Eastern Communications Leads PH Market as a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner Under Cisco 360 Partner Program Framework

Eastern Communications has been officially recognized by Cisco as a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner, placing the Philippines’ pioneer telecommunications and ICT solutions provider among the first in the Philippines to earn the designation ahead of the global rollout of the Cisco 360 Partner Program in January 2026. The designation is given to partners that demonstrate advanced technical capability, strong lifecycle practices, and deep customer engagement. This recognition marks a strategic milestone for Eastern Communications as it strengthens its role in the country’s rapidly evolving, AI-enabled digital economy.

The Cisco 360 Partner Program, considered the company’s most significant partner transformation in 25 years, introduces new specializations, incentives, and bonuses that place greater weight on value delivery and specialized expertise. 

With the needs of customers evolving in the AI era, the program’s evolution connects partner success to how they meet customer needs and ambitions, rewarding partners for driving profitable growth through lifecycle value creation, managed services, software adoption, and renewals.  Cisco partners that have achieved advanced technical expertise, invested deeply in customer engagement, and built foundational practices are designated as Cisco Preferred Partners.

“On behalf of Eastern, we are incredibly proud of our entire team's relentless drive for innovation. This recognition and new designation as Cisco’s Preferred Networking Partner signifies a validation of the quality and strategic relevance of our product roadmap, positioning us to deliver even more advanced, high-impact solutions to our customers,” said Edsel Paglinawan, Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer.

By achieving this distinction ahead of the formal rollout, Eastern Communications signals that it is not only prepared for the next era of enterprise technology, it is already operating in it.

Strengthened capabilities, long-standing collaboration

Eastern Communications’ early elevation is an outcome of its continuous investment in its technical workforce, lifecycle service maturity, and innovation-led solutions across cybersecurity, cloud, networking, and managed connectivity. For customers, this means faster deployment, stronger security outcomes, and more consistent end-to-end service delivery supported by deeper access to Cisco expertise and AI-ready architectures. These efforts have also shaped its long-standing relationship with Cisco, which began in 2020 and has since yielded industry recognition such as Top Small Business Partner of the Year (2021) and Breakthrough Partner of the Year (2024).

Beyond commercial success, Eastern Communications, in its role as a Cisco Partner, has supported the local business community through Eastern Communications’ thought leadership program — Access Eastern — which equips organizations with insights to navigate digital transformation, AI integration, and security challenges.   

Raising the bar as businesses adopt AI

As enterprises accelerate their shift toward AI-enabled operations, the Cisco 360 Partner Program emphasizes partners capable of delivering bundled, high-impact solutions that match emerging customer needs. Eastern Communications’ Preferred Networking Partner status affirms its ability to support organizations through these shifts, both with advanced technical skill and a service philosophy rooted in “High Tech” and “High Touch.”

The recognition directly supports Eastern Communications’ 2025 commitment to exceeding expectations, reinforcing its direction to offer secure, future-proof solutions while maintaining the personalized support that sets it apart in the industry.

With more than 145 years of service, the telco provider continues to expand its role as a trusted technology partner for businesses nationwide as it empowers organizations with the expertise, infrastructure, and guidance needed to thrive in a fast-changing digital landscape.

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ solutions, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

Bossjob Launches New features to Provide Better Job-Hunting Experience for SEA Talents for 2024

06 February 2024 - Bossjob, the chat-first career platform revolutionizing professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), is making career opportunities even more within reach for talents as they introduce new features to enable them to access jobs from abroad and remote work opportunities easily.

The hiring platform has officially launched a new feature allowing recruiters from around the world to connect with talent across parts of Asia, including the Philippines. Employers can now post their job openings globally on the Bossjob website by selecting the 'International' option and targeting specific countries where they seek top talent. 

This feature not only facilitates outsourcing and remote team setups but also helps establish employer presence in previously unsupported regions. With the new feature, Bossjob aims to help companies reduce recruitment costs and streamline their cross-border hiring processes.

Bossjob's new feature comes particularly timely in helping employers seize opportunities to attract top talent. It is anticipated that individuals will be reassessing their career paths at the start of 2024. The start of a new year typically serves as a period for introspection and the setting of resolutions, leading many to reevaluate their professional aspirations and strive to begin the year on a positive note. 

Moreover, Bossjob particularly sees the importance of making these job opportunities more accessible to Filipinos. The Philippines Freelance Market 2022 Report suggested many Filipinos thrive as freelancers, benefitting from overseas freelancing opportunities.

Meanwhile, the platform has also launched the remote jobs section, making it easier for talents to scroll around the opportunities that best suit them. Job seekers can easily go to the "Remote Jobs" section of the Bossjob website and check hundreds of remote job positions across various industries, including information technology, customer service, human resources, sales, finance, manufacturing, banking, and healthcare.

Bossjob CEO Anthony Garcia says the company hopes to bring opportunities not only closer but more accessible to more Filipinos.

“With our new international feature and dedicated remote jobs section, we're not just expanding horizons, but we're actively dismantling barriers to global employment and fostering a more inclusive, accessible job market. At Bossjob, we believe that a great career should be accessible to everyone, everywhere, and our latest features are a significant step towards making that belief a reality,” Garcia said.

Preference for remote work among job seekers continues to rise

Starting in Q3 of 2023, Bossjob began supporting hybrid and remote job opportunities, leading to a significant increase in such listings. The number of jobs posted in these categories has since doubled, underscoring a growing trend in the employment market. 

Key industries embracing this trend include Information Technology (IT), sales, and emerging web3 sectors. Remote roles in high demand range from sales representatives and accountants to administrative assistants and business development managers.

The introduction of these flexible work options has led to a substantial increase in job seeker

interest. Bossjob reports a sevenfold rise in the number of candidates seeking remote or hybrid work arrangements, with about 32% of its over 3 million active job seekers exploring these options.

The preference for remote work extends across various job categories, with customer service representatives (CSR), entry-level jobs, and IT roles being particularly sought after.

In addition to increased demand, Bossjob's data shows salaries for hybrid work arrangements are equally attractive to those opportunities that require people to work on-site. For instance, remote CSR roles offer an average salary of Php 29,000, compared to the Php 27,000 average pay for on-site positions.

Bossjob's expansion to supporting remote and hybrid work opportunities reflects a broader global trend and demonstrates the platform's commitment to evolving with the changing job market dynamics.

"In a rapidly evolving job market, Bossjob is at the forefront of the shift towards a project-based economy in the Philippines. Our data shows not just a trend but a reflection of a deeper change in work preferences. As we continue to champion this shift, Bossjob remains committed to connecting talent with forward-thinking employers, reshaping the workforce for a more dynamic and adaptable future,” Garcia said.

With a growing presence in Asia, including the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, Bossjob aims to reach over 30 million users in SEA by 2026. As part of its efforts to expand its global market, it has started offering free services this year.

To know more about how to welcome the new year with a new career win, visit the Bossjob website at https://bossjob.com/.

PLDT, Smart Vow to Continue Transforming Lives with SWEEP

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart celebrated its 20th year promoting technology and innovation with the Philippines’ colleges and universities with the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).

“We recognize how conscious today’s youth are of the world they live in. They want to have a hand in shaping their own future and that of the world’s. We hope to help them reach these goals through SWEEP,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.

By promoting a culture of innovation among schools and universities and encouraging more Filipino students to get into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math or STEM and ICT-related courses, SWEEP also aims to bring long-lasting impact to communities through technology.

SWEEP also paved the way for Innovation Generation (InnoGen), an innovation grant program for tech-savvy college and senior high school students who strive to become digital changemakers.

Team SenOptica from Talavera Senior High School in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, one of the winners from InnoGen’s latest season, shared how present and emerging technologies led them to develop their product, a wearable sensor-based assistive device for people with visual impairment.

"Their stories became the driving force behind our human-centric approach to innovation, emphasizing the importance of empathy in our work. It was in these moments that we realized that innovation is not just about technology; it's about understanding the needs of the people we aim to serve,” said 18-year-old Angel Hannah Rayo, SenOptica Developer.

“PLDT and Smart helped us transform our idea into a real-world solution that could truly make a difference in people's lives, especially for people with visual impairment,” she added.

22-year-old Prince Ramirez of Wesleyan University Philippines also shared how PLDT, and Smart enabled them to develop TARALIBOT to bring long-lasting impact.

“TARALIBOT aims to empower local and indigenous merchants, who often lack marketing resources, by giving them an online platform and helping them reach a larger audience to bridge this gap. We hope to bring change where local business are given equal opportunities to thrive in the digital economy,” said Prince.

Through the years, the PLDT Group has underscored the value of inclusive learning and industry-academe linkages like SWEEP, particularly to promote STEM education in the country. This commitment also supports UNSDG #4: Quality Education and is aligned with the vision of the Philippine Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). As one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure pillar of PSAC, PLDT aims to help narrow the digital divide by creating more STEM experts and upskilling more Filipinos toward jobs of the future.

PLDT, Smart Mark 20th Year with SWEEP, Inspiring Youth on Tech and Innovation

PLDT and Smart forge ahead in guiding youth towards the future of technology and innovation. 

Demonstrating its commitment towards academic and professional excellence, the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program or SWEEP, the first and longest-running industry-academe linkage in the Philippines, is now on its 20th year. 

 

“When we launched SWEEP or the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program in 2003, our dream was to make bold changes in the industry, by promoting a culture of innovation in schools and by encouraging more Filipino students to get into STEM and ICT-related courses,” said Cathy Yap-Yang, FVP and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart. 

 

SWEEP has become an avenue for long-term learning and discovery about technology as a catalyst for growth and development among the youth. 

 

“We continue to work closely with the country’s leading colleges and universities. We have likewise succeeded in producing industry-ready graduates to meet the increasingly digital demands of our customers, our communities, and our country,” said Roderick S. Santiago, Head of Network at PLDT and Smart. 

  

SWEEP has become an avenue for long-term learning and discovery about technology as a catalyst for growth and development among the youth. 

   

“We believe that continuous learning and exposure to emerging technologies, through SWEEP, can equip the youth towards finding innovative solutions that can help create positive impact for present and future generations,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.   

  

To officially celebrate SWEEP’s two decades and the program’s milestones, the PLDT Group has just concluded a learning and networking summit called SWEEP@20 and beyond, for its partner schools this month.    

  

Providing a peek into the future, the PLDT Group has discussed more about how 5G, AI or artificial intelligence, XR or extended reality, cloud computing, and advanced networks can help create a sustainable and more inclusive world for all Filipinos and leave no one behind. 

   

Through the years, the PLDT Group has underscored the value of inclusive learning and industry-academe linkages like SWEEP, particularly to promote STEM education in the country. This commitment also supports UNSDG #4: Quality Education and is aligned with the vision of the Philippine Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). As one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure pillar of PSAC, PLDT aims to help narrow the digital divide by creating more STEM experts and upskilling more Filipinos toward jobs of the future. 

Inside look at IT: What it’s like working in the thriving industry

MANILA, Philippines — While many believe it is too idealistic to have a good workplace culture and great compensation, many jobseekers greatly consider these two factors when applying for a job, according to two studies. The 2021 Employee Experience Survey by Willis Towers Watson reported that 89% of respondents believe a positive employee experience is a key driver of engagement, while a 2023 survey from online recruitment platform JobStreet found that 53% of Filipino job seekers would like to know the salary range offered while still in the recruitment process.

Aside from great benefits and compensation, employees in the IT industry pointed out that a good work culture and environment as well as training programs are the top priorities of jobseekers.

Lesther, who specializes in securing networks from vulnerabilities, noted that training programs are important as trends are continuously evolving and IT professionals need to keep up in order to be efficient. Steph, a software solutions engineer, echoed this, adding that since the industry is highly competitive and fast-paced, getting equipped with the right skills and knowledge is important. Grace, a malware researcher, said that one advantage in the IT field is that since it’s a broad industry, there is always so much to learn and room for improvement.

Yondu, the top IT solutions company wholly owned by Globe, offers all of these—great benefits and compensation, a good working environment, and training programs to Yondudes, a nickname for its employees. 

Competitive pay and benefits are not a problem for Yondu as the company ensures this through regular benchmarking of market data and best practices. There are also tailor-fitted rewards programs according to talent segments.

Yondu also ensures their employees remain competitive and well-equipped by industry standards through a variety of training, reskilling and upskilling programs offered to hone their skills in the constantly changing tech industry. Despite the fast-paced sector continuously evolving, Yondu still values work-life balance and offers programs to further support Yondudes’ well-being. 

Vanessa Liwanag, Business Development Director at Yondu, acknowledged the company’s role in her growth, “Yondu has helped me develop my leadership, decision-making, and communication skills through its effective leadership training programs. The company also helped me grow personally because of its hybrid setup. This allows me to have a work-life balance. I can still take care of my family and my health while simultaneously contributing to the organization.”

“What sets Yondu apart from other organizations is its genuine focus on understanding and supporting its employees,” said Javen Babac, Lead Application Support Specialist at Yondu. “The company recognizes that employees perform their best when they feel valued and supported, and this philosophy sets Yondu apart by fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. The organization's commitment to understanding its employees and providing the necessary resources demonstrates its dedication to employee well-being and sets a strong foundation for professional growth and job satisfaction.”

Join Yondu’s growing team and find out more about Yondu’s managed IT services by visiting www.yondu.com, following them on their social media platforms, and subscribing to their newsletter.

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About Yondu

Yondu, Inc is a top IT solutions provider wholly owned by Globe. It empowers businesses through secure, scalable, and innovative technology solutions, supporting Globe Group’s commitment to uplifting Filipino lives, transforming enterprises, and building a digital nation. The company prides itself on its transformative business solutions, including Custom Software Development, eCommerce Solutions, Cloud Services, Managed IT Services, and Ready-to-Use Platforms. Yondu leverages its highly skilled workforce and over 20 years of experience in the industry to boost its synergies with Globe and contribute significantly to the success of enterprises across various industries.

IPv6 and 5G Technology to Feature in the 4th Internet of Things Summit 2019

Manila, Philippines, The biggest Internet experts gathering will convene at the 4th IoT Summit PH which is co-located with the 2nd IPv6 + 5G Global Summit on a two-day event in Manila on September 18-19, 2019 at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City.

The co-located events is made possible in collaboration with Internet Things (IoT) Summit PH, IPv6 Forum Philippines and the IEEE 5G . It will showcase tech-based companies and start-ups at the exhibits while also offering professionals and participants the chance to meet and talk with international tech experts at the conference proper.
This year, the 4th IoT Exhibition and conference will focus on 5G and IPv6 implementations, deployment strategies, and challenges met among participating countries. The speakers are 5G and IoT experts coming from Asia & Europe headed by the President of the Global IPv6 Forum and IEEE 5G IoT, Mr. Latif Ladid.

Devices and services enabled by IoT is expected to hit a major surge as the tech world and researchers work around the impending saturation of IPv4 address, as more and more smart gadgets connect to the internet daily. The development of 5G networks together with the IPv6 is expected to push international tech innovators to deploy new ways of accessing the internet and implementing IoT services.

The IoT Summit Ph is an annual gathering of tech-based entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals where they scout for exciting new ventures and development in cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of competition and prepare for new business horizons.

“5G over IoT will power the next internet. With the implementation and deployment of IPv6, the network infrastructure will benefit the global connectivity and it’s a good start for the Philippines as we are being valued by our global alliance in this initiative to make the Philippines ready for the future” said Medel Ramirez, President of IPv6 Forum Philippines.

“We also want to present the importance of 5G in of Internet of Things, it is more than a technology but it is a backbone for IoT applications such as Virtual Reality, Smart Cities, Smart Homes and others” according to Elaine Cedillo added, the Founder and Project of IoT Summit Philippines.
“5G will become mainstream, and businesses need to start now with developing and reimagining services and products to leverage 5G's superior capabilities and that includes the IoT deployment, Cedillo added.

The 4th IoT Summit PH is organized by Redwizard Events Technology, in partnership with IEEE 5G IoT and IPv6 Forum Philippines and supported by PLDT Enterprise.
This year, IoT Summit PH will also conduct network engineering workshops previously offered abroad in partnership with Sixcape.. The training is comparable to Cisco CCNA, but all related to IPv6.

IoT and IPv6 + 5G Global Summit aims to promote and empower IoT ecosystem and 5G Adaptation in the Philippines. Interested participants can take advantage of the Early bird rate promos and discounts for groups or corporate, and are also available for a limited time.
For more info, you may visit their website at http://iotsummit.ph. You can also check out, http://philv6forum.org/ or https://www.ieee.org. For further inquiries, you may contact the Redwizard Events Secretariat at (02) 2189023 or at 09209734926 and 09179048777.

IoT and IPv6 5G Global Summit this September in Manila!

The leading IOT event in Manila is returning with its new home SMX Aura on September 18 to 19 for its global 2019 edition and it’s set to welcome The Philippine IPv6 Forum and Global IPv6 Forum, based in Luxembourg. Attracting senior decision-makers from major companies, the event will bring together attendees from different industries to explore the entire enterprise technology ecosystem across IOT, IOT 5G, and IPv6. Over the two days, there will be 2 co-located events, conference tracks with industry-leading speakers from Europe, North America and Asia sharing their use-cases and experiences to our country. In addition to the expert discussions, the event will host an exhibition of different companies and startups showcasing the latest technology and innovations.

With the theme “Converge. Digitize. Connect“ on September 18-19, 2019 at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig City.

We would like to also extend the invitation to your employees to attend the IOT Summit Conference that focuses on exploring and elucidating all facets of the next generation of IPv6, IPv6-based 5G technology, business and societal gaps and challenges between the current 3G-4G-LTE access-only Internet models and its proper technology vision, evolutionary or revolutionary, to go beyond just access by embracing and facilitating the upfront integration of all new technologies (IOT, SDN/NFV,  Cloud Computing, ..) to be user-transparent, app-oriented, service-ready, ubiquitous and lowest cost.

Our very own local IPv6 experts, technical users, policymakers and decision-makers will gather in the Summit. And some of the worldwide IPv6 pillars and 5G experts have been invited and attracted to share their state-of-the-art knowledge in the new and emerging IPv6-based 5G environment in various countries around the world in view of facilitating the worldwide harmonization of research and best industry practices for the adoption and deployment of viable user scenarios in the global IPv6-based 5G ecosystem.  Together in this   Summit,  Global IEEE 5G-IoT Summit will be collocated and to be led by the Founder and President of the Global IPv6 Forum, Luxembourg, Latif Ladid. With him is the IEEE 5G Technical sub-committee which is supporting technically this Summit.

We have an exclusive promo just for you! Buy four (4) tickets get one (1) for free! This promo is for Students, Professors, Corporate and LGU employees! 

Rates are as follows:

These are the inclusions:

✔️ 2 Day Conference Access

✔️ Free Exhibit Hall Pass

✔️ 2 Certificate of Attendance

✔️ Conference Kit

This is event is supported by DICT and Institute of Electronics Communication Engineers of the Philippines and Foundation and Radio Engineers Circle.