‘Geeks On A Beach 2023’: Startup founders to gather at Panglao, Bohol Philippines

‘Geeks On A Beach 2023’: Startup founders to gather at Panglao, Bohol Philippines

Movers and shakers of the Philippine startup community, innovators and investors, and global and national leaders are set to gather for the sixth edition of the tech-famous Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) international conference on November 22 to 24 at the renowned Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines.

Spearheaded by GeeksPH and co-organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), GOAB will be a bold exclamation mark to cap the 2023 Philippine Startup Week events to be held nationwide.

About 500 participants are expected to discuss at GOAB the trends and forecasts on tech, startup and design, with conversations and interactions aimed at enabling the best to ride the wave of technological advances.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy is expected to formally open GOAB.

“We are as excited as our alumni and the startup community in bringing GOAB back. Ten years after the first GOAB and a pandemic-induced hiatus, there are certainly a lot of new and positive developments to celebrate from the advance of digitalization, the rise of AI and more funding raised by Filipino startups,” said GOAB founding organizer Tina Amper of GeeksPH.

Apart from Amper, the other members of the GOAB founding organizing team are Dave Overton of Symph, Mark Deutsch of Happy Garaje and Doris Isubal-Mongaya of PRWorks.

Serving as GOAB advisors are Manny Ayala of Hatchd and Endeavor PH, Plug and Play Tech Center’s Jojo Flores, Shoppable’s Chris Blanquera, Stephanie Caragos of Syntactics, Embiggen Group’s Paul Pajo, and Christina Laskowski of Silicon Valley-based Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Founders, CEOs, thought-leaders

The speakers at GOAB are a veritable who’s who in the startup space locally and internationally.

With the beautiful Panglao beach as backdrop, GOAB will feature headliners admired and sought after by the tech community: DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, Chris McCann of Race Capital, Mohan Belani of e27, Earl Valencia of Plentina, Gina Romero of Connected Women Philippines, Symph’s Albert Padin, Jason Torres of Mashup Garage and Neon Playground, Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona, Katrina Rausa Chan of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation Hub, Jen Bilango of CoinsPH; Jay Fajardo of Medifi and LaunchGarage, Ron Baetiong of Podcast Network Asia, Haifa Carina of DEVCON Philippines, Ashley Uy of Synacy, John Naranjo of Ingenuity PH, Paulo Campos of Kaya Founders, Republiq’s Bryan Yap, Vince Loremia of Cleaningly and Tudlo, Jayvee de Leon, Earvin Ang of Aqwire PH, Pia Bernal of Kickstart, Jack Madrid of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, and Leah Rasay of the Communications Design Association of the Philippines.

Plenary sessions are set to explore potential investment opportunities, while breakout sessions will touch on FinTech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, ClimateTech and other category-specific themes catering to youth and women.

GOAB will also have pitching opportunities, business coaching, matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from various stakeholders. A highlight of GOAB this year would be the celebration of the impact of a new law, the Innovative Startup Act, and DICT’s programs to the Philippine startup ecosystem.

A day prior to the conference, on Nov. 22, GOAB will also hold special Masterclass sessions on “Empowering Rural Communities through AI Outsourcing”, “Maximizing Business Growth with a Cloud Services Framework” and “Global Expansion for Software Development Agencies”, as well as an exclusive dinner with investors.

Conference tickets and information are now available at the website https://www.geeksonabeach.com/

A different kind of geek conference

As in past GOAB editions, conversations and connections are expected to happen beyond conference and breakout sessions, making the event a premiere connector event among tech investors, innovators and enablers from the Philippines and abroad.

The exciting beach venue, the stellar roster of speakers, and conference agenda have set GOAB apart since it was first held in 2013. Previous GOAB editions were held in Boracay, Cebu, Panglao and Puerto Princesa.

This 2023, GOAB returns to Panglao for the sixth edition.

Bohol, Cebu bikers win In BTB‘Epic’ success

Call it familiarity of the trails, or perhaps, relentless training and unmatched endurance, Bohol and Cebu Bikers each took two championship posts in four age group categories in the very successful Bike ta Bai’s Epic Challenge 2018.
Boholanos from Paseo de Loon took the Elite and 40-49 age group championships while Cebuano bikers from Salt+Fin and MedTrek Team completed the top four most coveted posts in Bohol’s first distance and endurance mountain bike challenge November 25, 2018.
Not really intent on giving up the bragging rights as the kings of epic distance mountain biking, Boholanos showed world-class extreme biking skills to keep Cebu bikers from sweeping the categories and reign supreme in the recently capped Epic Challenge 2018.
Boholano elite biker pair of NichoLumay (Batuan) and AdelinoBuligan (Calape) and team mates Jonathan Pagaura and Ernesto Garcia from Paseo de Loon Elite Cycling Team worked as a team never really outdistancing each other to motivate as well as guide the spent racer back into recovery pace to grab the top two positions in the race.
Lumay and Buligan, in racing number 09-1 and 09-2, crossed the line in spectacular fashion after taking turns in taking the lead to finish the grueling 85 kilometer route that winds through the killer climbs of five towns, in an aggregate time of 4:11:52.61 seconds averaging a nearly impossible 20.68 kilometers per hour.
Not far behind were elite teammates Jonathan Pagaura and Ernesto Garcia who also clocked in at 4:12:17.34 seconds, the second pair to cross the line in Punta Cruz Historical Watchtower complex where the race started off at 7:00 in the morning on a Sunday.
Third to cross the line were Cebuanos from Salt+Fin team with LitoBelarma and Roger Niere, who were champions in the 39 and under category, the pair registering a 4:15:25.87 finish.
Fourth to cross the line and coming in second on the 39 and under category are CebuanosJohn Paul Juson and JhepPoyJuson who clocked in at 4:27:20.02.
Coming in fifth over-all and hailed as Champions for the 40-49 age group are Boholanos of the Paseo de Loon Team with Rogelio Torreon and Roberto Saniel, who crossed the line at 4:29:04.93.
Roughly a minute later came Pathfinders Multi-Sports team of Cebu who crossed sixth over-all as Paul Ryan Lucero and RedanCantilla came in third for the 39 and under category with a combined time of 4:30:24.16.
Over thirty minutes of lull, barged in seventh over-all and grabbed the second place for the 40-49 age group were Butchie Zamora and Glenn Flores of TriBohol at an aggregate time of 5:05:15.76.
Eighth in the over-all pair of arrivals after non stop bike pedal cranking third placer for the elite category; Cebuanos of the Team Big Ring Race and Adventure: MetchelPilapil and JezamBaldomar, who clocked an aggregate of 5:05:58.66 seconds.
Ninth over-all zipping along the downhill to finish were Cebuanos Teddy Ponce and Edwin Pesons (Mandaue) of Agwantista Mountain Bikers who came in at 5:06:43.43 which earned them the Third place finish for the 40-49 age group.
Tenth overall and hailed as Champions in the 50 and above ager group were Cebuano bikers Renato Fuentes and Francis Solatorio of team MedTrek who both garnered a combined time of 5:18:17.94.
In eleventh place over-all are Boholanos of the Bohol BikeKings Feliciano Perez and GodofredoAlbuladoracoming in with an aggregate time of 5:50:32.22, which earned for them the 2nd place for the 50 and above age group.
Meanwhile, in the twelfth place over-all were Boholanos of the Bohol Bikers Club tandem of VenancioAmora and ConcordioBernales who had a combined time of 5:58:58.15.
The extreme distance and course race featured a grueling climb that drained most riders who thought it was wise to crank up and gain the high ground in spectacular race to the first kilometer of uphill climb to the highway.
“They should have exercised restraint during the race considering the distance alone,” commented BtB Epic technical consultant JojoOcullo, who along with BtB members, plotted the 85++ kilometer race course that would take the riders through barangay roads and trails of Maribojoc, Antequera, San Isidro, Calape and Loon and traverses across the mountains that are not promising to give a biker a painfully slow ascent, but leaving their throats parched as sandpaper.
Organized by BtB as the first distance extreme mountain bike race in Bohol, “the Epic Challenge has, as advertised, a race and a test in self-sufficiency where a biker would have to use his prudence to supply himself with enough provisions for him to finish and conquer the race,” remarked organizer Gerry Marmito, who always considered the success of the race as a team effort and because of the support of the local government units of the traversed towns, their race volunteers and the great weather that lasted during the most crucial time of the race.
Participated in by bikers from as far as Mindanao, Bacolod and Ilo-ilo as well as joined in by foreign endurance mountain bike enthusiasts, the Epic Challenge had most bikers on the verge of giving up on the killer climb segment from Loon town to Tan-awan and the equally tricky technical sections of JandigMaribojoc.
Early in the race, Bikers who were released in age group waves found themselves lumped in tricky downhill in Bayacabac, and when some who had the nerves slashed through and rampaged the steep loose gravel descent, others had to walk their bikes for a safer traverse.
The trails were challenging, and the guys were great on the trails, it was a day worth the camaraderie, a biker from Bacolod said.
Charlie Bamford, who went through the trail despite not being able to beat the registration schedule said it was an amazing event.
“Truly Epic. Wonderful route with a killer last climb. Well signposted throughout (loved the orange ribbons). This was one of those very few days when I really felt “alive”. Great meeting fellow bikers & admiring their wheels,” Bamford who came in with his wife from Tacloban said.
Already keeping the biggest number of participants at nearly three hundred mountain bikers in four age group categories, the Epic Challenge would be a tough feat to beat, Cebu bikers who have gone through the trails admitted. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN. Bikers negotiate a technical downhill section during the epic challenge, where organizers were able to mobilize LGU support in another bid to offer extreme mountainbiking as sports tourism alternative here. (PIABohol/BikeTaBaifoto\)

Cimatu won’t like Panglao, Bohol to follow  Boracay’s grave environmental indecency

DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu would want Panglao, Bohol to keep treasuring its beaches and not follow world-famous resort island Boracay’s ways to serious environmental indecency.

The secretary grieved over what he calls “overdevelopment” on Boracay island “without thinking of the (negative) consequences.”

Numerous resorts and other tourist establishments on Panglao island have also been issued notices of violations (NOVs) of environmental and sanitation laws, regulations and policies.

But Cimatu cited the serious effort of the Boholano stakeholders in coordination with the appropriate agencies like the DENR in correcting the mistakes.

The DENR secretary attended the Panglao-Dauis and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PADTEC) Board Meeting led by Gov. Edgar Chatto at the Bohol Tropics yesterday.

Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes, Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap were also present.

SURGE City Coordinator Linda Paredes gave an overview of the PADTEC, originally known as PITEC for Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council.

Cimatu asked today’s leaders to quantify this early Panglao island’s carrying capacity and visualize what can obtain in the prime island tourist destination three decades or more from now.

The new Bohol Panglao Airport, which is set for commercial operation starting this year, is intended for international tourists, Cimatu said.

Taking into account the Boracay experience, Panglao has to have a sewage masterplan that considers the island’s condition 30 years from now and beyond.

In Boracay, Cimatu said, the decades-old small sewage pipes have blown out, so that the waste water spread to the drainage and all the way to the sea without reaching any treatment facilities.

“Nagkaloko-loko na dun,” the secretary said.

The plan for waste water treatment facilities in the Alona beach area in Panglao and in Bingag, Dauis was presented to Cimatu during the PADTEC meeting.

Panglao island consists of the towns of Panglao and Dauis.

The secretary was also apprised of the waste water treatment component of the airport project.

Further, timberlands, forests and wetlands have been invaded by concrete structures in another uncontrolled Boracay development, Cimatu said, aggravating the environmental rape.

Owners would even show real property tax declarations over the areas which are otherwise inalienable and non-disposable.

“We don’t like all these to happen in Panglao, in Siargao (Davao),” The DENR secretary said.

Cimatu said he is “positive of tourism in Bohol to prosper.”

“Governor, you’re in the right direction,” Cimatu told Chatto at the PADTEC meeting. (Ven rebo Arigo)

Bright prospects for Bohol investments in 2018-BIPC

 

 

TAGBILARAN CITY, February 6 (PIA)–Investment authorities in Bohol see a shining 2018 as they foresee an investment capitalization soaring well above the predicted figures.

 

No less than the authorities at the Bohol Investment Promotion Center, an attached office of the Office of the Governor, bared this bright prospect at the weekly radio forum Kapihan sa PIA.

 

This too as the BIPC tracked the registered the investment capitalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Bohol topping the P1.5 billion in 2017.

 

While the rise in capitalization has not surpassed the 2011 reported investments capitalization which  zoomed from 800 thousand to P1.7 billion, BIPC Bohol head Maria Fe Dominese said investments have spiked again in 2016 on to nearing a full recovery surge in 2017.

 

Speaking at the Kapihan Thursday, February 1, Dominese however believed 2018 would be a huge spike with the completion of the Panglao Airport and the brood of businesses it carries.

 

The BIPC also pointed out that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCC) granted citation in 2017, would be an edge in attracting more and more investments, according to Imma Mylie Alo during the hour-long radio forum aired live over DyTR.

 

The PCC has handed to Bohol, who was then among the 14 provincial finalists in the search for Most Business Friendly LGU in 2017.

 

After PCC deliberations, it conferred to Bohol the Most Business Friendly LGU for Class 1 provinces, an acknowledgement of the ease of doing businesses here.

 

Dominese added that the office has pegged the annual investment capitalization target P1 billion for 2017, which has been surpassed.

 

The BIPC pointed to the devastating 2013 earthquake which was a low point in MSME growth with everyone scampering for a way to rebound and get Bohol back on its feet.

 

The BIPC, which has set up its Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) and its outreach program with partner agencies called Asenso Negosyo Caravans to the towns, also noted that from 2,545 new business registrants in 2014 or after the earthquake, they  tracked 4,583 new business name registrants in 2017.

 

Along this, the BIPC, an office under the office of the governor, noted an increasing trend in the number of registered MSMEs as well as the employment these generated.

 

In the past five, years, while the office notes an increasing trend in the number of registered MSMEs, employment generation subsequently increased.

 

In 2017 for example, BIPC tracked some 5,372 registered MSMEs and nailed 11,962 new hires, the job generation now filling up the job slots that could also help circulate the capital infusing it into the economy as the paid worker starts to spend his pay.  (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

The BIPC led by Maria Fe Dominese sees a brighter future for Bohol investments as the Panglao Airport opens in 2018 and the PCC citation of Bohol as the most investment friendly province would attarch more and more investors. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Muntinlupa City opens 11th Negosyo Center in Metro Manila

 

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently opened the 11th Negosyo Center in National Capital Region (NCR) at the Plaza Central in Poblacion, Muntinlupa City to promote local entrepreneurship and provide one-stop shop assistance to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the city. DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya acknowledged the efforts of the Muntinlupa Local Government in providing assistance to MSMEs, which facilitate local job creation, production and trade in the city.

 

On the other hand, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Frenesdi said that Muntinlupa is always a willing partner of DTI as he encouraged entrepreneurs to maximize the services offered in the Negosyo Center, which will equip them with the know-how and how-tos of entrepreneurship needed to upscale their businesses.

 

The launching of these Negosyo Centers are in line with the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act which aims to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); promote ease of doing business; facilitate access to grants and other forms of financial assistance to MSMEs; provide access to Shared Service Facilities (SSF) and other equipment; and other support for MSMEs through national government agencies (NGAs); business registration assistance; ensure management guidance; assistance and improvement of the working conditions of MSMEs; and facilitate market access and linkaging services for entrepreneurs.

Opening the Negosyo Center in Muntinlupa City are (from L-R) Local Economic Investment and Promotions Office (LEIPO) Officer Garry Llamas, Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon, Muntinlupa Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Officer Elvie Sanchez-Quizon, Undersecretary Maglaya, Muntinlupa City Mayor Frenesdi, Muntinlupa Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Officer Chito Borromeo, City Administrator Eng. Allan Canchuela, DTI-NCRO Area II Head Rowena San Jose, and Muntinlupa City Councilor Dhes Arevalo

 

DTI CALABARZON gathers leading automotive industry players

The Department of Trade and Industry CALABARZON recently gathered the leading automotive industry players for the 1st Regional “Kapihan” for Automotive Industry in pushing for the agency’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program  in Cabuyao City, Laguna.

 

Toledo said that the activities will start a collaboration between the government and private sector to integrate and push CALABARZON’s automotive industry towards an inclusive and prosperous Philippines.

 

“We, in DTI, really want to uplift the capacity and competitiveness of our MSMEs. We want them to be part of the value chain of the industry. Hence, we are asking for the participation and commitment of the industry players, specifically the private sector, and government agencies to make it happen. The 7M’s (mindset, mastery, mentoring, market, machine, money, and business model) of DTI Secretary Mon Lopez would be a good strategy to promote productivity and profitability,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo.

 

The CARS Program aims to jumpstart the Philippine automotive industry and make the country an auto manufacturing hub in the ASEAN region. The Program also intends to raise the production level to a competitive scale by providing $1,000 per unit fiscal support for the production of three models with a 200,000-unit production requirement over six years and mandatory local production of body shell and large plastic parts. It is expected to amplify the Philippine workforce, strengthen industrial linkages and attract additional investments.

 

Participating companies were the Federation of Automotive Industries of the Philippines (FAIP), Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA), Motorcycle Parts Producers and Exporters Association (MCPPEA), Phil. Ecozones Association (PHILEA), Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), some government  agencies such as the Board of Investments (BOI),  UP National Center for Transportation Studies,  Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD),  National Economic and Development  Authority CALABARZON, Deptartment of Public Works and Highways CALABARZON, Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency – Nomura Research Institute (JICA-NRI).

 

While the Philippines moved up to become the second fastest growing automotive market in the Southeast Asia at the start of 2017, its market is smaller compared with other ASEAN countries. Furthermore, its manufacturing capabilities are mostly oriented towards the domestic market rather than regional chains.