Fil-Am Whiz from Silicon Valley to Keynote 5th Geeks On A Beach

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Helping raise roughly $40 million for a Silicon Valley company before it produced its first intelligent wearable headset is just one of several feats for this Filipino-American for a serial entrepreneur and "World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer" awardee.

Yobie Benjamin can talk about several amazing things during the 5th Geeks on a Beach (GOAB 5) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on August 24-25, said Tina Amper of TechTalks.ph and organizer of this annual tech startup event in the Philippines.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is GOAB co-organizer.

TechTalks.ph members Happy Garaje is responsible for branding; PRworks for media and public relations; and Sym.ph for web development of Geeks on a Beach.

“We hope the presence of Benjamin will inspire local startups and M SMEs. But more important, we are looking forward to having this global technology leader to interact with industry leaders and the startup community to drive action for the betterment of the Philippines and the world. GOAB continues to aim for measurable impact by facilitating potential projects and business deals not only for individual companies but also for the Philippine startup ecosystem,” Amper said.

For starters, Amper pointed out that this former political prisoner during the Marcos dictatorship days raised $40 million for Avegant, the company that makes and sells the Avegant virtual reality video headset and Skully, an intelligent motorcycle helmet that helps you see what is happening at the back, receive and make calls, and communicate with nearby vehicles.

Benjamin recently raised $18.5 million for Token that provides software to banks that enables them to issue a new payment type designed specifically for use in the digital era.

According to Amper, Geeks on a Beach gathers hundreds of technology entrepreneurs and professionals along with concerned government agencies to also look at ways of leveraging technology to help address Philippine social and environmental problems.

Amper said, this former political prisoner’s social concerns can be seen in his involvement in yet another company that is developing the ability to perform 50 diagnostic tests using only a drop of blood. This service, he said in a talk at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, will soon be given for free to whole populations in return for big data.

In Kenya, Benjamin is involved in Wildlife Works that sells carbon credits for protecting the rainforest and wildlife from poachers. The poachers, he said, included Al Shabbab terrorists. In Brazil, Benjamin’s company applied the same business model to mobilize the coastal population to protect mangrove forests.

Geeks on a Beach has partnered with the City of Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Known for its environmental advocacy, the city is the location of the world-famous underground river. The Tubbataha Reef, one of the world’s biggest ecosystem, is located some 92 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa.

PLDT Innolab is supporting GOAB 5 as co-presenter while A Space is co-producer. The sponsors include Payoneer, Z alora, PouchNATION, Istorya.net, Synergy 88 Digital, Uniform Solutions, and NXTLVL Academy.

The media partners are e27, Tech in Asia, Auza.net, Innopub Media, Geeks in Cambodia, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, ConnectedWomen.co and QueenCityCebu.com, The organizational partners are the Philippine Software Industry Association, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, UP CebuINIT, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines, Developers Connect,Science and Technology Advisory Council - Silicon Valley, Mynimo, Teradoor, Israel Chamber of Commerce Philippines, and the Cloud Security Alliance Philippines.

GOAB is organized by Techtalks.ph, powered by Sym.ph, branding by Happy Garaje, and pr by PRWorks.

NCCA, DOT Launch KulTOURa Mobile Travel Guide

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There is a new mobile app that can help tourists enjoy their stay in the country by giving them a better appreciation of Philippine culture and history. As a bonus, it’s great for students too.

This is the Kultoura Philippine travel guide app which the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched today in collaboration with PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications and InnoPub Media.

Representatives from Smart, NCCA, DOT and InnoPub sign the memorandum of agreement for the KulTOURa app at Rizal Park Visitors Center.

The Kultoura app features information on heritage sites, historic schools and churches, nature parks, popular attractions, famous landmarks and other must-see places in various parts of the country. The app also contains colorful details of the history of selected cities and provinces, including their famous personalities, delicacies and other interesting trivia.

Available as a free download for Android and iOS devices, the app is continuously being updated to provide more relevant content and encourage travelers to explore the country. It will soon offer other services such as a chat bot, which can give automated travel advice; allow users to take virtual tours; and enable purchases via a digital marketplace.

Though initially designed as an aid for tourists, the mobile app is also a handy resource for students. The comprehensive information found on the app can help them gain a better understanding of the rich culture and history of the country.

‘The Flats BGC’ Sets to Rise as First Dorm in BGC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC), master developer of Bonifacio Global City, recently commenced with its first dorm development inside the city. Called The Flats BGC at 5th Avenue, the project is a dormitory building created for the city’s hundred thousand-strong workforce. It will rise along BGC’s prestigious 5th Avenue, across St. Luke’s Medical Center, and accessible to major thoroughfares EDSA, Kalayaan Avenue, C-5 Road, and 32nd Avenue.

FBDC is looking at BPO and office workers as potential occupants. 375 units in 16 floors will provide a total of over 1,500 beds. Each unit is fully furnished with a bed and mattress, workstation, wardrobe cabinet, toilet and bath, and a mini kitchen. This development will employ a dynamic property management team to take care of the administration, safety, and security.

“There is currently a strong demand for living spaces inside BGC, especially from employees. From current estimates of 120,000, we are expecting about a hundred thousand more workers coming in until 2019. FBDC wants to provide them alternative and relatively more affordable housing options to save them hours of commuting into the city considering the traffic congestion these days,” said Eli Yaneza, FBDC Business Development, Property Planning and Office Leasing Manager.

FBDC is now accepting partnerships with corporate accounts through lease arrangements for their employees. A handful of locators have already expressed inclination to include accommodations in The Flats BGC at 5th Avenue as part of their compensation package.

The Flats BGC at 5th Avenue serves as FBDC’s exploratory project on the trend of co-living ─ a modern, urban lifestyle that puts a premium on openness, sharing, and collaboration. This communal living setup allows individuals to enjoy the luxuries of aspirational modern homes at a fraction of the price. All occupants will enjoy the full benefits of a BGCitizenship, including primary access to the various events sponsored by BGC, as well as firsthand information on sales, promos, and other happenings.

FBDC broke ground for The Flats BGC at 5th Avenue in December last year after the project was awarded to infrastructure conglomerate Megawide. The Flats BGC at 5th Avenue will start operating by the start of 2019. More information may be obtained by contacting Eli Yaneza at esyaneza@fbdcorp.com.