Social Networking and E-Business Conference All Set this April

Be prepared for Marketing and Advertising in the 21st century by attending the 2nd Social Networking and E-Business Conference 2009 on April 23 – 24, 2009 at the Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City.

Organized by Fiera de Manila and DigitalFilipino Club, in cooperation with SME.com.ph and Bizster.com, the event aims to present social networking sites as the new venue for marketing and advertising. It is undeniable that social networking has reached its level of popularity with sites like Friendster , Facebook, and MySpace boasting of a membership reaching hundreds of millions. Still, many corporate executives either dismiss social networking as a distraction or regard it as a risk management problem. In corporations where such tools have been expected to bring profound transformations, there is still a strong resistance to change. By utilizing the wide reach and audience of social networking sites, blog, and other Web 2.0 platforms, companies will be able to communicate to their market more effectively.
Amongst the conference topics to be highlighted in this learning event are:

• Ms. Janette Toral, Founder, Digitalfilipino.com for “Harnessing the Top Social Media Sites (Friendster, Facebook, Multiply, MySpace, etc)” ,
• Mr. Andrian Lee, General Manager, Asia Pay for “Application Platforms Race to Micro-Payments”,
• Mr. Jerome Almirante, Head, VAS and Data Services, Smart Communications, Inc. for “Using Mobile Technologies to Extend Social Networking”,
• Mr. Phil Cahiwat, Chief Content Officer,Level Up! for “Digital Marketing Through Online Games”,
• Mr. Adonis Yap, President, SME.com.ph and Bizster.com and Ms. Crisela Cervantes, Head Customer Services, ABS-CBN Interactive/Multiply for “Advance Social Networking and Advertising”,
• Mr. Christian Lim, Product Manager, SMEG Marketing, PLDT SME Nation for “Enabling SMEs Through Internet and Other Technologies”,
• Mr. Cyril Rocke, President, DataOne Asia for “The Next Generation Communication Services”
• Atty. JJ Disini, Professor, UP College of Law for “Data Privacy in Social Networks”,
• Mr. Wilson Chua, CEO, Bitstop Network Solutions and Mr. Cris Conception, Head, Sales and Business Operations, Yahoo! Philippines for “Application Development Platform Updates”,
• Mr. Ranulf Goss, Technical Director, SunGame for “Having a Start-Up Business in Web 3.0 Era”,
• Wendy S. Ang, Founder, My Optimind Solutions and Janette Toral, Founder, Digitalfilipino.com for “Search Engine Optimization and Marketing”,
• Mr. Jay Frank de Jesus, Founder, Titik Pilipino for “Philippine Music Surviving the Download Era”,

A mini-exhibit of products, goods, and services featuring state-of-the-art technologies of Web 2.0 will run simultaneous with this two-day conference.

The 2^nd Social Networking and E-Business Conference 2009 is sponsored by Yahoo! Philippines, Friendster.com, PLDT SME Nation, Smart Communications, Inc., Philstar.com, Business World, Bworldonline.com, IT Matters, Business Mirror and Myoptimind.com.

For registration and inquiries, please contact the Event Manager at (632) 896-0639, 896-0637, 899-6216 or e-mail at fiera@info.com.ph. Visit the website at www.fmi.com.ph or http://socialnetworkphilippines.blogspot.com.

Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival 2009 Drew Local and International Cyclists

Over 15,000 cyclists from all over the country and around the world pedaled their way towards Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales for the 7^th Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival (TLBF) held last April 2 – 5, 2009.

The sports event, presented by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Caltex, aims to cultivate interest in sports, specifically biking. Furthermore, it aims to promote bicycling as an alternative means of transportation that is environment friendly.

TLBF, which started in 2002, is the only multi-discipline cycling event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia, where races and other activities are held for three days in one location. The races include road, mountain bike downhill, mountain bike cross-country, trials, and BMX freestyle and jumping, among others.

During the event, several races, stunt, and trial competitions were staged for enthusiasts and professionals bikers. These include Mountain Bike Cross Country, 4X, Dirt Jumping, and Downhill Competitions and the BMX Supercross and Dirt Jumping Competition.

Former Philippine Bicycle Team member Baby Marites Bitbit dominated the women’s division while March McQuinn Aleonar from the Philippine Army ruled in the Elite Pro division of the Mountain Bike Cross Country category.

For the first time ever in its history, this year’s edition of the TLBF included a triathlon where Mr. Mathieu O’Halloran finished first in the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run in 1:27:25. He was followed by Mr. Mark Ellis with 1:43:39 and Mr. Antonio Lopez with 1:47:30.

Aside from competitions, the TLBF held the 2009 FilBike Bicycle Expo where former Multiple-UCI World Champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Hans “No Way” Rey talked about Wheels 4 Life, a non-profit foundation that has been assisting the less privileged in acquiring a bike. This year’s winner of the Downhill competition, current Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 4X World Champion Brian Lopes, also shared his experience in competing in a World Cup. International bike builder Jeff Jones, winner of the 3^rd Philippine Trials Competition, revealed the philosophy behind designing non suspended bicycles. While Banshee Bikes Chief Operating Officer Mr. Jay Macneil talked about Bicycle suspension 101.

The 7^th Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival is co-presented by Inquirer.net , Yehey.com and Bike Town Cyclery, sponsored by Gatorade, Smart Communications, Rudy Project Eyewear, Jägermeister, Business Mirror, Pinoy Bikes, Chris Sports, Deuter Bags, Cafe Breton, Sportspray, Enervon-C Multivitamins, Flanax, and the following media partners: Dirt Rag Mountain Bike Magazine, Men's Health Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, MTV Philippines, XFM 92.3, Wave 89.1, and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

BIOTA Staged 44th National Convention and Scientific Sessions

The Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BIOTA-Phils., Inc.), in cooperation with the University of Makati and Commission on Higher Education, held its 44^th annual BIOTA National Convention and Scientific Sessions last April 2 – 4, 2009 at the University of Makati in West Rembo, Makati City.

Guided by the theme, “Biologists in Biosource Exploration and Conservation”, the national convention aims to affirm the biologist's vital role as agent of change in the exploration and conservation of the Earth's bioresources. Furthermore, it aims to identify effective ways by which contemporary teaching approaches and practical research methods can be integrated into the Biology course at different education levels. The convention also stressed the responsibility of biology teachers and researches in promoting interest, understanding, and appreciation of biological science. The convention provided a venue for teachers to share their experiences and to enhance their knowledge on research works, teaching innovations, and other creative activities that may help improve and promote Biology education in the country.

The event was attended by biology teachers and researchers from all levels of public and private schools and educational institutions nationwide. Major activities during the event included plenary sessions, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, hands-on activities, poster exhibits/discussions, and commercial exhibits.

Aside from the formal convention, a fellowship night and testimonial dinner was staged at the University of Makati food court. Also, a field trip of the whole length of Pasig River was arranged, sponsored by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. Complimentary tickets to the Manila Ocean Park were given to all members of BIOTA where the delegates enjoyed a night of fun filled adventures.

Job Fairs are Effective – DOLE

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Marianito Roque defended the conduct of job fairs held in several parts of the country and stated that these are not mere gimmicks.

Secretary Roque said, in a statement released at DOLE website, that job fairs are crucial measures in helping employers find appropriate skills they need, at the same time, facilitating the placement of workers in need of jobs. He further claimed that a total of 1,032 job fairs were conducted nationwide between January and November last year which offered 1.34 million job vacancies.

Sec. Roque cleared that not all job vacancies are filled up immediately after job fairs since companies still undergo rigid selection of short listed applicants met through job fairs. “Selection may start with an initial interview of applicants as the fair is going on…the recruitment of selected applicants who troop to job fairs usually takes place at the company level, where management makes the final choice out of initial interviews and résumés of jobseekers it had gathered during a job fair,” the Secretary adds.

Moreover, skill mismatch is still a perennial problem among applicants given that most jobseekers do not have the necessary qualifications or skills required by the employers. This entails the company to continuously participate in other job fairs to be able to find the applicant they are looking for.

Sec. Roque adds, “job fair also offers services whereby workers are given opportunities to embark on livelihood projects or to undergo skills training and upgrading to enable them meet the skills requirements of industry."

Please visit the Trabaho.com Events and Seminar page for a list of job fairs in the Metro.

Trabaho.com thanks its following sources:

DOLE Information and Publication Service. Job fairs help solicit 1.34 million jobs in 2008 – DOLE (Posted March 16, 2009) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from
http://www.dole.gov.ph/news/details.asp?id=N000002305

Jaymalin, Mayen, Philstar.com. Over 50,000 local jobs available – DOLE (Posted March 17, 2009) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=449325&publicationSubCategoryId=130

Wakefield, Francis T., Manila Bulletin. DOLE says job fairs help solicit 1.34 million jobs in 2008 (Posted March 16, 2009) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/199112

Marsigan, Fernan and Sara Fabunan, Business Mirror. Revised SSS law to help unemployed; DOLE defends job fairs as effective. 2008 (Posted March 16, 2009) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/7557-revised-sss-law-to-help-unemployed-dole-defends-job-fairs-as-effective.html

Gov't encourages new graduates to avail of local, global opportunities in nationwide job fair (Posted March 13, 2009) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from
http://www.dole.gov.ph/news/details.asp?id=N000002304

Tags: DOLE, Labor, work, job fair, Philippines, department of labor and employment, job vacancy, trabaho, job

Philippine Designers Goes Green at Manila FAME International

Eco-friendly design takes center stage at Asia’s Best Design Destination - Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange International (Manila FAME) scheduled on April 15-18, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. As many as 300 world-class designers and manufacturers will present their eco-inspired creations made of indigenous and sustainable materials from the Philippines.

The event is a flagship project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. For 25 years, the show has been instrumental in the promotion and development of the home and fashion lifestyle industries for the export market.

As Asia’s undisputed best design destination, Manila FAME participants and exhibitors pride themselves in being pioneers in using recyclable and eco-friendly materials such as scrap metals, wood shavings, egg shells, and even abandoned insect colonies. These entrepreneurs came up with fresh, original, innovative designs in home pieces and fashion wearable even at a time when recycling was not yet in fashion.

Over the years, a number of “green-fluenced” companies have been joining Manila FAME to showcase product design innovation in gifts and house ware, furniture, fashion, holiday décor, and health and wellness services. These innovative products show that saving the environment is not just a fad.

“We believe that designing an eco-friendly product starts with an understanding of your environment first. We recognize that sustainable and renewable resources are around us,” shared Manila FAME exhibitor Mr. Pete Delantar of Natures Legacy, a manufacturer of artistic and functional home pieces and various outdoor accessories.

Manila FAME is accredited by UFI, a Paris-based organization of leading trade show organizers and recognized by major international associations in the exhibitions industry. A number of exhibitors in the show have been recipients of Germany’s Red Dot Award, Japan’s Good Design Award, UNESCO-AHPADA Seal of Excellence for Handicraft Products in Southeast Asia. They have also been featured in the International Design Yearbook. In its 25-year history, the show has transformed small and medium-sized companies into flourishing industries that provide jobs to our people and drive the economy.

“Manila FAME International is not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill”, said CITEM Deputy Executive Director Thelma Dumpit-Murillo. “When we bring our exporters to join shows overseas, we carry the Philippine flag. We are the face of our country and so there is no space for less than world-class products. It is also a perfect example of the synergistic partnership between government and private sector with government creating the environment conducive for the exchange of goods and services.”

For more information about Manila FAME visit www.manilafame.com