Monumental Win for Gilas Pilipinas

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine Men's National Basketball Team, ended a four-game losing streak against New Zealand, after escaping with a 93-89 victory that marked the country's first win against the Kiwis, held inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The game started with an 8-0 blast from New Zealand that prompted Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Tim Cone to call for an early timeout. Naturalize player Justin Brownlee scored back to back baskets in the seventh minute, followed up by a Dwight Ramos triple to make it 9-13, in favor of New Zealand.

A back and forth first quarter saw New Zealand taking a 2-point lead courtesy of a late jumper off the top of the free-throw line from Sam Waardenburg. The Tall Blacks of New Zealand took the lead, 22-20.

 
The second period was an intense battle for both teams as they traded key baskets. The quarter also Gilas leading by 4 points after a Justin Brownlee three-point shot, 43-39. New Zealand still managed to tie things up after a last second triple from former PBA Converge FiberXers import, Tom Vodanovich. The game is at 45 all heading into the halftime break.

A four-point deficit in the third quarter saw the Philippines mounting a huge answer via a 16-0 run that gave them a 72-60 lead before a three-point shot from New Zealand's Corey Webster stopped the bleeding for the Tall Blacks.

Gilas led by 7 at the 1:09 mark of the fourth quarter after a dagger three from Chris Newsome. New Zealand tried to mount a comeback and even inched as close as 2 points, 91-89, with less than 14 seconds on the clock after a three-point basket from Tom Vodanovich.

The Kiwis, who are in the penalty, intentionally fouled Justin Brownlee on the ensuing play that gave the Philippines a pair of free throws, which Brownlee calmly made his twin attempts to win the game for Gilas Pilipinas, 93-89.

Justin Brownlee, who finished with 26 points, and Kai Sotto, who had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, led the Philippines. The Kiwis, on the other hand, were paced by Corey Webster who ended with 25 points.

With the victory, the National team is now 3-0 in Group B of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, and a win against Hong Kong on Sunday will give them the ticket to next year's games in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Written by: Renz Delim

Geeks on a Beach 2024 in Cebu Energizes Startup Ecosystem

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The 7th annual Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) tech conference in Cebu was in full swing with every day delivering a packed agenda of insightful panels, engaging workshops, and high-energy networking.

Following an inspiring opening day, the event composed of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from across the region showcased an impressive lineup of speakers and has without any doubt provided attendees with valuable perspectives on the latest trends and challenges facing the startup landscape.

The breakout sessions have also been a major draw. Attendees have eagerly participated in interactive discussions, exchanging ideas and forging connections that could lead to future collaborations.

The excitement each day at the conference never slowed in momentum and every panel discussion or breakout session showed no signs of slowing down. Networking events and pitch competitions delivered even more value to the diverse array of GOAB participants.

For those who haven't yet experienced the magic of Geeks on a Beach, we encourage you to join this celebration of Philippine entrepreneurship and innovation soon maybe on its next run the following years. 

The event's return to Cebu's vibrant startup ecosystem was a testament to the city's growing prominence as a hub for tech and business. We wonder where will it be happening next. Could you please recommend a worthy beachfront venue where geeks can both work and play.

From pandemic blues to startup success: How Penbrothers is redefining remote work in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Penbrothers co-founder and President Guilherme Faria (“Gui”) has come a long way — from starting the business in 2014 to leading a company recognized as the Philippines’ fastest-growing in 2024 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista.

Speaking at the seventh edition of GOAB on November 14, 2024, Faria delivered a message that resonated far beyond the scenic shores at Jpark Island Resort in Mactan, Cebu. He shared insights drawn from a decade-long journey of transforming the way businesses connect with global talent.

Founded in 2014 by Faria and Nicolas Bivero, Penbrothers began as a small agency providing coworking spaces and staffing solutions for startups like Gui’s other business, Luxclusif (that actually secured seed funding during the 2016 Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) in Bohol and successfully exited to Farfetch in 2021). Today, it stands as one of the Philippines' leading ethical offshoring and remote talent management companies, employing over 1,000 Filipino professionals across diverse industries.

“Our mission from the very beginning has been to create opportunities locally. Instead of Filipino talents having to go overseas, we wanted to bring the work to them, harnessing the power of the internet to bridge gaps and build careers where opportunities didn’t previously exist,” said Faria.



The pandemic accelerated a paradigm shift

Before the pandemic, Penbrothers operated seven coworking spaces in Manila, accommodating well over 900 professionals. These physical spaces were integral to its early model, which combined staffing solutions with workspaces.

However, the onset of COVID-19 forced a paradigm shift. “With lockdowns, we realized that remote work wasn’t just a temporary fix—it was the future of work,” Faria said. This major pivot not only enhanced employee satisfaction but also demonstrated to clients that remote work could deliver equal or superior results.

“This transition allowed us and our clients to tap into talent from across the Philippines, from Luzon to Mindanao, rather than being confined to Metro Manila. Meanwhile, employees gained access to skill-building opportunities and higher wages,” Faria explained.

Faria highlighted how the company’s evolution aligns with global trends emphasizing flexibility in the workplace. “Adaptability is the new competitive advantage,” he said. “By leveraging technology and enabling seamless global collaboration, we’ve helped companies expand their talent pools while enabling Filipino professionals to thrive in remote and hybrid setups.”



Ethical offshoring at its core

Penbrothers sets itself apart by emphasizing ethical offshoring practices. Unlike traditional outsourcing models focused solely on cost reduction, the company prioritizes long-term career development and cultural alignment.

“Ethical offshoring is about partnership. We provide competitive wages, growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment for Filipino professionals. Everyone benefits—employees are more engaged, and clients get motivated, high-performing teams,” said Faria.

This approach has positioned Penbrothers as a trusted partner for startups and firms worldwide, particularly in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Its services span marketing, engineering, supply chain management, finance, and more, far beyond the traditional outsourcing roles in customer service and IT.

Penbrothers’ model also ensures that Filipino professionals feel valued and supported while working directly with international startups, scaleups and mid to large businesses across multiple industries: finance, e-commerce, architecture, IT, engineering and so on.



The future of work is global

Faria emphasized the company’s focus on delivering quality over cost-cutting: “The real opportunity lies in the mid-market, where businesses need skilled professionals aligned with their needs—not just the cheapest option.”

As Penbrothers continues to grow, Faria remains committed to its founding mission. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. Our focus remains on the Philippines because of its immense untapped potential. The future of work is global, but it’s also deeply personal. It’s about creating meaningful careers, not just filling roles,” said Faria.

Faria’s story, shared at GOAB 2024, not only highlights Penbrothers’ success but also underscores the transformative power of remote work—an innovation bridging opportunities from the Philippines to the rest of the world.

For more information, visit www.penbrothers.com


Penbrothers is an HR and remote talent management solutions provider that helps global startups and SMEs build and scale their teams through outstanding Filipino talent. Founded in 2014 by Gui Faria and Nicolas Bivero, Penbrothers started with a vision to create high-value careers for exceptional talent in underrated and untapped locations.


Penbrothers was named as the Philippines’ fastest growing company of 2024 by Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista. In 2024, MyNavi, a leading Japanese human resource and staffing company, also placed a key investment in Penbrothers. These accolades are brought by Penbrothers’ innovative solutions that solve their clients' unique challenges and needs.


Today, Penbrothers employs over 1,500 team members across multiple functions and industries, serving the most exciting and innovative startups and SMEs in retail, e-commerce, gaming, IT, and FinTech. For more information, visit penbrothers.com