BGC acquires new buses for commuters

BONIFACIO Transport Corp. (BTC) recently acquired three new 37-seater Mercedes-Benz buses for Bonifacio Global City’s (BGC) growing commuting public.

BTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC), owner and management company of BGC.

PDIC, BSP sign supplemental agreement on SPRB Plus

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) recently signed the Supplemental Agreement to implement the Strengthening Program for Rural Banks (SPRB) Plus to strengthen the thrift and rural banking industry to effectively serve the countryside and improve the delivery of financial services to rural communities.

DHL launches MyDHL portal to enhance customer experience

MANILA -- DHL, the world's leading international express shipping provider, launched a new portal, MyDHL, at www.dhl.com/mydhl to make importing and exporting with DHL easier and help its customers connect quickly and easily with international markets.

With a single login and quick access to DHL Express services, shipping and tracking solutions, MyDHL is perfect for small and medium sized businesses.

Globe boosts smartphone use with affordable mobile browsing plans

SMARTPHONE use in the Philippines is on a steady rise on the back of more low-priced internet-enabled mobile devices, giving more Filipinos access to internet surfing on their mobile phones.

According to a report from research firm GfK Philippines, the average price of smartphones in Philippines has dropped 23 percent from last year’s USD317, or roughly P13,000 to USD244 or a little over P10,000 this year.

Experience fun and adventure at your fingertips with Nokia Asha 305

NOKIA introduces the first product in the Asha Full Touch range, the Nokia Asha 305, a smartphone that’s sure to delight young, urban and aspirational users.

Nokia Asha 305 is an entertaining device that’s designed for great browsing experiences, social networking, and fun apps and games. It has a vivid and colorful 3” touch screen that’s quick and responsive and a newly designed Series 40 OS that’s fun, intuitive and easy to use.

Globe backs international initiatives for radio frequency revamp

LEADING telecommunications company Globe Telecom said it would support initiatives by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and GSM Association (GSMA) to revise the radio frequency spectrum to allow easier and cheaper global broadband expansion and lower the cost of mobile devices in many markets.

Upward growth projection for Philippines hailed

MALACAÑANG lauded on Saturday the World Bank's move to raise to 4.6 percent its 2012 economic growth forecast for the country following a stronger-than-expected economic performance at the start of the year.

"We certainly welcome their projected forecast. We will certainly try our best and in fact we are hoping by the second quarter the (economic) performance could be much better because of our infrastructure spending," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Globe network upgrade in full swing, completes 30% of equipment modernization

GLOBE Telecom said that the upgrade of its network facilities is progressively being conducted as new equipment rolls out in various parts of the country. The company added that within a span of four months since its announcement in January this year, Globe has modernized at least 30% of its network equipment located in various cellsites nationwide.

Globe bags Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards 2012

GLOBE Telecom is the first Philippine telecommunications firm to win in the Social Empowerment Category of the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards (Area) 2012 Southeast Asia, attesting to the company’s commitment to transform communities through innovative solutions.

“Sagot Ka ni Kap,” a community vigilance program of Globe Bridging Communities, won in the Social Empowerment category, besting 25 entries in Southeast Asia. This multi-awarded program harnesses the power and speed of mobile technologies for good governance at the barangay level.

Philippine stock market ends at new record high

THE Philippine stock market closed at a new all-time high above the critical 5,300 level on Tuesday, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) finished at 5,365.70, up 65.46 points or 1.2 percent, surpassing the May 3 record close at 5,300.41.

HTC launches next generation Desire smartphone family

MANILA -- Following the successful launch of the HTC One series, HTC, a global designer of smartphones, unveiled Thursday the successors to the hugely popular HTC Desire smartphone -- HTC Desire V and HTC Desire C.

Featuring Beats Audio(tm) technology, this family of premium designed, yet affordable smartphones, allows you to hear your music just as the artist intended.

Globe, Flash Networks win business innovation award

GLOBE Telecom, a leading telecommunications company in the Philippines, and Flash Networks, the leading provider of mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions, were named winners of the prestigious Global Telecoms Business (GTB) Innovation Award for Mobile Content and Services Innovation.

The partnership between Globe and Flash Networks enables Globe to provide an enhanced mobile browsing experience to its subscribers with present quota status, targeted pricing packages, promotions, and relevant content.

Philippines' budget gap hits P22.8-B from January-May

THE Philippine government's fiscal deficit reached to P22.786 billion for the first five months to May this year, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) said on Tuesday.

The budget shortfall from January to May this year was 138.8 percent higher than the P9.54 billion deficit recorded during the same period last year.

Array of best devices boosts Globe postpaid, mobile data business

GLOBE Telecom is eyeing further growth in its postpaid and mobile data businesses by offering its subscribers an expanded line-up of smartphone devices under its suite of unlimited data plans.

For the second quarter of 2012 alone, Globe launched three flagship smartphones from the world’s leading device manufacturers.

Globe cements undisputed postpaid leadership

GLOBE Telecom further cemented its leadership in the postpaid segment after dominating the market with record-high gains in cellular subscriber and revenue share in the first quarter of the year, making it the undisputed number 1 postpaid brand in the country.

Philippines to extend $1B to IMF

THE Philippines will extend $1-billion loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the global efforts to stabilize the world economy and maintain it on a growth path, the central bank said on Wednesday.

"We are a member of the global community of nations and it is also in our interest to ensure economic and financial stability across the globe," said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr.

Globe wins Finance Asia Awards for 9th straight year

LEADING telecommunications company Globe Telecom received five major citations from Finance Asia during a recent poll conducted among 265 investors and analysts across the region by the Hong Kong-based publishing giant.

This is the ninth straight year that Globe appears in the list of the prestigious annual survey of Asia’s best managed companies.

Nokia wins big at Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands 2012

NOKIA won the Gold Award in the Smartphone Category and the Platinum Award in the Mobile Phone Category for the 11th year in a row.

On the heels of the successful Nokia Lumia launch, Yvonne Tey, Reader’s Digest Asia commercial director, presented Nikka Abes, Nokia corporate communications manager, with the Gold Award last May 31 at the Genting Club, Resorts World Manila (shown in photo).

Korean firm wants to introduce smart grid tech in Philippines

A KOREAN company is mulling to introduce a smart grid technology to the Philippines' power distribution sector and participate in the development of the nascent electric vehicle industry, a government official said Monday.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said LS Group officials led by their chairman John Koo, a member of the founding family of the LG Group, recently spoke to him and other officials of the DTI to discuss the possibility of cooperating with Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in the development of a smart grid in the country.

Export bank depositors to start receiving claims next week

THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced on Wednesday that it will start the onsite claims settlement operations for the depositors of closed Export and Industry Bank (EIB) starting June 19.

The state-insurer said that the claims settlement operations for 50 banking units of EIB will be conducted in three batches - the first on June 19, second on June 29, and third on July 11.

Watch the Pacquiao-Bradley fight and dine in style at Discovery Suites

THE much awaited fight of pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and undefeated American titleholder Timothy Bradley for the World Welterweight Championship is close at hand.

Watch and dine in style at Discovery Suites on Sunday, June 10, on the 22nd floor covering 22 Prime restaurant, Serendipity Lounge, and function rooms Savannah and Clermont starting at 8 a.m.

Inflation rate hits 2.9% in May

THE Philippine inflation rate hit 2.9 percent in May, slightly lower than the 3.0 percent in April, the central bank said on Tuesday.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the May inflation rate was well within the central bank's forecast of 2.5-3.4 percent for the month, adding it brought the year-to-date average to 3.0 percent, which is at the low end of the government’s inflation target range of 3-5 percent for 2012.

Tune Hotels sizzling summer deals from USD 6 a night!

KUALA LUMPUR -- Tune Hotels lets you travel more this summer! From room rates starting at USD 6, Thai Baht 200; MYR 20; Rupiah 30,000 and Philippines Peso 280 per night, this hot deal is not to be missed.

Travellers can book from now till 13th June 2012, with stay periods from 14th June to 16th August 2012. Soak in the sun in Bali, Penang and Pattaya or party the summer nights in Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Jakarta at an affordable night’s stay at Tune Hotels. This summer promotion is available at 20 of the hotels across four countries within the Tune Hotels network.

Land Bank's profit up by 13% in Q1

THE state-run Land Bank of the Philippines has posted a double-digit net income for the first quarter of this year, owing to higher revenues from loans and investments, an official said on Monday.

Land Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda Pico said the bank's profit reached P3.1 billion from January to March, a 13-percent increase from the P2.8 billion net income during the same period last year and 32 percent higher than the first quarter target.

Globe, foundation to use mobile technology for greening program

WITH the common goal and vision of conserving the environment, Globe Telecom and the Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) have entered into a partnership that would utilize mobile technology in ensuring the success of the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).

PDIC starts paying EIB depositors with P10,000 or below account balances

THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) said it will start sending payments today, Tuesday, for valid deposits with balances of P10,000 and below maintained by depositors in the closed Export & Industry Bank (EIB).

Payments will be made through postal money orders (PMOs). PDIC said it expects mailing of payments to be completed by June 1, 2012.

Globe is 1st Philippine telco to meet international standards for Sustainability Reporting

GLOBE Telecom becomes the first local telecommunications firm to meet international standards for its 2011 Annual Sustainability Report (ASR), giving assurance to stakeholders that all information disclosed are accurate and reliable, using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.

Economic chief mulls diversified trade amid sea row

ACTING National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) director general Arsenio Balisacan said on Thursday that the Philippines should intensify its efforts to diversify its trade, especially now that China is implementing stricter measures on banana exports.

PSE's profit jumps by 57.81% in Q1

THE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) said Wednesday that its net income in the first quarter rose by 57.81 percent to P144.08 million from P91.30 million in the same period last year largely due to the revenues from higher trading volumes.

Remittances from overseas Filipinos up by 5.4% in Q1

REMITTANCES from overseas Filipinos (OFs) climbed by 5.4 percent during the first quarter of this year, owing to sustained demand for Filipino manpower abroad, the central bank said on Tuesday.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the money sent home to the country from January to March reached to US$4.8 billion from US$4.6 billion during the same period last year.