PLDT
Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub reach 10 million engaged learners globally since announcing digital skills initiative

More than 1.5 million people across 21 markets in Asia Pacific reached, including 53,000 in the Philippines
Last week, Microsoft Corp. announced the progress made since launching its ambitious global skills initiative aimed at helping 25 million people worldwide gain more digital skills in 2020.
In the three months since the launch of the initiative, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub have reached 10 million learners in 231 countries and territories through opportunity.linkedin.com. Across 21 markets in Asia Pacific, there have been close to 1,552,000 learners reached through the initiative. Philippines ranked 27th globally in its skilling progress, having reached close to 53,000 learners. Globally, the most popular in-demand learning paths are Software Developer, Customer Service Specialist, and Data Analyst.
“COVID-19 has accelerated the need for upskilling and transformed the future of work for communities in the Philippines. Addressing and closing the skills gap is an urgent task, key to inclusive economic recovery, and digital transformation. While we are close to the halfway point of our goal to help 25 million people globally—and making meaningful headway here in the Philippines—we continue to strive in our commitment to drive societal progress and help improve lives of people by advancing their capabilities and expertise. We’re thankful to our collaborators and partners in this effort for helping us ensure the sustainability of these programs and scale up their impact to Filipinos nationwide,” said Microsoft Philippines Country General Manager Andres Ortola.
Translating this global initiative in the Philippines is a strategic imperative within Microsoft’s nation-building agenda for the country. That agenda, known as its Para sa Bayan program, ultimately aims to positively impact 25 million Filipinos over the next three years by stimulating digital transformation, building coalitions for responsible innovation, closing the skills gap and enhancing employability, and creating sustainable societal impact. Within this greater effort are strategic programs and partnerships aimed towards students, government agencies, private organizations, communities, and associations.

Larger size MS Skills
In partnership with the Department of Education (DEPED), over 20 million public-school students from K-12, junior high and senior high will be given Microsoft 365 accounts to enable their online learning experience. As of last Friday, October 2, 2020, 18.5 million accounts had been successfully rolled out in time for the opening of the new school year this week. Microsoft will continue to support DEPED’s efforts with training and teacher enablement for 48,000 schools in the coming months.
To close the skills gap of Filipino workers and enhance employability, Microsoft recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Information & Communication Technology (DICT) to upskill government employees with digital literacy. In addition to this, programs in collaboration with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) and even organizations that have experienced retrenchments in recent months such as ABS CBN, are also currently underway.
More information on the progress made can be found via the LinkedIn article by Ryan Roslansky, CEO, LinkedIn. For more information on the global skills initiative, log on to the Microsoft microsite news.microsoft.com/skills.
PLDT
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort Delivers Stronger Connections with PLDT Enterprise

PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of largest fully integrated telco in the country, recently partnered with one of the most premiere resorts in Cebu, the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, to deliver robust and reliable connections for their customers and their hotel experience.
“At PLDT and Smart, we are all about providing customer-focused digital innovations. That is why we are honored to provide world-class Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort with unparalleled connectivity that is at par with their mission of giving a luxurious experience to its guests,” says PLDT Customer Relationship Management Head, Kent De La Calzada.
“One of the highlights of the partnership is that the resort is now powered by PLDT’s Dedicated Internet Access service, or iGate–a service that provides businesses with guaranteed bandwidth as well as reliable and managed connectivity to the Internet.” This will positively impact the resort’s operations in terms of easier and faster transactions and communication for staff, and better service and connectivity for guests, especially for business travelers.
Other connectivity solutions that are in place at Sheraton Cebu Mactan are the PLDT SIP Trunks, powered by fiber technology, which will provide quality and stable incoming and outgoing voice calls, and SMART Postpaid, powered by the latest Smart 5G network, for the mobile communication of the employees.
There is also Smart Broadband which will be provided for guests traveling from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. All these efforts align with Sheraton’s vision of being the best welcoming resort destination in the Philippines.
“We value the time our guests spend with us at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, and indeed, part of that guest experience is connectivity,” says Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, General Manager at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort. “We want them to feel connected while staying with us–be it at the hotel and the world-class services we provide or simply to each other and their loved ones back at home.”
“With our partnership with PLDT, we are confident that we can bring that deep sense of togetherness and that unique Cebuano hospitality we are known for to all our guests,” adds Ray. G. Manigsaca, President and CEO of AppleOne Properties, Inc.
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort is a 261-room premium resort property at Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu City, a 30-minute drive from Mactan International Airport.
Digicon
#PHDigicon2022: “When I think about BOUNDLESS, I think that’s Magic Johnson!”

Philippine Digital Convention 2022 headline speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson talked about his journey from being an NBA Hall of Famer to philanthropist and businessman
After two years of holding the country’s most prestigious and one of the most sought-after thought leadership events in the Asia-Pacific Region virtually, Enterprise held the Philippine Digital Convention (PH Digicon) last October 27-28, 2022, face-to-face at the Marriott Grand Ballroom with a simultaneous broadcast online.
Highlighting the 2-day convention was the live interview with the legendary basketball icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson who strongly relates to the PH Digicon 2022 theme of BOUNDLESS. Hosted by PLDT Group Corporate Communications Head, Cathy Yap-Yang, Johnson fondly shares, “When I think about Boundless, I think that’s Magic Johnson!”
Raising awareness
In 1991, Johnson officially retired from his basketball career following the announcement of his diagnosis with HIV. In the same year, he founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations around the world today, which serves as a single-disease organization that works to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs.
Looking back, Johnson recalls the stigma and discrimination that used to rule the disease and how people talked in “hushed voices”. Now, people can openly talk about and discuss HIV/AIDS–all in the name of raising awareness of the disease.
Johnson’s ‘retirement’ didn’t hold him back to do what he loves most when he came back to play in the 1992 All-Star Game and won the All-Star MVP Award. He was also a part of the ‘Dream Team’ that won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona during the 1992 Olympics.
“When I look at our team and our achievements, we changed the world when it comes to the NBA and when it came to basketball,” he says. “What we were able to accomplish in Barcelona, the way that the world accepted us, we’ve never seen anything like it. We won the gold medal, but we changed the game of basketball around the world forever. And I am happy to be part of that.”
Raising the next generation of entrepreneurs
Johnson is also the founder and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a global empire with a wide range of business endeavors that range from sports ownership, food service, to media and entertainment. He may have come a long way from bringing coffee shops and cinemas into Urban America, but he remains committed to his mission of creating jobs and opportunities for minorities and women-owned firms. When asked about retirement, the NBA Hall of Famer laughingly replied, “I am not built to slow down. I am a worker; I love to work, [and I bring] passion to my job every day.”
To prepare the next generation of dreamers and entrepreneurs, the NBA Hall of Famer, businessman, and philanthropist advised them about having a positive attitude despite setbacks, the importance of believing in one’s self, and having mentors–a role that he continues to play for many businesses, athletes, and his fans.
“My life is boundless. When I think of my journey, that’s the word I would use. I did everything that was not supposed to be done. When I think about boundless, I think that’s Magic Johnson! I was the first to go through a lot of doors, a man of color. Trust me, you can do it. Everybody out there, you can do it, you can have it, you can go do it, it’s all up to you.”
30 years later, after countless successful ventures, he shared, “Today, Magic’s court is the business world.”
For more information, visit https://pldtenterprise.com/.
PLDT
PLDT reinforces PH as Next Hyperscale Hub in Southeast Asia at Telecoms World Asia

The PLDT Group bolsters its mission to help make the Philippines Southeast Asia’s next hyperscale hub. At the recent Telecoms World Asia conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, PLDT Enterprise’s Asia-Pacific Regional Head, Jeff Mendoza, emphasized the critical role played by PLDT in creating the digital infrastructure required by the country’s transformation into a regional hyperscale powerhouse.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed unprecedented digital adoption in the region, especially in the Philippines,” says Mendoza. “Google’s latest e-Conomy SEA report shows the Philippines as the frontrunner in Southeast Asia with its digital economy expected to be sustained at a CAGR of 20% through 2025.”
PLDT’s efforts to help drive the Philippines as the next hyperscale hub is guided by an even bigger mission to help build a sustainable future for Filipinos. PLDT remains dedicated to its efforts and initiatives that strongly support UNSDG No. 9: ‘Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation’.
-
VIVO2 weeks ago
Celebrate 2023 with vivo Smartphones and Get Exclusive Freebies at vivo Concept Stores or Kiosks! #VivoY22s #vivoY35 #vivoV25e #vivoV25 #vivoV25Pro
-
Globe2 weeks ago
Globe’s 5G network expands to 237 sites in VisMin, Connects more Consumers and Businesses #Globe5G #VisMin
-
ASUS3 weeks ago
8 Reasons Why Choose the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED as your Next Laptop
-
Globe4 weeks ago
Globe’s Non-Telco Revenues Jump 101% #GlobeTelecom
-
Vertiv2 weeks ago
Vertiv’s Liebert® itON-SOHO UPS: The Best Tech Gift to Buy for Yourself #Vertiv
-
Honor3 weeks ago
HONOR X9a 5G Ultra Tough Premium OLED Curved Screen to Launch on January 19
-
VIVO3 weeks ago
#vivo dominates the Top 10 Best Performing Flagship Phones by Antutu for December 2022 #vivoX90Pro #iQOO11Pro
-
VIVO3 weeks ago
Usher in a Prosperous New Year with vivo’s Powerful and Reliable Smartphones #vivoV25 #vivoY35 #vivoY22s #vivoChristmasParoleta2022 #vivoChristmasRaffleWin2022 #PaskongLavivoLoca