Microsoft Announces 2020 Philippines Partner Awards Winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Partners were recognized for their innovative solutions that positively transform customer experience​ and solve business challenges

Last week, Microsoft Philippines held its 2020 Partner Awards, as part of a global circuit that recognizes Microsoft’s partners for their outstanding, innovative efforts to positively impact customers every year. This year’s awardees were Softline Services International Philippines Inc., Nexus Technologies Inc., Kation Technologies Inc., ePLDT Inc., Rhipe Philippines, NTT Data Philippines Inc., and Crayon Philippines.

“Our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more is driven forward by our partners and the work they do, which is why recognizing their efforts and their constant innovation is both fundamental and essential to us at Microsoft—especially at this time,” said Microsoft Philippines Chief Partner Officer, Fides Ricasa. “We’re absolutely honored and inspired to see the outcomes they’ve achieved and the extraordinary impact that so many of them have had this year.”

A panel of judges composed of Microsoft executives presided over this year’s selection. Nominations were assessed based on their business performance, innovative use of Microsoft technology and the subsequent impact delivered to their customers. 

Seven categories featured in this year’s Partner of the Year Awards: Azure Customer Recruit for excellence in delivering outstanding business value in line with Microsoft Azure, BizApps Customer Recruit for excellence in delivering outstanding business value in line with Microsoft’s Business Applications space, Teamwork Excellence for exceptional delivery of best-in-class teamwork solutions using Microsoft’s collaboration tools, Security Excellence for exceptional delivery of end-to-end security solutions, Coopetition Excellence for driving successful Partner-to-Partner (P2P) motions, Tech Intensity for excellence in driving transformation within their own organization and in their customers’ and finally Customer Centricity for exemplary focus and response to customer needs resulting in improvements in business performance.

For their outstanding efforts, Softline Services International Philippines Inc., received the Azure Customer Recruit Award and Kation Technologies Inc., the BizApps Customer Recruit Award. For the Excellence awards, Nexus Technologies Inc., was given the Teamwork Excellence Award, Crayon Philippines the Security Excellence Award and Rhipe Philippines the Coopetition Excellence Award. Finally, for the Customer Centricity and Tech Intensity Awards, NTT Data Philippines Inc., and ePLDT Inc., were awarded, respectively.

A special distinction was introduced this year to recognize key initiatives by partners in response to COVID-19. The Para sa Bayan Award celebrates innovative and outstanding solutions or programs that helped organizations and communities respond to and recover from challenges created by the pandemic.

For powering the digital transformation of the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)—which led to the creation and implementation of their COVID Tracker Application and the DOLE-AKAP program—NTT Data Philippines Inc., was awarded alongside ePLDT Inc., for the latter's efforts to enable remote learning for schools and students nationwide.

“We see the role we at Microsoft have to play in the Philippines’—and the world’s—recovery from COVID-19. We recognize the need, now more than ever, for purpose-driven innovation and our partners share that sense of responsibility. We’re thankful to all our partners for their incredible contributions and we look forward to even more next year and in the years to come,” said Ricasa.

Microsoft also extends its congratulations to Infosys Limited who, earlier this year in July, was named Microsoft Philippines Country Partner of the Year. Infosys has distinguished itself as an outstanding partner in its first year of operations in the country by demonstrating excellence in advancing digitalization and delivering value for their customers.



Microsoft expresses its gratitude to all partners for submitting their nominations and participation in the awards this 2020.

Honorio Banario Working on Explosiveness and Power for Return to ONE Circle in 2021

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Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario was among the very few bright spots for Team Lakay this year, as the 31-year-old veteran was able to return to his winning capacity with a victory back in February, just before COVID-19 hit.

After the Philippines announced a series of Community Quarantine measures that kept gyms closed and people locked away inside their homes, Banario and the rest of Team Lakay were able to spend some good quality time with their families.

One positive Banario took away from the experience was being able to send more time with his son, Stone.

“My biggest accomplishment this year is returning to the winning track in my career, also, watching my son grow. Just seeing him crawl and seeing him start to walk and speak, it’s a great feeling and it makes me happy,” said Banario.

“I think the biggest lesson I learned, especially in this pandemic, is to stay healthy -- physically, mentally, and spiritually. Watching out for your family’s health and staying positive in times of crisis.”

Banario was last seen inside the ONE Circle last February, when he took apart highly-regarded featherweight contender, Thailand’s Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai to win by a narrow split decision.

When lockdowns and travel restrictions were eased months later, and ONE was able to resume holding events in Bangkok and Singapore, Team Lakay was one of the first groups to be given fights. Unfortunately, many of the athletes including former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon, and rising star Lito Adiwang, suffered heartbreaking setbacks.

Banario wants to remind fans of Team Lakay’s resilience, and promises them something to look forward to in the new year.

“Next year, I want to be more productive, continue winning, and stay strong. There are a lot of tough challenges waiting for me in my career, a lot of strong opponents. I want to be ready to face them and keep coming out on the winning end,” said Banario.

“I think the string of losses for our team is just another roadblock to greatness. We always learn from our mistakes and come back stronger. I’m very proud of our team. We may not have the best gym, the best equipment, but we have each other. I think that’s more than enough.

“We’re going to bounce back in a big way next year,” he added.

After a short stint at lightweight, Banario has since returned to featherweight, where many stark challengers await. Possible matchups include showdowns with Martin Nguyen, Sage Northcutt, and Koyomi Matsushima.

Banario maintains that he never picks and chooses his opponents, but that he can promise to be ready for whoever stands across from him in the Circle. He tells fans he has something special planned for his return in 2021, and that everyone should pay attention to what he will bring to the cage.

“For me, I don’t have any expected opponent to face next year. I’ll be ready for who is in front of me. My goal is to get the belt so I’ll be ready for anyone,” said Banario.

“I’m working on a few things, adding a few skills and techniques, and working on my power. I want to end fights quicker. I want to bring back my fire. Fans can expect a more explosive and exciting Honorio Banario next year.”

Next, ONE Championship returns with ONE: COLLISION COURSE II, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium scheduled for broadcast on Friday, 25 December.

In the main event, #2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Jamal “Kherow” Yusupov of Russia takes on #4-ranked contender Samy “AK47” Sana of France and Algeria in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai showdown.

In the co-main event, former ONE Flyweight World Champion and #3-ranked flyweight contender Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov faces “Ottogi” Dae Hwan Kim of South Korea in a catch weight mixed martial arts contest.




Watch the event on One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). Also, TV5 will air the action on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, 26 December.

PLDT Enterprise, AF Payments partner for transport sector solution

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The initiative introduces a modernized fare and tracking system for commuter convenience

Under the country's largest integrated telecommunications company PLDT, PLDT Enterprise has entered into a strategic partnership with AF Payments, Inc. (AFPI) to enable a modernized fare and tracking system for the transport sector.

AFPI will bundle its Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) with PLDT Enterprise’s Smart Tracker solution—powered by Vectras—to provide a complete fleet management and fare collection solution to public transport operators. Public transport operators will now have the option to get fleet management and fare collection functionality from AFPI without the need to contract with multiple suppliers.

The strategic partnership’s goal is to make it easier for Public Transport Operators to meet the demand for effective fleet management and modern fare collection. As it becomes easier for Public Transport Operators to implement fleet management and fare collection systems, the riding public will benefit from more convenient fare payment options, better vehicle scheduling and passenger information systems.

“The Smart Tracker solution aims to simplify the management of fleets of public transport vehicles. With the service, Public Transport Operators can choose to provide locator links which commuters can access in order to better manage their commute and travel time,” says Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT Enterprise Core Business.

With the guidance of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), AF Payments, Inc. (AFPI) has been working with the Public Transport Operators of train, jeepney and bus fleets, including the three light rail systems of Manila and the EDSA bus consortiums, to help make public transport more convenient by introducing modern fare collection based on contact-less cards and QR codes.

“Through this strong partnership with PLDT Enterprise, we continue to build on the efforts of modernizing the public transport sector and making modern fare payment accessible to all,” says Sharon Fong, Chief Commercial Officer of AF Payments Inc.

Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise shares that “we at PLDT Enterprise are confident that this strategic partnership will enable a more modernized transportation management and cashless payment system to benefit Filipino commuters. Bus companies can manage their operations better and the public will be assured of a simpler and safer way to commute with contactless payments.”

To learn more, visit pldtenterprise.com. You can also visit https://business.beep.com.ph/ to know more about beep™ products and solutions.