by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 4, 2022 | Business
Manila, Philippines – Despite the global pandemic, the Philippines is poised to be one of five ASEAN countries to become tech powerhouses in the next fifteen years, according to the Center for Economics Business Research (CEBR).
Angkas CEO George Royeca, believes the country is ready for a big leap forward in the tech and startup sectors. These industries and their continuous growth in recent years will be the primary focus of this year’s IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022, which will be co-presented by Angkas, the leading motorcycle taxi, and delivery platform. “While the pandemic has been the worst global crisis of the millennium undeniably opened new avenues for rapid growth in the country, particularly in the tech sector. Overnight, e-commerce, online payments, e-wallets, telemedicine, online gig employment, digital banks as well as delivery and logistics services experienced exponential growth which then had to be supported by faster internet speeds,” points out Royeca.
“The pandemic and the restricted mobility it necessitated primed the market in terms of tech literacy and a willingness to adopt tech-based solutions. There are products and services the market is ready for now that would not have been viable pre-pandemic, and that might have otherwise taken another 5-10 years for the country to be ready for,” adds Royeca. “We have had, and continue to have an ideal and unprecedented climate for both developing and funding tech startups. The kind of businesses that offer innovative products and services we couldn’t have even imagined pre-pandemic,” he concludes.
The road less trafficked
Angkas was itself an innovation, far more unconventional than it seems on the surface. Motorcycle taxis were already in wide use for public transport all over the region at the time of Angkas’ inception in 2015. Despite the crippling traffic in Metro Manila and its staggering economic cost, motorcycle taxis were not a solution being considered by anyone at the time, because motorcycles had an appalling safety record.
The Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System (MMARAS) Traffic Accident report for 2015 indicated that motorcycle accidents comprised 39.6% of all vehicular accidents and 33.6% of all fatal accidents in Metro Manila. In each case, they were by far the single largest contributors. Filipino motorcycle riders were regarded as too undisciplined for such a service to be reasonably safe.
Angkas’ innovation was in actually believing that with training, motivation, and support, Filipinos could be the backbone of a safe and professionalized app-enabled motorcycle taxi service. “We shoulder the training of all rider applicants, then we carefully select only the top 30%. We also hold regular company events that serve as refreshers, and venues for more training in soft skills, and even things like anti-sexual harassment education,” explains Royeca. “The result is that after literally millions of rides booked, our safety record is 99.997%,” he concludes.
Sense of purpose, grit resilience
“I think the number one thing that potential startups should begin with is seeing the bigger picture: are you solving a real problem?” asks Royeca. “Any business venture is always going have a money-making aspect, but in this day and age, it is businesses that have an innate sense of purpose and that offer real solutions to real problems that are embraced by the public,” Royeca points out.
Royeca had specific advice to would-be startups on failure: “Don’t be afraid of failure or adversity, these build grit. As long as you are imbued with a sense of purpose, you will overcome failure and adversity and come out stronger, and with more grit.”
In Angkas’ short history, they were ordered to cease operations twice, their rider pool was capped, and just when they seemed in the clear, the pandemic hit. Showing true resilience, it was then that Angkas launched a courier and buying assistant service, allowing more people to do errands and business safely from home. Angkas also formed a partnership with the Red Cross to assist with the delivery and administration of COVID-19 test kits. When it became reasonably safe to do so, Angkas also offered free rides to medical frontliners.
Co-creation Breeds Innovation
Community building begins when everyone contributes to the welfare of everyone, and that is exactly what resonated with Angkas to sign up and be a co-presenter for this year’s IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022, one of the most anticipated digital conferences in the industry which gathers professionals from marketing, advertising, and digital sectors to hear and learn from world-renowned and celebrated local keynote speakers.
Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) is an organization that works toward educating and providing the necessary digital tools for advertising and integrated marketing professionals to make better communication decisions. One such effort is the yearly DigiCon.
Royeca explains, “When you have a business that serves many, it is impossible to innovate without co-creation. Angkas would not have been possible without the coming together of technology innovations, government regulators, customers, and of course our rider partners, to create a “winnovation”, an innovation in which everyone has a stake, and in which everybody wins.”
From L to R: Brian Go (Angkas Chief Marketing Officer), Denise Haak (IMMAP DigiCon Co-Chair), Janelle Barretto (IMMAP DigiCon Ways & Means Head), and Trish Elamparo-Esteban (IMMAP DigiCon Co-Chair).
After two years of purely virtual connections, this year’s IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022 will finally bring back face-to-face networking through the DigiCon After-Hours, which will be held during the evenings across the city, promising to provide cocktails and entertainment and allow delegates to physically reconnect with other industry players.
“I think what Angkas is excited about is this live interaction; a lot of the best collaborations and partnerships happen because of these more spontaneous, in-person things, and human interaction is what makes all the creativity and innovation grow more,” muses Royeca.
As co-presenter for this year’s IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022, Angkas hopes that this can be a great model to induce new SMEs in the tech and startup sector, while also introducing a community mindset that can hopefully solve daily problems for Filipinos.
DigiCon Valley 2022 is happening on October 10-14 from 9 AM to 1 PM PST using the ViVYD platform, with all new tracks that tackle the different stages of innovation: Launchpad, Hypergrowth, Breakthrough, and Enterprise.
This year’s prestigious keynote speakers include one of the most influential women in the world and Huffington Post founder, Arianna Huffington; Rappler Founder and the first Filipino Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Maria Ressa; internationally acclaimed marketing expert and academic, Mark Ritson; co-founder of Character ventures and Design Sprint inventor, Jake Knapp; and Global CMO of Dole Sunshine Company, Rupen Desai.
Buy tickets now and learn more about IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022 at www.digicon.com.ph and follow their social pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022 is co-presented by Angkas, and would like to thank Platinum Sponsors: Manulife Philippines, Share Treats, and TikTok; Gold Sponsors: Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, Grab Ads, Kroma Entertainment, McDonald’s Philippines and Meta Philippines; and Silver Sponsors: Digital Turbine, Hepmil Philippines, and Metrobank.
A special thanks to IMMAP’s event partners: Creators and Influencers of the Philippines (CICP), Endeavor, and Kickstart Ventures.
Be an IMMAP Member today! To know more about IMMAP, please visit: www.immap.com.ph or contact us at: co*****@*******om.ph or
SMS/Viber (0917) 6310206 / (0918) 577 2357.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 3, 2022 | Business
The highly-anticipated “Quezon City Investors Summit: Future Ready” will promote Quezon City as an ideal destination for investors and businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte
“The summit will put the spotlight on Quezon City as a top business destination for local and international investors. We hope to attract many investors who can help further stimulate the economy and provide employment for QCitizens,” Mayor Belmonte said.
Scheduled on Oct. 7 at Novotel Manila at the Araneta City, the event will engage investors, business leaders, business associations, chambers of commerce, foreign dignitaries, and Quezon City government officials in discussions on key areas for investments, public-private partnerships, and opportunities for expansion and growth.
Margarita Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) of Quezon City
“Quezon City is future-ready, ready for investors, ready to build a better and more prosperous city so that our QCitizens will be able to enjoy the resulting benefits,” said Margarita Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) of Quezon City.
Aside from its strategic location, Quezon City also has the homegrown QC E-Services platform that makes business processes such as permit and license applications easy for investors, according to Santos.
“The LGU has automated and digitized 95 percent of the city’s services through its QC E-Services platform. This means potential investors can apply for business permits online,” said Santos, adding that “the permit will even be delivered to the applicant’s business or home address free of charge.”
As a matter of principle, the Quezon City government constantly consults and coordinates with the business sector, which has enabled both sectors to build a relationship of mutual respect and support. “This continued dialogue with the private sector helps all stakeholders to address various challenges and issues, and to think up ways to create a free, fair, and fertile business environment,” Perry Dominguez, head of the Local Economic Investment Promotions Office, points out.
The local government is known as an ardent supporter of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with incentives from tax breaks, and tax payment extensions to changing the validity of business permits and licenses to help businesses, especially during the pandemic.
Soon, Quezon City will launch its Start-Up QC program to further strengthen and develop the city’s start-up business ecosystem. “This program is calibrated to provide financial gains to innovative, creative, and promising business models that can help provide solutions and recommendations to social issues and challenges,” Jay Gatmaitan, Investment Affairs Office head, explained.
The city’s commitment to good governance saw results when the Quezon City government received its second straight unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit for its annual audit report for the year 2021. An unqualified opinion is the highest audit rating that can be rendered by COA to a government agency.
Recognized for its quality public service, Quezon City has increased its social services budget over the past three years, enabling the local government to provide livelihood opportunities and create more jobs, support education, and provide permanent housing, better healthcare, and social safety nets, among others.
Earlier, Margie Santos, head of the summit’s organizing committee, said this gathering of business leaders aims to build investor confidence in Quezon City; generate investments and public-private partnerships and make Quezon City the top-of-mind preferred investment destination.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 30, 2022 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 – Shopee is collaborating with the country’s leading brands to bring Filipinos bigger, better, and mas mura deals on brand favorites with the 10.10 Brands Festival. From October 1 to 12, official brand stores are working with Shopee to offer eager shoppers 50% off brand deals, 15% off daily discounts, and free shipping vouchers with no minimum spend.
The 10.10 Brands Festival is the second in Shopee’s series of year-end shopping events, giving Filipinos more exciting deals to look forward to and get a head start on their holiday shopping. Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines enthused, “The 10.10 Brands Festival continues to enliven the promise of offering mas mura prices to Filipino shoppers. We have worked closely with our partner brands in bringing the best of brand deals to create a more meaningful year-end shopping experience.”
Toni Gonzaga joins the Shopee Fam as the newest brand ambassador
To drum up anticipation for its 10.10 sale, Shopee welcomes Toni Gonzaga as their newest brand ambassador. Dubbed the Ultimate Multimedia Star, shoppers can look forward to watching the talented performer belt out the “Mas Mura sa Shopee” jingle as she stars in Shopee’s latest TV commercial. Fans will also be treated to entertaining content when they visit the app and Shopee’s official accounts on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Exciting, mas mura brand deals from October 1 to 12
The 10.10 festivities begin as early as October 1, with a wide assortment of official brand stores on Shopee offering exciting discounts for shoppers. The sale kicks off with back-to-back Super Brand Days from October 2 to 9, where users can enjoy up to 50% off on products from leading brands in fashion, electronics, beauty, and home & family essentials.
Unbeatable offers from top brands also await early-bird shoppers with the Big Midnight Sale from 12 midnight to 2 AM on October 10. Users can get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping with limited deals on bestselling wearable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and OPPO Band B1, as well as trendy fashion and lifestyle items such as the Crocs Crocband™ Flip and Insulated Water Bottle from the widely popular brand Aquaflask.
Shoppers can also expect more exciting deals from other leading brands including Tiny Buds, Realme, Platinum Karaoke, INSPI, Johnson & Johnson, Huggies Philippines, Uni-Care, Cetaphil, Garnier, Unilever, Enfagrow, Nestlé, Lovito, SACE LADY, Adidas, Infinix, GameXtreme, TP-Link, Ace Hardware, and Huawei.
The Big Midnight Sale also allows new parents to enjoy big savings with ₱1 deals on these Pampers Baby Dry Taped Diapers. Meanwhile, beauty lovers can score fan favorites like the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick and this Issy & Co. Brow Refiner, both at 50% off.
Download the Shopee app and discover mas mura deals from leading brands at the 10.10 Brands Festival. Head on to Shopee’s 10.10 page to know more about the latest promos or share your memorable 10.10 moments with the hashtag #ShopeePH1010BrandsFestival.
About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalize and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services and uplifting local communities.
Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.
Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and SeaMoney.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 29, 2022 | Advocacy
To help the Filipinos devastated by the torrential rains and fierce winds brought about by Typhoon Karding across Central, Northern, and Southern Luzon, Shopee launches its Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Karding Support initiative wherein users can buy donation vouchers from Shopee’s partner charities on the app. This initiative is part of Shopee Bayanihan, the company’s umbrella CSR arm that seeks to provide support for communities in need through partnerships with various humanitarian organizations.
From September 28, 2022, to October 9, 2022, Shopee users can purchase the donation e-vouchers that will be used for water kits, health, and sanitation stations, and other essentials such as food and clothes from partner charities GMA Kapuso Foundation, UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, and Waves for Water. Users can view Typhoon Karding Support vouchers through https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-bayanihan and purchase them via Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, ShopeePay.
Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are incredibly saddened by the immense devastation that Typhoon Karding has brought to our fellow Filipinos across Central, Northern, and Southern Luzon. Shopee remains committed to using our platform and resources to benefit the local communities we operate in. Through this initiative, we hope to support our kababayans in times of need.”
To donate to those affected by Typhoon Karding, users may:
- Head to the microsite https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-bayanihan.
- Choose the e-voucher of your preferred charity.
- Click “Buy Now” to purchase the donation vouchers using ShopeePay.
Typhoon Karding is the 11th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this 2022 affecting major areas in Central, Northern, and Southern Luzon such as Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and more. With Shopee Bayanihan, Shopee is committed to making e-commerce accessible for everyone by helping communities benefit from the power of digital transformation wherever they are in the Philippines.
To know more about Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Karding Support, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-bayanihan.
About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalize and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services and uplifting local communities.
Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.
Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and SeaMoney.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 26, 2022 | Business
Mr. Loyal Cheng, TCL Philippines CEO
TCL Electronics, one of the dominant players in the global TV industry and a leading consumer electronics, held its grand media launch introducing its new C series 98-inch TV and its new split-type air conditioner FreshIN series.
“Still moving forward with TCL’s mission of providing customers with world-class and innovative technologies that focus on giving a simpler, faster, and smarter way of living.” TCL Philippines Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Loyal Cheng delivered his opening speech to start off the grand event.
Meet The New TCL FreshIN Split Type Air Conditioner
To start the evening, TCL introduced its first main highlight of the event by unveiling the all-new FreshIN air conditioner presented by its Product Manager of air conditioners, Mr.Bert Cheung.
A Fresh Indoor Experience
The TCL FreshIN Series is the latest premium addition to the TCL smart home ecosystem.
Different from conventional AC that circulates air inside the house, TCL FreshIN Series features an all-around fresh air system that transports the fresh air from the outdoors to the indoors, helping increase the oxygen and humidity level to offer users an unprecedented intimate experience of health and care.
With the patented blue wing fresh air module generating micro-positive pressure, fresh air is imported from outdoors through QuadruPuri Filters and Heat Exchange, which creates a clean and healthy indoor environment with sufficient oxygen and comfortable temperature, regardless of the outdoor environment.
Air purification has now become a priority to consumers and the FreshIN series features a highly efficient system using QuadruPuri Filters: the fresh air will pass through 4 different layers (a preliminary filter, a silver ion antibacterial layer, a HEPA high-efficiency filter, and a high- density filter). The FreshIN series includes premium key features, such as its “FreshIN+” that will let you know when fresh air enters your room with a blue light.
Premium Cooling Air Conditioning
FreshIN models feature a high-powered Air Engine that can deliver up to 60 metric cubic meters, ensuring the best air quality for its users. FreshIN series is also equipped with a Temperature Balancing feature that intelligently adjusts and controls temperature fluctuations by warming up or cooling down the fresh air drawn by ±0.5°C from the desired temperature to ensure maximum comfort.
Convenience and Interconnectivity
Connected with the TCL Home App, the FreshIN series is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, which gives users control of the Air Conditioner 24/7 with a smartphone or TCL TV with simple voice commands.
Pricing and Availability
The TCL FreshIN is currently available in 1.0HP and 1.5HP. Suggested Retail Price (SRP) starts at Php60,995 for 1.0HP and Php66,995 for 1.5HP. Consumers can also get a chance to win this new Air Conditioner just by joining TCL Philippines’ new TikTok Challenge #FreshInChallenge that will run from September 26 to October 7.
Meet The New TCL 98-inch C735
TCL also has officially launched its latest innovation, 98-inch C735 4K QLED TV presented by Product Evangelist for TV, Ms. Jean Ann Barra.
Stunning Imagery in Big TVs
Thanks to TCL’s innovation and production capabilities, most TCL C and P series now include a 75-inch model. Expanding and solidifying TCL’s stand amidst increasing competition in Philippine Market, and the biggest TCL TV to date, the 98-inch model for C735.
Immersive Experience with Smoother and Crisper Visuals
To provide users with a convenient game experience, C735 also has an exclusive game mode function. With Game Master, C735 optimizes the display in video game use. It allows all-in-one optimization, for example, to turn on functions such as VRR/ALLM with one key.
Not only that, but through the TCL Game Bar, C735 offers users real-time display statistics, aiming aid, toolbox functions, as well as the quick setting dashboard that helps users achieve the ultimate gaming experience.
With Dolby Vision IQ, C735 enhances the demonstration of Dolby exclusive contents, by displaying a greater number of colors, increasing contrast, and boosting brightness levels
C735 also supports both 120Hz Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation (MEMC) as well-as HDMI 2.1 to deliver the best possible smooth imagery and audio for both TV and multimedia. The 98C735 can adjust to the content to produce smoother, sharper, and crisper motion even for sports and action-packed scenes with the help of 120Hz MEMC.
A Cinema Audio Experience at Home with ONKYO Sound and Dolby Atmos
Because it is all about immersion, TCL 98C735 TVs feature ONKYO sound with Dolby Atmos.
Acoustically designed for sound clarity and precision, ONKYO speakers a cinematic Dolby Atmos audio experience at home: whether it’s intimate dialogue or a complex soundscape, every detail comes alive in rich clarity and depth, for a crystal-clear sound.
Pricing
The Beastly 98-inch C735 Will be Retailed at PHP349,995 Suggested Retail Price (SRP)
TCL Philippines Brand Endorser
Chito Miranda
For the last highlight of the grand media event, TCL welcomed a very special guest, Mr. Chito Miranda, the lead vocalist of the popular Pinoy band Parokya ni Edgar. Mr. Chito shared messages and testimonials about his experience with TCL products with the audience.
As the evening’s event draws to a close, Ms. Angeli, Brand Manager of TCL Philippines, delivered the closing remarks for the grand media launch’s culmination together with a teaser of a big Filipino celebrity as the up-and-coming TCL Philippines’ newest Brand Endorser.
Watch the whole event here: https://www.facebook.com/TCLPhilippines/videos/1250227795796304/
About TCL Electronics
TCL Electronics is a fast-growing consumer electronics company and a leading player in the global TV industry. Founded in 1981, it now operates in over 160 markets globally. TCL specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of consumer electronics products ranging from TVs, to audio, and smart home appliances.
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalize and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services and uplifting local communities.
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