Penbrothers co-founder and President Guilherme Faria (“Gui”) has come a long way — from starting the business in 2014 to leading a company recognized as the Philippines’ fastest-growing in 2024 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista.Speaking at the seventh edition of GOAB on November 14, 2024, Faria delivered a message that resonated far beyond the scenic shores at Jpark Island Resort in Mactan, Cebu. He shared insights drawn from a decade-long journey of transforming the way businesses connect with global talent.
Founded in 2014 by Faria and Nicolas Bivero, Penbrothers began as a small agency providing coworking spaces and staffing solutions for startups like Gui’s other business, Luxclusif (that actually secured seed funding during the 2016 Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) in Bohol and successfully exited to Farfetch in 2021). Today, it stands as one of the Philippines' leading ethical offshoring and remote talent management companies, employing over 1,000 Filipino professionals across diverse industries.
“Our mission from the very beginning has been to create opportunities locally. Instead of Filipino talents having to go overseas, we wanted to bring the work to them, harnessing the power of the internet to bridge gaps and build careers where opportunities didn’t previously exist,” said Faria.
The pandemic accelerated a paradigm shift
Before the pandemic, Penbrothers operated seven coworking spaces in Manila, accommodating well over 900 professionals. These physical spaces were integral to its early model, which combined staffing solutions with workspaces.
However, the onset of COVID-19 forced a paradigm shift. “With lockdowns, we realized that remote work wasn’t just a temporary fix—it was the future of work,” Faria said. This major pivot not only enhanced employee satisfaction but also demonstrated to clients that remote work could deliver equal or superior results.
“This transition allowed us and our clients to tap into talent from across the Philippines, from Luzon to Mindanao, rather than being confined to Metro Manila. Meanwhile, employees gained access to skill-building opportunities and higher wages,” Faria explained.
Faria highlighted how the company’s evolution aligns with global trends emphasizing flexibility in the workplace. “Adaptability is the new competitive advantage,” he said. “By leveraging technology and enabling seamless global collaboration, we’ve helped companies expand their talent pools while enabling Filipino professionals to thrive in remote and hybrid setups.”
Ethical offshoring at its core
Penbrothers sets itself apart by emphasizing ethical offshoring practices. Unlike traditional outsourcing models focused solely on cost reduction, the company prioritizes long-term career development and cultural alignment.
“Ethical offshoring is about partnership. We provide competitive wages, growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment for Filipino professionals. Everyone benefits—employees are more engaged, and clients get motivated, high-performing teams,” said Faria.
This approach has positioned Penbrothers as a trusted partner for startups and firms worldwide, particularly in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Its services span marketing, engineering, supply chain management, finance, and more, far beyond the traditional outsourcing roles in customer service and IT.
Penbrothers’ model also ensures that Filipino professionals feel valued and supported while working directly with international startups, scaleups and mid to large businesses across multiple industries: finance, e-commerce, architecture, IT, engineering and so on.
The future of work is global
Faria emphasized the company’s focus on delivering quality over cost-cutting: “The real opportunity lies in the mid-market, where businesses need skilled professionals aligned with their needs—not just the cheapest option.”
As Penbrothers continues to grow, Faria remains committed to its founding mission. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. Our focus remains on the Philippines because of its immense untapped potential. The future of work is global, but it’s also deeply personal. It’s about creating meaningful careers, not just filling roles,” said Faria.
Faria’s story, shared at GOAB 2024, not only highlights Penbrothers’ success but also underscores the transformative power of remote work—an innovation bridging opportunities from the Philippines to the rest of the world.
For more information, visit www.penbrothers.com
PLDT and Smart have rallied the youth of Antipolo City against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Partnering with the city government of Antipolo the Antipolo City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Save the Children Philippines, the PLDT Group rolled out the “Better Today for Kids: Bata, Bata Kami ang Iyong Kasangga” learning caravan to raise awareness on OSAEC and share valuable information on how the youth can protect themselves from being victimized online.
“Protecting children from nefarious characters starts with the family. PLDT and Smart are raising awareness among the youth on this pressing issue so they can advocate for safe online practices at home. Knowing about OSAEC and emerging technologies can help prevent families from unnecessarily exposing children to risky online behavior, especially since criminals can now use artificial intelligence (AI) to run their schemes,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
Kristine Joyce Magadia, Stakeholder Management Lead for Internet Safety and Livelihood at PLDT and Smart, shared tips on applying safe online practices and how to identify OSAEC red flags.
“Criminals use AI to send phishing emails, create deepfake videos, and imitate voices of familiar people to steal personal details that they use later on to win the child’s trust. Then, they manipulate the victim into sending photos which they use to create explicit or graphic content,” warned Magadia.
A Scale of Harm study by the International Justice Mission revealed that almost half a million Filipino children were trafficked to produce new child sexual exploitation materials in 2022. While foreign men are the primary consumers of these illicit content, their facilitators are locals who are often known to the victims.
April Correa, Project Coordinator at Save the Children Philippines, talked about children’s rights and the dynamics between the perpetrator and the victim. “Poverty remains to be the main driver of OSAEC in the Philippines. There is also a misconception among OSAEC enablers that the practice is harmless since the abuser does not have physical contact with the victim,” said Correa.
PLDT and Smart champion a whole-of-nation approach to curtail OSAEC. Besides its pioneering child protection platform, the PLDT Group works with various local and global allies to protect children from harm, including going to communities to raise awareness of online child abuse.
“Being aware of my rights allows me to actively participate in the decision-making process of events that could impact my life. By being informed, I can advocate for my fellow youth on online safety,” said Shiena Combo, a fourth-year college student majoring in Information Technology.
The PLDT Group’s efforts and advocacies on child protection underscore its commitment to helping the Philippines attain UNSDG 16, which promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies and ends the abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.
Celebrating its 29th year anniversary, experience the timeless magic of the holidays with a grand spectacle of music, harmony of lights, unlimited rides, and EKciting attractions only at Enchanted Kingdom — the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines!
Timeless Magic of Christmas
On November 23, Saturday, witness the grand kickoff of the holiday festivities here at EK with our Timeless Magic of Christmas event.
Get into the festive mood and join Eldar the Wizard and friends across the Park’s themed zones during the vibrant Eldar’s Moonlight Parade. Dance under the melody of dazzling lights and festive holiday music at the Eldar’s Brooklyn Symphony. Be enchanted by the lighting ceremony of the unique Enchanted Christmas Tree, adorned with the sparkling EK Storybook Characters decors. Sing along to classic Filipino Christmas songs playing at EK’s 22-foot Grand Parol, created by renowned Pampanga lantern maker Eric Bondoc Quiwa.
Groove with powerhouse dance crew G-Force, and don’t miss out on world-class Filipino music talent with the internationally-renowned De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) Rondalla as they serenade us with their enchanting performance of Christmas carols.
EK’s homegrown talents, SMS, Victoria’s Way, and the Kingsmen, will also be there to spread the magic through a series of spectacular musical performances.
And finally, to cap off the night, create more lasting memories with the Timeless Magic Fireworks Show to the tune of EK’s 29th-anniversary theme song composed and sung by our very own P-Pop girl group SMS.
Homegrown EK Talents and Weekend Carols
This December, embrace the magical spirit of the holidays with our Christmas shows.
EK is set to showcase our homegrown talents through the play A Very Timeless Christmas featuring Eldar the Wizard, Princess Victoria, Princess Madeline, and SMS. Victoria's Way and The Kingsmen, together with SMS, will serenade guests with Christmas Songs at EK’s bandstand. Also, watch out for the Christmastime Parade and enchanting live carols every weekend this December!
A Merrier Timeless Christmas EKsperience
Christmas is made even more merry here at EK!
Give in to your holiday cravings at EK’s Food Fiesta Bazaar located at the Eldar’s Village. Enjoy an array of Filipino and Korean street foods, fresh fruits, juices, hot meals, and delectable snacks.
Stay tuned for our upcoming holiday food offerings this December! EK is working our magic in creating a delightful selection of seasonal treats to make your EK adventure extra special.
Eldar the Wizard continues to bring enchantment in the sky with the Timeless Magic Fireworks Show on all Saturdays of 2024. This special display of lights gives a spectacular twist to one of EK’s traditions, the Sky Wizardry Fireworks Show, which will still illuminate the night sky during all of the Park’s open days except Saturdays.
Lastly, don’t forget to feel the magic of love with your family and loved ones at EK’s 4D motion stimulator Rialto - with its new featured film Happy Family: Next Level.
So save the date for your next EK getaway as we are open six days a week starting December 3 to 15. We will also be open every day starting December 16 until the first week of January.
For more information about this celebration, available promotional offerings, and more of EK’s timeless magic, visit our Press Room at https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ek-press-room/ and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - For mobile gaming enthusiasts, the Vivo V40 Lite 5G is a game-changer, delivering a great experience for popular games like Mobile Legends.Packed with features that ensure smooth gameplay and stunning visuals, this smartphone that you can get for as low as Php 15,999 is your best ally for gaming marathons, all-day entertainment, and more.
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Gaming isn’t just about visuals as it is also about sound. The Vivo V40 Lite 5G's Dual Stereo Speaker setup, enhanced by up to 300% Audio Booster technology, brings every in-game sound to life.
From the footsteps of your opponents to the roar of victory, the sound quality adds another layer of immersion to your gaming adventures.
Get yours today for as low as Php 15,999
Ready to rank up without limits? The Vivo V40 Lite 5G is available now for as low as Php 15,999. Check it out on the Vivo e-store, Shopee, and Lazada, or visit the nearest Vivo concept store to experience it firsthand.
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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.
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