Abot Tanaw

INTERNATIONAL boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has been known to unite Filipinos. And as his coming fight inches even closer, he is once again bringing Filipinos here and abroad together. This is exactly why he has decided to support and become a member of Abot Tanaw, a video conferencing service facility aimed at bridging the literal gaps between Filipino families free of charge, both here in the country or abroad.

Abot Tanaw is a facility that offers voice and video calling services to Filipinos abroad, in the provinces and their families.

Just like Pacquiao, Abot Tanaw also seeks to unite Filipinos through its free video conferencing services for OFWs, local migrants and their families.

“We Filipinos are very close to our families and loved ones. We always think about them when we are far from them. So when we miss them, we always look for a way to talk to each other more often. Kailangan natin silang makita kahit sandali,” Manny said.

Manny is happy that Abot Tanaw is now available to Filipinos saying he hopes “that more will actually take advantage of the opportunity being given to them especially because it is free.”

The boxing ring icon has been a mainstay in various international “most influential persons” lists. Pacquiao is now Abot Tanaw’s standard-bearer in providing free and available communications for Pinoys in Metro Manila, the provinces as well as abroad.

“Our international pound for pound champion Manny Pacquiao has always been a great role model for the country. He has greatly contributed to uniting the Filipinos and that is what Abot Tanaw is all about. And we are really glad that he has shown great interest in our concept and efforts of putting a high regard for our modern day heroes, for in effect he is a hero to our nation’s pride,” says Abot Tanaw CEO Kim Go.

High-tech Communication

Though Abot Tanaw is pretty new since its soft launch last June, it has been in the forefront of providing free telecommunications and video-conferencing services to Pinoys here with their families overseas. Just recently, it started offering its services to local migrants. So Manila-based workers can also access Abot Tanaw’s services to get in touch with their relatives and families in the provinces.

Abot Tanaw’s system utilizes Web-based technologies to provide free communication access for families, without the need for expensive mobile and Internet subscriptions and investments in hardware. The service provides seamless video conferencing and Web-enabled phone transmission powered by PLDT for quality connection. Unlike voice and video applications over the Web, Abot Tanaw utilizes a highly advanced system with clear videos and crisp audio.

“We at Abot Tanaw want to provide a service platform of communication to cater to the needs of our OFWs and local migrant workers to connect with their loved ones in support of our advocacy to serve them,” says Go. “We’ve equipped our business with advanced technology to bridge this gap and we’ve offered our services for free.”

Local and International Hubs

Following a series of launch events, operational Abot Tanaw service hubs are located in SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Cebu, SM Pampanga and SM Davao and the NAIA Terminal I OFW Lounge.

With two international Abot Tanaw service hubs now operational, the Hongkong hub located above the Philippine Consulate General office in United Center, Admiralty, Hongkong.

Aside from Asia and Europe, local municipalities are also being eyed as the sites of more Abot Tanaw service hubs.

With this much to offer and no cost, Manny can only encourage all Filipinos, “Mag-miyembro na! Tawag at mag-abot-abot na!”

ABOT TANAW

ABOT TANAW is a social media network that allows families separated by need to communicate with their loved ones through voice and video telephony services.

The ABOT TANAW business model operates on two unique pillars: “FREECONOMICS” & “FREEMIUM” which revolves around the concept of services provided for “free” to end-users on one side of the service spectrum, based on the “sponsorships” made by customers on the other side of the spectrum

ABOT TANAW hence provides a platform for communication services across both the end-user, who desires the need to communicate with a loved one or relative on distant shores, and a means for a service-subscriber/advertiser/sponsor to reach and communicate to the families of Filipino migrant workers.

It utilizes web-based technologies to provide valuable free communication access for families, without the need for expensive mobile and internet subscriptions and investments in hardware (computers, mobile & pc phones, etc.)

By having the capability to bridge the communication gap that divides families separated by members working overseas and distant regions in the country and providing these services at virtually no cost to end-users.

ABOT TANAW is able to deliver a strong socio-civic service to the various communities and locations it operates in.
The heart and soul of ABOT TANAW is its highly-advanced communication infrastructure and patented technologies that allows it to deliver seamless and superior web-enabled communication services in multiple locations, across expansive geographies, to multiple users.

The centerpiece of ABOT TANAW would be the SERVICE HUBS, which are technical communication centers to be located initially inside strategic SM Malls and soon in several municipalities all over the country. These HUBS will be the primary interface venues of the “social communication network” that ABOT TANAW aims to establish.

Autism Hearts hosts first-ever International Autism Conference in Manila

Around the world, the number of children identified with ASD has nearly reached epidemic proportions. In United States, the rate is now one in every 91 children and still rising, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In the Philippines, it is estimated that about 500,000 people in the country have autism, with only 5%of them diagnosed and only 2% of them given appropriate care.
Autism Hearts Philippines will lead global efforts in the prevention and treatment of autism early next year by hosting the first-ever International Autism Conference (IAC) in Pasay City.  
Medical experts around the world, as well as foreign dignitaries and advocacy groups dedicated to helping families and children afflicted with ASD are all invited to participate in the meaningful
event slated on February 3-5 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
“Concerned individuals including health practitioners and teachers from all over the world will find their participation greatly beneficial as the conference will also highlight the launching of Autism Institute of Asia, a locally based “one-stop-shop” for children with ASD and the New York-based autism advocacy group Autism Speaks’ Global Autism Public Health Initiative in the Philippines (GAPH), which is dedicated to service delivery and research collaboration on Autism,” said Christine Roa, executive director of Autism Hearts Philippines, Inc.
The conference will present the most current research, knowledge, information, diagnosis, assessment, treatments and policies surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in support of people under the spectrum and their families.
Among the presenters are leading experts from the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND), an international, multidisciplinary research organization based in Sacramento, California.
Roa said that through this initiative, the Philippines would also have the opportunity to tell the world about the initiatives being undertaken by both the government and the private sector. It would also help highlight the close-knit family values that Filipinos espouse.
“The conference would most importantly reinforce the thought that all of us, wherever we are in the world, can do our share in helping individuals with autism optimize their full potential and become productive members of the society,” added Roa.
Autism Hearts Philippines is the local affiliate of Autism Hearts Foundation, a US-based private group that funds organizations that provide direct services, family, support grants, education, research, treatment, advocacy, and recreational opportunities, sees the urgent need to reach out to international communities to promote awareness about and gather support for Autism.
Join the International Autism Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center on February 3-5, 2010.
* Please visit www.autismhearts.com for more information on the International Autism Conference.