Every drop matters at SM: How to save water even during the rainy season

SM’s recycled mall wastewater is used for watering gardens, among others.

SM Supermalls has continuously pushed for green construction given its awareness of the fundamental role it can play in promoting water security and conservation, championing water reuse, and being the catalyst of a sustainable solution.

Up to 25 SM malls have water catchment basins to help prevent flooding as well as soil erosion during heavy downpours. In its malls nationwide, water is reused for non-potable use, such as cleaning the malls, flushing toilets, and watering plants. 

Last July, SM City Baguio introduced the first of its-kind in a mall-setting facility that converts rainwater into potable water and contributes to the city's water management measures. 

SM City Baguio features a water catchment basin designed to gather and treat water for recycling within the mall.

And while the wet season is here, SM believes that does not mean people should waste valuable water supply. While many parts of Metro Manila have observed heavy rainfall recently, some parts of the country still experience insufficient rain, which further reduces the water level supply in the country’s reservoir dams. 

It is no secret that water is an essential resource used every day for cleaning ourselves, the food we eat, and our surroundings to prevent the spread of diseases. To help alleviate the impacts of climate change, here are nine practical strategies to save water according to SM Supermalls.

1. Reduce Shower Time: Shorten showers by aiming for about just five minutes, to conserve water and energy for heating.

2. Don’t Leave the Tap Water Running: To prevent unnecessary water waste, turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, washing your face, and cleaning the dishes.

3. Reuse Water: Reuse water used for washing rice and vegetables or rinsing dishes to water indoor plants. Laundry water can also be used for toilet flushing.

4. Sweep Instead of Hose:  Save water by sweeping the dirt on sidewalks and roads instead of using a hose to clean them.

5. Use Only Full Loads of Laundry: Wait until you have a full load of laundry before using your washing machine to maximize water efficiency.

6. Fix Leaks ASAP: Immediately fix even small leaks in your home's plumbing system because it can eventually waste a lot of water.

7. Water Plants Sensibly: Water your plants in the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation.

8. Collect Rainwater: Set up rain barrels or containers to capture rainwater for outside uses like cleaning, watering plants, or filling toilet bowls. 

9. Raise awareness to others: Spread the word about water conservation among family, friends, and neighbors to create a positive impact and viable solutions.

Keep in mind that every little bit helps, and by putting these water-saving tips into practice, we can significantly contribute to preserving this vital resource for everyone’s future.

Globe transforms prepaid mobile experience with digital-only eSIM

Globe is introducing the fully digital eSIM experience this September. This transformative offering gets rid of the hassles of obtaining and handling physical SIM cards, ushering in a new era where activating and managing mobile services is as simple as a few taps on a screen. 

Globe’s prepaid eSIM will be available by the end of the month, reinforcing Globe's dedication to pioneering user-centric technological solutions.

 

The eSIM will be solely available via the GlobeOne app, a digital-exclusive strategy that underlines Globe's commitment to a future-ready and streamlined user experience.

 

With the GlobeOne app, buying an eSIM will be a breeze:

●       Users can easily download the FREE app

●       Set up a GlobeOne account

●       Request for a new eSIM

 

This shift to a digital-only model ensures that Globe's customers are spared the inconvenience of store visits or physical SIM delivery, making the transition to the eSIM both sustainable and efficient.

 

“At Globe, we're always looking ahead, anticipating the needs of our customers in an ever-evolving digital landscape. The prepaid eSIM captures our vision of a seamless, digital-first mobile experience, marrying innovation with convenience,” Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

 

The merits of the eSIM go beyond its digital nature. It allows users to install multiple eSIMs on selected devices and use two phone numbers at the same time. Plus, the eSIM can also be used in devices other than mobile phones such as smartwatches, allowing seamless connection under one mobile number. This technology is available to the Apple Watch cellular, allowing Globe Prepaid iPhone users to go out with just their Apple watch and stay connected even without bringing their iPhone.

 

The roll-out of the prepaid eSIM has a positive environmental impact as well. By digitalizing the SIM process, eSIM technology can eliminate the need for plastic, and logistics required to create a physical SIM, and cut down its associated carbon emissions. 

As the world pivots more towards digital solutions, Globe stands ready to lead its customers into a future marked by seamless connectivity and conscious choices.

GCash, For The Women Foundation upskill Filipinas through data science scholarships

From L-R: FTW x GCash: Teacher-mentors of the FTW Learning Team - Yves Kangleon, Myk Ogbinar, and Myk Teves, pose with GCash Chief Data Officer Sara Venturina and FTW Co-Founder and Head of Learning Michelle Alarcon

The Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App GCash signifies its commitment to empowering Filipino women in technology as it recently signed into a partnership with For The Women Foundation (FTW) to provide support to its Data Science Scholarship Program.

Through this initiative, scholars will undergo a 14-week training, at zero cost, that will equip them with knowledge and skills in data science, allowing them to shift their careers and join the underrepresented female workforce in the tech industry.

These highly specialized learning sessions will upskill Filipinas and hone them for roles in data analytics, which is considered to be among the future-resilient and high-demand fields today.

GCash will work hand-in-hand with FTW to provide up-to-date information and useful skills to prepare the scholars for these positions. At the same time, the fintech company will offer job opportunities that will help them jump-start their new careers.

“Providing equal opportunities is something we hold very dear at GCash. We believe that women, though underrepresented in the industry, can go far and make their mark. In fact, we are a leading proponent of diversity with a high representation of women in management roles in our company. This partnership will pave the way for more women to explore and flourish in tech,” said GCash Chief Data Officer Sara Venturina.

This support of FTW’s advocacy is a testament to how GCash is committed to upholding the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles, empowering tech pioneers regardless of gender.

“Not all talented women have the resources or opportunities to have world-class training in order to switch to their dream careers like data science. FTW believes in their talent, selects and trains them, then partners with institutions such as GCash to prepare them for these new roles,” said FTW Co-founder and Executive Director Cara Wilson.

This scholarship initiative boasts a 76% new job placement rate with an average 154% increase in monthly earnings from before and after the training period.

Graduates will return to support the next batch of scholars through an extensive mentoring program — building a pay-it-forward community and creating a sustainable impact on the community.

Mati City Health, Public Safety Office conduct “Operation Baklas” versus tobacco posters

Photo courtesy of Mati City Health Office

The City Health Office and Public Safety Office of Mati City spearheaded “Operation Baklas” along the Poblacion area on Tuesday, September 19, in a bid to rid the city of posters and tarpaulins advertising tobacco products.

“Operation Baklas” is in line with City Ordinance No. 249 or the Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance of Mati City.

The ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in certain places in the city.

Photo courtesy of Mati City Health Office

City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat has previously issued Executive Order No. 59 series of 2019 to create a Smoke-free Task Force in the city.

The task force is responsible for the implementation, enforcement and monitoring of the Smoke-Free Ordinance and the conduct of educational awareness campaigns, information dissemination programs, and capability building programs that will inform constituents and train enforcement officers about the dangers of tobacco. 

‘Geeks On A Beach 2023’: Startup founders to gather at Panglao, Bohol Philippines

This 2023, GOAB returns to Panglao for the sixth edition

Movers and shakers of the Philippine startup community, innovators and investors, and global and national leaders are set to gather for the sixth edition of the tech-famous Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) international conference on November 22 to 24 at the renowned Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Spearheaded by GeeksPH and co-organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), GOAB will be a bold exclamation mark to cap the 2023 Philippine Startup Week events to be held nationwide.

About 500 participants are expected to discuss at GOAB the trends and forecasts on tech, startup and design, with conversations and interactions aimed at enabling the best to ride the wave of technological advances.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy is expected to formally open GOAB.

“We are as excited as our alumni and the startup community in bringing GOAB back. Ten years after the first GOAB and a pandemic-induced hiatus, there are certainly a lot of new and positive developments to celebrate from the advance of digitalization, the rise of AI and more funding raised by Filipino startups,” said GOAB founding organizer Tina Amper of GeeksPH.

Apart from Amper, the other members of the GOAB founding organizing team are Dave Overton of Symph, Mark Deutsch of Happy Garaje and Doris Isubal-Mongaya of PRWorks.

Serving as GOAB advisors are Manny Ayala of Hatchd and Endeavor PH, Plug and Play Tech Center’s Jojo Flores, Shoppable’s Chris Blanquera, Stephanie Caragos of Syntactics, Embiggen Group’s Paul Pajo, and Christina Laskowski of Silicon Valley-based Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Founders, CEOs, thought-leaders

The speakers at GOAB are a veritable who’s who in the startup space locally and internationally.

With the beautiful Panglao beach as backdrop, GOAB will feature headliners admired and sought after by the tech community: DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, Chris McCann of Race Capital, Mohan Belani of e27, Earl Valencia of Plentina, Gina Romero of Connected Women Philippines, Symph’s Albert Padin, Jason Torres of Mashup Garage and Neon Playground, Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona, Katrina Rausa Chan of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation Hub, Jen Bilango of CoinsPH; Jay Fajardo of Medifi and LaunchGarage, Ron Baetiong of Podcast Network Asia, Haifa Carina of DEVCON Philippines, Ashley Uy of Synacy, John Naranjo of Ingenuity PH, Paulo Campos of Kaya Founders, Republiq’s Bryan Yap, Vince Loremia of Cleaningly and Tudlo,  Jayvee de Leon, Earvin Ang of Aqwire PH, Pia Bernal of Kickstart, Jack Madrid of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, and Leah Rasay of the Communications Design Association of the Philippines.

Plenary sessions are set to explore potential investment opportunities, while breakout sessions will touch on FinTech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, ClimateTech and other category-specific themes catering to youth and women.

GOAB will also have pitching opportunities, business coaching, matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from various stakeholders. A highlight of GOAB this year would be the celebration of the impact of a new law, the Innovative Startup Act, and DICT’s programs to the Philippine startup ecosystem.

A day prior to the conference, on Nov. 22, GOAB will also hold special Masterclass sessions on “Empowering Rural Communities through AI Outsourcing”, “Maximizing Business Growth with a Cloud Services Framework” and “Global Expansion for Software Development Agencies”, as well as an exclusive dinner with investors.

Conference tickets and information are now available.

A different kind of geek conference

As in past GOAB editions, conversations and connections are expected to happen beyond conference and breakout sessions, making the event a premiere connector event among tech investors, innovators and enablers from the Philippines and abroad.

The exciting beach venue, the stellar roster of speakers, and conference agenda have set GOAB apart since it was first held in 2013. Previous GOAB editions were held in Boracay, Cebu, Panglao and Puerto Princesa.

Globe Group backs bills against money mule activities

In the current digital landscape, a concerning trend has emerged where people find themselves ensnared in the deceptive web of online scammers. Often tempted by the allure of easy money or duped by cunning tactics, these individuals knowingly or unknowingly become "mules."

Given the alarming number of such activities, the Globe Group has expressed support for pending Anti-Money Mule and Financial Fraud bills, which criminalize these illegal acts and penalize offenders with jail time. Versions of the bill are pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO, emphasized the significance of the proposed legislation, saying "I think that will put a lot of teeth into the things that we are doing against scammers because if your name is implicated, then you can be an accessory to the crime. Right now people do not value or do not put a lot of emphasis on their identity being used in crimes.”

 

There have been reported incidents of individuals registering their SIMs and setting up e-wallets and bank accounts only to sell them to fraudsters. While some may believe they are engaging in a harmless or victimless act, they are, in fact, supporting complex criminal activities. This behavior continues a cycle of fraud and deception that affects numerous victims.

 

“These are things that should be made a criminal offense in this country. Because you are making yourself an accessory, you're aiding in the commitment of a crime.  That sort of thing, I think, should be stopped through a law that we are also pushing Congress to enact,” added Cu.

 

A recent raid on an offshore gaming firm, which led to the discovery of over 20,000 SIMs from various telcos, highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations. The confiscated SIMs were reportedly registered on multiple digital platforms despite being unopened and still in their packets, revealing a sophisticated scam operation that targets innocent victims.

 

Globe acknowledges the persistent threat of cyber scams. The company's network security team remains vigilant and is dedicated to its rigorous monitoring and coordination efforts.

 

Globe also continues to closely coordinate with the authorities to prevent cybercrime, detect scam in its network, and provide support that could lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of suspects.

 

“The scammers will always be there. And to the credit of our network security team, Globe is always one step ahead of the cybercrime organizations. So we continue to monitor, we continue to listen, we continue to coordinate and we hope that we can combat cybercrime together with the efforts of the government,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel.

 

Globe is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring a secure digital environment for its users. It continues to engage in proactive measures and collaborations with key stakeholders to combat unlawful activities.

Watsons conducts one-day Medical Mission at SM City Davao

Photo courtesy of Kristianne Fusilero, SM City Davao

Watsons Philippines, a health care and beauty chain with stores all over Asia and Europe, and SM Foundation, Inc., are conducting a one-day Medical Mission at the SM City Davao's The Annex Event Center until 5 PM today, Thursday, September 14, 2023.

FREE checkup and medical services will be provided during the "Alagang Pangkalusugan" medical mission to include:

• Bone screening
• Hair and skin analysis
• X-Ray
• Glucose test
• Dental services
• Other laboratory services