Day: January 25, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, 25 January 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco together with the Philippine Trade & Investment Center – Silicon Valley (PTIC-SV), and Dynamico Space (Dynamico) organized two virtual pitching and networking events on 13 and 20 January 2022 for the winners and finalists of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 Slingshot 2021. DTI’s Slingshot features notable Philippine startups and startup enablers to foster the growth of startups, and enable new breeds of business.

 

“Our economic team here at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the Philippine Trade and Investment Silicon Valley and Dynamico, are ready to support Philippine startups by providing mentoring and networking opportunities. We hope for their success that would in turn contribute to national development,” said Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer.

 

Dynamico was represented by Mr. JR Calanoc, CEO and co-founder of Dynamico Space. Ms. Nancy Hwang, Dynamico head of mentorship, and mentors Ms. Jessica Tsoong, investor and advisor at Relay Ventures, and founder of WiFi Slam, and Mr. Matthew Brightman, advisor, entrepreneur, and senior product manager at Google, were on hand to listen to the presentations of the DTI Region 6 startups.

 

Nine Western Visayas startups engaged in business verticals such as tire recycling, water treatment, urban farming, online education platform for students with limited access to the internet, and sustainable sneakers, among others, participated in the mentoring program.

 

“On behalf of DTI – Region 6, we would like to thank the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the Philippine Trade & Investment Center Silicon Valley, and the Dynamico Space mentors, for the successful Pitch Nights for Online Slingshot Region 6 Startups. This new collaboration broadens our startups’ understanding of the U.S. market and accelerates the development of our startups’ skills to make them globally competitive,” said DTI Regional Director Rebecca Rascon.

 

The mentoring program is part of the implementation of a public-private partnership between the Consulate and PTIC-SV, and Dynamico. In June 2021, the Consulate signed with the private company the “Philippines-Silicon Valley Startup Program with Dynamico Memorandum of Understanding.”

 

The PPP setup with Dynamico aims to assist Philippine startups to gain exposure to the U.S. and expand their networks. It also facilitates the expansion of U.S. startups and companies in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, which is a leading global provider of IT and Business Process Management services, and has a developing startup ecosystem.

 

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs

The Police are investigating 15 persons, aged between 38 and 86, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities.

Between 8 and 19 January 2022, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted enforcement operations against illegal gambling activities along Marsiling Crescent, Yishun Street 72 and Yishun Ave 5. Three men, aged between 68 and 79, were allegedly found to have acted as bookmakers to 11 others, aged between 51 and 86. In addition, one 38-year-old woman is also being investigated for an offence under Remote Gambling Act. Cash amounting to more than $500, two mobile phones and gambling related paraphernalia were seized.

Under the Betting Act, any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Under the same Act, any person who bets with a bookmaker shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

The Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities and members of the public are advised to steer clear of such activities. Those found engaging in illicit activities will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

 

Source: Singapore Police Force

Manila) – The Board of Directors, members, and staff of the US-ASEAN Business Council offer their deepest condolences to the family of former Foreign Secretary Roberto “Bobby” Romulo on his passing.

 

Secretary Romulo was a stalwart friend of the Council, the U.S. business community, and the broader international trade and economic community.  His long and prosperous career started with IBM in 1965. He joined the Philippine Government in 1989 as Ambassador to Belgium and then went on to serve as Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 1992-1995 during the Ramos Administration.

 

A true believer in regional economic cooperation, Secretary Romulo served as founding Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), which became a model for the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and established the Secretariat of that organization in Manila in 1996.  He worked tirelessly on behalf of the Philippines in these international organizations, forging strong ties between the private and public sectors through foreign direct investment and championing disaster preparedness and resiliency for the Philippines.

 

A true patriot, Secretary Romulo fiercely advocated for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines in the face of various regional and other challenges.  A warm and gregarious person, a faithful friend, and an outstanding international statesman, Secretary Romulo will be sorely missed.

 

 

Source: US-ASEAN Business Council