In a post event held last week of April, Tattoo, the #1 broadband in the Philippines continues to recognize social media icons, shakers and influencers with its prestigious Tatt Awards. The award giving body that stared last year is the first ever giving body that awards online icons, shakers and influencers who have “inspired, led, influenced and sparked changes in the world in a positive way.”

The first-ever Tatt awards held last year gathered and shone the limelight on technophiles, video vamps and passionate advocates of change.

Here is a popular Tatt Awards 2o12 Video by Petra Halimuyak:

LAST YEARS TATT AWARDEES

Young celebrity stylist Laureen Uy bagged last year’s Stylisimo Award for her fresh take on fashion, her very successful online store, Stylebreak and her religiously followed fashion blog, Break My Style.; `Professional heckler’ Loi Reyes Landicho received the Word Slayer award; TV host-columnist Bianca Gonzales was voted by her followers as the #1 Thoughtmover; Mikey Bustos for the Video Slinger award; Up Dharma Down, for Indie Rocker; Marc Macanas for Tech Junkie and the Philippines’ pride, Lea Salonga, for the Ball Breaker award.

“This year’s Tatt awards will honor a new batch of digital rockers,” explains Dong Ronquillo, head of the Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business. “What sets Tatt awards from other web-centric awards is that we look beyond mere statistics and acknowledge individuals who have expressed an opinion, created inspiring works or ignited social change. This is not a mere popularity contest but a recognition of people who used the social media space to share what they are most passionate about and, in the process, created positive influence and stirred action among people,” he adds.

TATT AWARDS COUNCIL 2012

Tatt Awards 2012 also proudly reveals its new Tatt Council, a group of celebrated online thought-leaders led by Ronquillo, that will collectively serve as judges to determine the winners in the different categories.

The Council members include award-winning journalist and ABS-CBN News & Public Affairs social media pioneer Maria Ressa; Filipino singer, comedian, and YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos; TV Personality-columnist and style guru Tim Yap; former music director for the rock station NU107.5 FM and musician Francis Brew; Multi-awarded humor blogger and one of Tatt Awards 2011 winners, The Professional Heckler, Loi Landicho; one of the most sought-after corporate, fashion and advertising photographers in the Philippines, Wig Tysmans; TV Host, Editor, Columnist, Endorser and Actor Raymond Gutierrez; model, host, magazine editor and sports enthusiast Rovilson Fernandez; Commissioner to the National Youth Commission and Outstanding student leader Gio Tingson; and Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) Vice President Pao Peña.

“The Tatt Awards is our venue for recognizing digital rockers who, through passion and individuality, have created a space that is uniquely theirs, but sincerely shared with others.”

Support your favorite online rock stars who rocked the social media stage as Tattoo opens the curtain once again to give them their well-deserved Tatt awards.

Do you have a nominee of the Tatt Awards 2012? Nominate them now by visiting www.tattawards.com.

“The Digital Marketing Seminar-Workshop aims to bring thought leadership and advocacy in digital marketing. It is designed to teach the how-to-skills in the planning and execution of digital marketing programs and campaigns.”

It is worthy to note that many members of the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. are into digital marketing. Having this kind of seminar and workshop is regarded an opportunity for the digital marketing professionals in Cebu.

Ruben Licera, owner of RLComm International, who is the recent  vice-president of the organization, is a certified internet marketing professional. Other certified internet marketing professionals include Fleire Castro of ThirdTeam Media and Bjornson Bernales, blogger of www.bjorncebuano.com.  Bert Padilla of CebuTechBlogger.com is recently setting-up a joint venture startup, TekWorx Mobile and Web Services. Orville Tadle is a SEO practitioner, who is also the country representative of Elance.com.

Agnes Jimenez, empressofdrac.com is an active SEO practitioner. Other SEO practitioners include Mark Gallardo, Aika Galleca Baylon and Ron Silva.

Why the mention of names?

The number of digital marketing professionals is increasing in Cebu. However, gaining traction in this field can be a challenge, especially for those marketers who want to establish a brand for themselves and their online ventures. Attending digital marketing seminars and workshops such as the Cebu Digital Marketing Workshop that will be happening on April 26-27, 2012, can be among the first big steps to  gain learning and momentum in Internet marketing.

Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. is among the organizations deemed as having a nature in digital marketing. Bloggers use blogging as a platform for business and promotion. Blog is one of the portals in Inbound Marketing aside from social media and press release sites.

Cebu Digital Marketing seminar-workshop can be a good avenue for bloggers to increase their knowledge about digital marketing. This seminar-workshop is also for those who are into digital business, Media Managers, Content Providers, Web Developers/Designers, Digital PR, Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Exporters, Distributors, Wholesalers and Retailers.

To register for Cebu Digital Marketing Seminar-workshop:

Email, with subject Cebu Digital Marketing Seminar-Workshop, your full name, designation, company name, address and mobile number to lalyn@cebuwebservices.com cc: danny.eguia@immap.com.ph.

Tibiao Fish Spa has a promo this Summer.

You can check this banner out for details.

Blogger Mark Razonable shared his experience on his recent visit at Tibiao Fish Spa on his blog.

Do you have a great idea that needs funding? Do you think your idea is the next big thing in innovation?

If you are a Filipino, who has a great idea, IdeaSpace Foundation is alloting Php 100 million for the first year to see your awesome idea moving.

In a gathering  of  prominent bloggers and representatives of regional blogging organizations, Manny V. Pangilinan (also known as MVP), meets for the first time these bloggers to answer questions on the newest group collaboration to benefit the technopreneurs and startup companies – IdeasSpace Foundation.

Meralco’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer Marthyn Cuan shares that IdeaSpace is an incubator cum angel-fund and accelerator program.

The new foundation’s finances are supported primarily by First Pacific Group companies.

IdeaSpace foundation has an initial start up fund of Php 100 million for the first year of its operations and an additional of half a million every year to sustain it. Supporting companies include: First Pacific Group, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), MPIC Hospital group, Meralco, Philex Mining, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), Digitel, Sun Cellular, ePLDT, Maynilad, IndoFood, MediaQuest and TV5.

Mr. Cuan further discloses, “We want to replicate the Silicon Valley model, and improve it. There’s a lot of gaps between the model and the Philipines. We will try to close the gap and bring it to a sachet level.”

Smart Communications Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto adds, “The number of the incubatees will depend on the number of bright ideas approved and depending on the requirement. The number can increase.”

Application Starts on May

In the same gathering, it was also opened that a national competition will be launched this year to be able to select who are the first incubatees of the program. Applications will be received starting May. Initial information regarding the search will also be loaded via www.IdeaSpace.ph.

Exciting Features of IdeaSpace to StartUps

In comparison to other existing incubation program, these are its edges:

1. Funding. Smart Communications, Inc. Strategic Business Development Head Earl Martin S. Valencia shares, “it depends on the merits of the idea. The foundation is ready to give as much funding as the project needs. Good thing about IdeaSpace is we will also help you find other investors either from our other group or other venture capital partners.”

2. Mentorship with Top Executives. There are a lot of things that every startup business should learn. Aside from developing the apps or system solutions, every successful technopreneurs understand the need for solid grasp of accounting, planning, operational control and its related knowledge. All of this are already accessible to the incubatees as they are beneficiary to a structured program hosted by the group’s Leadership Academy. Trainings will provide them a wider perspective to make the business successful and scalable.

3. Direct Market Access. If you are developing solutions or product/services specifically targeted to businesses already owned by the group like power utilities, toll roads and transportation, health care, mining, telecommunications, media and food, you will be given access to its direct market for actual testing.

MVP: Take Risk on Idea

The message is clear.

As a startup more than 30 years ago, MVP has created a throng of successful companies in the Philipines.

“We encourage people to take risk on their idea,” MVP explains. Based on statistics, only one innovation out of 3,000 ideas “sees the light of day.”

MVP continues,“But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

MVP, sharing his thrust and goals with the new foundation, said, “We want to see innovation in the strongest state.”

STARTUPS. It is more fun in the Philippines.

The growth of this innovation sector in the Philippines is outstanding. It is also impressive to note  how big companies, such as the First Pacific group, are providing opportunities for these innovation companies to grow and compete globally. It won’t be long when we pride ourselves to the number of celebrities we produce globally.  In subsequent years, we can see an increase in number of technology innovations we can introduce to the world. And that can happen most possibly, thanks to generous NGO’s and companies such as IdeaSpace Foundation.

That move can not just provide additional work or bragging rights to the Filipinos, this can also bring us in line with other first world coutries sooner than 2050.

An organization in Cebu is taking the lead in creating a better Cebu and upscaling its efforts nationwide – the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. or RAFI.

RAFI is a family-based social development foundation founded by Don Ramon Aboitiz in 1966 which began as a philanthropic undertaking supporting the causes of charitable groups. It is rooted from Don Ramon’s philosophy that “the dignity of man is best respected by helping him realize his hopes and by sharing with him the burden of his fears.”

It was Don Ramon’s son, Eduardo, who continued what the former started and institutionalized RAFI, expanding it from a traditional philanthropic foundation to a people-oriented, social development organization.

At present, it is under the able leadership of its president, Roberto E. Aboitiz guiding RAFI in its vision of “Touching People, Shaping the Future” and working towards “elevating lives through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development.”

The 5 focus areas of its programs and services reflecting RAFI’s holistic approach are Culture and Heritage, Leadership and Citizenship, Education, Integrated Development, and Microfinance and Entrepreneurship.

Educating Cebuanos about their roots

Through the Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage), Kids at the Museum and Kabataan, Kultura ug Kabilin (KKK), Cebuanos, both young and old, are given the chance to know more about their culture and heritage through a tour to Cebu’s museums.

Last year’s Gabii sa Kabilin for example, saw 11 museums and 7 heritage sites participating with more than 2500 people attending the said activity despite the rains. It did not only feature historical artifacts but it also showcased Cebuano music and dance. Visitors can visit multiple museums for the single price of P150. They are taken from one heritage site to another with the help of a tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) where kucheros (tartanilla driver) can earn beyond their usual income.

Nurturing Future Leaders and Recognizing Agents of Positive Change

RAFI provides an avenue for empowering emerging young leaders aged 12-20 through programs such as the Young Minds Academy (YMA). The young scholars of the YMA undergo an eight-month leadership and citizenship development training using experiential learning approaches exposing them to real issues instead of playing computer games or going to the malls during weekends. Prior to their graduation, they present proposals or community-based projects addressing problems related to the selected theme for the season.

Aside from conducting trainings, RAFI also recognizes ordinary individuals and groups from Visayas and Mindanao that spearhead efforts to make a difference and enhance the quality of life of communities especially the less privileged through awards like the RAFI Triennial Awards. In effect, the awards provide inspiration to the awardees and nominees as well as other individuals to be agents of change in their respective communities despite the challenges that they face.

Helping provide a conducive environment for learning

One of the problems confronting public schools is the poor state of some classrooms. Recognizing this, RAFI established its School Rehabilitation Program under the Education focus area.

As of 2010, a total of 451 classrooms were rehabilitated, benefiting more than 18,000 schoolchildren under this program since 2004.

Another program under the Education Focus area of RAFI is the Children’s Festival. Less-fortunate children from within Cebu City and faraway towns in Cebu are provided opportunities to enjoy their childhood through fun and play and at the same time learning values education, personality development, leadership, culture and heritage and environmental protection.

Greening the environment and forming the foundations to enhance quality of life

Part of the Integrated Development Focus is the GREENIN Philippines Program of RAFI which stands for Generation Redemption and Expansion of Natural Resources Initiatives Philippines Program geared towards its advocacy on protecting and rehabilitating the environment that has Cebu as a starting point. This program includes tree-planting activities which differ from traditional ones.

The program uses native trees for forest development as these are better adapted to the Philippine climate potentially preserving and restoring the country’s natural heritage, native wildlife species and local endangered tree species. Nurseries for these trees are also established which become sources of quality native tree seedlings for the different tree planting activities.

People from different sectors are being tapped for tree-planting events including running enthusiasts such as in the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN event held simultaneously in Cebu’s 48 municipalities and component cities last June 25 where more than 55,000 people joined.

According to Ms. Rowena Alensonurin, Executive Director for RAFI’s Integrated Development Unit. “I was really amazed. The runners really planted. They continued to the planting site and planted. Everybody was forgetting about the run. Ang ilang sharing namo (What they shared) was ‘we were not caring about the run anymore. We just wanted to plant ’”.

This particular activity served as a launching pad of the government’s National Greening Program in Region VII with 229,639 total native tree seedlings planted in 110 hectares spread over 48 towns and cities in Cebu.

The GREENIN Philippines program was also incorporated to the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures Our Cebu Program, a development program of the Cebu Provincial Government to make Cebu “an attractive place to live, work, play, invest and do business”. It’s counterpart in Manduae is the My Mandaue Program which like the Our Cebu Program, provides a framework that engages various partners to actively participate in developing successful communities.

RAFI is also active in the fight against the Big C. It established the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center in 1988 upon the request of Eduardo Aboitiz, himself affected by cancer. The center uses a holistic approach in helping raise awareness about different cancers, providing aid to early cancer detection and screenings, assisting indigent patients in treatment, and providing better quality of life through counseling and wellness activities with both patients and their family members. RAFI also organizes yearly the Moonwalk for Breast Cancer Awareness during October and maintains a Cancer Registry.

Providing Financial Resources and Know-How to encourage Entrepreneurship

RAFI Micro-finance, the microfinancing arm of RAFI give entrepreneurs especially women the chance to avail of capital for their businesses.  In 2010, RAFI Micro-finance recorded 13,360 active clients from various parts of the Visayas. Activities such as livelihood seminars and Businesswomen’s Summit provide these aspiring entrepreneurs additional capability needed to make their businesses flourish. Corporate social responsibility initiatives are also done to help alleviate the lives of their neighbors.

Indeed RAFI’s impact is huge as it continues to carry out its vision of “Touching People, Shaping the Future.” But as an “Architect of Change”, it can only do so much. It still needs “workers” and “carpenters” to help them continue constructing a better Cebu, a better Visayas and Mindanao and eventually, a better Philippines.

by: Dr. Narciso Tapia of www.cebumd.com

]]> http://cebubloggers.com/rafi-an-architect-of-change-from-cebu/feed/ 0 http://cebubloggers.com/switch-off-for-mother-earth-at-the-persimmon-plus/ http://cebubloggers.com/switch-off-for-mother-earth-at-the-persimmon-plus/#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:28:02 +0000 Bjorn Bernales, CBSi editor http://cebubloggers.com/?p=1523 Head  on to The Persimmon Plus on March 31, Saturday, for a most meaningful
Earth  Hour  2012  with  family  and  friends  and  the  rest of the global
community.

Get  to  thinking big in commitment to Mother Earth, The Persimmon Plus, at
The  Persimmon,  along  M.  J.  Cuenco  Avenue in Mabolo, Cebu City hosts a
variety  of  activities  in  Switch  Off,  offering  the community a way to
contribute  to  environmental solutions in the largest global demonstration
of concern for the Earth.

Switch  Off  features  Cebu  Trivia  Night,  brain-wracking,  rib-tickling,
unnerving  fun.  Cebu Trivia Night is open to anyone and everyone raring to
pit  wits with other teams sure to claim knowing everything about the earth
and anything under the sun.

It  will  also  be a wonderful display of artistry as Bernardo Flores takes
the  spotlight  with  his  high fashion collection interspersed with music,
fire  dancers and commitment-signing.  Flores has earned a name for himself
in  the local fashion centerstage with distinct bridal couture, dressing up
a sizeable number of celebrities and personalities.

Percs  Republic  and  Coro  Serenata  will  also  be offering upbeat music,
bringing everyone to celebrate beyond the hour.

The  Persimmon  Plus  is  gathering entrepreneurs for the Earth Hour Bazaar
offering unique items ranging from food to fashion accessories.

Fretzie  Alquiza,  AboitizLand’s Commercial Business Unit Marketing Officer
said  that  Earth  Hour  is  aligned  to AboitizLand’s promise of nurturing
communities.  “We  are collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to take
sustainable  action not just on the hour but beyond, thus uniting people to
protect the planet.”

The  emerging  event place of the city, The Persimmon Plus houses Carlito’s
Way  Diner,  Dong Juan, Mr. Coffee, Pan de Manila, Happy Rooster Home Décor
Café  ensuring  the  best casual dining experience. It is also a convenient
place  to  do  regular  grocery  shopping (Three Sixty Pharmacy), pampering
(Bright  Smiles),  and other serviced activities (Softwash Laundromat, Cebu
Trip Tours, Bernardo C. Flores and Aboitiz Jebsen).

The  Persimmon  Plus  is  the  commercial  hub  of The Persimmon, the first
vertical  community  developed  by  AboitizLand,  Inc.  It joins the Mactan
Economic Zone 2, another AboitizLand industrial development and the rest of
the  global  community,  in  dimming  and shutting off non-essential lights
during Earth Hour 2012, from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Like  The  Persimmon  Plus (Official) on Facebook to know more about Switch
Off: The Persimmon Plus Earth Hour Celebration.(PR)

Switch off non-essential and artificial lights tonight at 8:30 to 9;30.

The one-hour lights-off can bring an impact to the environment.

Join the rest of the world for Earth Hour.

Our contribution to Mother Earth today and tonight is our one-hour switch-off  of the artificial lights.

Of course, before you join others during Earth Hour, make sure you have securities in place. We don’t mean security guards or installing security systems in your house. What we mean is be aware for burglary.

You can dial 166 for Police Emergency. This number only applies for Metro Cebu residents.

If February 6 would have been April 1, then  the Tsunami Alert would be qualified as an April Fool’s Prank.

Looking back on February 6 when many Cebuanos feared for their lives because of the tsunami alert, I can’t help but take that event as very memorable, for it showed the  vulnerability of Cebuanos to pranks. The February 6 tsunami alert would have been one of the hair-raising events that occurred in Cebu.

I also have learned that there can be no way the eastern side of Cebu would ever experience a tsunami or a big tidal wave. The Danajon Bank, the Double Barrier Reef, which I have known from an event in February 27 of this year, is a sea wonder that could serve as barricade for a tsunami. With this reef located in the eastern side of Cebu encompassed by Olango island, Camotes island and Bohol,   Cebu is very unlikely to be hit by a tsunami.

And now, tomorrow is April Fool’s Day. It may be mean to do this, but if I’d be honest,  I would consider th Cebu tsunami alert as an April Fool’s prank if only February 6 was April 1.

You can vote for his entry by clicking on the screenshot.

To those who wish to join this contest, you have to check the Contest Mechanics:

Qualifications for joining GoodBlog Awards:

- Must be a resident of the Philippines
- Must be 16 years old and above
- Must have original content on the web published within 2011 on any social media platform

Accept entries from any social media platform/website (i.e.Wordpress, Blogger, Tumblr, Facebook, etc.)

The GoodBlogAwards has three (3) different blog categories: Text, Photo and Video

Text Blog
350 to 750 words
May include images and other graphic elements
Active link to the original post

Photo Blog
A single photo or photo series of up to 3 images
150 word description
Active link to the original post

Video Blog
Short video up to 2-minutes
150 word description
Active link to the original post

If you meet the eligibility requirements above, then you’re all set! If you are unsure about your eligibility, or have any questions, then email GoodBlogAwards at goodblogawards@gmail.com

GoodBlog Awards can refuse submissions if the blog entries are not of “good taste”. You can email them and ask them why your entries are not qualified.

The Best Cebu Blogs Awards is the known award-giving body for Cebuano bloggers. The Philippine Blog Awards is also one and it covers a regional and national scope.

This time around, there is another blog awards that recognize bloggers based on the good  they want to spread in the blogosphere.

GoodBlog Awards calls in the Filipino bloggers to spread the “good” and inspire others to do the same using the blogs as the tools for propagating the goodness to others. However, what I’ve mentioned does not only restrict to that.

The organizers of GoodBlog Awards have another real take on that:

“When it comes to the GoodBlogAwards, our definition revolves around the theme for you to “Spark & Share”.

We’re looking for blogs that have the potential to ignite ideas that can enhance our lives and impart some form of spiritual growth. We consider a blog “good” if it inspires others to reach out, take the extra step and pave the way forward to improve the quality of life for a single individual, or the nation as a whole. Show us how ordinary people can do extraordinary things!”

The organizers of this blog want to spread this awareness, of course, using our site and the blogs of our members. We can’t say no to something that can deliver a big impact to the blogosphere, not just only here in Cebu but in other areas of the Philippines as well.

Gadgets Magazine spearheads in organizing GoodBlog Awards with the help of Cocacola and other companies.

For Cebu Bloggers who wish to join this contest–yes, it is contest — I would like you to check the page of the GoodBlog Awards website.

I hope more Cebu Bloggers and not just here in Cebu but in other parts of the Philippines as well to join this.

Your blogpost entry can serve as your contribution in bringing more “good” to the society and helping others to spark ideas for the good of the society.

You can also like GoodBlogAwards on Facebook and get more updates about the awarding event.