PLDT’s Gabay Guro bags major wins for education advocacy at 52nd Anvil Awards

PLDT Gabay Guro was lauded for its 2016 campaign and TeacherFest tribute event at the recent 52nd Anvil Awards.

Gabay Guro (2G), the educational arm and flagship project of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, was honored in the recently concluded Anvil Awards 2016, a prestigious award-giving body organized the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) which recognizes public relations programs and tools that meet the highest standards in their fields.

The PLDT Gabay Guro 2016 campaign was given a Gold award for its long-running social responsibility efforts in empowering teachers as part of its commitment to build the nation one teacher at a time. PLDT Gabay Guro TeacherFest 2016, the country’s biggest tribute event for teachers from public and private schools nationwide, also received prominent recognition with a Silver Anvil. On top of a constellation of local stars like Pops Fernandez, Lea Salonga, Vina Morales, Sam Concepcion, Gary and Gab Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, Maine Mendoza and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, TeacherFest 2016 gifted teachers with life-changing raffle prizes including cash and trips to local and international destinations, motorcycles from Honda and Suzuki, tricycles from PR Savings Bank and Manila Teachers, a Foton van and the grand house and lot courtesy of Perry’s Group of Companies.

PLDT Vice President and Gabay Guro volunteer Gary Dujali said, “The PLDT-Smart Foundation is honored to be recognized for our nation-building initiatives through the Gabay Guro project. These awards serve as a testament to our social responsibility and mission, motivating us more to continue in fostering the country’s education system and empowering our educators. Through Gabay Guro, we are able to touch lives and rebuild communities across the country with the best technology and innovations from PLDT.”

PLDT Gabay Guro is anchored on six pillars: training, scholarships, broadbanding and computerization, livelihood, housing assistance and educational facilities, and teacher’s tribute. The long-running program made its impressive awards debut in the Philippine Quill Awards 2015 organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines. Reaping four trophies, the program had two Excellence citations for Special Events (Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2014) and Corporate Social Responsibility (Gabay Guro Classroom Donations). The PLDT Gabay Guro Crossover Video clinched a Merit for Audio/Visual, while the Teacher Training Program bagged another Merit for Communication Training and Education. For more information, visit the gabayguro.com or like the Facebook page facebook.com/gabayguro.


The PLDT Home team with PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (center)

PLDT TechIsland 3.0 A holistic digital transformation for Filipino MSMe

– PLDT Smart SME Nation’s annual business convention for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is back, this time to help Filipino MSMEs discover uncharted terrains in the ever changing digital landscape.

Now on its third year, TechIsland aims to educate, enable and empower MSMEs to solve real life business challenges through technology. In the past years, the forum focused on introducing MSMEs to ICT solutions for business. According to VP and PLDT Smart SME Nation Head Mitch Locsin, TechIsland 3.0 is about “conquering new territories and markets in today’s dynamic business by harnessing digital tools and platforms.”

Challenge, change, conquer

This year’s theme for TechIsland is a story of overcoming challenges, embracing change and conquering opportunities.

PLDT EVP, Head of EICB and ePLDT CEO Eric R. Alberto led the highly esteemed group of speakers as he shared insights based on his experience in guiding the PLDT Group’s Enterprise and International activities, both fixed and wireless businesses, to an annual revenue turnover accountability of over 65 billion pesos. Formally opening the event, Alberto welcomed game changers in the field of IT as well as innovators in the fields of marketing, finance and operations, among others.

DENTSU Jayme Syfu’s ‘chairmom’ and chief executive, and one of Philippine advertising industry’s most renowned practitioners, Merlee Jayme, discussed digital marketing trends and how successful companies have adapted to the modern digital landscape. Meanwhile, PLDT Chief Strategy Officer Winston Damarillo shared strategies on how businesses can go digital through specifically-designed business solutions for MSMEs.

For his part, Laurence Cua, general manager of Uber Manila, enlightened the audience on real-life application of digital technology.

Completing the roster is special guest speaker Alfredo Tan, who is Facebook Canada Group Director of Global Marketing Solutions and Facebook Philippines Interim Country Director. He tackled digital exploration and how Facebook has evolved to serve the business community. He also talked about digital trends that can help businesses jumpstart their digital journey.

The breakout sessions in the afternoon were divided into four categories designed to target specific segments of an organization—the CEOs and owners (The Captain); sales and marketing (The Navigator); finance and procurement (The Trader); and operation and IT (The Engineer).

The Captain focused on global expansion through digital while The Navigator highlighted digital trends and market activations. Delegates attending The Trader learned about streamlining systems, while those in The Engineer were in for an afternoon of learning about software security.

All sessions were powered by innovative digital business solutions from PLDT Smart SME Nation which delegates learned more about as they go along.

Pioneering digital for MSMEs

Held at the Harbour Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the highly anticipated business-to-business ICT forum drew in over a thousand participants including industry leaders, multinational organizations, start-ups and MSMEs from various industries. Unlike in previous years where participation was limited to IT practitioners, this year’s TechIsland 3.0 was open to more people including professionals in the fields of marketing, sales, engineering, finance and procurement.

This year is also historic in TechIsland history because, for the first time, slots were opened to the general public on a first-come-first-served basis.

Locsin added, “We’ve already established that digital is here and it’s here to stay. Now that everyone is on it, it’s time to challenge the standard business mindset and give our MSMEs a new perspective in managing their businesses, capturing and expanding their markets and handling competition. Online is where the action is, and we’re giving MSMEs the tools to thrive and survive in the digital arena.”

PLDT-Smart 2015 BOZZ Awards

This year, giant telecoms PLDT, and Philippines' biggest mobile service provider SMART will recognize individuals who made their mark in the world of Small to Medium entrepreneurs at the 2015 PLDT-Smart 2015 BOZZ Awards.

Held at the Palace, Pool Club in Taguig; for the first time, public will see entities who made their mark in the world of digital commerce in the Philippines.

As the head of PLDT-Smart SME Nation Kat Luna-Abelarde said "We exceeded our expected numbers of nominations by almost 150 percent and we've seen some really inspiring stories of digitally powered business success. Digitally truly is the future, and this is a resounding testament to that"


From hundreds of nominees, here are the list of individuals who made and awarded on their specific categories.


For the Boss for Mobile Rediness, Carlo Calimon from Mobkard was awarded because of the feature where customers will receive exclusive promos in real time when they reach a certain establishment like restaurant or store. It eliminate the conventional plastic into a digital content so that the merchant is able to initiate a flash sales on their stores.

For the Boss of E-Commerce, Kim Lato of Kimstore grab the awards. The store itself is very well known since the dicontinued social media site Multiply was established and was a hit back then.


For the Boss for Social Responsibility, Kristine Reyes-Lopez of Messy Bessy grabbed the awards. The said entity produce and sells personal care items made with biodegradable, non-toxic, and all-natural materials. At the same time, it operates a project called HOUSE — Helping Ourselves through Sustainable Enterprises — which employs and educates formerly abused, jailed, and trafficked young adults.


For the Boss for Social Media, all I can say congratulation and hands down to Jason Magbanua. A very well known personality in the word of Philippine videography for his videography skills, and poineered the "same-day-edit" videos which is very popular in weddings.

And last but not the least, the Boss for Customer Service was awarded to Chino Atillano of Timefree Innovations. The said company revolutionize the e-ticket which users will be informed on where they stand on a queue vitually, without going to the traditional ticket store.

Winners will each receive the following: SMART Enterprise Biz Kit which aid the user on his business productivity tool and gadget; a year subcription from SMART which will help them to connect more to their customer and potential clients. Also, an opportunity to go to Silicon Valley.

Here are more images on what happened to the 2015 BOZZ Awards:

Sun Cellular, The Good Choice in Postpaid

People nowadays are enjoying the ameneties and features of the latest technology by having and acquiring mobile devices like tablets and smartphone.

By that, you need a provider that offers a good deal to the consumers like having a device and a plan at a good price; that's where Sun Cellular — a Philippine based telecom company — comes in and have the edge with other competitors.

Sun Cellular now offers following postpaid that will definitely entice the Filipino to opt-in on their products; these are Sun Cellular Plan 600 and Sun Cellular Plan 999.

Why Sun Cellular Plan 600 and Plan 999 is the Good Choice in terms of Postpaid; of all postpaid product that offered in the market, only Sun Cellular offers a "bang for the buck" postpaid product that suits the Filipino consumer, especially to those who are in a tight budget. This would be also an ideal productivity for those who are in the small-and-medium business because of the small amount of investment that and having a big return.


Plus, Sun Cellular now offers two newest phone at the same time the slimmest in the market which will attract buyers out there; latest smartphones by Alcatel.

So why look further to other service provider where you can have a package that is suitable to your budget and to your everyday needs. For details about their products, you may also visit the nearest Sun Cellular site.