Dito ramps up operations

After investing nearly $1 billion to build up its network and as it nears its compliance by the fifth year of its operations to provide the mandated 84 percent connectivity to its target population by the middle of this year, Dito Telecommunity is ramping up commercial operations to finally monetize and gain it rightful share of the market, according to Eric Alberto, president and CEO of Dito.

On the sidelines of the launch last week of its new advertising campaign “Dito sa puso ko” with top endorsers Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Mr. Alberto expressed the view that with their company having reached the 10-million subscriber mark in March this year, “I think it is now time that we can competitively provide superior services to the consuming public.”

He pointed out that over the last five years, “we focused on rolling out the network, I think it is now time for us to pursue our heightened commercial activities to monetize and gain our rightful market share over this robust network that we have built.”

However, he acknowledged that, “We are still a start-up. No new telco naman makes money overnight. It takes a while before you get financial traction. The objective for us is to stabilize the business, gain financial stability by getting our business at least at break even level by the end of next year, then move for profitability.”

He estimates that it could take “five years to stabilize the business and seven to eight years to make a profit.”

With its intent to focus on monetizing its commercial operations from this point, Mr. Alberto revealed that Dito would likely taper off on its capital expenditures and focus future outlays on “ensuring continuity of service and covering any gaps.”

He is confident that at this point, as the third telco player, “we have sufficient capacity” based on its current subscriber base of just 10 million, which taps only 25 percent of its network capacity...”we are far from reaching congestion yet.”

Dito’s strength, Mr. Alberto said, is outside of Metro Manila as their mobile technology is based on line of sight, meaning there are no obstructions like buildings. Thus, in highly urbanized cities, Mr. Alberto admitted that the “incumbents” (PLDT/Smart and Globe) still take the lead as it would still take time for Dito to put up “building solutions” or devices to amplify mobile signals inside buildings, especially in common areas.

Downtime

Mr. Alberto, pretty much like Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, also happens to be an avid beach lover and swimmer, and likewise has a second home near the beach. However, Eric’s beach home is located in Subic, Zambales where he also keeps a small boat that he captains himself to visit secluded coves dotting the province and where he swims and snorkels during his downtime.

His love of the beach, in turn, has kept Eric away from the golf course. He admits that he loves the sea more and likes to go fishing.

But on land, Eric also likes to walk a lot and enjoys the company of his five energetic fur babies – five Jack Russells. He reveals that he started acquiring his dogs after he and his wife became empty nesters.

Malaysia holds Eid Al-Fitr celebration

The Embassy of Malaysia recently celebrated Eid Al-Fitr with a cultural culinary fusion in partnership with the Philippines Department of Tourism last April 10 to mark the end of Ramadan.

The celebration was also a reflection of the deep-rooted connections and shared histories between Malaysia and

the Philippines, underscored by the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Eid celebration, which coincided with the Filipino Food Month, highlighted the similarities between the cuisines of Malaysia and Mindanao, with a special focus on roti jala, chicken curry, sinulabai and chicken linigil.

The celebration, which took place at the Malaysian Embassy in Manila, commenced with the Eid prayer and was followed by a food preparation demonstration, providing an immersive experience into the rich culinary traditions that Malaysia and the Mindanao region share.

The chairperson of the Ladies Association of the Embassy of Malaysia, Madam Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and Chef Tahir Ayunan Malikol expertly demonstrated to the guests how to make the delicacies.

Roti jala, often referred to as “lace pancakes,” is a traditional Malaysian delicacy. It is an intricate creation that uses a batter of flour, eggs, and coconut milk, and is poured through a small container with multiple holes to form delicate, net-like crepes.”

The crepes are then expertly folded and served alongside a hearty and aromatic chicken curry. Together, the crepes and chicken curry embody a culinary harmony, presenting a blend of textures and flavors that are deeply rooted in the Malaysian gastronomic tradition, cherished for their ability to bring people together over shared meals and cultural heritage.

On the Philippines’ end, sinulabai can be considered the local version of the Malaysian roti. Made with flour, coconut milk and a dash of turmeric, the mixture is prepared on a hot grill into a crepe-like shape.

Palapa is a unique Filipino condiment, sweet and spicy on thepalate, and is made with pounded ginger, turmeric, labuyo chili, toasted coconut and the sakurab, a kind of white scallion endemic to Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Malaysia’s Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, in his speech, highlighted that 2024 is a landmark year for Malaysia-Philippines relations, thus,”what better way to celebrate this milestone and the shared joy of Eid than through the universal language of food. Our culinary traditions tell the story of our shared heritage, influences, and the bonds that have been nurtured over six decades of friendship and diplomatic relations.”

He added, “It is a time of joy, a season of giving, and a period of reflection and unity. It symbolizes the core values that both Malaysians and Filipinos hold dear, family, community, and the spirit of togetherness. In the same vein, food plays a central role in our cultures, not just as sustenance, but as a means to bring people together, to share in our heritage, and to express our love and hospitality.”

In response, Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar of the Office of Muslim Affairs and Mindanao Promotions, representing Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco who was unable to attend, emphasized the importance of culinary diplomacy in bridging cultures.