4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit

The Zamboanga Bloggers Community is already preparing for the 4th edition of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit on October 29-31, 2010 in the Asia’s Latin City, Ciudad de Zamboanga.

The event will carry the theme – THE MINDANAO PROJECT: Weaving Voices Online. This year’s summit aims to create a venue for Mindanaoan bloggers to discuss issues affecting them and formulate strategies to help reach their common goal of creating a brighter Mindanao.

The summit will be kicked-off by a Blogging Seminar on October 29, 2010. It aims to give newbie bloggers and blogging enthusiasts some tips on how to create successful blogs.

The summit proper will be held on October 30, 2010 at Zamboanga’s finest hotel – the Garden Orchid Hotel. Top blogging personalities and guests have already confirmed their participation as speakers during the summit. Registration fee for the summit proper is P500.

Blogs and bloggers from Mindanao will be awarded on the same day during the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao.

Zamboanga City has many sights and things to offer to its visitors. The organizers invite participants to visit historical and beautiful spots of the city on October 31, 2010. Partnering for the city tour are the local tourism department and the Committees on Tourism and Science and Technology of the City Council.

For more information, contact Ryann Elumba at (63927) 477-1210 or Yolynne Medina at (63916) 152-4811. Email bloggerssummit2010@gmail.com or visit http://www.mindanaobloggers.com.

11th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2010

With over 12,000 trade visitors every year, the 11th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2010 will gather top companies, experts, practitioners, and industry professionals from the fitness, health, and beauty industries come October 15 to 17 to provide an exceptional venue for marketing, advertising, and promotion of health and beauty products and services.

To be held at the Megatrade Hall 3 in SM Megamall, the event's objective is to showcase the newest and innovative health and wellness programs in the market.

This three-day event will provide lectures, workshops, demonstrations, several activities, and perks like free medical consultations by beauty and medical experts and presentation of new herbal beauty products. Educational sessions about health, organic, beauty, cosmetics, natural food and drinks are also offered that could help generate new business ideas for health and wellness industry sector.

Some of the exhibitors in the event are as follows:

• Pharmaceutical Products
• BFAD/DOH Approved Medicine
• Alternative & Organic Products
• Natural/Herbal Food, Drinks and Supplements, Catering/Food Companies
• Health Services, Specialized Clinics
• Optical/Lenses, Medical Equipments
• Cosmetics, Perfumeries, Essential Oils, Soaps
• Beauty Products & Services, Beauty Institutes
• Wellness Centers, Salons, Skin Care/ Body Care, Hair Care
• Health Spa / Resort / Sport Club
• Herbal & Aromatherapy Products, Herbal Medicines and Remedies
• Herbal Food & Beverages, Fitness/ Slim Centers
• Fitness Equipments, Medical Insurance Companies
• Health Magazines/Journals/Publications
• Fashion Jewelries, Accessories, and Beauty Products
• Spiritual, Zen and Meditation Music.

For registration and inquiries, please contact the Fiera de Manila at (632) 896-0639, 896-0637, 899-6216 or e-mail at fiera@info.com.ph.

HR3 Summit a Complete Success

Powermax Consulting Group, in cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Job Market, proudly launched the HR Summit 3-Innovations in Recruitment and Talent Management last July 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria with the theme "Innovations in Recruitment and Talent Management".

Among the highlights of the discussions were interesting topics like the Social Media as Platform for Talent Acquisition, the Behavioral Interviewing, EQ for Recruiters, Updates in Employee Discipline and Dismissal, Talent Alignment with Company Vision/Mission, Professional Presence for Recruiters, Taking Charge of Your Development, Recruitment Metrics, Leadership that Complex Loyalty, Promoting Your Company as Employer of Choice, Evolving Values Affecting Employee, Behavior in Organization, Culture Building Training for SMEs, Talent Management in the Career Service, Kapwa Management: Model for Performance Excellence, and Employee Development and Career Planning.

Speakers of the said event that gave life to the interesting topics were: Atty. Manny Quiambao from Jose Rizal University; Mr. Nonong Noriega III from PLDT; Mr. Jesse Rebustillo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Mr. Hans Montenegro from North Gate Arinso; Mr. Gerardo Cabochan of Pandayan; Dr. Patrick Alain Azanza from WinSource Solutions; Ms. Maria Anthonette Allones from Career Executive Service Board; Mr. Pido Aguilar of Abundance Training; Ms. Ofel Orcalles of Micro Ingram; and Ms. Pat Pascua of Toastmasters International.

This very successful event was supported by Crowne Plaza Hotel and Resorts, DinsmorPromo, UK Derm Pharma, Friendster, the Business Mirror, Jam 88.3, theradiopartnersinc., Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 103.5 Max FM, and 99.5 RT.

For more info, call Powermax Consulting Group at (632) 470-10-54 to 55, email info@powermaxph.com or visit http://www.powermaxph.com.

The Land Sector Summit 2010

“Challenges for a Sector in Transition: Innovation and Opportunities.” This was the theme that fueled the 2010 Land Sector Summit held at the Heritage Hotel last May 28.

"Land is a very important natural resource. Under the environment of good governance and effective land administration system, land can serve as an important asset and a catalyst for poverty reduction and economic development," said Hon. Horacio Ramos, secretary of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), in his keynote speech for the event. Ramos also pointed out that inconsistent and outdated land laws in the country cause land disputes and double issuances or fake land titles.

Included in the government’s efforts to revitalize and reform the land sector is the launch of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP), with support from the World Bank and the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID).

Among the current achievements of the government in this endeavor are the introduction of innovations and development of technologies in land survey and titling; land valuation and land information management; improved capacity building in the land sector in terms of trainings, education, and research and development; and improved partnership with stakeholders.

Other speakers for the event were keynote speaker Hon. Margarito Teves, secretary of the Department of Finance; Mr. Tony Burns of Land Equity International; Mr. Ian Lloyd, TA team leader for LAMP2; Ms. Ma. Lourdes Ferrer, DENR-FASPO; Ms. Ma. Presentacion R. Montesa, Bureau of Local Government Finance executive director; Mr. Keith Bell, World Bank Task Leader for LAMP2; Mr. Gilbert Llanto, Mr. Aniceto Orbeta, and Mr. James Riddel of the AUSAID; Engr. Henry P. Pacis, Deputy Executive Director of LAMP2; and Atty. Allan Barcena, director of the Land Management Bureau.

For more information about the event, contact DENR at (632) 929-6626 or visit http://www.denr.gov.ph.

7th Non-Life Insurance Summit

The spate of natural disasters occurring in the past years around the globe poses another daunting challenge to the insurance and reinsurance industry. This is why Insurance Philippines in collaboration with the Insurance Institute of the Asia and Pacific and Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Inc. (PIRA, Inc) presented the 7th Philippine Non-Life Insurance Summit last April 28, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makatii City.

With the theme "Risk Managing the Increasing Incidence of Natural Disasters—The Insurance/Reinsurance Challenge," the event will feature discussions on topics which include the Economic Challenges for the New President, the State of the General Insurance Industry, and other wide range issues governing the insurance industry.

Speakers on the said summit include: Dr. Benjamin Diokno from the University of the Philippines, Mr. Michael Rellosa from PIRA, Inc., Mr. John D. Casey, President and CEO of Blue Cross Insurance Inc., and Dr. Karlo L. Queano of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among others.

The successful summit was supported by the Insurance Commission, Philippine Insurer’s Club, AIBP, and the Business Mirror.

For information, contact Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Inc. at (632)815-10-64, 811-45-87, 811-46-29 or e-mail pira@pirainc.com.ph.

Go Negosyo Celebrates National Women’s Month with Entrepreneurship Summit

Go Negosyo celebrates National Women’s Month by recognizing inspiring women, uplifting the country’s small entrepreneurs, and showcasing possible business opportunities for women (and men, too) at the Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit on March 8, 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Organized by Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) (formerly known as National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women), this year’s summit will carry the theme, “Babae Tagumpay aka ng Bayan”.

Over 200 booths and exhibits will showcase business ideas and opportunities in health & wellness, beauty & cosmetics, fashion & accessories, food & culinary business, technology, direct-selling, franchising, and more. Free seminars on the how-to's of starting a business will be held during the event: from knowing your strengths and your ambitions, to finding business opportunities, to marketing your products and finding capital. Talks on women's health, education, good governance, and other issues and concerns facing women today will be staged as well.

Filipinas who have excelled in their fields but who also embodies admirable traits of compassion, concern for others and care for community, and integrity will be recognized at the Go Negosyo-PCW Inspiring Women of the Year Award Ceremony.

The summit will also serve as the grand launch of the Go Negosyo book, "100 Inspiring Stories of Small Entrepreneurs: Tagumpay Mula sa Kahirapan". Visitors will be given a chance to have their books signed by the women and men are featured in Go Negosyo's fifth book and ask them how they started their business, how they overcame challenges, and how they grew their negosyo (business)
.
The 2010 Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry, Land Bank of the Philippines, and National Livelihood Development Corporation.

Admission is free. Interested exhibitors may call Ideal Events International at (632) 431-3694 or Go Negosyo at (632) 637-9229. For more information about the event, email womensummit@gonegosyo.net or visit their website at http://www.gonegosyo.net.

2010 Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Summit Hopes to Define Online Child Safety in Internet Cafes

Officials of the different internet café associations and internet cafe operators in Mindanao will converge for the 2010 Mindanao Internet Café Association Summit (MICAS), scheduled on February 18 and 19, 2010 at SM City Davao in Davao City.

Organized by the Internet Café Association of Davao (ICAD) and I-Café Pilipinas, the event will carry the theme, “Bringing the Benefits of Information Communication Technology to the People of Mindanao through the Internet Cafes”

According to Mr. Adolfo Solanor, president of ICAD, the Second MICAS would definitely be bigger, better and bolder this year. It is bigger, in terms of participants, as the event brings together the different internet café associations and other stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Mindanao.

The event will be better because this year, MICAS 2010 offers are two simultaneous events. First is an ICT Trade Exhibit that will showcase the latest advances in computer hardware, software and internet related services. The other is the workshop of the officials of the internet café associations and operators to come up with an action plan that would further the development of the internet cafes industry in Mindanao. It is bolder as the participants set their goals to they claim their leadership in ICT access at the community level.

Since majority of the customers of internet cafes are children, the Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Associations Summit hopes to be the venue for the adoption of the “Davao Declaration” which will define the initiatives of the different internet cafe associations in the promotion of Online Child Safety in internet cafes. It hopes to become a forum in which discussions could be initiated that could lead to an increase in awareness of the great responsibility of internet cafe operators as ICT access centers at the community level in ensuring the online safety of their customers.

“We truly believe that the 2010 MICAS will serve as a vehicle in the further development of the internet cafes as a leader in community ICT access for peace and development in Mindanao” stressed by Mr. Ed Zafra, Chair of I-Café Pilipinas, a national organization mainly composed of the internet café associations and operators in the Philippines.

The Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Associations Summit is supported by Intel Technology Philippines, in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, Inc., and Genuine Equity for Mindanao (GEM) Project, Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), and Department of Trade and Industries (DTI). The event is sponsored by ICT Davao Inc., and iGlobe Technology.

For more information about the event, contact the Internet Café Association of Davao at (6382) 297-7594, fax (6382) 297-7593, email mindanaosummit@yahoo.com or visit the event blog site at http://2ndmicas.wordpress.com/.

2010 North Batangas Summit on Connections and Globalization

The North Batangas Summit is a biennial event which focuses on the developments affecting the emerging metropolitan area of Greater Lipa. In its fifth installment, the North Batangas Summit carried the theme “Connecting Batangas to the Global Village,” and was held at the Lima Park Hotel at Malvar Batangas last Jan. 29.

The 2010 North Batangas Summit featured discussions from Prof. Mario Antonio Lopez of the Asian Institute of Management (City Competitiveness and Benchmarking Against the World), Ms. Gigi Virata of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (Next Wave Cities), Mr. Richard Albert Osmond III, vice president of the Science Park of the Philippines Inc. (Infrastructure Updates for CALABARZON), and Col. Alex Escano, chairman of the Private Sector Disaster Management Network.

The First Asia Briefings was held in the afternoon, with the roundtable discussion entitled “Prospects and Challenges in Governance: Perspectives form Former Policymakers.” Members of the panel were Ms. Karina Davis, former chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Dr. Milwida Guevarra, former undersecretary of the Department of Finance, and Dr. Cielito Habito, former director general of the National Economic and Development Authority. First Asia Briefings are also held biennially, back-to-back with the North Batangas Summit.

The Fifth North Batangas Summit was sponsored by the First Asia Institute, Lima Land Inc., Lima Park Hotel, and WalterMart Community Malls.

For more information and registration details, please contact Dr. Lalaine V. Manalo via telephone numbers (043) 778-0656/4136, fax number (043) 405-2326, or email at inquiries@firstasia.edu.ph.

3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference Set

Women entrepreneurs as well as those who would like to know how to start their own business are invited to join the 3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference on January 30, 2010 at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Hosted by the Network for Enterprising Women (NEW), the conference aims to give women and small and medium-business owners the tools to start or grow their businesses.

The conference will include topics on building business foundation, financial planning and funding, marketing/selling to get results, legal aspects of managing business, social entrepreneurship and finding the right networking group. Also, there will be business counseling and networking opportunities at the event.

Get inspired at this informative, fun half-day conference, with concurrent sessions for existing women entrepreneurs, business owners and those wanting to start a business. Guest speakers are Ms. Emily Abrera, Chairman Emeritus of McCann, Ms. Chit Juan of Echostore, Ms. Alice Guererro of Tesoro, and other prominent women entrepreneurs.

Participant fee is only Php 600. Register online at . For reservations or further inquiries, contact NEW at (632) 710-3711, 754-8058, (63917) 540-8697 or e-mail info@newomen.net.

PHP Developers Summit 2010 Set

Web programmers inclined in using hypertext pre-processor (PHP) are invited to take part in the PHP Developers Summit 2010, scheduled on January 30, 2010 at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

PHP Developers Summit 2010, organized by PHP-User Group Philippines, is this year’s biggest gathering of the best tech-talents, professionals, and web developers promoting the use of PHP and open source solutions in the enterprise and schools.

Among the invited experts for the event include Happy Mobile Inc CEO Dominick Nowell A. Danao, Brewed Concepts President and CEO Bing Bryan Tan, Friendster, Inc. Senior Developer Paolo Alexis Falcone, Microsoft Developer Evangelist Alezandra Nicholas, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Mr. Rodney Jao, and Computer Professionals’ Union Coordinator Rick Bahague, Jr.

PHP Developers Summit 2010 is in partnership with Microsoft Philippines and sponsored by Zend and Globe Labs.

Register online by sending your name, position, company and contact details to chean@phpugph.com. For more information, contact PHP User Group Philippines Inc. at (632) 975-6976, (63917) 865-2412, or visit their website at http://www.phpugph.com/.

RPDEV Launches Eco-Mismo Conference Roadshow

In a timely initiative to raise environmental awareness, the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) launched “Eco-Mismo”, a series of conferences on new and productive ways of protecting the environment through sustainable tourism development across the country.

A landmark road show project by RPDEV Chairman and former president Fidel V. Ramos, Eco-Mismo comes in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, which triggered the most devastating flood in the capital over the past 40 years. According to experts, the Ondoy phenomenon ran in line with an observed abnormal pattern of unusually extreme weather conditions likely to prevail should climate change remain unaddressed.

With the theme “Ecotourism and Eco-Productivity: Best Practices and Challenges”, Eco-Mismo aims to help the country position itself as one of the top destinations for eco-tourism and the pioneer in eco-productivity. It is expected to bring together key players and stakeholders in the environment and tourism industry. The initiative is expected to gather more than a thousand individuals from the government, tourism industry, academe, media, church, business, and youth sectors.

Eco-Mismo paves the way for a cross-section of industry players and multi-sectoral stakeholders to discuss problems and map out solutions on matters concerning eco-tourism, eco-productivity, and sustainable development.

The first leg of Eco-Mismo was held in Manila last October 8, 2009 at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati City. World Wildlife Fund Philippines Vice Chairman Lorenzo Tan delivered a presentation on the dire effects of changes to global temperatures and precipitation, entitled “The Challenges of Climate Change and Tourism”.

The road show is slated to make major stops across key cities in the country: January 22, 2010 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City in Cebu; January 23, 2010 at the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island, Bohol; February 19, 2010 in General Santos City, South Cotabato Province; and February 20 at Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, Sarangani.

The conferences will tackle specific areas that will facilitate public and private sector cooperation in streamlining eco-tourism’s strategic directions as a key contributor to the local and national economy. It seeks to promote green travel through eco-productivity -- a practical solution that pushes efficient and productive use of resources, environmental protection, and poverty eradication.

Aside from Tan, conference speakers will include former President Ramos, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza, as well as Asia Pacific Projects President Narzalina Lim; Cleanway Technology Corporation Chairman Herminio Esguerra; Ten Knots Development Corporation CEO Leigh Perez; and ABS-CBN Foundation’s Batay Kalikasan President Regina Paz Lopez.

Each of the provincial legs of Eco-Mismo conferences will concurrently feature a One Town, One Product (OTOP) exhibit under the DTI. The OTOP is a government program to promote entrepreneurship and spur job creation. Under the program, each city and municipality across the nation is to develop and promote a specific product or service that gives a competitive economic advantage to its locale.

Ultimately, Eco-Mismo hopes to provide a blueprint for tourism industry stakeholders in such areas as supply management, water resource management, energy efficiency, clean development mechanism, and solid waste management and community participation in sustainable development practices.

Eco-Mismo is in partnership with DOT and supported by DTI, DENR, Asia Productivity Organization – Development Academy of the Philippines and Asia Pacific Projects, Inc, in cooperation with Herma Group of Companies.

For more information about the event, contact the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation at (632) 8878964, fax (632) 8878966, email inquiry@rpdev.org or visit their website, http://www.rpdev.org.

Debating Environmental Issues in the First Cebu Energy and Environment Sustainability Forum

Climate change is a very real phenomenon that is steadily affecting the all aspects of living all over the world. What is causing the change? How can it affect us? What could we do as individuals and as a society to lessen the harm? Are there issues directly relevant to Cebu?

These and other questions were answered at the first E+E=Sustainability Energy and Environment Summit, held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel last Dec. 4. Guided by its objectives to debate and discuss key issues that surround Cebu’s unstable power supply sources, the province’s needs for economic growth, and the inescapable need to address climate change, the event was held a few days before the 15th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Denmark (COP15), where a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol was introduced.

The Cebu Business Club organized the summit, together with the United Nations Development Programme, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Global Legal Action on Climate Change, and the Cebu Leads Foundation.

The event is also supported by the Cebu Energy Development Corp., Aboitiz Power, the Visayan Electric Company, the Cebu Daily News, Pilipinas Shell, and Petron.

Interested parties may contact the Cebu Business Club at Rm. 305, Centro Maximo, Jakosalem St., Cebu City, or telephone numbers (032) 253-4441 or (032) 253-4427 (look for Perry of Glenda). You may also email your concerns to cbc_summit@yahoo.com.

First Organ Transplant Summit

The First Philippine Organ Donation and Transplantation Summit kicked off recently in the Philippines focusing on the issues that the country is currently facing in the organ transplant industry.

Based on statistics, there 6,000 people who are currently in the organ waiting list, and only 350 will be able to get a transplant. Instead of dampening people’s spirits, this number inspired individuals and groups from private and public sectors to gather and seek to find solution for this predicament.

In this year’s first summit, Howard Nathan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gift of Life Donor Program was invited to be the keynote speaker. He is one of the pioneers of deceased organ donation and transplantation in the United States. He believes that it is now the time for the Philippines to create its own deceased donor program.

In his keynote speech,“Setting Up an Organ Procurement Office [OPO]: The Gift of Life Experience,” he shared his expertise as the pioneer of OPOs in the United States as well as to share a constructive framework that we can use to set up our own deceased donor program.

In the Philippines, on the other hand, we have the IPOD or the Integrated Program on Organ Donation Foundation Inc. http://capitolmedical.org/cmcupd/2009second/2nd_6.htm. It is a non stock, non profit agency mainly serving Metro Manila. IPOD is a world class primary deceased organ donation facilitating institution in the country and in the Asia Pacific Region.

Dr. Angel Joaquin Amante, President and Chief Operating Officer of the local initiative, the IPOD is all focused with what Nathan has shared. He also stressed that other countries have had a head start and that the country can also do and start our own deceased donor program.

Moreover, recovering organ transplant patient Violeta Tandoc shared a testimonial on the actual burden that a patient has to endure. She shared the most difficult part of her struggle was the financial aspect. She also mentioned where she has seek for financial assistance from institutions like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO), the Department of Social Welfare and Development , and a number of generous senators and individuals who were possible sources of financial aid.

2nd National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)

The Metro Clark ICT Council (MCICTC) hosted the 2nd Philippine National ICT Summit 2009 at the Jasmine Function Hall, Fontana Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga last November 5-7, 2009. The summit was themed “One ICT, One Nation”, signifying unity in the midst of diversity.

Around 4,000 ICT delegates here and abroad attended the event dubbed “How Information and Technology Councils can help one another to grow productively competitive alongside our Asian counterparts in the still growing IT industry.”

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened the 3-day summit, which aimed at recognizing the importance of ICT in advancing today's growing business activities here and abroad. The summit was also in line with President Arroyo’s vision to make the Philippines globally competitive in the ICT industry. Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), introduced the President.

In her keynote speech, the President highlighted the flourishing business process outsourcing (BPO)-IT industry in the country and its major contribution to economic development. The industry started with 4,000 BPO workers in 2001, now it has a workforce of over 400,000.

Arroyo also cited the government's efforts to further develop the Philippine Offshoring and Outsourcing industries, investing heavily in research and development, telecommunications infrastructure and IT-related skills training. CICT was also created to provide an enabling environment for the growth of ICT.

She also congratulated the fast ICT growth in Clark, Pampanga, running third to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu in the country's Cyber Corridor. The National Outsourcing Association of the United Kingdom has selected the Philippines as the “Offshoring Destination of the Year,” proving once again that the country ranks as a top offshoring hub in the world.

Following the President’s speech was a presentation by Secretary Roxas-Chua titled "Philippine Position in ICT and Global Trends of BPO IT Industry."

Other topics discussed included Philippine BPO Industry, Taking the Center Stage by Jonathan Rosenberg, President, Cyber City TeleServices; Developing Cutting-Edge Technology for the Benefit of Society by Cesar Flores, International Sales Director, Smartmatic International; and, Development of Clark Freeport Zone by Mr. Benigno Ricafort, president and CEO of Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

Speeches and presentations were also made by Clark International Airport Corporation Present and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano; Dennis Wright, president of Peregrine International (Global Gateways Logistics City); Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno (Sharing Best Practices: Angeles City ICT Position); Globe (The Philippines World-Class Connectivity Infrastructure and TxTConnect Raffle Quizzes) and, Iris Hester Tan-Chiu, IBM Philippines (Smarter Planet Innovation Initiatives).

Lastly, the following topics were also covered in several other discussions: Voters Education; Special Kick-Off Workshop with IT Educators, ICT Council Leaders, & Academic Institutions by SMARTMATIC TIM; CICT: Kapihang BPO; CICT: The Philippine Cyber Corridor; Bizpark Program; Technopreneurship Program; The Philippine Business Registry; Social networking of Aspects of Voter’s Education; CICT: PSIA Developers Connect; Technology Showdown by Saver’s Digital Hub; Competency Standards Development and Certification; Integrating ICTin Education; Providing ICT-Enabled Opportunities for Out-Of-School Youth and Adults; Creative Content Development; National Computer Institute- Government’s ICT Training Arm; Low Cost Computing; Product Options: Mobile and Broadband Communications Services; Technology Imperatives; Regulations and Governance of Mobile and Broadband; and, Communications in the Philippines.

The summit also had business matching activities, seminars by Smartmatic on automated elections, exhibitions and displays, cultural presentations, street dancing and musical show.

Also featured was CICT’s “Convergence 2009: Empowering The Filipino Through ICT converges with BPAP Talent Caravan,” highlighting its key programs/projects like the Community eCenter Program, BizSpark, Service Science Management and Engineering, eSkwela, iSchools, Creative Content Development Project, Nettop ng Bayan, eLGU, eBayad and eSerbisyo and the Business Processing Association of Philippines’ (BPA/P) Career Caravan activities like career talks, call center job simulation, job fair and career assessments.

The Summit became the platform for all IT-related industries in the Philippines to share best practices, broaden linkages, learn the latest IT-technologies and learn from the wisdom of the experts here and from around the world through the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP).

MCICTC, a member of the NICP, is one of the emerging ICT Councils in the Philippines that envisions of transforming the Metro Clark as one of the preferred IT and BPO destinations in the country. The council’s mission is to promote the development of the ICT industry as an effective instrument for investment and job generation.

The NICP, comprised of 30 ICT Councils, represents the national venue of united partnership for the Philippines ICT industry. It is the hub of super regions in Asia with ready information technology platforms for investment destinations.

The 2nd NICP was spearheaded by the Clark Development Corp. and Cyber City Teleservices Inc., and co-sponsored by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and Peregrine International, ComClark, and Savers Group of Companies. Government agencies that assisted in the event included the Department Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Clark Investors and Locators Association, Philippine Society of Information Technology and Educators (PSITE), Fontana Leisure Parks, Technology Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), Stotsenburg Hotel, Angeles City Government, Mabalacat Government, and Smartmatic-TIM Corporation also contributed in the conduct of the summit.

For more information about MCICTC, you may call them at (045) 599-5353 or visit their website http://www.metroclarkict.com/summit.

Top Philippine Entrepreneurs Graced JCI Entrep Summit ‘09

Eight entrepreneurs shared their inspiring and business success stories during the Entrep Summit 09 held at the SM Convention Center last October 24, 2009.

Entrep Summit is a project of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) or more popularly known as Manila Jaycees. The yearly event aims to inspire and fuel the entrepreneurial spirit of young Filipinos. Entrep Summit aims also to dispel fears about going into business, or staying in business.

With this year’s theme: “Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders,” invited speakers were Mr. Johnip Cua, the 1st Filipino General Manager of Procter and Gamble; Mr. Mark Ruiz of Hapinoy and Rags2riches; Mr. Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet; Mr. Edward Lee, Founder & Chairman of Citisec Online; Mr. Rudy Ang, Dean of Ateneo de Manila’s School of Management; Mr. York Vitangcol, CEO of St. Peter’s Group of Companies; Ms. Victoria Jardolin, Founder and President of Marikina Shoe Exchange; and Ms. Vicki Belo, Founder of the Belo Medical Group.

This project encapsulates the JCI-Manila’s tenet of providing "economic justice by free men through free enterprise" and cement JCI Manila as a leadership organization actively participating in the business concerns of young leaders and entrepreneurs. Being the lifeblood of the Philippine economy, the SMEs should consciously adapt and grow with market changes and take steps to attaining their business goals - thus coining the term "Entrep Summit".

Entrep Summit ’09 is sponsored by LBC; Del Monte Fit ‘n Right; The Philippine Stock Exchange; TV Partner ANC; Online Partners: Yehey; Entrepreneur Magazine; 88DB dot com; Our Awesome Planet; Print partners: BusinessWorld; Philippine Daily Inquirer; The Manila Times; Manila Bulletin; Radio partners: Jam 88dot3, Wave 89dot1, Magic 89dot9, 103dot5 Max FM; Online solutions provider: PLDT SME Nation

For more information, contact Manila Jaycees at (632) 525-6792, (632) 5252631, or visit their website http://www.jcimanila.org/ or the event website at www.entrepsummit.yehey.com.

First Shellfish Summit Aims at Increasing Fisher Folk’s Lives

The Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-BFAR-NFRDI), together with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research (DOST-PCAMRD) conducted the first ever National Shellfish Summit at Dagupan City in Pangasinan last Sept. 23–24.

According to PCAMRD director Cesario Pagdilao, this summit is particularly geared to gather information on available shellfish technologies, markets, culture and processing. Mr. Pagdilao also said that the summit is concentrated in the study of the molluscan species of the shellfish kingdom.

Meanwhile, Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the NFRDI, said that a five-year road map for the industry shall have been drawn after the two-day event. A resolution for the promotion of shellfish as a valuable resource was also included in the output of the conference.

The two-day event saw to several discussions and presentations regarding the local and international shellfish industry, as well as workshops based on specific lines of expertise including biology, ecology, and assessment; broodstock development and seed production; culture; and processing, marketing trade, and promotion.

More than 300 participant from all over the country participated in the event, representing various sectors of the agriculture and aquaculture communities.

For interested parties, please contact the PCAMRD Los Baños Secretariat at (049) 536-55 or the AFA/NFRDI at Bonuan Binlec, Dagupan at (075) 653-0305.

Albay hosts National Livestock Summit

In September 16 to 18, 2009, the province of Albay hosted the 2nd National Livestock Summit held at the Albay Astrodome, Legaspi, Albay. 

According to Dr. Jose Losa, Jr., provincial veterinarian, the three-day summit was participated by around 700 to 1000 livestock raisers from different provinces all over the country. It features various discussions on livestock which include domestic animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, and goats that were raised for home use or for profit.

The summit is of free admission and the organizers also provided free meals (except for breakfast) for the participants. However, they have shouldered their transportations and hotel accommodation expenses.

Aside from the provincial government of Albay led by their Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, the summit was supported by other sponsors such as the Department of Agriculture, Livestock Development Council, Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Commission, National Dairy Authority, and the National Carabao Center.

GoNegosyo Gears Youth for Entrepreneurship

Hoping to spark the youth’s entrepreneurial drive, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) organized the GoNegosyo Sigaw ng Kabataan Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2009 last Sept. 11 at the SMX Convention Center.

The PCE is the non-stock, non-profit organization behind the GoNegosyo advocacy, which campaigns to change the mindset and attitude of Filipinos regarding entrepreneurship and business.

With special guests Sec. Jesli A. Lapus of the Department of Education, youth icon and star athlete Mr. Chris Tiu, and founding trustee of GoNegosyo Mr. Joey A. Concepcion, the whole-day event featured seasoned entrepreneurs who shared tips and advice regarding the know-how of starting a business. The forums covered topics including seeking business opportunities, marketing and financing and product development.

Government representatives also shared their views about the need of developing entrepreneurship in the country, especially in these times that the rate of unemployment is rising.

The summit also featured over 200 booths which presented direct-selling opportunities and franchising assistance, plus several business ideas that ranged from fashion and beauty and wellness to technology and e-commerce.

The GoNegosyo Sigaw ng Kabataan Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is a free admission event, sponsored by PLDT SME Nation, Citi Philippines and Citi Foundation, Insular Life, San Miguel Corporation, Alo Youth and Vitwater, Condura Negosyo Ref, the Philippine Star, National Bookstore, Splash Corporation, The Islands Group, and the Department of Agriculture.

Media partners QTV 11, GMA 7, Solar Entertainment, NBN 4, Friendster, Multiply, and Business World were also present in the event, including MTV Philippines, the event’s official music channel.

For more information regarding the Youth Summit, visit www.gonegosyo.multiply.com or follow http://twitter.com/negosyoyouth.com. You may also contact the PCE hotline at (02) 637-9229, or call Ideal Events at (02) 431-3694. Inquiries may also be made via email, to be sent to youthsummit@gonegosyo.net.

EBESE to Rise Above Tough Times

With the theme “SMEs: Rising Above Tough Times,” the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Big Enterprise Small Enterprise (EBESE) conducted its 1st competitiveness summit at The Heritage Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Edsa, Pasay City last September 2, 2009.

The said summit became a platform where critical issues were discussed such as what enterprises can do to weather the current global economic storm, what specific tools and strategies have been employed by other companies, what key insights may be gained from the experiences of local manufacturers, both large and small, which made them competitive despite the more stringent demands of the market.

Packed with real-life examples, the resource organizations offered practical advice and solutions which the attendees may adopt to help them into transforming into super enterprises rising above tough times.

Speakers were Edgardo Lacson, Romeo Cruz, Renato Almeda, Patrick Tan, Joey Concepcion III, Alberto Buenviaje, Fortunato dela Pena, and Cecilio Pedro.

For further information, please contact the EIPC Foundation Secratariat at telefax 8979483 or email eipc_org@yahoo.com.

Experts Shared Views and Practices at 3rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit

Internet and mobile marketing experts from all over the world shared their insights and success stories in utilizing the power of the internet and mobile media for marketing purposes during the 3^rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit held last August 25 – 26, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Organized by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, the event was guided by the theme, “Digital Delivers”. The informative 2-day conference aims to assess the digital marketing scenario in the Philippines and present relevant studies and practices of marketing and ad agencies that utilizes the internet and mobile.

IMMAP President Arthur Policarpio welcomed the delegates of the event. Nestle Philippines Senior Vice President and Communication and Marketing Service Director Sandra Puno and Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) President Charmaine Canillas delivered the keynote address during the first day of the event. While Unilever Philippines Chairman Fernando Fernandez and Mobile Marketing Association President and CEO Mike Wehrs gave the keynote address during the second day of the conference.

Several notable speakers graced this year’s conference including:

• Ms. Bennett Porter, Head of Marketing Emerging Markets for Yahoo! Inc.,
• Mr. Kent Wertime, Asia-Pacific Director for OgilvyOne Worldwide
• Mr. James Laffery, Ret. Vice President of Procter and Gamble Philippines
  
• Mr. Rahul Vasudev, Director of MediaCom Interaction
• Mr. Jerico Barrera, Client Service Director for Media of The Nielsen Company
• Ms. Teresita Villareal, Marketing Director for Customer Marketing Group of ABS-CBN Broadcasting, Inc.
• Mr. Masaki Iwata, Digital Solutions Producer of Dentsu Japan
• Ms. Riana Roces Trinidad, Co-Managing Partner of Proud Mama Concepts, Inc.,
• Mr. Jose Anton Diaz, owner and blogger of Our Awesome Planet.
  

The second day of the conference was highlighted by a special case presentation courtesy of the 2009 Boomerang Gold Award winners. The winners are:

• Cyber Boomerang Category: Nescafe Palistuhan by Proximity Philippines
• Mobile Boomerang Category: Quaker Oats Eat Well and Win Promo by Proximity Philippines/BBDO Guerrero
• Integrated Boomerang Category: Sandbox by: Smart Communications, Inc. and Wolfpac Mobile, Inc.
  
• Innovation Boomerang Category: Awesome Philippines Second Life Press Conference by the Philippine Department of Tourism and Media Contacts Philippines

The 3rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit 2009 is sponsored by OgilvyOne Worldwide, DentsuIndio, Smart Communications, Inc., Business World, Fiera de Manila, MobiThinking, Yahoo! Philippines, Friendster, Inquirer.net, Admax Network, iHub Media, Eyeblaster, Snapworx, Inc., PinoyExchange.com, Adobo Magazine, The Philippine Star, Philstar.com, IT Matters (Special section of Business World), Affle, Business Mirror, Canon, Studio 23, and The Radio Partners, Inc. (Jam 88.3, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, Killer Bee FM, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM)

For more information about the event, contact Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines at (632) 896-0637, 896-0639 or visit the event website at http://www.interactivesummit.com.ph/.