delaware Philippines Marks a Decade of Digital Transformation Excellence

 

From left to right: Peter Oyserman, Founder at delaware International; Rosette Carrao, Partner and Managing
Director at delaware Philippines; Simone Pigason, Senior Vice President for Customer Success at delaware Philippines; Xavier Van Moen, CIO at delaware International.

delaware Philippines, a global leader in advanced ICT solutions and services, proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of excellence since its inception in 2014. During a recent media briefing, company leaders reflected on a decade of impactful service, celebrating the milestones that have solidified its position as a key player in the digital transformation landscape.

 

Since its establishment, delaware Philippines has continuously evolved its business model to support critical industries such as Real Estate, Utilities, and Food and Beverage. With a steadfast commitment to "we commit, we deliver," the organization focuses on transforming businesses into agile, intelligent, and sustainable enterprises using cutting-edge digital technologies. This approach underscores delaware's dedication to driving innovation and excellence across sectors. Additionally, the company employs expert Filipino SAP consultants at its global delivery center in the Philippines, providing exceptional services to delaware companies across Europe.

 

 

 "We at delaware Philippines take immense pride in being a pivotal force in driving digital transformation across the nation. Our commitment to excellence as a trusted ICT solutions provider empowers us to support the growth of the country’s leading corporations and shape a brighter, more innovative future together,” said Rosette Carrao, Partner and Managing Director of delaware Philippines.

 

Strategic partnerships and milestones

A cornerstone of delaware Philippines’ success is its strategic partnership with SAP, exemplified by its recognition as the Best GROW Partner of SAP for the Philippines during the SAP Southeast Asia Partner Success Summit 2024. This milestone highlights the company’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional, client-centric solutions.

 

Building on this foundation, delaware Philippines has collaborated with leading organizations such as Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD), Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), Aboitiz GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (AGMCAC), Monde Nissin, ACEN, and PNB Holdings Corporation. Through these partnerships, the company has harnessed SAP to drive operational transformation and progress across key sectors.

 

Further solidifying its leadership, delaware Philippines, represented by Partner and Managing Director Rosette Carrao, was honored as part of the IBPAP IT-BPM TechBlazer of the Year Circle of Excellence Honorees at the prestigious Asia CEO Awards 2024. This recognition underscores the company’s pivotal role in shaping the Philippines' economic growth, advancing the IT and Business Process Management sectors, and driving global competitiveness.

 

Empowering People Through Diversity and Inclusion

In terms of diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement, delaware Philippines is deeply committed to empowering its workforce. With women holding 75% of leadership roles and achieving a 46% women-to-men ratio—nearly a perfect Gender Parity Index of one—the company firmly believes that the most innovative ideas emerge from collaboration across diverse perspectives.

 

Moreover, delaware Philippines has been officially Certified™ by Great Place to Work® for the period of November 2024 to November 2025, a prestigious recognition based solely on employee feedback. With 92% of employees affirming that it’s a great place to work—65% higher than the national average—delaware Philippines stands out as a leader in fostering exceptional workplace culture.

 

Reflecting on this, Senior Vice President for Customer Success at delaware Philippines Simone Pigason, stated, “Our commitment to diversity isn’t just about meeting quotas—it’s about fostering an environment where every voice is heard, leading to better innovation and stronger connections with our clients. This approach has been instrumental in earning the trust of the companies we serve.” She added, “As we advance the quality of our services, we believe the best is yet to come.”

 

Celebrating a decade of success

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the company hosted a gala night titled “Yugto: A Celebration of a Decade of Success.” The event recognized employees who contributed to the company’s achievements, as well as partners and customers who propelled delaware Philippines forward in its journey of digital transformation. Held on November 27, the celebration marked a decade of innovation and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to excellence in the IT sector.

 

As delaware Philippines looks toward the future, the company remains steadfast in its mission to transform businesses while creating an inclusive and empowering environment for its people. True to its core values of Commitment, Entrepreneurship, Care, Team Spirit, and Respect, delaware Philippines will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, helping businesses evolve into intelligent enterprises while nurturing a space that champions diversity, innovation, and shared success.

 

Teachers Always Matter: REX and PEAC Reaffirm Commitment to the Teaching Profession, Launch Year 4 of Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan

 The education sector needs the best and brightest to lead the way. With this vision, Rex Education and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) united in 2020 to launch the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, a scholarship program dedicated to championing and advancing teacher education by inspiring top learners to pursue the teaching profession.

Four years later, the mission remains steadfast: to cultivate the country's brightest minds into champions of education—integral members of the Edukampyon community. Teachers, being closest to learners, are the ultimate Edukampyons, wielding the power to significantly impact Filipino learners and guiding them toward creating a better future for themselves, society, and nation.

On Teachers’ Day, October 5, Rex Education and PEAC reaffirmed this commitment with the formal launch of Year 4 of the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, in a virtual event titled “A Commitment for the Future of the Teaching Profession: PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan Year 4 Launch.”

“I am deeply grateful and excited to be celebrating yet another meaningful milestone with all of you. Parang ang bilis ng panahon. I can hardly believe we are already launching the fourth year of our PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan Program,” said Don Timothy Buhain, Chief Executive Officer of RexEducation and Co-Chair of the scholarship program, during his keynote.

In his speech, Buhain highlighted the pressing need for meaningful change in the quality of education in the country, especially in light of the recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 rankings, where Filipino learners ranked 77th out of 81 countries. This alarming statistic underscores the need for education stakeholders—parents, school administrators, teachers, academic publishers, government, the whole nation—to intensify their initiatives, deepen their actions, and unite in uplifting education in the country.

According to Buhain, this enhancement in education quality hinges on improving teacher quality, which is a primary goal of this scholarship program. “Looking back, this all began with a shared recognition of a vital need. We knew that if we truly wanted to see meaningful change in the quality of education, particularly in teacher quality, we had to act swiftly,” Buhain stated. “In PEAC, we found a partner whose aspirations for learners and educators aligndeeply with ours. I truly believe we could not have asked for a more fitting collaborator and partner in this endeavor.”

This initiative will soon celebrate its first graduating class—14 of the country’s top scholars—who are set to enter the teaching profession next year as the pioneer batch of the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan program. For Year 4, PEAC and Rex Education are proud to welcome 25 scholars—the most in the program’s still short but fruitful history—in this continuing investment and commitment tothe teaching profession.

“Through this program, we aim to advance teacher quality by recruiting the best and brightest first-year students who want to pursue the teaching profession—especially in math and science—and grant them scholarships. This is our investment in the future of the profession. What an incredible journey it has been so far. We faced challenges, celebrated triumphs, and shared so many heartfelt moments along the way. Look how far we’ve come,” Buhain remarked.

Indeed, the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan program has come a long way and made remarkable strides in just four short years It only continues to grow stronger and has so much more to give, be hopeful for, and accomplish in years to come.

Reading advocates aims to resolve reading crisis in the country during landmark first conference

 

The National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA), a group composed of reading advocates in the country and a campaign project by the National Book Development Board (NBDB)’s Readership Development Division (READ), believes that it is on the right track to avert the country’s reading crisis.

 

For the first time, the NARA and its reading allies from more than 100 organizations gathered in a meaningful conference convened by the NBDB at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila. It brought together reading advocates from various organizations, schools, universities, national government agencies, local government units, and advocacy arms of corporations, hoping to bring awareness to the importance and urgency of reading, and highlighting its impact on nation-building.

 

During the event, NARA presented its mission that is aligned with that of the NBDB being the leading catalyst for building a reading culture in the Philippines, and being a strong pillar for the nation’s reading campaigns in the future.

 

Also presented during the conference with the theme “Pamitinan ng Lingkod-Mambabasa,” was the NARA Agenda 2025-2030. This agenda seeks to empower reading advocates to effect social and behavioral change in Philippine readership through campaign infrastructure, capacity building, and network building. It will also serve as a guidebook that contains NARA’s concrete vision for readership in the country based on its analysis of the state of the reading nation.

 

Upon full ratification, this agenda will then support activities and interventions in line with its contents, and shall form the basis of the NBDB’s readership interventions, both as an individual reading advocate agency and as the alliance’s secretariat, for the next five years.

Other highlights of the conference include the presentation of the State of the Reading Nation, an informal sharing of best practices from select organizations called “Brown Bag sessions,” the announcement of Readership Development Grants, the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the NBDB, represented by Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade, and Arvin Manuel Villalon, Director for Mindanao of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) for the NMP Book Nook sites, and finally the oathtaking of NARA members, led by Carlo Ebeo, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commissioner for the Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination.

 

Reading advocates take centerstage

 

What made the event truly interesting was the presence of its two keynote speakers.

 

The first was para-librarian and “book missionary” Hernando “Mang Nanie” Guanlao, who was also the guest of honor. Guanlao made headlines when his “Reading Club 2000,” which he founded out of his home in Barangay La Paz, Makati City, garnered significant media attention.

 

The place was a hub of his personal textbooks and collected volumes. The collection grew over the years, mainly through book donations coming from his throng of supporters and partner-organizations. As an offshoot of his efforts and love of books, a network of book collectors then collaborated in order to bring donated books to more shelves around the country, particularly in remote or underserved areas, those where books are largely inaccessible.

 

The second keynote speaker, Rica Acebuche, a young reading advocate from Samar, believes that reading is an important tool to gain important life skills. Rica was considered the reading enthusiast among her siblings, having learned to love reading by doodling on books and reading stories aloud.

 

It was her involvement as a volunteer with the Reading Club 2000 that opened her eyes and gave her the idea for “Reader’s of Barrio,” a free book-giving and literacy education program that serves reading communities in remote areas such as in the municipality of Laoang, Northern Samar. With Mang Nanie, they were able to send hundreds of books—all packed in sacks and boxes, hauled onto trucks, then loaded into planes and boats—and finally reached the growing community of readers in Laoang.

 

The NARA is a unified network anchored on a collaborative working environment in order to better spread the news on existing readership initiatives. This is a project by the NBDB that serves as an integral part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to boost readership, given declining reading scores among Filipinos.

 

“This conference announces to the world what we want to achieve, which is to strengthen the reading culture and build a nation of readers. This event signifies the beginning of a major collective step in addressing reading gaps. We still have a long way to go, but with our growing alliance, I know that a stronger reading culture is underway,” says Daniel Lorenzo Mariano, OIC Division Chief of READ.

 

Membership to the NARA is open to reading advocates who are committed to help improve Philippine readership. For more information and details on how to register, visit bit.ly/joinnara or contact the NBDB Reading Campaigns Section at campaigns@books.gov.ph.

delaware Philippines Secures Place Among IT-BPM TechBlazer of the Year Circle of Excellence Honorees at Asia CEO Awards

 delaware Philippines, represented by Partner and Managing Director Rosette Carrao, is honored as part of the IBPAP IT-BPM TechBlazer of the Year Circle of Excellence Honorees at the prestigious Asia

CEO Awards 2024, held on October 8 at the Manila Marriott Hotel. This recognition underscores the company's leadership in the IT and Business Process Management sectors, affirming its pivotal role in shaping the Philippines' economic growth and driving global competitiveness. 

 

The award reflects delaware Philippines' success in continuously evolving its business model to support critical industries such as Real Estate, Utilities, and Food and Beverage. By leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies, the company has spearheaded transformative solutions in these sectors, enabling organizations to become more agile, intelligent, and sustainable. This commitment to innovation empowers clients to navigate the complexities of digitalization and excel in today’s competitive market. 

 

Furthermore, this recognition underscores its commitment to innovation and excellence, particularly under the leadership of Carrao, who notably stands out as the only female recipient in this category. Despite being the company’s first year of nomination, delaware Philippines has achieved the prestigious honor of being among the Circle of Excellence awardees, further cementing its status as a leader in the IT-BPM field. Her vision and strategic direction have been pivotal in driving the company's success, inspiring a culture of empowerment and inclusivity within the organization. 

 

“This award would not be possible without the dedicated team behind delaware Philippines. Their hard work has been instrumental to our success, and together, we will continue to advocate for leveraging technology to create meaningful impacts across all industries while empowering women in tech to lead the way,” said Carrao. 

 

A key part of delaware Philippines' success lies in its Global Delivery Center, where expert Filipino SAP consultants provide world-class service to delaware companies across Europe. This reflects the company’s strategic role in ensuring excellence beyond local shores, strengthening its global presence. 

 

As delaware Philippines celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, it remains dedicated to advancing its mission. The company is well-positioned to further enhance its reputation as a leader in the IT-BPM sector, helping clients tackle the complexities of today's digital landscape. 

 

“We are excited about the future of delaware following this momentous recognition. We will continue to reach new heights while keeping our mission—to commit and deliver—at the forefront of every step we take,” said Simone Pigason, Senior Vice President for Customer Success at delaware Philippines. 

 

To learn more about delaware’s solutions and services, visit their website at https://www.delaware.pro/en-ph. 

Reshaping Industry 4.0: Schneider Electric Launches Safety-Focused, Circular-Ready MasterPacT MTZ Active Circuit Breakers

 

During the recent launch of MasterPacT MTZ Active held at The Fifth at Rockwell, Makati City, Glen Dedicatoria, Business Director at Schneider Electric Philippines, highlighted the company’s approach to circularity and sustainability, advocating for power resiliency as a crucial component of Industry 4.0.

As the Philippines embraces digital transformation, Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, supports critical industries with the launch of the MasterPacT MTZ Active—an air circuit breaker (ACB) technology that addresses issues such as 24/7 uptime demands, rising energy costs, and urgent sustainability practices across industries like buildings, healthcare, data centers, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

With over 37 years of expertise in developing ACB technology, the MasterPacT MTZ Active provides instantaneous, adjustable protection against short circuits while safeguarding electrical systems from overloads and ground faults.

“This advanced technology not only mitigates immediate energy challenges, but it also protects our industries from long-term climate risks and makes their operations more sustainable as it minimizes downtime risks, ensures business continuity while protecting critical systems from damage,” said Glen Dedicatoria, Business Director at Schneider Electric Philippines.

The Philippines has experienced an 11.2% rise in energy consumption in recent years, increasing from 106,115 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2021 to 118,004 GWh in 2023, according to the Department of Energy. Faced alongside global sustainability demands, local industries are under pressure in meeting sustainability targets while maintaining high-performance business operations.

The MasterPacT MTZ Active addresses these challenges by:

●       Ensuring safety of maintenance operators against arc flash or sudden and intense bursts of electricity, which can cause serious occupational hazards, through the Energy Reduction Maintenance Setting (ERMS) built-in function.

●       Allowing quick and easy adjustment of protection settings to meet the system needs through the Intuitive Control Unit (Micrologic Trip Unit).

●       By scanning the QR code on the MasterPacT MTZ Active display window, users can quickly access outage root cause information, enabling safe and efficient power restoration. Additionally, it enables industries to monitor their energy consumption in real time.

●       Ensuring secure integration of advanced cybersecurity measures with the monitoring platforms through the new MicroLogic Trip Unit which features a passcode protection to prevent unauthorized adjustments to trip settings.

The MasterPacT MTZ Active is an air circuit breaker that enables real-time power monitoring and measurement to accelerate decarbonization among industries.

The MasterPacT MTZ Active is designed with sustainability in mind, enabling businesses to optimize energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining high-performance standards. It is also certified as a Green Premium™ Product and has a circularity of over 30%, allowing industries to refurbish electrical systems rather than replace them and promoting resource conservation and sustainability.

This innovation underscores Schneider Electric's vision to shift from a linear “take-make-waste” model to a circular economy, integrating circularity into its entire value chain, from product design and manufacturing to end-of-life management, ensuring business continuity and contributing to local economic growth.

“As industries undergo rapid digital transformation, the demand for better, longer-lasting solutions has never been stronger,” added Dedicatoria. “Circularity is no longer a choice but a must-do for industries seeking to minimize their waste and lessen their environmental impact.”

Recognized as one of the three global Circularity Lighthouses by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, Schneider Electric has reduced its carbon footprint by approximately 513 million tons since 2017 through innovative circular practices.

To know more about the MasterPacT MTZ Active, visit the website here.

HONOR Magic V3 is Now Available in PH

 

Global technology brand HONOR today unveiled its newest and thinnest foldable smartphone HONOR Magic V3 with AI-enabled hardware capabilities and a collaborative AI privacy protection architecture, showcasing

the brand’s commitment to innovative empowerment in an AI-driven world. 

 

“It feels like just yesterday when we launched the HONOR Magic V2 and now, we are ecstatic to introduce HONOR’s newest and thinnest foldable smartphone, the HONOR Magic V3. AI is slowly but surely reshaping our industry, enriching and creating new experiences that improves creativity and productivity for consumers all around the world, every day, and right now, it’s our priority to make comfort and technology accessible to more Filipinos” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. 

 

The World’s Thinnest Foldable with Robust Performance 

  

Continuing to push the boundaries of foldable devices, HONOR introduced the all-new HONOR Magic V3, the world's thinnest inward foldable phone with enhanced durability, battery, display and AI experience, to global consumers. 

 

With a sleek folded thickness of 9.2mm and featherlight body weighing just 226g, the HONOR Magic V3 rivals the slimness and weight of a flagship bar phone, ensuring utmost portability for users. This feat is accomplished through the meticulous application of 19 innovative materials and 114 microstructures, propelling foldable devices into a new era of precision and slimness. Featuring a dome-shaped octagonal camera module, the HONOR Magic V3 seamlessly combines the architectural beauty of dome structures with technological innovations. This camera module showcases a diamond cut, adding an element of elegance and sleekness to the device's overall appearance. 

 

Adding to its durability, the HONOR Magic V3 incorporates a Special Fiber into its body material, enhancing impact resistance by 40 times compared to other flagship bar phones while reducing the back cover's thickness by over 30%. Moreover, featuring the proprietary HONOR Super Steel Hinge, the device can withstand up to 500,000 folding cycles and has attained the prestigious SGS Durability Certification. Fortified with the HONOR Super Armored Inner Screen and HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, the HONOR Magic V3 is crafted to endure the rigors of daily use. 

 

Equipped with a 6.43-inch external display and a 7.92-inch internal foldable screen, the HONOR Magic V3 delivers an immersive dual-use experience, offering an enjoyable visual journey to users. Dedicated to prioritizing user well-being and comfort, this device incorporates a range of innovative eye-comfort features, such as the world’s first AI Defocus Display technology, 4320Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Night Display and Natural Tone Display. 

In addition, the HONOR Magic V3 is packed with an advanced 5150mAh Third-generation Silicon-carbon Battery, supported by the lightning-fast 66W Wired and 50W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, ensuring users an uninterrupted and stress-free mobile experience. Featuring the innovative HONOR Falcon Camera System which encompasses a 50MP Periscope Telephoto Camera, a 50MP Main Camera, and a 40MP Ultra-wide Camera, the device promises unparalleled imaging quality and versatility for users seeking stunning smartphone photography.   

 

HONOR Magic V3 offers a host of intelligent features. These include Magic Portal on Foldable, along with on-device AI enabled photography features like HONOR AI Motion Sensing for Lightning-fast shots, and the HONOR AI Portrait Engine for portrait enhancement. Collaborating with Google Cloud, HONOR enriches a range of productivity features supported by Google’s AI models and Cloud technologies to empower users to improve overall efficiency, including HONOR AI Eraser, Face to Face Translation, and Translation tools in HONOR Notes. These deliver on HONOR’s promise of a new era of AI-enabled versatility and productivity, catering to the evolving demands of business and professional users. 

 

HONOR Magic V3 is now available in PH! 

 

Inspired by the wonders of natural landscape, the HONOR Magic V3 comes in two stunning colorways Green and Black for only Php 89,999, now available via Globe Postpaid Plans starting at GPlan Plus 1799 with a FREE HONOR Pad X9 worth Php 9,999! 

 

For as low as Php 1,514 per month for 36 months, you can enjoy HONOR Magic V3 with FREE 20GB Data and Unli All-net Call and Text on top of exclusive perks! Go now to the nearest Globe Store it get it online via: https://bit.ly/Globe_MagicV3_PR. 

SM and Mastercard Empower Ten Outstanding STEM Students (TOSS) with Scholarship Grants

 

SM, through SM Store and SM Retail, in partnership with Mastercard, and SM Foundation have launched a new initiative aimed at empowering Filipino students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through this collaboration, ten exceptional students from the Ten Outstanding STEM Students (TOSS) program will receive scholarship grants, along with access to critical digital learning tools, to help them succeed in today’s tech-driven world.

Mastercard will donate P100 to SM Foundation for every eligible transaction made using a Philippine-issued Mastercard at SM Stores. The funds raised between November 15 to 17 during the promo period will go directly toward supporting the scholarships for these students, enabling them to pursue higher education and build careers in the technology sector.

 

In addition to financial support, the program also seeks to address the digital divide in the Philippines. Previous efforts have already equipped thousands of students with e-tablets and established digital learning hubs in public schools. In 2023 alone, nearly 10,000 students benefited from these resources, gaining access to modern technology that enhances their educational experience.

 

According to a 2020 Department of Education survey, only 64% of Filipino students had access to smartphones, and just 55% had access to laptops—critical tools for participating in digital learning.

 

Planning to study in the EU? Attend this year’s most exciting higher education fair

 

Students, professionals, academicians, researchers, and universities are invited to join this year’s European Higher Education Fair 2024.

 

This is your chance to engage with some of 77 top higher education institutions and diplomatic missions from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

 

This year’s EHEF is supported by Wesleyan University, University of Santo Tomas,  University of the Cordilleras, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Manila University-European Studies Programme, De La Salle University Manila, Enderun College,  Holy Cross of Davao College, Mabalacat City Colleges,  Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite, and World Citi College.

 

Aside from meeting institution representatives, those who are interested in learning a new language can also visit the language corners available on-ground as Alliance Francaise de Manille, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila and Philippine-Italian Association are joining the Fair for the second time. 

 

On-site seminars will be hosted by the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes. Questions on higher education systems, “student life” in the EU, research grants, and scholarship opportunities through programmes like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and Jean Monnet will be presented during the fair, open for students and educators alike.

 

Online sessions will be held on 22, 23 and 25 November 2024.

 

Registration and entrance to the fair are free of charge. Interested participants may visit ehefphilippines.com for more information or @EHEFPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

This yearly fair is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with EU Member States’ Embassies, education services and institutes, in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education and Robinsons Galleria and with the support from professional organisations and media partners.

An excellent host for an excellent online quiz show

 

It was in 2017 when she shot a video about TV reporting along Cuyab River, (now known as Tunasan-Cuyab River), a river system in the Philippines. That particular video, where she almost perfectly impersonated award-winning broadcaster Karen Davila in her reporting style, became viral and thus gave birth to a name that will soon resonate in the Philippine entertainment and news industries.

 

The woman in the viral video was Jervi Lisaba, who later became Mrs. Jervi Wrightson, and now more popularly known as award-winning actress, writer, endorser, impersonator, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) rights advocate, television personality and radio host “KaladKaren.”

 

As soon as the video exploded and brought KaladKaren to local and international consciousness, it certainly opened doors of opportunities for the young talent, where many lauded her flawless impersonation of the “real” Karen Davila in both reporting style and body language. But being famous because of the video, she was not bereft of bashers and haters, who branded her as having her “15 minutes of fame” and simply a “flash in the pan.”

 

Anchored on Excellence

 

But she was unperturbed because Jervi, now Mrs. Wrightson, has seen to it that all that she does in life are anchored on excellence. With all the challenges in life that she experienced, she knows that being at her excellent best is the only way that she will be noticed.

 

That is why she worked hard starting with her studies, where she graduated with Latin honors (Magna cum Laude) at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications.

 

But her achievements did not end there but actually, more followed.

 

KaladKaren was lauded as a leading figure in promoting awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community in the country, where she was seen as a positive symbol. She upped the ante when she became the first transgender woman news anchor in the country, and became the first transgender woman to win “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) summer edition for the movie “Here Comes the Groom,” and is also a resident judge of reality TV competition series Drag Race Philippines.

 

Online presence

 

To further promote her ideals and other advocacies, many of them on LGBTQIA+ issues, Jervi once again will make her online presence felt as she will be handling hosting chores of the newest game show in town, “Bee Excellent,” organized by Taiwan Excellence under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. “Bee Excellent” is an online quiz show where questions will focus on general knowledge on innovation and environmental sustainability.

 

Of course, it was a no-brainer that given her hosting expertise, Jervi was tapped to host the show, her first time to experience such an assignment.

“I have never hosted a game show yet that’s why I’m quite excited to be the host of this very new online quiz bee. I also have never been to Taiwan that’s why it’s even more exciting that this show is organized by Taiwan Excellence,” Jervi said in her YouTube vlog about the show.

 

She likewise mentioned that her excitement is also fueled by the fact that her long-time partner and now-husband, Luke Wrightson, used to work in Taiwan, and that she has many friends who go there frequently and always points out that going to Taiwan is always a fun-filled experience.

 

To express her obvious anticipation and generate more excitement about the show, she made a behind-the-scenes vlog on her YouTube channel regarding her adventures in shooting the “Bee Excellent” episodes. In her vlog, she showed where they shot the episodes, and even had fun interacting with the show’s production staff after their arduous taping through a mini game show.

 

"Bee Excellent" consisted of three episodes, and the first episode was aired last October 14. Contestants are asked to answer questions related to general knowledge about Taiwan, including trivia and cultural topics. The answers were submitted via Google Forms or in the Comments Section.

Five participants per episode won P5,000 each, along with bragging rights as winners of the first online game show in the country.

The show is supported by well-known Taiwan brands such as D-Link, Acer, Asus, ROG, MSI, Derma Angel, and PC Express, all of which have been long-time partners of Taiwan Excellence.

Winners were already announced on Taiwan Excellence’s social media platforms.

With trivia and general knowledge challenges centered around Taiwan, "Bee Excellent" offered both fun and exciting prizes, including products from top brand partners like Acer, Asus, D-Link, MSI, ROG, Derma Angel, and PC Express.

 

Link to Kaladkaren’s Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShEldbWzd3k

 

For more updates on Taiwan Excellence and Bee Excellent, like and follow Taiwan Excellence on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph/ and Instagram:                      https://www.instagram.com/taiwanexcellence_ph/?hl=en.