Fortinet Promotes Cybersecurity Education by Providing Universal Access to Its Network Security Expert Courses

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Fortinet Invests in Aspiring IT Security Professionals to Help Address the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

“Facing an increasingly hostile threat landscape, businesses are expanding investments in infrastructure security but struggling to source the increasingly rare talent needed to implement and operate their solutions. As an industry-leader, Fortinet believes it is our responsibility to foster the development and continuing education of cybersecurity talent and close the cybersecurity skills gap. Opening Fortinet’s Network Security Expert program to the public increases access to educational resources and creates new opportunities for current and future IT security professionals whose skills will be critical to ensure the continued growth of the digital economy.” - Ken Xie, founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer at Fortinet

News Summary

Fortinet, the global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, today announced that they are providing universal access to their Network Security Expert (NSE) training and certification program making it broadly available and free of charge. With the public availability of the NSE program, Fortinet is taking a massive step to engage a new generation of aspiring cybersecurity professionals by providing a gateway to attain the highly desirable and lucrative skills in the growing field of IT security. Starting today, Fortinet will offer NSE program level 1 courses to the public. Fortinet will follow with NSE program levels 2 and 3 in the second quarter of 2017.

Closing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

Recent reports highlight a massive shortage of professionals with the cybersecurity skills needed to combat the expanding volume and complexity of today’s threat landscape. This cybersecurity skills gap poses challenges for enterprises who are unable to fill roles needed to defend their employees, data, investments, and bottom-line against increasing risks from cyber-attacks.

Fortinet has long championed the cause to increase awareness, understanding, and knowledge within the global cybersecurity landscape. Launched in 2015, Fortinet’s NSE program has quickly become an industry-standard in cybersecurity training and certification that fosters the continuing education of IT security professionals worldwide and helps close the cybersecurity skills gap.

Proven Curriculum for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals

As the primary program used to develop and maintain the skillsets of Fortinet employees, partners, and end users, Fortinet’s NSE program utilizes a multi-level curriculum that progresses from cybersecurity fundamentals and overall context, up to advanced security implementation strategies and technical concepts. This program design has resulted in Fortinet issuing over 50,000 NSE certifications globally.

Public demand for Fortinet’s NSE program also drove the creation of Fortinet’s Network Security Academy for public, primary, and post-secondary education institutions. These institutions partner with Fortinet and leverage the NSE curriculum to develop cybersecurity courses currently offered at schools in 46 unique countries.

NSE 1 covers network security fundamentals and provides a historical context of the cybersecurity market. NSE 2 details the core security solutions used to address the challenges outlined in NSE 1. NSE 3 provides a deeper dive into advanced security products and capabilities used to defend against specific threats and vectors of attack.

Supporting Quotes

Professor Kris Rosenberg, Program Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Oregon Institute of Technology

“Oregon Tech’s IT and Cybersecurity degree programs are proud to partner with Fortinet as members of the Fortinet Network Security Academy. Working together, we are able to offer our students courses that combine cybersecurity theory and concepts with hands-on lab experience and advanced security solutions that prepare them to enter the workforce as skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals.”

Following Incredible Showing at Qualifier B, Neymar Jr’s Five Prepares for Finals

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On Saturday, February 25th 2017, Neymar Jr’s Five returned to Sparta Philippines for another round of exciting matches. Over a dozen teams squared off with just four making it to next week’s finals: Manila Tala, Strafford FC, Baggie FC, and Naxional.

Neymar Jr’s Five is the Brazilian forward’s signature football tournament which pits five-a-side teams in head-to-head in 10-minute matches with a twist. Every time one team scores, the opposition loses a player. It’s fast, technical, and tactical.

On hand for the festivities was Daniel Matsunaga, who represented popular Brazilian-bistro, Naxional South American Diner, as Team Captain. “It’s football, I have loved it since I was a kid and I always find time to play. It’s exciting to have these kinds of tournament in the Philippines.”

Also on hand, was former team captain of the Azkals, Chieffey Caligdong. “It’s challenging and I really enjoyed the game. It was my first time playing street soccer.”

Eight teams now advance to the March 4th Finals, including Naxional, Baggie FC, Strafford FC, Manila Tala – from Qualifier B, and Underground, El Retiro, Kidzania, and Laro, featuring football star, Anton Del Rosario – from Qualifier A last February 18th.

The Finals will happen this coming Saturday, March 4th at SPARTA Philippines, in Mandaluyong. It’s going to be another action-packed afternoon to witness who will be playing on Neymar Jr’s home turf.

Dare to dream, and outplay them all!


FB Event Page: win.gs/neymarjrsfiveph
Registration: www.neymarjrsfive.com

Color Manila All Set for Its Next Clark Event - CM Challenge Run on March 19

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Color Manila, currently the most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer in the country today, is setting its sights on its next big event at Clark, Pampanga on March 19, 2017. The last event of Color Manila at Clark, Pampanga saw a sold-out event with 6,000 participants. The upcoming CM Challenge Run, which will be held at the Clark Parade Grounds, will have the runners this time go through obstacles, color stations and mazes.

Justine Cordero, VP for Color Manila says, “We would like to invite runners and non-runners alike to join this exciting event, the CM Challenge Run. We have customised a unique race route just for this run, with obstacles and challenges to make it more exciting, apart from being very colorful. Of course, participants can also look forward to the after-party; we have invited DJ Franco Zarate to spin for us.”

Cordero continues, “We are targeting thousands of participants again for this fun-run. We are also developing Clark as one of our bigger event sites outside of Manila. Our recent event in Manila, which celebrated our 5th anniversary, saw 12,000 participants and we would like to eventually have a fun-run as big as this at Clark, Pampanga.”

“The last time we were at Clark, we saw participants from nearby provinces such as La Union, Baguio, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. We also had some foreigners from other Asian countries and the United States who flew in just for that run. We would like to consistently do this, along with our local partners, such as Clark Development Corporation, so we can help in our own way, in terms of growing the sports tourism agenda of Clark, Pampanga”, says Cordero.

Participants can choose between the Deluxe Kit and the Trooper Kit. The Deluxe, which is at Php 650 includes the singlet, sunglasses and color packet. While the Trooper Kit, which is priced at Php 1,050, comes with an added drawstring bag and headwear. Runners can also choose between the 3K, 5K or 10K routes.

Sponsors for the CM Challenge Run include Clark Freeport Philippines, Toby’s Sports, Runner, Anytime Fitness Angeles, Pascual, 100 Plus, Starbucks Coffee, SM Tickets and Runnr. Registration is still ongoing at www.colormanilarun.com.

Lazada Philippines Sends Top Five Sellers to Alibaba’s Campus

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Lazada Philippines sent five of its top performing sellers to Alibaba’s campus in Hangzhou, China, last February 23 to 25, 2017. They joined a delegation of 34 other sellers coming from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Highlights from the 3-day visit to Hangzhou included a rare opportunity to hear from Jing Jie, Vice President of Strategic Partnership Development, Alibaba Group and Aimone Ripa di Meana, Chief Marketplace Officer, Lazada Group to gain insights on the e-commerce landscape development and best-practices of online selling. The delegates also had the chance to visit and network with other successful sellers such as Semir1 from Alibaba’s Tmall platform as well as attend two training sessions on “Operations and Assortment Planning for Singles Day” and “Online Customer Management” conducted by Taobao University2.

These sellers have worked closely with Lazada throughout their Online Revolution sale event last year, and have emerged to be the top in their respective product categories, such as fashion, electronics, and other fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) categories.

People Power at LoveYourself’s Launch of TestMNL at Cherry Poppin’ Party Underpinning the HIV Advocacy

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People from various walks of life donated an overwhelming support at the LoveYourself’s launch of TestMNL Campaign at the Cherry Poppin’- The 3rd Party on Saturday night (25 February) at One Canvas Events Place in Makati City, proving the people’s power in helping reduce, if not eliminate, the stigma on and spread of HIV-AIDS in the Philippines.

Tacking in at the annual Cherry Poppin’ –an annual fundraising through a man-date auction, LoveYourself unveiled its newest HIV campaign dubbed as TestMNL, just visit its website: testmnl.org for activities and other information.

“LoveYourself is reinforcing the HIV advocacy with TestMNL which is an adaptation of the TestBKK conducted in Bangkok, Thailand,” LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan informed.

Pagtakhan added “With TestMNL, we are aiding the information gap through this intervention among the vulnerable populations like the youth and the males-who-have-sex-with males or what we call MSMs.”

Cherry Poppin’ Auctionee BJ Pascual

Cherry Poppin’ Auctionee Jeremy Favia

TestMNL x Cherry Poppin’ Performer Lady Gagita

TestMNL x Cherry Poppin’ Performer Venus of O-Bar

HIV Testing Ambassadors

Fresh from coming out from a known reality TV show and as a gay man on national TV, TestMNL ambassador Jerome Alacre wanted to share his knowledge about HIV-AIDS to raise awareness and to ultimately stop the stigma attached to the LGBT community and the disease.

Primarily advocating for quality education being an educator himself, Alacre said his main purpose in supporting the HIV advocacy is to utilize his social media influence to impart necessary information to the people in becoming more responsible especially when engaging in sexual activities.

“There is a big difference on how people in the U.S. manage the HIV-AIDS issue compared in the Philippines, as they have very easy access to treatment and tests. We want something similar to happen in the Philippines, especially on testing because that’s the most important part,” relayed Alacre, who was an OFW in California for five years.

Other ambassadors of TestMNL are Mr. Gay World Philippines (MGWP) 2016 winners John Raspado (title), Bench Ortiz (1st runner-up) and Khalil Vera Cruz (2nd runner up).

TestMNL is a campaign funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation through the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), a regional organization that promotes HIV issues that affect the lives of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, including rights, health and well-being.

DOE Pushes for Energy Security in BIMP-EAGA Meet

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The Department of Energy (DOE) expressed full support for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Power and Energy Cluster whose thrusts run parallel to the country’s own agenda of ensuring energy security, promoting a low carbon future, achieving total electrification, improving energy efficiency and conservation.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi at the 2017 BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting was represented by DOE-Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III.

As Head of the Philippine energy sector delegates, Pulido also Chaired the discussions of the Power and Energy Infrastructure (PEI) Cluster during the two-day breakout sessions.

According to Pulido, the key output of the cluster meeting is the formulation of the nine-year ‎‎‎(2017-2025) Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster (PEIC) Roadmap for the different sub-sectors such as for Power Interconnection, Renewable Energy (RE), Rural Electrification and Sub-Regional Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) rolling pipeline project as input to the final BIMP-EAGA Vision ‎‎‎2017-2025 (BEV2025).

On the power infrastructure connectivity of the Philippines to the sub-region, the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) presented to the Philippine delegates the proposed Sabah to Palawan Interconnection project.

The BEBC, a private sector group, initiated the partnership with the Provincial Government of Palawan aiming to deliver electric power from Sabah to Palawan.

During the meeting, the BEBC informed the participants that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding may take place by April 2017 and when this will be realized, "it will provide the needed capacity addition to the country,” Pulido said.

In support of the Philippine Energy Sector 8-point Agenda, Pulido also underscored the need to strengthen the resiliency of energy infrastructures in the sub-region.

BEBC Brunei proposed a renewable energy resource assessment for each country intending to identify feedstock as fuel for a proposed biomass generating facility project.

Pulido reported that “The Philippines will pursue coordination meetings between the private sector, National Government Agencies (NGAs) and the provincial Government of Palawan to be able to review existing policies and regulation on cross-border trading and to facilitate the timely execution of the proposed interconnection.”

The BIMP Senior Officials welcomed the outputs of the Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster and look forward to the efficient implementation of the different plans and activities until 2025 in partnership with the private sector and other key stakeholders.

Letran and Ad Foundation to Hold AdSpeak ‘17 (Updated)

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Colegio de San Juan de Letran, in partnership with the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, will convene delegates from various schools when it holds AdSpeak ‘17, a student convention on values advertising. Letran and the Ad Foundation are co-presenting AdSpeak ’17 since they share the same goal of promoting values and worthwhile advocacies in advertisements.

The event, which will take place on March 10, will be held at the Student Center Auditorium of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

AdSpeak ’17 aims to impress on future communicators the importance of advertising with positive values.

Advertising experts will share their insights during the whole-day affair. Among them are Melvin Mangada, Partner & Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno; Maya Estrada, Operations Manager, Ad Standard Council; Titus Arce, Managing Director, Dentsu Jayme Syfu; Alan Fontanilla, Managing Director, MullenLowe Open Phils.; Maya Ambalada-Roldan, Business Unit Director, Y&R Phils.; Paolo de Leon, Creative Director, Aspac/Dentsu Aegis Network; Jethro Adriano, Chief Creative Officer, Project Junkie; and Paolo Agulto, Creative Group Head, DDB Singapore.

Aside from talks from resource speakers, AdSpeak ’17 will mount its Values Advertising Awards, Students’ Choice Awards and Online Choice Awards. Commercials that uphold values have been created and entered by student delegates in six categories: Print, Radio, TV, Campaign, Digital and Brand Communications.

The AdSpeak’17 student convention is sponsored by Enervon Multivitamins, The Linden Suites, Hawk Bags, The Luxe Box, Greenwich, Nips, Hunts, Payless Pancit Canton, Mark Fragrances, The Soap Spot, Bic, Hallmark, Wild Format, Summit Media, DZUP 1602, Wazzup Pilipinas, Take Off PH, DZXL RMN’s Creativoices and Voice of the Youth Network, Click the City and Adobo Magazine.

GetGo, Honda Cars Team-Up for Exciting, New Partnership

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GetGo by Cebu Pacific has partnered with Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) through the recently launched “Points to Fly, Points to Drive” campaign. The alliance between the country’s fast-rising loyalty rewards program and the world-renowned car manufacturer aims to strengthen their commitment to provide rewarding and innovative products and services to their customers. “Through our partnership with HCPI, loyal GetGo members can expect even more exciting benefits and promos that can make their everyday spend rewarding as ever,” said Nik Laming, GetGo Loyalty Division General Manager. Photo shows Laming (left), and HCPI President and General Manager, Toshio Kuwahara sealing the partnership.

DLSU-CSB's School of Design and Arts Proudly Presents "The Scarlet Stockings"

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When an audience sees ballet dancers, they see a gossamer parade of young bodies on show. Nymph-like and lithe, ballet dancers have personified the epitome of ethereality for centuries. However, no one ever has the nerve to peer behind the velvet curtain to see the true grit of a ballerina’s life.

From a young age, the female ballet dancer trains relentlessly, in the hopes of one day rising to fame, of becoming a star. Unfortunately, for most young dancers, the possibility of that dream becoming a reality is slim. It is more likely that she will spend most of her career in the corps de ballet; the ensemble group dancing in unison around the featured soloists.

The dynamic of the dancers who make up the corps de ballet is unique only to them. Despite sharing a bond closer than blood; they are painfully aware of how short their careers are. Every girl in the corps de ballet prays to be noticed, to be promoted, and to achieve her dream.

Adrienne, is one of the many swirling bodies in the backline of the corps.

Adrienne is a young dancer with the Grinkov Ballet, talented, but often ignored by the company’s merciless director. She finds a pair of scarlet stockings, after which she is suddenly catapulted to fame and stardom. She finds a pair of scarlet stockings, after which she is suddenly catapulted to fame and stardom.

Unaware and dismissive of the heavy price attached to the stockings; Adrienne's manic obsession with keeping the power she believes they possess to herself escalates, and she begins to lose touch with reality.

The Scarlet Stockings features set, lighting, and sound design by some of Benilde’s best young talents; as well as the scholars Ballet Philippines Dance School (both past and present).

With original choreography by Cheska Reyes (formerly a scholar of Ballet Philippines) The Scarlet Stockings, Benilde’s first fully balletic dance thesis production in nearly a decade, intends to take audiences on a journey, and show them physical and emotional struggles of what is arguably the country’s most difficult and under-appreciated career. What is the price of attaining a goal? Where does one draw the line between ambition and obsession?

For ticket information, visit fb.com/TheScarletStockings or contact 09064680226

Greenpeace Reports Smartphones Leaving Disastrous Environmental Footprint

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Smartphone production and disposal over the last 10 years is proving to have a significant impact on our planet, according to a Greenpeace USA report released today. The report shows roughly 968 TWh was used to manufacture smartphones since 2007 - nearly the equivalent of one year’s power supply for India - and the devices contribute significantly to the 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste expected to be generated in 2017.

The report is released as Greenpeace Spain activists attempted to unfurl a banner from the building where Samsung was holding a press conference at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona with the message “Reuse, Recycle, Rethink”. The activists are demanding Samsung reuse and recycle the 4.3 million Galaxy Note 7s recalled in 2016 following reports the devices were exploding or catching fire.

“What has happened with Samsung’s recall of the Galaxy Note 7 is indicative of a wasteful and unsustainable system. Rushed design and production cycles can lead to wasteful mistakes, not to mention the impact on our planet,” said Jude Lee, Global Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia.

“Samsung still hasn’t shared a clear plan to deal with the 4.3 million phones that it recalled. If Samsung is serious about making sure this never happens again, it must lead the IT sector and move towards a system that allows phones to be more easily repaired, reused and recycled.”

Greenpeace USA’s report, From Smart to Senseless: The Global Impact of Ten Years of Smartphones, provides an overview on the increasing use of smartphones across the world since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, and how this has impacted our planet.