Bisaya Bloggers

What’s on the horizon for Davao’s IT industry? We’re seeing more software development companies being put up (by locals and by immigrants), and we’re seeing newfangled products and services being offered locally.

This post is only about a couple of teasers. The real deal will follow as soon as I have more details to blog about.

A new-media company is in the process of being registered with the SEC (I won’t mention the company name yet… in case it doesn’t get approved!). “New media” is a term that describes entities whose main focus is on the activities of Internet-based marketing and advertising. This new outfit is comprised of 5 bloggers, including yours truly. The reason why we’re putting up this company is the emergence of local demand for new-media services: Web marketing, promotions via blog sites, Internet advertising, SEO.

It’s not just about making Web sites anymore, and companies are starting to see this. They have come to realize that, even with a Web site, there is a missing layer between their sites and the people that they want to target as audience. That layer is what we’re here to provide.

Next up is related to media: a Web-based ‘TV show’ for technology-related content. It’s more aptly called a Webcast, and it’s in production now. The show will be called PinoyTech TV. The Webcast will feature industry news, gadget reviews, personality profiles, IT investment destinations, and employment opportunities. Watch out for it!

(The PinoyTech TV outfit, by the way, is looking for enthusiastic videographers and writers who are attuned to the inner workings of the national IT industry.)

Another online service that’s being developed is Davao Tech Jobs (www.davaotechjobs.com). It’s already live, but is still in beta. Applicants can already send in their resumes, which will then be matched with job openings. Companies can post job openings by sending them via an online form — this service is currently free of charge.

More later!

Good news to Filipinos! PayPal has now opened its full system to Philippine-based account holders. Previously, we could use PayPal only for remitting or paying, but not for accepting funds online. Now, we can accept moneys via the Internet, as well as make use of PayPal’s industry-strength and secure payment gateway facility. This is indeed a very welcome development, especially for those of us who are into technopreneurial activities.

I have yet to implement the PayPal shopping cart and payment gateway on one of my sites, but after reading through the documentation, I’m confident that PayPal can offer Filipinos a myriad opportunities for doing business online. What’s more, the basic system is practically free — except for the minimal transaction charges, there aren’t any setup fees or recurring monthly charges. Credit card purchases made on your site, for example, carry a minimum 2.5% charge, plus a US$0.30 fee per transaction. (more…)

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Amidst political scandals and the growing disillusionment over the present administration, it is a welcome development to see your government at work. One shining example is the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), in particular that of Region 11. Another public institution that could give this government some much-needed accolades is the Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency (PhilEXIM — officially registered as Trade & Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines).

Recently, PhilEXIM executives held an orientation seminar in Davao City for the benefit of SMEs, particularly small- and medium-sized I.T. enterprises (SMITEs). As is the DTI, PhilEXIM now has a mandate to focus on the development of the country’s I.T. industry. Before anything else, let me just say that the seminar was more than mere talk. The PhilEXIM executives, led by none other than one of the vice-presidents, were all set to start working with Davao companies. (more…)

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Attention college students in Davao!

Do you have a bankable I.T. business idea? Do you have an e-commerce vision that could potentially become a sustainable business? Do you want to acquire the necessary skills to formulate a sound business plan?

The P.E.S.O. Davao Challenge, launched last 20 June 2007 at the Ateneo de Davao University, is the perfect venue for enterprising young Dabawenyos who’d like the chance to see their ideas transformed into real businesses. The Philippine Emerging Startups Open is a nationwide business plan competition that was initiated by Filipino graduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This “brain gain” initiative was inspired by the MIT US$100,000 Entrepreneurship Competition, which is 17 years running. This prestigious contest has facilitated the creation of more than 60 I.T. companies to date, with an aggregate value of US$10.5+ billion.

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As Silicon Valley has proven time and again, the foundation of a successful and sustainable I.T. industry is academe. Cebu, by the success of its Cebu Educational Development Foundation for I.T. (CEDF-it) program, is adding credence to this model. And Davao City (“Silicon Paddy” according to my colleague, Jason Banico) might also contribute empirical data to this in a few short school years.

A couple of years ago, through the initiative of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc (DCCCII), an extensive educational program was instituted for the development of entrepreneurship training at colleges in the Davao Region. This was in partnership with the Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF), and funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). This bore fruit when 12 colleges and universities were introduced to curriculum development coaching for an entrepreneurship program in information technology courses. The coaching ran from December 2006 to January 2007.

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With the elections over, it’s pretty much back to business as usual. Davao’s I.T. industry players are gearing up for this year’s major events. In particular, the Mindanao ICT Congress (I mistakenly termed it “MICT Summit” in previous articles) is starting to gain some ground.

Finally, the MICT Congress franchise owner and this year’s host organization have agreed on the broad strokes of the event’s planning and management. The Mindanao Business Council (MBC) and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry have set the date on 26 to 28 October 2007. And, the inclusion and participation of the Davao ICT Inc. has also been approved in principle.

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Right before the Davao Bloggers Party #1, Janette Toral, ever a huge supporter of Davao I.T., came back to Davao for another DigitalFilipino Club eyeball. There are currently only 6 members in Davao — but hopefully more will join us. This club is the country’s only e-commerce and technopreneurship private organization.

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