Globe fetes Alex Eala for historic double bronze win in Asian Games

Globe congratulates its ambassador, tennis sensation Alex Eala, for making history for the flag anew after winning two bronze medals in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the country’s first podium finish in tennis in the regional tilt in 16 years. 

Eala scored a double bronze win in her Asiad debut ending the country’s nearly two-decade tennis medal drought in women's singles. She then clinched another bronze with Francis Casey Alcantara in the mixed doubles event.

Eala’s wins mark the first time the Philippines won two medals in tennis in the Asian Games since 2006, when Filipino American Cecil Mamiit won two medals in the men's singles and doubles.

“We are overwhelmed with pride over another historic feat that our ambassador, Alex Eala, has accomplished for the flag. She is the epitome of what hard work, grace and determination can achieve. At such a young age, she has rewritten the country’s sports history as she continues to achieve personal milestones,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO. 

A Globe ambassador since age 8, Eala has landed historic wins for the Philippines. She clinched the 2022 grand slam singles championship at the US Open Juniors, and has so far won four pro titles in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the 2021 French Open Girls' Doubles tournament, and the Australian Open Girls’ Doubles in 2020.

Apart from these, Eala won three bronze medals in the singles, women’s team play and doubles events in her Southeast Asian Games debut last year.  

GCash supports COMELEC’s Kontra-Bigay campaign

GCash expressed its full support for the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10946, also known as "Kontra-Bigay", ahead of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Officials from the fintech company attended the campaign’s launch at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, earlier in September. The launch was also attended by distinguished representatives from lead agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Department of Education (DepEd), as well as prominent election-focused NGOs like National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Legal Network For Truthful Elections (LENTE).

COMELEC Resolution No. 10946 aims to combat online vote buying and selling by establishing a Kontra-Bigay Committee and expanding the existing vote-buying regulations under the Omnibus Election Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the other rules and regulations issued by COMELEC.

One of the most significant highlights of the newly passed resolution is its recognition of online banking transactions and the use of e-wallets as potential channels for vote buying under Section 30. During the launch, COMELEC emphasized its authority to scrutinize the financial details of account holders suspected of involvement in such illicit activities.

“GCash reiterates its unwavering commitment to cooperate fully with the COMELEC in the fight against online vote buying. The company recognizes the critical role fintech companies play in safeguarding the integrity of elections by preventing the misuse of digital financial tools for unlawful purposes,” said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash.

GCash believes that fostering transparency, accountability, and trust in financial transactions is paramount to ensuring fair, honest, and inclusive elections that reflect the people's will.

"We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and security in financial transactions and will actively support the COMELEC in their efforts to maintain a level playing field for all candidates and voters,” added Sazon.

As the country’s no. 1 finance super app, GCash embraces its responsibility in ensuring that not only finance but also democracy, is for all.

GForest reports 52 billion grams of carbon reduced since 2019

In celebration of International Zero Emissions Day, GForest announces that it has reduced a total of 52 billion grams of carbon through the various digital transactions done by its users on GCash. These day-to-day services include sending money, paying bills, and buying load.

Daily activities contribute to our carbon footprint which indicates the total greenhouse gas emissions related to these actions. Planting more trees aids in carbon sequestration where carbon dioxide is captured and stored, reducing its presence in the atmosphere and ultimately, minimizing climate change.

As a pioneer in the fintech industry and a committed supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, GCash encourages Filipinos to minimize their carbon emissions by giving incentives for digital transactions done through GForest.

GCash users earn green energy points for performing digital financial transactions in the app. The equivalent carbon reduced by going digital is converted into green energy points, which users can use to plant virtual trees. To ensure that the points given are based on actual carbon reduction, GCash tapped the expertise of China Beijing Environmental Exchange (CBEEX) to use science-based methodologies to compute these.

The virtual trees planted by users are then planted into actual trees by Gcash’s partner local and international organizations in strategic areas around the Philippines. After some time, these trees will also sequester carbon from the environment.

“Our partnerships with CBEEX and other established organizations in the Philippines for our reforestation efforts through GForest is a testament to how dedicated we are in addressing climate change. By employing sustainability practices and evaluation methods backed by science, we ensure that we are able to reach our targets,” said CJ Alegre, GCash Head of Sustainability.

Since its inception in 2019, GForest has planted 2.5 million actual trees in total, covering over 11,000 hectares across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, resulting in about 1.3 million tonnes of carbon sequestered. This has been made possible by its 14.4 million green heroes.

Globe Group's multi-awarded #MakeITSafePH campaign clinches double honors at PRCA Platinum Awards 2023

Globe Group's #MakeITSafePH anti-cyberbullying campaign has garnered two prestigious awards at the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA) Platinum 2023 Awards Ceremony in London, besting top-tier entries from Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 

The campaign, which aims to provide both education and support on cyberbullying, won “Best in Digital and Social Media,” and the “Purpose Award.” The PRCA Platinum Awards are renowned for celebrating the pinnacle of global public relations, as only agencies, teams, and individuals who have either won or been shortlisted in award events over the past year can enter.

 

This recognition solidifies the Globe Group's reputation as an international frontrunner in championing Tech for Good, particularly in its collaborative stand with leading health platform KonsultaMD and other partners to address the pressing issue of cyberbullying and its mental health implications.

 

"This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to create a safer digital environment. With the #MakeITSafePH campaign, we aim to bridge the gap between the digital world and real-world interventions. We believe that by empowering parents and guardians, we can foster a generation of mindful netizens and create a lasting positive impact,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer of the Globe Group.

 

The campaign uniquely brings the stark reality of online harassment to the forefront for parents and guardians to understand how it affects their children. This approach is particularly relevant in the Philippines, which holds the second-highest global ranking for children's exposure to online risks.

 

Campaign activities include the creation of the MakeITSafe.ph website, which offers resources such as a comprehensive Cyberbullying Glossary showcased via digital and physical flashcards. These flashcards were designed to educate parents about the evolving language of cyberbullying and are backed by real stories.

 

There are also free mental health consultations via KonsultaMD for affected families as well as video e-modules of Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program included in DepEd’s K-12 curriculum to supplement learning on child online safety and responsibility. The campaign also released two impactful digital films, Parents Social Experiment and Off To School, and organized Facebook Community webinars featuring ambassadors from #TeamGlobeOfGood.

 

#MakeITSafePH raised awareness on the impact of cyberbullying with the help of social listening and user-submitted content. The results were overwhelming: over 77,000 visits to the MakeITSafe.ph website, a 315% surge in mental health consultations post-campaign, a social media reach exceeding 147 million, and more than 22.6 million engagements. 

 

The Globe Group's efforts have been amplified by close to 300 content creators and celebrities who shared their personal experiences with cyberbullying, further driving home the campaign's message.

 

The company’s success at the PRCA Platinum 2023 is a significant milestone in its journey to combat cyberbullying. As the Philippines grapples with the challenges of the digital age, initiatives such as #MakeITSafePH are crucial in ensuring a safe and inclusive online space for all.

 

The Globe Group encourages parents and guardians to initiate lessons on online safety and responsibility at home to safeguard the mental well-being of the youth. With its online safety platform, www.MakeITSafe.ph, the Globe Group empowers them to be more effective digital advocates for their children's mental health.

 

DOST Davao City Office Collaborates with Barangay Officials for CEST Project Implementation

The Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST XI) has collaborated with barangay officials of identified disadvantaged areas for the implementation of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Agency. 

CEST is a DOST program that deploys a package of S&T interventions to build progressive, resilient, and empowered communities for the “disadvantaged sectors” in the country. Through the program, various activities such as livelihood trainings and capacity-building services are conducted to aid the community with their needs.  

With the implementation of the Mandana’s Ruling where major services will be transferred to the Local Government Units, the barangay officials from Bantol in Marilog District, Lumiad and Malabog in Paquibato District were oriented on the implementation of the CEST project in their respective barangays. 

The Davao City S&T Office (CSTO) presented the package of interventions to be implemented in line with the CEST entry points which covers livelihood trainings, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fora, digital library deployment, installation of solar street lights, and distribution of breadfruit seedlings.

An online technology needs identification was also conducted by the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) to identify potential interventions for the small-scale furniture manufacturing businesses in Barangays Bantol and Malabog. 

FPRDI said that they will conduct wood drying, wood seasoning, and wood preservation training and discuss ways to improve the quality of furniture products from producers in both barangays.

CSTO Director Mr. Arnel Rodriguez expressed optimism that the projects to be implemented in the barangays will significantly impact their community and improve the quality of their lives. 

“We are very thrilled for the exciting developments that are to come in these barangays. We are very willing to support them through our programs at DOST,” he added.

Globe asserts mobile roaming supremacy with 5G coverage in 72 countries

Amid the resurgence of overseas travel, Globe has again expanded its 5G roaming services, with its footprint now covering 72 countries worldwide. 

Globe’s 5G roaming coverage now covers the following countries: Guatemala, South Africa, Seychelles, India, Peru, Aland Islands, Crete, Croatia, and Romania. These additions mean that Globe postpaid and prepaid customers can now enjoy seamless and high-speed 5G experiences in more destinations.

 

"Our goal has always been to provide our customers with the best possible roaming experience. With our 5G coverage now spanning 72 countries, we're leading the way in the Philippines and giving our customers a better Roaming experience. Whether you're a Globe customer traveling abroad or a foreign subscriber visiting our beautiful islands, you can now #RoamWithGlobe and enjoy unparalleled 5G speeds,” said Coco Domingo, Vice President for Postpaid and International Business.

 

Globe users traveling abroad can get the most out of their 5G roaming experience with any Globe Roam Surf promo.

 

Globe Postpaid customers can pre-register for their preferred data roaming promos a day before their trip via the GlobeOne app. Options include Roam Surf Longer Stay offers, which provide data roaming for as low as P200/day. Alternatively, for customers who want the convenience of not having to subscribe to a promo, Globe Roam Surf 399 is available to them simply by turning on mobile data and data roaming upon landing at the country of destination. This convenient data roaming offer automatically renews every 24 hours with the same rate of P399.

 

Globe Prepaid users can also immediately connect to roaming partners and register for Roam Surf promos via GlobeOne for as low as PHP100/day. Once registered, they simply need to turn on Mobile Data and Data Roaming, restart their phone, and ensure their APN is set to internet.globe.com.ph.

 

Meanwhile, inbound roamers or foreign subscribers of Globe's partner networks visiting the Philippines can also take advantage of the company's robust 5G infrastructure.

 

As Globe continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of mobile connectivity, its customers can look forward to even more innovations and expanded coverage in the future.

 

Breaking the Stigma: DOST-PNRI Holds Nuclear 101 in Davao City

While “nuclear” is stigmatized as an image of threat, danger, or destruction, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) broke the stigma as the agency conducted Nuclear 101, a media conversation activity focused on communicating nuclear science and technology last August 24, 2023, at DOST XI Regional Office in Davao City. 

Dr. Lucille V. Abad, Chief of Atomic Research Division of DOST-PNRI and a Career Scientist III, underscored the importance of the safe and peaceful application of nuclear science and technology in providing solutions to the pressing problems in agriculture, industry, health, and environment sectors that the Philippines is facing.

Event highlights include promising nuclear techniques in various sectors such as the Nuclear Power Plant in the industrial sector as a potential source of energy in the country.

In the health sector, the Cobalt-60 Multipurpose Irradiator helps in treating cancer patients, while the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly insect pest control method involving mass-rearing and sterilization, using radiation to mitigate dengue cases in the Philippines.

In the agricultural landscape, the mutation breeding technique promotes an increase in crop yields and productivity, and food irradiation where ionizing radiation applied to food could eradicate potentially dangerous bacteria, avoiding the occurrence of foodborne illnesses. Food irradiation is used to guarantee the commercialization of fruits and vegetables over quarantine boundaries and prevent the spread of insect pests as well, which is a rapidly expanding commercial application.

 

In the environmental sector, radiation techniques were used to treat existing plastics transforming them into useful blocks used in making chairs in order to reduce a massive amount of garbage in the environment and to mitigate climate change and global warming.

DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony C. Sales, PFT, CESO III, gave strong emphasis on the involvement of media in the pentahelix approach to development: government, industry, academe, civil society, and the media. 

“Media personnel know the structure and process of communication and their expertise is necessary in order to properly communicate different nuclear techniques for a holistic approach,” he added.

The number of questions the attendees asked both during and after the discussion shows that the event piqued their interest in nuclear methods. Contrary to what they thought, it also provided media professionals enlightenment about what really are the endless potentials of nuclear technology.