Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

HPE Aruba Drives IoT Adoption with Innovations in Connectivity and Device Visibility

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Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, announced continued innovation at the network edge. The introduction of new security solutions, ecosystem partnerships, and wired infrastructure products is designed to accelerate the move to the digital workspace, while addressing the security concerns associated with the adoption of IoT initiatives.

The explosion of IoT devices connecting to enterprise networks is making it critical to identify, connect, and protect all unknown mobile and IoT devices at the edge via enhanced security and threat remediation technology. The new Aruba ClearPass Universal Profiler and Aruba ClearPass Exchange partnerships, along with the 2540 Switch Series, are key components of HPE’s broader IoT strategy that was unveiled this week at the HPE Discover Conference.

According to Gartner, “6.4 billion connected things will be in use worldwide in 2016, up 30% from 2015, and will reach 20.8 billion by 2020.”¹Additionally, “By 2020, Gartner is projecting more than 300 million building automation devices and more than 400 million devices for energy management in buildings.”²

Key findings within a November 4, 2016 Gartner research report, Real Time Discovery, Visibility and Control are Critical for IoT Security, stated that “Lack of network and device visibility is a top concern of security and risk management leaders, both in consumer and industrial IoT verticals, as they don't know what assets they have and if protection is required. Discovery is a prerequisite to IoT security.” Also in the report, Gartner recommended that IT teams “Determine which discovery and visibility business benefits — such as reducing costs/risks, enabling postbreach response and recovery, enabling asset discovery, being more ready for regulations and audits, and complementing BYOD security initiatives — are most compelling before architecting use cases.”³

IoT-Ready: ClearPass Universal Profiler

To address these challenges, Aruba has developed a strategy to meet enterprise requirements for identifying, connecting, and protecting all mobile and IoT devices at the edge. With new software and hardware solutions, as well as new ecosystem partners, Aruba can now accelerate an organization’s move to IoT adoption in smart buildings across verticals.

The new Aruba ClearPass Universal Profiler automatically discovers and fingerprints all IP-enabled managed, unmanaged, and IoT devices on multi-vendor wired and wireless networks. This gives IT organizations the ability to see clearly how many devices in total and per category are connected at any one time. IT departments no longer have to guess or use disparate tools to see what devices are connecting to their networks. Comprehensive information about device type, operating system, status, and location are displayed in an easy-to-read graphical user interface. This information can then be used for performance and security tuning across infrastructure components, and then shared with ClearPass Exchange partners to deliver user behavior analytics, deception intelligence, and firewall security.

For organizations that then require policy management, there’s a simple migration path to the Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager to enable automatic authentication and policy enforcement after devices are identified and fingerprinted. Devices that are exhibiting unwanted behavior can then be automatically remediated using data from Aruba’s partners to minimize the risk to networks.

Scaling for IoT with Aruba 2540 Switch Series and ArubaOS Enhancements

Aruba also introduced the 2540 Switch Series, along with enhancements to the ArubaOS-Switch operating system, both of which are designed to power and secure the intelligent edge, optimizing for mobile and IoT devices. These enhancements enable unified, role-based access across wireless and wired networks with the ability to identify and assign roles to connected IoT devices in order to prioritize business critical applications and secure the network.

The Aruba layer 3 switches (29xx/3810/5400) are also capable of user-based and port-based wired traffic tunneling to an Aruba Mobility Controller so that policies can be applied, advanced services can be extended, and traffic can be encrypted to secure the LAN, further reducing risk to networks.

To meet the demand for the rapid growth in IoT and connected devices in distributed enterprises, the cost-effective Aruba 2540 Switch Series (as well as the other Aruba switches) support Zero Touch Provisioning and optional cloud-based management to allow enterprises to simplify and slash network deployment and management costs.

New Aruba Ecosystem Partners Help Classify IoT Devices

The Aruba ClearPass Exchange partner ecosystem continues to grow, with new additions, Attivo Networks and Niara, both of which allow IT to identify IoT devices that demonstrate unwanted or suspicious behavior.

Attivo Networks is an award-winning provider of deception-based technologies for in-network threat detection, attack forensic analysis, and continuous threat response. The Attivo Networks ThreatMatrix Deception and Response Platform deceives attackers into engaging by turning the network into a trap with decoys and deception lures. Attackers who have circumvented prevention security systems, then reveal themselves and can be blocked and quarantined. The Attivo platform works with Aruba ClearPass to establish policies that automatically disable devices that are experiencing attacks from internal or external threat actors.

Niara is an innovator and recognized leader in the emerging user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) market. The Niara Behavioral Analytics platform detects security threats on the inside such as compromised users, hosts and devices, negligent employees, and malicious insiders. Niara leverages Aruba ClearPass to identify and profile users, and IoT and IP-enabled devices, in order to detect attacks based on changes in normal traffic and IT activity, and to take action to remove the unauthorized devices or users from the network.

ClearPass Exchange ecosystem partners also provide user behavior analytics, deception intelligence, firewalls, mobile device management, enterprise mobility management, and solutions for managing security, user identities and network access events. They leverage ClearPass REST-based APIs, Syslog messaging, and a ClearPass Extensions capability to deliver end-to-end threat remediation and endpoint correction

One Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang Baguio City Parade

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Baguio City officials organized a parade for newly crowned ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang last Friday, 9 December. Folayang won the title at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR which took place 11 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran defeated former champion, Japanese MMA legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki via third round technical knockout.

ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang receives a Hero’s Welcome Parade in Baguio City with his cousin, three-time World Wushu Champion Divine Masadao Wally held 9 December, 2016, on a beautiful Friday afternoon. The parade was launched from Luneta Hill at SM Baguio, proceeding to Session Road and Magsaysay Ave., and ending at Baguio City Hall.

The parade featured performers in traditional Igorot garb native to the Benguet region and the Philippine mountain province as they trailed the float bearing a mock display of the ONE Lightweight World Championship belt attached to the bullbar of a pick-up truck. Folayang waved to fans as the parade traversed down the city’s most populous areas.

Locals lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned champion Folayang with the ONE Lightweight World Championship belt draped over his shoulder. Filipino fight fans love MMA and have a rich martial arts culture particularly in Baguio City, where some of the Philippines’ finest warriors have originated.

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Call it magic, call it true! Coldplay recently announced their A Head Full of Dreams tour in Asia, including a stop in the Philippines for the first time in history. Presented by the #1 mobile brand in the country, Globe, the biggest Coldplay fans are in for a musical adventure as they countdown to concert day with the launch of #GlobeColdplay Sessions.

Globe and Coldplay recently gave its customers their first hymn for the weekend last December 4, 2016, with the kick-off of the first of three #GlobeColdplay Sessions that happened at the UP Town Center, Quezon City.

This event gave everyone a colorful afternoon filled with arts, music, and wonderful surprises. All Globe users had a chance to win exclusive Coldplay items and tickets to their concert next year by completing all the activities in the Globe booth.

It was a 360° #GlobeColdplay experience, starting off with live performances of renowned artists singing to Coldplay songs. Leanne and Naara, the dynamic duo and YouTube sensation, kick-started the event followed by Hans Dimagyuga, The Voice of the Philippines Season 1 finalist. Kai Honasan from the OPM band Autotelic, sang the night away with Eco del Rio, bassist of Pinoy rock band Chicosci. Independent musicians and live acoustic performers Bullet Dumas, and Johnoy Danao capped off the event with Coldplay songs alongside their own compositions.

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You may probably wondering how to protect your kids from mosquitoes this Christmas season especially that you might be staying outdoors more than you plan because of all the gatherings and reunions you will be attending. It could be challenging because most of the time, kids do not like sticky lotions as repellent or worse—they have allergic reactions from strong insect repellent lotions. So it was such good discovery to find a kiddie insect repellent that doesn’t need to be lathered into your kids’ skin as ATC Strike Patch is a very easy to use mosquito repellent!

ATC Strike Patch is a stick-on mosquito repellent. It simply looks like a sticker with cute designs that are made of 100% pure and natural essential oils. It is safe as it is 100% DEET-free and the effects last for 48 hours! Just one patch on the clothes and your children are already protected from the disease carrying, irritating and infectious mosquitoes! No more hassle, just stick it on the child’s clothing and all is well!

Strike Patch for Kids is high content 100% Pure and natural essential oils. It is a product of extensive research and development that guarantees top quality and excellent promising health results which makes it absolutely different from other repellents.

To keep you away from mosquitoes in different ways possible, we offer you other Strike variants! The Strike Coil Mosquito Repellent is very easy to use and does not give irritation as it smells good. Strike Liquid Mosquito Electric Repellent provides 40-day protection and can cover a 20-meter area. It does not emit smoke and disturbing odors. Strike Mat lasts for 8 hours and can cover a 12-ft area. Lastly, the Strike Multi-Insect Killer Spray which kills all insects in an instant, eco-friendly and does not contain cfc which is harmful to human health, pets and the environment. The Strike variants can instantly help you get rid of mosquitoes without harming the environment, people, pets, plants and furniture. It is proven effective and very much affordable compared to other mosquito killing brands! Para iwas dengue at ZIka, Strike agad!

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It doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to be extra beautiful this Christmas season but it is something we can do not for others but for ourselves. You see, Christmas season is also known as “party season”. There are lots of gatherings and reunions with family and friends, and we don’t have so much time anymore to put on layers and layers of make-up just to hide the stress we’ve had for the past months. Imagine how helpful it would be to us if we don’t even need to put lots of make-up because of our effortlessly beautiful skin? That’s achievable especially if you are stocking up on Vitamin E!

Vitamin E helps maintain the skin’s radiance and healthy glow. Aside from that, it also helps in maintaining the functions of blood vessels, brain and nervous system. It strengthens the immune system and promotes good eyesight. Lastly, it helps in preventing cancer, heart disease and stroke.

With 400 IU of Vitamin E, ATC Vita-E is perfect for you! It benefits our body greatly and protects the cells from harmful effects of free radicals. Vitamin E—being a good antioxidant, maintains the radiance and glow which makes up for an even healthier skin despite too much sun exposure. No need to worry when you have Vita-E. For a healthier you and a healthier skin. For effortless beauty with ATC Vita-E.

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AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 title sponsor Suzuki Philippines (SPH) got avid football fans into the groove with fun games and activities during the group games held at the Philippine Sports Stadium recently.

With the excitement brought about by the Philippine debut in hosting the AFF Suzuki Cup, over 1,000 motorcycle club members, 500 Suzuki car club enthusiasts and 1,300 students gathered to witness the monumental event.

Welcoming the spectators and guests at the Suzuki Village located just within the stadium’s premises were a huge arc balloon and a larger than life soccer ball wherein fans can write down their well wishes and thoughts for the Azkals and the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Displayed at the Suzuki Village as well were SPH’s exciting lineup of automobiles and motorcycles. On display were the AFF-specially-dressed Suzuki Swift 1.2, the all-time favorite Suzuki Jimny, the multi-awarded Suzuki Ciaz, the well-loved Suzuki Ertiga, and the ever-stylish Suzuki Celerio. Smash 115 Fashion Colors, Address 115 Fi, and the Underbone King - Raider R150 were also among the motorcycles that have each captured tournament goers’ attention.

Fans were also treated with exciting games and activities as well as photo opportunity with their favourite Suzuki products.

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Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today extended his congratulations and awarded outstanding establishments and energy managers who have undertaken or who were responsible for conducting energy efficiency and conservation programs resulting to considerable savings in their energy consumption.

"The entire Department of Energy family congratulates and holds in the highest esteem the recipients of this year's Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards. They collectively represent the ideal standard of excellence that we want society to uphold, and that we want others to emulate and replicate in the fast-evolving field of energy efficiency and conservation (EEC)," Cusi said in his remarks.

"The other candidates and participants themselves are likewise deserving of praise for the equally commendable effort they have put in this endeavor. All is not lost for them because of the actual tangible benefits they have reaped for their organizations, as well as the altruistic feeling of having contributed to the common good and the triumph of the higher cause of ‎environmental preservation."

"Regardless of the results, all of you should be extolled as worthy examples and inspiration for the rest of your respective communities.

Cusi emphasized that "The success of this event proves not just the importance of our social objective, but more so the growing awareness and interest of members of society and their ability and willingness to join the movement."

Organized by the Department of Energy as one of its activities in celebration of National Energy Consciousness Week every December, this year’s Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards held at the Passion Restaurant, Maxims Hotel, Pasay City recognizes the private sector’s effort to promote and to implement energy conservation.

Optimus Prime is Filipino? Spotlight on Filipino Voice Artists

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World-class athletes, world-class performers, world-class beauties – this is what Filipinos have proven so far with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Pia Wurtzbach, just to name a few. These celebrities have conquered international stages (and boxing rings, for that matter) to show the world how much talent and potential our country possesses.

But not all world-class Filipino talents always get the limelight, especially in front of the camera. Sometimes, these talents come in the form of recorded voices from the recording booth, masked behind characters in commercials, animation, foreign films and soap opera, telephony systems, mobile applications, GPS, and even video games.

And that’s us, voice artists.

We are the anonymous voices behind the famous cartoon characters, Koreanovela stars, anime, and many more. You may have bumped into us at the mall, or stood in line behind us in the cinema, and you didn’t have any idea that we were the voice of the commercial you just heard, or the movie trailer you have just seen, or the video game you have just played.

If you have gone to any arcade and played the famous game “Transformers: Human Alliance,” I’ll let you in on a secret – the voices you hear in that video game are voices of your kababayans.

When I built my voiceover company, Creativoices Productions, I had a vision that the Philippines will become the center of voiceover excellence in Asia. I believe that we have skills and talents that are truly world-class, and Filipino voiceover artists are no exception. That’s why in 2008, I took the opportunity to present my company’s talent pool to SEGA Games, and long story short, I was able to close the deal for my company to do the voices of several of their games – Harley Davidson King of the Road, Golden Gun, Operation Ghost, and Transformers: Human Alliance.

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"I'm looking really forward to watching the #MMFF2016 this year. I really wish the haters would see the true intentions of the #MMFF2016 and the new direction it's taking. The MMDA started out in 1975 as an esoteric agency created to humanize a burgeoning city. The movie festival started with the idealistic notion that film can be a catalyst for positve development and a reflection of the human condition. The blockbusters with Kabisotes and Manos can be done anytime of the year. Let's give these new movies a chance. Haters, you may be surprised." - Carlos Celdran

This December 25, which movie are you excited to see? Excited to know the entries to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival? Contrary to what people expected, there will be no Bossing Vic or Vice Ganda films for this year’s festival. Totoo po ang tsismis, Maraming Magandang Filipino Films ngayong darating na Pasko! The line-up for the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, to put it mildly, is quite different from previous years after it has merged into one category the independent films and mainstream movies.

“Mano Po 7: Chinoy,” which also failed to make the cut in the festival’s official lineup this year, could be debatable as it is of a higher level than the "Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers " or "The Super Parental Guardians" movies. But Mother Lily was reported to have said that she thinks the Filipino movie industry will fall with the new system of the MMFF.

Big local producers are still bristling at not having secured a slot in the lucrative annual all-Pinoy-movies festival. Sino ang director na nagalit dahil sa proseso ng pagpili ng mga entries para sa #MMFF2016? Maliwanag sa #MMFF2016 Rules na QUALITY FILMS so bakit andaming nagulat sa resulta? True enough "...audiences now are no longer "bakya." We already have an audience that is media-savvy." Bravo MMFF!!!

Color Manila Caps 2016 with the Color Manila Blacklight Run Held at Dagupan City

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COLOR MANILA the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, just capped 2016 with the COLOR MANILA Blacklight Run held at CSI The City Mall Dagupan City, Pangasinan, last December 10, 2016. More than a thousand participants participated in the night run which was also made possible in cooperation with - CSI The City Mall.

Jeto Seen, Marketing Manager of CSI Malls says, “Because of our partnership with COLOR MANILA, we are able to bring these kinds of events, to our region. COLOR MANILA has been our first partner, who has helped us bring lifestyle events in our community. We are happy that we already reached our 4th event with them and that our events are lauded by some as very well organized and very well attended.”

Justine Cordero, VP of COLOR MANILA says, “Through our partnership with CSI The City Mall, we have been able to let the residents of Dagupan City and other nearby cities experience firsthand what it is like to be part of the biggest ‘concept fun-run’ in the country. This is our 4th event in Dagupan City, and we look forward to having more events here very soon.”

National Digital Arts Awards 2017 Call for Entries with Brand Ambassador CyreneQ

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I've heard about Snapchat from a young OPM band when they were using it one night while we were waiting for other media friends for the intimate media gathering they organized. They were having fun doing selfies while manipulating them with several graphically animated enhancements that are somewhat humorous and laughable.

The only reason why I never continued using it was because none of my colleagues were using it, or I believe I was more into the other social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - my top three which is the same for almost everyone in the Philippines.

One probable reason was because posts had an expiration. This means they would not exist forever online. Your post will soon be gone unless you repost it. But I wanted the opposite, the more content that I publish, the better for exposure and media mileage.

I may be wrong when I later found out that there's an online influencer by the name of CyreneQ (Cyrene Quiamco) who's been very successful using Snapchat. I was amazed when she personally mentioned the amount that she earns through the use of Snapchat.

Learning she was a graphics artist before, I now know why she got into using Snapchat because of the numerous creativity made possible by the social app.

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The celebration started out with a series of flash mobs all over the SM Megamall. Models and Dancers (from Teens to Kids) were all suddenly coming at certain areas of the mall and showcasing their outfits, specifically their shoes, to attract customers who seem surprised and couldn't figure out what it was all for.

But the flash mobs were intentionally orchestrated to point to the large stage at the ground floor of the SM Fashion Fashion Hall where Bata Philippines has setup the area for a grand launch of the global shoe store brand. Finally we have in the Philippines the footwear provider that has been very popular in so many countries around the world.

These flash mobs were repeatedly done at different areas including the stage at the Fashion Hall ground were the models and dancers performed their routine moves to continuously excite the shoppers of what is about to happen at the grand launch which happens that day at around 4 pm on December 2, 2016.

Thank you to the SM Retail of SM Supermalls for finally bringing Bata here in the Philippines.

Aside from the models and teen dancers, the most prominent scene stealers were the Kiddowockeez, a group of young kids, who were all great in dancing. Named after the award-winning but older group Jabbawockeez, these kids are impressive in their dance moves.

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Official Statement of Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Benito Ranque to Mindanao Power Sector

Will the Duterte Administration Succeed in Lighting Up Lanao Where Four Presidents Ailed?

It has been the long battle for Lanao to get its rightful share of electricity even as it hosts the highly coveted Agus hydroelectric power plants. Will there be light provided by a new leadership of the most contested LASURECO or Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative?

Task Force Lasureco (TFL) was organized under Executive Order issued in August 2014 that mandated the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to implement the rehabilitation measures of the electric cooperative, enhance management and operations to improve revenues.

The Task Force is responsible for installing kwh meters in households of all member-consumers within the franchise area, developing and cleansing the membership data base, and normalizing reading and billing operations apart from conducting the General Assembly and Election of the Board of Directors.

The Task Force is now chaired by Department Energy Undersecretary Benito Ranque.

During a Lanao local governments special meeting held last December 8 called by Vice Governor Mamintal Bombit Adiong Jr. a week after the ARMM LGU Summit was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, DOE Usec Ben Ranque expressed that he will focus on getting the national government to support the electrification of Lanao del Sur,

"When there is no light, there is no water as well," said Ranque who hails from Medina, Misamis Oriental, was appointed as General Manager

Former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner Solaiman Mutia will be his Assistant General Manager. Ranque is a Public Management graduate of Bukidnon State University.

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To help finance network investments to expand coverage and enhance capacities

Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu (2nd from left) and Metrobank President Fabian Dee, (2nd from right) shake hands following the signing of 12-year and 15-year P20 billion term loan facility. The loan is intended to finance partial acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication assets. The transaction, which is expected to provide benefits to mobile internet customers, exemplifies the company’s continuous commitment and investments in improving the network and quality of service. These investments will help support the data needs of existing and new customers and allow them to enjoy their digital lifestyle. Globe Chief Finance Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala (left) and FMIC president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo (right) witnessed the signing.

DOE Intensifies Gasoline Station Inspection for Consumer Protection

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Responding to concerns over methanol blends, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos to conduct inspections and sampling of liquid petroleum products in various gasoline stations/retail outlets nationwide for compliance with existing Philippine National Standards for fuels, especially focusing on the presence of methanol in their liquid petroleum products.

Usec. Marcos and DOE-OIMB OIC-Director Melita V. Obillo personally led the inspection of fuel quantity and quality using the DOE-Mobile Monitoring and Testing Lab (MMTL) van together with Senior Research Specialists from OIMB.

Earlier, the DOE shared the information that contrary to the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for petroleum products, methanol is being used instead of ethanol. The presence of methanol in the gasoline can harm and cause corrosion in the engine.

In performing the inspection, the DOE-OIMB applied the standard operating procedures in sampling and testing to determine the compliance of petroleum products.

Further confirmation is being done in the geoscientific research and testing laboratories under the DOE-Energy Research and Testing Laboratories in its headquarters in Taguig.