Mass market access to home Internet innovations key to a stronger and more connected Philippines

Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal gives thanks to the unwavering support of GoWiFi partners at the recently held 2019 GoWiFi Partners Night

Globe marks another year of growing partnerships with fellow industry leaders and local government units through GoWiFi, the public WiFi hotspot service of the telco at the 2019 Partners Night in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

This year, GoWiFi has strengthened its position as the most expansive free public WiFi in the country. Now with a servicing footprint of up to 2,500 locations nationwide, GoWiFi services can now be used at approximately 25,000 access points. This rapid growth is fueled by the continuous establishment of partnerships with key businesses, and cooperation with local governments.

“This has been undoubtedly one of the greatest years for GoWiFi. We are up by over 500 locations from last year with an increasingly more diverse portfolio of access points from schools, hospitals, malls and even local government offices,” shared Albert de Larrazabal, Chief Commercial Officer at Globe. “We would have not reached such level of pervasion in one year without the unwavering support of everyone here.”

GoWiFi recently cemented partnerships with Araneta Center in Quezon City, Philippine Normal University in Manila, and Cebu Doctors' University Hospital among many others to provide high-quality connectivity to the young and mobile-savvy generation. Further, the WiFi service provider formalized ties with local government units of economic powerhouses, San Juan, Makati, and the capital of Manila in line with its thrust of accelerating the country’s digital transformation.

“We look forward to the succeeding months as we transform more locations to GoWiFi sites. Free public WiFi will soon be available to more of our kababayans in the northern frontier of Luzon, and key areas in Visayas and Mindanao by 2020 as we continue expanding our network and gaining the valued cooperation of our government leaders,” added de Larrazabal.

To further add value to the on-the-go surfing experience of customers, subscribers of any GoSAKTO, GoSURF & EasySURF promos worth P50 and above can now get additional free 1GB GoWiFi access in any GoWiFi hotspot.

Learn more about GoWiFi via https://www.globe.com.ph/gowifi.html.

Iloilo becomes Globe GoWiFi site Key areas in the city to be powered with free high quality Internet connectivity

(L-R)  Mr Francis Cruz, MIS Head of Iloilo CIty; Atty. Edgardo Gil, Chief City Legal Officer of Iloilo City;

          Paulette Villaflor, Industry Head, Visayas- Globe Business; Hon. Geronimo "Jerry" P. Treñas
         Mayor of Iloilo City;  Janis Racpan, Director- WiFi Business Group at Globe; Carlo John  Ortiz,
        Cluster Head Vismin-Globe Business; Jun Juada, Region Sales Head (Western Visayas) at Globe; and

       Liezyl Villanueva, Retail Area Head- Globe Business at the MOA signing held at the City Hall of Iloilo

In line with its thrust of accelerating the digital transformation of the Philippines, Globe has established another milestone partnership through its GoWiFi services - this time, with the local government of Iloilo City.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signing last December 5 at Iloilo City Hall. The ceremony was led by Janis Racpan, Director of WiFi Business Group; Paulette Villaflor, Industry Head, Visayas at Globe Business; and Carlo Ortiz, Cluster Head, VisMin of Globe Business with Mayor Geronimo "Jerry" P. Trenas and MIS Head Francis Cruz of Iloilo City.

“This partnership with Iloilo City is a huge step for us at GoWiFi in reaching and connecting more customers in areas outside Luzon,” shared Janis Racpan, Globe Director for WiFI Business Group. “By providing free, high quality connectivity to constituents, we aim to be of significant help in the city’s continuous growth as an economic center in the Western Visayas region.”

With a formal partnership in place, GoWiFi services are now available in key areas around the city by early 2020. These include City Hall of Iloilo City, Sunburst Park and Freedom Grandstand. GoWiFi is  also currently available in more sites such as Iloilo International Airport; medical institutions West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSU Hospital), Medicus Medical Center, The Medical City Iloilo, and QualiMed Hospital Iloilo; schools STI College Iloilo and Iloilo Riverplains Integrated School; malls and retail stores The Shops @ Atria, Gaisano Capital Iloilo, SM City Iloilo,  Festive Walk Iloilo, Robinsons Place Iloilo, Robinsons Place Pavia, Robinsons Jaro, Festive Walk Parade and Marymart Center; and select Starbucks branches.

Customers in the city can also further enjoy their surfing experience with additional free 1GB data for every registration of GoSAKTO, GoSURF & EasySURF worth P50 and above at any GoWiFi hotspot! Globe Prepaid GoSAKTO90 users can enjoy 1GB free GoWiFi access on top of 2GB mobile data, 2GB for GoWATCH&PLAY, 1 GCash voucher and unlimited all net texts valid for 7 days for only P90. On the other hand, TM EasySURF50 users automatically get 1GB free GoWiFi access, 1GB mobile data, 2GB for EasyWATCH&PLAY, 300MB for an app of their choice and unlimited all net text all valid for 3 days.

 GoWiFi is the largest WiFi service in the country available in over 2,500 sites nationwide. Users can expect a connection with high speeds of up to 100Mbps, depending on the location.

 GoWiFi services are available in regular (free) GoWiFi and premium (paid) GoWiFi Auto, both available to all users with any WiFi-enabled device regardless of network service provider and even international numbers. To connect to Free GoWiFi, just open the Wi-Fi-enabled device’s WiFi settings, connect to the SSID “@FreeGoWiFi” or “@<site>_FreeGoWiFi,” register and wait for the SMS verification code, then select a WiFi offer, confirm and start surfing.

For more information, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/gowifi.html.

Philippine Volcanoes get boost from Globe before 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Good luck Philippine Volcanoes!--The National Men's Rugby Team pose with  Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Globe Chairman (5th from right, standing); Rick Santos, President, Philippine Rugby Football Union Federation (3rd from left, standing); Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications (4th from right, standing); Jake Letts, General Manager, Philippine Volcanoes, 3rd from right, standing) and other officials during the Globe send-off for the team. The Philippine Volcanoes are set to compete in Incheon, South Korea this coming weekend for a berth in the Rugby Sevens event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

The Philippine Volcanoes got a show of support from Globe before leaving to compete in the biggest rugby event in Asia that will decide which team will join host Japan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

With Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala leading the send-off ceremony,  the Volcanoes will battle Guam, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates on November 23 and 24 in Incheon, South Korea for the remaining slot for Asia in the Rugby Sevens event of the Summer Games next year in Japan.

“I’ve been a great believer in sports. It brings national unity and brings our distinct communities of Filipinos from different backgrounds together. I think we have tremendous talent here. I wish you much luck and have no doubt that you guys will be there and make the country proud,” Zobel said.

While the quest to compete in the biggest stage is daunting, the Volcanoes remain upbeat on their chances to bring home the last ticket in the Asia Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“The opposition is very strong. We can’t discount the determination of the other teams to get into the Olympics especially Hong Kong and host South Korea. All teams participating in Incheon are expected to give their all and leave everything on the pitch. But we are equally steadfast too to make it to the Tokyo Games and bring honor and glory to our country,” Jake Letts, former national player and now Philippine Volcanoes General Manager, added.

Globe has been supporting rugby and the Philippine Volcanoes since 2010. Two years ago the company renewed its partnership with the national team specifically to help the team qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The Volcanoes are just one tournament away from fulfilling this goal set several years ago. They will also  try to become the first Filipino rugby team ever to qualify in the Olympic Games.

Ernest John Obiena became the first Filipino athlete to qualify in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games when he hurdled the Olympic Standard of 5.80 meters for men’s pole vault at the Salto Con L’asta in Piazza Chiari 2019 in Italy last September.

He was followed by gymnast Carlos Yulo after the Filipino dynamo ruled the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastic World Championships last month. Yulo is the first-ever Filipino to win the gold medal at the prestigious FIG World Championship. 

FOPM, Globe, to accelerate digitally-powered Megaworld properties

 (L-R, Seated) Globe Chief Human Resource Officer Ato Jiao, Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal, FOPM President Joy Salazar, FOPM First Vice President for Operation and Managing Director Rigoberto Santos (L-R, Standing) Mynt Vice President for Merchant Solutions and Sales JM Aujero, Globe Executive Vice President for Channel Management Group Bernie Llamzon, Globe Business Vice President for Sales Meanne Quiambao, FOPM AVP for Human Resources Arnel Tamodra, and FOPM Vice President for Finance and Administration Neoli Kho

First Oceanic Property Management Inc. (FOPM), the property management arm of Megaworld Corporation, and Globe Telecom enter into a strategic partnership that aims to revolutionize the property management industry through the integration of digital technology, design innovation, and connectivity into FOPM managed Megaworld developments.

“In this fast-changing digital world, we see the importance of aligning our developments to quickly adapt to new technologies, which we believe is an opportunity to disrupt ourselves and remain competitive in this ever-changing landscape,” shared FOPM President Joy Salazar.

Salazar adds: “It is about innovation, integration, and interconnectivity. The partnership between FOPM and Globe makes it easier for us to make our developments future-ready, which will greatly benefit those who own and occupy residential units in our managed properties.”

To this end, the Integrated FOPM Automated Experience (iFAE), in direct collaboration with GCash, is implementing digitized payment processes in residential and office units, through Globe at Home and Globe Business. This attentive digital service provides a 24/7 payment facility, offering “pay anywhere and pay anytime” security, and convenience in today’s fast-paced lifestyle environment.

This year, 25 FOPM-managed properties will be able to enjoy the prestigious benefits of the program. More and more properties are expected to come online in 2020, allowing all of FOPM’s residential and office customers to fully enjoy efficient, seamless, and personalized communications, through Globe Mobile offerings.

Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal shares his insights on the project: “To make this program a success, we need to have robust connectivity and uncompromising performance. This has to be supplemented by affordable offerings that users can utilize. These fundamentals are the fields that we at Globe have made available, and we keep improving and expanding on these areas to ensure that property owners and users in FOPM and Megaworld will benefit and be covered.”

Aside from the different products and solutions that Globe offers, FOPM has also taken an interest to adopt the leading telecommunications’ sustainability programs. It plans to implement Project 1 Phone, Globe’s E-waste recycling campaign. The project aims to collect old and broken mobile phones, tablets, mp3 players, chargers, and other e-waste for proper disposal and recycling.

All proceeds from recycling these electronic waste go to Globe’s advocacy to help build public school classrooms around the country.

TM Forum lauds Globe for being one of the first few companies in Asia supporting IT agility and software architecture

The prestigious TM Forum has cited Globe as one of the 13 top telcos and vendors which are supporting the new Open API and Open Digital Architecture Manifesto that is focused on enabling a plug-and-play information technology (IT) and business architecture.

Globe along with Accenture, Axiata, China Mobile, China Unicom, CSG, Etiya, MyRepublic, Openet, Orange, Sigscale and Vodafone, have agreed to support and lead the industry towards a radical uplift in IT agility and software architecture. The 13 firms likewise are strongly promoting zero touch, interoperability and partnering.

"We at Globe are committed to a future that is open, transparent across the digital ecosystem, which then allows us to meet the needs of our customers of the future -- all digital, easy, fast and suited to the modern lifestyle of the Filipino," Gil Genio, Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, said.

By signing the TM Forum manifesto, Globe is committed to deliver a range of growth and efficiency opportunities including agility across its business and customers by providing a flexible, modular architecture enabled by the Open Digital Architecture; significantly reduce time-to-market; digital customer interactions; operate highly automated (zero-touch) operations and end-to-end management of complex services across digital ecosystems and deliver high quality services at lower costs among others.

The TM Forum has been successful in designing, standardizing and promoting architectures and APIs for Communication Service Providers (CSPs), providers and integrators. It helps its members benefit from the latest evolutions being driven by the dynamic, software-based flow of new technologies, services and platforms.

Since its launch three years ago, the TM Forum, 53 of the world’s leading CSPS and technology ecosystem participants have signed the Open API Manifesto and in the process have publicly known their support of the Forum’s suite of more than 50 Open APIs.

Globe Business launches leading cloud-enabled and hardware-agnostic conferencing platform in PH

 (L-R) Globe Business Vice President for Product Development and Engineering Cocoy Claravall, Logitech Philippines VC Lead Sharleen Suarez, Globe Business Product Marketing Manager Hannah Magdaluyo, Globe Business Product Manager March Cahigan, Zoom Asia Channel Head Tien Tien Sin, Logitech Business Development Manager for ASEAN Sharon Seah, Globe Business Product Manager JM Chan, and Globe Business Vice President for Product and Marketing Raymond Policarpio

Globe Business, the enterprise arm of Globe, introduces another game-changing solution for Philippine businesses that will enable them with a reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems.

Zoom, a video-first unified communications solution provided by Zoom Video Communications, Inc., is designed to eliminate overlapping communication systems, on-premise hardware, and weak mobile experience. Zoom is able to do all of these things for one reason - Zoom’s architecture was built video-first from the ground up, which results in a platform that is highly scalable and globally distributed.

“Currently, our customers are using a mix of legacy conferencing solutions for their communication and are now seeking answers that could fix problems such as difficulty in setting up a meeting, quality of audio and video, and other complicated features,” said Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera. “Globe Business, through Zoom, will now be the top Philippine corporation’s trusted partner for all their modern communication needs.”

Globe uses the latest technology to make communications faster, with greater clarity, reliability and depth, and at a more affordable cost. In fact, Globe “walks the talk” by being one of the biggest Zoom users in the country. At present, the company has over 1,000 active users. In the coming months, it plans to deploy 21 Zoom Rooms all over the Globe office.

By remaining digitally agile, Globe is able to extend the same services to its corporate clients so that they can optimize the way they do business and harness the inevitable digital changes.

With more businesses becoming increasingly digital, maintaining an efficient means of communication is crucial to remaining competitive, not just locally but even on a global scale.

This is especially true in view of the Telecommuting Act, which allows employees in the private sector to work from an alternative workplace using information and communication technology (ICT) tools. Although the implementing rules and regulations are yet to be released, the law may hugely impact companies, necessitating the need for enterprises to be prepared for this eventuality.

Globe Business continues to redefine how businesses work—which goes beyond functions, numbers, and performance. It, likewise, enables its clients and partners to catapult their enterprises to success by providing the right technology, infrastructure, and know-how to create a positive impact and transform people’s lives.

Visit https://www.globe.com.ph/business/enterprise/voice/zoom.html to know more about Zoom and how it can move your digital future.

UN research body cites Globe's Global Filipino Schools program in latest study on broadband connectivity for quality education in ASPAC

There is no doubt that the Internet of Everything (IoE) has revolutionized the way people live and communicate, and one sector that reaped tremendous benefits is education. By connecting to the internet, students gain access to tons of crucial learning resources for all subjects, while teachers learn new and improved teaching techniques to become better educators and bring learning to a whole new level. 

Underpinning the importance of connectivity to education, one of Globe Telecom’s key initiatives, the Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program was included in a recent research study on broadband connectivity for inclusive and quality education conducted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Globe, FCPC prepare educators for tech integration in schools through E-skwela

E-skwela speakers and attendees

While some schools in the Philippines have integrated technology into their curriculum, many have yet to take steps towards digitalization — and may not even know where to start.

Recognizing the need of educational institutions to adopt global practices of information and communications technology (ICT) enabled learning, and the lack of awareness or resources of schools to keep up, Globe is taking huge strides to ensure that key people in the academe are equipped with knowledge and skills that will help them groom future-ready students.

Globe announces additional Free 1 GB for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube daily

Globe is giving its Prepaid customers an additional Free 1 Gigabyte (GB) of access daily to popular social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to further enhance their digital experience.

To avail of the additional data allocation for Facebook and Instagram daily, Globe Prepaid customers only need to register to any Prepaid promo priced P20 and up.  On the other hand, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers subscribed to HomeSURF199 and up can enjoy free 1GB of YouTube daily for the duration of the promo.  

Globe, ABS-CBN Foundation to offer toll free calls to Bantay Bata #163 for all Globe customers

(L-R) Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director Susan Bautista-Afan, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Program Director Jing Castaneda-Velasco, Peter Maquera, Globe Business Senior Vice President.

Globe and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. have joined forces to advocate for the health and safety of all Filipino children by offering toll free calls to Bantay Bata #163 helpline for all Globe and TM mobile phone users beginning November 18, 2019.

Through the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement, the two parties will be able to strengthen the efforts of Bantay Bata in protecting disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services such  rescue and rehabilitation, training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, community outreach and medical and dental missions.

Globe vows to continue supporting Alex Eala's bid to put PH in global tennis map

Alexandra Eala’s bid to crash the elite Top 10 of the International Tennis Federation’s Juniors World Ranking for Girls 18 and under years old received a tremendous boost after Globe reiterated its support to the newest tennis phenom of the country.

Eala is the highest ranked female Southeast Asian athlete in the current ITF World Juniors after rising to career best 13th last month. 

ITZY PREMIERE SHOWCASE TOUR ‘ITZY? ITZY!’ IN MANILA

#GlobeKPOP K-mmunity PH members can get first dibs on tickets or a chance to win a VIP experience!

Pinoy MIDZYs, the long wait is over! Get ready to #StanUpTogether with the shiny, edgy, and fiery ITZY as they prepare to conquer Manila with their premiere showcase tour in the country! Globe continues to bring the best of Korean entertainment to the country by partnering with JYP Entertainment and PULP Live World for ITZY PREMIERE SHOWCASE TOUR ‘ITZY? ITZY!’ IN MANILA on December 8, 2019 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

Rookie girl group, ITZY is a new Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment. They debuted in early 2019 and are composed of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. They gained global recognition with their single “Dalla Dalla” and “Icy”. ITZY is unstoppable—with two successful album releases and recognitions such as the 2019 Genie Music Awards' Female New Artist, 2019 Soribada Best K-Music Awards' Rookie Award, and 2019 Brand of the Year Awards' Female Rookie Idol of the Year, they are set to end 2019 with a bang through their showcase tour which our K-mmunity shouldn’t miss!

First dibs on concert tickets and a chance to win an exclusive VIP concert experience are in store for Globe Prepaid, Globe Postpaid, and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers! Join the K-mmunity PH Facebook group to get details on the Globe Exclusive Pre-Sale and Ultimate Stan Experience. Be the first to know more about upcoming K-Pop events, and interact and bond with fellow K-Pop fans by joining the K-mmunity PH group at glbe.co/KmmunityPH.

Two hundred fifty lucky K-mmunity PH members will win pre-selling codes, which they can use to purchase their tickets ahead of everyone else at the Globe Exclusive Pre-Sale event on November 9, 2019 at all Ticketnet Outlets (no online purchase). Public selling will start on November 10, 2019 (12NN) at TicketNet outlets nationwide and online through www.ticketnet.com.ph. Plus, another 10 lucky members will win the Ultimate Stan Experience and receive VIP tickets,and a Special VIP experience to the venue on concert day! 

Most recently, Globe has brought massive KPop acts like GOT7, EXO, TWICE, BLACKPINK, Wanna One, and Super Junior to the country to delight Filipino K-Pop fans. With more exciting artists like ITZY lined up, Filipino fans are sure to experience world-class music entertainment—a commitment that Globe will continue to strengthen for years to come. For more information, join the K-mmunity PH group at glbe.co/KmmunityPH or follow Globe ICON on Facebook and Instagram.

For more about Globe Telecom, visit www.globe.com.ph.

UNSTOPPABLE LIYAB WINS LEAGUE OF LEGENDS SEA TOUR INVITATIONAL AT CONQUERORS MANILA 2019

Members of Team Liyab, the professional esports team of Globe in partnership with Mineski, accept the check worth P1-M for winning the League of Legends (LoL) SEA Tour Invitational Championship at the recently concluded Globe Conquerors Manila 2019 at World Trade Center in Pasay City. 

Liyab, the professional esports team of Globe in partnership with Mineski, routed Steelwolves GAIA, 3-0 to emerge as the grand champion of the League of Legends Southeast Asian Tour Invitational at Conquerors Manila 2019 held last Sunday at the World Trade Center recently.

Globe myBusiness, PSIA team up to help IT professionals achieve emotional balance

Conduct seminar series for ICT industry

Guest speaker Dinah Salonga, YogaPlus managing director, teach IT professionals how to find emotional balance

Globe myBusiness, the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) arm of Globe, has partnered with the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) in helping information technology (IT) and software professionals find emotional balance in such a fast-growing industry.

Software companies based in the country service clients as far as Japan, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This booming industry has a strong pool of talent that needs constant inspiration, training, and guidance, thus, the decision to hold a series of seminars dedicated to educating and inspiring IT and software professionals in the country.  

Its recent seminar acknowledged the importance of striking an emotional balance even in the most talented, driven, and competent individuals. Aptly titled "#HugotNoMore — Finding Emotional Balance in this Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) World", the event sought to fulfill several objectives, such as understanding the nature of emotions and why they are important; strengthening awareness of one’s emotional triggers; creating a strategy for responding to triggers; and developing a basic understanding of mindfulness as a tool for managing emotion.

Guest speaker Dinah Salonga, YogaPlus managing director who also started her career in IT,  pointed out that day-to-day challenges, both at home and at work, put the body in a fight-or-flight mode which compromises the immune and digestive system and causes metabolism to slow down. It can result in various diseases if the body is constantly in a stressful state. 

Since it is difficult to avoid stress or VUCA conditions, Salonga said everyone must learn how to cope with it by developing emotional intelligence.  Benefits could be outstanding leadership, stellar performance, and happiness.

“Monitoring our own emotions requires self-awareness that can lead to emotional awareness. Self-awareness is the foundation domain. Without it, we can not develop self-management, motivation, empathy, and social skills,” she said.

Thus, Salonga suggested to explore mindfulness or paying attention to what is currently happening,  as a tool to help develop self-awareness, and eventually, emotional intelligence. “Our mind has a tendency to wander or ruminate especially when we are idle. Developing mindfulness allows us to be more focused and to think more clearly on demand. Mindfulness is the foundation practice for self-awareness. Through mindfulness, we are able to observe our natural tendencies and patterns so we can switch to awareness,” Salonga added.

Through the seminar, Globe and PSIA hoped to encourage key decision makers to invest in the emotional balance and personal welfare of employees, since balanced and driven talent are known to deliver the best results at work.  

Both partners believe that an effective way to make the industry more globally competitive is by providing education to current IT and software talent. This is also an opportunity to forge strategic partnerships and empower the tech community, as well as an avenue to garner insights on the IT and software field while encouraging a healthy discourse between the industry and academe.

"As a partner, Globe myBusiness supports the long term goal of PSIA in developing local talents. Part of this is making sure the PH Tech Industry is equipped not only with adequate knowledge of the latest trends and on the technical topics, but also on their well-rounded development. Getting a firm grasp on one's emotional intelligence is equally important as the technical skills, in succeeding in this fast paced industry."

For more information, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/business/sme/industries/bpo.html