Zozobrado to Dabawenyos: Avoid SIM Deactivation

Davao City Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado delivers a privilege speech during Tuesday's session.

Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado reminded Dabawenyos to register their SIM as soon as possible to avoid SIM deactivation.

The SIM or Subscriber Identification Module is a data-storage card that contains information unique to a user including phone numbers, identification number, passwords and messages.

“Do not way for another deadline before you register your SIM,” Zozobrado said in a privilege speech at the City Council Tuesday.

The April 26 deadline for SIM registration was extended for another 90 days or until July 25.

Zozobrado said deactivation of one’s SIM can cause a disruption considering that cellphones have become an important tool for personal, work and business purposes. Cellphones have become necessary for financial transactions especially during the pandemic.

“Aside from curtailing your ability to communicate, it could also hinder you from continuing some business and financial transactions including banking, online purchases, food delivery and even online learning,” Zozobrado said.

Zozobrado also emphasized how cellphones have become a necessity for convenience when it comes to food deliveries and as electronic wallets.

What happens to a GCash account once the SIM is deactivated?

According to GCash, failure to register the SIM connected to your GCash account will lead to the deactivation of the SIM. The company said the user’s funds will remain secured but it may take sometime to use the funds again. It will take at least nine days to transfer funds from an old to a new GCash account

Republic Act No. 11934, also known as the SIM Registration Act, mandates the registration of SIM cards.

How to register your SIM?

For Smart SIM cards

For Globe SIM Cards

DOST, UP Mindanao Eyes AI, Imaging Tech to Determine Ripeness of Durian

UP Mindanao and DOST's AIDurian project to boost durian production in Davao

University of the Philippines Mindanao researchers are eyeing the development of a non-invasive grading system and maturity estimation model for durian using Artificial Intelligence and Imaging through a project with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science for Change Program (S4CP).  

Davao is the largest durian-grower in the country, accounting for about 80 percent of the nation’s total production. However, farmers are challenged by the continued losses in Durian harvest due to the following reasons:

• Low farm mechanization and postharvest facilities
• Inconsistencies in fruit grading due to manual inspection
• Inadequate number of skilled workers in durian processing

UP Mindanao hopes to address the problem through a project called AI-based Non-Invasive Grading System for Durian or AIDurian. The project seeks to develop a system capable of classifying durian based on ripeness, quality, and variety. It will also provide a more accurate and efficient postharvest classification process. The new AI-based system will offer significant advantages over traditional methods of durian grading, which are often subjective and time-consuming. 

AIDurian is funded under the Industry-level Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy program or i-CRADLE under the DOST S4CP. The implementation will be under the supervision of Dr. Armacheska Mesa-Satina along with Dr. Vladimer Kobayashi, Dr. Emma Ruth Bayugan, and Asst. Prof. Vicente Calag in partnership with five durian processors. The project is expected to begin by the 2nd quarter of 2023.

Project AIDurian is the first i-CRADLE project in Davao Region and is part of DOST’s efforts to expand the benefits of university-industry collaboration in increasing the competitiveness of Philippine industries through R&D. 

Kultura's Summer Selebrasyon

In our tropical shores, it’s summer all year round! But the months from March to May are really when nature likes to show off. Round up your friends, head out of town, and relish the rejuvenating powers of the sun and sky and sea. But first, head over to Kultura for everything you need to celebrate the getaway season in style.  

 

SUMMER-WORTHY ‘FITS 

A leisurely trip deserves a wardrobe to match. Kultura's Summer Selebrasyon collection is made of stylish resort wear in lightweight fabrics for blissful, sun-soaked days. With a mix of neutrals and vibrant tones, it’s the perfect palette for picture-worthy OOTDs against the most gorgeous backdrops across the Philippines. 

 

Kultura traveled up north to the idyllic surf town of La Union to showcase the summer collection. For the ladies, Kultura has easy, breezy smocked dresses, chic co-ords, batik caftans, and cover-ups hand-embroidered by local artisans, for summer looks that are effortless yet elevated.  

 

For the gents, Kultura offers guayabera tops, embroidered and ethnic-print polos, linen pants, and bright summer shorts that will take him from daytime adventures to midnight beach strolls seamlessly.  

 

To complete these looks, Kultura offers a wide and wonderful selection of handwoven native bags, comfortable slides, hats, multi-way sarongs that come in sets of 2 fun colors, bamboo sunglasses, bright handmade accessories, and other tropical-inspired accents. The best thing about Kultura's Summer Selebrasyon collection? Everything is proudly Filipino-made, and versatile enough to wear throughout the rest of the year. 

 

Bring stylish slices of summer to your wardrobe!

GLAMPING ESSENTIALS 

Make your getaways even more memorable by packing Kultura's summer lifestyle finds. From ocean-themed placemats and trays, eco-friendly mugs and bamboo tumblers, to banigs, hammocks and rattan hampers, these local picks bring a thoughtful, “aesthetic” touch to your road trips, beach picnics, and summer escapes. And they’re perfect to use back home, too, for year-round tropical vibes.  

 

From versatile resort wear to beach picnic essentials and handcrafted lifestyle accessories for your home away from home, Kultura has got you covered for a summer to remember.  

 

Images were taken at The Lark Inn and Casa Nakama, both located in La Union, Philippines. 

 

Get your summer essentials only at Kultura! Shop now at  kulturafilipino.com  or drop by the nearest  Kultura store. You can also send them a message to order or inquire. Their personal shoppers will gladly assist you: 

• Messenger:  m.me/KulturaPH 
• Call To Deliver: 09175174096 or 09676093407 
• Viber:  bit.ly/KulturaOnViber 

Travel the world this summer with budget-friendly roaming promos from Globe

As global travel steadily returns to normal, Globe is excited to unveil its latest line-up of roaming offers tailored to meet the evolving needs of budget-conscious people who love to explore the world without breaking the bank. 

"Value for money has become a key factor in travel decisions, so Globe has designed roaming options that address the challenges faced by our customers seeking affordable connectivity while abroad. With no need to change SIMs or carry a separate device, we make it easy for them to maximize their trip to the fullest so they can keep creating those core memories,” said Coco Domingo, Globe Postpaid and International Business Vice President.

 

Globe's innovative roaming offers cater to the diverse needs of today's travelers. For one, GoRoam is an exclusive offer available through the GlobeOne app, which provides country-specific promos that match local SIM offers.

With GoRoam, travelers no longer have to get a local SIM to enjoy unbeatable rates. This convenient solution empowers them to remain connected to their loved ones and access essential information without the hassle and expense traditionally associated with roaming services.

 

Meanwhile, Roam Surf Longer Stay, which grants travelers access to data roaming packs that gets more affordable the longer you use it. For as low as P200/day, customers can enjoy up to 20GB data good for 30 days.

 

Available in over 90 countries worldwide, Roam Surf Longer Stay makes it easy to do cross-country trips. All you need is one promo as customers country hop from one destination to another! Simply choose from 3-day to 30-day data packs!

 

By providing affordable and convenient solutions for staying connected abroad, Globe aims to capture and heighten its relevance among travel intenders during the summer season.

 

Don't miss out on these incredible offers from Globe, designed to make your trips more enjoyable, connected, and budget-friendly. Get started by registering to your promo of choice via the GlobeOne app, which also lets customers track their usage in real time.

 

For more information, visit Globe.

Filipino Fashion Fair 2023 in Davao

 

                          

SM Supermalls will officially open its doors for the first regional leg of the Filipino Fashion Fair slated at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier in Davao City from February 25 to March 3.

The fashion fair aims to shape the Philippine fashion industry to make it a top player in the international fashion scene.

The event, which is organized by private fashion trade organization fashX, features the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) not only to celebrate Filipino design but to make it accessible to Mindanao shoppers.

 Edgar Buyan’s Filipiniana dress in silk gazaar of banig weave patterns

PFC unifies a group of creative visionaries representing the regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, with a goal of standardizing and developing the industry. These designers have joined forces with SM Supermalls to create a new marketplace that champions Filipino fashion designers in the Mindanao region.

The participating brands and designers for the first-ever pop-up of PFC in Davao include: 

• Edgar Buyan
• ORIAS
• Jor-el Espina
• Viña Romero
  Debbie Co
• PQLA by Puey Quiñones
• Beatriz
• Costa del Sol
• Studio Regina Aquino
• WYC
• Egay Ayag
• Vestido
• Poivre,
• Limited pieces from the Paris collections of the fashX collective--Rajo Laurel and Dennis Lustico.

Fall in love with this Orias Solihiya Roller bag made of high-quality

genuine leather

This diverse pool of creatives will sell their exclusive and unique works— from one-off pieces to ready-to-wear clothes and accessories. This event aims to raise funds for the projects of the Philippine Fashion Coalition, as it continues its efforts to create a path and a future for its stakeholders. This activity also aims to support the makers and artisans of an all-inclusive local fashion community in the areas of textiles, arts and craft, design, and creative services.

DOST XI brings solar-powered digital library to DavNor school

STARBOOKS Operator Nikko Paña demonstrates the proper operation of the Digital Library

A total of 202 students and 11 faculty members of the Gamban Dadatan National High School (GDNHS) in Kaputian Island, Davao del Norte will now have access to a solar-powered digital library through a donation by the Department of Science and Technology Region XI (DOST XI). 

The digital library, also known as the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks or STARBOOKS, will provide the school with digitized science and technology resources for investigatory projects, K-12 resources, and other learning materials in various formats.

DOST XI Personnel Gamban Dadatan National High School teachers 

during the installation of STARBOOKS

“We thank you for giving us this opportunity. Your generosity will be very beneficial to this school since we are located on an island with no access to internet connection,” GDNHS School Head Juvelyn Parilla said. 

Davao del Norte Provincial S&T Director, Engr. Judy Donna Nueva Ecija, thanked the teachers and faculty members during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for their commitment to deliver quality education for their students despite the limitations in resources. 

“Ang STARBOOKS kay makatabang ug dako sa mga estudyante, mga maestra, ug sa tibuok nga komunidad. Hinaot inyong ampingan ang STARBOOKS para sa kaugmaon sa atoang mga kabataan,” she added. (STARBOOKS will significantly help students, teachers, and the entire community. Hopefully, you will take great care of it for the future of our youth).

GCash among Top 10 Apps in PH in 2022

GCash, the country’s top finance app and only double unicorn, is among the top 10 apps in the Philippines in four categories, according to the just released 2022 State of Mobile report of data.ai (formerly App Annie), cementing its position as the top e-wallet for Filipinos. 

The mobile wallet, operated by the Globe Group’s Mynt, ranked the #4 top app in downloads in the Philippines, and #5 in terms of monthly active users in the country across all categories. Notably, it was the only fintech app on the top 10 list in both categories, alongside social media, chat and e-commerce apps.

 

Meanwhile, GCash’s parent Globe was ranked the #4 top company in terms of app downloads across all categories, edging out the only other telco in the list operating an e-wallet, which was in 8th place.

 

Among finance apps, meanwhile, GCash was ranked 2nd in terms of the category breakout monthly active users, but is the top mobile wallet on the list.

 

“We are proud to be among the top 10 apps in several categories in the new data.ai report. This affirms our standing as the country’s undisputed No. 1 fintech app and inspires us to continue evolving our services to achieve our goal of Finance for All,” GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon.

 

Now valued at over $2 billion, GCash has maintained market leadership despite the entry of new players as it continues to expand its financial services and lifestyle offerings under one superapp. From payments and cash transfers, GCash now offers credit, savings, wealth and insurance products, and also features retail, food, wellness, travel, recreation and even real estate services.

 

It currently has 76 million registered users, logging staggering growth during the pandemic from around 20 million in 2019. It has also been supporting Filipino entrepreneurs with 5.8 million merchants and social sellers on board, and 855 GLife merchant partners.

 

Through its GLoan, GCredit and GGives services, GCash has disbursed over ₱57 billion in loans life-to-date to 2 million unique borrowers.

 

GCash has been ramping up efforts to expand its presence in more corners of the country through partnering with local government units.