New and Innovative Products from MTECH 2016

Meralco Lopez Building lobby , Pasig City -Philippines

Meralco Technology and Innovation Summit 2016 or MTECH 2016 is a must -see exhibits and experience zone , which showcases the latest products , services and technology from the company’s business , service and technology partners . The event started at around past 8:00 am with the registration and a short program at the lobby of the main building and this will be its second year.

invited guests and officers of Meralco

The exhibit and summit started from August 23 to 24, ( Tuesday to Thursday ) at the Lopez building lobby showcased the company’s leading technology partner brands such as Dell, Hitachi, SAP, Pazifik, Power, Lenovo , Symantec + Blue Coat , CALIBR8, Schneider Electric, Indra, Siemens, Huawei , Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Salesforce , Microsoft , Trends and Technologies Inc., Trend Micro , Geodata System Technologies, WSI , Smart , PLDT and Radius Telecoms showcased their latest innovations, Moreover Meralco Kuryente Load -the power utility’s prepaid electricity service is also demonstrated.

Hitachi 

The Experience Zone , which is situated inside the MERALCO Theater Lounge features SMART Home Solutions by Schneider Electric ( which includes appliance control and electric consumption monitoring ) , Indra ( smart sensors and appliance control through smart plugs) and CALIBR8 (electric consumption monitoring and analytics )

Stratasys

The Experience Zone also features exhibits by Lenovo ( tablets , PC’s and Laptops ) Dell ( tablets , office PC’s , gaming PC’s , laptops, servers for back end systems) WSI Philippines ( large format displays and office printer ) , Trends and Technologies ( sound system ) , Microsoft ( Xbox One and VR device) and Abenson ( home appliances)

Smart Home living room 

MERALCO Chief Technology advisor Mr. Gavin D. Barfield said the exhibits would demonstrate the huge amount of technology and innovation that is going on at MERALCO as we embrace the digital age. “ We are utilizing tha latest technology to improve our grid operations , provide more consumption information and convenience to our customers ad to roll out new products and services . At Meralco, we are engraining technology and innovation into our DNA”.

 

MTECH 2016

There will also a pocket sessions will also be held at the exhibit venue. The event will conclude on August 26 Friday with a day-long forum featuring MERALCO”s technology vision and presentations from international speakers.

August 23

Topics :

1.) Transforming Customer Engagement in the Digital Economy by Mr. Robert Williams of SAP.

2.) ArcFM, Your Solution for Advanced Assets and Network Management by Mr. Gerome San Pablo of Schneider Electric.

August 24

Topics

1.) Organizational Transformation through ICT Solutions by Mr. Ravi Singh of Hitachi

2.) Harnessing Intelligent Data with Azure and Power Business Intelligence by Mr. Angelo Miguel Arcilla of Microsoft

3.) Grid Resilience and Demand-side Management by Mr. K. Anand Gopal Menon of Siemens

August 25

Topics

1.) Intel Unite by Mr. Charles Ty of Intel and Lenovo

2.) The Smart Life by Smart Communications

For more information about this event , Please visit

http://www.mtech.com.ph/

Meralco Advisory at Pandesal Forum : Consumers Enjoy Lower Power Rates in May

Kamuning Bakery , Quezon City -Philippines

Meralco announced earlier this month that the rate for its residential customers in May would go down by 41 -centavos per kWk, thereby bringing it down to Php 8.44 per kWh.  There was a press conference earlier today held at the iconic Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City .

For a typical household consuming 200kWh , this translate to a reduction of around Php 82.00 in their electricity bill.

L-R    Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores ,Mr. Joe Zaldarriaga ( Meralco spokesperson)  ,  Mr. Jose Antonio -Valdez ( Vice President and Head -Marketing Consumer Solutions and Product Development ) MERALCO, Little Joe and Little Miss Maita

monthly changes in April and May

This month ‘s overall rate is lower by Php 1.54 per kWh compared to May 2015’s Php 9.98 per kWh. It is also the lowest since January 2010, or over a period of six years.

The decrease in the overall rates was primarily due to the generation charge , which decreased by Php 0.21 per kWh from last month . May’s generation charge is the lowest since October 2004.

The current repricing covers months when crude oil spot prices in the world market fell to as low as US$31 per barrel.  The three natural gas plants supplied more than half, or 54%, of Meralco’s requirements.

egg pie  chart – based on 2015 overall average cost of power

We were grouped into 5 members per team ( 3 teams ) . The one who finish the first with correct answers wins.

54% goes to generation companies , 18% Meralco , 11% transmission , 12%taxes aand 5% others.

Based on 2015 overall average rates – taxes=value added tax +universal charg +local franchise tax

others=system loss charge +subsidies +feed-in Tariff Allowance ( FiT-All)

winning team

Transmission charge likewise registered a decrease of PhP0.10 per kWh due to the reduction in NGCP’s ancillary charges and slight decrease in Power Delivery Service (PDS) charge.

Taxes and Other Charges also decreased by PhP0.10 per kWh following the reduction in generation and transmission charges.
Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 10 months, after they registered a reduction in July 2015.

customer engagement 

The company is expanding the coverage areas for pre-paid electricity system to about 140,000 homes across different areas of Metro Manila and nearby municipalities like Cainta, Angono , Taytay and Rizal.

Mr. Jose Antonio T. Valdez -head Marketing , Customer Solutions and Product Development ( Meralco)

The Meralco Orange Tags are easy-to-understand labels that indicate estimated energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) and estimated cost per hour to inform consumers on how much electricity a household product consumes.

Meralco has started putting Orange Tags on different models of refrigerators, air-conditioning units and washing machines found in leading appliance stores in Metro Manila. The appliance units have undergone testing at the Meralco Power Lab to determine their electric consumption and equivalent power cost.

Orange Tags also indicate the appliances’ brand, type, model, power rating, Meralco average rate used and testing date. Information found in the Meralco Orange Tags and other Power Lab test results can also be viewed at the Meralco Power Lab website at http://www.meralco.com.ph/powerlab.

 

bloggers and media enjoyed the hearty lunch

 The bloggers had a great time at the Pandesal Forum and we learned a lot about energy saving tips, the advocacies and project of MERALCO .

Website: http://www.meralco.com.ph/

Note: The group won Philip’s -induction cooker as winners of the game ( group 1) 

Meralco building declared an Architectural Legacy

Eugenio Lopez Building , Meralco Compound , Pasig City -Philippines

Meralco CEO -Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan together with Dona Pilar Zaragoza descendants of Architect Jose Maria V. Zaragosa, CCP President Raul Sunico, and Lopez family

Meralco Lopez building , Home to the country’s largest power utility company, the Manila Electric Company ( MERALCO) was declared an Architectural Legacy of a Philippine Artist by the Cultural Center of the Philippines ( CCP).

Mr. Raul Sunico together with PIA and UAAP members

The event also saw the members of the Philippine Institute of Architects , United Architect Association of the Philippines, Boysen Paint were invited to grace the occasion.

Mr. Manuel V. Pangilian

This is in recognition of the genius of the building ‘s architect , Jose Maria V. Zaragosa- Who was posthumously proclaimed National Artist for Architecture in 2015.

crowd

The massive building, his largest and one of his most iconic architectural masterpieces ,was the second building to be erected in the Ortigas area at that time and has stood as a prominent landmark in this commercial business district since its inauguration in 1968.

Meralco Building -photo from Ms. Elaine Cedillo ( Wikipedia )

The 47-year-old structure is also poised to become a historical landmark in its 50th year three years from now in 2018.  Architect Zaragosa is said to have used the 1960’s brise-soleil architectural medium for the building design, where a series of vertical concrete elements installed as a concave curtain were ordered by monolithic concrete towers.

The building construction began in 1964 and was inaugurated in 1964 and was inaugurated four years later with the late Don Eugenio Lopez as Meralco president . It featured the largest suspended canopy in the country at that time.

nativity scene in front of the building

These towers were designed like two people trying to support each other, with the bridge across the building as their extended arms and its concave facade providing it more stability .

architectural legacy plaque

This was affirmed by the late architect and architect historian – Benedictine Father Rodrigo Perez III, who noted that the 14-storey Lopez Building ” is slightly curved to give it more stability and to avoid the boxlike appearance of rectangular buildings and the ‘train effect’ of straight corridors. Tapering vertical sun-breakers enhance the gentle curve of the concave facade” .

The building has also served as a preferred events venue through the 1,010 -seater Meralco Theater , which had witnessed several cultural performances and milestone events.

Jose Maria V. Zaragosa earned his BS Architecture degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1936 and a diploma in liturgical art and architecture from the International Institute of Liturgical Art in Rome, Italy.

group photo

Among his best known works were the reconstructed Casino Español de Manila (1951), the Santo Domingo Church (1954), Villa San Miguel aka  ( Archbishop Residence) in Mandaluyong (1954), SM Department Store, Carriedo, Manila (1960s), San Beda High School, Mendiola (1961), St. Joseph Adoration of the Pink Sisters, New Manila (1963), Pope Pius XII Catholic Center (1964), MERALCO Building, Ortigas (1965), Philbanking Building, Anda Circle, Manila (1969) PAL Building, Makati (1969)

Zaragoza family members

Union Church, Makati (1973), Virra Mall (1975), St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati (1977), Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Shrine (1980), and the renovated Quiapo Church (1984). He died on 26 November 1994 at the age of 81.

Mr. Mark Lopez , Mr. Mike Lopez and Mr. Manuel ” Beaver ” Lopez Jr.

He was awarded National Artist for Architecture posthumously in 2014.

 References : Jose Ma. V. Zaragoza, Architecture for God, For Man by Ruben D. F. Defeo and Maria Lourdes Zaragoza Banson.

Press Release : Meralco Architectural Legacy Marker Conferment

Note : I would like to Thank ” Miss Millet ” with her DDB team and MERALCO for the gracious invitation to this historical milestone !

Meralco Traditional Christmas Lightning at the Liwanag Park

Liwanag Park , Meralco Compound , Pasig City -Philippines

life-sized Christmas village complete with railroad tracts and train greet visitors to the Liwanag Park

Meralco officials and executives led by Manuel V. Pangilinan , employees and their families ,  Meralco Bolts,  Philippine Volcanoes and some ASKALS were at the ceremonial Christmas lightning of the Meralco compound .

Meralco Bolts and their coaches 

The park in recent years has been a popular Christmas destination and a tourist spot not only in Metro Manila but among foreign tourists and expats living in the country.

larger than life- nativity scene

The park features light displays and attractions like Christmas figures made of scrap copper wire, a mini train ride for visitors, the Toy Town and a bazaar, among others.

I like the way the MERALCO creative team have used the scrap copper wires and old lines in giving them new lease as pieces of art works.

It looked like organic materials ( like cogon grass ) until you try to go near the nativity scenes.

night bazaar

There is also the nightly bazaar called dubbed Liwanag Bazaar were there are over 2 dozen stalls selling native delicacies like bibingka, puto bumbong, barbecue ,clothes,  souvenir items, t-shirts , toys and accessories.

Meralco t-shirts 

In recent years, the park has been recognized as a must-see Christmas destination in the metropolis.

Started in 2006, the “Maliwanag ang Pasko” program seeks to encourage Meralco’s customers to light up and decorate their homes, establishments and cities to spread the beauty and joy of Christmas in their communities.

invited guests marveled at the Christmas lights and fireworks display

Department of Education- Secretary Brother Armin Luistro also graced the lightning ceremony and received , on behalf of DepED , a donation of 2,000 solar lamps from MERALCO employees , partners and customers.

The donation is the result of One Meralco Foundation’s ” One Child , One Lamp ” campaign launched in November to raise funds to donate solar lamps to public schools in mountain and island villages without electricity.

Liwanag Park Rules and Regulation

Liwanag Plaza within Meralco compound is open to the public from December 2 until January 6, 2015

Time: 4:00pm to 10:00pm – Weekdays

           4:00pm to 11:00pm – Weekends and December 25 to Jan. 1

The park will be close on December 18 for Meralco Corporate Christmas Party

Noted : I would like to Thank Ms. Millet for the invitation to the event.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meralco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meralco/

Website: http://www.meralco.com.ph/

Meralco Bolts: https://www.facebook.com/meralco.bolts/

WebGeek DevCup 2015: On August 15 and 16 at Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall , Ortigas

WebGeek has consistently organize DevCup since 2012. From the very start, the goal was to showcase the Filipino talent in information technology and competitiveness in the global space. To confidently compete in the global space.

Last year, there were 65 teams who managed to create 55 apps at the end of the 2-day hackathon.

This annual gathering of developers, designers, technology professionals and enthusiasts shows how to use cutting edge technologies and current trends in development an app. You can sign up as an individual, or up to a maximum of three as a team. Conceptualize, develop, and create your bizarre kind of app that is of course in harmony with the given theme.

Early bird tickets will be available on July 15 until 17. Last year, 2014, tickets were sold out!

This coming August 15th and 16th, WebGeek Philippines will be hosting the fourth edition of the WebGeek DevCup Hackathon at Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall, Meralco Compound, Ortigas.

For more information and pre-registration updates , Please visit:  http://devcup.net.