First Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

“We have gathered experts from the blockchain ecosystem to discuss this technological advancement and how companies and people can benefit from it. The Philippine Blockchain Week also lets investors and businesses network and explore opportunities in the Philippine market. The Philippines has the numbers to become a blockchain hub. Our population is at 110 million, with a median age of 25. We also have the highest internet penetration and the highest NFT penetration rate of a digital population.” ~Donald Lim, Lead Convenor

International and local experts from the digital and cryptocurrency industries have come together recently to support the first Philippine Blockchain Week. 

Official Launch of the Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

During the Official Launch of the Philippine Blockchain Week 2022 at the Sheraton Hotel Manila, convenors and industry partners have gathered to discuss the technological advancements and opportunities for the Philippine market.

The week-long event will be held from November 28 to December 4, 2022 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom of the Newport World Resorts in Pasay.

Convenors and industry partners have come together to pledge their support to the holding of the Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

With the aim of bringing together the while blockchain ecosystem in the country, the organizers and convenors of the week-long celebration pooled their efforts and resources to bring attendees to an impactful and life-changing conferences that is worth the wait. 

The Philippine Blockchain Week promises to connect people from different sectors:

• Businessmen
• Global Speakers
• Entrepreneurs
• Women Leaders
• Students
• Media Partners
• Government Officials
• Charitable Institution Representatives
• and many more

The event will enable attendees to meet, unite and collaborate with these people, thereby bringing the gap between Web 2 and Web 3 and even immersing students to the blockchain world.

Donald Lim, lead convenor of the event, who is considered the Father of Digital Marketing in the Philippines, believes that the country has a strong chance of becoming the “Blockchain Capital of Asia.”

Donald Lim, Lead Convenor, Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

Called “Chaintrix” and inspired by the meta universe of the movie the “Matrix”, it seeks to promote inclusiveness by educating more Filipinos about blockchain in order to harness its benefits for the country’s various industries.

Chezka Gonzales, a commercial pilot, Founder of Women of Substance NFT and also a lead convenor of the event, said that they are also targeting students to attend the event.

“This is a good opportunity for them to learn more about this digital evolution and how it has affected and will affect the way things will be done in the future.” ~Chezka Gonzales, a Commercial Pilot, Founder of Women of Substance NFT and also a Lead Convenor

The other convenors of Chaintrix include:

• Rico Pang, Group CEO, Sanctum Global Ventures
• Kate Hancock, Founder, Metaverse XYZ
• Daniel Robbins, CEO IBH Media
• Oscar Tan Abing, Jr., Founder & CEO, Anotoys Collectiverse
• Jay Ha, Co-founder, IP3;
• James Lim, CEO, Meta Persona
• Tara Kwon, Co-founder, Hyped Collective

Likewise, industry partners are the Fintech Alliance, Institute of Corporate Directors, Management Association of the Philippines, International Council of Small Business PH, JCI Manila, Rotary District 3830,  and NFT Philippines & Women in blockchain Philippines.

Among the planned activities for Chaintrix include plenary sessions with experts about blockchain, fintech & metaverse, a job fair, business speed dating, golf tournament, NFT gallery, concert, pool party, toy exhibit, gaming expo & tournaments and hackathons, among others.

On December 2, the Philippine Block Awards will be held at the Grand Bar of the hotel where blockchain movers and shakers in the country and the region will be honored. Recognition for the “Most Innovative Use of Blockchain”, “Blockchain for Good”, and “Blockchain Transformation Award” will also be handed out. 

For inquiries about the event, you may reach out to the Philippine Blockchain Week Secretariat at events@futureproof.ph or call +63917 8328852.

Operation Smile Philippines scales up investments to better serve more Filipinos in need of cleft care

“As Operation Smile enters a new era as a global network driving access to high-quality healthcare, this milestone is the perfect time to reiterate our commitment to provide holistic care for children and their communities for the next 40 years and beyond.” ~Donald Lim, Operation Smile Philippines President

Operation Smile Philippines scales up investments to better serve more Filipinos in need of cleft care. Operation Smile reaffirms commitment to transform 1 million lives across the world,  with a focus on transforming local health systems.

“Through our medical expertise, partnerships and stakeholder activations, we are taking steps towards a future to change not only how surgeries are delivered across the country, but also to empower local health systems to provide even better care for the communities they serve.” ~Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines

In its 40th year, Operation Smile, a non-profit medical services organization, entered a commitment to increase access to care for 1 million patients in need of cleft care and other essential surgeries. Building on decades of learning and success, Operation Smile has provided free, life-changing surgical and dental care to patients in need across the world. 

In the Philippines, one in every 500 children is born with cleft lip or palate conditions.

• Up for the challenge of addressing cleft conditions in the country

While significant strides have been made to address cleft conditions in the Philippines, access to quality healthcare remains a challenge – especially for communities residing in far-flung areas. Without access to surgery, cleft patients may struggle to eat, breathe, and speak, and deal with potential self-esteem issues.

In 1982, Operation Smile was born from a medical mission conducted by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee to repair children’s cleft lips and palates in Naga City, Philippines. Since then, Operation Smile Philippines has impacted a total of 88 cities and municipalities, conducted 338 surgical programs, and successfully treated over 32,925 patients around the country. 

• A comprehensive approach to cleft care

In treating patients with cleft conditions across the country, Operation Smile Philippines employs a holistic approach to delivering comprehensive cleft care – providing nutrition education, cleft surgery, speech therapy, and psychosocial care. This approach has led to the development of comprehensive care centers in Manila, Pampanga, and Davao. By establishing these centers close to communities, Operation Smile is primed to deliver timely service and safe surgery where its needed most. 

To facilitate even greater access to quality cleft care, Operation Smile Philippines is establishing a new comprehensive care center in Cebu. Approximately 2000sqm, this center will be the organization’s largest and aims to cater to 10,000 patients within the next 3-5 years.  

Alongside the creation of comprehensive care centers across the country, Operation Smile Philippines has continued investments in local district hospitals to enhance the delivery of surgical care and positively impact public health. 

Recent initiatives include the renovation of the surgical unit of the Santa Ana Hospital with the goal to provide 1000 new surgeries a year. In partnership with the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Operation Smile Philippines also aims to develop the first registry to record cleft births for faster intervention, as well as training programs to educate both medical professionals and mothers on cleft conditions and life-saving skills to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

• Strength in numbers

These achievements and ongoing initiatives are the product of an expanded network of key partnerships forged under the common goal of increasing access to oral care. 

Alongside partner hospitals that aid in the creation of cleft care centers and the hosting of surgical programs, donors such as Watson’s Philippines have been instrumental in making treatments possible. Beyond the provision of care, partners such as the Philippine National Police and AirAsia have greatly improved patient recruitment, including case-finding and transportation. To improve the quality of cleft care, since 1997, Johnson & Johnson Philippines Inc. has funded the training and development of experts in plastic surgery, dentistry, speech therapy and other fields to drive wider access to quality treatment and patient support.

For more information about Operation Smile Philippines follow their social media accounts at Instagram: https://instagram.com/osstudproph, Facebook: https://facebook.com/osstudproPH, and Email: osp.clc@gmail.com.