PhilWeb 2011 net income surges by 45% PhilWeb Corp., the country’s first and largest listed online

technology firm, reported a record Net Income of P914

million, 45% greater than the level achieved in 2010. The

profit level was achieved on the back of strong growth in

its core e-Games Cafe business as well as its new busi-

nesses in Asia Pacific.

Dennis Valdes, president of PhilWeb, noted that this is

the sixth year in a row that the company has reported Net

Income growth and that they are now just shy of cracking

the billion peso mark in earnings. He also noted that this

performance had been recognized by Forbes Asia maga-

zine, which included PhilWeb in its 2011 Best Under a

Billion list, the magazine's annual listing of the 200 best

performing publicly listed companies in Asia Pacific with

sales under US$1 billion.

Additionally, PhilWeb was one of only three companies to

garner an additional special award, as the Most Profitable

company among those that made the list. This is the sec-

ond year in a row that PhilWeb has been recognized for

both awards by Forbes Asia. PhilWeb's Net Income repre-

sents a profit margin of 60% as measured against its reve-

nues of P1.2 billion.

Valdes noted that PhilWeb is now one of the most signifi-

cant contributors of revenue to PAGCOR. Last year, Phil-

Web remitted a total of P1.7 billion to the agency, 34%

more than in 2010. This amount comes without a single

centavo of capital expenditure or operating expense on

PAGCOR's part, and therefore flows directly to their bot-

tom line.

The real excitement in PhilWeb, Valdes continued, comes

from our new endeavors in Asia Pacific. These include The

Sweeps Center, a cafe in Guam, and scratch cards busi-

nesses in Timor Leste and Cambodia. We are also hopeful

to gain new licenses in other Asia Pacific countries this year.

PhilWeb declared dividends twice in 2011, doubling the

amount that was paid out in the previous year. Valdes said

that the company fully expects to continue declaring divi-

dends in 2012 and beyond.

- taken from the Newsroom of PhilWeb Corporation‘s corporate website

(http://www.philwebinc.com), published last Feb. 14, 2012

PhilWeb President Dennis O. Valdes receives the award of Best Under a Billion for PhilWeb Corporation in the Forbes Asia awarding ceremony held in Hong Kong last November 10, 2011.

THE WINNING HAND VOL.2 ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2012 2

PeGS Iloilo2 receives site opening marketing support To jumpstart the operations of newly-opened sites, the PAGCOR e-Games Stations (PeGS) Marketing Team de-veloped a program with marketing activations for the target market of a particular PeGS site. This includes dis-tributing flyers, new player orientation via demo tablet PC, and distributing free e-Games merchandise and bet vouchers.

PeGS Iloilo 2, a site operated by Mr. Jeffrey Divinagracia, is located at Sara-bia Manor Hotel and Convention Cen-ter, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City. It cele-brated its grand launch last January 28. The PEGS Marketing Team at-tended the event after implementing

the program in residential areas, mar-

Left: Gaming Assistants distributed flyers and bet vouchers while inviting Ilonggos to attend the grand launch. Right: The Iloilo 2 grand launch included a ribbon cutting ceremony and cocktails for guests.

PEGS BUSINESS UPDATES

PeGS continues its partnership with Pacific X-Treme Combat PhilWeb Corporation renewed its part-nership with Pacific X-Treme Combat (PXC)—a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event company in the Pacific Region. Fans of the sport assembled at Ynares Sports Arena, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City for the PXC Flyweight Champion-ship between Ale Cali (Philippines) and Jesse Taitano (Guam). PXC was aired live on AKTV-IBC 13.

The PeGS Marketing Team, together with four (4) Gaming Assistants and five (5) premium models, went to the event to provide demos and distribute flyers. The bus tour, manned by the GAs, also made a stop at the event. VIP guests were introduced to e-Games through a demo tablet PC, while other guests tried out the games using the demo terminals in the bus and the lounge. VIPs were provided with Php500 bet vouchers, while e-Games flyers and merchandise were given to selected participants.

E-Games will continue its participation in the three (3) remaining PXC events which are scheduled in May, August and November.

PeGS sponsors 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

the PIHABF Foundation by co-sponsoring the event. From February 9 to 12, two (2) Gaming Assistants distributed flyers, while two (2) more were stationed inside the e-Games demo bus to assist participants who joined the free play program. All par-ticipants were awarded with bet vouchers and limited e-Games merchandise such as bag tags, key chains, canvas bags, and car shades.

With the success of the 17th PIHABF spon-sorship, the PeGS Marketing team endeav-ors to sponsor more events and festivals that will bring the e-Games brand to the market.

All articles contributed by Abigail Giron

kets and other high foot traffic places.

The team also visited the first site in the province. Mr Bryan dela Cruz, PeGS Iloilo 1 operator, discussed several business in-

sights and the VIP Rewards Program. Lastly, they visited the Iloilo Coliseum and the new PAGCOR land-based casino to have a look at local indirect competi-tors.

Every February, more than 20 hot air balloons from all over the world come to the Clark Freeport Zone to join the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF). It is a four-day event that features a selection of aerial exhibitions such as the hot air balloon flight, paragliding, ultralight aircraft formation flying, kite flying, and sky diving. Thousands of guests travel to the former US air base to witness the breathtaking displays dur-ing the fiesta.

In an effort to increase the brand visi-bility of e-Games, the PeGS Marketing Team entered into a partnership with

Left: The PeGS team, with some participants who received e-Games bet vouchers and merchan-dise . Right: Participants line up for their turn in the e-Games demo bus.

Balancing Life and Work Most PhilWeb employees are not aware that there is a clinic on the second floor of Alphaland Southgate Mall. No wonder they have not discovered the approachability and candor of Dra. Nina Ongpin-Buhay, the Company Physician and Surgeon for the Ongpin Group of Companies. Graduating with honors from De La Salle University—Manila, Dra. Nina was originally a Mass Communications student. Her first love was photography, but she soon discovered that she was meant to lead a life of service. She then became a Biology major and took her Masters in De La Salle University—Dasmariñas. Before working for the Ongpin Group, Dra. Nina spent time in medical institutions like Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Polymedic General Hospital, and Makati Medical Center. When she was asked by the Chairman to serve as the Company Physician, she had doubts. “I was apprehensive at first,” shares Dra. Nina on her decision to join the group, “but at the same time, I thought that it could help achieve my potential.” Dra. Nina claims that her experience with medical centers is different from what she is doing now. She says that working as a Corporate Physician requires more dedication and attention. All seriousness aside, Dra. Nina is a very approachable person. She defines her most significant career achievement as having a high level of interaction and communication with her patients, no matter what station of life they are in. “I treat people the same, maging rich or poor, I give them the same level of medical attention. I consider it my gift that I can do that.” “Some people are intimidated by her confidence and glamour, but Nina’s a sweetheart. She’s always been thoughtful and genuinely caring,” shares former schoolmate and PhilWeb HR executive Carla Vargas-Nuyda. “It is only fitting that she became a doctor.” This concern for people is evident in other aspects of her work, as Dra. Nina opens her clinic doors not only to regular employees of the Ongpin Group, but also to other Southgate personnel. Dra. Nina’s genial nature is apparent to her staff, as they describe her as being very relaxed and like a friend. “Syempre, work is work, but she is very approachable and we look to her as a friend,” says Jolly, one of the nurses in the clinic. Dra. Nina maintains that her management style is spontaneous, and she wants communication with her team to be free and easy. “It is not always business,” she says. “I believe that my work defines me, but it must not be the center of everything, because aside from being a doctor, I am also a mother.” Dra. Nina has an eight-year old son named Diego. While she spends most of the week at work, she devotes her weekends to her son. “We watch movies, go bike riding, and go to the beach together. I also read to him a lot. I read to him books about World War II, about vikings, and about goblins.” Between being a doctor and being a mother, Dra. Nina finds time to indulge for herself. She used to take up taekwondo and was a track and field star in High School. She was even in the Philippine team for both sports. Although her work takes up most of her time these days, she still tries to do her martial arts exercises. She has also recently taken up Bikram yoga and boxing. With her passion for work, PhilWeb is lucky to have Dra. Nina as the Corporate Physician. Some people may feel afraid of going to doctors, but never with Dra. Nina. Here is a gem that is seldom noticed. Dra. Nina is available for consultation from 9am to 1pm on weekdays. /Hana Keisha Ras and Nyshiela Bulao

THE WINNING HAND 3 VOL.2 ISSUE 9

BLAST FROM THE PAST Can you guess who this cute little girl grew up to be?

The first person to send the correct answer to csllave@philweb.com.ph will

receive a Sodexo gift certificate worth Php1,000!

Last Month’s Answer: MARVIE VILLANUEVA

Winner: EDMUND RAY MILANES

Marvie is BGI’s Business Development Manager for the Visayas and Mindanao. She oversees all the activities of BGI’s sites in the VisMin area, specifically those in Parkmall, Crossroads and Davao. Marvie is a graduate of PhilWeb’s Man-agement Training Program, and was, in fact,

part of its first batch of trainees.

Welcome Aboard! NEW EMPLOYEES FOR JANUARY 2012

MARY KENNETTE CARLA ESTA Graphic Designer

Between the Lines Shown here are four (4) scrambled words taken from articles from this month's issue of The Winning Hand. Can you unscramble them all?

1) IUIOLLOISCLOEM: A cockpit arena visited by the PEGS team to check out competitors.

2) RSFOSIAEBA: Magazine that recognized PhilWeb's outstanding performance.

3) TNOWAKEDO: Dra. Nina Ongpin-Buhay was in the Philippine team of this sport.

4) CNRFAOPZTKELROREE: This was where they held the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta this February 2012.

The fifth (5th) person to send the correct set of answers to csllave@philweb.com.ph will receive a surprise gift! (As always, multiple sub-

missions are NOT allowed.)

Want to see your work published in

The Winning Hand?

WE ARE OPEN TO YOUR

CONTRIBUTIONS! “The Winning Hand” welcomes PhilWeb employees who are interested in writing articles for our front pages, the “Featured Employee” and “Let’s talk about…” sections. Any PhilWeb department can also submit news about their team for the “Business Updates” section.

But what if I am not a writer?

“The Winning Hand” is open to suggestions on what employees would like to see in fu-ture issues, such as:

Employee you would like to see in the Featured Employee section;

Photos for “Blast from the Past”;

Survey questions you’d like to ask Phil-Web employees;

New mini-games and/or prizes.

Articles, suggestions and intent to become a writer for “The Winning Hand” can be sent to csllave@philweb.com.ph. We can also help put together an article for you based on the details you share with us.

Special thanks to this month’s contributors!

Abigail Giron

Hana Keisha Ras

Nyshiela Bulao

Vaupetroanji Pena

Gabriel Garcia

JOYNALYN ALCANSE QA Manager

ROMMEL ZABALA HR Manager

KIMBERLY SERVIDA Network Specialist

CHARO PARDINEZ Network Specialist

MARIA ANN CLAIRE ESTACIO Internal Audit Staff

JAYSON BASULGAN Network Specialist

NADJA MANUEL Benefits Administrator

THE WINNING HAND 4 VOL.2 ISSUE 9