by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
Rice ‘sufficient’ but DTI, DA to monitor prices: Palace
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday tasked the trade and agriculture departments to closely monitor rice prices and go after hoarders and “price manipulators,” Malacañang said on Wednesday.
“Rice supply is sufficient,” Marcos said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office.
“Prices are, however, very variable,” he added.
The President said the government is working with the private sector to keep prices stable and continue providing affordable rice in Kadiwa stalls.
“The President will go after hoarders and price manipulators who take advantage of the lean months before harvest season,” Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.
The Department of Agriculture had said it would not be easy to ascertain price manipulation now that the NFA has been stripped off its regulatory function.
“Sa ngayon kasi hindi basta-basta pwedeng sabihin na price control, ano basehan natin? We are not in the position of a national emergency para mag price control,” DA spokesperson Rex Estoperez had said.
Rice price has been steadily rising in the past few months, further triggered by India’s export ban.
Marcos assured the public last week that the country would have enough rice supply until the height of the El Niño phenomenon next year.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023 Sets the Stage for Industry Revival and Innovation
The Global Wellness, Cultural, and Tourism Convention 2023 (GWCTC2023), a landmark event aimed at shaping the future of wellness, culture, travel, and tourism industries, held its Soft Launch on the 15th of August 2023 at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur. This event provided a preview of forthcoming discussions that will not only influence post-pandemic recovery but also define the trajectory of resilient and sustainable industries. The discussions will be led by international experts and thought leaders from around the world. The occasion was graced by the esteemed presence of YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Ammar Bin Abd. Ghapar, Director General of Tourism Malaysia served as the Guest of Honour represented by YBrs. Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, Director Package Development Dision, Tourism Malaysia.
Organised by Confexhub Group in partnership with China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute (SPDI), ASEAN-China Commerce Association, and Persatuan Kerjasama Ekonomi dan Perdagangan Antarabangsa (MIETC) with strong support from Tourism Malaysia, GWCTC2023 promises to be a pivotal milestone in driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across these interwoven domains.
Amidst the backdrop of unprecedented global challenges posed by health and economic crises, GWCTC2023 provides an unparalleled platform for the convergence of industry stakeholders, thought leaders, and innovators; to discuss, deliberate, and co-create pathways to a more resilient, sustainable, and interconnected future to revitalise and reshape the wellness, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Championing Transformation in Global
Industries
GWCTC2023 holds a unique position as a
catalyst for global industry transformation. With the theme ‘Unveiling
Wellness, Cultural, and Tourism Destinations of Tomorrow’, the
convention is poised to explore cutting-edge strategies, unveil innovative
solutions, and harness the potential of emerging technologies to shape a future
where wellness, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism are paramount.
“The challenges faced by the
wellness, cultural, and tourism sectors in the wake of recent crises demand a
paradigm shift in our approaches. GWCTC2023 is not just a convention; it is a
crucible for transformation,” remarked Dato’ Seri Dr Abdul Aziz S.A. Kadir,
Organising Chairman of GWCTC2023. “By fostering cross-industry
collaborations and facilitating knowledge exchange, this event will set the
stage for the revival of these industries on a global scale.”
Expecting the Largest China Delegation to Unveil
the Vision of Shared Prosperity
At the heart of GWCTC2023 lies a
vision of shared prosperity, a vision further exemplified by the participation
of China’s (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute leading a delegation of over
1,000 health, wellness, and tourism industry stakeholders from China. This
collaborative effort underscores the convention’s commitment to global
solidarity and the exchange of expertise, resources, and innovations for mutual
growth.
A hive of events is to be expected
during the Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism 2023 convention, including a
welcome and networking reception to forge meaningful collaborations in a
relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a high calibre conference where industry
experts, thought leaders and renowned speakers to share their insights,
expertise and experience; a gala dinner with signature cultural exchange, an
international exhibition, technical presentation by China enterprises and a
cultural study tour to Malacca.
Admission to the exhibition is Free.
For more information about the Global
Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023, visit www.gwctc.org
The Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023 (GWCTC2023) is a flagship event by Confexhub Sdn Bhd. GWCTC emerged as a paramount gathering that brought together industry frontrunners, pioneers, and influencers to explore new dimensions in wellness, culture, and tourism. Organized by Confexhub Group in partnership with China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute, ASEAN-China Commerce Association, and Persatuan Kerjasama Ekonomi dan Perdagangan Antarabangsa, GWCTC2023 has set a new trajectory for industry collaboration, innovation, and international solidarity.
Hooi Sookmei
(603) 2771 1668
so*****@*******ub.com
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
MicroSourcing bolsters Southern NCR presence, debuts 11th service delivery center in Parañaque
MicroSourcing, the pioneer and largest offshore provider of managed services in the Philippines, powered up its Southern Metro Manila presence with the launch of its eleventh service delivery center, nestled in the Paranaque City.
This new service delivery center allows MicroSourcing to take advantage of the rich talent pool in nearby provinces, including Cavite, Las Pinas, Batangas, and Laguna. The newly established site will serve as a nexus for a diverse range of industries, including software development, accounting, information technology, engineering, digital marketing, and contact center services.
With the presence of esteemed guests and industry leaders, the inauguration ceremony was nothing short of a grand affair. Under Secretary Jocelle Batapa Sigue, who represented the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), praised MicroSourcing’s pivotal role in boosting the Philippines’ standing on the global outsourcing stage through its unwavering commitment to quality services and advancement of the ICT industry. She also applauded the company’s initiatives in generating job opportunities in neighboring provinces of the NCR and extending work-from-home options across the Philippines, thereby creating positive change in the communities where they operate.
MicroSourcing’s CEO, Haidee Enriquez, expressed her excitement at the inauguration of the new facility, which is designed to highlight the Philippines’ capabilities and celebrate local festivals.
“As the leading offshore provider of managed services, we are expanding our operations across different talent markets, employing 8,000+ professionals, 70% of whom enjoy the flexibility of hybrid and permanent work-from-home arrangements. This is a fitting closure to our financial year, and we’re looking forward to adding at least two more service delivery centers in the countryside in the upcoming year, contributing to a more inclusive growth. ”
In a show of trust and support for MicroSourcing’s expanding operations, executives from the Wilson Group, a client since 2015, were present at the inauguration. Ethel Contreras, Vice President of Operations, rejoiced at this robust support from clients. “The overwhelming response from our select clients shows the enduring trust they have placed in MicroSourcing. Impressively, even before the site’s official launch, 68% of the space has already been secured by clients for their staff. We are deeply happy and thankful for their continued partnership,” Contreras noted.
Located on the ninth floor of the Harton Corporate Center, this new hub provides a productive and secure workspace, complete with complimentary coffee and refreshments in the spacious pantry, ample meeting rooms for seamless team collaborations, and 24/7 security for the 280 in-center employees. With advanced IT resources, the center guarantees smooth operations, minimal disruptions, and enhanced employee productivity. Moreso, the center’s prime location allows for easy access via many modes of transport, and its proximity to shopping areas, retail stores, and cafes ensures a better overall experience for its dedicated professionals.
MicroSourcing’s eleventh service delivery center in the Philippines further solidifies their active support and leadership in the industry’s goal to add 1.1 million jobs by 2028, playing a pivotal role in the expansion and innovation of the IT-BPM sector.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
AnyMind Group CEO Kosuke Sogo is appointed to the APAC board of MMA Global
AnyMind Group [TSE:5027], an end-to-end commerce enablement company, is today announcing that Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, has been appointed to the Asia Pacific board of MMA Global.
On his appointment, Sogo said: “This appointment is justification for the impact that AnyMind has had on the industry in our young seven-year lifespan. Our technology across the commerce and marketing ecosystems means that I can bring a unique perspective to the table, and I’m looking forward to working with the other board members to further the industry and shape the future of how businesses grow, reach and engage with their customers.”
AnyMind Group started out in the digital marketing and influencer marketing space in 2016, and expanded its technology and offerings to serve publishers and creators. In 2020, the company further expanded into the business supply chain by developing platforms for e-commerce, logistics, conversational commerce and manufacturing.
Rohit Dadwal, MMA Board Member and Managing Director APAC, MMA Global APAC, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Kosuke Sogo from AnyMind to the board of MMA Global APAC. With his extensive experience in commerce and marketing technology and his passion for driving growth, we are confident that he will be a valuable addition to our association. MMA is the only association that brings together the full ecosystem of marketers, martech and media companies, and with Sogo’s expertise, we can continue to work towards architecting the future of marketing and delivering growth today.”
The Asia Pacific board of MMA Global comprises executives from Google, Meta, Grab, TikTok, Publicis, Procter & Gamble, Inmobi, Income Insurance, DEPT, UN:ventures, Advent International, Anzu.io and H+.
About AnyMind Group
Founded in April 2016, AnyMind Group [TSE:5027] is an end-to-end commerce enablement technology company with a purpose to make it exciting for everyone to do business. The company provides two broad offerings to brands and businesses, publishers and influencers: Brand Commerce and Partner Growth. Brand Commerce provides businesses with the company’s platforms for manufacturing, e-commerce enablement, marketing and logistics, whilst Partner Growth provides web and mobile app publishers along with influencers and content creators with platforms for monetization and optimization. Partner Growth customers can also tap on the company’s Brand Commerce offering. AnyMind Group has over 1,300 staff across 19 offices in 13 markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, India and the United Arab Emirates.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
Canva Philippines Negosyantrends Expo 2023 empowers businesses, teams of all sizes with design tools, activities
MANILA, Philippijnes — Canva Philippines held Negosyantrends Expo 2023, its biggest face-to-face event for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, last August 5 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
The event featured one-on-one consultations with brand and design experts, interactive stations and design activities to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Headlined by Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of Rags2Riches; Andre Chanco, head of product and co-founder of Yardstick Coffee; and Cara Paguio, senior creative for photography at Canva and owner of the local beachwear brand Guppy PH, the expo featured insightful discussions on starting and managing a business, building a brand, implementing innovations and nurturing communities, among others.
“Negosyantrends marks an exciting time for Canva Philippines. It is our first face-to-face event since the pandemic and a testament to our stronger commitment to Pinoy negosyantes. It’s very inspiring to witness how Canva has empowered businesses, and we look forward to where this new chapter takes us,” Maisie Littaua, Canva Philippines head of marketing and growth, said.
The expo featured interactive stations such as the Design Playground for an immersive Canva experience; the Brand Classroom, where event attendees got a 15-minute consultation with a brand expert; the Sari-Sari Street, where select businesses showcased and sold their products. The attendees also enjoyed games and brought home printed items designed on Canva.
Unleash creativity, collab and design content for your biz
When COVID-19 hit, Filipino businesses turned to social media to reach their customers. With Canva’s design solutions, businesses of all sizes were able to build their brands, create engaging content, and publish them all within the platform.
“During the lockdown, Canva helped us a lot in developing our branding, designing our product labels and packaging, ads and social media content, and on overall business visibility. Canva is our go-to tool for designing our new products, collections and content. Now that Canva has upgraded features, that would help the users more,” shared Soyscape PH owners Christopher Banaag and Mark Calica.
Chanco shared how their team leveraged the power of social media to connect with their customers: “The number one thing we did for two years was to be the loudest online. Being able to engage digitally with existing customers saved Yardstick during Covid.”
Canva also offers customizable templates you can update with your brand colors, fonts and logos. Choose from Canva’s media library of over 100 million visual and audio assets. Canva Pro users can also access features like Magic Resize, Background Remover, Folders and Brand Kits.
For businesses with a group of two or more, Canva for Teams enables you to collaborate together, streamline your workflow, keep projects organized, and stay on-brand with Brand Kit, Shared Folders and Brand Controls.
Canva’s Visual Suite consists of an array of features that provide end-to-end design solutions for business owners.
Canva Docs lets your team create visually engaging documents, from business proposals to reports and even checklists.Whiteboards allow teams to collaborate, brainstorm, and plan on an infinite canvas.Canva Presentations let you create presentations that will surely captivate your audience.Online video editor allows you to create professional and engaging videos, complete with animation and speed controls.Canva Websitesmakes it easy to design a responsive one-page website, perfect for landing pages and event invitations, especially for those who need a website without coding experience.
Leira Dumalay, owner of Baked Goodies by Leira, highlighted how Canva makes designing easier for business owners like her: “I love how Canva is accessible to everyone. They have pre-made designs that businesses can use to make their projects. I also love that Canva listens to their users to improve their services.”
Empowering Pinoy entrepreneurs through design
In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, which provides entrepreneurs with free branding and graphic design resources, marketing toolkits, photo collections and video tutorials.
The Canva for Negosyantes community on Facebook has since reached over 60,000 members and continues to be a platform for many business owners to share ideas, collaborate on designs and provide insights to each other.
As Pinoy entrepreneurs take their businesses online, we want to be right there with them,” Littaua said. “When it comes to design and branding, Canva for Negosyo is the Filipino business owner’s partner in creativity and productivity for their digital presence.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 14, 2023 | Book Reviews
When I started to read My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana after my sister started talking to me about it. It’s a young adult/teen romance, and, from the way my sister was talking about it, it seemed like a fairly innocent high school romance between the most popular guy in school who has possibly slept with every other female in school, and the quiet, reserved girl who hates him for being a man-whore.
While chatting, I picked up my phone, looked it up on Goodnovel, and added it to my library to check it out myself.
I can tell you this much right now, while it needs some editing, it is well-written enough that I can be forgiving. I confess that a big pull for me is the fact that Zara, the female lead, is snarky and independent. On the other hand, Harper is highly sexed and is dealt a mighty blow on his 18th birthday.
There is more than meets the eye with My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana, and so far, I am enjoying the process. This is supposed to be a trilogy and is 254 chapters. I am on chapter 44 and still having fun reading as of this posting. This book has become part of my Goodnovel reading cycle.
I can only hope the good narrative is sustained until the end. Also, author, not too long, please.
Important update:
One of my readers gave me some good news that I just have to share with all of you. My Dreams, His Reality by Shanika Rana is on Amazon! And the best news yet … IT IS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!
Talk about bang for your buck!
The three books in the trilogy are:
- My Dreams, His Reality
- Dreams Fade Away
- Reality Sets In
If you have a Kindle Unlimited account, reading these books is free! If you choose to buy the books, they cost $4, $5, and $6 respectively.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
AnyMind Group releases Q2 2023 earnings
Company made an operating profit for the quarter and continued to see quarterly year-on-year growth across revenue, gross profit and adjusted EBITDA
AnyMind Group [TSE:5027], an end-to-end commerce enablement company, has today announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. Please see below for some highlights pertaining to the company’s Q2 2023 earnings disclosure.
Further information can be found on the investor relations site (Q2 2023 earnings presentation; Q2 2023 financial report).
About AnyMind Group
Founded in April 2016, AnyMind Group [TSE:5027] is an end-to-end commerce enablement technology company with a purpose to make it exciting for everyone to do business. The company provides two broad offerings to brands and businesses, publishers and influencers: Brand Commerce and Partner Growth. Brand Commerce provides businesses with the company’s platforms for manufacturing, e-commerce enablement, marketing and logistics, whilst Partner Growth provides web and mobile app publishers along with influencers and content creators with platforms for monetization and optimization. Partner Growth customers can also tap on the company’s Brand Commerce offering. AnyMind Group has over 1,300 staff across 19 offices in 13 markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Chris Lu
Regional Head, Communications
ch***@**********up.com
+65 6386 7368
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
Investors look to BSP buffer after anticlimactic economic growth
Stock market investors will be bracing for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) next policy meeting on Thursday while digesting a steady stream of second quarter corporate earnings.
This comes as the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) continued its downtrend after the government released last week disappointing economic growth data for the second quarter. The PSEi lost 0.7 percent to 6,405.91 from the previous week.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi was resting just above the major support zone of 6,400 to 6,250. He pegged the key resistance areas for the PSEi at 6,730 to 6,830.
The BSP Monetary Board will have several data points to consider in the upcoming interest rate setting meeting.
The chief consideration among these was the recent July inflation report showing inflation cooling for six straight months to 4.7 percent.
HSBC Asean economist Aris Dacanay maintained their expectation that the BSP would keep its policy rate stable at 6.25 percent on Aug. 17.
“Although [the second quarter Philippine economic] growth surprised to the downside, we think risks to the inflation and policy rate outlooks are to the upside,” Dacanay said.
“To some extent, growth cooling may also support macroeconomic stability and domestic balance … Although marginally improving, the national saving rate has not normalized to prepandemic levels while investment continues to be robust,” he said.
“This imbalance may then require a tight monetary stance to help rein in demand, incentivize saving and bring the domestic economy back to balance,” he added.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
Most Grab drivers want to keep job after pandemic: ADB
MANILA — Around 90 percent of food delivery riders on Grab would like to continue working for the platform even after the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) showed.
“We asked our respondents, 12,000 of them, in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, and we asked them, were they willing to continue their work with Grab food delivery? More than 90 percent of them said that they would continue after the pandemic,” Takashi Yamano, principal economist at the ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department, said on Monday.
Food deliveries proliferated in key Philippine cities during pandemic-induced lockdowns.
“So it was not one-time shift to this work, but they are intending to stay with the work. And I believe that this workforce will continue to expand,” Yamano said.
Yamano noted that Grab drivers enjoy having an independent working environment and a decent income from their job.
“Many drivers we talked to said they enjoy not having supervisors observing their work,” he noted.
“(They also have) decent earnings, so on average, workers earn about P5,700 per week. This adds up to average monthly wage of P23,000 with Grab… In their previous jobs they earned about P15,000,” he said.
Yamano stressed, however, that government must give gig economy workers, like food delivery riders, some sort of social protection.
“Although they are independent contractors, bringing them into the social economy, formal economy is very important… This is a new form of employment,” he added.
“There’s an advantage of this kind of contract, platformers contracting independent work. There’s benefits to it. So instead of restricting their work, maybe find a proper way of helping them,” he said.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 14, 2023 | Business
moLotus opens-up Multi-Billion Dollar Revenues for Telcos
Singapore-based mobile technology leader, Novosol, is making waves in the telecom industry, creating new revenue opportunities for Telcos in a quick span of three months via its breakthrough moLotus mobile video customer interaction platform. Read to know more.
Singapore-based
mobile technology leader, Novosol, is making waves in the telecom industry,
creating new revenue opportunities for Telcos in a quick span of three months
via its breakthrough moLotus mobile video customer interaction platform – a
GSM-based technology which reaches out directly to the inbox of all mobile
handsets irrespective of phone type or model; no app, no data plans being
involved.
moLotus has
collaborated with international Telcos, including Indosat Ooredoo Hutchinson,
Celcom, Vodafone, Airtel, Digi, Maxis, and more; having a formidable presence
and proven track record in Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.
The technology has
become a game-changer for Telcos, offering an ARPU boost of 2% to 4%. Its
integration into the telco marketing mix has streamlined campaign planning, development,
and execution. It provides deep customer insights, easy response mechanisms,
vast scalability, and near-zero cost per interaction, resulting in substantial
revenue growth.
Telcos are
significantly enhancing EBITDA performance at an optimal cost. They are
efficiently monetizing their massive subscriber database and mobile
infrastructure; transforming customer processes, with agility, innovation and
cost savings up to 30%. They are seamlessly transitioning to enterprise
business models using moLotus.
According to
Statista, global mobile ad spending is projected to approach a staggering USD
400 billion by 2024. moLotus is showcasing an outstanding 20% annual growth in
mobile advertising, reaching a vast audience of 8.6 billion global mobile subscribers.
Advertisers,
Agencies and Resellers are being empowered by moLotus to leverage the vast
Telco data and access nationwide reach. The platform provides a range of rich
media formats, such as Video, SlideShow, Showcase, Greetings, and Brochure and
hyper-personalized campaigns. Moreover, moLotus offers unique response options
like Call, URL Click, SMS, USSD, mgram, and more to facilitate effective
customer interaction.
Consequently,
moLotus has firmly established itself as the favored option for brands
including Suzuki, DBS, HSBC, Amazon, Dell, and Samsung spanning diverse
industry verticals, encompassing Banking, Insurance, Ecommerce, Consumer
Electronics, Automobile, Retail, and Government Sectors. Its remarkable
progress is evident through its expanding presence in new markets such as
Vietnam, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other middle eastern countries.
Don’t miss out on the big mobile advertising
opportunity – embrace moLotus today!
Novosol is in the exciting and happening mobile advertising and mobile media industry. We are an innovative, challenging company on a high growth trajectory. Currently having operations in Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Novosol
mo*****@*****ol.biz
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