Pilmico, TESDA champion women & sustainability
In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Women’s Center (TESDA Women’s Center), headed by its chief Mylene Somera, partnered with Pilmico Foods Corp. to launch their newest signature bread, “Juana Banana.” They named the bread after Juana, to represent all Filipino women.
Chef Carla Valencia, Pilmico’s technical service manager for flour, created the recipe for “Juana Banana.” The bread is made with bananas, including their peels and vegetables like malunggay, pumpkin, and carrots, and is baked with premium quality “Sun Moon Star” bread flour from Pilmico, filled with butter, and topped with a crispy cookie crust.
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, Cafe Juana at TESDA Women’s Center offered a complimentary “Juana Banana” bread to customers who wore any purple color in their attire. The bread will also be added to Cafe Juana’s menu moving forward.
The TESDA Women’s Center prioritizes women enrollees, implementing a 9:1 ratio of women to men in the classes. As part of the Wooden Spoon Business Innovation program, newly certified TESDA trainees are equipped with baking skills and knowledge and encouraged to continue learning about entrepreneurship and developing their business mindset.
Livelihood package from PLDT Global, DMW

PLDT Global Corp. and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recently awarded a livelihood package to Annalyn Fernan, a beneficiary of an overseas Filipino worker who passed away in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year.
With the support of PLDT Global’s OFW Family Livelihood Program, Fernan will be able to train to own and manage a physical version of TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing) that will showcase products and services from PLDT, Smart, and other companies under the MVP Group.
Fernan also received a “Smart Ka-Partner” retailer package, including a smartphone, marketing, and signage materials to help boost sales in her new venture.
Cisco , PLDT Enterprise bring Private 5G to enterprise customers
Cisco signed a new memorandum of understanding with PLDT Enterprise, with the aim to collaborate on Private 5G adoption across the manufacturing, financial services, port operations and logistics, healthcare, retail, and smart cities sectors.
PLDT Enterprise and Cisco plan to cooperate and bring to market the technology and managed services that will enable enterprise customers to deploy Private 5G successfully and achieve better business outcomes. The companies plan to accelerate edge connectivity through PLDT Enterprise’s Managed Private 5G solution, so that their business partners will be able to seamlessly integrate Private 5G into their pre-existing LAN, WAN, and Cloud infrastructure. This enables enterprises to leverage their existing infrastructure for security, policy, and device management to take advantage of the benefits of 5G.
Together, the companies can rapidly enable critical Industry 4.0 capabilities such as push-to-talk, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), always connected PCs (for digital frontline workers), machine vision (e.g., predictive maintenance, PPE detection) and more.
Cisco and PLDT Enterprise intend to collaborate on specific customer use cases to support businesses in their digital transformation.
DITO Telecommunity wins two major awards
DITO bagged the Digital Initiative of the Year – Philippines and the Mobile App of the Year – Philippines in the recently concluded Asian Telecom Awards 2024.
Positioned as DITO subscribers’ all-in-one app with innovative features, the DITO App stands out for its user-friendly interface, seamless navigation, and an array of features that enhance subscribers’ convenience and satisfaction covering end-to-end journeys. It allows customers to manage their accounts anytime, anywhere and access exclusive offers, rewards, and online chat support.
Beyond its technological advancements, the DITO App also reflects the company’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. The App has been instrumental in promoting digital inclusion, connecting communities, and empowering Filipinos to a more elevated digital lifestyle.
“These recognitions validate our commitment to innovation and relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries and delivering an exceptional user experience to all our subscribers,” said Evelyn Jimenez, DITO chief revenue officer- Consumer.
“Since we started, our commitment has always been to bring the Filipino forward and be a digital first company, promoting digital inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind. Winning these awards is a testament to our relentless pursuit of digital excellence and our commitment to empowering more Filipinos by providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital age,” said Jasper Evangelista, DITO Brand and Marketing Director.
Power Mac Center empowers business owners
Power Mac Center, the premier Apple partner in the Philippines, recently completed the first leg of Techpreneur, a three-day event tailored for small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners.
Commencing at the Eastwood Mall branch, Techpreneur is an on-ground event happening at Power Mac Center or The Loop stores.
It provides participants with an exclusive opportunity to gain valuable insights from successful Filipino entrepreneurs, network with fellow business owners, and immerse themselves in games and interactive booths. Attendees can also avail special discounts on Apple devices, accessories, and services they can use for their business.
The first day of Techpreneur (March 15) was graced by none other than Anna Isabelle H. Magalona-Go, founder and CEO of But First, Coffee Inc., a chain of coffee shops that support Filipino coffee farmers.
It was followed by a talk on Day 2 from Merphi Panaguiton, co-founder and Creative Director ofATOMM Studios, the Philippines’ first self-photography studio.
PMC has collaborated with leading e-wallet GCash to champion Techpreneur within its community. This initiative underscores both innovation and financial literacy as GCash representatives also conducted a brief talk to educate the participants about essential financial concepts, empowering them to make informed decisions especially when it comes to managing their business finances.
ATFX celebrates global unity, vision for the future
Broker ATFX recently hosted its annual thanksgiving dinner attended by over 600 employees from 21 locations worldwide together with ATFX education partner, SmarTrade.
Held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the event themed “Infinite Horizons, Limitless Potential” showcased the company’s expansive global presence and commitment to fostering international collaboration.
In his gala dinner speech, ATFX chairman Joe Li emphasized strategic expansions, regulatory achievements, and the crucial role of their global workforce in achieving new milestones.
“ We have gone past a very colorful journey, both geographically and operationally, with the setup of new offices in strategic locations around the globe. These new offices not only served as physical hubs for our operations but also symbolized our commitment to building stronger relationships with clients and partners in each of the local markets,” he said.
“As we continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the financial industry, I am confident that ATFX will remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence. Together, with your continued dedication and support, we will navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities that await us,” Li added.
The ATFX chairman also took the opportunity to introduce industry pioneer Drew Niv as the new chief strategy officer of ATFX Global. Niv is the founder and former CEO of broker FXCM and currently the CEO of TraderTools.