Geeks On A Beach: Fostering Startup Innovation Across The Country

The Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), the country’s premier international tech startup conference, now in its seventh year, has emerged as a rallying point for entrepreneurs, government leaders, and investors. Its mission: is to empower startups in the regions and promote innovation beyond Metro Manila.

Since the past decade, GOAB has grown into a vital platform for driving growth in the Philippine startup ecosystem. “Our goal is to bring together an ecosystem where people not only network but also find genuine opportunities for funding, mentorship, and partnership,” said Tina Amper, GOAB founding organizer.

For Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, events like Geeks On A Beach have become essential venues for promoting “startups” in the provinces and expanding opportunities for tech and innovation in regional centers like Cebu and Davao.

“The Philippines has many talented entrepreneurs outside Metro Manila who don’t have the same level of access to resources. GOAB is a key platform for these founders to connect with investors and potential partners,” said Batapa-Sigue.

“I think GOAB is bridging the gap between the concentration of resources in the capital and the untapped potential in the provinces by promoting regional innovation and creating pathways for startups to succeed,” said Cebu-based GOAB co-founding organizer and Symph CEO Dave Overton.

Overton believes the focus needs to shift from exclusive growth in the national capital to fostering innovation in the regions. Through platforms like GOAB and other initiatives, he said the Philippines is building a more balanced and inclusive startup ecosystem by helping to shine a spotlight on regional talent.

Overton, who has lived in Cebu for a long time, shared that GeeksPH, the organization behind GOAB, started as a small tech advocacy group called Techtalks.ph with the simple goal of getting the tech conversation going. However, their commitment to building an ecosystem where tech entrepreneurship can thrive soon made waves beyond Cebu.

“We would like to see GOAB become a true champion of innovation for the whole country. With the help of other organizations that build grassroots support in the regions, the Philippine startup ecosystem is poised for a future where opportunities thrive across the archipelago,” said Overton.

Bayanihan Ventures: A catalyst in Mindanao

Among the regional champions highlighted at GOAB is Bayanihan Ventures, which caters to startups in Davao and other provinces in Mindanao. Co-founded by Nikhil Paul Antao and John Naranjo, the firm focuses on supporting startups in education and agriculture, sectors they believe have the greatest potential to transform local communities.

Antao emphasized the role GOAB 2023 played in shaping Bayanihan Ventures’ trajectory. “GOAB gave us exposure and connections that helped solidify our vision,” said Antao.

He further stressed the importance of sustainable growth in the startup ecosystem. “Rather than chasing unicorns, our goal is to build ‘zebra companies’—startups that grow sustainably and have a direct impact on their communities,” Antao said.

For Naranjo, born and raised in Davao, the journey to empower regional startups is deeply personal. After studying software development and working in Manila, he returned to his hometown to create opportunities for others. Through his earlier work with Ingenuity, a software company he also founded in Davao, and now with Bayanihan Ventures, Naranjo is helping rewrite the narrative for startups in the Philippines.

“The goal isn’t just about achieving billion-dollar valuations,” Naranjo noted. “It’s about making real, tangible changes in education, agriculture, and health—sectors that directly improve lives in our communities.”

In addition to supporting startups, Bayanihan Ventures emphasizes inspiring more individuals to embrace entrepreneurship. Liam Mendoza, a community builder with Bayanihan Ventures, highlighted the importance of fostering an “innovation mindset” among aspiring founders.

“It’s not just about supporting startups that already exist; it’s also about inspiring people to take that first step toward starting their journey,” Mendoza said. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and partnerships with educational institutions, Bayanihan Ventures is nurturing a pipeline of future entrepreneurs ready to address regional challenges.

Lenovo Launches Holiday Shopping Spree Promo with Exciting Freebies

[Manila, Philippines] November 2024 – Lenovo, global leader in consumer technology, is gearing up to make the holiday season even more exciting with its Holiday Shopping Spree Promo. Starting from November 1 until December 31, 2024, customers across the Philippines can take advantage of exclusive deals and freebies when purchasing select Lenovo devices from authorized resellers.

This year, Lenovo is bringing smarter technology for all, offering irresistible gifts with every purchase of the latest Legion, Yoga, LOQ, IdeaPad, and IdeaCentre devices, ensuring there’s a perfect Lenovo product for every tech lover. Whether you’re buying a gaming laptop for the holiday season or upgrading your home office setup, Lenovo’s wide range of devices ensures a smarter, more productive experience for all users in preparation for the coming new year.

Unwrap Exciting Freebies This Holiday Season

Filipino techies can look forward to premium freebies that come with the purchase of Lenovo’s best-in-class devices. Customers will receive exciting gifts such as the 8GB ADATA RAM, Canon Pixma MG2570S Printer, a Php 4,000 CASIO voucher, or a Lenovo L15 Monitor, depending on the product they buy. With freebies worth up to PHP 10,495, this promo delivers the best-added value for every purchase this holiday season.

Here are some of the exciting offers available during the Holiday Shopping Spree Promo:

Shoppers can find the full list of participating Lenovo products, freebies, and redeeming instructions at promotions.lenovo.com.

How to Redeem Your Freebie

To redeem the freebie, Lenovo customers just need to follow these simple steps: 

• Purchase a qualifying Lenovo product from November 1 to December 31, 2024, at any authorized reseller.
• Visit promotions.lenovo.com and fill out the redemption form with the required details such as proof of purchase, serial number, and personal information.
• Customers will be notified via email within 5–7 business days on the status of their redemption, and successful applicants will receive their freebies within 5–14 business days.

The promo is not open to corporate purchases, wholesale orders, or employees of Lenovo Philippines and its partners. For full promo mechanics, visit the official website.

Make the Season Smarter with Lenovo’s AI-Powered Devices

Lenovo's latest line of cutting-edge technology, including its AI-enabled devices, makes this the perfect time to upgrade your tech setup. Whether you’re a gamer, a student, or a professional, Lenovo’s product lineup ensures optimized performance and a more intuitive user experience for all. With the holiday season just around the corner, there’s no better time to treat yourself or a loved one to a new Lenovo device and enjoy exclusive freebies!

KodeGo Teams up With the iPeople Network to Develop Students’ Digital Skills for Today’s Fast-Growing Tech Careers

917Ventures’ Edutech platform KodeGo has entered into a partnership with higher education institutions under iPeople, a Yuchengco-Ayala Education collaboration to equip students with relevant, industry-ready skills in high-demand digital fields.

The initiative called "KodeGo Edu-Connect" brings together schools such as Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MMCM), Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL), and the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) to help bridge the gap between traditional academic learning and real-world digital skills needed by today’s employers.

"This strategic alliance underscores a mutual commitment to fostering educational excellence and professional readiness,” said Mark Abalos, Head of Dual Transformation, Strategy and Business Development at iPeople.

“By merging KodeGo's dynamic, tech-driven programs with iPeople’s rich academic tradition, the partnership not only enhances the student learning experience but also contributes to the development of a skilled and versatile workforce ready to meet the demands of an evolving job market,” he added.

KodeGo facilitated the program through its 10-day Virtual Assistant and Virtual Bookkeeping courses. These courses were done fully online, supported by a collaborative learning environment provided by iPeople’s network–allowing them to engage in interactive lessons, complete case studies, and participate in practical assignments.

Equipping students with real-world skills

The Virtual Assistant course delves into key skills one may need to pursue a career in this direction, including the following:

● Cultural proficiency for working with U.S. clients

● Advanced administrative management

    ○ Organizing clients’ multiple calendars and schedules

    ○ Best practices for facilitating meetings

    ○ Basic project management

● Familiarity and use of basic social media tools

● Cryptocurrency fundamentals, and;

● Strategies for professional development, client acquisition, and problem-solving

Meanwhile, the Virtual Bookkeeping course enables students to manage financial records and use digital accounting tools effectively.

Certificates of Completion are given to students who finish their respective courses and are endorsed by KodeGo to their network of partners for potential employment opportunities.

An initial batch of just under a dozen students, aged 28 to 46, already graduated from the program. Of this group, 63% are currently employed, while 37% are actively seeking employment.

"In today's digital age, the demand for virtual bookkeepers and virtual assistants is soaring. As businesses increasingly operate online, the ability to efficiently manage financial records and administrative tasks remotely has become indispensable," said Ina Gervasio, CEO of KodeGo.

According to a report by Google and Temasek, the Philippines continues to face a significant challenge in digital literacy, with only 30% of the population possessing adequate digital skills. This underlines the urgent need to equip Filipino students with practical knowledge that aligns with the demands of the modern workforce.

Gervasio highlights that "Investing in training for these skills not only enhances career prospects but also offers significant advantages such as increased job flexibility, the potential for higher earnings, and the ability to work with a diverse range of clients globally.”

For more information about KodeGo and its available courses, visit www.kodego.ph.

Daily Fantasy Brings Philippine Basketball Fans Closer to Action with Coach Chot Reyes’ Launch as Brand Ambassador

November 2024, Manila, Philippines - Filipino basketball enthusiasts have been gradually changing their ways of connecting with their all-time favorite sport.

With this passion, Filipinos are taking a leap to the next milestone for the sports community and live sports games as well. The leap is taken by the fantasy sports platform Daily Fantasy, which has transformed how fans engage with basketball, enabling them to draft, trade, and manage players in real time based on actual player performance. Every point scored reflected the real stats of professional leagues, giving fans a hands-on experience with the strategic elements of the game and a closer connection to the sport.

Daily Fantasy has officially launched Coach Chot Reyes as the new face of fantasy basketball gaming in the Philippines.

The event held on November 16, 2024, at SM Southmall’s Events Hall celebrated Reyes’ new role as Daily Fantasy’s brand ambassador and highlighted the game’s unique approach to fantasy basketball.

To thrill mall goers, Reyes went head-to-head with Coach Justin Perez of United By The Game (UBTG) in an epic fantasy basketball showdown. The “Coach Chot Challenge: The Ultimate Daily Fantasy Showdown” provided an afternoon of interactive sports entertainment that bridged real-world basketball with virtual coaching.

A key moment saw the two coaches, both with extensive coaching experience, creating their ultimate fantasy teams using real UBTG players, demonstrating how Daily Fantasy immerses fans in the strategic side of the sport. Attendees had the opportunity to create and manage their own NBA fantasy teams, competing with each other and gaining insights shared by Coach Chot himself.

Reflecting on his new partnership, Coach Chot Reyes shared his enthusiasm and expectation toward the engagement of sports fans, especially basketball fans. The love of basketball has originated in Filipino’s veins with unfathomable imagination. This infinite possibility brings out people who not only can interact with the sport itself but escalate the experience to the next level. I’m

The event not only showcased the game’s innovative approach but also introduced the rewarding fan experience that Daily Fantasy offers.

Carlos Molina, Brand Marketing Manager for Daily Fantasy, expressed, “Daily Fantasy brought a new layer of excitement and skill to basketball fandom. With Coach Chot as our ambassador, we hoped to inspire fans to get in the game, test their coaching instincts, and experience the true thrill of fantasy basketball.”

For more information on joining the Daily Fantasy community, please visit www.playdailyfantasy.com and explore how to create your own fantasy team.

“Customer satisfaction is our top priority” – MVP

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan have reaffirmed the PLDT Group’s commitment “to putting customers at the heart of everything we do.”

In a message during the telcos’ celebration of Customer Care Month, Pangilinan emphasized the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, stating, “The success or failure of our company hinges on our customers, and we must always prioritize their satisfaction.”

The PLDT Group has been actively working to improve customer service through various initiatives, including streamlining customer care channels and launching experience hubs nationwide, deploying digital solutions to accelerate payment services, expanding fiber and wireless networks, creating innovative products and value-packed services, protecting customers from fraud and cyber threats, providing swift service restoration and relief during disasters, and leveraging on technology to serve customers.

“It is clear that innovations like AI, bots, and recommendation engines are transforming the way we serve our customers. But it is our responsibility to ensure that while we leverage technology, our personal touch remains strong and unmistakable,” said Anastacio R. Martirez, Smart's Chief Operating Officer.

PLDT and Smart also featured insightful sessions from industry experts like Merville Magtubo of Meralco Paul Sears of Amazon Web Services and Venn Jude Francisco of Metro Pacific Tollways, who shared their knowledge of global CX best practices in a learning series that aims to upskill employees about customer service.

In celebration of Customer Care Month, various leaders of the PLDT group also supported the companies to embrace customer centricity.

“We must dedicate ourselves to developing the competencies necessary for the future. As our customers evolve, we must continue to redefine what connectivity means for them, and deliver every service with pusong PLDT,” said Butch G. Jimenez, PLDT Chief Operating Officer.

Enterprise Business Head Jojo Gendrano also pointed out in a statement “Our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients is what can set us apart. Customer Care is at the heart of our business, and your unwavering commitment drives our success. Our customers are our top priority.”

Gina Ordoñez, Chief People Officer has pointed out that developing our capabilities is key to delivering exceptional customer service and stated, “Let us work together to ensure the success of our business today and for future generations, let us be the best Customer Experience champions for PLDT and Smart.”

Atty. Marilyn A. Victorio-Aquino, Chief Legal Counsel and Head of Procurement and Risk and Privacy Groups, has stated for CX Month, “Serve our customers as faithfully and efficiently as we can. We will strive for sharp execution of our programs and timely development of products that respond to our customer's aspirations and ever-changing needs and lifestyles.”

These efforts align with the PLDT Group's broader goal of providing connectivity to all and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.