SM Enables Seniors in the Digital Age through #SeniorDigizen Campaign

 

The SM Group, through SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recently collaborated with Globe to roll-out the #SeniorDigizen program in its residential properties, fostering a safe and inclusive digital community for elderly residents.  The initiative aligns with SMDC’s commitment to protecting residents and encouraging a vibrant community spirit by equipping senior citizens with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely.

The #SeniorDigizen offers free, tailored learning sessions on topics such as cybersecurity, fintech apps like GCash, and telehealth services like KonsultaMD. The pilot program was launched at Grass Residences in Quezon City, benefiting elderly residents who are often targeted by online scams. According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), senior citizens are frequent victims of digital fraud, which resulted in losses of approximately PHP 155 million in 2023.

“The SeniorDigizen program is part of our ongoing commitment to empowering our senior residents with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently navigate the digital world,” said Jessica Bianca ‘Jica’ T. Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy of SM Prime and SMDC. “Our goal is to create an immediate impact within these communities, and as we continue to grow the initiative, we plan to reach out to our neighboring communities by hosting similar events for them.”

Grass Residences was chosen as the pilot site due to its significant senior population. For residents like Connie Cailles, a 76-year-old participant, the program was a welcome opportunity. Ms. Cailles, a resident of Grass Residences recalled how excited she was when she saw the program in one of the notices in their building’s elevator. Upon completing the lessons, she added how helpful the staff and the program were in attending to her and fellow seniors, compared sometimes to relatives who would often lose patience in teaching her the know-how of navigating her phone’s features and essential apps.

 “Okay po na nakatutok sila sa amin,” she said. “Lalo na kasi pasensyoso’t pasensyosa sila. Kasi usually kapag mga kamag-anak ko—mga alam mo na—parang naoobligado sila. Kapag sa mga ganitong programa, pakiramdam ko naii-spoil tuloy kami.”

(It’s nice that the staff are patient with us seniors. Usually, when it’s my relatives—you know how it is—they feel obligated. But in programs like this, it feels like we’re being spoiled.)

The program’s success was echoed by Elbert Mozo, Treasurer of the Grass Residences Board of Trustees: “This activity had the highest attendance of seniors here at Grass. Although some are still adjusting, I see them really trying. Thanks to SMDC and Globe, I think more attendees will join after this.”

The half-day program ensured that all participants received hands-on assistance, fostering an environment where seniors could learn without fear of judgment or discouragement. SMDC plans to expand the initiative, inviting more participants from other communities.

SM’s support to the senior citizen community

The SM group has been at the forefront of initiatives that support and uplift its community of senior citizens.

Through SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation and the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the group supports initiatives focused on communities and the environment.

Some of its advocacies include the Emergency Preparedness Forum for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens, an annual forum equipping vulnerable sectors, such as PWDs and the elderly, with emergency preparedness skills to help them protect themselves and their loved ones. Since its launch in 2015, the program has successfully trained over 7,417 individuals to date.  

In addition, the Walk for Life parade is an event to honor seniors during the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week.

In line with SM Foundation's mission to provide targeted social investments in education, healthcare, and livelihood to help underserved Filipinos improve their lives, seniors are also beneficiaries of the health and wellness centers.

 

Why Is Taiwan A Leader in ICT?

Taiwan is a tiny island in the heart of Asia-Pacific, but it has a huge impact on the world order. The island's rapid industrialization was catalyzed by the emergence of diverse manufacturing sectors, including textiles, small appliances, electronics, footwear, consumer electronics, sports equipment, semiconductors, and computer manufacturing.

 

 

According to Focus Taiwan, the leading think tank Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) has raised its forecast for the country’s 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 3.96 percent, which represents a 0.15 percentage point upgrade from its previous estimate of 3.81 percent in July. (https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202410250016)

 

CIER chairman Lien Hsien-ming explained that the increased forecast is because of the booming demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications that drives up Taiwan's exports, which in turn helped boost investment and steady growth in domestic demand.

 

Its more significant contribution to the global economy, however, the manufacturing of information and communication technology (ICT) products. Even in a hyper-competitive industry, Taiwanese companies remain at the cutting-edge of ICT innovation.

 

With extensive investments on research and development, Taiwanese companies have gained global recognition as a leader in the ICT sector. Its manufacturing prowess, production flexibility and resilient supply chain greatly helped the world recover from the economic slump brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The ICT Ecosystem

 

“Taiwanese companies tend to form clusters around various industry subsegments, allowing them to collaborate and rapidly explore possibilities,” Dr Tzi-Cker Chiueh, vice president and general director of Information and Communications Research Laboratories at Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), told bbc.com about the island’s ICT ecosystem. “They find ways to improve on existing technologies and refine manufacturing efficiencies, allowing them to become globally competitive thanks to the speed of iterative innovation.” (https://bbc.in/41B3WOn)

 

Taiwan being an important partner in the global supply chain of semiconductor design and fabrication, Dr. Chieuh also emphasized that this ecosystem relies heavily on its people, with the country having a population of 23 million: “In our culture, everyone has a motivation to be in control of their own destiny. We also enjoy improving manufacturing processes, not just for ICT, but across various industries. This entrepreneurial spirit is a unique characteristic of Taiwan. Without such innovation-driven mindset, I doubt our ICT industry would have achieved its current level of global prominence.”

 

Future of Innovation

 

Change is the only constant in the ICT industry, and Taiwan is blazing the trail when it comes to adaptability. That means the future of Taiwan’s position as a hub for ICT innovation is secure.

 

Whether it is the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence or quantum computing, Taiwan and its enterprising companies are poised remain as a leader in the global market.

 

“Whatever the technology is, companies will still need innovative or next-generation processors optimised to execute specific algorithms. And that’s where the strengths of Taiwanese companies come in, to find ways to optimise the manufacturing process, and subsequently developing innovative product clusters derived from cutting-edge technologies,” explained Dr. Chiueh to the BBC. (https://bbc.in/41B3WOn)

 

 

Resilient Supply Chain

 

According to the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), Taiwan’s ICT industry was instrumental in the launch of Rakuten Mobile’s Open Radio Access Network (RAN) service in Japan in 2019, as majority of the core suppliers are Taiwanese telecom hardware manufacturers.

 

Moreover, TITA added that the “United States and Taiwan launched the U.S.-Taiwan Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC) to help secure resilient supply chains in five key sectors: 5G, cybersecurity, semiconductors, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.”

 

The University of Nottingham Taiwan Research Hub’s online magazine, assessed that “Taiwan’s role in the global supply chain network and the persistently robust global demand for ICT products suggest that the island’s economy is likely to continue to gain momentum in the foreseeable future.”

 

Taiwan’s manufacturing economy has indeed been driven by its highly developed ICT industry, the importance of the ICT industry in Taiwan’s total manufacturing production value has increased. Electronic components and ICT products accounted for a substantial percentage of its total exports and its total imports in 2021. The semiconductor chips are also widely in demand in automobiles, artificial intelligence, military and other high technology products.

 

 

Global Advantage, Technological Edge

 

Taiwan’s strong industrial chain, technological edge, and integrated manufacturing capabilities in sensors and Internet of Things terminals give the island a global advantage in IoT industry development.

 

According to Taiwan Excellence (https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en/industry/ict), the three most important trends of the Global ICT Industry are:

 

“In developed countries, 80% have access to Internet services, and the 50% population threshold is an important milestone in the popularization of the ICT industry.

 

“Mobile applications, such as ultra-high-quality images (8K) and 3D stereoscopic image display, are driving demand for broadband connection.

 

“The Internet of Things (IoT), big data analysis, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and block chain technologies will give rise to extensive innovation, fundamentally changing enterprises, the government, and society. This is expected to create a digital economy worth US$23 trillion by 2025.”

 

Strong ICT Industry Key to Success in the New 5G Era

 

2019 has been hailed as the year of 5G. The United States, European countries, Japan, and South Korea are all actively working to deploy 5G networks. The private research group Markets and Markets forecasts that the market scale will increase from US$700 million in 2020 to US$6.3 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 55.4%.

 

Taiwan’s long experience in ICT development and its excellent hardware manufacturing capabilities gives the island a powerful advantage in 5G and IoT development.

“Taiwan has achieved the status of a key partner in the global ICT industry,” said Daniel Tsai, chairman of Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd., as quoted by the Taiwan Excellence web site. “We’re the world’s No. 1 in terms of information hardware output.” (https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en/industry/ict) 

 

For more details, visit  facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph and instagram.com/taiwanexcellence_ph or the official Taiwan Excellence website at www.taiwanexcellence.org/en        

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.