Rico Yan PhoneCard Series

Mr. Ricardo Carlos ” Rico” Castro Yan (March 14, 1975 – March 29, 2002) was a popular matinee celebrity, product endorser, model, entrepreneur, columnist, youth leader and spokesperson.

PLDT touch card series was issued few months after his death in 2002 and was valid for at least 1 year. There are some collectors who collected this in MINT condition and the value was Php 100 each. A collector must shed at least Php 500.00 to complete the entire set.

The card can be used in both local and international call. The proceed from the sale were donated to the Rico Yan Youth Foundation.

Got a chance to visit his tomb located in Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque last year.

PLDT Touchcard

The set includes photos that were taken by his family, friends, life quotation and his specimen signature.

The local phonecard collectors do not have an idea on the exact quantity or number of these phonecard that were issued by PLDT. But it was one of the most sought after item or memorabilia which bore feature of Mr. Rico Yan.

This was after movie posters, magazines, personal signed items or photos with signature.

Used phonecards cost a fraction which were sold between Php 50.00 to Php 150.00 for a set of 5. Phonecards were available during collecting club’s auction and were highly sought after by his fans or collectors from all over the world.

During the first few years, phonecards which featured Rico Yan were mostly sold-out during collecting club’s auction. Eventually took me at least several years before outbidding a fellow collector. The set of 5 used phonecards was bought at around Php 120.00 for the set.

Some of the avid phonecard collectors were former OFW’s, those who use to work for PLDT, Bayantel, Pre-Paid Internet ISP Bonanza dealers or resellers.

In some countries like Japan, Australia and Germany, there were some catalogs published by the telecommunication network companies which issued the phonecards.

Local phonecard collecting community seems to have fizzle out during the past few years since big named telecommunication provider such as PLDT, GLOBE, SMART, BayanTel have not issued collectible series for a number of years.

I totally have forgotten my phonecard collection until few weeks ago while cleaning for my collection. It had been almost 20 years since the passing of Mr. Rico Yan and his life works thru memorabilia have given collectors some nostalgia.

Any additional information on the quantities of the phonecard is highly appreciated.

Note : photos of the phonecard is the property of the author.

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Winners of PLDT Smart SME Nation’s BOZZ Awards

Palace Pool Club , Bonifacio Global City -Taguig City – Philippines

PLDT Smart SME Nation’s in partnership with Rappler, Voyager, Idealspace, Bloomberg Philippines, Uber, Takatack and Airnb. The Bozz Awards was established to recognize Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs ) who have displayed excellence in technological innovation and digital integration .

 usherettes 

In the long run , it aims to highlight the crucial role of digital technology in supporting the growth and sustainability of small businesses in the country.

participants enjoyed the pool party 

PLDT- SMART executives and special guests

floating neon balls

The event was held at the posh Palace Pool Club within Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last night with several hundreds of participants from well-known entrepreneurs, SMART -PLDT executives , media practitioners, bloggers , online news , marketing executives among others.

Dr. Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation

Dr. Cecilo Pedro was among the prominent businessman invited in the event.

Website: http://www.lamoiyan.com/

pastries

There were also good food and everyone enjoyed their wonderful time at the pool party .

 PLDT SMART SME BOZZ winners

The competition was tight – over 500 nominations poured in from across the country to compete for the final spots.  The FINALISTS will go through the Silicon Valley Experience care of PLDT Smart SME.

The public voting came down to 15 strong contenders. A panel of industry leaders and the public’s votes determined the winners across 5 categories:

FINALISTS

• Boss for  Mobile Readiness – MOBKARD by Carlo Calimon , OrangeAPPS ,Inc. by Gian Javelona, Olryt Homes Philippine Real Estate by Arthur Olano
• Boss for E-Commerce- INDIGOBaby by Ms. Denise Gonzales , Renegade Folk by Tina and Regina Sambalido , Kimstore by Kim Lato
• Boss for Customer Service- Lay Bare Waxing Salon by Paolo Hilario , Homegrown Media by Daniella Yaptinchay, Time Free Innovations by Chino Atillano
• Boss for Social Responsibility- Bambike by Ryan McClelland, Rags2Riches by Reese Fernandez -Ruiz, Messy Bessy by Kristine Reyes-Lopez
• Boss for Social Media – Snoe Beauty by Jen Gerodias -Diaz , Happy Skin by Jacqe Yuengtian -Gutierrez nd Rissa Mananquil -Trillo , Jason Magbanua by Jason Magbanua

WINNERS

BOSS for Social Media – “All I wanted to do is to connect to people” -Jason Magbanua

Boss for E-Commerce – Ms. Kim Lato of Kimstore

Boss for Mobile Readiness– Mobkard by Carlo Calimon

Boss for Social Responsibility – Messy Bessy -Ms. Kristine Reyes-Lopez

Boss for Customer Service -Time Free Innovations by Chino Atillano

Note: It was a wonderful night to cap the event, I would like to ” Thank” Ms. Millet Liberato DDB for the invitation extended .

Nation’s Leading Telecommunication PLDT, Microsoft , Samsung to Boost IT education,launches Digital Campus Suite

Rizal Ballroom ,Makati Shangri-La ,Ayala Avenue , Makati City- Philippines

press conference

The nation’s leading telecommunication and multi-media service provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company or PLDT , through its business unit PLDT SME Nation, had launched together with Global IT giant Microsoft -Philippines , a new service package called the Digital Campus Suite that will enable students, academe and even their parents access to online learning programs and to earn IT ( Information Technology ) certification for critical IT skills that are now in demand in today’s digitally driven business.

group photo

Through the Digital Campus Suite , schools and universities will have high -speed connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate, an online access to training courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program.

former Senator Ana Dominique ” Nikki ” Coseteng

The former congressman and senator has been running the Diliman Educational Corporation since 2006. She gamely pose for a few souvenir photos from freelance writers and bloggers. She is one of the distinguished guests invited to the event.

Mr. Ramon Isberto and Ms. Issa Litton- Garrido

Mr. Ramon Isberto heads the Public Affairs Group Head PLDT/Smart Communications while Ms. Issa Litton is a actress, television host . They were the host for the event.

thesis writing group

a short re-enactment of a classroom thesis writing group in which students and professor interact with the use of modern equipment .

University of the Philippines PEP Squad members

There was a short intermission number where UAAP cheer dance group UP Pep Squad and NU showcased their talent

National University and University of the Philippines

Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan and executives unveiling its partners

PLDT is very active in partnering with schools and learning institutions to built their technology and connectivity resources in support of the education sector’s need to improve ICT learning among the students and its teaching staffs .

Website: http://www.pldt.com/

5th Business and Entrepreneur Expo 2014 Highlights

SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2, Mandaluyong City -Philippines

The 5th Business and Entrepreneur expo 2014 was a Big Success! . There were several thousands of students, trade buyers, business owners and visitors trooped to expo site during the 3-day expo.

Mr. Lucas Flaw ( France) , Mr. Alvie Benitez and Ms. Agnes Kovacs ( Hungary)

The Golden Duck Egg is a project of Gawad Kalinga . It is colored yellow instead of the usual RED color. It is organic way of processing and it is more healthy compared to the usual ones in the market. The egg is being distributed in several organic market  such as in Legazpi Sunday Market and Centris Sunday Market. Each egg being retailed from Php 20 to Php 25.00 per piece.

Mr. Alvie Benitez received a certificate of appreciation from the organizers

The project is already on its 3rd year and had won a several of accolades among organic growers and business enterprise.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/goldeneggs.ef

Mr. Arnold Magno and Ms. Marlet Magno of Beer International

Contact : Mr. Arnold Magno +53917-8492153

Landline : +632 ( 341-2194)

Beer International sells frozen beer machine with the latest agitation technology is used to create BEER Frost , pure beer that is frozen to -5 degrees Celsius , insulating the beverage as a frozen beer cap that seals in cold temperature and keeps carbonation from escaping for over 30 minutes to maintain its cold and crisp taste.

ice beer

I was given a sample frozen beer and it did not affect the taste of the beer. This is perfect for those convenient stores, restaurants and food outlets which like to serve frozen beer or root-beer to their clientele .

Ms. Joana Marie Verdeflor  of Murang Generics Pharmacy

Murang Generics Pharmacy is one of the major sponsors of the event. The company had started to franchise outlets.

For Franchise – Miss Joana Marie Verdeflor  804-32-38 fax , 804-34-98 land-line

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

Highlights of the expo include the SME technologies on E-Commerce Aurum Pay Technologies , Ansi Information Systems, PLDT and a “Transpo Negosyo” Exhibit showcasing Kia, Chevrolet and Nissan cars.

seminar participants

Aside from the Expo, PBEX has lined up the following seminars: “Marketing your advocacy,” “Greentrepreneurship”, “SME technologies and e-commerce for better productivity,” “Successful entrepreneurs best practices,” “Dealing with government regulations,” and “Doing business as a young entrepreneur.”

Ms. OSEP Reyes

Mr. Osep Reyes of Culture Schock PH is a travel pilot , The group specializes in travel around some exotic places in the country. It is a niche market targeting the people with a more stable income and maximum number of participants are just around 20 per tour.

Website: http://cultureshockph.com/

PLDT Kaasenso Cyberbarya booth

PLDT is also  one of the major sponsors of the event .  The advent of the internet and social media age, There are still significant sector which still do not have a regular internet connection and still rely on internet shops for their internet access. This is where PLDT company bridge the gap for the entrepreneurs and those who wanted the service.

Entrepreneurial Filipinos who wants to start their own business via internet rental service. No need for you to buy a personal internet and avail an internet connection line as Cyberya are bundled with a broadband connection with speed of up to 1 Mbps and a PC package via PC Express. If you’re having problem on how to start a internet café business due to financial expenses Cyberya is the answer to that. With Cyberya you can earn extra income .

Micro financing via RFC

P3,318 downpayment / P1,371 / month for 12 months

Website: http://pldthome.com/404.html

EX-Link Event Management : www.exlinkevents.com

Note: What i liked about this expo is the ability of the organizer to give inspiration thru their FREE seminars and inspirational talk of starting a business enterprise  . I would like to ” Thank” Sir Orly Ballesteros and Ms. Ainah Hanna Dumagsa for the invitation.