Prime Communications to service 7 La Salle schools in SY 08-09

by Jay Calleja, DLSP Media Bureau Chief

This school year, Prime Communications will be the internet service provider of seven De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) member schools delivering a combined bandwidth of 60 mbps via wired and wireless facilities.

The deal, brokered by the DLSP Central Procurement Unit (DLSP CPU), was announced during a simple signing ceremony led by Dr. Carmelita Quebengco AFSC, DLSP Executive Vice President and Ms. Julia Theresa Yap, Prime Communications President, held on 25 June 2008 at the DLSP multipurpose hall. Also present were other Prime Communications executives and IT professionals from the DLSP member schools. The seven schools are DLSU-Manila, DLS-College of St. Benilde, De La Salle Araneta University, DLS-Lipa, DLSU-Dasmariñas, La Salle Green Hills, and De La Salle Santiago Zobel.

DLSP online with Prime (L-R): Mr. Joseph John Ong, Prime Communications Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Finance Officer, Ms. Julia Theresa Yap, Prime Communications President, Dr. Carmelita Quebengco AFSC, De La Salle Philippines Executive Vice President and Mr. Michael Gamo, De La Salle Philippines Treasurer.

The procurement for internet connectivity, backed by rigid service level agreements, went through a bidding facilitated by the DLSP CPU headed by Ms. Rhea Pabustan. This process also assisted in the deliberation of the procurement of the internet protocol services of the other 10 DLSP member schools, providing La Salle institutions with the service it requires to be among the top schools in the country in terms of IT development. The process of consolidating the requirements of the network also allowed the schools to secure better services at lower costs.

Primed for One La Salle. Prime Communications executives and DLSP IT professionals also attended the contract signing between one of the country's pioneering IP service providers and the DLSP member schools.

The 2 year-old DLSP CPU, which also assists the member schools in the purchase of IT hardware and software, is planning to include in its catalog within the current school year items commonly needed by schools to maintain and construct its facilities. The DLSP CPU is a unit under the Finance and Resource Services (FRS) team, one of the five departments that comprise De La Salle Philippines, the networking office of the 17 La Salle schools in the country.

Prime Communications, the trade name by which Primeworld Digital Systems, Inc. operates, is the only IP-based telecommunications company in the country and an expert in the delivery of feature-rich IP communications services. It is one of the pioneering ISPs in the Philippines which started operations in 1996.

13 July 2008 One Run, One Family, One La Salle

13 July, Sunday, 5:30 am
The Fort, Taguig City

By Jay Calleja, DLSP Media Bureau Chief

One Run, One Family, One La Salle:
Zooming to victory with Nike

Everyone is invited to join One Run, One Family, One La Salle (OROFOLS) on 13 July 2008, Sunday, 6:00 am, at The Fort, Taguig City. OROFOLS is a project of La Salle Cares, presented in cooperation with Nike Philippines, for the benefit of the One La Salle Scholarship Fund campaign.

For 200 pesos, participants will receive a special OROFOLS singlet (sleeveless shirt for running), supplied by Nike Philippines. You can support this family-oriented fundraising activity by registering in La Salle schools as well as in Olympic Village, Olympic World and Olympic Gold outlets (click here for a list of branches) up to 11 July. Registration on-site will be 250 pesos.

During the event, Nike will launch its latest running shoe, the Nike Zoom Victory, which uses an innovative technology similar to the Nike footwear to be worn by the world's best athletes at the Beijing Olympics 2008.

The One La Salle Scholarship Fund campaign is the effort of the 17 La Salle schools in the country to raise P1 billion to provide for the full scholarship of at least 1 out of every 5 students in its schools. Given that Lasallian students today number about 87,000, this translates to more than 17,000 scholars by the time La Salle celebrates in year 2011 100 years of providing a human and Christian education to Filipinos. The campaign is coordinated by De La Salle Philippines, the educational institutions’ networking office in the country.

La Salle CARES, an initiative of the DLSAA Lasallian Formation Committee, intends to promote personal well-being to Lasallian alumni and students. Affirming the role and importance of the family in the development of a productive, just and peaceful society, LS Cares seeks to also provide assistance and services in resolving compulsive behavior and co-dependency problems. Guided by Lasallian values, La Salle CARES also aims to assist individuals to have healthy, loving relationships in the context of family, work, fellowship and community, to strive through life in spirituality.

17 June 2008 OROFOLS press conference at the National Sports Grill: Dr. Elis V. Maghirang, DLSAA Vice President for Lasallian Formation, Br. Bernie Oca FSC, DLSU-M Vice Chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations, Johnny Sy, DLSAA VP for Finance and Treasury and Jay Gervasio, OROFOLS Project Head
(Photo courtesy of DLSAA)