Eastern Communications Marks 30 Years of Philippine Internet, Leading Innovations and Inclusive Connectivity

Manila, Philippines — As the Philippines marks the 30th anniversary of the Internet in the country, Eastern Communications, a pioneering telecommunications company with a rich 145-year history, proudly celebrates this significant milestone alongside the nation. With a long-standing commitment to providing inclusive and reliable internet connectivity and ICT solutions, Eastern Communications reaffirms its dedication to being a Partner in Progress for every Filipino.

The internet's journey in the Philippines began on March 29, 1994. This significant step into the digital age was made possible through the collaborative efforts of private and government institutions. This groundbreaking achievement laid the groundwork for the Philippines to join the global internet community that transformed communication, education, and businesses across the nation.

Since the internet's inception in the Philippines, Eastern Communications has been at the forefront of technological innovation, ensuring that communities across the nation have access to the tools and resources needed to thrive in a digital age. As we celebrate three decades of internet connectivity, Eastern Communications is more committed than ever to delivering groundbreaking solutions that meet its customers' evolving needs.

"In a world where the internet has become a cornerstone of daily life, Eastern Communications is honored to have played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the Philippines," said Edsel Paglinawan, Vice President and Head of Product and Innovation of Eastern Communications. 

"Our journey over the last 145 years has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation. As we celebrate this milestone, we are excited to continue our mission of connecting Filipinos and empowering communities through advanced and reliable ICT solutions,” he added. 

Testament to this is the company’s continued expansion efforts and the completion of its latest Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) Express Route, a joint venture project of Eastern Communications, Globe Telecom, and Infinivan Inc., aimed to bridge the digital divide and foster a more connected society. 

Bolstering innovative solutions and sustainable digital transformation nationwide, Eastern has maintained longstanding partnerships with the Philippine Network Operators Group (PHNOG), alongside other digital and carrier organizations. 

Additionally, the telco actively engaged with Filipino communities, offering free internet access through the MNLKonek kiosks in Manila, and donating routers to universities and Mayon Volcano evacuees in Albay, Bicol, thus expanding support and connectivity to underserved areas.

"Eastern Communications’ vision extends beyond providing superior internet services. We are deeply committed to being an integral part of the nation’s progress, ensuring that every Filipino has the opportunity to benefit from the digital revolution," added Paglinawan

As Eastern Communications looks to the future, the company is excited to unveil new technologies and partnerships that will continue to shape the digital landscape of the Philippines. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and reliability, Eastern Communications is poised to lead the way in creating a more connected and digital Philippines for generations to come.

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

Salceda Challenges Deped: “Shape Up Instead of Pharsing Own Testing Results”

House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd District) urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to “shape up” and engage in serious and comprehensive efforts to reform the education system and improve learner outcomes, instead of “explaining away” the issue of functional and latent illiteracy, after an Inquirer article reported that 70,000 grade school students in Bicol "cannot read."

“Yung point ng DepEd, hindi naman daw “no-read, no-write” ang ibig sabihin nung “cannot read” sa sarili nilang evaluation. Most of us economists and policymakers already knew that anyway, just by reading the PISA 2018 report on the Philippines. What PISA says is only about 20 percent of 15 year-olds can use their reading, science, and mathematics skills in some useful manner.”

“By denying that there is no “epidemic” of illiteracy in the country, what DepEd is saying is wala namang delubyo, baha lang. How is that helpful?” Salceda said.

“Look, I am not faulting DepEd for this issue. Kaya nga systemic, kasi walang isang tao lang na may kasalanan. Faceless ang systemic issues. Pero yun na nga yung punto. Systemic yung problema. Hindi pwedeng retail problem-solving for a comprehensive problem. Lalong hindi pwedeng denying away the problem. None of that will work as effectively as just shaping up and admitting that we need to make radical changes.” Salceda said.

“Comprehensive problems require comprehensive solutions. That’s why I have been pushing for the Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda. We need to move towards a better model guided by the simple principle of Not Many But Much. No overloading of the curriculum. No overburdening of teachers. No student left behind.”

“We have models to guide us. The Finnish model, which is recognized as one of the best, if not the best in the world, is light on workload. It has fewer students per teacher. Everyone is trained to be a skilled worker – a hybrid of HUMSS and TESDA. And students are guaranteed free nutritious meals,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda is moving towards the characteristics of the Finnish model of education. HB 6231, or the Teacher Empowerment Act, aims to reduce teacher workload and to improve teacher training to improve the quality of teaching. HB 6247, or the K to 12 Reform Act, will deload the curriculum while enhancing technical and vocational education, improving the quality of learning materials, and correcting other issues in the current K to 12 system. HB 6287, or the Meister Schools Act, will set up schools specially catering to high-value technical skills. HB 6295, or the Universal Free School Meals Program, will guarantee access to free nutritious meals for schoolchildren from low-income households.

Salceda is also pushing for safer schools, financing for underserved schools, and a “Build, Build, Build” for education. The economist-lawmaker says he is filing all of the bills by end of February

“Big problems need big solutions. I urge the Department of Education to look at the Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda. We have enough time in Congress to begin deliberations on these reforms during the first half of the year. They will have to appear on the hearings anyway, so I strongly suggest that they study these reforms and make their recommendations as soon as they can,” Salceda said.

"Historic and Unprecedented”: Salceda files bill creating PH’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention

To set the foundations of the country’s health emergency response and prevention system, UN Global Champion for DRR and Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda filed the country’s first ever comprehensive health emergency mechanisms and policy framework, as House Bill No. 6096.

Apart from institutional and policy reforms necessary to expand the country’s health emergency response mechanisms, the bill also creates a Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which will prepare the country’s mitigation of and response to communicable diseases.

“My bill essentially lifts our communicable disease control and prevention units out of the depths of the DOH bureaucracy and into the more visible levels of decision-making and policymaking,” Salceda said. “Inahon ko yung communicable disease control kasi sa ngayon, nakabaon sa ilalim ng maraming agency, kaya hindi makagalaw ng maayos.”

“The hazards kasi will always be there - but they are rising and are more complex. We have always had to contend with microscopic enemies. But the risks have geometrically multiplied by our exposure: tropical climate, leading tourist destination (with 8.4 million in 2019), leading source of overseas labor (12 million OFWs in 2019), growing status as work destination for foreign workers (including 280,000 POGO workers).” Salceda explained.
“In a globalized world, borders are becoming more and more porous. But our mechanisms are still calibrated as if borders are only relevant as far as preventing trafficking of humans and goods are concerned. Hindi na sapat yan. Legal entry can no longer be automatically taken as safe for public health,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s bill creates the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as a separate agency under the supervision of the DOH and will be led by Executive Director with Undersecretary rank, but with broader policymaking, implementation, surveillance, disease control and prevention powers over communicable or infectious diseases. Such diseases are rapid-onset in nature, meaning the risks compound exponentially over time without early and decisive intervention.

The CDC would ensure that intervention is made at the earliest opportunity, having been lifted out of the depths of the bureaucracy.

The bill also creates a National Health Emergency Response Unit (NHERU) under the DEMB, which shall act as the frontline force in ground and surveillance operations of the CDC. This shall be a well-trained unit of first-responders.

“Kung naalala niyo yung mga naka-white protective gear during the Ebola crisis, that will be the function of NHERU. Parang special forces natin for disease control and prevention,” Salceda said.
Apart from these, the bill also provides for mechanisms for the declaration of the state of a public health emergency, a coordinating council for the same, and broader quarantine powers for the CDC.

The bill also makes quarantine misdeclarations perjurious, as it requires these declarations to be made under oath.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET FOR DPBC

“Naturally, the bill is very broad in scope. But the basic idea is: the current approach, the way we organize ourselves to confront outbreaks will no longer suffice, will not make us safer, will not convince our people to trust public institutions. But first things first, Congress should pass a supplemental budget to increase the budget of DPCB to P800 million, especially since it has been reduced from P263 million in 2019 to P115 million,” he added.

Salceda’s CDC bill is part of his office’s National Resilience Agenda, which includes the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience and the Taal Commission and TERRA Fund.

The bill also follows Salceda’s “Bill, Bill, Bill” agenda of comprehensive government reform, a commitment he made in an Aide Memoire to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on January 26.

RATIONALE OF THE CDC ACT 2020

1. The Philippines, with its tropical location, its large population, high rates of urbanization, a highly mobile and transborder population (with an estimated 10.4 million Filipinos overseas in 2019 and 3.4 million stock of OFW at any time), as a top tourist destination (with an estimated 8.4 million tourists in 2019), with 6,272,092 nationals going abroad in 2018 (2.3 million OFWs, 2.979 million as tourists, 980,772 for other reasons) for and increased numbers of foreign workers (with about 280,000 from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations alone) is especially prone to the increasingly globalized risks of communicable diseases. Many such diseases, including those we have eradicated already in the past, are emerging and reemerging, threatening the health and safety of the public.

2. Aside from porous borders, our lack of institutional capacity to implement comprehensive public health management programs, as well as the present orientation of border law enforcement towards smuggling of excisable products and the prevention of human trafficking and smuggling, but not towards public health protection, stymies the country’s ability to decisively address the risks of communicable disease.

3. Presence of hazards, our increased exposure to such hazards, and the lack of existing mechanisms and capacity to address them emphasize the national imperative for a framework for effective intervention.

4. Quick and decisive intervention will not come from the depths of the bureaucracy. There is a need for a high-level public institution imbued with the capacity, the competencies, the ecosystem, and the authority to confront these risks decisively and thus protect the public welfare and enable development to proceed amidst these rising risks

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CDC PROPOSAL (HB 6096)

1. Creation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as a separate agency under the control and supervision of the DOH, but with broader policymaking, implementation, surveillance, disease control and prevention powers including direct response over communicable or infectious diseases. Such diseases are rapid-onset in nature, meaning the risks compound exponentially over time without early and decisive intervention. The CDC would ensure that interventions are made at the earliest opportunity, having been lifted out of the depths of the bureaucracy.

2. The strategic focus of the new agency is RAPID and SUDDEN ONSET HEALTH HAZARDS AND EMERGING DISEASES, principally communicable diseases.

3. Separation of the Disease Control and Prevention Bureau of the DOH, with the CDC absorbing communicable disease units in a newly established Communicable Disease Prevention Bureau. This would solidify the delineation between communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control in the least organizationally-disruptive manner possible.

4. Absorption of the Epidemiology Bureau and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine into the CDC. This would strengthen the CDC’s disease control and prevention capacity.
5. Creation of the Disease Emergency Management Bureau (DEMB) to calibrate the CDC’s response to health emergencies.

6. Granting of broader quarantine powers to the Secretary of Health and the CDC

7. Creation of the Health Emergency Coordination Council, which shall coordinate national government response to health emergencies, and which shall declare the existence of a state of health emergency;

8. CDC thru the council may authorize the DOH and other responding agencies to a health emergencies to access the NDRRMF or authorize specific LGUs use calamity funds during a state of health emergency;

9. Broad health emergency powers to the HECC and the CDC including a redefinition of the relationship between the CDC and the Bureau of Quarantine during health emergencies;

10. A comprehensive health emergency management framework, including provisions for vaccination and treatment, isolation and quarantine, and disease surveillance;

11. The creation of a National Health Emergency Response Unit (NHERU) under the DEMB, which shall act as the frontline force in ground and surveillance operations of the CDC; This shall be a well-trained unit of first-responders.

12. A comprehensive framework for tracking public health emergencies;

13. A mandate for the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of Health to recommend beneficial agreements on exchange of health information with international organizations and with other countries.

SM Adopts Naga City in Disaster-Resilience Program

The Bicol region is known as a typhoon prone area, with typhoons from the Western North Pacific Ocean hitting the area numerous times throughout the year

To help Bicolanos, specifically residents of Naga City become more disaster resilient during typhoons and other calamities, the National Resilience Council (NRC) once again partnered with SM for its Adopt-A-City Program, a city-specific partnership model that will link the resources of private partners with the specific needs of the LGUs in establishing their resilient LGU systems.

SM, under the leadership of Hans Sy, was the first company to take part in the Adopt-A-City program to help Filipino communities. SM first “adopted” Cagayan de Oro City and recently committed to offer assistance to its second city, Naga in Bicol.

“We are hoping that through this initiative, we will be able to convince the private sector to help in corporate disaster resilience — as SM has already taken the lead — not as a CSR option but as part of their core business value cycle. SM has proven time and again that they are in the lead as far as this is concerned and through the vision of the ambassador and Mr. Sy, we’re now able to make this a reality,” said NRC president Toni-Yulo Loyzaga.

“As I have always emphasized, addressing disaster issues is not just the government’s responsibility but also has to include the initiative of the private sector. This is not only SM’s initiative alone — this should be all private sectors working together so I hope we can also take this opportunity to invite other private sectors to really invest in the cities that they have chosen,” said Hans Sy, NRC co-chair and the only Filipino board member of UNDRR ARISE.

ARISE, the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, is a network of private sector entities led by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The UN has developed Sustainable Development Goals, which are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it ís important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.

Also present during the signing to support a disaster-resilient Philippines were SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan, Carlos P. Romulo Foundation chairman Ambassador Roberto Romulo and Naga City mayor Nelson Legacion.

SM, which has more than 70 malls nationwide, continues to develop and support environment initiatives that help improve the quality of life of various local communities. SM monitors and implements mitigation measures for the efficient management of its resources, utilizes a daily water recycling system in the malls and has waste management and recycling programs in place.

For more information on how to adopt a city, visit the National Resilience Council website (https://resiliencecouncil.ph/). To know more about ARISE Philippines, you may contact its secretariat via email (arisephilippines@smprime.com) or check out https://cc.preventionweb.net/arise/asia_pacific/arise_philippines.

Chef Gene Gonzalez Shares Delightful Cooking Secrets and Family Dishes for King Sue’s Pre-Holiday Media Lunch at Café Ysabel

Internationally renowned Chef Gene Gonzalez cooks up traditional favorites and sumptuous innovations with a King Sue twist at his flagship ancestral home turned restaurant for King Sue’s Pre-Holiday Media Lunch on 4 September, Wednesday, at Café Ysabel, 175 M Paterno Street, San Juan, Metro Manila.

Chef Gene, who opened Café Ysabel at 23 and is now president of the pioneering Center for Asian Culinary Studies, pays tribute to King Sue products which have been a staple fare on the dining table as well as in his kitchen. “King Sue has been there at home ever since,” shares the author of “Cocina Sulipeña” and many other cookbooks.

He’d wake up to King Sue bacon for breakfasts as a student, enjoy Chinese ham during holiday festivities with the family, and rely on Chinese sausage for his Asian cooking and for his culinary school. “I also like their dried pork feet, which goes into my Spanish cooking and to my superior stock that gives my Chinese dishes authenticity,” he reveals.

“Rather than glaze a ham, you can braise it in a mix of vegetables and wine and the broken down vegetable puree acts as the sauce,” he confides. King Sue products are not only popularly available and dependable, they are also very versatile. “The dried pork feet are truly excellent for beans, fabada, and stews along with Spanish chorizos for Filipino-Spanish combinations.”
“The King Sue burgers can be redone with herbs to create meatball, while the luncheon meat has hundreds of applications as fillings for Vietnamese and German cooking,” enthused Chef Gene. But the best part of this, however, is that King Sue having withstood the test of time and changing markets, is also very reasonably priced for such top quality.

Hobby cooks and consultant could readily resort to King Sue when their or their client’s budgets get a bit tight so as to avoid sacrificing taste and flavor. Thus, the only Ten Outstanding Young Men Awardee for Culinary Arts, advised homemakers, chefs, and restaurateurs:

“Before you think deli items, take a second look at your King Sue products because they have great applications for reasonably priced ingredients with good quality.”

Indeed, King Sue is synonymous to quality. As a fifth generation business started in 1930 by Mr Cu Un Kay who began by selling whole leg Chinese hams in Chinatown. “The name comes from King, meaning ‘royalty,’ and Sue, meaning ‘small,’ shares Mr Richie King, VP for Marketing, “because my grandfather who is small in physical stature, has big dreams for his family.”

Thus, after 89 years, King Sue, which was incorporated in 1970, has diversified from whole leg hams to sausages and cold cuts to other meat products. “Today, the company boasts of a variety of quality meat products, ranging from traditional hams to smoked bacons and sausages, as well as traditional favorites tocino, longganisa, and sisig,” adds Mr King.

King Sue, however, continues to step up its game by reaching further into the high-end and more health conscious market. In 2019 it launches its Kaiser Deli Brand, which offers ultra-premium sausages, bacons, and hams for the most discriminating clients. All King Sue products are both GMP and HACCCP certified.

Maintaining quality and supplying the market demand are easy for the King Sue because everything’s made in house using state-of-the-art German equipment. “But, even with these high-tech machinery, preparation for the Christmas season starts in August for the whole bone Chinese hams,” confessed Mr King. “It takes a month to properly cure whole bone, which still needs to be smoked then cooked. It takes patience to perfect them.”

Major supermarkets—SM, Robinson’s, and Puregold—as well as hotels and restaurants from La Trinidad, Metro Manila, through Bicol carry King Sue products, which are distributed nationally through distribution partners.

“King Sue moves forward in 2019 with another milestone on top of its high-end line,” opens Ms Romana Go, VP for Human Resources, “by slowly converting to merit-based management. Although the company remains a family business, we’ve started hiring outside employees for key management positions—Of course, the recipes from our grandfather and the tradition of making hams remains a family secret.”

Chef Gene Gonzalez, who is the consultant responsible for the success of some 60 food establishments/businesses and a member of the London-based International Wine and Food Society, has personally witnessed the versatility of King Sue for all occasions and cooking needs.
Thus, Chef Gene’s world-class expertise and impeccable taste shares with us one of the secrets of his delicious traditional dishes at home, innovative meals at Café Ysabel, and creative recipes for the Center for Asian Culinary Studies: King Sue’s Chinese ham, bacon, and dried pork feet along with a delightful array of new meat products!

Every kitchen will surely take on a new level with by having King Sue as its old reliable partner for its meat needs. Without a doubt, King Sue products are as good for the holiday table as they are for exciting everyday meals, special dinner spreads, and catering needs not just this Christmas but through the years to come!

Albay Crawl, Historic Sites and Magayon -Arnold “Arnie” Alesna

Albay is one province with many hidden and known beauties, it bears beauty that is pure, basic and grand.  Albay has a certain charm that will sweep you off your feet and bring you to the time that was or give you a majestic feeling that is simply indescribable.  With fifteen  15 municipalities and three 3 cities, Albay bears so many things to see and experience. 

Governor Al Francis Bichara was a gracious host as he welcomed us to his place. Hospitality reflected on the people, from the people  and this was reflected by the people of the various local government units (Dept of Tourism and Dept of Agriculture) and that of Human Explore Travel and Tours.  The tour given to us was both informative and time worthy.  Tiring as it may be BUT truly worth every moment. Our gratitude to Ms. Dorothy Colle and her people from the Department of Tourism Provincial Division Region V – Albay, Ms. Che Rebeta of the Provincial Agriculture Department and Ms. Farah Sobremisana – owner partner of Pepperland Hotel.  They truly made our visit such a wonder thru their efforts and time generosity.

Albay is filled with old churches, old craft making, worthy places to go to, old houses, natural beauties and beautiful festivities.  With magnificent places around the majestic Mayon Volcano, if you do a whole 360 tour like the one we did ours, one would get to see this natural wonder in all its beauty.  Try to learn also the story behind this famous volcano and and unconver the Daragang Magayon mystery.

From the ruins of Cagsawa (with a average guest of 150pax per day) to the churches in Camalig, Ligao, Sto. Domingo and Daraga, to the calm Sumlang Lake and the historic Japanese caves in Quituinan Hills, to the traditional way of metal smiting in Tabaco, farms and various beautiful parks and landmarks all over Albay, you will never have a dull moment when you decide to do a full exploration of the province.  It is also filled of noteworthy food places that you could and should try out (story and review in another write-up).  Albay also has spring resorts with water source coming from near the volcano or underneath the ground making it cool or even cold depending on the time of the year – such resort is D’ Hacienda Spring and Nature Resort in Guinobatan, Albay.

For active people, I would highly recommend for you to try out the Japanese tunnels/caves in Quituinan Hills.  The trek is not that stressful but the crawling (should you be adventurous enough) is like having an archeological dig.  For historical buffs, try seeing the various churches of the different municipalities and compare notes in terms of its style and story behind it.  Should you wish to see various craftsmanship of the place, go to Sumlang Lake to see the woven beauties of Albay, the metal smiting of Tabaco, pottery shops in Tiwi and pili delicacy making in Legazpi.  Don’t forget to visit the various farms in the province that show the resiliency of the people as reflected in their farms – some of them are IG worthy too.

Experience Albay and, you get to see this natural beauty in all its grandeur.  With clouds or without, Mayon will surely captivate you may it be morning, noon, mid afternoon or sunset.  With its romantic yet tragic story behind this beauty, you will definitely want to be welcomed by it every time you are in the said province.

Albay is truly beautiful! The people reflect their place and the place live through its people.