War Of Talents

The Philippines has already built a reputation as a preferred off-shoring destination in the world. Growth of the sector continued through 2008 and 2009 and this helped the Philippine economy stay afloat during the global financial crisis.
According to Gaurav Gupta, country head for India of the US-based Everest Group, the industry has registered a compounded annual growth rate of 30 percent since 2006, with an estimated $9 billion in revenue this year. “The Philippines has clearly established itself as number 2 next to India,” says Gupta.

(Photo by Chary Chu)
At 2nd International Outsourcing Summit, held last 26 – 27 Oct. 2010, industry leaders discussed a range of issues facing the BPO sector. One issue was on talent.

Cristina Coronel, president of the Philippine Software Industry Association says that the “war of talent” continues to be a critical issue facing the industry. “The industry has been facing attrition for the longest time.” She saw both an “outflow and inflow strategy” to address the problem. A “gentleman’s agreement” can be forged between companies to control the outflow (piracy of talents). She also saw the need to improve programs and partnerships. “Partnerships with the academe can result to better, smarter talents,” adds Ms. Coronel.


Maulik Parekh, President and CEO of SPi Global say, “Attrition is very company specific.” He mentions that a company should have a culture that is respectful and with a sense of malasakit.” He adds that there are other sources of talents outside Metro Manila. “These talents from key provinces can go head to head with talents from Manila and Cebu.”

Outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, these talents can be found in 10 key provincial cities, which have made strong contributions to the economy. These ten cities are called the Next Wave Cities™ These cities are Davao, Sta. Rosa, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Metro Cavite, Lipa City, Cagayan de Oro City, Malolos City, Baguio City, and Dumaguete City. They have been ranked in a scorecard developed by BPA/P and CICT. Metro Manila and Metro Cebu are considered “centers of excellence” and not part of this list.

Investments in talents are essential to sustain its brand as "the sunshine industry," said Oscar Sanez, president and CEO, BPA/P. He adds that talent development needs to “taken to a higher level from certification to training.

Last March, BPA/P launched BNCT (BPA/P National Competency Test). This is an assessment tool that would help generate industry-level talents. This test is given to graduates who would like to pursue a career in the BPO industry. “To date, we have been able to get some funding from government to allow us to distribute the test to 10,000 students nationwide,” says Jamea Garcia, BPA/P Executive Director for Talent Development.

“People either move up or move across. Agents moving from one company to another is part of a free market economy,” says Agarup Sengupta, Managing Director and Global CEO, Aegis Limited. “It also provides a breeding ground for new talent to come in.”

Moulic adds that the country needs a strategy to keep the Philippines competitive as other countries from Africa and South American are beginning to push their own BPO sectors. “We need to go deeper into the educational system.” He sees the need for a stronger “rigor of instruction for English.”

“The challenge we face now is how we can replicate our success. It is exciting to trade ideas with our counterparts from around the world and to share insights into the direction outsourcing will take in its next decade,” says Oscar Sanez, president and CEO, BPA/P.

Gupta adds, “Pushing hard what we are doing today require partnership and collaboration with government.”

The 2nd annual International Outsourcing Summit is a good push and step towards greater collaboration between key industry players. It organized by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPA/P), in cooperation with the Board of Investment and the Department of Trade and Industry, supported by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), together with the Board of Investments and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mobile Productivity

The busy executive is always concerned and sometimes worried about his own mobile connectivity. Problems can arise with his broadband connection, whether it be Smart, Globe or Sun. And failure of connectivity could result to an unhappy client or loss of a business opportunity. But the other half of mobile connectivity involves one’s gadget, one’s Blackberry, Nokie or iPhone smartphone. Or one’s laptop. At the launch of the new laptops of Dell held at Terrace at the Fifth (one of my favorite restaurants in Greenbelt 5), I was amazed to see the bright new colors. But most of all, the keyboard had back-lit lights and was “water resistant.” Yes, if you spilled coffee or water or orange juice on your keyboard, it would simply spill through like it was a water-resistant watch. That is great specially if you like eating and working at the same time or often at Starbucks with your Mocha Frappucino close to your laptop. In this video, Tan Hiang talks more about mobile productivity. Maybe, next to my MacBook, I could get used to Dell. I like it’s colors, security features but not really about being water-resistant. For technology to work, don’t drink your coffee near your laptops. It is an accident that is waiting to happen.

Lost and Found: iPhone

What if you accidentally found an iPhone at the counter of a popular drugstore in Greenbelt? Would you pick it up? Keep it for yourself? Read its messages? Check out its photos? Bring it to the store manager? Just leave it on the counter? Or find out who owns it and return it?

Or what if an Apple engineer accidentally loses an iPhone prototype and you happen to be around that place? What if? Actually, both what if’s have happened. Last year, I did accidentally find an unattended iPhone at Watson’s in Greenbelt 1. Was not really jumping up in joy seeing that iPhone as I already owned one. It was nothing new. Been using my iPhone for over a year. And I second iPhone didn’t really present itself as an exciting option.

Out of curiosity, I did pick up the phone. On my mind, I was thinking it was one of those TV pranks like “Wow Mali.” Maybe, Joey de Leon was around? I looked around the store, trying to spot any hidden video cameras. None. I thought of handing it over to the store manager, but that was no guarantee that they would find the owner and return it. It was safe to be in my hands. And I knew how to return it. Simply, call the last incoming number. I did that. Called the last incoming call. Talked to a real estate agent. She identified that the iPhone belonged to a Korean-American filmmaker visiting the country. A few minutes later, the owner did call and we made arrangements to meet up at McDonald’s Greenbelt 1 that same evening. He offered some money as a reward. Huh? No need for any reward, although coffee might have been nice?

You surely read the news or heard the buzz about an Apple employee named Gray Powell who lost a prototype of the next-generation iPhone4 somewhere in Redwood City. Imagine. The future iPhone that Steve Jobs proudly introduced just a few days ago.

Someone did pick it that lost prototype and reportedly made some effort to find out who owned it. That was really easy. Steve Jobs. But the “finder” decided to sell the prototype to Jason Chen who paid US$5,000 for the “lost” phone. He posted photos of the phone on this blog at Gizmodo.com And quickly his blog got around 9 million readers.

Apple also reported the “theft.” The prototype was ultimately returned to Apple. Gizmodo editor Jason Chen was raided by members of the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team. Chen refused to answer questions.

Questions have been raised about media and checkbook journalism, where some journalists pay for information. I don’t think it is right or ethical to pay for information. But must admit the search for a scoop might be too tempting specially, if it involved a very popular tech brand like Apple.

So next time, you are around a bar or fast-food chain and see an iPhone, pick it and return it to its rightful owner!

Digital Explorer

Technology indeed works and breaks the barriers of communities, which includes teachers and students, and help enhance learning opportunities for young students.
Last May 20, 2010, British explorer, Ed Stafford, conducted a live classroom session from the heart of the Amazon Rainforest to students who were at the new Rainforest Exhibit at London Zoo. It was an actual learning session from the Amazon Rain Forest to the rain forest in at the London Zoo. Ed is currently undertaking the first ever attempt to walk the entire length of the Amazon River. He has been walking since 02 April 2008. Photo of Ed Stafford by Keith Ducatel

This zoo is run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity founded in 1826. You can visit www.zsl.org The zoo opened to the public in 1847 and is the oldest scientific zoo. The zoo used to be the home to Chi Chi, a giant panda who inspired Peter Scott's design for the World Wildlife Fund logo. Chi Chi died in 1972.

Using latest satellite and digital computer technologies, Ed spoke life with a group of young students from Swiss Cottage School at the Rainforest Exhibit at London Zoo.

Through Digital Explorer’s pioneering virtual Academy of Exploration, the connectivity between teachers and students has been enhanced. The Academy uses the latest communication technologies to bring real-life experiences in exploration and science into the many young minds. This totally different learning experience is made possible by modern day explorers like Ed Stafford.

In a press statement, Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop, Director of Digital Explorer says, “Having Ed speak live from the Amazon to a group of pupils at London Zoo just shows what is possible in education now. The Digital Explorer Academy of Exploration makes this kind of opportunity open to schools across the UK.”

And this learning opportunity is free. Teachers can register for free access to multi-media, educational resources and LIVE lessons direct from expeditions across the planet www.digitalexplorer.com

New Wave Cities Recognized

It is deniably true that the growth of the country's BPO sector has contributed to keep the country afloat specially during the global financial crisis.


Thus, industry leaders from government, led by officials from CICT led by Secretary Chua and BPA/P CEO Oscar Sanez paid tribute to the hard-working men and women from ten cities around the country, whose productivity have become engines of economic growth for the country.

Known as the next wave cities, from Dumaguete to Baguio, BPO companies in these cities have effectively used technology to contribute to economic productivity.

Need a bigger screen? Try a projector

Yes, our Samsung flat-screen TV is a delight, specially, if one is watching a “big-screen” type of movie like “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” But sometimes, you would always want something bigger or larger than life. A bigger TV screen could provide a solution but that would be tough on one’s pocket. And besides, this Samsung TV still works.

Another option would be to get an LCD projector. Yes, those box-type gadgets we use at work for client presentations. One’s brilliant or lousy ideas can suddenly become a “big” idea when it is communicated in a large way through a projector. Whether it be in a classroom or corporate boardroom, projectors get the job done and 99% proves that technology work. I always make it a rule to come early for any client presentation to test a projector as sometimes, there are compatibility issues.



Recently, Infocus, the industry pioneer and global leader in the digital projection market showed their media friends why Infocus is still no. 1 projector worldwide.

“Customers have come to expect quality, value for money and innovation from InFocus. Innovation comes in many forms: design, cutting edge technology and differentiated features.” said Jeremy Farren, InFocus Vice President for International Sales. “Our Zoom 2010 line up of commercial and consumer projectors bring a fresh new industrial look and unique features that sets the standard for digital projection

Basic Business Ethics

The IT Journalists Association of the Philippines (CyberPress) denounces in the strongest terms, what the group sees as an unfair and arbitrary treatment of two CyberPress members who were penalized for doing their work -- reporting IT industry news.

Last March 1, 2010, CyberPress members had reported the resignation of a country manager of a multinational IT company – a development actually confirmed by the company. The report also stated that the executive had thrice been bypassed for promotion to the top post, an issue denied by the company.

The company objected vehemently that the report was “wrong,” though it announced the official’s resignation later on. We believe that the report, in its totality, is true and correct.

We believe that the proper course of action that the IT company and/or the PR agency could have taken, was to raise the concern/issue directly with the publications’ section editor responsible for the page and/or the reporter who wrote the story. They failed to do so on both accounts. The veteran IT journalists involved have always kept an open line of communication to both IT company and PR agency but were never approached.

However, what the IT company chose to do and allegedly upon the persistent counsel of its PR agency, is highly anomalous if not downright dubious. In other words, a breakdown in basic business ethics and public relations practice.

In the eyes of CyberPress, the manner of how this ‘issue’ was handled is categorically unacceptable.

We believe that our members, if they did violate any protocol in the pursuit of their story, due process should have been followed. They deserve to be treated like any professional with respect and fairness.

Information Technology Journalists Association of the Philippines (CyberPress)
March 12, 2010

iPad: Today's Tricorder

The iPad is here. Well, not yet really here in Manila but in North America. It was recently introduced by Apple to Apple enthusiasts and brand ambassadors during an event held at an Apple press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

This tablet computer, which can probably could be have inspired by the tricorder used in the Starship Enterprise by Spock and Dr. McCoy (sorry, am a Trekkie), can be used for reading e-books and email, browsing the Internet, watching videos, playing games and listening to music. Like the iPhone, its high-resolution multi-touch display would simply be amazing and it is just 0.5 inches thick. How light is it? Just around 700 grams. How much is it? Well, in the States, it will sell around US$500 bucks for for the 16GB model. The 32GB will sell nearly $600 while one will spare US$700 for the 64GB model. Sorry, one can't expand storage capacity.

The iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G.

Here? My guess is that it will be between the 30k and 40k range. Hopefully, not beyond 50k, because that would mean it would be near the range of a Macbook already!

In a press statement, Steve Jobs said, “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.” Steve Jobs founded Apple in 1976 and has since revolutionized the way we live using laptops and get connected with each other. He usually wears a black long-sleeved mock turtleneck, Levi's 501 blue jeans and sneakers when he meets stakeholders and media. Photo of Steve Jobs with the new iPad from Flickr (Apple iPad Event)

And just like the iPhone and iPod touch, it also syncs with iTunes using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable. All this syncing can sometimes be annoying if you are using different iPods or iPhones to sync to one MacBook. If there is a way to “unsync” or selective sync, please tell me.

How long is the battery life? Reports say that it will last up to 10 hours of video. Hmmm. That is more than a one way trip from Manila to Baguio. And 140 hours of audio!

Will I get an iPad? Maybe?

Growth of digital information

Like me, you probably also have too much information on your laptop. Which is one reason why am looking for an iOmega EGO external hard drive. Anyone know where I can find one?

According to the latest IDC Digital Universe White Paper, sponsored by EMC, there has been a five-fold growth in four years of digital information. Yup, that includes digital pictures we upload on Facebook or Friendster or music we buy and download from iTunes. And the more affordable costs of digital gadgets and equipments have contributed to the increase of digital information.

The study reveals that next year, individuals like you and me will create 70% of information in the digital universe. This study examined how IT departments were coping with the growth (or rather the boom) of information and how money was being allocated to manage corporate data. From the 405 respondents, 92 were from the financial, manufacturing, telco and energy sectors in the Philippines.

“Within the Philippines’ telecoms industry, the challenge is now about which telco can offer the most value-added and creative content in order to expand consumer offering that provide end to end solutions on the go,” says Ronnie Latinazo, Country Manager, EMC Philippines. I am sure both Globe and Smart are fighting toe to toe to get these value-added and creative content to their subscribers. Unless, you see a network out of coverage reach message.

For companies, there would be an increasing need for security, compliance and preservation of digital information. A key element in the IDC study showed that data security is still a missing key element in information management strategies. From the total 405 respondents, some companies still don’t have data security policies in place.

“Companies are under tremendous pressures to achieve higher levels of efficiency with existing technology that have now because IT budgets are often reduced or unchanged despite an increase in demand for constant upgrades,” says Latinazo. Yup, we have heard of “doing more, with less.” Given the tough economic times, IT budgets are really being affected.

Sometimes, with reduced IT budgets, companies face a continuing challenge on the customer front. Respondents from the five countries who were part of the IDC survey (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India) say “they need to deploy technological products and services in more innovative and strategic ways.”

My IT budget? Around 5,000 pesos for a portable 500 GB iOmega EGO. Anyone know where I can get one? Preferably colored red.

SNS under attack

Just the other day, Chief and I were watching “Eagle Eye” on HBO. Many of us remember this 2008 film with Shia LaBeouf (Jerry Shaw) and Michelle Monaghan (Rachel Holloman), as a pair who are brought together and coerced to an anonymous female (ARRIA). The plots revolves around a possible terrorist attack but this time, it is a super computer who through cyberspace coordinates action that leads Jerry and Rachel into the halls of the Capitol Bldg. Billy Bob Thornton plays FBI agent Thomas Morgan who towards the end believes Jerry. He charges into a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to help Jerry escape.

Today, realities of cyberattacks are happening around the world. Last year, news media, financial and government websites in South Korea felt coordinated attacks through cyberspace. The BBC News reported at least a 3rd wave of attacks last 09 July 2009. The report says, it was a "denial of service" attack” wherein virus-infected computers are hijacked and simultaneously directed to a particular site, overwhelming it with the sheer volume of traffic. Last October 30, 2009, the National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, pointed to North Korea's telecommunications ministry as the origin of the attacks. Someone like John McClane can be part of this unit? Remember in Die Hard 4.0 McClane fought off cyber terrorists. Photo from http://www.deseretnews.com

Even the website of DOH was hacked into last December. Hackers changed the photo of Secretary Duque. The TESDA site was also traffic was redirected to Smartmatic, who is supplying the poll machines for the May elections. A hacker also posted Arabic messages on the DOLE website. Also last year, hackers targeted three government websites namely: Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council. Their traffic was redirected to another website.

According the latest study by Sophos, there also has been a rise of cyberattacks in social networks like Twitter and Facebook. The study revealed that 57 percent of online social network users reported getting spam in their virtual communities. This was a 70.6 percent jump from last year.

"Computer users are spending more time on social networks, sharing sensitive and valuable personal information, and hackers have sniffed out where the money is to be made," said Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley.

Already Facebook is working with McAfee increase protection for its members, who now number around 350 million. That won’t be an easy task for the security team at Facebook. According to a news report, Facebook members are also “being offered free six-month subscriptions to McAfee security software and then discounted prices for continued service.”

Better safe than sorry. Thus, it always best to use security software, whether it be McAfee Virus Scan or Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus. Or get an external hard drive to back up your data. If you are a Mac use, get an iOmega EGO!




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Toyota recalls cars!

I recall Paris. Not the city but the old Toyota Silver Edition, with Plate Numbers CET 931 that I used to drive back in the mid-90s. Those were the CITEM years. Paris would be parked in front of Hall 3, International Trade Center. Besides Paris, Rene Sale would park his Galant and Kaye Tyapon her Toyota Rav 4. Where is Paris now? Really don’t know. But Paris is definitely not among the thousands of Toyotas being recalled by the Japanese company.

Last January 21, 2010, Toyota announced the recall of 2.3 million (and counting) vehicles which includes Camrys and Corolla. Chief used to drive a Corolla. Other models or types involved in the recall, with a specific pedal assembly, are:
Certain 2009-2010 Corolla, Certain 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, Certain 2007-2010 Camry, Certain 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia. Forbes Magazine reports that the eight suspended models account for 57% of the company’s U.S. sales.

According to the website, there are two safety recalls, the “Floor Mat Entrapment” which could interfere with the accelerator pedal and “cause it to get stuck in the wide open position” and the “Pedal” where a there is a possibility that “certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.”

Last January 26, the company also suspended sales of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26.

"Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive," said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. "We deeply regret the concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to make things right.

2.3 million cars means X amount of man-hours that Toyota dealers, mechanics and production people will work on to fix the problem. But the problem isn’t just mechanical. But from a communication’s standpoint, a crisis situation. Would be interesting to know and learn what is happening inside boardrooms as both Toyota and its advertising and PR agencies work out strategies to resolve this crisis.

Toyota is expected to lose millions of dollars. It would be tough to measure how this recall would affect its corporate image and reputation.



The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says “it has no proof that anyone was injured by a stuck pedal.” It said it has confirmed to its satisfaction that five people have died as a result of floor mat entrapment. But lawsuits are coming down the road for the Japanese auto giant. At least 10 lawsuits seeking class-action status have been filed U.S. and Canada against Toyota .

Already, it has come out with full-page ads which says that what is happening is pause "to put you first." Lentz has also and will continue to make the rounds of morning and news shows. "This is embarrassing for us to have ... this kind of recall situation," Lentz told reporters. "But it doesn't necessarily mean that we have lost our edge on quality. But we do have to be vigilant. We have to redouble

When I used to teach PR in St. Paul College, Quezon City, I used the 1982 Johnson and Johnson Tylenol case as part of my crisis management lectures. It was a good case study of how the brand effectively handled a crisis. Now, we have tamper-resistant packaging because of that incident. But let us not forget 6 persons lost their lives as they took cyanide-spiked Tylenol.

While technology can fix this problem mechanically, a strong and convincing communications campaign would be needed for the customers and various stakeholders to bring back their trust and confidence on the Toyota brand.

Now, I will have to give it a second thought before getting a new Rav 4. Hey Neal Tieng, better have the pedals of your Rav 4 checked too!

If you are driving a Toyota, it would be best to you’re your dealer or visit toyota for more info and updates.

Chinese cyber attacks

Maybe, Google should make good it’s threat to leave China after cyber attacks aimed at Chinese human rights activists.

While China could be the biggest internet market, due to its sheer size and population, if its leaders don’t respect basic human and intellectual rights, then, big business should not contribute to harm and pain that Chinese government inflicts on its workers and netizens.

We all know the sweat shops across China that pay below living standards salaries, the fake products from mobile phones to luxury items around the flea markets and tiangges and the controversies from the recent Olympic Games. And we won’t definitely the images during the Tiananmen massacre.

Photo by Jason Lee of Reuters shows a Chinese Google user delivers a bouquet of flowers outside the Google China headquarters in Beijing January 14, 2010.

Google chief legal officer David Drummond said in a blog post. "These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered--combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web--have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China"

David is SVP, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer for Google.

The internet giant also reported that accounts of China human rights activists who use Gmail in China have been "routinely accessed" by using malware sneaked onto their computers.

Talking to SMEs

I first learned about Thakral when I was still living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnan. So, when Sheila Rada of Dominguez Marketing Communications mentioned about the “Thakral Group 2010 Kick-off” media event, memories of Vietnam flashed into my mind.

Although, we didn’t win the pitch for their business (Seiko watches) in Vietnam, it was a learning experience for me. In fact, every new business pitch is a learning experience as one gets to know about brands and business sectors.

Last Tuesday night, at Cyma Restaurant, in the heart of Greenbelt, again, I got to learn about Thakral’s new capital investments and focus on SMEs. The Thakral Group wouldn’t be the first or last company to focus or work with SMEs. So, how will Thakral work with Filipino SMEs?

“We want to focus on the dynamic SME market to help them be more competitive and efficient with our best-of-breed products and value-added services offerings,” explains, Bikram Singh Thakral. He says he is part of the 4th generation from the Thakral family.

The Thakral Group is a $1.5 billion company! I never really realized Thakral was that big! In Vietnam, I knew them as a the exclusive distributor of Seiko and Rado watches. I remember when I visited their office along Dong Khoi Street, the ground floor was a showroom for watches while the marketing team occupied the second floor.

Today the Thakral Group operates in close to 35 countries, and employs in excess of 10,000 people worldwide. It has business interests in distribution of IT products, provision of value-added IT services, Retail, Real Estate, Textile & Manufacturing.

It started its operations in 1997 with its current flagship company Technopaq Philippines. The company has achieved great success in the Philippines where they formed strategic partnerships with some of today’s IT giants such as IBM, Microsoft and Oracle.

“We have Filipino managers working for us in Vietnam,” says Thakral. I wouldn’t be surprised as the Filipino expat community in Saigon is a growing community.

“Thakral Group recognizes the world-class talents of Filipinos and the advantages of making them part of the organization — not only here in the Philippines but also in our operations overseas,” Thakral explains.

In the Philippines, Thakral has brought in some of the brightest IT talents. Teddy Sumulong who used to be with EMC now heads Thakral’s flagship company, Technopaq Philippines, as General Manager.

Dittas A. Formoso is another local IT industry veteran who is now part of the Thakral team. She holds a dual role as the newly appointed Senior Management Advisor of Thakral Group in the Philippines and OIC General Manager, Raffles Solutions.

With IT veterans like Teddy and Dittas, we can see a stronger presence Thakral in the Philippines.

“The global economy is steadily getting back on the road to recovery and we see the same for the Philippines, if not at a quicker pace. Thakral Group, through its subsidiaries, is ready to address the IT needs of the large enterprise and the thriving SME sector,” Thakral closes.

Yahoo! Top Searches in 2009

How was 2009 for you? I guess we can say that it was a good year for the Philippines as Manny Pacquiao made us all proud! Cheers to Manny! Am sure that if Manny wins his fight in March and even snatches the congressional post in May, he will again be the top Yahoo! search in 2010.

Manny Pacquiao didn’t only make us proud but her also topped Yahoo! Philippines Search Terms for 2009! This annual review highlights the top Searches and trends on Yahoo!. It also presents ways how Filipinos use the Web to find information.


Note that the late President Cory Aquino and master rapper Francis Magalona were in second and third place. Their lives and their death definitely caused spikes for their names in Yahoo!


Top overall search terms for Philippines in 2009:
1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Cory Aquino
3. Francis Magalona
4. Ondoy
5. Dionisia Pacquiao
6. Shalani Soledad
7. Eraserheads
8. University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
9. Mar and Korina
10.Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)

The top celebrity searches in The Philippines also included: Maricar Reyes, Angel Locsin, Sandara Park, Pamela Bianca Manalo, Kris Aquino, Marian Rivera, Michael Jackson, Coco Martin, Anne Curtis and Judy Ann Santos

The top mobile searches for Philippines included:
1. NBA
2. Katrina Halili
3. Manny Pacquiao
4. Marian Rivera
5. Hayden Kho
6. Francis Magalona
7. Citigroup
8. Michael Jackson
9. Cory Aquino
10. PBA

A global video on the Yahoo! Year in Review Rewind (global) can be seen at this link