BUSINESS 4.0 - Bridging Generations: How Gen Z is Redefining Business and Romance in the Digital Age

Older generations often perceive Gen Z as overly dependent on smartphones and the internet, unable to function without constant connectivity, and struggling with in-person communication. This reliance on technology is frequently viewed as a negative trait, suggesting a lack of social skills or an inability to engage meaningfully face-to-face.

While there are certainly potential negative effects of this behavior, such as reduced attention spans, decreased ability to connect on a deeper level with others, and a preference for digital interaction over real-life experiences, it is important to consider the other side of the argument. Despite these perceived drawbacks, Gen Z has effectively harnessed social media and digital platforms to their advantage, particularly in the realm of business. They have used their digital fluency to create new opportunities, establish online businesses, build personal brands, and engage with a global audience in ways that were previously unimaginable. They tend to use technology to make their lives easier, make things more efficient, and save time so they can focus on multiple tasks.

While their reliance on technology may be seen negatively by older generations, it also reflects a unique adaptation to a digital world, demonstrating a different but equally valuable set of skills.

In the Business 4.0 2024 Summit Edition, Gen Z is being highlighted, with one of the featured speakers being TikTok digital creator Andrea Fabian, also known as 'Drei,' with the username @maybedrei. She uses social media to showcase day-to-day life in the world of dating in an era where Gen Z often prefers fast intimacy, which might seem like it is killing romance. However, Drei, together with her significant other, Air, is showing people around their age, and even younger ones, that romance is not dead, even in this digital age. She also uses her platform to promote the business she is starting and exploring.

Learn and hear more from her about the business she is starting at a very young age at the Business 4.0 2024 Summit Edition. She will also demonstrate to the older generations how easy it is to use social media to promote or bring positive effects to a business, bridging the gap between generations by combining new methods with the successful strategies of former businesses.

About Janus Aether Solutions

Janus Aether is leading the charge in redefining business for the digital age with the introduction of Business 4.0. This groundbreaking concept embraces rapid technological advancements, digital transformation, and innovative practices to create exponential value. By focusing on agility, customer-centricity, intelligent automation, and data-driven strategies, Janus Aether is helping businesses of all sizes navigate today's fast-paced landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.

Join Janus Aether in transforming the future of business and discover how Business 4.0 can revolutionize success in a connected world.

Philippine tourism leads economic growth with record recovery and global expansion

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Kapihan sa Manila Hotel today featured Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco who showcased the remarkable progress in Philippine tourism, highlighting its significant role in the country’s economy.

In discussing the Department of Tourism's (DOT) recent achievements and future plans to strengthen the Philippines as a premier global destination, Sec. Frasco detailed her department’s strategic efforts and infrastructure development to enhance tourism experiences and promote the country’s rich cultural heritage.

She also introduced the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028 to address key areas such as connectivity and digitalization.

“Tourism has always been a priority for this administration,” she said. “We rallied government agencies and private stakeholders to address the challenges faced by the industry, particularly post-pandemic. Our focus on improving infrastructure, enhancing tourism experiences, and promoting our rich cultural heritage has positioned the Philippines as a top destination globally.”

Kapihan host Atty. Joey Lina, a former senator and now president of The Manila Hotel, highlighted the DOT’s milestones in Southeast Asia and the significant contribution of tourism to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). He said that under the leadership of Secretary Frasco, the Philippines has emerged as a leading player in the regional tourism sector, surpassing its Southeast Asian counterparts with a contribution of approximately Php4.31 trillion (US$78 billion) to the national GDP.

Secretary Frasco said the sector’s resilience is highlighted by a 111% recovery in visitor receipts, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. She explained that domestic and international visitor receipts amounted to over Php3.36 trillion, generating substantial revenue for businesses, supporting livelihoods, and creating tourism-related jobs. In 2023, she added, the tourism industry provided employment for around 6.21 million Filipinos, accounting for 6.4% of the total employment increase as compared to 2022.

She said the DOT engaged with NEDA and PSA to expand the count on tourism employment based on the entire tourism value chain. “Ang daming nagkakaroon ng trabaho dahil sa turismo, not necessarily by way of a formal contractual agreement with hotels and accommodations, pero kasali na din doon ang ating mga transport operators, pasalubong makers, suppliers ng mga goods sa ating mga accommodation establishments,” Sec. Frasco explained. “This contributed to 16 million Filipinos being employed in the tourism sector in the first quarter of 2024.”

Sec. Frasco expressed optimism about surpassing the target of 7.7 million international tourist arrivals for 2024. She said that while challenges such as visa policies and infrastructure development persist, the DOT remains committed to addressing these issues and expanding connectivity, including the recent Manila-Paris direct flight.

Sec. Frasco also said: “We welcome this very positive development that expands the connectivity of the Philippines to Paris and to the European Union. We anticipate that this direct connectivity to the Philippines will further entice more tourists from Europe to come to the country and avail of our very popular tourism products with the European market that include, of course, our award-winning beaches, our adventure offerings and our dive tourism portfolio. We are also focused on improving our airports through public-private partnerships to enhance passenger experience and increase flight capacities.”

When asked how the DOT manages its international programs amid challenges and geopolitical tension, Sec. Frasco answered: “Tourism transcends politics, varying opinion, differences in culture, differences in geopolitical positions. The work that DOT has done has been to continue to champion Philippine tourism all over the world, wherever that may be we have not stopped in terms of promoting the Philippines as atop-of-mind tourism destination.”

Atty. Lina also emphasized the numerous accolades the Philippines received through the DOT’s efforts at the recent World Travel Awards, including Asia’s Leading Dive Destination, Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Asia’s Leading Island Destination, and Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination, with The Manila Hotel recognized as the Philippines’ Leading Hotel.

As the Kapihan drew to a close, Sec. Frasco emphasized that the DOT is dedicated to partnering with local government units and private sector stakeholders to ensure tourism development aligns with local needs and supports sustainable growth.

About Kapihan sa Manila Hotel:

Kapihan sa Manila Hotel (Kapihan) stands as a distinguished platform for dialogue and progress, organized and hosted by The Manila Hotel’s esteemed president and former Senator, Atty. Jose “Joey” D. Lina, Jr. This weekly forum is designed to engage media members on a diverse array of topics and issues of national interest. It serves as a dynamic meeting ground for government officials, industry experts, journalists, content creators, and community members. Each session of Kapihan features Atty. Lina, alongside Manila Bulletin Publisher Mr. Sonny Coloma, who guides the discussions. A curated panel of guests delves into a specific topic, followed by an interactive segment, where media participants can pose questions. Building on its success, Kapihan has expanded its dialogues to The Manila Hotel’s sister property, and now hosting Kapihan sa Manila Prince once a month. To broaden its reach and facilitate a wider audience

engagement, Kapihan is streamed live on Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/Joey.Lina.51)

DepEd, Land Bank join hands to repair classrooms in 12 last-mile schools

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to repair classrooms in 12 schools located in disaster-affected areas.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara and LBP President Lynette V. Ortiz led the signing ceremony of the MOU, which outlines LBP’s commitment to fund the repairs with Php 500,000 per school for the duration of the two-year partnership.

In addition, LBP President Ortiz also shared that the LBP Leasing and Finance Corporation and the LBP resources and development corporation has contributed an extra P1 M in funding and construction assistance for the selected schools.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami ng lubos sa inyong generosity at kagandahang loob. Ramdam na ramdam po namin ang inyong malasakit and it is clear that you have chosen communities that will really benefit from the donations,” Secretary Angara said to Land Bank partners.

In the MOU, concerned Schools Division Offices (SDOs) will oversee adherence to government standards and facilitate learning continuity during repairs. School heads, meanwhile, will manage documentation and updates, while Schools Division Engineers will coordinate with LBP’s technical team for the repair activities.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, LBP will also mobilize its employees as volunteers, promoting a culture of community service.

“We are introducing this volunteerism component that will mobilize employees to participate in repair and renovation efforts as well as support activities for both communities and learners involved,” Ortiz said.

LBP President Ortiz also committed to help DepEd in connecting with other banks to include Adopt-a-School Program of DepEd as part of their CSR.

Sec. Angara applauded this commitment, citing that the Department welcomes other partnerships to improve the delivery of basic education services in the country. "If we put together the combined CSR of all the banks, we will make a dent. We are looking forward to more partnerships in the future," he said.

LBP Executive Vice President Alex A. Lorayes, Senior Vice President Catherine Rowena B. Villanueva, Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca, Senior Vice President Atty. Joselito B. Vallada, Mr. Ricardo C. Juliano, President and CEO-LBP, Resources and Development Corporation, Mr. Michael P. Arañas, President and CEO, LBP Leasing and Finance Corporation, and members of the DepEd Executive Committee witnessed the said partnership.