NCCC’s up and coming Mall in Ma-a targets to open 400 tenants by the end of 2024.

The construction of NCCC Mall Maa, now at 50 percent, is in full swing since its resumption post pandemic. With total lot area of 28,200.64 square meters, it is set to top off in the 1st quarter next year.

“The construction team has worked diligently to ensure that we remain on schedule, and we are excited to bring this exceptional shopping destination to the community. The progress so far has instilled confidence that NCCC Mall Ma-a will soon stand as a landmark in the cityscape with its swift execution and efficiency demonstrate the dedication and expertise of the project team,” NCCC Malls Assistant Vice President for Operations Engr. Rodolfo Saturos said.

Apart from its anchor stores like NCCC Supermarket, Department Store, Hardwaremaxx, HB1, and NCCC Cinemas, NCCC Mall Ma-a will feature a mix of fashion and apparels, jewelry and accessories, kid’s store, footwear and leather goods, food and beverages, sports, health and beauty, gadgets, home furnishings, and services.

A mix of local and national brands have signified to open in NCCC Mall Ma-a such as Guess, Penshoppe, Hukad, and New Davao Famous Restaurant, to name a few.

“The mall aims to curate a diverse tenant mix, featuring a blend of beloved local establishments and prominent brands. This combination of shopping, dining, services, along with NCCC anchor brands, will create a vibrant and dynamic retail environment,” says Suelita Longakit, Leasing Manager for NCCC Malls.

She added that the variety presents an exciting opportunity for businesses to be a part of the vibrant retail ecosystem at NCCC Mall Ma-a.

There will be different sections in the Mall to cater to the customer’s interests including Truly Davao brands, fashion hub, alfresco dining, food snack section, and gizmo hub.

In addition, the mall has a roof deck with Panoramic overlooking view of Davao Skyline. There will also be a landscape park called “The Nook” for those who seek a place to relax. A variety of coffee shops and restaurants and also available to satisfy customer’s various cravings. Customers can also indulge in different flavors and dishes at The Nest, a food hall for those seeking a quick bite or a full meal.

Globe readies network, pre-positions personnel and supplies for potential impact of Typhoon Egay

Leading digital solutions platform Globe has started to prepare its network, prepositioning personnel and supplies in anticipation of the potential impact of Typhoon Egay.

The weather system, forecast to graze the country early this week, rapidly intensified Monday morning, prompting the state weather bureau to raise storm warning signals across the country. PAGASA warned Egay could further intensify into a super typhoon, with the northernmost provinces at highest risk of impact.

 

To prepare for the storm, Globe has placed technical and support personnel, as well as critical supplies, in areas where the storm may pass or else trigger enhanced monsoon rains. Globe facilities are equipped with generators and alternative power sources to ensure power supply and prevent commercial power outages from affecting the delivery of connectivity services.

 

Globe is also on standby for the possible deployment of Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFi Services in areas where the storm may cause power and service outages.

 

“We have prepared our network, facilities and personnel to minimize the potential impact of Typhoon Egay and prevent service disruptions. We stand ready to support our customers who may be affected by this typhoon,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe Group.

 

Globe calls on residents in areas that may be affected by Egay to make their own preparations, including storing food, water and medicine, readying first aid kits, emergency light sources and batteries, and charging their mobile devices.

 

To help customers access timely and verified weather updates, Globe provides free data access to the website of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Globe would also like to remind the public to get their information from legitimate and trusted news sources to make sure they get vetted weather information, and heed warnings sent by the agency via SMS alerts.

 

For more information on Globe’s disaster response operations, follow GlobeICON on Facebook or visit globe.com.ph for the latest #StaySafePH advisories.

 

Globe says Philippines ready for digital transformation

The Globe Group, the Philippines’ leading digital solutions platform, commends the government for paving the way for greater digital transformation in the country through forward-thinking policies enacted since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

As the President delivers his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, Globe extends its gratitude for milestones scored in his first year in Malacañang which have made significant reforms possible, bringing the Philippines closer to becoming a truly Digital Nation.

 

“We are grateful for the support from the government and our open collaboration towards achieving great strides in our national digitalization journey. Together, we have accomplished a lot over the past year. We are excited to see how much farther we can go as we pursue our shared goal of enabling and empowering Filipinos through innovative digital solutions,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

 

The first year of President Marcos’ administration is marked by significant developments that are key in propelling the country’s digital transformation.

 

For one, the President has enabled closer and more productive public-private collaboration through the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a platform that gives the private sector a voice in shaping the national development agenda.

 

Through PSAC, private sector representatives have a direct line to the President, able to share their expertise and experience towards policy-crafting, and also granted the opportunity to propose national-scale innovations that have the potential to uplift Filipino lives.

 

This synergy has led to the issuance of the President’s Executive Order No. 32, which has granted telcos the long-awaited streamlining of the permitting process of ICT infrastructure. This order will serve to accelerate network expansion in response to the steadily growing customer demand for connectivity.

 

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Connectivity Rating Index, meanwhile, will foster a healthier competitive environment for connectivity providers, encourage business owners to optimize quality connectivity as a differentiator, and empower consumers in making better choices when it comes to spaces where they go.

 

In the area of legislation, the SIM Registration Act, a landmark law passed to combat SMS scams and fraud, is proving to be a powerful tool in helping telcos combat cybercrime, with a marked decline in suspicious messages reaching SIM users. 

Policy Wishlist

 

With the government and private sector aligned on the path to digital advancement, the Globe Group is counting on the administration to continue regulatory reforms that would enable the country’s sustained transformation.

 

Globe hopes for the government’s support in ensuring the timely electrification of ICT infrastructure, particularly cell towers, so that telcos can provide life-enabling connectivity to more areas in the country.

 

To enable an unhampered shift to advanced network technologies, Globe also calls for the rationalization of the 26-year-old Spectrum User Fees (SUF). In its current form, the SUF penalizes greater use of more spectrum-efficient 4G and 5G and other Fixed Wireless Access technologies. It also disincentivizes network expansion, as fees are charged for every station even for the same frequencies. This hampers the industry’s push for stronger and wider connectivity as demand continues to grow.

 

As a strong advocate for internet-ready developments, Globe also hopes to see the passage of a law that requires developers to allocate space for telco infrastructure and an amendment of the National Building Code and/or its IRR to require the mandatory provision of telecommunications infrastructure in developments. At 46 years old, the country’s building code is already antiquated and was crafted at a time when connectivity was not yet considered a basic human need.

 

To strengthen enforcement against financial fraud, Globe is also calling for the passage of legislation that would penalize the use of e-wallets as conduits for money laundering and other financial scams, as digital financial transactions continue to grow.

 

Globe is also eager to see the passage of amendments to the Intellectual Property Code, also a 26-year-old policy that needs to catch up with the times to allow stronger measures such as site blocking to combat content piracy. After it hurdled the House of Representatives earlier this year, Globe hopes for its continued progress in the legislative hierarchy towards enactment.

 

The company also looks forward to greater collaboration with law enforcement agencies and relevant government entities to boost enforcement against cable theft, which causes connectivity disruptions to the detriment of customers.

 

“We’ve had an accomplished first year. As we move forward as partners in digital transformation, the Globe Group hopes to see more policy reforms that will sustain our progress so that in time, the Philippines will no longer be just catching up. Rather, the Philippines will set the standard,” said Cu.

SM Prime taps Citicore Renewables for supply of clean energy

(From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong, SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, CREC Chairman Edgar Saavedra, CREC President & CEO Oliver Tan, CREC Sr. Manager Sales & Energy Trading Jerard Garcia

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and Citicore Renewable Energy Company (CREC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on July 11, 2023, as a joint commitment to champion renewable energy. 

Through this partnership, SM Prime will source its energy requirements of up to 90-Megawatts (MW) from CREC’s upcoming Lumbangan Solar Power Plant in Tuy, Batangas. 

The long-term agreement, which will start in the first half of 2024, is in line with the Department of Energy’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) policies. This agreement further strengthens both CREC and SM Prime’s commitment to DOE’s program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the Philippines to 35 percent by the year 2030.

“This partnership marks our strong commitment to providing sustainable operations in our developments nationwide. It is aligned with SM Prime’s target of achieving net zero by the year 2040. SM Prime ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates,” SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Ong said.

The agreement with SM Prime adds to CREC’s long list of blue-chip company partners, attesting to the company’s solid performance and service excellence.

“We are happy to partner with SM Prime in providing clean and safe renewable energy for their power requirements,” CREC President Oliver Tan said.

“We believe that their support and trust in us through this partnership reflects our commitment as a renewable energy provider, and we are glad that SM Prime shares in our vision of a sustainable future,” Tan added.

Globe builds robust data privacy culture, concludes successful Privacy Awareness Month

(L-R) Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Globe’s Chief Privacy Officer; Jenny Echevarria, Globe’s Vice President for Commercial Strategic Services Group and Enterprise Data Office Group; and Pia Gonzalez-Colby, Globe’s Chief Marketing Officer at Globe’s Privacy Awareness Month program. 

Globe recently held its third annual Privacy Awareness Month, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to ingraining a robust data privacy culture within its diverse workforce. With the theme "See Privacy," the activity was synchronized with the National Privacy Commission's (NPC’s) Privacy Awareness Week in May.

Globe’s Information Security and Data Privacy (ISDP) Group unveiled an engaging series of awareness campaigns, focusing on data privacy compliance, best practices, and useful tips for employees across all roles. These aimed to encourage employees to view data privacy through the lens of responsible data custodians.

 

The celebration culminated in keynote presentations by lawyer John Fajardo, a partner at the Fajardo Law Offices, and Rob Real, Vice President and Group Data Protection Officer at GCash. Both speakers emphasized the critical role employees play in data privacy and protection, dispelling many misconceptions about a company’s data privacy culture.

 

Real pointed out: "Privacy is about control over information, it's not about secrecy." Echoing the importance of a responsible attitude, Fajardo remarked, "Your attitude towards workplace policy is only as good as how you value your own personal privacy. If you're careless and carefree, chances are you're going to bring that to the workplace."

 

Meanwhile, in a Fireside Chat with Globe’s Chief Privacy Officer Irish Salandanan-Almeida, company leaders discussed the challenges of integrating privacy policies into an evolving business landscape, the importance of shaping a privacy culture within their teams, and the values needed to safeguard customer data.

 

"It’s about data privacy not just being a law that we have to comply with, not just a box that we have to tick, but something that creates business value and increases customer trust," said Salandanan-Almeida.

 

Meanwhile, Globe’s Chief Marketing Officer Pia Gonzalez-Colby called for full commitment to privacy regulations.

 

“Madaling magsabi na we will just box-tick and comply for the sake of compliance. However, if we take that approach, sayang ‘yung ilaw, and we will be missing the point. Don't let a good regulation go to waste. The data privacy law gives us an opportunity to rethink how we approach things, and put the customer's security at the center of our thinking," she said.

 

On the other hand, Jenny Echevarria, Globe’s Vice President for Commercial Strategic Services Group and Enterprise Data Office Group, highlighted the relationship between privacy and trust.

 

"At the core of privacy, it's about trust and respect. Trust is something that we aspire for as a brand. It takes years to build a relationship with our customers but only minutes to lose it,” she stressed.

 

As Globe prepares for future challenges in data privacy, the company invites everyone to join in its mission to foster a culture that respects and values privacy in all its aspects.

 

Globe's Privacy Awareness Month is an important reflection of its immersive and proactive approach to data privacy awareness, compliance, and education, resonating with its commitment to safeguarding user data and empowering employees to be responsible data custodians.

 

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Barbie steps into the real world at SM Cinema Lanang

Models posed as Barbies during the Barbie Gala Premiere at SM Lanang on July 18.

The pink fever grew hotter as the live-action Barbie film arrived at SM Lanang’s Cinema on July 19 to take fans on a pinktastic trip to Barbie Land.

Guests, local celebrities, bloggers, influencers, and media personalities, clad in their Barbie and Ken-inspired fits, got the first look at Barbie’s world during the Barbie Gala Premiere held at the SM Lanang Cinema 4 on July 18.

Guests took fun pictures at the giant Barbie box and got to be Barbies and Kens for a night and experienced the magic and excitement at the Barbie Land installation in the cinema hallway which made for a perfect spot to capture Instagrammable photos and unforgettable memories with friends and families.  

Shoppers of the mall may continue to enjoy a piece of Barbie Land in the cinema hallway and Atrium for a limited time only. Drop by the mall to experience Barbie’s perfect world.

HOST A GIANT BLOWOUT PARTY WITH ALL YOUR BARBIES

Got any plans this week? Host your very own pink party at SM Cinema with a grand Barbie block screening and private watch parties! Gather all your barbies and experience the best cinematic experience at SM Cinema with its regular cinemas, Director’s Club, IMAX, and Events Screen ready to be your exclusive venues for a block screening and watch parties with its high definition surround sound and Laser projector for a crystal-clear display. Five-star comfy chairs and snacks from Snack Time are waiting for you and your friends as you watch the much-awaited film. 

Barbie is currently showing across SM Cinemas nationwide to take you to the magical world of Barbie Land – where you can have the best day ever – every day. But what makes Barbie step into the real world? How will Barbie and Ken (portrayed by box office actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling) find their joy as they live among real humans? There’s only one way to find out. 

Globe unveils game-changing 5G-connected robots for improved operational efficiency

 Globe recently deployed 5G-connected robots at the Innovania Technology and Innovations Day at The Globe Tower in BGC.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe once again achieved a significant technological milestone as it successfully showcased 5G-connected robots at the recent INNOVANIA: Technology and Innovations Day held at The Globe Tower in BGC, Taguig, metro Manila.

The event served as a platform for Globe teams and vendor partners to introduce their latest technological advancements and innovations that hold immense value for both the company and its customers.

 

In a collaborative effort with MySolutions, the authorized distributor of Pudu Robotics in the Philippines, Globe presented a series of robots, all successfully connected to the 5G network, enabling them to perform their designated tasks with precision and efficiency.

 

For one, the concierge robot effortlessly guided attendees to various booths and meeting rooms, the delivery robot flawlessly transported materials throughout the event, and the cleaning robot maintained a pristine environment within the venue.

 

These demonstrations clearly showed the power of 5G-connected robots in boosting productivity in many industries. This innovative solution encourages businesses to use automation, proven to improve operations and increase customer satisfaction.

 

The developments also underscore Globe's strategic positioning in leveraging its technological capability to enable and deploy 5G-connected robots across diverse sectors.

 

"Globe has always been a purveyor of innovations and new technology solutions, consistently emerging as a key enabler of diverse 5G use cases. These advanced robots are capable of executing various use cases spanning across industries, including hospitality and logistics. They represent a significant leap forward in leveraging 5G technology to drive efficiency and effectiveness in diverse operational scenarios,” said Gerhard Tan, Director and Head of Technology Strategy and Innovation at Globe.

"With our extensive network infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, we empower individuals, businesses, and industries to unlock the transformative potential of 5G,” he added.

 

Tan said through seamless connectivity, Globe facilitates groundbreaking applications in various domains such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, immersive virtual reality experiences, and revolutionary Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. Its recent accomplishment with the 5G-connected robots is yet another testament to the company’s commitment to propelling society into a future defined by limitless possibilities.

 

With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), robots are increasingly being deployed across industries to automate processes. As Globe continues to enhance its capabilities, it remains at the forefront of the Industry 4.0 revolution, consistently championing technological advancements that significantly contribute to both business and societal growth.

 

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.