PLDT highlights PH as strategic hyperscaler destination in China event

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


PLDT highlighted the increasing attractiveness of the Philippines as the next strategic hyperscaler destination in Asia during the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021.

According to PLDT Territory Head for China and Asia Pacific Region Darren Wu, the Philippines is getting the attention of global cloud companies for prospective investments in the near to short term.

"Structure Research, a respected research firm niched in the data Center, internet and cloud space cited Manila, Philippines as one of the emerging DC markets which are in the opportunity quadrant. The country was positioned to having a high growth rate outlook alongside Malaysia and Thailand," said Wu.

He also noted that the Philippines' cultural affinity has the propensity to access foreign content. Its mobile phone connections and internet users are the second highest in the Southeast Asia region, showing the capability of the local market to consume data and access services, and content from hyperscalers.

The country also has a promising business market where primary consumers of cloud solutions and services are local enterprises. Likewise, the US News and World Report and investment management company InvestAsian both ranked the country as one of the best countries to invest in.

"The ongoing investments of telecom companies for the country's adoption of 5G network and their impending localization simultaneous with PLDT's aggressive 5G infrastructure expansion thrust increases the attractiveness of the PH as a market for hyperscalers," Wu added.

PLDT owns the largest carrier-neutral network of globally certified VITRO Data Center facilities in the Philippines designed to support and fortify the operations of hyperscalers with its over 9,000 racks. VITRO data centers also host two major internet exchanges in the country and serve as the global gateway across different sectors, making it the preferred colocation site for hyperscalers.

This showed the country's acknowledgment of the digital economy and service opportunities to further expand bilateral economic relations. Similarly, PLDT also presented its hyperscaler thrust at the Philippine Digital Services Forum in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2021.

The CIFTIS' Philippine Digital Services Forum seeks to promote the Philippine Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled services to support Chinese enterprises' internationalization and complement services for Chinese consumers.

Present during the event were DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, Philippines to China Ambassador for Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, PTIC-Beijing Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda and IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IT BPAP) Executive Director for External Affairs & Investor Relations Ricky Salvador, among others.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Beijing (PTIC-Beijing) are co-organizers of the country’s participation in the event.

The PLDT Group recently joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) for the government’s push to invite massive technology providers to expand their operations in the Philippines.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com or hyperscale.ph

PH Post Office launched “Keep the Faith! Be a Hero” Covid-19 Vaccinated Stamps

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

The Philippine Post Office released new stamps to advocate for vaccination against Covid-19 which was launched with Olympic Medalists Hidilyn Diaz, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and the iconic Jollibee Mascot as supporters of the "Get Vaccinated Drive".

The “Keep the Faith, Be a hero, Get your Dose, Fight Coronavirus” is the first postage stamp series issued by a postal administration to encourage and promote vaccination - in order to save your family, save the economy, save your country and save lives, by getting your dose to fight Coronavirus”.

“The stamp is the second in the series of “Covid-19 Heroes stamps”. The first one, launched last year when the pandemic started, was the “Frontline Heroes” which is a tribute to the untiring effort and dedication of frontline workers in keeping the country moving and the rest of us safe”, PHLPost said in a statement.

“The stamps are all inclusive of people from all walks of life who are being recognized as HEROES in our fight against Covid-19”, Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.

He added, “What we only need to do now while facing this pandemic is to unite and hopefully our people will get vaccinated to help our country move forward”.

“Likewise, it is vital that Filipinos continue to keep the faith intact as one community in solidarity with one another in order to ease the burden of the health care sector”, he said.

These stamps are a reminder that, it is now our turn to be a hero to our health care workers, and the easiest way to do that is to get our full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“It recognizes the importance of vaccination and the collective effort of healthcare workers in protecting the public from the Covid-19 pandemic”, PHLPost said.

The Post Office has printed a total of 80,000 pieces of stamps in the eight (😎 illustrated colored designs of ordinary people done by creative art director Rodine Teodoro. In-house Philatelic Artist Ryman Dominic Albuladora put the finishing touches in the stamps layout.

The stamps and first day cover envelopes are now available at “The Stamp Shop” Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio. For inquiries, please call 8527-01-08 or 8527-01-32 or follow/like the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates.

Dusit International signs to manage new deluxe hotel in Chuxiong, Yunnan Province, China

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, represented in China by Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, has signed a hotel management agreement with Chuxiong Rongda Real Estate Development Company Limited to operate dusitD2 Chuxiong, Yunnan, an upscale hotel in the heart of Chuxiong City, southwest China.

The first internationally branded hotel in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the new property will comprise 275 well-appointed rooms, suites and villas in a prime location next to Guanyin Temple, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Chuxiong High-Speed Train Station is only 10 minutes away by car, providing quick and easy access to other destinations throughout Yunnan Province.

Designed to provide the utmost comfort, convenience, experience, and value, the hotel will uniquely blend Dusit’s distinctive Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with local customs and traditions to deliver highly memorable guest experiences for business and leisure travellers alike.

Hotel facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a spa offering wellness therapies, and various activities to promote physical and mental well-being. A range of meeting rooms featuring the latest audio-visual facilities will cater to the city’s growing meetings business.

Alongside enjoying direct access to Guanyin Temple, guests will also be able to arrange visits to other local attractions, such as Yi Ren Gu Zhen (Ancient Town of the Yi People), where they can experience dancing and music by the Yi people, one of China’s 55 ethnic minorities.

“We are honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to continue our sustainable expansion in China by bringing our unique brand of Thai-inspired, gracious hospitality to Chuxiong for the first time,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “dusitD2 Chuxiong, Yunnan’s prime location, modern facilities, and unique service offerings will ensure the hotel is ideally positioned to enhance the city’s hospitality landscape and provide an ideal base for relaxing, exploring, conducting business, and discovering the distinctive art and culture of the Yi people. Embracing the four new pillars of Dusit Graciousness – Service (personalised and gracious), Well-Being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa), Locality (uniquely linking guests with the local community), and Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental) – we look forward to making the property a resounding success when it opens its doors in 2Q 2023.”

Mr Xiong Jie, General Manager of Chuxiong Rongda Real Estate Development Company Limited, said, “We are certain that by bringing Dusit’s unparalleled brand of Thai-inspired graciousness to Chuxiong, dusitD2 Chuxiong, Yunnan will set a new benchmark for service quality and excellence in the local hospitality industry, and will ultimately raise the profile of the destination to the benefit of the community at large.”

Dusit International’s portfolio now includes more than 300 properties operating under six brands across 17 countries. In China, the company currently operates 10 hotels and has more than 20 properties in the pipeline.