Globe Group Optimistic on Growth Despite Economic Challenges

Globe is now officially running their business into more of a Tech-co rather than a pure telecommunications company. In recent announcements from the group, there has been strong growth on data and non telco revenues in recent months (first half of 2023) compared to last year. This brings their non telco revenues to 52% year on year amounting to 2.8 Billion pesos. Aside from that, they are optimistic about the impact of the new ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Philippines that broke ground plus Mynt's earnings on GCASH. Growth is also seen on the mobile business, reaching pre-pandemic numbers during the second quarter of 2023 despite extended macroeconomic pressures in PH business conditions and lower voice and text usage in the country.  

Globe also announced their succesful SIM registration efforts getting 99% of their revenue generating base. That's over 53.7 Million registrants since the government implemented it. This is 62 percent of their total number of subscribers, which is already high than their expected turnout and last ditch efforts last month.

Their Fiber business for home got 12.8 Billion Pesos in revenue, but is expecting to have 10% decline on fixed wireless lines. Globe also launched the GFiber Prepaid lines to cushion this impact, and will service a lot of Filipinos with the no tie up and unlimited data use promotions they are implementing for it. They also have a buy now pay later option (on GCash) to make sure it reaches an even wider demographic to serviceable areas in the country. All of these are being managed through the Globe One App, which proved convenient for me (used as a backup).

They are also ramping up corporate data services and are already seeing a 9.1 Billion Peso Data Revenue during the first half of 2023. This includes cloud, business apps, cybersecurity, data center and IOT services that they also offer.   

This event was attended by Ernest Cu the CEO of Globe, Globe's Chief Commercial Officer Issa Guevarra-Cabrera, Globe's Chief Transformation and Customer Experience Officer Rebecca Eclipse, Head of Consumer Mobile Officer Darius Delgado, Globe Group General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo, the VP Corporate Finance Carlo Uno, their Head of Network Technical Group Joel Agustin, VP Broadband Business Raymond Policarpio, President of Mynt - GCash Ms. Martha Sazon, CFO of Mynt Tek Olanio, Managing Director of 917Ventures Vince Gamat, CEO and President of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) Philippines Carlo Malana.

Globe is continuing their commitment in delivering the best and reliable connectivity to all their customers, whether wireless or fixed lines. They remain optimistic in spite of expected slow down in the economy this year, and in 2024.

Her Time to Shine: GELA ATAYDE

It is her time to shine!

Gela Atayde just got back from battling at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships together with their crew "Legit Status" for the MegaCrew division. They emerged CHAMPIONS and represented the country well in the US (Phoenix, Arizona) versus 54 other groups in the prestigious tilt.

Talking to her, I felt how Gela knows herself. She isn't pressured about her status in show business being part of the Atayde family. Her Mom Ms. Sylvia Sanchez was always someone who pushed her to go after her passions, and not be persuaded to prove herself. Seeing her brother Congressman Arjo and sister Ria to have to do that during their start was a learning experience, that she didn't have to do that and just do things at her own pace. When she saw her Mom giving a message about her recent achievements, she immediately looked at her back, and we saw her cry. She was just reminded on how much her Mom and Dad supported her all these years. Her Mom never forced her into show business, but always was there to encourage her in any thing she wants to do with the words "Kaya Mo Yan Nak!".  She also said how even if her Dad wasn't much of a talker, he was on camera this time and really said things that moved her. Her new Sister in Law Maine Mendoza was also so happy about her recent achievements, and felt the love when they were featured in a video prepared for her during the press conference.

Here's a few scenes from the presser a few days ago:

She was actually okay if fitted with a title especially if it's about dance because she wants this particular art form to be something that Filipinos would love. As for love teams, she's okay to be paired up for a show but rather not a permanent one. She can do it much like what Congressman Arjo and Ria did, and if the time comes to have a very serious relationship, we got the gist that she prefers to do it in proper time... and with someone non-showbiz. 

Gela is also part of the cast of the new ABSCBN youth oriented show Senior High which stars Andrea Brillantes (doing a dual role). The show will premiere on August 28th, so make sure you check out what Gela has up her sleeves in this new series. Together with them are former child stars Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Gameboy's Elijah Canlas, Gold Squad's Kyle Echarri, singer-rocker Juan Karlos, Daniela Stranner, and her mom Ms. Sylvia Sanchez. 

This is Gela's time to shine, make sure you watch her shows because she's just starting! Congratulations Gela and the whole Legit Status crew for being hailed champs!

Congressman SAM VERZOSA Promises More Inspiring Stories on Season 3 of "Dear SV" at CNN Philippines

 

I've been looking forward to see Congressman Sam Verzosa who represents the indigents, of those residing in urban locations, the youth and the elderly through the party list "Tutok To Win". He's starting the third season of his public affairs show "Dear SV" shown on CNN Philippines during his birth month, and is quite excited about the plans they have for future episodes.

The show plans to put the young Congressman in immersions, to live with the actual people they plan to help. To give you an idea, they meet people from all walks of life. The goal is, to feature their inspiring stories on why they continue to make a living despite life's challenges. Cong SV says "If the old, the kids work hard doing these things, I'm sure the most able bodied ones would be inspired to do the same and help others."

Here's part of our little chat that afternoon

He treats all these as blessings and shares "My family keeps me grounded, they keep me focused on my goals, my advocacies and purpose. I have a lot on my plate, I am just lucky to have been able to do a lot of these because I believe God put me here. He gave me opportunities to be able to share these to the world, and help others,to also change lives. I am happy to see that people are also doing the same after seeing the show. From our company alone, I've seen them on the road, going out there and helping too. I want to do this for the rest of my life. I'm just maximizing what I can do for my community and also make changes in laws, I have a duty to make a movement because I know my purpose."

When asked about his stint at "Tutok To Win" a few years ago, he says "Kuya Wil actually trained me, he asked me to sit with him during one show, that's where I learned and practiced at home. Everyday is an experience, you can feel what they feel when you are there. I get to see their happiness, their sadness, hosting my own show had me ask people about their struggles and get to know them."

 

About his motivation, he adds "I am happy about what I'm doing, aside from doing business, I help people, I get to change lives, I've been given a platform to be able to be heard even with a wider audience. I'll try doing this to change not just communities, but bigger ones and the country. As for now, I'll do this because I found my purpose, in life you always ask that question, there are tons of people that have more work ethic and because I have the capacity to help, I'll do it."

If you want to learn more about the causes he supports and foundations he's helping, make sure to watch "Dear SV" startiing Saturday night of September, at 7:30PM. This will also be replayed on CNN Philippines the next day so make sure you catch it!

I'd like to take this bit to thank Congressman Sam Verzosa (who also Co-chairs Poverty Alleviation) for being so nice earlier. He gamely answered questions even after the presser, to say the least, it was refreshing to talk to someone albeit super successful but still remained so grounded. Again, thank you!

Midrange Phone with Flagship Features: HONOR 90 5G

My HONOR 90 5G shot, image compressed by FB, but still stunning no?

HONOR Philippines just set the bar high as far in phone launches. This statement remains true until the next one happens.

Took the trip to Bataan to shoot a couple of photos and videos to showcase the new HONOR 90 5G. It's a mid range phone built with flagship features. You kinda immediately wonder if they're still earning from putting in a 200MP Matrix Camera in this thin body, but it all did fit and even got several features included, all for the price of Php 24,999. So the question in your head probably is thinking, is it all worth it?

A flyby surprised us during the launch. Took a shot of it from the front of our villa.

It's got a 12GB + 512 GB capacity, 5000mAh battery, a new system in eye protection, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition processor, NFC capable, GPU Turbo X for your games, a 50 MP Selfie camera, and a 200 MP Main one that can rival the best phones out there for photos. So we ventured on a day of taking shots in broad daylight, during play (Basketball and ATV's), on a Speedboat, during Sunset and lastly on the fireworks which they lit up beach side. This was quite a challenge, and much of the folks there weren't professional photographers, yet there were a lot of the shots that ended up quite amazing!

Here's part of what happened during the launch last August 15!

 

Yes, all those features for the medium range price. I even saw some of your favorite stars (hi EA Guzman, Shaira Diaz, Pauline Amelinckx, Brent Valdez, Kate Valdez, Klea Pineda + Katrice Kierulf, Bruce Roeland, Matthew Uy, and several of HONOR's influencers carrying the same phone and doing good work with it.

What's good is that they're making this available in the market for Php 24,999 and throwing in a JBL Flip 6 Speaker worth Php 7,499 (where available) if you pre-order til the 25th of this month. So make sure you do get one if you're in the look for a new photo centric phone. Aside from that, HOME CREDIT is offering this at 0% interest, so really, there's no excuse for not having it.

I'd like to take this bit of thanking the men and women from HONOR Philippines who made this experience possible. I had so much fun! Again, congratulations HONOR Philippines! You've outdone yourselves!