details.
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Laptops...
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2. Lenovo YOGA S940 Created by the No.1 PC brand in the APAC region based on sales last year, Lenovo has upped the ante in their ultrabook manufacture. Just recently, they announced that all ultrabook offerings will be equipped with SSDs instead of their slower counterparts, the HDDs. For their premium workplace devices, headlining the roster is the S940 that brings something new to the table as well. Its display alone boasts a Contour Display, similar to the curved glass panels in mobile phones, an example are the Edge variants of
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the Samsung Galaxy lineup. Out of the box, the device runs Windows 10 Home powered by Intel IceLake G7 Iris Plus Graphics and an Intel Core i7 processor. Also under the hood is a 512GB PCIEx4 NVME and a battery that lasts a good 15 hours, making it a fairly powerful companion in the office. 3. Lenovo IdeaPad S540 Of course, we won’t skip the lineup that goes just below the performance of the YOGA series, the ultraslim IdeaPad offerings from Lenovo as well are poised to address the needs of the modern employees. The S540 Ultrabook features a 3-side narrow bezel of a 15.6” FHD IPS GL 300N Glass for its impressive display, dual-action fans, an Intel Core i7 processor,
and the Windows 10 Home system. The S540 has an 8GB DDR4 and a 512Gb PCIEx4 NVME, partnered with the infamous GeForce MX250 proving that it is capable
Asus VivoBook Max
as well. Users with packed schedules would also enjoy its battery life that can charge up to 80% in just an hour. 4. Asus VivoBook Max Leaning on the more affordable side but still able to perform with versatility is the VivoBook Max. It’s powered by Intel Pentium N4200 and clocks at 1.1GHz, with a DDR3L RAM of 4GB on the side. It can handle multiple tabs of web browsers without slowing gown and its display is a 15.6” HD panel with a resolution of 1366x769. It runs Windows 10 Home 64-Bit. 5. HP EliteBook 1050 Blending security and manageability is HP’s business-oriented device. Although its form factor is an ultraslim design at 18.9mm thin, it’s powered by an 8th Gen hexa-core Intel Core Processor and Dual SSDs with RAID support. It comes with Windows 10 Pro and an optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050. 6. Acer Swift 7 The compact Swift 7 housed in a 9.95mm magnesium alloy chassis weighs only 890g and obviously
goes for the minimalist approach. Its screen-tobody ratio is a whopping 92% with a 14” FHD IPS panel protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6. For the internals, the device is backed by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 16Gb of RAM and up to 512GB PCIe SSD powered by 12 hours of battery life. 7. MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019) Of course we can’t complete the rundown without a representative of the MacOS. This premium device will also not disappoint its fans. Although in the aesthetics department there is nothing new, the design is not yet broken anyway. The chunky MacBook Pro offers decent performance with its 8th Gen Core i5 processor clocking at 1.4GHz with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. The viewing experience is also a stunner, a 2560x1600-pixel Retina Display apt for 4K videos with 500 nits of brightness and 227 ppi. The MacBook Pro also has enough juice for up to 30 days of standby time and 10 hours of wireless web which can last for an entire office day.
MacBook Pro 13-inch
Go Tick Your Travel Goals with #GetGoingToWhere Challenge Powered by TikTok, Cebu Pacific GetGo TIKTOK, the world’s leading short video platform, has partnered with the rewards platform of Cebu Pacific, GetGo, to help Pinoy travelers #FlyForFree and achieve their travel bucket lists with their barkada through the #GetGoingToWhere interactive in-app challenge. The #GetGoingToWhere in-app challenge, which runs from Sept. 16 to Oct. 16, 2019, offers lucky TikTok users with the most creative travel videos a chance to win a free flight with their barkada to surf the waves of Siargao, or enjoy the rehabilitated pristine waters and white sands of Boracay, or earn GetGo points! The challenge also aims to promote local destinations and share the natural wonders of the Philippines to the global community that’s already featured on TikTok. Just download TikTok (available for iOS and Android), upload travel-centric creative videos, and share using the hashtag #GetGoingToWhere. Get creative with your travel videos with the help of TikTok’s easy-to-use tools, including stickers and filters to get you excited for your next trip! Winners will be selected based on originality, creativity and relevance to the theme and stand to get the following prizes:
2nd week major prize—1 winner of trip for 4 to Siargao inclusive of in-flight meal and luggage allowance 2nd week consolation prize - 10 winners of 1,500 GetGo points 4th week major prize—1 winner of trip for 4 to Boracay inclusive of in-flight meal and luggage allowance 4th week consolation prize—10 winners of 1,500 GetGo points So, what are you waiting for? Get going with creating your wanderlust-worthy travel video with the #GetGoingToWhere TikTok challenge. Check out the mechanics here.
BSP Managing Director Pia Roman-Tayag talks about financial inclusion, consumer protection at Home Credit PH’s Compliance and Legal Awareness Week (BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Manag- initiative by Home Credit Philippines’ Compliing Director of the Center for Learning and ance and Legal Team, raised awareness on the Inclusion Advocacy Pia Bernadette Roman- functions and responsibilities of its Legal and Tayag visited Home Credit Philippines dur- Compliance Team, relevant laws and regulations, as well as its reguing the launch of its latory bodies. Compliance and LeAs the first non-bank gal Awareness eek financial institution to (CLAW) last August issue credit cards in 5, 2019. In line with the country, Home the theme “Enhancing Compliance and Credit Philippines Legal Culture,” Tayag reports to BSP and discussed about Ficomplies with its nancial Inclusion and standards and reguConsumer Protection lations. BSP encouragduring the event. es the development of Pia Bernadette Roman-Tayag, BSP “We need to give the credit card industry Managing Director of the Center for them a compelling Learning and Inclusion Advocacy, during so that credit becomes reason to want an acavailable to customers the launch of Home Credit Philippines’ count” said Tayag. under fair business pracCompliance and Legal Awareness Week CLAW, a week-long tices.
Home Credit Philippines named as one of Asia’s Top 100 Best Employer Brands HOME Credit Philippines was distinguished as one of the Top 100 Best Employer Brands in Asia
for 2019-2020 by the Employer Branding Institute and World HRD Congress at the 10th Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards. Held last August 15, 2019 at the Pan Pacific, Singapore, the Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards recognizes leading organizations within the region that have effectively built its employer brand through exemplary human resource initiatives and practices. This is the first time Home Credit Philippines has been awarded by the said award-giving body. Alpha Omega Aquino, SHRM-SCP, Home Credit Philippines’ Head of Talent Acquisition, proudly dedicated the organization’s success to its people. "This [award] is for our (Alpha Omega Aquino, Home Credit Philippines’ more than 5 million customers in the PhilipHead of Talent Acquisition, receives the Top pines and our 12,000 employees, who are our 100 Best Employer Brands Award.) own brand ambassadors."
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Create lasting memories with these travel apps By MJ Blancaflor ARE you planning to travel this weekend? Take advantage of the best apps available to help you before you hit the road. With the help of technology, preparing for your dream travel can be done without sweat. Here’s our handpicked list of best apps available: 1. TripIt. It seamlessly captures all the details of every trip in your device—from flight itineraries, tickets, hotel reservations and driving directions. Before you even get to your destination, you have everything in one place, making it simple to share your itinerary. All you have to do is download the app and sign up for your account. It’s available on Android and iOS. 2. Roadtrippers. This app provides the driving route and allows hotel-booking along the way. Perfect for that exciting road trip you’ve always wanted to take, Roadtrippers can be downloaded on Android and iOS. The software lets users discover independently owned points of interest. It is especially useful for finding interesting places on the road, like cool restaurants and one-of-a-kind spots during the trip. 3. Kayak. As a travel website and an app, it allows you to book flights and hotels and helps you find the best prices. This fare aggregator and travel metasearch engine is available in 18 languages. It compares hundreds of travel sites for you to find the rate fit on your budget. The app is exclusively available on iOS.
4. Packing Pro. It organizes a checklist that breaks down what you’ll need in your travel backpack or suitcase. Just input in the app the where you are going, how many days your trip will be, and what the weather is supposed to be like. It has sync-
ing and sharing options, a huge catalog, sample lists, display customization and built-in Expert assistance. The app, exclusively for iOS users, also reminds you of any important things you also need to accomplish before traveling.
5. San Bidet. You can’t help it. In the middle of the road, you might want to poop. San Bidet aims to save you by tracking down places that have clean restrooms and are equipped with the elusive bidet spray. The app is available on both Android and iOS.
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Best gifts for every occasion By Angelica Villanueva and Charles Dantes
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N just a few weeks, it’s Christmas Day! This means gift-giving is about to start. But are we going to wait for Christmas season every year just to start giving gifts? Why wait for Christmas if you can give gifts on any occasion throughout the year?
LG Smart TV
Valentine’s Day
Release the inner child in you and your partner with Nintendo’s innovative take on gaming console with their Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, which are perfect for playing with your loved one. Spend the day indoor with classic and triple AAA video games in a whimsical night full of love and adventures on your hand or with your HDMI-ready television for an exhilarating experience. As of today, Nintendo Switch is priced around P16,000, while the recently released Switch Lite costs around P13,000.
Imarflex IDX-1650 Induction cooker
Graduation
After graduation, young adults will be facing the stage of adulthood and later on will be having a busy lifestyle. What they will be needing are things that will be useful to them. Giving them a go-to blender is a good idea. With its easy-to-use features of milkshake maker like Oster, busy professionals can bring their healthy smoothie with them at work. You can already have your own go-to blender in just P1,500 to P3,000.
House-warming
Every brand has a story, and it’s our job to ensure that you’re able to share it in the right platforms and reach your intended audience.
Newly relocated with friends or a family member having a house-warming party? These are perfect events to bring out a portable Korean barbecue grill and make the best samgyeopsal with your buddies. Bring home your favorite samgyeopsal, while watching your favorite K-drama. Or you can just share what’s the latest Nintendo Switch gossip while grilling pork belly. A simple Korean barbecue grill is priced from P600 to P2,500.
Mother’s/Father’s Day
There is nothing greater than giving your parents the right television set on a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day celebration! Let them feel relaxed as they binge-watch Netflix films and TV series in high-definition 43” Smart-LED television. With these TV sets approximately costing P15,000 to P20,000, you can already turn your Friday night into a family movie night.
Wedding
Celebrating the biggest chapter in one’s life and starting a family are both thrilling and frightening. That’s why giving an induction cooker may be the best starting gift for a newly-wed couple. Imarflex offers its IDX-1650 Induction cooker for as low as P2,900, just perfect for a heartful family mealtime.
Christmas season
The Christmas season is giving us the cold breeze already and what perfect way to match the weather than to get a coffee-maker to keep you warm. Bring your ideal coffee into life with Ambiano’s coffee-maker and become your own barista at home, Nintendo Switch starting at P1,000 to P3,000. Show your love to your family by keeping them warm with a cup of coffee.
Oster
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
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BEST SMARTPHONE GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS By Paul David Gelario
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HRISTMAS is just around the corner and we want nothing less but the best and the latest smartphones the market has to offer as a gift to our loved ones. With Apple’s recent release of three iPhones, it is no coincidence to hop on the hype train considering the drastic camera upgrade and the speedy software the three iPhones have to offer. The iPhone 11 has a dual lens camera linking both its 12 MP main lens and the 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens. The top of the line models, iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone Pro Max have an additional third lens enabling a more powerful zoom capacity. All three iPhones boast of an advanced photography system called Deep Fusion which allows the camera’s system to scan all 24 million pixels once the shutter has been pressed and select the best images to craft a stunningly vibrant image. With three iPhones powered with the latest A13 Bionic Processor, they can nonetheless deliver a fast and uninterrupted user experience. The iPhone 11 comes with a price of P36,000. The iPhone 11 Pro starts at P52,000 for 64GB,
load for prepaid mobile users and remit money to loved ones anywhere in the country. This was the very foundation of fintech in the country. But the Filipinos’ adoption to fintech did not happen overnight. It took 10 years for change to be felt in the local scene. While global companies from different parts of the world saw what was being developed in the Philippine fintech landscape, they have adopted fintech innovations and have scaled much faster.
Supportive regulator
P56,000 for 256 GB. The iPhone 11 Pro Max starts P57,000 for 64GB, P65,000 for 256 GB, and P75,000 for 516 GB. The next best smartphone is Vivo’s flagship phone, the NEX 3, that comes with a remarkable screen-to-body ratio of 99.6 percent along with a Waterfall FullView OLED display. The NEX 3 has four cameras, three cameras at the back with the 64-megapixel as the primary camera, a 13-megapixel telephoto, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and an upfront 16-megapixel pop
up selfie camera. NEX 3 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus Processor and supports 44W fast charging. The price of NEX 3 is yet to be announced. Huawei is expected to release four flagship phones known as the Mate 30 Lite, Mate 30, Mate 30 Pro, and the Mate 30 Pro Porsche Design. Like Apple, the Mate 30 series are expected to have a huge upgrade on its camera features, screen display, and exterior design. The Huawei Mate 30 series was launched in Munich, Germany on September 19. It will be Huawei’s first smartphones released after the US’ trade ban due to alleged security concerns and mounting tensions with China. Whatever prize the gifts that we may give, as long as it comes from the heart, our loved ones will definitely cherish them this coming Yuletide season.
INVESTORS LINE XLOG’S BLOCKCHAIN LOGISTICS SOLUTION FOREIGN investors and partners are forming a beeline to Shiptek Solutions Corp.’s XLOG, the world’s first fully-integrated blockchain-based end-to-end shipping and logistics platform, only a few months after its official launch. On Thursday, Shiptek Solutions founder and CEO Eugenio Ynion Jr., announced the signing of partnership deals with Future Greens Commercial Broker, a primary digital platforms solutions provider in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, and Quadd Solutions (Pvt) Ltd., a Sri-Lanka-based pioneer in self-service solutions for sophisticated modern lifestyle. Another company from Malaysia will also sign an agency agreement with Shiptek during the event. “The signing of these partnership deals with investors from the MENA region, and Sri Lanka is a testament of the growing recognition of the global community of the services of XLOG,” Ynion said. “Already, the global shipping and logistics industries are looking at XLOG to move cargoes anywhere in the world seamlessly using the latest in blockchain technology.” The XLOG platform is 100% developed in the Philippines. It aims to simplify the shipping and logistics by bringing the two industries in the digital age by creating an online marketplace for both companies that offer and require such services. Ynion envisions the company to be the “Traveloka for shipping lines, Uber for trucking, and the Airbnb for warehousing.” XLOG leverages the latest technologies for a seamless experience. It creates a complete documentation of door-todoor shipment from the country of origin to country of destination. The platform also provides instant access to both historical and current shipments.
HOW FINTECH...
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of commercial ships travel to Europe.” Quadd Solutions CEO and Director Chandana Gunasekara and Dhananjaya Rajapaksha (director) will be signing the documents with Shiptek. Quadd Solutions specializes in offering innovative solutions in multiple engineering disciplines. The company’s consultancy arm provides services in telecommunications, electrical, electronics and mechanical engineering solutions, while its development arm offers a range of Fintech, IoT/ IIoT and self-service automation solutions such as information, ticketing and bill payment solutions, cash/cheques deposit and dispensing solutions. Key figures during the XLOG press conference are shown here.
In May, the company inked an investment deal with UBX, the FinTech subsidiary of lending giant UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP). The partnership with UBX allows Shiptek to enjoy the credit facility network of UBP, while at the same time fusing their shared expertise in one ecosystem where logistics and financial create value-laden experiences and conveniences for stakeholders. “We are making great strides in the shipping and logistics industries. We are hoping to expand the access of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the global economy,” Ynion added. “The signing of agreements with groups from the MENA region and Sri Lanka is a step closer to achieving that goal.” Under the deal, Future Green, which is incorporated in Dubai, will allow XLOG to get a foothold in the MENA market, as well as other territories. Dubai, which is the center of trade in the MENA region, is a smart move for
the company’s expansion given the city’s strategic location. Future Green executives Muneer Musalim Saiud Al Azri and Hilmi Mohammad Salim Al Mahari will sign the agreement with Shiptek. Future Green offers access and incorporate the Eastern and Western digital and technological advances to create seamless business relationships and growth opportunities between MENA region territories and the rest of the world. Joey Union, XLOG’s chief operations officer (COO), added the deal with Sri Lanka would open doors for Filipino companies to access the so-called Silk Road markets. “Sri Lanka’s harbor towns and cities play an important role in the old Silk Roads,” Joey stated. “It only fits that China has built a new port in the town of Hambantota, in the capital of Colombo for its new Silk Road initiative. The port is a key point of transit in the very strategic Indian Ocean, through which a large percentage
EY LAUNCHES..
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With increasing digitisation and a highly networked global world, and the continuous talent gap, our Manila Center will play a key role in helping bridge the demand-supply gap of cybersecurity professionals. “Philippines and Cybersecurity are two of our biggest growth drivers within EY GDS. The new state of the art center will help us generate more employment opportunities in Manila. It is completely equipped to defend security threats for EY clients in the digital world,” said Vinod Jayaprakash, GDS Cybersecurity Leader. EY pointed to its own security survey which found 77 per cent of organisations operate with limited cybersecurity and resilience, while 87 per cent say they do not yet have sufficient budget to provide the levels of cybersecurity they want.
This decade-old transition meant people are also exposed to evolving fintech applications in their daily lives— from the traditional prepaid phones to the newest smartphones and the Internet. During this transition, the BSP was one of the first central banks in the world to create an office dedicated to financial inclusion with the establishment of the Inclusive Finance Advocacy Staff (IFAS) in 2007. IFAS implements, coordinates and advocates the microfinance and financial inclusion initiatives of the BSP. It was also IFAS which conducts the yearly National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion. The survey tracks the evolution of the digital transactions of Filipinos and the progress of fintech in the country. The BSP has made financial inclusion one of its major goals, and this was solidified by a number of programs and initiatives that they launch, including the announcement of the National Retail Payment System (NRPS) in 2015. The NRPS will establish a safe, efficient, affordable, interoperable, and reliable retail payments system which will serve as a platform for fintech innovations in the country. With the NRPS, the central bank is targeting to improve the share of digital payments to 20 percent by 2020 of the total transactions in the country, compared to the 9.2 percent recorded in 2017.
Rise of the digital natives
Alongside the strong support from the BSP, the new generation of millennials who regularly use smartphones, the Internet and social media also expects convenient experiences in solving their day-to-day problems. This is where many fintech companies come in. The Philippines has observed influx and evolution in fintech over the past two to three years. From payments, money transfers, lending, insurance, and even investments, fintech companies are starting to be competitive by making their services quicker, smarter, more convenient and cheaper. Fintech companies are overtaking banks in the adoption of digital tools in offering convenience to the daily lives of the average Juan dela Cruz. Some of the examples of these accelerated fintech services are offered by GCash, which include the contactless mobile QR code payments to around 70,000 partner merchants nationwide, online money transfers and purchases through analog and high-tech mobile phones, and building of credit scores which enable users to get loans which are affordable and easy to pay. With the development of financial services within nearly two decades, existing and incoming fintech players believe that the fintech revolution is now starting and is ready to take off in opening up avenues for convenience in the everyday lives of Filipinos. Reyner M. Villasenor is the chief corporate affairs officer of GCash (MyntGlobe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)
ONLINE...
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CALL DESIGN EXPANDING OPERATIONS
CALL Design, a Workforce Management and Optimization company from Australia is expanding its operations to provide full-component services that will improve Workforce Management performance, optimize service processes in contact center, branch and back-office operations, integrating technology and services using data science at its core. Founded in 1999 in Sydney Australia to provide Workforce Management business solutions, technology, and consulting services to their clients in Australia, US and Europe, Call Design first came to the Philippines in 2008 to support the WFM Teams of their clients who are mostly blue-chip companies, across the globe. In 2019, Call Design has enlarged its services by offering Workforce Management and Optimization as a Service to ensure that right people with the right
skills are in the right place at the right time to provide companies with optimal service and quality. Sean Mather, Executive Director of Call Design Pty. Ltd and Chairman of Auscontact Association said Workforce Management is crucial in every business but is a highly overlooked part of operations. Demand for Workforce Optimization is rising, however, due to the thriving business climate in different regions, including the Philippines. “Organizations must provide quality service, efficiency and effectiveness and at the same time ensure revenue generation, cost efficiency and profitability. It’s a demanding balancing act, and the solution is the efficiency and effectiveness that WFO can provide. A large chunk of a company’s success is due to efficient, well-managed staff,” Mather said. “Workforce Optimization ensures that
The Call Design team, led by General Manager Cecille Tan and Executive Director Sean Mather
employees are aligned with the goals of the organization. Call Design works at an enterprise-wide level to put the best tools in place for an unparalleled customer experience,” he added. Call Design Philippines General Manager Cecille Tan said the company continues to revolutionize the workplace by providing effective Workforce Management and Optimization services, tools and technology, custom software development, exceptional support, personalized training, and
consulting services at a lower cost than when the companies themselves do their own employee management. “It is the first of its kind in the country. Backed by 20 years of WFM experience and expertise, Call Design’s Workforce Management and Optimization services can help companies acquire an optimum level of performance, increase staff retention, improve technology, save on costs and time, provide a superior customer experience and make them true global players,” Ms. Tan said.
Teachers Month. When I started 51Talk, I searched for the best English teachers, and this is where I found them. That’s the main reason why I chose the Philippines because I believe in the worldclass talent of Filipino teachers, and I want to bring that to the world stage with the use of our platform,” said Huang. 51Talk Country Head, Jennifer Que said: “The long- term goal is for the Philippine home-based, online English education sector be recognized as a significant contributor to the economy and nation-building with its thousands of teachers and the socio-economic impact it makes especially in the country side. “ “Studies tell us that the demand for online English teachers will continue to increase. This is the very opportune time for us in 51Talk and our partners to gear up and prepare as there is so much work to be done,” said Que. To learn more about 51Talk, please visit www.51Talk.ph.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
YOUR SMART TV DOESN’T HAVE TO DRAIN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT By Charles Arvin Dantes
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HERE is a misconception before that if you want a good Smart television at home, you will need to break the bank in order to afford one.
But today, many well-known brands have been selling 4K television like hot pancakes due to the growing number of competitors out there keeping the prices on check and affordable for all consumers to enjoy. Now, as the holiday season is slowly approaching, it is the right time for you to go gaga on a television shopping spree with this list of the best LED TVs out there.
By Reyner M. Villasenor
2. Sony FHD KDL 40W650D
This 40-inch Smart TV is one of the best buys out there as it has XReality Pro processor that upscales low-resolution images to improve the display and X-Protection Pro that levels up the protection of the television from humidity, surge, lightning and dust. As already indicated, Sony FHD KDL 40W650D has a full-HD display 1. LG 43LM5500PTA at 1080p and the ability to connect to If you are looking for a great the Internet and use a wide variety of experience with a basic televi- streaming apps. It is priced at P19,999 sion, LG got you covered. The LG at the Abenson online store. 43LM5500PTA has a dynamic color 3. Samsung UA32N4300 view together with Dolby Digital Gamers and the like love to be apAudio and smart energy-saving preciated by their brand they support. system in tow. One of such brand is Samsung, which You also have a cinema-like thrill as gives back to the players out thereby it comes with digital noise reduction by creating this one-of-a-kind Smart and black level cinema input, perfect TV that has a unique feature called for late-night TV watching, As of now, Game Mode that allows gamers to enthe price of LG 43LM5500PTA is only joy gaming with less lag and clearer P17,990 on Abenson. images as it automatically cuts down
LG 43LM5500PTA
on-par with the bigger brands, Skyworth Smart 32TB5000 proves to be a worthy addition to this list with its high class qualities that mix Full Screen Pro technology, Dolby Digital Audio and Wi-Fi readiness into a one rectangular entertainment set-up. Billed at P11,990, it is worth every cent in your pocket to try this offering 4. Skyworth Smart 32TB5000 from Skyworth and give yourself the The most affordable Smart TV yet relaxing treat.
the amount of time the television needs to process the input from the game. Also, don’t forget that it is already a high-definition TV that you can fancy, while streaming your favorite show or playing with your gaming console. You can get it at P13,490 at Abenson.
ONLINE PLATFORM 51TALK SOLIDIFIES PARTNERSHIPS 51TALK, a leading English Online Education platform, hosted a Partners Appreciation and Thanksgiving event held recently at the SMX AURA Convention Center in Taguig City in recognition of their partners’ support and contribution in empowering more Filipino English teachers to have a sustainable online, homebased livelihood. Among their partner is the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Both parties committed to promoting community development with 51Talk offering to jump-start their online teaching career with the use of DITC’s facilities and centers. They have also been working closely with PLDT-Smart Foundation’s Gabay-Guro to offer digital livelihood training and op-
Photo shows 51Talk Founder and CEO Jack Huang (8th from left); Country Head Jennifer Que (7th from left) and Co-Founder and COO Liming Zhang (9th from right) with key partners from DICT, Local Government Units, PLDT-Gabay Guro, Huawei and other advocates.
portunities. And just recently, global tech giant HUAWEI and 51Talk signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to initiate steps in promoting information and communications technology to reach out to more teach-
ers to join the platform. Jack Huang, 51Talk Founder and CEO, led the event and personally thanked and acknowledged them as being key drivers in the company’s success and emphasized their role in
creating more opportunities for online teachers across the Philippines. “It is also very timely that we solidify and reaffirm our partnerships during the celebration of National
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Doing the ribbon-cutting rites are (from left) J. Carlitos Cruz (EY Philippines Chairman and Managing Partner), Ashok Mario Pereira (EY GDS Philippines Advisory Leader), Mary Elizabeth Porray (EY GDS Client Services Leader), Maria Elizabeth de Guzman (EY GDS Philippines Cybersecurity Leader), Jose Carlos Reyes (Dept. of Information and Communications Technology Director), Gemma Epifania Gaerlan (EY GDS Philippines Location Leader).
[on your third anniversary.]
[Tech sec rocks!]
[brand communications for today] accounts@eggshell.ph
facebook.com/eggshellworldwide
EVER since the olden days, Filipinos are used to have a small amount of cash in hand to purchase goods for their short-term needs—like shampoo or conditioner, a snack or candy, or even a condiment at the neighborhood sari-sari stores. Households also prepare cash from their salaries, and queue on banks or payment centers to pay bills or send money to loved ones. Cash is still the king for the Filipino consumer, and it always has been. But over the past decade, we saw a gradual yet vital development in the landscape of money transactions that has been starting to take a leap in the past two years. And that is, the digital disruption in banking and financial services. With the rise of technological advancements like smartphones and the Internet, we now see transactions being done online, payments and load purchases done on mobile phones, and having the ease of paying, borrowing and sending money anytime, anywhere without the hassle of carrying loads of cash, or queuing. Digital disruption is currently taking place in how we handle our purchases and transactions, therefore working its way towards the greater goal of financial inclusion, where people have access to affordable financial products and services that they need. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), about 9.2 percent of the country’s total transactions were done electronically in 2017, which is a high jump from the minimal 1 percent electronic transactions in 2013. This shows that more and more Filipinos are gradually settling their transactions online. We are facing a time where technology is on an upward trajectory and is ripe to be one of the main foundations of how we settle our transactions moving forward. But before we can put our gears into motion towards the acceleration of technological adoption in our transactions, let us look back on how financial technology (fintech) started and proliferated over the past decade in the Philippines.
Almost 20 years of fintech in PH
[Congratulations]
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HOW FINTECH INDUSTRY HAS GROWN IN PH OVER PAST 10 YEARS
EY LAUNCHES MANILA CYBERSECURITY CENTER EY, A global leader in Assurance, Tax, Transaction and Advisory services, announced the launch of its front-line Cybersecurity Center in Manila. This multi-million facility sits out of EY’s Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) and will be a revolutionary expansion of the global Cybersecurity services, playing an important role to reaffirm EY’s leading position in helping organizations mitigate cyber risks and strengthen cyber resilience. The facility offers highly automated security services that are supported by intelligent automation. Examples include triaged incident response services, threat hunting and threat protection powered by security orchestration, automation and response, said EY GDS. “We operate in a vast digital landscape and cyber risks are evolving. Attackers can hit us on machine speed while many organizations are still responding on human speed. Our new GDS Manila cybersecurity ce4enter is strategically built to continue to raise awareness and defences through the latest technology and innovation against emerging threats as we develop forward-looking cybersecurity services for EY clients,” said Maria Elizabeth de Guzman, GDS Cybersecurity location leader. Talking about the launch, Arun Batra, EY GDS Advisory Leader said: “EY continues to invest significantly in the buildout of its Manila Center. The launch of our state-of-the-art Manila Cybersecurity Operations Center will help us address the security needs of both Global and APAC clients of EY. This is closely linked to the GDS Cybersecurity facilities in India, Poland and China and other EY Cybersecurity centers like Singapore, Melbourne and Dallas.” Turn to C3
It was in the year 2000 when the BSP allowed banks across the country to engage in electronic banking (i.e. mobile banking, remittances, and digital payments) to expand client reach and improve financial access. This was one of the first steps of the central bank towards digitization, which paved the way for the BSP to be supportive of fintech and make financial inclusion as one of its key priority areas. Despite the hopes and promise that this change opened up, it took some years before the banks adopted online banking because around 8 out of 10 Filipinos at the time were still unbanked, online penetration was not yet pronounced; and although the use of prepaid mobile phones was prevalent, there was yet more work to be done to entice the public to open bank accounts and do transactions via banks. Presented by this scenario, early 2000s was the prime time when some of the oldest fintech companies and startups in the Asia Pacific region such as GCash, now operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), were established and introduced to the public. Fintech services of GCash were made available then via analog mobile phones, primarily to buy Turn to C3