Roundup: Vibal’s teachers training program

Vibal Publishing’s Educational Service Program celebrated its 30th year with Touch the Future of Learning Seminar Tour, a nationwide training program for teachers and school administrators. The tour kicked off on November 12 at the University of Sto. Tomas.

For the tour, Vibal is sending its team of authors, editors and educational consultants to key cities nationwide. Among the issues and pedagogical concerns to be tackled are the K-12 Basic Education Program, the Understanding by Design framework and its effective implementation in teaching and learning, and the use of Information and Communications Technology tools in the classroom.

Vibal is likewise set to define the standards for technology-aided education in the country as it introduces the pioneer line of enhanced digital textbooks for grade school and high school levels.

E-Games’ 9-month earnings up

IP E-Game Ventures Inc., the listed online gaming subsidiary of venture firm IP Ventures Inc., posted a 155-percent increase in its nine-month revenue to P337 million from P132 million a year ago.

This was attributed to the 17-percent growth in game publishing revenue and the consolidation of two brands of Internet cafés: Digital Paradise Inc. (operator of Netopia) and Webworx Computer Technology Corp. (operator of CyBr).

Profit for the first three quarters also rose to P51 million from P1 million in 2010.

E-Games also realized a gain from the sale of its stake in First Cagayan Data Center Inc. to IP Converge Data Center Inc. The sale was in line with the Company’s strategy to focus on its core consumer facing businesses.

Best private bank in PH

Hong Kong-based investment journal The Asset has named BDO Private Bank (BDOPB) the Best Private Bank in the Philippines in the recently concluded The Asset Triple A Awards 2011.

According to The Asset, the award is given to financial institutions that provided the most appropriate advice to high net worth clients, the most experienced relationship managers and the best range of products.

The growth in business, whether measured by assets under management, net new money and revenues, or the investments made in the business despite difficult markets, was also taken into consideration.

BDOPB, a wholly owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank Inc., is known for its “open architecture” platform that addresses the varied needs and objectives of clients in building up their wealth.

“Backed by the financial strength of our parent BDO Unibank, we are presented with a unique opportunity which we continue to build on to develop the domestic private banking business,” said BDOPB president Josefina N. Tan.