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Monday, November 20, 2017

KKR-Backed Emerald Media Leads US$65 Million Series B in aCommerce to Drive Southeast Asia’s Retail and Ecommerce Ecosystem Forward


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The region’s leading ecommerce enabler and e-distributor will continue to build successful multi-channel retail, distribution and marketing strategies for brands such as Samsung, Unilever, Nestlé, L’Oreal, Philips and Mars.

aCommerce Co. Ltd. announced today that it has closed a US$65 million Series B funding round. The company is Southeast Asia’s leading ecommerce enabler and e-distributor in four markets that enables over 260 brand clients such as Samsung, Unilever, Nestlé, L’Oreal, Philips and Mars to sell to the world’s fastest growing consumer markets.

The newest funding round is led by Emerald Media, a pan-Asian platform established by global investment firm KKR to fund growth investment opportunities across Asia. Participants to the round also include existing backers Blue Sky, MDI Ventures and DKSH, with North Ridge Partners advising.


The US$65M investment in aCommerce will be channeled into:

Further augmenting the company’s brand centric tech platform that allows clients to “plug in” and distribute through an integrated network of Business-to-Consumer (“B2C”) (e.g. online brand stores, e-marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee) and Business-to-Business (“B2B”) channels, with real time data analytics;

Scaling strategic partnerships within the retail ecosystem in current markets: Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines; and

Enabling client expansion into new markets like Malaysia and Vietnam.


Brands going multi-channel, demanding “Business-to-All” (B2A)

Given the rapid growth of the B2C market and retail industry in ASEAN, more brands are looking to launch on multiple channels to reach new audiences such as B2B that include specialty retailers, resellers, business-to-governments (“B2G”), and business-to-corporate employees (“B2E”)

“At the beginning of the region’s adoption of online, it was enough to simply have a website,” says Paul Srivorakul, aCommerce Co-Founder and Group CEO. “Fast forward a few years later and brands are realizing in order to stay ahead of the retail game, they need to be omnipresent and data hungry to fully control all pricing and consumer touch points.”

“Customers want to reach their favorite brands at any time through any platform,” continues Paul. “Clients leverage our ecommerce expertise, data-driven approach and local footprint to effectively distribute their products to become business-to-all.”

aCommerce is the driving force behind some of the notable new B2B and B2E initiatives of global brands in ASEAN such as Samsung and L’Oreal.

“Our platform covers the entire customer journey online, from product sample distribution, collecting customer data to driving and attributing purchases across channels like the brand’s own webstore and the region’s top marketplaces,” added Paul. “Having a strong partner like KKR and Emerald Media with their years of investment experience in the region will provide capital and critical connections in content and demand generation across Southeast Asia, which we see a great deal of convergence in. We can provide our clients an even better level of transparency and accountability hard to find elsewhere.”


All eyes on Southeast Asia’s consumers

The region’s residents are moving to online shopping at an increasingly exponential pace, growing 32% year-on-year for the next 10 years according to research by Google and Temasek. The surge in online activities has caused giants such as JD.com, Amazon and Alibaba to expand their presence in Southeast Asia’s retail market.

In 2017 alone, brands such as Mars, Nestlé, and Unilever, have all established a stronger official ecommerce presence with aCommerce across the region in addition to selling through existing offline channels.

aCommerce is an important part of the ecosystem by enabling these companies to collect and own valuable consumer data, develop strategic partnerships with the region’s top marketplaces/retailers and access actionable data through its ecommerce market research arm, ecommerceIQ.

“What gives us confidence in aCommerce is the company’s highly brand centric technology platform that enables clients to simply plug in and use all operating systems, channel distribution methods and demand generation applications across the region,” said Paul Aiello, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Emerald Media. “This provides new entrants a quick way to roll out multi-channel operations in these exciting markets without building large local operations.”

“In four short years, aCommerce has established itself as a leader in Southeast Asia working with the world’s top brands,” says Rajesh Kamat, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Emerald Media. “We look forward to accelerating the expansion of the business as a key player in moving Southeast Asia’s retail ecosystem forward.”

Photo Caption: Paul Srivorakul, aCommerce Co-Founder and Group CEO

Davao Aguilas FC Stays on Point and Goes for a Win Against Kaya FC Makati


Wazzup Pilipinas!


Away team Davao Aguilas FC stayed focused and on point on Saturday evening’s match against Kaya FC Makati, held in Makati City, as they went for a 1-3 win, in their favor.

Angel Guirado was the first one who went for the goal on the 26th minute, with a very good assist from Enzo Cheng. An equalizer however took place on the 58th minute from Kaya FC Makati’s Alfred Osei. But Davao Aguilas went all out again and gained two more goals, courtesy of Australian Harrison Sawyer on the 65th minute, and Angel Guirado once more on the 74th minute.

Head Coach Marlon Maro says, “Happy and satisfied and I think it is because the players really wanted to win tonight. The delivery and the process made us score a lot of goals tonight, and also the players responded well to each other.”

Angel Guirado, who was named Man of the Match says, “For me the team is more important because, the team worked good tonight. I’m happy because I scored, but more importantly, the team has 3 points more and I’m also looking forward to our next season. This boosts the confidence of the team.”

Davao Aguilas FC’s next matches will be on November 21 against JPV Marikina at 7 p.m., and on November 25 at 4 p.m., to be held at Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS), against JPV Marikina as well.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/DAFCofficial.

Photo Caption: Davao Aguilas FC’s Angel Guirado got two goals for the team and was named Man of The Match.   

Philippine Association of Food Technologists, Inc - Beta Chapter 41st Food Science and Technology Week


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Association of Food Technologists Incorporated - Beta Chapter (PAFT-Beta), a duly recognized academic organization in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, in partnership with San Miguel Purefoods Corporation, will be holding the 41st Food Science and Technology Week with the theme “LEVERAGING FOOD TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIOS”.

PAFT-Beta is the only organization for BS Food Technology students in UPLB. For the past 41 years, PAFT Beta has been in the forefront of emphasizing the significance of food science and technology in the region.

One of the objectives of our organization is to emphasize the significance of food science and technology not only to our fellow college students and food technologists but also to individuals of our society. For this purpose, we hold activities like symposiums, food demonstration, product development, exhibits, etc.


41ST Food Science & Technology Week
“LEVERAGING FOOD TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS”

NOVEMBER

06
Inaugural Ceremonies | 1F Student Union Building Lobby | 8AM

07
LIFT - Learning Innovations in Food Technology Food Demonstration | CEAT Lecture Hall, UPLB | 8:30am

08
PAFTiestahan - Open Tambayan | CA Admin Bldg | 6:00PM


09
FTST - Food Trip, Sound Trip | ADSC Lecture Hall, UPLB | 7PM

14
DrIFT - Driving Ingenuity through Food Technology Symposium | Drilon Hall, SEARCA, UPLB | 1PM

11
Alumni Homecoming

FREE ADMISSION for the inaugural ceremony, all food demonstrations and symposium (first-come, first-served basis)


PAFTiestahan 2017
Open Tambayan

We are inviting you to come and celebrate our #DEBON41R year with us! See you this Nov 8, 6:00PM in front of the CA Admin Bldg for the fun, feast and freebies that we have prepared for you!


P20,000 WORTH OF CASH AND PRIZES AWAITS YOU!!


If you are fond of FOOD and MUSIC, then this may be an easy win for you!

PAFT-Beta presents:

FOOD TRIP, SOUND TRIP 2017
"Rock OPM"
A General Information Quiz Contest
NOV 9 (THURS) | ADSC Lecture Hall, UPLB | 7PM

Pre-registration Fee: 200Php

Walk-in Registration Fee: 250Php

Max of 3 members per team


Sharpen your skills and learn new techniques through

LIFT: Learning Innovations in Food Technology Food Demonstration!

NOV 7 (TUES) | CEAT Lecture Hall, UPLB | 8:30am


DRIFT
Driving Ingenuity through Food Technology Symposium has more in store for you!

14 NOV (TUES) | Drilon Hall, SEARCA, UPLB | 1PM

Free Entrance
First-come, first-served basis

Senti Feels Live Concert on Dec.15 at Music Museum


Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are happy to announce the first SENTI FEELS Idaan sa Kanta ang Drama Concert this December 15th, 2017 at the Music Museum, Greenhills with the amazing talents of Mark Carpio, Leera, Kithara, Jinho Bae, RJ Agustin, Deanne, Tim Sawyer, Lance Edward and VJosh Tribe.

This will be Mark Carpio’s first time to perform in Music Museum with his hit songs Hiling and Kay Tagal which featured in the movie “Imagine you and me” by ALDUB. The songs were also used as theme songs in Pinoy Big Brother and have reached over 25 million views online.

Leera is an emerging Artist with great talent and has released her 2nd original song Again and Again which is currently on itunes and Spotify. She looks forward to inspire and entertain with her new material.

Kithara brings their unique renditions and interpretations which have gained them a wider audience and recently signed by Warner Music. The band plays different genres and is a group to look out for during the concert with their latest single Hindi Para Sa’yo.

Jinho Bae is a Korean artist who has lived in the Philippines for over 15 years and is a rising star with hit classic single Nanghihinayang. His mesmerizing vocals and modern take on popular song be ready to fall in love all over again.

Lance Edward performs his new single with Ngayong Wala and more with his smooth sound.

This is a show not to be missed so be quick to reserve your tickets as the show is expected to be a full capacity event. Produced by StarirayBlest Entertainment Production

Tickets will be available through Ticketnet: P2250 VIP / P1750 Gold / P1500 Silver

SENTI FEELS – LIVE IN CONCERT Friday 15th December @ Music Museum, 8pm Online: www.ticketnet.com.ph Over the Counter: All Ticketnet Outlets or Music Museum Box Office | Call: 911 5555

Mei Yamaguchi Not Letting Go of Position as Top Atomweight Contender Against Gina Iniong


Wazzup Pilipinas!
These past few weeks have been quite emotional roller coaster ride for Japanese martial arts veteran Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi as she was originally slated to challenge Angela “Unstoppable” Lee for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship title in the main event of ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT in Singapore on 24 November.

However, Lee was involved in a car accident nearly two weeks ago, and the injuries that she sustained in the unfortunate incident forced her to regretfully withdraw from the highly-anticipated championship clash.

Lee’s sudden pullout from her world title defense left Yamaguchi without an opponent at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT, but the latter was advised by the top brass of the organization to continue her training.

“I was told that Angela was in a car accident. I was surprised, but was so glad that she was okay. Then, I tried to keep concentrating on my training because I believe that ONE Championship was looking for another opponent,” Yamaguchi revealed.

ONE Championship found a suitable replacement a few days later as Filipino standout Gina “Conviction” Iniong accepted the offer to fill in for Lee to square off with Yamaguchi at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT, which takes place at the state-of-the-art Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Although Yamaguchi is not getting the world title rematch that she anticipated against Lee, she is still getting the chance to settle an old score as the seasoned Japanese combatant once crossed paths with Iniong.

The aforementioned atomweight collision is a rematch from their first encounter three and a half years ago under a regional show in the Philippines, where Iniong pulled away with a razor-thin split decision victory over Yamaguchi.

For Yamaguchi, the situation could not have worked out any better as she plans to avenge her setback to the hard-hitting Filipino.

“I was glad that Gina answered ‘yes’ to the match on the Singapore card with me,” she said. “I have always looked for a chance for revenge. T is the perfect moment.”

Both ladies engaged in a thrilling war,as the aggressive Iniong demonstrated her crisp striking and scrambling ability to defend takedown and submission attempts.

Meanwhile, Yamaguchi threatened early with a tight armbar, and consistently leaned on her grappling and clinch knees against the cage fence.

Even though the judges rendered a split decision in favor of Iniong, Yamaguchi and her team felt the decision should have gone the other way.

“My image of the last match was Gina getting some points with her boxing, and me with my ground game,” she stated “It was back and forth, but all of my team thought I won.”

Since their grueling three-round atomweight contest, Yamaguchi and Iniong have never seen eye-to-eye. Moreover, a lot of things have changed in their respective professional careers.

Yamaguchi captured the DEEP Jewels featherweight trinket in May 2015 before unsuccessfully challenging Lee for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship in her promotional debut back in May 2016.

Following her unsuccessful bid to become ONE Championship’s first-ever atomweight queen, she dropped a razor-thin split decision to Istela Nunes three months later before redeeming herself by submitting fellow former world title challenger Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang this past June.

On the other hand, Iniong directed her career path to ONE Championship in 2017 and has looked absolutely dominant ever since she debuted on the global stage.

The 28-year-old Team Lakay product battered Natalie Gonzales Hill en route to a unanimous decision t past April.

In front of a hometown crowd last 10 November at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD, Iniong extended her winning streak inside the ONE Championship cage to two matches with an outstanding second-round finish of Indonesia’s Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol.

Yamaguchi admitted that she was able to watched Iniong recent outing very carefully and acknowledges her growth as a martial artist, but the Japanese sensation also believes that she has vastly improved as well since their last meeting.

“Gina has a really good right hand she throws, and she is strong and physical. I am better with the ground game and improved more in my boxing skills compared to our previous match,” she observed.

“She competed against a good kickboxer recently, was controlling her opponent well on the ground, and was really aggressive. She looked like she won without taking much damage,” Yamaguchi added.

As Iniong poses to be a potential threat to take her place as the atomweight title contender, Yamaguchi is confident that she will keep her status as next in line for Lee’s gold-plated strap.

“My story will not end here,” a determined Yamaguchi quipped.

Yamaguchi is planning to make the most of her second chance against Iniong as her objective is to leave the Singapore Indoor Stadium with her hand raised in triumph and leave the decision out of the judges’ hands.

“It is going to end early. It will be a clear finish by me. It is going to be a knockout,” she guaranteed.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

The Blacklist Celebrates 100 Episodes in New York City


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The cast and crew of The Blacklist celebrated 100 episodes on November 13th in New York City. The 100th episode, “Abraham Stern (#100),” will air 18th January 2018 at 10pm on AXN.

AXN is available on Cablelink Channel 38, Cignal Channel 121, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

Photo Caption (Left to Right): Diego Klattenhoff, Amir Arison, Hisham Tawfiq, Megan Boone, James Spader, Mozhan Marnò, Harry Lennix, Ryan Eggold

Ethiopian Airlines Group Awarded 4 Star Ranking by Skytrax


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 4 Star certification by SKYTRAX at a special ceremony held in London on November 8, 2017.

SKYTRAX, the most prestigious international air transport standards and quality rating organization, operates Certified Airline Rating, the leading global Quality Evaluation system for the world airline industry. Ratings are determined through direct and professional auditing and analysis of quality of service standards.

While receiving the certificate, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “The 4 Star recognition by SKYTRAX is a significant milestone in the long history of Ethiopian Airlines. As a customer focused airline, it is extremely gratifying that our hard work to ensure high level of customer satisfaction at all times through a consistent delivery of global standard product and superior level of service has borne fruit.

This 4 Star Airline certification is one of the overarching goals and a critical success factor of our 15-year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025. Although we have been receiving many prestigious awards from all corners of the world for our superior customer services on the ground and in the air, this rating certifies the global standards of our products and service delivery through professional audits. I wish to thank all the hardworking 12,000+ members of the Ethiopian family for this great success. 

At the same time, this prestigious rating reminds us all that SKYTRAX 4-Star Rating is a great honor and also a great responsibility to always meet the high expectations of our esteemed customers,” Mr. Gebremariam said.

Ethiopian Airlines is a multi-award winning airline and has previously received SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff in Africa, two times and earlier in 2017 Ethiopian received SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline in Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines flies from Manila to Addis Ababa four times weekly and connects to over 100 international destinations globally.

Photo Caption: Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Receiving SkyTrax Four Star Airline Award

Santa Nena! Short Film Competes at Salamindanaw Asian Filmfest


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tim Rone Villanueva's dark comedy Santa Nena! slugs it out with 12 other short films in the Philippine shorts competition of the fifth Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival from November 27 to December 1 at General Santos City in Mindanao.

Villanueva's thesis film at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will compete with Aliens Ata by Glenn Barit, Contestant #4 by Jared Joven and Kaj Palanca, Daluhong by Don Senoc, Fish Out of Water by Mon Garilao, In the Middle of the Night by Bryan Brazil, Juana and the Sacred Shores by Antonne Santiago, Mga Bitoon Sa Syudad by Jarell Serencio, Nakaw by Arvin Belarmino and Noel Escondo, Processions by Steven Paul Evangelio, Recurrencia by Carmina Cruz, Sa Aking Katahimikan by Alyssa Suico and Touch Move by Frances Louise Giner. Short films tackling alienation, devotion, extrajudicial killings, human rights and forced disappearances and LGBT concerns dominate this year's competition.

Santa Nena! tells the story of a miraculous patron saint who comes to life at night. One day, while talking to her friend, an angel, she received a message from God to look for the boy "with the golden balls" who will help her bring into the world the new Messiah.

Villanueva, who hails from Kawit, Cavite, was inspired by Santa Maria Magdalena of Kawit Church or more popularly known as Santa Nena to Kawiteños. His family is a devotee of the patron saint so he came up with "an offering to God for all the blessings he gave me. But I think, my film turned out to be an irony," he said as it seeks to "challenge the boundaries of relationship between humans and religion, a picture that will show the uncontrollable power of the heart."









The short film previously won the Best Narrative, Best Performance and Best Production Design awards at the Sinepiyu Film Festival intercollegiate category; Best Narrative Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor for Ross Pesigan and Best Script at the Ateneo Video Open; Maningning category Gold Picture Prize, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Performance for Elora Españo and Technical Excellence awards at the CineSB7 Film Festival; and Honorable Mention in the short feature category of the 29th Gawad CCP Independent Film and Video Festival. It was also part of the official Luzon delegation at the Cinema Rehiyon 9.

Salamindanaw, organized by the Mindanao Center for Cinematographic Arts (formerly the Mindanao Center for the Moving Image), received a total of 927 entries of varying lengths and genres from all over Asia this year.



Festival director Teng Mangansakan shared that aside from being a platform for films of diverse lengths and genre by new and established Filipino and Asian directors, the event will also feature parallel activities such as film workshops, master classes and forums.

Anchored on its mission to be a mirror (salamin) of peace (salam) in Mindanao, the festival aims to raise awareness and promote international cinema with emphasis on strengthening the cultural ties between Mindanao and its Southeast Asian neighbors, to support the nascent film movement in the host city and its nearby regions, to engage the public in both popular and critical discourse on art and cinema and their transformative power to shape ideas about society, and to create a development platform for emerging talents in Southeast Asia.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Mobile MMORPG Lineage2 Revolution Receives Major Update


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Netmarble Games Corp., the fastest-growing mobile game company worldwide, announced today that its mobile MMORPG Lineage2 Revolution had a massive update, introducing a new region Oren and UR grade equipment.

First, the level cap was increased from 180 to 260. Following this change, hell modes boasting higher level of difficulty than existing dungeons, came to Daily Dungeon, Equipment Dungeon, Adena Dungeon and EXP dungeon. Summoning Stone Dungeon received very hard mode.

The region located in the northern Aden, Oren has also become available and opened to all Lineage2 Revolution players. Oren is a border area in frequent conflicts and has the most advanced military culture within the kingdom of Aden. The territory full of powerful monsters and special rewards will lead the players into a series of absorbing adventures.

Besides, UR grade equipment with the highest competence joined Lineage2 Revolution. Players can build UR grade equipment by forging SR grade equipment above level 30 with four special materials acquired in Aden, including Recipe, Equipment material, radiant upgrade stone and scrap. 



In addition, Netmarble rebalanced Red Equipment introduced this September and introduced hard mode to a clan dungeon Cruma Core.

Lineage2 Revolution added Elite Dungeon: Conflict Area into the game. Elite Dungeon: Conflict Area allowing PK features not only extremely difficult gameplay and limited entrance catered to high level players, but also tremendous rewards.

Moreover, the Tower of Insolence was expanded to 100th floor, while Temporal Rift started attracting the players with brand-new hard and very hard modes in its Altar of Madness and Countess of Blood’s Boudoir.

Lineage2 Revolution, from this update, will be offering further enhanced monthly sign-in rewards, for example S grade Exclusive Red Rare Amor Selection Box, S grade Exclusive Rare Amor Selection Box, and R grade Exclusive Rare Amor Box for new and returning players. All existing players will receive Blessed Scroll Selection Box, R grade exclusive (Red/Rare) Equipment Selection Box, and Maphr’s Protection.

Netmarble also runs Dice event from November 8th to 28th, giving away raw materials for UR grade equipment production, such as Unconfirmed Recipe and Ripped Recipe Fragment.

For more information on Lineage2 Revolution, visit the game’s official website(http://lineage2-revolution.com/en) and Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/OfficialL2Revolution/).

G.SKILL Creates World’s Fastest DDR4 32GB Memory Kit at 4400MHz CL19-19-19-39


Wazzup Pilipinas!


G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory and gaming peripherals, is thrilled to announce the never-seen-before 32GB (4x8GB) Trident Z memory kit at an extremely blistering DDR4-4400MHz CL19-19-19-39. This new DDR4 Trident Z dual-channel memory kit upgrades the four-DIMM configuration to the next level as the world’s fastest 32GB (4x8GB) memory kit in the world. These extremely high-speed desktop modules are manufactured with rigorously tested and binned ultra-performance Samsung B-die DDR4 ICs.



The Fastest Without Limits

After the launch of the 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and Z370 chipset motherboards, G.SKILL has been constantly pushing DDR4 speeds faster than ever before to higher levels with various capacity configurations. With the availability of the ASUS OptiMem technology, which complements the T-Toplogy layout that uses equalized trace lengths, four-DIMM memory configuration has improved stability and memory overclocking performance. G.SKILL Trident Z memory once again achieves the world’s fastest 32GB memory kit at the ultra-high DDR4-4400MHz speed, with an exceptionally aggressive timing of CL19-19-19-39 in 32GB (4x8GB) at 1.5V. Below is the screenshot of the memory kit being stress tested and demonstrating its stability on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS X HERO (WI-FI AC) motherboard with the Intel® Core™ i7-8700K processor.




Built For Extreme Overclockers

Whether it’s for a seasoned overclocking veteran or an enthusiast who is on the path of hardware overclocking for benchmark world records, this new Trident Z series DDR4-4400MHz 32GB kit is programmed with the Intel XMP 2.0 profile to help easily enable the memory settings in BIOS. Of course, that wouldn’t stop anyone from manually tweaking the settings further to eke out every last ounce of performance from a DDR4 system. 
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