Skytrax names AirAsia as world's best low-cost airline for 7th Consecutive Year

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes with Joy Caneba, CEO of AirAsia Philippines

PARIS, 16 JUNE 2015 – AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the AirAsia Group has been named the ‘World’s Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin’ and ‘Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat’ for the third consecutive year.

Skytrax is the global benchmark of airline excellence and one of the most prestigious accolades for the airline industry with 19 million customer surveys completed worldwide by over 160 nationalities, measuring standards across 41 key performance indicators of an airline’s front-line products and services.

Tan Sri Rafidah, Chairman of AirAsia X Berhad and Benyamin Ismail, acting CEO of AirAsia X Berhad were present to receive the awards at the Skytrax World’s Airline Awards held at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.

Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, the Group CEO of AirAsia X said, “We are thrilled to know that our guests have been enjoying the AirAsia X Premium Flatbed seats and we will work to further enhance our guests’ comfort and maintain our position as the best premium class cabin & seats in the low-cost airline category."
 

Sunu Widyatmoko, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia; Mittu Chandilya, CEO of AirAsia India; Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia; Tan Sri Rafidah, Chairman of AirAsia X Berhad; Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia;  Aireen Omar, CEO of AirAsia Berhad ; Joy Caneba, CEO of AirAsia Philippines; Benyamin Ismail, Acting CEO of AirAsia X Berhad.

Both the AirAsia and AirAsia X Group have carried nearly 300 million guests since their inception. AirAsia was established in 2001, and AirAsia X started off in 2007.

In 2014, the AirAsia X Group has expanded with the establishment of Thai AirAsia X (airline code XJ) and Indonesia AirAsia Extra (airline code XT), apart from the Malaysian-based AirAsia X Berhad (airline code D7).

The AirAsia X Group operates 26 Airbus A330s with an average age of 5 years and has a firm order of 55 Airbus A330neos with first delivery to begin in 2018.

The AirAsia X Premium Flatbeds feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen. Premium Flatbed guests also enjoy premium complimentary products and services including Pick A Seat, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage, 40kg Baggage Allowance, Complimentary Meal and Pillow & Duvet.

Stay updated with AirAsia and AirAsia X’s activities via Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia). /PR

Turning Passion into Profit

Sunnies Studios’ Georgina Wilson shares her journey of starting her own business and how technology drives its success

It’s a little-known fact that business was always a favorite conversation topic for renowned international model and Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3 host Georgina Wilson. With a multitude of successful fashion campaigns and hosting stints under her belt, it is impressive to note that Georgina is beauty and brains with a double major degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Sydney.

Her strong business acumen is furthered fueled by conversations with fellow entrepreneurs and friends Bea Soriano, Eric Dee and Martine Cajucom, as well as her love for all things fashion. With a fascination on how start-up brands grow to achieve success, together they put up Sunnies Studios, Inc., now one of the country’s biggest eyewear brands.

Since its launch in 2013, Sunnies has beefed up its mainstream presence as evident in its vibrant ads on major billboard sites and online platforms. With chic eyewear as the focus of their business, Georgina, Bea, Eric and Martine set out to build a brand that resonated with today’s generation. 

Sunnies houses on-trend and vintage-inspired unisex sunglasses.  With 30 outlets now rolled out across the country, its designs remain effortlessly. When asked how they were able to do it, the partners shared that it took hard work and perseverance to open their first shop. As Georgina shared, “We pursued building Sunnies not entirely knowing the challenges that lie ahead but knowing that we would always work on them together. That’s why it is also good that the four of us decided to do this together because we complement each other’s ideas and vision for the brand.”

From choosing the sunglass designs, making the shop posters, and heavy lifting stocks to the trunks of their cars, all of them are very hands-on. In hindsight, they all believed that doing all the legwork themselves led them to better understand their business venture inside out.

Doing business with friends also made it easier for them to divide work based on their areas of strength. Georgina was in charge of marketing, Martine became creative director, Eric handled finance, and Bea was on top of operations. As they performed their roles, one of the things that became clear to all four was that, in business, you have to act fast to seize windows of opportunity. With this key insight, they tooled themselves and their outlets to operate in a flash.

One of the best moments that showcased the go-getter attitude of the Sunnies Studios partners is last year’s Labor Day promotion. With only one-day lead time, the partners decided to have a Buy 1 Get 1 offer for the first store hour of May 1st in all their outlets nationwide. To pull it off, Eric created a chat group on a mobile app to get everyone on board in no time. With the help of social media promotions, people were already lining up in Sunnies shops even before they opened the next day.

Instances like this underscore the primary need for a reliable connection. Staying in touch even while mobile lets entrepreneurs like the Sunnies team to run their operations wherever they are. As Eric Dee said, “We make sure our outlets have internet access and that we are all equipped with mobile data for instant internet connection anytime, anywhere. That’s why we subscribe to a Globe myBusiness Postpaid Plan which allows us to mobilize our teams through texts, calls, and data whenever a big opportunity such as the Labor Day promo comes along.”

“To move at the quick pace that consumers are accustomed to today require tools and solutions made specifically for businesses like Sunnies Studios. We have powered Sunnies’ communication requirements to enable them to grow their brand in their own terms and at their own pace,” adds Martha Sazon, Globe Senior Vice President for Small & Medium Business Group. Sazon continues that it is a privilege to be a part of every business’ journey and adds, “With partner start-ups like Sunnies and with driven business owners like Georgina, Eric, Bea, and Martine, we continue to better understand what entrepreneurs need and what will make their business a success.”

Alongside Globe myBusiness’ innovative customizable postpaid plans, the small and medium enterprise arm of Globe also offers a portfolio of solutions that are made for entrepreneurs. Globe myBusiness solutions are created to maximize profits through services like mobile point-of-sales solution Globe Charge, boost efficiency with vehicle trackers and CCTVs for asset management, and aid in additional business advertisements through Large Format Displays (LFD).

To learn more about Sunnies Studios, check out Georgina, Bea, Martine and Eric’s video through the Globe myBusiness YouTube channel and in social media with hashtag #InspiringSuccess.

To know more about Globe myBusiness products, visit www.mybusiness.globe.com.ph or email mybusinesscare@globe.com.ph. You can also follow the official Globe myBusiness Facebook page and on Twitter: @GlobemyBusiness or call its dedicated hotlines at (02) 730-1010 in Metro Manila and Luzon, (032) 401-1010 in Visayas and (082) 321-1010 in Mindanao. /PR

2GO switches to Microsoft Office 365 provided by Globe Business

Globe Business, through its IT Enabled Services Group, once again enables 2GO Group Inc, the largest, premier logistics provider in the Philippines, with another cloud-based solution -- Microsoft Office 365.

To date, 2GO is Globe Business' biggest Microsoft Office 365 client with almost 3,000 licenses. As the world’s leading productivity application, Microsoft Office 365 provides enterprise-grade tools that brings together familiar Microsoft Office desktop applications that lets its users get things done easier and faster. 

Gabriel David, CIO of 2GO Group had this to say:  “Our email prior to O365 was a hosted MS Exchange provided by a local vendor. The main reason why we transferred from our old provider to O365 is reliability, plus the fact that O365 offers bigger storage and better collaboration tools.  Because of  the frequent issues and non-commitment by the local vendor to improve their infra and technology, we decided to look for other alternatives.  We did an in-depth study of O365 and other email solutions that could offer the same services. For us, O365 came up the strongest due to its technology, functionality and ease of use.”

David also continued that O365 deployment was reasonably easy. It took them around only one month to deploy almost 3,000 emails. There were a few challenges with the migration but with the help of Globe, issues were immediately addressed. “We wanted a single point of contact for the email, and when we found out Globe was a Cloud Service Provider of Microsoft, we were confident enough to work with them as majority of our infrastructure for  our Data Center and Back-up-as-a-Service (BaaS) is with Globe.  Our core services such as Direct Internet, MPLS and Wireless Mobile are also with Globe Business.”

“We thank 2GO for their continued business partnership.  Globe is a leader when it comes to innovation and we want to share what we know with our customers as we continuously look for solutions to their business pain points.  We partner with renowned companies the likes of Microsoft to give our customers the edge, as we enable them in their journey to digital transformation,” shared Rey Lugtu, Globe Vice President of IT Enabled Services.

(L to R) Lauro Lucas, Globe Enteprise Group Senior Account Manager; Rey Lugtu, Vice President, Globe IT Enabled Services Group; Gil Genio, Globe EVP & COO for International and Business Markets , Jerry Cruzabra – CFO, 2GO Group, Gabriel David, CIO, 2GO Group and Patricia Sadorra, Globe Enterprise Group Sales Cluster Head

With O365 provided by Globe, 2GO employees can easily access, store, transmit, and manipulate information, application and files virtually anywhere on PC, Mac and tablets. Powered by Microsoft Exchange Online, O365 allows users to sync and access business-class emails, Instant Messaging (IM), contacts and shared calendars that are on schedule.  O365 also lets users view and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files on multiple mobile devices from any browser.

Globe IT Enabled Services offers a range of IT solutions such as industry-accredited data centers, cloud solutions and managed services as well as a complete portfolio of business applications like machine-to-machine and productivity tools. To learn more, visit www.globe.com.ph/business, contact your Globe Business Account Manager, or send an email to ig.marketing@globe.com.ph.

Classic Mexican Telenovelas on BEAM Ch 31

Good news for lovers of classic Mexican telenovelas who are looking for an alternative to local and Korean standard drama fare.

Tagalog-dubbed hits La Madrasta (The Stepmother), Palabra de Mujer (A Woman’s Word), and Big Love (Llena de Amor) now air daily over BEAM UHF Free-to-Air Channel 31 in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Naga, Iloilo, and Zamboanga.  The programs are also available on cable in NCR via SkyCable Channel 72, Destiny Cable Channel 80, Cable Link Channel 82, and CableStar Channel 4, and Skycable Channel 20 in Cebu, Davao, and Baguio.  Airing starts daily from 5am - 7am and 7pm to 11pm with catch-up marathon on weekends in the same time slots.

Hit Mexican telenovela classic La Madrasta returns to the small screen with Victoria Ruffo and Cesar Evora.

 La Madrasta, which starred Victoria Ruffo and Cesar Evora, was an unexpected success when it was broadcast in Mexico back in 2005.  The drama is about Maria who was wrongly-accused of murder.  After many years in prison, she returned to be with her children and exact revenge on his husband Esteban who turned his back on her during the ordeal only to later be torn between her desire for justice and finding the strength to forgive.

A Woman’s Word, on the other hand, premiered in 2007 and is also the name of a TV talk show featured in the series.  It follows the intertwined lives of Vanesa, Fernanda, Paulina, and Matilde who despite their very different social backgrounds, embarked together on an exciting adventure in search of their personal fulfillment as professionals, and more importantly, as women. It was top-billed by Edith González, Yadhira Carrillo, Ludwika Paleta, and Lidia Ávila.

The lovely cast of A Woman’s Word, namely: Edith Gonzales, Yadhira Carrillo, Ludwika Paleta and Lidia Avila.

Meanwhile, Big Love which was aired in 2010, tells the story of Marianela, who may be huge in weight but is very positive in life even though she lived most of her childhood without the love and warmth of a family.  Played by Ariadne Diaz, Marianela experienced struggles in countless family intrigues that led her to live with her aunt in Spain.  After her aunt’s death, she went back to Mexico filled with optimism and self-confidence, determined to find her big love.

Ariadne Diaz playfully enacts a scene in Big Love.

The Spanish telenovela trend in the Philippines started in 1994 but began dwindling in popularity about a decade-and-a-half later as Asian dramas took over.  However, it continues to have some following particularly among young-to-middle aged women.
 

BEAM Channel 31 is a free-to-air TV being operated by Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc. (BEAM), owned by a joint consortium led by Bethlehem Holdings, Inc., an investee of Globe Telecom’s Retirement Fund.