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About Mozilla Philippines

Mozilla Philippines is the officially recognized representatives of Mozilla, a non-stock and non-profit organization dedicate to building a better Internet. One of the things created by Mozilla is the Firefox browser and it is embodies the specific goals and objectives of Mozilla, which is to promote, openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web.

About Mozilla and What We Believe In

Mozilla is a global community of thousands who sincerely believe in the power of technology to enrich people’s lives.

Mozilla is a public benefit organization dedicated not to making money but to improving the way people everywhere experience the Internet.

And Mozilla is an open source software project whose code has been used as a platform for some of the Internet’s most innovative projects.

We in Mozilla join others who believe that, as the most significant social and technological development of our time, the Internet is a public resource that must remain open and accessible to all. With this in mind, our efforts are ultimately driven by our mission of encouraging choice, innovation and opportunity online.

To achieve these goals: Mozilla is highly transparent; Mozilla believes in a extremely collaborative process that brings together thousands of dedicated volunteers around the world with our small staff of employees to coordinate the creation of products like the Firefox web browser. This process is supported by the Mozilla Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the non-profit Mozilla Foundation.

In the end, the Mozilla community, organization and technology is all focused on a single goal: making the Internet better for everyone.

“Alab” is the official mascot of the Mozilla Philippines Community

Set to open in One Archer’s Place on Fidel Reyes St. near De La Salle University (DLSU), the new The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® shop will be ready to open its doors to its first customers starting January 30—serving everyone with their full selection of internationally-acclaimed signature blends and gourmet treats and dishes.

“Manila is a good market for us,” shares Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. “A place that’s right in the center of a burgeoning coffee culture in the country, this new branch will not only compliment the busy lifestyle of people in the area, it will also make it easier for more to enjoy the specialty drinks that our brand is known for.”

The One Archer’s Place store will be located near prominent establishments around DLSU and will cater mostly to students and young professionals working and living in the vicinity. In addition, it will serve as a haven for both cult-like followers of the brands as well as coffee and tea aficionados of all sorts.

In line with its debut, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® branch in One Archer’s Place will be holding a special promotion that will coincide with DLSU’s 100th year celebration. During the promo period that will run from its opening day till February 05, 2012, customers can come to the store from 12:30 to 1:30 in the afternoon and purchase any of their favorite drinks for only Php 100.

In a world where the medium has become the message all on its own, the Philippine advertising industry has a new platform for brands to shine on.

Advertising over the years

A world that prides itself on being able to reshape people’s lives, the advertising industry has found ways to subvert the common avenues of TV, radio and print for more strategic dissemination of information. Subversion and disruption are keywords for the advertising industry because with the growing sophistication of the mass market—one that is just as tech savvy—there is a real need to rise above the noise and clutter.

An inevitable call for transformation

Since the invention of television in the 1920s, screens are the preferred method for wide-scale distribution of ideas and messages. History shows us that TV has more than proved its effectiveness as a great tool for marketing not just products and services, but people and even beliefs as well— allowing individuals to affect not just their personal timelines but that of the world’s as well. Art and great thinkers recognized that the television was the way of getting into people’s minds and hearts. But when Andy Warhol predicted that “in the future, everyone will get their 15 minutes of fame,” he stumbled unto the underlying power of the internet.

However, nearly a century after it made big waves and changed the global landscape, television has lost some of its power to move people. More people are on the internet and on YouTube then there are still watching their televisions. The screens are different, but the experience is still the same.

Enter glasses-free 3D screens—a revolutionary platform that holds big promises for advertising professionals and companies. Dubbed as the “future platform of advertising,” glasses-free 3D screens make such an imprint among its audience that multiple studies can do nothing else but emphasize the marketing value of this selling tool. Because it redefines the viewing experience. What was once a flat plane is now a living playground of stories and colors.

“Glasses-free 3D screens leave such a lasting imprint that studies have shown that it is 10 times more effective more than regular 2D media,” shares Katrina Bantug, President and CEO of 3D Vizion. “A US study discovered that when used in a mall, the sales of the brand featured in the glasses-free 3D screen went up at least 12% in addition to the store reporting a 34% increase in consumer traffic.”

Imagine watching your favorite 3D movie. Only this time, with more realistic, crisp images and minus the hassle of wearing those bothersome red and blue glasses—glasses-free 3D screens create an entirely new consumer experience that has yet to be offered by any other media out there, regardless of their interactive values. Images that pop out of the screen. Images so realistic, it allows you to perceive and understand the product as it is.

“We cannot overemphasize how powerful this new tool is,” explains Katrina Bantug. “Glasses-free 3D is the future not just of advertising but of viewable media, as a whole. These screens do not just transport the message; it explains it, in all its glory, using compelling images that are sure to leave a lasting mark on the minds of the viewers.”

3D Vizion’s vision

The arrival of glasses-free 3D in the Philippines certainly opens a whole new era for the advertising industry. Using ground-breaking system that takes the best of high-definition 2D and combines it with the latest in 3D technology, a budding company called 3D Vizion is well on its way to revolutionize the business—putting the country at par with other first world nations.

“When we decided to pursue this, we had only one intention in mind—to come up with a company, that will revolutionize the way we do advertising here in the country—to provide our countrymen with the best available technology out there,” adds Katrina. “Myself, Mr. Mohan Kulkarni and DEMIKK Holdings, Inc., as represented by Ruben Tiu, came up with this idea of having a fully-operational Filipino company that offers world-class, first-class products and services.”

3D Vizion uses proprietary technology to provide companies with a revolutionary platform that they can use not just to catch attention, but ultimately, to generate sales. Because of this, the company has been getting a lot of attention from other organizations who want to get the word out of their offerings, likewise 3D Vizion’s technology is slowly being recognized as the new standard platform for more cost-efficient yet undeniably effective mass marketing efforts.

In addition, multiple studies have found that similar technology has a proven track record of heightened engagement, yielding 92% in memory retention among audience, with 68% of said statistics displaying a higher probability of following the experience with a purchase. Studies conducted in other industries, such as education also prove the effectiveness of the medium in making people perceive, understand and remember ideas.

Now you can have it all!

Got the looks. The ALCATEL BLAZE GLORY 918N gets you one solid grip on its sturdy and metal finish which gives its sophisticated look for an android phone. It carries with it a larger screen from a typical android phone with the same size as it has. Its 3.2 inch capacitive screen makes user-experience really good, together with its quick response to navigation and loading of apps. The screen’s 320×480 pixel resolution makes its screen stand out even more. This phone is on the grab in two available colors.

Got the features.

This phone runs on an Android 2.3 gingerbread OS which makes the android experience more manageable. It comes with pre-embedded apps for social networking, music and audio, tools, games, and such which you can spice up and personalize all the more with unlimited downloads through the android market. A plus factor with the phone’s being dual sim, dual standby, using the ALCATEL BLAZE GLORY 918N is a maximized android and mobile experience in one single phone. You get games, music, apps, messages, Facebook and Twitter all at the same package.

Its 3.0 megapixel camera gives you quality pictures that you can share instantly on Facebook through its wifi connectivity. It’s also 3G and has Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and HSPA. The ALCATEL BLAZE 918N is one complete package that gives users a better experience of their phone. With its TouchPal Curve, you can type by just swiping—lesser touches, more messages. It also enhances your game experience with its G-sensor. Now your phone becomes an instant game controller.

Got the price.

Now you don’t need to get the hang of spending much for a quality phone. According to Harry Au, General Manager for ALCATEL Asia Pacific, “the ALCATEL BLAZE GLORY 918N bring consumers all the features they need in a compact smartphone at just PHP5,999.” With less than 6,000, all the features you want in android phone is within your reach.” Visit the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH kiosks and ALCATEL dealers nationwide to get your very own BLAZE GLORY 918N.

Mozilla will donate $25,000 to the cause that raises the most money between now and Jan 11, 2012. Each celebrity team is giving away great prizes too. You could win a poster from the film Milk, signed by Sean Penn, an iChat with Seth Rogen, a visit to the Arrested Development set with Jason Bateman, an outgoing voicemail greeting recorded by Paul Rudd and more.

Join us and let’s show the world how much good we can do!

Learn more and view the complete terms and conditions at http://crowdrise.com/firefoxchallenge

Remittances from Filipinos working overseas are at an all-time high. And no, it’s not just because they’re sending back US dollars, Saudi Riyals, Euros or Japanese Yen; but because our modern-day heroes are sending back what’s known as social remittances.

Social remittances refer to ideas, practices, identities and social capital that flow from receiving to sending country communities. It was coined by sociologist Peggy Levitt in her book “The Transnational Villagers and she describes social remittances being transferred by migrants and refugees that are exchanged by letters or other forms of communication that includes phone, fax, the internet or video. She suggested that social remittance affects family relations, gender roles, class and race identity, as well as have a substantial impact on political, economic and religious participation.

This concept isn’t something new for the Philippines. In the 1800s, this was already seen through the newspaper La Solidaridad and the novels of Jose Rizal. Like them whose ideas paved . In the 21st century, blogging is the new form of social remittance of Filipinos working and living abroad. Through their blogs they are publishing their stories online to inspire others. They also advocate for causes, help others and muster support from their readers to help effect change in their own little ways.

With globalization, Filipino migrants are beginning to realize the power of harnessing the potential of social remittance. They may be students pursuing a higher education, a professional with a white-collar job or a migrant working as house help; but all of them have something in common: an economic goal and aspiration.

This year the Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Awards or PEBA 2011 is geared to recognize the contributions of Filipino bloggers abroad. This year’s theme is dubbed as "Ako’y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko’y Pagbabago." (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change) as Balikbayans not only send back their monetary remittances; but social remittances as well.

For this year PEBA opens a new blog search called PEBA’s Any Blogger, Anywhere for all Filipino bloggers in various categories, at home or abroad. This year’s blog contest will look into narratives as to how returning Expats/OFW will make use and share their social remittance or their talents, skills and fortunes to bring change to their families, communities and country. Expats/OFW bloggers who will be joining the contest will be required to write a blog entry on the said theme. There is also an ongoing blog contest for OFW supporters.

For 2011, VIPinoy, a service and perks for overseas Filipinos and OFWs offered by Ayala Malls is the biggest sponsor of PEBA. Ayala Mall is providing Trinoma Activity Center as the venue for the awards nights on December 9, 2011 and Market Market as venue for its photo exhibit from December 9, 2011. PEBA is equally supported by one of its long time partner NOKIA and communication giant Globe Telecom.

PEBA will exclusively invite some 200 guests who can make their reservation and confirmation/RSVP of their attendance through VIPinoy Lounges in the different Ayala Malls and the awarding will be watched by a thousand or more and will be telecast live for OFWs to watch.

For more information regarding PEBA, please visit http://www.pinoyblogawards.com.

MediaPad is set to transform consumers’ entertainment experience

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched the Huawei MediaPad, the world’s first 7-inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet. The MediaPad is a complete entertainment powerhouse driven by Qualcomm’s dual-core 1.2GHz processor, supported by Google Android Market.

The MediaPad provides a fabulous user-experience in a stylish, high-performing and ultra-portable package.

The MediaPad is Huawei Device’s smartest, slimmest and lightest tablet yet, measuring just 10.5mm (0.4 inches) deep and weighing approximately 390g (0.86 pounds). It supports 1080P full HD video playback and features a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera and 5 megapixel auto focus rear facing camera with HD video recording capabilities. With HSPA+ 14.4Mbps and high-speed WiFi 802.11n Internet connectivity, the MediaPad doesn’t just entertain – it keeps you connected at an instant.

“With the Huawei MediaPad, we are demonstrating yet again that design, functionality and performance are within anyone’s reach. The 7-inch tablet remains the preferred size for portability, and Android Honeycomb 3.2 is dedicated to enhance the full potential of 7-inch tablets. Huawei is very pleased to be the first to offer this package to consumers globally and most especially here in the Philippines.” said Zack Zhangxiang, Device Group Head of Huawei Philippines. “The MediaPad opens up new worlds of entertainment for consumers by removing the barriers to tablet ownership, enabling access to a truly high-quality mobile entertainment experience.”

An Out-of-this-World Entertainment Experience

The MediaPad supports HSPA+ data services, Flash 10.3 videos and comes preinstalled with applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Let’s Golf and Documents to Go. With the 7-inch IPS touch screen, the MediaPad offers a standout visual experience for photos, movies and applications. Entertainment and gaming experience are taken to the next level with the MediaPad’s 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor, HD playback and HDMI port.

With MediaPad, Huawei Device aims to reach a significant number of its target market, Young Social Networkers (YSNs).

Emerald Dimapilis, Terminal Marketing Manager of HUAWEI Device Philippines expressed: “YSNs are all around us. Wherever you are in the world – whether it in a bar in New York, a coffee shop in Makati, a beach in Palawan, or a busy shopping street in London – you’ll find groups of YSNs. Progressiveness is the defining characteristic of this group.”

Expansion of Huawei Device’s Smart Offerings

The MediaPad builds on the global success of the IDEOS S7 Slim tablet and cements Huawei Device’s ability to cater to the explosive demand for tablets.

According to the International Data Corporation, sales in the tablet market are expected to increase more than fourfold in the next two years. Along with Huawei’s latest range of smart devices, the MediaPad is a prime example of Huawei Device’s focus on the power of practical innovation.

Huawei currently serves 45 of the world’s top 50 telecom operators. Huwaei Device has achieved success in the operator resale market, and is a leading vendor in Mobile Broadband and Convergence device field. The company provides a diverse range of network devices including handsets, mobile broadband devices, convergence devices, and video solutions. It has partnered with more than 470 operators in more than 130 countries.

Technical Specs

• Android Honeycomb 3.2 OS
• 7-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
• 10.5mm (0.4 inches) slim, ~390g weight (0.86 pounds)
• 1.3 MP front-facing camera, 5 MP auto focus rear facing camera with HD video recording capabilities
• HSPA+ 14.4 Mbps, WiFi 11n
• Dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor
• Over 6 hours battery life
• 1080P full HD playback and HDMI port
• Flash 10.3

Pictures from the product launch event at the SM Megamall:

As a season that’s overflowing with pyrotechnics, over-the-top lighting, moving displays and decorations, and power-consuming celebrations, Christmas has got to be one of the biggest carbon-emitting holidays of the year. But it’s so easy to get caught up in the spirit of the season that very few start considering its implications on the environment.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the world needs to cut its carbon emissions. But how exactly can you keep carbon emissions at a minimum without having to sacrifice the festive spirit of the season?

This is what Firefly Electric and Lighting Corporation (FELCO) seeks to do. As part of the holiday festivities, Firefly Lighting lighted up its energy efficient Christmas tree for the fourth year at By the Bay, SM Mall of Asia with the aim to remind the public that celebrating the holidays can be done with greener, more sustainable lighting technologies.

The Most Energy-Efficient Christmas Tree in the Philippines

Dubbed as the most energy efficient Christmas tree in the Philippines, it was illuminated with more than 100,000 Firefly LED bulbs with the total energy consumption equivalent to two small window-type air-conditioners at two horse powers each. Shared Jhie Greenwood, FELCO Marketing Manager, “Firefly’s LED Christmas tree uses the latest lighting technology which is 5 times more energy efficient compared to the regular incandescent bulb."

” A Firefly LED light bulb consumes around 24 pesos a month – an amount that’s 7 times less than what’s consumed by an incandescent bulb,” said Jhie. She added that LED can save up to Php150 per bulb a month.

Aside from LED being energy efficient, it is also suitable for “green” building projects because it contains no mercury components and is proven to withstand impact, vibrations and disruptions. Furthermore, Firefly LED has a longer lifetime of 30,000 hours (equivalent to 6.8 years of continuous use) compared to the 1,000 hours of the regular incandescent bulb.

Winter Wonderland: A Tree Lighting Concert

At the Winter Wonderland: A Tree Lighting Concert, guests enjoyed attractions such as the Inflatable Basketball, Balloon Darts, Snow Cones, Snow Blizzard Chamber, and the Snow Photo Booth. A Yuletide concert featuring The Company, the country’s renowned vocal ensemble; The Whiplash, one of the most sought after dance groups in Philippine entertainment today; and young theatre artist, Angia Laurel of Trumpets also performed live before the Christmas tree lighting.

By adopting Firefly LED Technology as a solution, FELCO hopes that the Filipino public will be aware that there are greener options available. “Firefly believes that LED is the light source for the future. We believe that using LED products will have a profound impact on energy-saving efforts and become a catalyst in our drive to save our planet for the next generation. With this in mind, we invite everyone to bring their family here at SM Mall of Asia to view this season’s Firefly eco-Christmas tree which will be showcased from today till January,” ended Greenwood.

History & Company Overview

ALCATEL Mobile Phones, one of the pioneers in the mobile phone industry, was established in France in the 1990’s. It is now present in over 5 continents and 120 countries all over the world and has sold over 36 million phones worldwide in 2010. In 2004, ALCATEL mobile phones partnered with TCL Communications, the largest consumer electronics company in China, to design and manufacture cutting-edge mobile devices with unique user experiences at the best possible market price. Together, it has 6 R&D centers worldwide with over 2,500 engineers at present working on the latest mobile innovations. With its continued growth in 2011, the company rebranded itself to ALCATEL OneTouch to strengthen its product line under the OneTouch series.

Journey to being 100% Back in the Philippines

In 2010, ALCATEL OneTouch re-entered the Philippines with 3 models: OT-305 (an entry level music phone), OT-806D (touch qwerty phone), and OT-980 (first Android 2.1 Smartphone) and has now expanded its phone range to 15 units after 12 months. It has a product distribution from 100 to over 1000 shops in key malls nationwide (Luzon, GMA, Visayas, and Mindanao). In Q3 2011, ALCATEL OneTouch successfully launched their Android 2.2 line of Smartphones under the BLAZE series – held at a press and media launch in Greenhills San Juan Last August 4.

One Touch to 100% Good

The company is committed to providing the best choice for mobile consumers as it offers products that are “one touch to 100% good.” This quarter 4, ALCATEL OneTouch introduces its first brand ambassador Chris Tiu, who is known for giving 100% on and off the court. Three key strengths of ALCATEL OneTouch to being “one touch to 100% Good” are the following:

100% Euro-standard technology

100% Global Quality

100% Kaya mo!

With this campaign, ALCATEL OneTouch is looking forward to delivering more 100% good phone models to Filipino mobile consumers in the coming months.

[Chris Tiu is ALCATEL OneTouch’s newest Brand Ambassador]

By end of the year, the company is targeting to have 15 ALCATEL OneTouch Kiosks in key malls nationwide. Putting customer care as its priority, ALCATEL OneTouch has setup a toll-free customer care hotline number for GMA and over 30 authorized service centers spread out in the Philippines to handle repair and warranty concerns.

According to a report from UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), there are 1.5 million street children in the Philippines – and guess what, you encounter 100,000 of them everyday right here in Metro Manila.

Virlanie Foundation is a non-profit organization striving to provide a better future for these children by giving them a home, a family and an opportunity to study. Virlanie has helped over 13,500 children since 1992 through their 12 Homes and 12 programs within and outside Metro Manila. This October, Virlanie shares the opportunity to help street children through their latest effort—the Rice Up for Street Children campaign.

“Every child’s well-being starts with a healthy meal”

“Street children are not only living in poverty; but more so, they are abandoned, neglected, abused and in need of special protection. They are the poorest of the poor,” shares Dominique Lemay, Virlanie Founder and President.

Through Rice Up for Street Children, Virlanie aims to collect enough pledges to accommodate its monthly needs of 50 sacks of rice per month for its homes and outreach programs in slum communities.

“ Everyone knows that rice is an important part of any Filipino child’s diet—unfortunately, for one reason or another, not every child is given his share of it,’ notes Lemay. “ Not only is rice the only carbohydrate that contains the essential amino acids needed for a developing child, it’s a cultural staple for any Filipino family.”

“Doing well by doing Good”

One is acknowledged as the society eventologist in the Philippines and the other is recognized as one of the top public relations firm in

the region—and a gathering for street children is the last place you’d expect to see them together. But for Tim Yap and GeiserMaclang,

it has always been about doing well in their respective industries, while giving back to the community.

“In GeiserMaclang, we’ve found a way to put social benefit at the heart of a successful business model,” shares GeiserMaclang Communications Director, Amor Maclang. “We don’t just sell broadband internet, we do it in such a way that grandchildren teach their lolos and lolas to use the internet; we don’t just promote a resort, we find ways to increase tourism and generate jobs inside of communities; we don’t just write press releases; we aim to bring the "social" in social marketing. And this is exactly how we have been working with Virlanie Foundation this past year.”

On the other hand Tim Yap will be taking the lead in Rice Up for Street Children campaign as Virlanie Foundation’s new Ambassador of Goodwill.

“At the end of the day, empowering children to have a brighter future, will always be greater and more important than individuals, affiliations and beliefs,” says Lemay. “And we hope that in the coming years, more and more people will realize this and find ways to help children, especially the disadvantaged ones, to become self-reliant, productive and independent.”

To find out more about Virlanie Foundation and how you can participate in the "Rice Up for Street Children" campaign, please visit www.virlanie.org or contact us through: Tel: +63 2 895.3460, Fax: +63 2 895.5232 or Email: frcom2@virlanie.org.