The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter, Inc. (PCCI-Iloilo) hosted Iloilo Business Week 2023 on October 14-20.

Now on its second year, the Iloilo Business Week 2023 will be underscored with a series of events and activities that will showcase the flourishing business sector and economic opportunities in the City and Province of Iloilo.

The Iloilo Business Week will kick-off with the Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo’s Artesanias de Iloilo at SM City Iloilo on October 14-15. This trade fair features local crafts and flavors of Ilonggo MSMEs.

PCCI-Iloilo is putting the spotlight to local entrepreneurs with the launching of Businesserye and Ilonggo Entrepreneur Awards 2023 on October 16. Businesserye is an online series that features the inspiring success stories of Ilonggo MSMEs. Meanwhile, the Ilonggo Entrepreneur Awards is intended to honor outstanding Ilonggo entrepreneurs.

As part of its advocacy in teaching aspiring entrepreneurs skills that they can use in starting up their own business, PCCI-Iloilo is organizing Hope in a Cup: Coffee Latte Art Training for the Out of School Youth on October 17.

In a bid to bridge business owners and make business collaborations possible, PCCI-Iloilo will organize a Virtual Business-to-Business Session under its flagship program, PCCI-Iloilo Connect on October 17.

PCCI-Iloilo is also partnering with One Iloilo, Inc. for theopening of the Iloilo Festival Fair 2023, a trade fair the showcases the best of various municipalities on October 18 atFestive Walk Iloilo. 

The highlight of the Iloilo Business week 2023 will happen on October 19 with What’s Up Western Visayas, a business conference that will feature powerhouse speakers who will be tackling topics related to emerging business trends, useful business strategies, and economic opportunities. The said event will be held at Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo.

The week-long event will be capped with simultaneous business trainings and workshops by Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Centers of Iloilo City and Province on October 20. PCCI-Iloilo will also host Grand General Membership Meeting on the same day.

“After the successful Iloilo Business Week last year, we are making this year’s celebration grander and more meaningful for the Ilonggo entrepreneurs by adding events that will not only teach them new business concepts and skills but will also give them the venue to showcase their products,” PCCI-Iloilo President Fulbert Woo noted. 

On his part, Iloilo Business Week Co-Chairman and PCCI-Iloilo Board of Director for Marketing and Health, Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo highlighted that the Iloilo Business Week does not only promote Iloilo as an investment destination. It also boosts economic activities by inspiring the Ilonggos to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

“The Iloilo Business Week is an opportunity for us in PCCI-Iloilo to inspire our fellow Ilonggos to become more innovative and inclusive when it comes to their business. We hope that through this week-long celebration, we can further make Iloilo an investment capital of Western Visayas,” Celo added

 As part of its commitment to deliver service of greater value and to give its partners a safety net in the event of an emergency. The Medical City (TMC) Iloilo launched the ASSURE Card – the first hospital-initiated emergency prepaid card here on July 28.

The launching event was held at The Medical City Clinic Iloilo located at the 2nd Floor Annex of Festive Walk Iloilo and was graced by local media and bloggers and TMC Iloilo Corporate Partners.

 Macau, often referred to as the "Las Vegas of the East", is a vibrant and captivating city that blends Chinese and Purtuguese cultures. Known for its glamorous casinos, rich history, and stunning architecture, Macau offers a unique experience that attracts travelers from around the world. It offers countless picturesque spots that are perfect for Instagram enthusiasts. 

Macau was the the first country I travelled after the pandemic. I have to be honest that Macau wasn't listed in my travel bucket lists before. But sooooo glad I made the choice to visit Macau. Just like Japan, Macau is that place I would love to go back to.

 Festive Walk Iloilo, the premier lifestyle destination in the heart of the city, is thrilled to announce its latest campaign, "Good Pub, Good Moments," designed to offer an unparalleled nightlife experience for residents and visitors alike. This exciting initiative aims to redefine the concept of a vibrant and enjoyable night out, elevating the standards of Iloilo's nightlife scene. Moreover, the campaign promises an array of options to suit every occasion, whether it's a laid-back evening with friends, a romantic date night, or a celebration of life's milestones.

"At Festive Walk Iloilo, we believe that a good pub experience goes beyond just great drinks and music. It's about creating moments that leave a lasting impression," says Karmela Jesena, general manager of Festive Walk Iloilo, who was awarded Mall of the Year at the Retail Asia Awards 2023 in Singapore last June.

Here are 7 ways tech and AI can help parents raise digitally responsible kids and make parenting a little easier.

1. Maximize generative AI to make learning about internet safety more interesting!

Besides capturing their attention, it’s also equally important to make sure that kids are interested in what we’re trying to engage them in. 

If you’re looking for fun, creative ways to teach your kids about internet safety, try asking Bard—Google’s conversational generative AI chatbot! Simple questions like “What's a fun way to teach internet safety to kids?” or prompts like “Interactive websites that teach internet safety” can give you an entire list of ideas and activities that you can try out with your kids. 

From book and story recommendations, interactive online games, conversation starters, and even additional tips, Bard will never run out of ideas on how you can make learning about internet safety an enjoyable experience. 

2. Monitoring and limiting kids’ online interactions.

Tech can help protect kids from potential risks through content filtering based on their age. Tools by Google, for instance, make it possible for parents to monitor their children’s screen time, set limits and shut off their devices at bedtime.

If your kid is under 13, you can download Google's Family Link to track and control online activity, including text messaging and social media, using your own phone. TikTok's Digital Wellbeing features also allow you to remotely manage your kid’s TikTok from your phone.  Circle Home Plus is a device and subscription service that pairs with your existing router and lets you pause access to the internet, create time limits, and add content filters to all devices on your home network (including Wi-Fi devices), plus manage phones and tablets outside the home.

3. Teaching kids empathy through situations IRL.

PLDT Home and Google’s Be Internet Awesome video series features Sam and his AI friend Robo-berto in fun and enlightening adventures that illustrate how kids can be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

The songs and situations that Sam finds himself in impart valuable lessons on digital responsibility such as thinking before you click and bullying. In one episode, Sam discovers that forwarding the posts of his friends can hurt them.

“Ako po’y nanliliit, ako ba ay nanglait? Parang di niya na gets, ibang react ba ang ipapalit?” he sings and turns to his friend Robo-berto. The robot sings, “Pag online chikahan, medyo hirap maintindihan.”

4. Making it easier to raise critical thinkers.        

AI can analyze web content and online interactions to detect and block inappropriate or harmful websites and social media platforms. It can also identify signs of cyberbullying and harassment and analyze patterns and potential risks by monitoring various data sources.

At a young age, children can be trained to think critically about the accuracy of the information they read or watch. Is the story or post backed by credible evidence? AI can help filter information and trace the source of a story and its authenticity.

AI has given us countless hours of entertainment, allowing us to enjoy computer-generated images in movies and TV shows. Because they are so used to technology in a way their parents aren’t, kids can learn for themselves how to evaluate deepfake technology when it’s being used to sway or harm their young minds.

5. Keeping parents well-informed about  their children’s location.

AI-powered GPS and geolocation technologies can help parents keep abreast of their children’s whereabouts. Are they in school, with friends, in the mall? Or are they in a place where they would normally not go? Wearable devices like watches or smartphone apps use AI algorithms to provide real-time location updates and geofencing capabilities. They can also alert parents if their child goes beyond predetermined safe zones.

6. Making homes more secure.

Surveillance and security systems are now so advanced that you can monitor your home 24/7 from your phone. AI-powered cameras and systems use algorithms to analyze video feeds to detect unusual behavior, identify potential dangers — like if someone left the door open — and send an alert.

7. Monitoring the family’s health.

Tech has made it possible for wearable devices and smartphones to track vital signs and provide health monitoring. They can detect irregularities in their sleep patterns, heart rate and activity levels among many others. When these irregularities are detected in your children, the device will alert you to potential health issues.

Apps and online tools use AI algorithms to analyze videos or recordings of a child's behavior and provide insights on their cognitive, motor, and social development. Parents can also use AI-powered scheduling apps to manage their kids’ school routines and homework to simplify the family’s daily schedule.

PLDT Home is committed to keeping children safe online and at the same time giving them access to information that helps in their education, wellbeing, and growth. This contributes to the PLDT Group’s broader commitment to help the country attain UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 which promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.