NEWS
SmarTrade, ATFX roll out BOSS Partnership Program for local traders

April 4, 2023 5:24 p.m.
SmarTrade, one of the pioneers in providing quality financial education in the Philippines, together with ATFX Global, launched a new program to help boost the earning potential of Filipino traders.
The BOSS: Business Opportunity Seminar and Successful Partnership Program is a series of workshops and open-house events that advocates to educate more traders on the different opportunities in online trading and provide them an opportunity to partner with ATFX and join its expansive network of brokers.
The first run of the event held at Marco Polo in Ortigas was attended by more than a hundred participants.
The one-day workshop began with an introduction of the SmarTrade and ATFX partnership. As the education partner in the Philippines of renowned broker ATFX, SmarTrade pushes for the continuous learning and skills development of Filipino traders by offering free training sessions and one-on-one coaching on online trading. ATFX makes available its globally-acclaimed trading platform to those who want to put into practice what they have learned from SmarTrade.
“We are passionate about our partnership with ATFX because they have been proactive in supporting us with our mission of spreading awareness and education to help the Filipinos increase and manage their wealth better,” says Joyce Mayo, President & CEO of SmarTrade.
“Through the BOSS program, we hope that we could be a part in providing the Pinoys the right information and through ATFX, a reliable platform on which traders can create more income streams for themselves and their families.”
In order to help the participants, SmarTrade discussed different strategies on efficiently managing and building one’s financial portfolio, and at the same time strategies on how to build a business as an independent trader.
Part of the workshop was a seminar on wealth management conducted by Edwin Saguibo, Head of Learning and Development at SmarTrade. The trading coach with 20 years of experience in the industry covered topics on how to manage one’s wealth, eliminate debts, and increase income streams.
Guest speaker Jabez Kot, ATFX Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia, gave a presentation on the ATFX Community Partners, one of the highlights of the BOSS Partnership Program.
The ATFX Community Partners is a ready-made business package for independent traders or groups who can refer clients to ATFX. As an introducing broker (IB), you can build another income stream while enjoying exclusive benefits from ATFX such as rebates, access to educational materials, and dedicated support from your own account manager.
Participants of the BOSS Partnership Program can learn effective ways to manage their own IB business which can be tailored to fit one’s lifestyle. Moreover, they are able to engage with industry experts who have grown their IB business with SmarTrade and ATFX through the years.
Aside from the pilot workshop, a provincial roll out of the BOSS Partnership Program has been initiated to reach more traders across the country. SmarTrade recently held events at Villa Caceres in Naga City, Marison Hotel in Legazpi City, Seda Hotel at Ayala Center Cebu, and Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan De Oro.
The BOSS program is a timely opportunity for Filipino traders to expand their knowledge in online trading and take advantage of the many benefits ATFX Global offers.
With this latest collaboration, SmarTrade and ATFX Global continue to provide quality financial education and resources to the Filipino community. Catch the next the BOSS seminar online on April 21 at 6pm.
To know more about SmarTrade, its services, and upcoming events, visit www.smartradeph.com.

NEWS
Converge raises awareness on evolving trends of cybercrime, holds stakeholder webinar on Feb. 14

5:30 p.m. February 11, 2025
With internet service providers playing a role in the ‘supply chain’ of cyber crime, leading Philippine fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is taking up the cudgels against the perpetuation of illicit acts online and stressing the importance of ‘self-defense’, or rather, self-education to combat them.
This will be at the center of discussions in its upcoming Converge webinar on February 14, entitled “Building Resilience Against Online Scams”, to be headlined by Converge Chief Executive Advisor Eugene Yeo, a tech and digital expert in his own right.
Yeo, who had been at the helm of several transformation projects of leading tech companies in his home country of Singapore, notes that cyber crime today is being perpetrated by artificial intelligence – showing the dark underside of this powerful force that’s changing the technology industry.
“These malicious agents are no longer people, but AI. On the part of Converge, we can keep blocking these illicit attempts to penetrate our network but a better way is to leverage this technology so that it becomes AI vs. AI. That’s what we’re doing in our own internal network,” said Yeo.
In 2024, Converge blocked a record 183 billion entry attempts to 683,000 URLs / domains it has registered in its system as illegal sites. This is 18 times the number of attempts for the years 2021-2023 which was only at 10-12 billion.
To help make the internet a safer place for its customers and end-users, Converge has been active in its campaign against OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) and other cyber threats, inking a partnership in 2022 with Stairway Foundation , a Philippine NGO promoting children’s rights through awareness, community assistance, and networking. It is also actively working with the Internet Watch Foundation, an organization that provides Converge with a comprehensive database of URLs of OSAEC content so these can be blocked from the network.
This echoed the statements of government agencies who took part in the Safer Internet Day 2025 celebration organized by the Department of Justice on February 11. The agencies registered their alarm at AI’s increasing role in the creation of images of sexual abuse of children.
“The law’s definition of Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation or CSAEM materials is very broad in our law, so whether that is AI-generated, a real person, or just a composite of a real person, we still consider that CSAEM, ” noted Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty
Undersecretary-in-Charge, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking under the Department of Justice.
NEWS
Motolite cranks up sustainability drive with use of e-bikes for delivery

10:12 p.m. January 22, 2025
Motolite, the country’s leading, most trusted battery brand and leader in technology and product innovation, shifted its sustainability drive to a higher gear as it started deploying to key outlets eco-friendly e-bikes for the delivery of batteries to customers.
These e-bikes will now be part of the delivery fleet of Motolite Express Hatid (MEH) hubs and will be used by well-trained technicians in providing services to motorists.
The deployment of e-bikes started last November 28, with the MEH Maceda Hub and Cebu Hub receiving the initial batches of three units each. The MEH hubs in Mindanao Avenue, Las Pinas, Mandaluyong, Katipunan, and Pasong Tamo are also included in the project’s pilot phase.
E-bikes produce zero emissions, making them a more environment-friendly option for delivery. They help reduce air pollution and have three times less carbon footprints than conventional vehicles.
E-bikes also do not contribute to noise pollution and are lighter and easier to navigate than regular motorcycles, especially on busy metropolitan roads. Their speed is also comparable to conventional gas-powered motorcycles.
The deployment of e-bikes for delivery is part of Motolite’s heightened sustainability campaign, which also includes programs for the recovery and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) and the mounting of solar panels on the rooftops of its retail, warehousing, and production facilities.
Motolite’s battery production plants in Bulacan alone have an installed photovoltaic system capacity of 7,472 kWp, cutting its carbon footprint by 2,346 tons of CO2.
Both the solar panels and e-bikes are being supplied by Greener Solar Power and Electric Motor, Inc. (GEMI), a rising player in the country’s green energy sector.
Motolite’s ULAB recovery and recycling program, meanwhile, significantly reduced its dependence on fresh plastic resins and newly mined lead for its battery production.
“We are looking for every opportunity to contribute to the global effort to limit climate change. We are the only battery brand that takes its sustainability drive seriously, from manufacturing to retail and delivery,” Richard A. Chan, Motolite Vice President for Sales and Marketing, shared.
Aside from its free battery delivery 24/7 nationwide, Motolite also provides services to motorists such as emergency refueling, jumpstarting a dead battery, assisting with overheating, and changing a flat tire via the Motolite Res-Q App.
NEWS
The story on how EJ Obiena vaulted over controversy

6:57 a.m. January 17, 2025

The Philippines’ top pole vaulter and Olympian EJ Obiena faced a challenging moment when he became the subject of a controversial accusation last October, 2023.
However, the 29-year-old athlete demonstrated grace under pressure, addressing the claims with professionalism and composure. His dignified response not only refuted the allegations, but also earned widespread praise. Ultimately, the accuser issued a public apology, acknowledging the false nature of the claims against him.
Behind the scenes, Obiena’s coach and mentor, James Michael “Jim” Lafferty, played a vital role in guiding the athlete through the ordeal.
Lafferty, a seasoned executive coach and motivational speaker, provided strategic PR and crisis management support to help Obiena navigate the situation effectively. Known for his dedication to nurturing athletic talent, Lafferty has also mentored other Filipino Olympians, including long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang.

“Whilst I have long stated that EJ Obiena is a world-class athlete, yet an even better human being, he, like all celebrities, has been unfairly embroiled in various controversies,” Lafferty recalled.
He highlighted Obiena’s remarkable ability to overcome challenges, including handling multiple crises over the years.
Despite these hurdles, Obiena rose to become the world’s No. 2 pole vaulter, Asia’s top pole vaulter, a member of the six-meter club, and now a two-time Olympian.
Recognizing a broader need for expert crisis management among businesses and public figures, Lafferty, who also serves as the Chairman of Katapult, one of the country’s leading end-to-end marketing solutions providers, took action.
“Sensing the need to better serve EJ and other clients, Katapult has established a new PR and Crisis Management division as of January 1,” Lafferty said.
Lafferty is collaborating with Media Head Anika Basa and Data Analytics Head David Rosario to ensure the seamless integration of services.
The launch of this division underscores Katapult’s commitment to help clients navigate challenges, while safeguarding their reputations and achieving sustainable growth.
Lafferty’s leadership experience spans over three decades, during which he has held CEO roles at multinational companies such as Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, British American Tobacco, and Fine Hygienic Holding. His proven track record of driving success across industries makes him exceptionally qualified to lead Katapult’s PR and Crisis Management division.
CEO Francis Uy highlighted Katapult’s comprehensive approach: “Katapult was born as a digital-first company with a sniper-shotgun strategy—combining precision targeting of specific consumer personas with broad-reaching campaigns that maximize impact. By leveraging insights from our AI-powered platform, we not only drive marketing success but also provide a robust safety net for brands navigating crises. With our expanded services, including PR and crisis management, we ensure our clients’ reputations are protected and their stories resonate in even the most challenging situations.”
Rosario’s team enables hyper-precise consumer targeting, fostering authentic campaigns and lasting connections.
Together with Basa’s team, they seamlessly execute the Sniper-Shotgun Approach—combining the wide-reaching impact of a shotgun with the pinpoint precision of a sniper rifle to deliver tailored ads that drive maximum impact.
Discover how Katapult can help safeguard your brand’s reputation and lead you through any crisis with precision and expertise. Reach out today to learn how we can support your brand’s continued growth, no matter the challenges ahead.
Check us out at katapultdigital.com.