Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Sunday, March 3, 2024

GS1 Activate: Boosting Retail Digital Transformation with Barcodes

10:31:00 PM


GS1 Philippines, the leading authority on local barcode standards, has rolled out GS1 Activate, a user-friendly web service designed to simplify the process of generating barcodes and symbols for businesses. The move aims to transform the retail supply chain landscape through digital innovation.

Unveiled at the GS1 Philippines’ Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting held on January 30, 2024, GS1 Activate promises to streamline barcode number generation and symbol creation, thus digitizing product data and identification. This advancement is poised to enhance the efficiency and transparency of supply and demand chains both locally and globally, across various industries.

Compliant with GS1 standards and services, GS1 Activate empowers businesses to achieve precise product identification using global trade item numbers (GTINs), while facilitating seamless data exchange. This, in turn, elevates customer service standards and operational efficiency. With GS1 Activate, enterprises gain easy access to barcode numbers for their products, facilitating their distribution on a global scale. Moreover, the service offers expert advice on barcode symbol printing and placement to ensure optimal scanning performance. By leveraging GS1 Activate for product data sharing, companies can extend their market presence to retailers and online marketplaces worldwide, thereby boosting the visibility and accessibility of their products on a global platform.

GS1 Philippines has set an ambitious goal to introduce GS1 Activate to more than 30,000 retailers nationwide by the close of 2024, with an existing clientele of over 5,000 retailers already benefiting from their services.

“In an economy where the Philippines’ e-commerce market is estimated to reach $24 billion (approx. Php 1.3 trillion) through 2025, GS1 Activate is a game-changer. This new service revolutionizes business barcode generation, reducing the time required compared to traditional product identification methods and eliminating common errors, saving costs on label reprinting and minimizing the need for extensive personnel training. By dramatically simplifying the process, GS1 Activate also enhances efficient data sharing, crucial for strengthening both local and global trade. This launch is a testament to our dedication to advancing digital integration within the Philippines' supply chain ecosystem, reinforcing our role in the global economy,” GS1 Philippines, and Philippine Retailers Association President Bobby Claudio said.

Aligning with the annual gathering’s theme, “Unified Unlocked: Activating Integrated Digitalization,” GS1 Philippines’ conference marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the barcode system and highlighted GS1’s focus on shifting to the 2D migration of barcodes to QR codes while calling for global retail Point of Sale (POS) scanners to be capable of processing 2D barcodes by 2027.

In his remark, GS1 Philippines Chairman Atty. Pablo Gancayo shared, "We are now focused on evolving the barcode into the next level we call the 2D migration, which is expected to revolutionize further commerce. GS1 will guide the industry towards 2D migration, which it hopes to achieve and implement comprehensively by the year 2027."

The annual gathering hosted insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities among key government figures, industry players, and GS1 members. Among those present was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco, who emphasized GS1 standards' pivotal role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility for Philippine industries competing globally. During her talk, she discussed the government agency’s three-year food logistics action agenda aimed to revolutionize the food distribution system by addressing critical supply chain gaps and integrating ICT to enhance logistics performance. Undersecretary Pacheco expressed eagerness for collaborations with GS1 Philippines to achieve these goals.

Other government leaders and industry experts also shared their perspectives on the impact of global standards in the digital age, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Environment and Design faculty member and packaging designer and consultant Prof. Ana Maria Veronica Solano; and CLASSchool Founder and Nutraways Manufacturing Corporation General Manager Love Emmanuel Agudo.

Several executives from both GS1 Philippines and the GS1 Global Office graced the event, namely: GS1 Global Office President and CEO Renaud De Barbuat; GS1 Philippines Trustee and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.; and GS1 Global Office GS1 Registry Platform Global Deployment Lead Joe Horwood.

Among the prominent industry groups present at the conference were PHILEXPORT, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (PHILFOODEX), Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI), Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association (PCCTA), Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), Soap and Detergent Association of the Philippines (SDAP), and the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Executive Secretary, Overwhelmed or Lack of Experience?

11:44:00 AM


Today, our kwento or story is about politics and government concerns. We're here to point out matters that affect us as citizens of this country. Today, our kwento or story is about politics and government concerns. We're here to point out matters that affect us as citizens of this country.

This time it's about the Executive Secretary or what many often call it as "Little President." The reason it is called "Little President" is because of the power the position holds.

Here are some points why the position is described as Little President. Or in a best possible term to understand is the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Secretary:

1. Implementing presidential directives, orders and decisions; 2. Supervise various agencies under the Office of the President, and appoint officials whose appointments do not need the President’s approval. 3. The Executive Secretary also has the power to sign papers such as executive orders “by authority of the President.” 4. And decide on matters for and on behalf of the President if they don’t require the Chief Executive’s personal attention.

In the entirety of our Philippine Government History, the post of Executive Secretary has been held by distinguished men since it was created in 1936. Lawyer Jorge Vargas, the first Executive Secretary, was appointed by President Manuel Quezon after serving as chief clerk of the Department of Interior and legislative secretary to then-Speaker Sergio Osmeña.


 
Manuel Roxas, the fifth President of the Philippines, also served as Quezon’s Executive Secretary from December 1941 until March 1942, just a month before he was captured by Japanese forces.

As what most expert says, eExperience is a major consideration in appointing the “Little President.” The Executive Secretary needs to hit the ground running, with barely any time to learn how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of the bureaucracy. Owing to the demands of the job, past Presidents picked Executive Secretaries who had proved their mettle through the posts they’ve held over the years.

ErnestO Maceda, a cum laude graduate of the Ateneo Law School, served as councilor of Manila—and was named Outstanding Councilor— before becoming the youngest Cabinet member of then-President E. Marcos as Secretary of Community Development at 29 years old. He served as Marcos’ Executive Secretary in a concurrent capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Reorganization from July 1969 to February 1970.

Joker Arroyo held the record as the human rights lawyer who handled the most number of cases between 1972 and 1986 before becoming then-President Corazon Aquino’s first Executive Secretary in 1986. Franklin Drilon served as Labor Secretary for three years and Justice Secretary for one year before his appointment as Aquino’s Executive Secretary in 1991.

Teofisto Guingona, who went on to become Vice President under the Arroyo administration, served as senator for six years before his appointment as Executive Secretary. He also chaired the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987. Ronaldo Zamora worked under the Marcos and Aquino administrations prior to becoming President Joseph Estrada’s first Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2000.


 

The longest serving Executive Secretaries were appointed in the past three administrations: Eduardo Ermita, Paquito Ochoa and Salvador Medialdea held the post for six years under Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, respectively. Both Ochoa and Medialdea were lawyers while Ermita was a three-term congressman from Batangas who also handled the national defense portfolio under Arroyo.

Compared to many of his predecessors, Vic Rodriguez’s resume comes up a little bit short.

Accordingly, he was barangay captain of Sacred Heart in Quezon City for 10 years before becoming special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office in 2002 under then-Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He later became the officer-in-charge of the city’s Community Relations Office.

Rodriguez’s profile rose when he became spokesperson and chief of staff of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the run up to the 2022 elections. He was named Executive Secretary shortly after Marcos won as President.

The administration’s recent blunders have shown Rodriguez’s ineptness for the job. The appointment of Archipelago Philippines Ferries-FastCat owner Christopher Pastrana as Philippine Ports Authority General Manager has been met with criticism owing to perceived conflict of interest and his company’s supposed P132-million debt to the Department of Transportation.

So far, Pastrana’s appointment remains in limbo. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has instead designated a long-serving ports manager to become PPA’s officer-in-charge GM until further notice.

Former Energy chief Raphael Lotilla’s appointment also hit a snag as Malacañang appeared to have been remiss in vetting his credentials. Republic Act 7638 or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 prohibited the appointment of an Energy Secretary who used to be an officer of a private company engaged in the energy industry within two years from his resignation or retirement.

Lotilla, however, was an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and the oil and gas exploration firm ACE Enexor. The Department of Justice later affirmed his nomination as “valid and lawful,” but not after the Palace’s head-scratching clarification that Lotilla’s appointment was a “nomination” for now.

Rodriguez’s hand was also seen in Marcos’ veto of the bill creating the Bulacan Airport City ecozone, which disappointed lawmakers and investors. He claimed there were “defects” that should be remedied by passing an entirely new legislation.

Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc said there’s no one but Rodriguez to blame for the administration’s recent snafus. “From murmurs in Malacañang, Rodriguez had it coming. Supposedly he re-centralized to his office functions formerly dispersed to other units. That made him powerful, if overloaded,” Bondoc said.

Rodriguez has apparently taken upon himself to vet candidates for thousands of presidential appointees. No wonder the announcement of appointments is moving at a snail’s pace, with a number of key vacancies still unfilled.

For all his talk about being close to Marcos, one would think Rodriguez wants nothing more than the administration to succeed. But he seems bent on bringing his principal down, one wrong decision at a time.

This time it's about the Executive Secretary or what many often call it as "Little President." The reason it is called "Little President" is because of the power the position holds.

Here are some points why the position is described as Little President. Or in a best possible term to understand is the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Secretary:

1. Implementing presidential directives, orders and decisions;
2. Supervise various agencies under the Office of the President, and appoint officials whose appointments do not need the President’s approval.
3. The Executive Secretary also has the power to sign papers such as executive orders “by authority of the President.”
4. And decide on matters for and on behalf of the President if they don’t require the Chief Executive’s personal attention.

In the entirety of our Philippine Government History, the post of Executive Secretary has been held by distinguished men since it was created in 1936. Lawyer Jorge Vargas, the first Executive Secretary, was appointed by President Manuel Quezon after serving as chief clerk of the Department of Interior and legislative secretary to then-Speaker Sergio Osmeña.

Manuel Roxas, the fifth President of the Philippines, also served as Quezon’s Executive Secretary from December 1941 until March 1942, just a month before he was captured by Japanese forces.

As what most expert says, eExperience is a major consideration in appointing the “Little President.” The Executive Secretary needs to hit the ground running, with barely any time to learn how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of the bureaucracy. Owing to the demands of the job, past Presidents picked Executive Secretaries who had proved their mettle through the posts they’ve held over the years.

Ernesto Maceda, a cum laude graduate of the Ateneo Law School, served as councilor of Manila—and was named Outstanding Councilor— before becoming the youngest Cabinet member of then-President E. Marcos as Secretary of Community Development at 29 years old. He served as Marcos’ Executive Secretary in a concurrent capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Reorganization from July 1969 to February 1970.

Joker Arroyo held the record as the human rights lawyer who handled the most number of cases between 1972 and 1986 before becoming then-President Corazon Aquino’s first Executive Secretary in 1986. Franklin Drilon served as Labor Secretary for three years and Justice Secretary for one year before his appointment as Aquino’s Executive Secretary in 1991.

Teofisto Guingona, who went on to become Vice President under the Arroyo administration, served as senator for six years before his appointment as Executive Secretary. He also chaired the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987. Ronaldo Zamora worked under the Marcos and Aquino administrations prior to becoming President Joseph Estrada’s first Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2000.

The longest serving Executive Secretaries were appointed in the past three administrations: Eduardo Ermita, Paquito Ochoa and Salvador Medialdea held the post for six years under Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, respectively. Both Ochoa and Medialdea were lawyers while Ermita was a three-term congressman from Batangas who also handled the national defense portfolio under Arroyo.

Compared to many of his predecessors, Vic Rodriguez’s resume comes up a little bit short.

Accordingly, he was barangay captain of Sacred Heart in Quezon City for 10 years before becoming special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office in 2002 under then-Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He later became the officer-in-charge of the city’s Community Relations Office.

Rodriguez’s profile rose when he became spokesperson and chief of staff of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the run up to the 2022 elections. He was named Executive Secretary shortly after Marcos won as President.

The administration’s recent blunders have shown Rodriguez’s ineptness for the job. The appointment of Archipelago Philippines Ferries-FastCat owner Christopher Pastrana as Philippine Ports Authority General Manager has been met with criticism owing to perceived conflict of interest and his company’s supposed P132-million debt to the Department of Transportation.

So far, Pastrana’s appointment remains in limbo. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has instead designated a long-serving ports manager to become PPA’s officer-in-charge GM until further notice.

Former Energy chief Raphael Lotilla’s appointment also hit a snag as Malacañang appeared to have been remiss in vetting his credentials. Republic Act 7638 or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 prohibited the appointment of an Energy Secretary who used to be an officer of a private company engaged in the energy industry within two years from his resignation or retirement.

Lotilla, however, was an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and the oil and gas exploration firm ACE Enexor. The Department of Justice later affirmed his nomination as “valid and lawful,” but not after the Palace’s head-scratching clarification that Lotilla’s appointment was a “nomination” for now.

Rodriguez’s hand was also seen in Marcos’ veto of the bill creating the Bulacan Airport City ecozone, which disappointed lawmakers and investors. He claimed there were “defects” that should be remedied by passing an entirely new legislation.

Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc said there’s no one but Rodriguez to blame for the administration’s recent snafus. “From murmurs in Malacañang, Rodriguez had it coming. Supposedly he re-centralized to his office functions formerly dispersed to other units. That made him powerful, if overloaded,” Bondoc said.

Rodriguez has apparently taken upon himself to vet candidates for thousands of presidential appointees. No wonder the announcement of appointments is moving at a snail’s pace, with a number of key vacancies still unfilled.

For all his talk about being close to Marcos, one would think Rodriguez wants nothing more than the administration to succeed. But he seems bent on bringing his principal down, one wrong decision at a time.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

SUN LIFE GREPA Connects with PAMPANGA BUSINESS CHAMBER, AimsTo Grow Business Network

8:58:00 PM

 

Kwento Ni Toto shares news in the business industry.

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the major life insurers in the country, partners with the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PAMCHAM) as part of expanding its support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Pampanga and other Central Luzon areas for health protection and life insurance needs.

PAMCHAM is tagged as the “voice of business” in Pampanga that supports local businesses and MSMEs through networking, trade and investment development, IT services and other support programs. The chamber also supports wide-range of advocacies for business and community development, education and livelihood and rural development.

“Being part of the PAMCHAM makes it possible for Sun Life Grepa Healthcare to reach more people who can benefit from life insurance protection,” Sun Life Grepa Vice President Peter Miranda said.

“Through our collaboration with PAMCHAM and its MSME (Micro Small and Medium Enterprise) members, we were able to promote our advocacy of workplace health and protect over 2,000 employees. Most recently, we secured the medical insurance needs of PAMCHAM's own employees under our HIPSTER product – a testament to how serious PAMCHAM is in taking care of not only its members but its employees as well,” Miranda added.

Meanwhile, Sun Life Grepa through its Group Healthcare unit offers MSMEs with three (3) Business Solutions – Accident ProSafe, Smart Care Plus and HIPSTER – that are tailor made to fit their employee benefit needs from wellness, protection and recovery. These are simple, affordable and comprehensive packaged products for MSMEs with 5-200 employees.

For inquiries about the MSME Business Solutions, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch or email groupsales@sunlifegrepa.com. You may also visit the official Sun Life Grepa Healthcare Facebook page at https://facebook.com/sunlifegrepahealthcare.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Hack4Food, An Agriculture and Food Innovation Challenge this 2022

9:27:00 PM

 

News from the agricultural section is very interesting and helpful as well. If you want to know more continue reading. 

Hack4Food: Agriculture and Food Innovation Challenge 2022 aims to foster creativity and collaboration in solving the challenges facing agriculture and food systems. The agriculture and food value chain -- from production to distribution, and up to consumption-- can substantially gain from clever imagination and novel thinking.

The Philippines is home to an estimated 111 million people spread across its 7,641 islands. Ensuring food sustainability and inclusivity for its growing population is serious business. Achieving the desired state of agriculture will require a lot of work from both the public and private sectors. The youth of our country have a substantial stake in propelling the developmental progress of agriculture as they will inherit all its gifts and ills.

This one-week virtual hackathon challenges the youth to step-up and make a positive impact in agriculture and food challenges. It is open to all stakeholders passionate about the fate of the planet and its inhabitants and committed to make a difference.

Hack4Food is brought to you by the Rotary Club of Makati (RCM), in collaboration with Rotary Club of Bay, Rotaract Club of Makati, and the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP). Challenges

  • Improving the lives of farmers/fisherfolks through enhanced economies of scale (i.e., reduced production costs, increased yields, decreased cost per unit of output);
  • Empowering farmers through collective action and by aggregating their outputs into viable clusters that improve operations and profits;
  • Enhancing farmer profits through direct matching of producer and buyer; and reducing the participation of middlemen to the lowest possible level without adversely affecting the supply chain;
  • Supporting and encouraging farmers to engage in crop diversification, which has been proven to help fertilize the soil;
  • Implementing digital technologies and data analytics which enhance overall farm productivity and efficiency;
  • Creating object detection technologies which can aid in production and/or distribution decisions;
  • Designing value chains that take into account climate change and other sources of risks;
  • Developing forecasting models and tools that guide decision-making in value chains;

Prizes
  • 1st place ₱50,000
  • 2nd place ₱30,000
  • 3rd place ₱20,000

Eligibility
  • Groups of 2-5 or individuals
  • Filipino citizens within the Philippines
  • No age limit

Registration
Please visit hack4food.co for more details. Deadline is on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 11:59 PM.

Contact
For any questions and concerns, please e-mail at info@hack4food.co.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Nora Aunor, The Superstar, Happily Welcomes the New Year

12:36:00 AM

 

One of the best gifts for moms is having everyone in one house celebrating whatever occasion to celebrate. For the Superstar, Nora Aunor, having all her children with her grandchildren celebrating New Year or just a simple get-together is the best gift already.

Indeed one of the best gifts ever, because at the beginning of 2022, Nora Aunor was visited by her children Ian, Matet, Kenneth at Kiko together with the grandchildren. The momentous occasion can be seen on Ate Guy's Youtube Channel. Fans and followers can catch the event on the Youtube Channel. Just be sure to keep quiet and do the meaningful health standard.

Ian, one of Nora Aunor's kids, gave a line of thanks to him. "We thank the good Lord for blessing us with a good mother with a big heart, loving, understanding, and down-to-earth mother that we, your family can cherish for as long as we live."

As we all know, there's a little bit of tension between Nora and Matet, Ian, Kenneth, plus Kiko. So for the sake of love and celebration, let there be forgiveness and happiness.

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Shopee is the News as The Most Tweeted E-Commerce Brand in the Philippines this 2021

6:37:00 AM

 

A story for our KaTotos out there! Yes, today's news is all about the brand that made your shopping easy and convenient. 

With its string of successful campaigns and relatable social media content, Shopee is the most tweeted e-commerce brand in the country according to Twitter for 2021.

The leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan took the second spot overall in Twitter’s ten most tweeted brands list in the Philippines, which was released as part of the latter’s “Best of Tweets 2021” awards announced on December 14, 2021. The annual rundown aims to celebrate and recognize outstanding brands for their groundbreaking campaigns and engaging digital content.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are pleased to be recognized as one of the most talked-about brands in the country by Twitter. As we welcome a new year, Shopee will push for excellence and increase engagement satisfaction not only in-app but on other platforms as well. This coming 2022, we will continue to improve our services to better tend to the needs of our consumers, sellers, and brand partners.”

As a platform that prioritizes making online shopping safe, fun, and engaging for everyone, Shopee regularly engages with its users on social media through relatable posts with timely content. During big campaigns, Shopee dominated the Twitter world with the appearance and performance of K-pop idols, which resulted in being in the top trending hashtags locally and nationwide.

Shopee also drives online conversations with the anticipation that comes with its big campaigns, TV commercials with Shopee brand ambassadors, and TV specials where users can win big raffle prizes, watch performances from their favorite celebrities or K-pop idols, and get the best deals and promos they can instantly ‘add to cart’ and check out during the show.

Successful Campaigns such as 9.9 Super Shopping Day and 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale Shopee continues to provide convenience and greater cost savings for its consumers with its yearly anticipated double-digit campaigns. The recent Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day and 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale achieved multiple milestones, including 9.5 million items sold in the first hour of 9.9 in Metro Manila alone, over 270 million plays on Shopee Prize last 11.11, and a 14x surge in Shopee Mall orders during 12.12. More and more consumers also made Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet ShopeePay their preferred payment method with over 1.5 million top-ups for 12.12 alone.

With its continuous efforts to tailor and adapt to users’ shopping needs, Shopee now also ranks 3rd on YouGov’s Global Best Brand 2021 list in the Philippines, the only e-commerce platform to make it to the list.

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Kim Atienza Bids Farewell to TV Patrol Viewers

12:57:00 PM

 

Last October 1, a statement from ABS CBN news was circulated on the internet, informing the public and the netizens about Kim Atienza's farewell to TV Patrol viewers. After many years of delivering the nightly weather news, Kim Atienza mark its name in the Philippine television.

The name Kuya Kim has become an icon in the Philippine TV just like his predecessor in hte primetime newscast, the late Ernie Baron. For more than one and a half decade, Kuya Kim has made not only weather forecasting something to look at to learn but also other shows that gives knowledge to everyone. He shared knowledge and wonder to viewers, as well as the many young Filipinos who grew up watching and learning from him in “Matanglawin.”

TV Patrol says its thank you to Kuya Kim. "We thank him for his dedication, passion, and most of all, service to the Filipino people. All the best, Kuya Kim! Forever Kapamilya."

As for us, we wil surely miss the sharing of knowledge and trivias!

Thursday, June 3, 2021

This 2022 National Election, What Do You Think of Ping Lacson-Tito Sotto Duo?

4:13:00 PM

 

Summer has officially ended (I think), seems that the second quarter of the year is about to end, yet, people are already eyeing the names of possible candidates for the National Elections. There were already top 10 names of presidential and vice-presidential candidates spreading around in the webspace. Remember that the Philippines will be having its National Election for President, Vice President, and Senators next year on May 9, 2022.

So, who are the lucky names included in the survey suggested to run for the National Election? Several names were already on the list, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Mayor Sarah Duterte, Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Tito Sotto, and many more. But the Sen. Tito Sotto and Sen. Ping Lacson tandem interestingly poked the curiosity of some critics, especially, after the interview of Karen Davila with Sen. Tito Sotto.

During the interview, Karen asked Sen. Sotto if ever he will run for the National Election, who should he pick as his running mate. Sen. Sotto answers without hesitation, "First of all, I’m still considering it. And if I do consider it, the number one on my list would be Sen. Lacson. I know his capability. I know what he can do for the country.” And Sen. Sotto added, "If he runs for president, I will support him!”




There were positive feedbacks on the possible candidate.

  • “Matalino si Ping, bagay na Presidente.”
  • “Baka si Ping ang iboto ko.Pero tingnan muna natin ang mangyayari.”
  • “Siya ang nakikita ko na totoong may malasakit sa tao at sa bansa natin.”
  • “Malakas noon si Lacson naghati lang sila ni FPJ ng boto kasi di nag-give way ang isa sa kanila.”
  • “Magiging history pag nag-win si Ping. Mahirap kasi sa mga presidentiables na tumakbo before ang manalo pag tumakbo ulit. As far as my knowledge is concern, ‘di pa nangyayari ‘yun sa ‘Pinas.”

Right now, political parties are convening to endorse their official candidate for the coming National Election. It is a long way to go before the election, but it is good to understand and know the potential leaders of the country.



In other news, Sen. Ping Lacson's son Pampi celebrated his birthday together with his children Thirdy (Jodi Sta. Maria's son) and Mimi (Iwa Moto's daughter). Both children sang a birthday song to Pampi with a cake and a gift. A memorable day indeed for him.

When Pampi was asked about the possible tandem of Sen. Tito Sotto and his father Sen. Ping Lacson, he remains quiet about the matter.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Samsung Electronics Announced Its New President & CEO for Southeast Asia & Oceania

10:47:00 PM


Interesting news at the beginning of the year in the electronic industry, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. just recently announced the appointment of Mr. Sangho Jo as President and CEO of Southeast Asia & Oceania.

A proven Samsung leader with over three decades of experience across business groups and geographies, Mr. Jo will steer the strategic growth directions of Samsung Electronics in Southeast Asia & Oceania.

Markets in Southeast Asia & Oceania are integral to Samsung Electronics’ long-term growth plans, with the region poised to sustain its rapid economic growth into the next decade, built on the digital ambitions of its cities, industries and communities. Mr. Jo will guide the business towards cementing its industry leadership and seizing long-term growth opportunities in this region by forging partnerships, creating operational excellence, and ultimately, building brand trust amongst consumers and enterprises.

He was most recently appointed President and CEO for Samsung Electronics in Europe, where he led the business to achieve sustainable commercial growth and brand favorability in 2020. In the past decade, Mr. Jo has served as President in the following markets: Samsung Electronics Germany (2019), United Kingdom (2015 – 2017), Sweden (2012 – 2014), Austria (2011), Baltic countries (2009 – 2010), and also served as Head of Visual Display business for Samsung Europe based in South Korea (2017 – 2018).

Mr. Jo is not new to the Southeast Asia & Oceania region, having worked in Samsung Electronics Singapore (1997), Vietnam (1998 – 2000) and Malaysia (2007 – 2008). He said: “I am pleased to return to Southeast Asia and Oceania, and lead one of the vibrant leading hubs for Samsung Electronics globally. I look forward to strengthening the strong relationships we have built with our partners and customers here and explore exciting new consumer and commercial partnerships, steering Samsung into the next stage of growth in the region.”

“In an era defined by rapid digital disruptions, we are committed to empowering the digital ambitions of nations, industries and communities in Southeast Asia and Oceania, and to help fulfil the potential of the people here through next-generation technologies,” he added.

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Not Just the Good Life but The Heart of LG To Shelter of Hope

3:15:00 AM

If you're following my other blog, www.grabtechdude.net, I was able to post and tell the story about the partnership of Netflix and LG in releasing the animated film Klaus that made kids from Shelter of Hope enjoyed watching. During that time as well as the small launching event, melts the heart of LG and made an instant announcement of its pledge to donate over 1 million pesos of Home Appliances to the Shelter of Hope/ Silungan ng Pag-asa.  The great thing is that it is not just a promise but an act to do the will with all their hearts for the children of Shelter of Hope/Silungan ng Pag-Asa, a temporary home for cancer-stricken kids from provinces.



The donations, which included a wide range of home appliances that will vastly improve the quality of life and enjoyment in the children’s home, were recently formally turned over in a small gathering to celebrate the month of love, as well as World Cancer Day which fell on February 4th. LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo, together with #TeamLG, gave the donations to Pastor Junie Antiñero of Shelter of Hope. “It is our privilege to be partners with Shelter of Hope. The bravery and strength of these children are something we can all look up to. To be able to give them happiness, no matter how small, is a goal that we constantly work towards.” Mr. Heo said.



Pastor Junie gamely accepted LG’s gift. “We are deeply grateful for LG’s unwavering support for our cause. I, and more importantly the children, really appreciate it”. After the donations were given away, the children from Shelter of Hope gave the audience a heartwarming treat with a moving performance. The donations came in part of the #ShareTheGoodLifewithLG campaign during the holidays, where as a way of giving back to the community, LG dedicated a portion of each sale of each product to go towards furnishing the home of Shelter of Hope.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

#JADINE Went On Separate Ways For Personal Growth?

12:44:00 AM

It's not sudden news, and everyone is expecting answers, all that is needed is the confirmation that the story spread before was correct. Well, those who published the story on different platforms are somehow correct and a bit wrong.

It is correct in a way because the two are in that situation of going on separate ways. You may find it interesting that this is common in every relationship. It is on that stage where either she or he is losing one's self. Or finding out that he or she is stuck. They somehow find in themselves that there's a need to recover and redeem the old self to create a much better soul. Of course, this is just my opinion about the situation.

The truth lies in the joint statement of James Reid and Nadine Lustre.


"It's true that we have split up but not for all the reason that are being spread on the tabloids and social media but because after quiet and mature conversations, we decided to focus on ourselves not only for our careers but more for our personal growth as we are still young and we want to achieve as much as we can. We agreed that going separate ways was best for both of us. We are in good terms and are still really good friends and will continue to work with each other especially when it comes to music.

Thank you for all the JADINE FANS for their undying support and we hope you continue to support us now and in the future. We shall forever be grateful to them for their love and understanding.

Thank You"

Of course, even though this statement was released, some wouldn't take the declaration as it is. Just like what they mentioned when they are being asked about their thoughts on living together, it's a matter of CHOICE. And it is their choice that they went on separate ways.



Saturday, January 18, 2020

ANC’s Cathy Yang is Hailed as Asia's Best TV News Presenter

12:45:00 PM

Another day to celebrate as ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) anchor Cathy Yang brought honor to the Philippines anew at the start of the new decade after being named as Best News Presenter at the 24th Asian Television Awards held recently here in Manila.

Cited for her work in the ANC business news program “Market Edge with Cathy Yang,” Cathy said the award ‘takes her full circle’ as a journalist, during an interview with ABS-CBN News after her win.

“From being a Kapamilya where I learned all the ropes and then I went abroad from Manila to Tokyo to Hong Kong and back, here I am again. Thank you, ANC and thank you, Kapamilya for all the support,” she said.


In her acceptance speech, Cathy talked about the great honor of telling the remarkable story of Asia’s growing economies from her homeland.

“As a financial journalist I am so proud to be the storyteller of that narrative and to be doing it with my Kapamilya at work and my family at home.”

The anchor of “The Boss” and “Business Nightly” on ANC is now a four-time winner in the Asian Television Awards, after bagging the honor thrice for another regional news network. This year, she bested fellow broadcasters from the Philippines, China, Japan, India, and Taiwan.

The award also comes on the heels of her recognition as Best News or Current Affairs Presenter at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in Singapore last December 2019.


Catch Cathy Yang on “Market Edge with Cathy Yang” on weekdays at 3 pm, on “Business Nightly” also on weekdays at 8 pm, and “The Boss” every Thursday at 7:30 pm via ANC or iWant.

For the latest news, follow the ABS-CBN News Channel on Facebook and Twitter (@ANCalerts) or visit news.abs-cbn.com/anc.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

ANC’S Cathy Yang Honored as Best News Anchor At ASIAN ACADEMY CREATIVE AWARDS

11:51:00 AM

ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) broadcast journalist Cathy Yang brought honors to the country as she was named Best News or Current Affairs Presenter/Anchor at the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Awards in Singapore for her exemplary work in ANC’s business news program “Market Edge.”

In her acceptance speech, Yang was immensely grateful to the Asian Academy, stating that she and the entire ABS-CBN News team wanted to bring home the honor. “It is my first foray into the Academy as it is for the ABS-CBN Newsroom. It gives me such great pride that I came back to the Philippines and won this for the Philippines and for the Kapamilya network, which is really my home network since I began my career in journalism,” she said.


Yang, who also hosts ANC’s “Business Nightly” and “The Boss,” was part of the 20 winners of the first night of the annual event that aims to recognize “the best of the best from the region’s content industry.”

The Asian Academy Creative Awards (AAA) is a yearly celebration of excellence in creative industries and serves as the “pinnacle of achievement in content creation and media production.”

For more updates, follow ABS-CBN PR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit abs-cbn.com/newsroom. ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) broadcast journalist Cathy Yang brought honors to the country as she was named Best News or Current Affairs Presenter/Anchor at the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Awards in Singapore for her exemplary work in ANC’s business news program “Market Edge.”

In her acceptance speech, Yang was immensely grateful to the Asian Academy, stating that she and the entire ABS-CBN News team wanted to bring home the honor. “It is my first foray into the Academy as it is for the ABS-CBN Newsroom. It gives me such great pride that I came back to the Philippines and won this for the Philippines and for the Kapamilya network, which is really my home network since I began my career in journalism,” she said.


Yang, who also hosts ANC’s “Business Nightly” and “The Boss,” was part of the 20 winners of the first night of the annual event that aims to recognize “the best of the best from the region’s content industry.”

The Asian Academy Creative Awards (AAA) is a yearly celebration of excellence in creative industries and serves as the “pinnacle of achievement in content creation and media production.”

For more updates, follow ABS-CBN PR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

STADA Philippines acquires GlaxoSmithKline’s skin care brand

12:31:00 AM

Kwento is about stories and info that would really give something out to people who wouuld read this blog and for today, well, I'm sharing some news that interests Moms. This is about STADA, a leading manufacturer of high-quality pharmaceutical products, formally announced its acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) skincare brand -- Oilatum.

Stada says the acquisition has two strategic goals: increasing its presence in skincare category and to expand its ability to provide high-quality skincare products to the Philippines and the rest of the Asia Pacific.

“This venture is one of many initiatives developed to further strengthen our presence in Asia Pacific in the coming years with the aim to continually deliver quality healthcare products to enrich the lives of our customers,” said Mr. Gary Clark, Managing Director for Asia Pacific,”

Oilatum is one of the key players in skin-care brands in the Philippines which is designed to provide a daily treatment regimen to reduce the occurrence of dry skin and eczema by soothing, softening and hydrating the skin in children. One of its best-known products is the Oilatum Soap Bar. It is an emollient cleanser suitable for everyday cleansing for dry and sensitive skin

In addition to Oilatum, STADA has acquired Eurax, Savlon Antiseptic Cream, Ceridal, Tixylix and Polytar (Tarmed) in a number of specific geographic territories, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America. All of which have a strong brand heritage and great followings not only in Europe but all over the world.

STADA is one of the top five generic players in Europe which continues to grow as a partner of choice for generics and consumer health products not only in Europe but also in emerging markets worldwide including the Philippines. According to STADA Philippines General Manager Sharmaine Abarientos, the company envisions to launch consumer brands in the Philippines and this is part of the strategic priorities in the next three years.

Backed with more than 120 years of experience, STADA is present in over 130 countries with 10,400 plus employees in about 50 well-recognized subsidiaries.

In 2008, STADA Arzneimittel AG assumed ownership of Croma Medic, Inc. in the Philippines. Croma changed its name to STADA Philippines (STADA Phils. Inc.) last year.

Benefitting from STADA’s broad product portfolio, STADA Philippines’ expansion from its core in ophthalmology into generic pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare is considerably boosted by the addition of Oilatum to its range.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes' Acts to Help Fight Depression

5:27:00 PM

Depression or mental health issue, a problem that most people are facing today, especially the young ones who are mostly engaged in social media and networking sites, seems to be getting worse and the victims are getting younger every day. With the advancement of technology, getting bashed or reading something hurtful is just a scroll away. Even being shamed is just a click away.

San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan Representative Florida “Rida” Perez Robes, in a recently released article in one of the leading newspaper mentioned that “In one public high school in a barangay in our town, 10 students, all teenagers, died of suicide due to mental health issues, in a span of one year. Many of the cases are related to online bullying." It is indeed becoming a real problem and issue of today's generation. Congresswoman Rida was able to share something like this to inform people that it is becoming a problem that needs to be addressed that is why she advocates for mental health. Not only because of the news but also from the personal experiences of her relatives. She is not comfortable knowing that depression claims live in her hometown.


“Depression needs to be treated. Early intervention can come in the form of caring. It helps a lot when a depressed individual knows someone cares,” part of what CW Robes mentioned in the article. Depression really needs to be treated in an early stage and because of the incidents that happened in her hometown CW Rida took time to visit different barangays and schools in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, to see the current situations. A gesture of bringing hope to the people.

Part of the move and action taken by CW Robes is being part of the group that made a partnership with the Korean-based Sunfull Foundation, an international non-government organization that raises mental health awareness among individuals and helps combat cyberbullying. Together with her are other lawmakers like Pangasinan Representative Baby Arenas and Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann Hofer.

Congresswoman Rida is right to address the problem as more and more youth are becoming more enclosed in social media platforms, the more that they are becoming vulnerable to cyberbullying that later on leads to depression. What we, the relatives and friends of people experiencing depression, need to do is give a reason for them to think that we are there for them and we care.

Many laws have been passed but seldom that these laws are well implemented and good to know that CW Rida is calling the attention of the Department of Health regarding the Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law.

This is not just a small issue or concern but it is now a big problem that needs to be addressed. A good call initiated by Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Robin Padilla On-The-Spot Gave Away His Rubber Shoes

10:45:00 PM

In a recent event held in New Clark City in Pampanga, one of the celebrities and an advocate of sports, Robin Padilla, made one of the Philippine athletes very much happy. Giving away the rubber shoes he's wearing on the spot. He undoubtingly gave away that rubber shoes and walked around the stadium wearing his socks. We don't have the details of their discussion about why Robin gave his rubber shoes to that particular athlete but what we know is that all the athletes will receive that very same comfortable shoes that they'll be wearing during practice and on the SEA Games event. But that particular athlete is lucky enough to receive perhaps his idol's rubber shoes. The actual shoes Robin Padilla wore on that day.

These athletes will be competing in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). They are training hard and using the new facilities created inside the New Clark City like the Aquatic Center and the Athletics Stadium, world-class facilities that will be used in the SEA Games.


The facilities that will be used for the SEA Games were inspected by some of the officials from the senate and the congress. This is to ensure that we are all ready hosting the 30th SEA Games.  WE WIN AS ONE!!!



Sunday, July 28, 2019

GMA Network receives Diamond Button for Reaching the 10 million YouTube Subscribers

9:49:00 PM

Here's some interesting news for all Kapuso followers, viewers and fans. The GMA Network, the leading conglomerate celebrates another milestone as the GMA Entertainment Channel just recently went over the 10 million subscriber mark on YouTube, thus joining the list of elite group of content creators in Southeast Asia.

With this accomplishment, the Network formally received on July 23 the Diamond Creator Award, a recognition given by YouTube to content creators that have reached 10 million subscribers. Present in the ceremonial turnover were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon; President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Committee Vice Chairman Joel G. Jimenez; Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong; GMA New Media, Inc. (NMI) President and COO Judd Gallares; and GMA NMI Senior Vice President and General Manager Dennis Caharian. The Diamond Play Button was awarded by YouTube’s Southeast Asia Director of Content Partnerships and Business Development Vishal Sarin, and Content Partnerships Philippines Country Lead Pablo Mendoza.


Through NMI, the Network’s technology arm, GMA forged a partnership with YouTube dubbed the YouTube Player for Publishers (“YT PfP”) in mid-2017 that has enabled viewers everywhere to watch official, full episodes of GMA programs online. The partnership not only supports the anti-piracy efforts of GMA Network, but more significantly addresses the millennial video viewing habits that demand access to premium content when they want, wherever they may be. The YT PfP partnership was an enabler for GMA as it aided strategy for boosting YouTube views and hastening the acquisition of subscribers. It also allowed for a more robust content archive that used to only house show highlights, recaps, behind-the-scene videos, among others.

From only 1.6 million subscribers at the start of the YT PfP agreement in June 2017, this soared past 10 million in May this year. As of December 2018, the GMA Network YouTube channel’s rank improved from being in the Top 200 in 2017 to being among the Top 50 worldwide.

“We are very gratified that GMA has reached quite an achievement and it is translated into about four times growth [in watch time] year-on-year so that’s enough reason for us to be really happy. This is the work of many people and they are all here as we receive this Diamond Creator Award,” said Gozon.


Meanwhile, YouTube’s Sarin said, “We congratulate GMA for growing their channel to more than 10 million subscribers. This is a great milestone as there are only five media networks in Southeast Asia that have received the Diamond Creator Award and GMA is one of them.”

Of the achievement, Gallares shared, “Our mandate is to lead GMA’s transformation from a media and entertainment giant into a dominant multi-platform content provider worldwide. YouTube has in recent years been a strategic ally in this regard, as it has not only helped us expand GMA’s online footprint but it has also been key to building preference for the GMA brand. This recognition affirms that we are on track.”

Caharian further added that they were just showcasing the output of GMA Entertainment and how they help in making sure that their content can also be discovered online. “At the end of the day, what attracts a lot of viewers is still the quality of the content, so congratulations to GMA Entertainment. We’d also like to thank the viewers for their support, and we’d like them to know that many projects are in the pipeline for more viewing fun.”

Since its launch in November 2006, the GMA Entertainment channel now has 11.8 billion lifetime views. Total subscribers are currently at 11.1 million, a million more in a span of less than three months.

Other Kapuso YouTube channels include GMA News for daily video clips from the Network’s news programs, now with 4.1 million subscribers; GMA Public Affairs for documentaries, docudrama, and news magazine shows, now with 6.1 million subscribers; GMA Playlist for heartfelt song renditions from various Kapuso stars; GMA Playground for some of the Network’s child-friendly programs; and GMA Regional TV for the top stories from the regions.


For more updates on GMA Network shows, visit www.gmanetwork.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel www.youtube.com/GMANetwork.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

LBC, Moving Filipinos’ Lives Better and Faster

10:21:00 PM

Kwento Ni Toto shares some news and updates with the to go to courier & cargo service company.
LBC, one of the names to go to when it comes to retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services, continues to grow, expand and improve its reach to even more Filipinos in the country. The company, not only want to reach further and more but also to provide better service.  From its humble beginning in 1945, LBC has developed to be the Philippines' leading and most trusted courier, cargo, remittance, and logistics provider. Last year, 2018, LBC opened 80 new branches across the country. To date LBC now has a total of 1,417 branches with 13,000 employees dedicated to providing the services for Filipinos all over the world. 

But LBC’s expansion does not stop there. This year, LBC is set to open more branches in strategic locations around the country. From January to April 2019, it has already opened 18 branches in the Philippines and is set to open a new branch in Brisbane. This is part of LBC’s commitment to widen its footprint in the Philippines and across the continents to reach more Filipinos and provide them with the most convenient, safest, and fastest way “to move” their documents, packages, and remittances. True to its mantra of “We Like to Move It”, LBC is never stagnant as it endeavors to adapt, change, and advance in order to provide its retail and corporate customers with the best services possible. As they continue to cater to the Filipino with their time-proven services like parcel sending and remittances, LBC also steps in to serve other markets like SMEs who have come to discover the convenience of running a business online. As LBC undergoes a company-wide digital transformation, they aim for nothing less than to see its customers satisfied with the benefits and added convenience that advanced technology will generate and bring about.

LBC also continues to expand its reach by partnering with a host of other enterprises who seek to provide better service to more and more Filipinos here and abroad. Just this year, they have inked deals with Uniteller, a money remittance company based in the US, and other financial services platforms like Coins.ph, XpressMoney, and True Money.

As LBC forges ahead with the opening of more branches and facilities; introduce new services to keep up with escalating demand from all sectors; and widen their reach through newer and bigger corporate partnerships, their goal remains the same: to move lives, businesses and communities for the benefit of all Filipinos.

LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter).

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

#FreeYouTube ForAll is One Great News for SMART, Sun, TNT Subscribers

7:14:00 AM

This is one great news for users and subscribers of Smart, Sun, and TNT as they offer #FreeYouTubeForAll. Yes, and it is great to know that you can enjoy watching your favorite youtuber or other videos in the platform.  Here are some few details about this.

Following the massive success of its Video Every Day campaign, digital service provider Smart Communications ups the ante with a bigger and more accessible FREE YouTube treat for millions of Filipinos.

Now, all prepaid subscribers of SMART, SUN and TNT just have to dial *123# on their phones to enjoy more hours of YouTube every day. This is Smart's easy-access portal for promos.



"Filipinos love YouTube and it has evolved to become more than just a platform. For many, it is an educational tool, an entertainment hub or a handy resource for life hacks," PLDT-Smart SVP and Consumer Business market Development Head Oscar A. Reyes, Jr. said. "Now, more and more Filipinos can pursue their passion anytime and anywhere through watching their favorite content on YouTube, now made easier with Smart's Free YouTube For All," he added.

To enjoy the Free YouTube, subscribers just simply dial *123#, choose option 1, and follow the on screen instructions. Just that simple.

What's more interesting with this news is that all prepaid subscribers can enjoy different FREE YouTube offers! Subscribers may get a FREE additional 1 hour (1GB) of YouTube on top of their GIGA VIDEO or GIGA VDE+ subscriptions. On the other hand, Non-LTE subscribers who upgrade to LTE may get up to 1 hour (1GB) of Free YouTube daily, for up to 60 days.

Smart, Sun and TNT subsribers can use up their Free YouTube For All in one sitting or in several short session throughout the day without having to worry about deductions on data allocation for other online activities.

Subscribers who avail of the Free YouTube promo can also use the free access to watch their favorite shows on iflix, iWant, Cignal Play and NBA League Pass. For more info on how to get your free YouTube. For more details visit https://smart.com.ph/prepaid/freeyoutubeforall




About Me

About me
Hi!, This is Marco a.k.a. Toto Blogger and Publisher. I created this blog to provide stories, personal experiences, entertainment, and insights on products I like. I'm here to share and inform you (readers) on things about music, movie, food, travel, and events.

You can also meet my wife on her blog www.mommysmaglife.com.


For project collaborations, product reviews, event invitations, or hotel and resort experience reviews, kindly email me at marcopolojdemo@yahoo.com.



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