co.lab

co.lab serves as a hub to a collaborative community that share the same values of entrepreneurship, creativity, and integrity. This shared workspace is ideal for freelance professionals, home office workers, startup businesses, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and graduate students.

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But first, coffee. | http://instagram.com/p/uWxS0Lp-pk

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Do great work & love what you do. 

And if you still feel a little lost, here's a tip: Cultivate a new habit and take steps to finding out what you love. No matter how small, just keep moving!

Have you missed us? (Because we've missed you!) Giant apologies for the blog-neglect, but such excitement for what we're planning next. Keep an eye on this space!

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We’re running out of space! We should probably stop letting cats work here.

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HAPPY MONDAY COWORKERS! I hope this cat gif gets everyone revved up for the coming work week!

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Derrick brings a positive energy to the space while working with Grameen Foundation!

Company: Grameen Foundation Formal Title: Mobile Agriculture Consultant What you do: Hanging around co-lab and taking advantage of the free water and (occasional) food snacks to meet cool people in the space. Otherwise, I'm helping Grameen Foundation develop their agriculture strategy for Asia.

#workfromhomeproblems Not social enough for me. Co.lab is great because it's filled with such pleasant and interesting people. There's always some awesome conversation going on and new things to learn. 

co.lab to the rescue I've been able to expand my music repertoire thanks to the interesting mixes that [the Community Managers] play during the day. Also, it's really a bright and comfortable space that helps me be productive, yet at the same time be aware of new and interesting activities that are going on in the social enterprise space. Co.lab has the friendliest and most helpful staff, free coffee, water, and great music around is a major plus. It's a pleasant place to be with friends, while getting things done in a very stress-free and productive way.

Favourite things during your stay in co.lab? The jellies - great way to meet new and interesting people.

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"Productivity is never an accident."

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co.lab, together with Trade School Manila and Teach for the Philippines, is brining you this month's jelly - The one with the Educators!

Come and explore ways where you can get involved in education, as we celebrate National Teachers' Month at co.lab. 

Trade School Manila, an independent learning community, gives you a platform to share what you know or what you love. 

Teach for the Philippines is a national movement that brings the country's most promising youths back into the classrooms, to serve as public school educators for two years.

We'll open discussion on why Trade School and Teach for the PH do what they do, how you can be a part of it. So whether you're a teacher, a student, or somewhere in between, we'd love to have you.

Teach. Learn. Experience.

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ENTREPSUMMIT - Sept 18 | UA&P Li Seng Giap Auditorium

Hear from the experienced such as Senator Bam Aquino, Ms. Reese Fernandez, and other speakers as they impart to MSMEs (micro, small, medium enterprises) how to achieve inclusive growth! Topics such as how to grow a business, how tax affects MSMEs, and how to leverage a business financially will be covered in this summit. Entrance is free of charge and everyone is invited especially zealous entrepreneurs! See you there! The event will be from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Learn more on their fb page: http://on.fb.me/15wuEoH

For reservations, contact [phone] or 0932-8447231.

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Allie recently won a FREE WEEK pass from us and it was such a pleasure to have her join our space!

Involved in: Architect/ Freelance graphic designer/ Co-founder of Katha Magazine

Company: working on that! ;)

What that really means: "I do mostly anything and everything design-related -- from planning structures and interior spaces, to doing branding projects and web design work. I didn't really plan on being a kind of one-stop shop for everything, but I'm always up for any project that lets me get to do what I love."

#workfromhomeproblems: "There are only so many days that you can stay productive at home. Sooner or later, the calling of the couch/bed just gets too difficult to ignore."

  co.lab to the rescue: "I was working on layouting the maiden issue of our magazine when I won Co.lab's giveaway so it was such perfect timing! I was able to concentrate on getting all my deliverables done, while getting to meet some pretty cool people in the process."

  #co.labMoment: "I'm not the most outgoing person, but getting to chat with people helped me avoid getting too burnt out while working. Coming in everyday also put a sense of order into my schedule, almost like having office hours but in a much more fun, relaxed setting. It was a refreshing experience, so co.lab has definitely not seen the last of me yet."

Learn more about Allie on her blog & check out her portfolio.

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#MaringPH Aftermath

The recent monsoon rains from Maring have battered Manila and it's surrounding areas affecting over a million people. The rising water levels turned streets into rivers and submerged many areas in the city and also in the neighbouring regions of Luzon. During the tropical storm at least 15 people were killed and thousands of people displaced from their homes into evacuation centres. 

During these times of calamity the city and it's people always endure and persist all the while keeping its people in its heart. Tracking hashtags like #RescuePH and #ReliefPH through social media have kept the netizens aware on who needed assistance and who can help through volunteer work or who can provide relief goods.

Across the city, donation centres are popping up accepting relief goods like water, food and clothes. Rappler is compiling a list of evacuation centres accepting donations - click to learn more here

co.lab is in contact with Red Cross and we are accepting relief goods for the victims of the storm. We are also open to receiving clothing donations as part of the Change Clothes' collection. Proceeds in this on going process helps those victims in their times of need. 

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We've set a NEW DATE for the Jelly. co.lab will host Katchup Sessions on August 29, 2013 at 6 - 9 PM. This month's Jelly is for the coworkers to get together and catch up with each other on what's new in their business and their experiences. But mostly it's also a chance for everyone to unwind and enjoy good conversation! Please register on our Eventbrite here. We hope you can all make it!

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Want FREE desk space, fast wifi, unli-coffee, and cool & creative officemates for a week?

We're giving away 1-week work passes to TEN (10) awesome people!

Follow the instructions below to join the raffle. More points = more chances of winning! Good luck ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Can your solution to social challenges be solved through digital media?  Get your ideas ready for Social Innovation Camp Philippines!!

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Matt has been through a lot of changes since his move from the United States and co.lab has been with him through part of his journey here in the Philippines! Read more about his story here!

Company: Ashoka Philippines Formal Title: Program Associate What that really means: He's helping launch the Ashoka program here in the Philippines in search of the 1st batch of Filipino Fellows to join the global network of over 3,000 Fellows in more than 70 countries. For those of you that aren't in the know; a Fellow is a social innovator that's tackling some of the big problems in the world. They're looking at it with a specific frame work where they are creating what they call system changing solutions!

Why do you cowork? "The people at co.lab are like a second family to me and the space is my home away from home. On days that I'm not working at co.lab, I'm always inclined to stop by when I'm in the neighbourhood and say what's up to the co.lab team." 

"[co.lab] doesn't dictate how the nature of the individual is. It's nice to have a space that you can constantly work with."

#WorkFromHomeProblems "There's a limitation. If I'm just working at home or i'm working in a coffee shop, then it's just me and the work. But if an independent worker really wants to grow something, whether it be their business or professional career, co.lab fills that space of development by encouraging individuals to share their ideas and work with other people. And I think that point of collaboration is really crucial, because for me I'd stay in a cave, if I didn't." 

co.lab for your business "For Ashoka it's important to have to a physical office space. Even just to have the option to have a filing cabinet with all the paperwork and things like that to just keep all your back end stuff in check is a crucial resource to utilize." 

It's like a one stop shop for everything, 'cause if you need other services like a meeting room or the talents that coworkers have, graphic designers or video people, it's very accessible to just tap different people who are experts in different fields."

Favourite things in co.lab? "There's just too many things!"

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Create a difference! Design change!

Challenge issues tackling health, education and culture within our country. Start with a spark and tie it together with the bigger picture. Design Co.Mission will help realize your ideas!

Learn more here

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The event is LIVE! Collaborations: When Fashion Design meets Social Enterprise.

Featuring Rajo Laurel x Reese Fernandez-Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Inc.! Click here to grab a seat! http://bit.ly/july-collaborations There are only TEN (10) Slots available, so you better get on it! Was it worth the wait? (We think so!)

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Collaborations

Hear the stories of great people we look up to from different industries. Spend a morning with us as they speak about their struggles, challenges, and most especially, their successes. 

Limited slots available.

Stay tuned for more details!

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Dana has been a regular coworker at co.lab for some time now. Read her story here!

Company: Vexter Design Studio Formal Title: Co-founder/ Graphic Designer/ Project Manager

#WorkFromHomeProblems: "[Working from home is] distracting on it's own. Some people can work and be productive, but i feel like you can only do that so many days in a week. Either work at home or work at a coffee shop. There might also be distractions at a coffee shop because not everyone goes to a coffee shop to work."

co.lab to the rescue: "Right now we're at a phase, in which we have a small team. We're still trying to build capital. This is a good way to have a routine and feel grounded, instead of working from home everyday.

It's better for us financially, at the moment. Instead of setting up our own office and having to furnish it and spend all that money. It's a good stepping stone for us to be here, and the free coffee is a nice perk!"