ASEAN SME Academy 2.0 Launching Event “Adapt, Upskill, Excel: Building ASEAN SMEs’ Resilience with ASEAN SME Academy 2.0”

ASEAN SME Academy 2.0 is an upgraded version from the existing online learning platform which already been operated since 2016. It is an online learning platform intended for the ASEAN SMEs with the objective to leverage their capability especially for digital skills. The upgrade aims of improving a learning experience through more centralized, user-friendly, and inclusive resources for SMEs. The upgrade will feature content in multiple regional languages, new visual designs, mobile accessibility, self-certifications, and various resources for SMEs to access.

The ASEAN SME Academy (the Academy) is an online learning platform which was built in 2016 as a joint initiative between US-ABC, USAID, and the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME). It is an official ASEAN platform, co- administered by US-ABC, the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry under Bureau of  Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED - DTI) and the Philippine Trade and Training Centre (PTTC). The platform provides online learning courses and resources to help ASEAN Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing their business.

Since its establishment, the Academy has grown significantly, and now offers more than 90 courses and 375 additional online resources for SMEs. The Academy has also reached over 460,000 unique visitors and more than 9,600 active users regularly accessing new knowledge and skills training resources. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the world’s economies, especially affecting small businesses. Seeing massive changes brought by the world’s pandemic, there is a necessity in synergizing ongoing efforts and platforms to support SMEs adapt to the constantly evolving ways of doing business brought by digitalisation, leading to the revamp of the Academy initiated in 2021 and led by US-ABC and U.S. Government under the USAID in consultation with the BSMED – DTI as the ACCMSME Country Lead. 

The ASEAN SME Academy 2.0 aims to serve as a world-class, attractive, user-friendly, and inclusive MSME learning platform. It would feature localized courses on a variety of topics of interest to MSMEs and would include multilanguage support, new visual, mobile-friendly interface, top online resource for MSMEs, and self-certification. 

In line with Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2022’s key theme of “Addressing Challenge Together” by building a harmonious ASEAN Community that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous, the US-ABC and the U.S. Government aim to strengthen the capacity of SMEs as one of ASEAN’s economic pillars, thus empower ASEAN SMEs to become more competitive in domestic markets and better integrate into both regional and global value chains.

The ASEAN SME Academy 2.0 was launched April 8 at PTTC Manila

This launch event aims to generating public awareness and publicity among the target users and stakeholders of the ASEAN SME Academy 2.0, which includes ACCMSME members, related ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and ASEAN member states institutions, as well as ASEAN MSMEs and other businesses, business associations in ASEAN and ASEAN member states.

The launch will be accessible via three channels:

1. The main launch to be organized physically in PTTC Office, Manila, the Philippines;

2. The rest of AMS to participate through Zoom Webinar platform, accessible by members of the ACCMSME, related ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, MSMEs and business 

associations in AMS, and the U.S. Government stakeholders.

3. Live stream for the wider stakeholders via the following social media channels:

     a. ASEAN Secretariat (youtube) 

     b. ASEAN SME Academy 

     c. US-ASEAN Business Council 

47th Asia Pacific Convention of Kiwanis International Celebrates with Mernels

The annual celebration of Kiwanis International Asia Pacific Convention was held in Manila and  hosted by the Philippine Luzon District headed by Governor Mario Marasigan with ASPAC Convention Chair Past Governor Raymund Yap recently in Alabang who oversee all the preparations to make sure that the 3 activities will be the best. 

According to Yap when interviewed before the event, “A more exciting 2022 Kiwanis ASPAC eConvention which is 2 days and after a long vacation of social gathering, it’s time to celebrate with fellow Kiwanians from other Districts. It is an honor to be the 2022 Kiwanis ASPAC Convention Chair ,  a big challenge to my committee/ team in making this event a success , a short preparation of another eConvention , that only last January we decided to have it on Virtual for the safety of the delegates, we recommended this platform because of the rising cases of Covid 19 after the holiday season though went down, we will still continue it but with a face to face “Fellowship” celebration on the night of April 2. 

Mernels CEO attended the event to receive the plaque for their exceptional help during pandemic especially sharing their blessings through Kiwanis. Merle and Carmela Balicao joined by their managers were bimming with joy when on stage for the award with SMEs CSR Company of the year. They send some cakes also for the attendees to promote their famous chocolate cake. 

Grace Bondad Nicolas, being the events queen,  on the other hand is the one in charge in the program of 3 activities from the two days online convention up to the fellowship night. She added that, it’s fabulous, it became the place to be since the Philippines now is opening the economy. 

“Time to meet once again not just for the members from different clubs which are from different industries but also to level up more the help for the children via Kiwanis activities. As per what I heard, the 3 activities under the 47th Kiwanis Asia Pacific Convention since we tapped also the team under Tag Media Group, is exceptional, flawless and organized. Our objective actually, for everyone to enjoy and at the same time to be with this Kiwanis family again in online and face to face.” - Grace Bondad Nicolas 

Dr. Elton See Tan, the Fellowship Chairman made sure that the guests had a good time. 

More or less 250 paid registrants from all over the Philippines with some guests from outside the country. There were also exhibitors who promoted their local products and services, entertainment and a short program to celebrate the Asia Pacific Convention in Manila. There were also leaders presented with the plaques from Governor Raymund Yap for their exemplary deeds. 

Kiwanis ASPAC consists of Kiwanis Districts, Provisional Districts and non-districted Nations in the Asia-Pacific Region.  

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Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand-South Pacific (New Zealand, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Vanuatu), Philippine Luzon, Philippine South, Taiwan, together with non-districted Kiwanis Nations  Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Shanghai and Thailand work to grow Kiwanis in Asia Pacific.

Membership in a Kiwanis club will give you the chance to meet people from all walks of life, including local business people and community leaders. It will also give you the opportunity to contribute to improving your community.

Rising Tigers Magazine with National Bookstores Rocked the Events Scenario

 Engineer Grace Bondad Nicolas—the woman behind successful shows, an unparalleled civic and multiplatform leader, adviser to billionaires, and media maven par excellence—successfully launched Rising Tigers Magazine in a well-attended gala of the business industry’s who’s who of entrepreneurial giants.

This new publishing milestone, another brainchild of the Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) Committee and TAG Media Group, was launched on March 22, 20221 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with the banner story "Top 50 Rising Tigers, Nation Builders across Asia Pacific" with Frontrow Enterprises’ dynamic duo, RS Francisco and Sam Verzosa, on the covers.

“We keep on innovating, we’re already writing in broadsheets, event maven, concert producers, branding and pr experts and adding the magazine is just to make our media excellence complete ,” said Engineer Nicolas, who is taking on new hats as Publisher and Managing Director of the latest business and lifestyle magazine to be exclusively distributed by National Book Store, the Philippines oldest and largest book store.

       Alexandra “Xandra” Ramos Padilla of National                                                Bookstores 

    Managing Director and her family owns National                                              Bookstores

Rising Tigers Magazine Prestigious Editorial

Rising Tigers Magazine's editorial board and content are power-packed with the editorial team populated by accomplished and ultra-successful tycoons and titans in Philippine business: Yupangco Group of Companies Robert Laurel Yupangco, grandson of former President Jose P Laurel; The E-Hotels and Resorts' Dr. Elton See Tan and Tan Yu III, father and son heirs to billionaire fortune; and, TAG Media Group's Andrew Troy Nicolas as co-publisher. 

They are joined by Rising Tigers Magazine's columnists Susan Afan of the Magsaysay Foundation and Elizabeth Timbol of the IELT Group with Karren Cernal of the Zoomanity Group as Editor in Chief. 

Rising Tigers Magazine was conceptualized to feature the latest in Asian and Philippine business and society, with 80% of its pages dedicated to business and 20% to society lifestyle, with special focus on the success stories of veteran and emerging business icons and personalities that move and shake various industry sectors.  

Rocking Metro Manila's Events Landscape

As if publishing a quarterly magazine of business leaders is not enough, Engineer Nicolas, also a business writer for The Manila Times, recently launched the Beauty Industry Awards, to recognize and award the Philippines' top beauty companies, leaders, and movers and shakers.

This would serve as the third diamond on her crown of mega-events for 2022, on top of Rising Tigers: Nation Builders and Asia Leaders Awards.   

Indeed, the tireless supporter of all things productive, helpful, and socially responsible, Engineer Nicolas not only founded and judged Asia Leaders Awards, she was also the brains behind TAG Media Group—composed of TAG Media and Public Relations, AG Builders and Developers, and AAA Cosmetics and Trading Company—the team behind ALA and other successful shows.  

TAG Media and Public Relations is the force behind Asia Leaders Forum, Asia’s Best Singing Competition, Asia Digital Marketing Expo, Asia HR Expo, Asia E-commerce Expo, Dwelo, and Pandemic Heroes Online Series in partnership with The Manila Times.

Making Waves Among Sociocivic Circles

Engineer Nicolas, a tireless achiever with a vast network of influence and organizational magic, has also recently been tapped by Kiwanis International to be its Events Director for its upcoming Asia Pacific Convention in April, while concurrently serving as the Lieutenant-Governor-Elect for Division 3A (Metro Manila) of the Kiwanis Philippine Luzon District.

She had likewise recently been elected Vice President for External Affairs by the Los Baños Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LBCCI) and is Vice President of the Makati Tourism Foundation.

Famously, Engineer Nicolas is recognized among business circles for making history as the first lady President of the American Association of the Philippines (AAP) since its establishment 73 years ago to help Americans, Filipino Americans, and indigent Filipinos. 

Chilling Out with Multimillion Peso Plants

Engineer Nicolas, fondly known as NobodyButGrace in the social media community, however, has a more laid-back side to her very public high-society life as founder and proprietor of eco-tourism destination Hidden Hills Farm by Josefino.

Now a certified plantpreneur who recently completed her wishlist of million-peso-worth rare plants, she honors the memory and inspiration of her father, Josefino Bondad, by running their fruit and ornamentals farm and food destination in Calauan, Laguna.

“In this crisis, it’s your time to prove your worth and make a difference. Even while in lockdown, you can still do something productive and be of help to others by sharing your blessings,” she said, encouraging everyone to follow her lead.

Nicolas, who believes in continuous education, holds both a BS in Industrial Engineering and took an MM in Engineering Management from Colegio de San Juan de Letran also attended programs in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the Asian Institute of Management and the Ateneo de Manila University and trained in Social Media Management in Malaysia and now also a certified mentor and coach for Entrepreneurial mind-setting, Marketing and Business Development.

Malaysian CEO an award winner of a one stop shop for Human Resources in Asia Pacific attended the Rising Tigers Magazine launch

 

Mikel Yaw (Center) with Tan Yu III (Makati Tourism Foundation) Dr. Elton See Tan (The E Hotels) , Robert Laurel Yupangco (Yupangco Group) and James Velasquez (PT&T)

One stop shop in recruitment and Human Resources needs, made possible by Elabram with the following services; Executive Search, Recruitment, HR Outsourcing, Payroll Services, Expatriate Services, HR Consulting, HR Restructuring and Workforce Management Systems. 

Established by brothers; Mikel Yaw and Sunny Yaw from Malaysia, they are making sure that during this pandemic, choosing and retaining the right manpower for the company must be based on the organisations needs. 

Mikel attended the Rising Tigers Magazine launch in the Philippines recently, he visited the country just to attend the event where he is part of the Top 50 leaders featured in the newest business and lifestyle magazine which attended by the country’s high profile businessmen from different industries like the top management from PT&T, Alfamart, Pepsi and J&T Express among others. 

According to Mikel Yaw, Elabram Group Managing Director, “Elabram is able to finish one cycle of recruiting talent within a month’s time without further delay. One of the keys success rate is because Elabram is able to accomplish this by providing fast response and being very informative. When a client requested some candidates, Elabram acted professionally and cooperatively to understanding the requests. Another key reasons that is prominent in this process is that Elabram has a huge network of a talent pool that can always shortlist the talents based on any requirements of any clients from any industries. Therefore, Elabram is able to find the right candidates subsequently shortlist them as per the clients requests within a very short timeline.”

Elabram Group has more than 20 years of experience and having 6 offices in ASEAN region, providing HR Solutions in Executive Search, Recruitment and HR Outsourcing serving the industry in IT, E-commerce, Banking & Financial Services, Telecommunications, FMCG, Retail, Healthcare, Manufacturing among other industries. 

If you need help getting started, please visit wms.elabram.com or visit the office at Antel Corporate Center, Makati City, Philippines.

3rd IT SECURITY ASIA 2022 in MANILA Philippines

 

Trust is fragile and essential in Business Organizations. With rising high-profile cyber threats and attacks in the Philippines before and during the pandemic crisis, how can Organizations both Private and Public sectors become cyber-secure in this evolving digital era? Where are we now in the current IT Security Landscape and what are current challenges need to be addressed?

OpenGov Asia reported that a UK-based cybersecurity firm found that Philippine organizations have spent an average of $820,000 (approximately P40 million) to recover from these attacks – costs that cover the ransom paid, and the costs incurred by the downtime. According to the latest study conducted by a reputable technology company based in the USA, 35 percent of the companies in the Philippines are using outdated cybersecurity platforms and need to be replaced to realign with the trends of cybersecurity Infrastructure globally. The prioritization of DICT for the National Cybersecurity Plan is an indication that Philippine IT Infrastructure is strengthening its approaches and measures against Cybercriminals.

This year how will the current cybersecurity infrastructure mitigate the cyber attacks and what are the advanced CyberSecurity Technologies and Solutions to be expected? Is it time for your organization to shift from Traditional Platform to Zero-Trust Security? Is your organization doing enough to adhere to better Data Governance? What are the cost-effective Security solutions for your Organization? Are you choosing the best Cloud Security Solutions for your organization? How will your organization recover after a disruption caused by a data breach and leak? These are some essential questions that need a precise answer.

Join us as we proactively discuss and tackle the evolving landscape of Cybersecurity with the notable IT Industry Thought Leaders in the Philippines for sharing insightful thoughts and strategies that may help shape the future of CyberSecurity. Rockbird Media is pleased to host this Premium event and pave the way to network with the best IT Service Providers in the ICT Sector whom you can rely upon your organization’s CyberSecurity resilience and readiness.

Angkas enters moto racing scene to promote safety

 

Take racing off the streets, and onto the track

To drive home the message that motorcycle racing should be done on the track and not on the streets, Angkas is entering motorsports, sponsoring standout Filipino riders TJ Alberto, Troy Alberto, and EJ Sobretodo who will represent Filipinos in international motorcycle racing competitions. Angkas remains committed to its motorcycle riding safety advocacy, ensuring that all Angkas riders are thoroughly trained in safety and riding skills.  

“Right now, we are sponsoring TJ, Troy and EJ. Coincidentally, EJ’s father is a hardworking Angkas rider-partner,” says George Royeca, CEO of the app-hailing motorcycle taxi Angkas. “Angkas will be providing financial support to sustain the needs of these three top-caliber riders in global racing competitions.”

Angkas’ involvement in the motorsports scene does not begin and end here. According to Royeca, they will be initiating a training program for potential racing champions to be undertaken in partnership with Ducati Philippines within the year.

“We are working on a race training program. Imagine bringing Ducati to the grassroots level through Angkas,” he adds.

“This program will be open to all potential champions, including Angkas riders,” continues Royeca, an awardee of the Ten Outstanding Young Men 2020 for his innovations and effective campaign for alternative transport solutions in the country.

Angkas has been known to be a leading advocate of motorcycle safety, as the company goes through great measures to ensure that Angkas riders are trained thoroughly in safety as well as riding skills.  

The entry of Angkas into the motorsports scene was an offshoot of the company’s excellent road safety record and high customer satisfaction rating. Angkas CEO George Royeca emphasizes that this undertaking is aimed at hopefully convincing speed-hungry riders to race on the tracks, not on the streets. Organized motorcycle racing provides a disciplined, controlled, environment in which safety is rigorously practiced by organizers, teams, and racers. This is the kind of discipline Angkas intends to instill in each of its own riders.

Having recently undergone intensive training, TJ Alberto is now racing at the 2022 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Thailand, while Troy is competing in the WSBK WorldSSP300 in Portugal.

The Albertos and Sobretodo serve as an inspiration to Pinoy riders, many of whom also dream of being able to race competitively at the international level, something which would be costly without sponsorship from companies like Angkas.

The Alberto siblings are children of the famous Toti Alberto, CEO of Ducati Philippines who himself competes in the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK).

This is just the beginning of something big for the Angkas motorsports program. For aspiring Pinoy motorcycle racers out there, this is your best chance to get involved in prestigious competitions. It’s now or never!

DOST-CRADLE Cooks Up Nutritious Food Innovations to Improve Industry, MSME Products

 

With its crispy pork skin, juicy meat, and savory sauce – Filipinos carved a place for lechon to be a highlight in every community and holiday celebration.  This product creates hefty business opportunities, most especially to small business owners or the local lechoneros.   Post-holiday woes, however, include the subject of income loss due to food waste.  

The pandemic also brought additional burden to many Micro-to-Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as they needed to adapt and change products and mode of business transactions to comply with health and travel restrictions. 

Finding solutions to the problems of private companies and MSMEs through research and development (R&D) is the objective of the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program of the Department of Science and Technology.  Through the 1st CRADLE Symposium held last Tuesday, January 18, 2022, research collaborations and technologies related to food and nutrition innovations were showcased.  

Entitled “DOST-CRADLE’s Science Kusina - Innovative breakthroughs in food technology, health and nutrition: Sarap at Sustansya, mula sa agham at teknolohiya ng DOST CRADLE”, the event presented breakthrough technologies such as longer-shelf life for lechon, deriving additional nutrients from pineapples, locally formulated vegan sausages, and potential health and nutrition benefits from marine species.  

“DOST-CRADLE enables industry members to pandemic-proof their business by solving the problem through R&D,” says DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “Innovation is the key for our private companies to sustain their business performance, despite the challenges brought about by restrictions in health and travel.”

The Tacloban City Litson Industry Association (TACLIYA), a group of twenty-four (24) micro entrepreneurs, experiences an average excess of 30 kg of lechon produced every day, which even surges up to 200 kg during off peak season. Through the DOST-CRADLE Program, TACLIYA partnered with the Eastern Visayas Food Innovation Center (EVFIC) and the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU).  The EVFIC works to reprocess the excess lechon into shelf-stable products such as "Lechon Paksiw de Leyte" that can provide potential for expansion of their existing market. The products will be processed through acidification and retort technology which is available at the EVFIC. These are also seen to serve as emergency food in times of calamities in the region. 

Another breakthrough is the partnership between the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Banawe Soybean Corporation. In view of the company’s commitment for environmental protection and waste management, they used R&D to address food waste generated from soymilk and tofu processing called okara.  This product contains high amounts of protein and fiber that can help prevent diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. It is also known to have high antioxidant content and prebiotic benefits. The study will develop gluten-free, vegan sausages from okara.  

Del Monte Philippines and the University of San Agustin will also address agricultural waste from pineapples.  Del Monte faces the problem of waste amounting to 1 million metric tons a year, from pineapple stems and core which are brimming with nutrients. These nutrients are in the form of pineapple metabolites that have bromelain-like properties which include hypocholesterolemic effects and lipase activities that can be extracted through metabolomics. Extracted compounds from waste plant parts will be developed into high-value products such as functional food ingredients and dietary supplements in foods and beverages which produce desired health benefits.

The partnership of Pascual Pharma Corporation and University of the Philippines-Visayas will address generating better foods for better survival and therapy, particularly to those who are afflicted with disease (especially chronic or terminal diseases). The project will create foods that are easy to digest, appropriate for recovery and will increase immune system responses.  The project will use bioavailable proteins and bioactive peptides from low-cost fish species. These peptides can be used as a component of low-cost adjunct therapies for post-surgery patients and other persons with health dysfunctions. There will also be commercial value as this study explores mixing the extracted fish proteins and peptides in beverages. 

For companies who are also seeking to explore the benefits of the DOST CRADLE Program, you may contact the DOST-Science for Change Project Management Office at 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, with telephone numbers (02) 8837-2943/ 8837-2930.  You may also send an email s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph.