QC Gov’t, SPARK Philippines launch initiative to further empower women entrepreneurs

“With the launch of ‘The KITA Initiative’, we are once again putting our fellow women at the heart of our goal to create a truly prosperous, fair and just society. This project can be a powerful tool for transformation for women-led micro enterprises with the creation of a more inclusive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs.” ~Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Mayor

[L-R] Angie Tijam-Tohid, Executive Creative Director, HAVAS Ortega; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte; Maica Teves, Executive Director, SPARK! Philippines; Mona Celine Marie Yap, QC LGU, Department Head III,; and Kapitana. Arnie F. Castel, Kamuning Barangay Captain leads the launch of “The KITA Initiative,” a movement dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs.

The Quezon City government has partnered with SPARK! (Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran) The Philippines recently launched "The KITA Initiative" to empower women entrepreneurs and recognize their economic contributions. 

 

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte attended the launch at the Stonehouse Hotel and was one of the guest speakers, alongside SPARK! Philippines Executive Director Maica Teves and Angie Tijam-Tohid, Executive Creative Director at Havas Ortega. 

The Mayor also reaffirmed the local government's commitment to creating an environment that allows women entrepreneurs to succeed. 

 

The initiative's pilot project aims to improve the signage of sari-sari stores in the Kamuning area, which are primarily run by women. By redesigning their signs with the KITA font, the project hopes to increase their visibility and recognition for their contributions to the local economy.

“We must become advocates for ourselves, for our sisters, our daughters, and for every Filipina who dreams of a more equitable future. The path forward is clear: strategic collaboration and unwavering solidarity. This project puts the spotlight on sari-sari store owners, bringing their businesses into focus." ~Maica Teves, Executive Director, SPARK! Philippines

Every Filipina entrepreneur deserves more than recognition; she deserves visibility, support, and genuine appreciation. 

“It is only the beginning of ‘The KITA Initiative’. Our vision is to bring together more collaborators: women entrepreneurs, established and emerging brands, allies, and advocates. By joining forces, we can provide the mentorship, resources, networks, and funding that will empower these women to grow their businesses and realize their full potential.” ~Angie Tijam-Tohid, Executive Creative Director, HAVAS Ortega

Aside from Kamuning, the KITA Initiative will also be implemented in more areas in Quezon City and other parts of the country.

To learn more about the KITA Initiative and download the font and toolkit for your business, visit www.thekitainitiative.com.

Globe Group, local partners turn Lolo, Lola into #SeniorDigizens in digital inclusion push

Gathering at least 220 senior citizens in half a day of enriching tech learning, the #SeniorDigizens event is backed by some of the biggest brands in tech and retail, and by senior citizen advocates from the government. 

Leading digital solutions platform Globe Group is set to transform the digital landscape for Filipino seniors with its innovative "Teach Me How To Digi" #SeniorDigizen Learning Session, set on January 25 at the Skydome, SM North Edsa. 

“It’s really very important that our senior citizens learn digital skills because in the future, a lot of services will truly become fully digital. We have to help the seniors overcome their fear. And I guarantee you that once you try it, it’s going to be as easy or much easier than the old manual way.” ~Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO

“As digitalization accelerates, tech adoption should be simple and easy for everyone, no matter the age. Technology should not be intimidating or difficult for our seniors, and they should be able to enjoy its benefits. The goal of our #SeniorDigizens campaign is to equip them with knowledge that will help them adopt new tech and apps that address their day to day pain points.” ~Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of the Globe Group

The event features learning sessions on digital skills: How to create a Gmail account to be facilitated by Google, a 101 course on using smartphones via Globe, and sessions on using fintech platform GCash and telehealth service KonsultaMD. 

 

Apart from hosting the event at Sky Dome, retail giant, SM, is providing an opportunity for senior citizens to join the Super Grannies Club (SGC), the grandest Facebook community for seasoned individuals. As SGC members, participants gain early access to events, exclusive mall deals and updates on SM Cares programs. These include health and wellness activities like Walk for Life, the award-winning Emergency Preparedness Forum and community service programs that enable a fun, active and productive lifestyle for lolos and lolas. 

SM’s loyalty program SMAC, meanwhile, sponsored the event in SM Malls, as it is one with Globe in giving importance and joy to senior citizens. 

“We are happy to support Globe in bringing to fruition our shared vision of digitalizing seniors. SM has long given seniors priority in our initiatives, and so our partnership with Globe for the #SeniorDigizens campaign is natural and seamless.” ~Jay Beltran, Head of Sales and Marketing, Digital Advantage Corporation (DAC)

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), led by its Chairperson and CEO Atty. Frank Quijano, has a booth where seniors will be guided on how to register in its database, which the agency hopes to build to take stock of the living situation, health concerns, skills and other important information about the country’s roughly 11 million senior citizens. The NCSC will also bring volunteers to help seniors in tech tutorials. 

“We thank Globe for embarking on this program that addresses major concerns when it comes to seniors: digitalization and online safety. We at NCSC have been pursuing our own efforts to bring the elderly into the digital space safely, and we are happy to find an ally in the private sector to introduce seniors to new technologies while at the same time protecting them from the dangers that lurk online.” ~Atty. Frank Quijano, The National Commission of Senior Citizens Chairperson and CEO

Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of United Senior Citizens Partylist is also on board, bringing senior citizen delegates to the event.

“We’d like to congratulate Globe for giving seniors priority through its #SeniorDigizens campaign. This is an initiative worth emulating. United Senior Citizens Partylist is one with Globe in seeing this through.” ~Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of United Senior Citizens Partylist

The Quezon City government also brought a delegation of senior citizens to the event and provided crucial logistics support. 

“The city government of Quezon City is proud to partner with Globe in this undertaking. In QC, we give our seniors top priority in terms of public services to help them live their sunset years as active and productive members of society. This project is key in helping them transition into a digital life and help them enjoy the benefits of modern technology.” ~Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Mayor

Meanwhile, #TeamGlobeofGood influencers Kiray Celis and Chuckie Dreyfus are lending their talent and bringing entertainment to the event, while internet personality Lester “Buji” Babiera, a talent of Globe Group agency NYMA, is bringing his brand of dynamic hosting onstage. 

The #SeniorDigizen learning session, a significant effort to close the digital divide for the elderly, follows the success of the “Teach Me How to Digi” TikTok contest held in September last year. The contest received over 200 impressive videos showcasing tech lessons imparted by younger family members to their senior loved ones. 

At the event, Globe will award 25 winners with prizes worth P25,000. They will also get to take part in the learning session. 

"We are excited to help our senior citizens take their first steps into the digital world, ensuring they are not left behind in this fast-paced digital era. This event is our commitment to ensuring that they are not just consumers of technology but actively engaged in the evolving tech-savvy society.” ~Liza Reyes, Public Relations and Communications Strategy Head at the Globe Group

Globe’s #SeniorDigizen campaign promises not only to educate but also inspire a new generation of empowered seniors, ready to engage and connect in today's rapidly evolving digital environment.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.