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Saturday, May 18, 2019

DA to Meet with DOST, DOH, DTI on Fake Vinegar Issues


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will officially request a multi-agency meeting on Monday which would include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Trade and Industry to address reports that "fake" vinegar products using the synthetic Acetic Acid are being sold in the market.

The meeting is an offshoot of a study conducted by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), an agency of the DOST, which said that many commercial vinegar brands use synthetic Acetic Acid in producing the popular Filipino condiment "Suka."

A news item which was posted by scitechanddigital.news said:

"A study made by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has established that of the 17 vinegar brands tested in the Philippines, most of them were made from “synthetic” sources, not from natural sources. Thus, they are “fake” and adulterated vinegar.

"And they are dangerous to peoples’ health.

"Only three brands passed PNRI’s (DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute) nuclear-based analysis: 15 brands were manufactured using synthetic acetic acid, which is a raw material for making vinyl, among other products. Synthetic acetic acid is a by-product of petrochemicals.

"PNRI, which conducted the tests, said these adulterated brands contain elements that can cause “various degenerative diseases.”

"However, PNRI did not identify the brands that are deemed “fake” based on the agency’s “Isotope Studies” because naming them is against the law. Moreover, the tests were done using only codes for the products bought from across the country."

Since it is not PNRI's mandate to issue advisories on matters of food safety, the DA through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) headed by Director Vivencio Mamaril will initiate a move to establish standards of vinegar, an agricultural product.

The DA will also officially ask DOST-PNRI to submit the list of vinegar brands using Acetic Acid and passing these off as natural vinegar which then will be referred to the DOH which has supervision over the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

The position of the DA Secretary on the controversy is that pending the validation by the FDA of the study conducted by the PNRI,  a market advisory should be issued and the brands using Acetic Acid must be pulled out of the market.

This is where DTI which has the mandate to monitor products sold in the market will come in.

These moves are supported by the provisions of the Food Safety Act of 2013 or Republic Act 10611 whose main objective is "public protection from food and water-borne illnesses and unsanitary, unwholesome, misbranded or adulterated foods."

Pending the results of the meeting, the consumers are advised to exercise caution and discernment in buying vinegar from commercial establishments.

Natural vinegar made out of coconut sap and water, sugarcane, nipa and fruits are readily available in the market.

SKIN REJUVE GREENHILLS a Medical Spa in the heart of SAN JUAN



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Medical spas have become more popular these days to both men and women alike. Unlike the traditional spas, a medical spa offers you the best of both worlds, the usual relaxing spa experience and the procedures and treatments offered by medical experts.

One medical spa who always stays ahead of competition by continuously introducing new technology breakthroughs is SKIN REJUVE GREENHILLS, located in Connecticut St., Greenhills. They recently launched two of their newest treatments available, the DIVA GOLD FACIAL and CARBON LASER PEEL.

DIVA GOLD FACIAL is the luxurious gold infused anti-aging facial. It helps reduce inflammation and brightens the skin. The luxurious facial will end with LED red light. The red rays are scientifically proven to stimulate collagen and elastin production by increasing local blood circulation.

CARBON LASER PEEL is a revolutionary laser treatment that is completely painless with minimal-to-zero downtime. It is highly beneficial for people with oily skin, blackheads, enlarged pores, dull skin and acne on the face or body. It is also an excellent way to exfoliate and refresh your skin providing an instant refreshed appearance and leaving skin feeling softer, smoother and firmer.


Want fewer wrinkles, fine lines and less sagging skin? Achieve your goal in 4 to 8 weeks. Call 637-9053 or 0977-7202795 and book your appointment now!

Skin Rejuve Greenhills is located at 2/F NorthEast Square, Connecticut St., Greenhills, San Juan City. Open from 11:00am to 9:00pm, Monday – Sunday.


To know more about Skin Rejuve Greenhills services and promos, follow them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Skin-Rejuve-Greenhills-2275927035997217/

NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA Announces Cast Additions for Limited Return Engagement at CCP Main Theatre, June 21-23


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mheco Manlangit, Miguel Suarez, Matteo Teehankee, Johann Andra, and Paul Dominique Galvez join its 50 strong cast.

In its 50th anniversary, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and J&S Productions Inc. are thrilled to welcome new cast additions to the smash-hit NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA's limited return engagement at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo from June 21 to 23, 2019. Lyric soprano Mheco Manlangit joins the cast as Maria Clara; boy sopranos Miguel Suarez, Matteo Teehankee, and Johann Andra to play Basilio, and tenor Paul Dominique Galvez to play Albino.

Based on National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA, which premiered in 1957 and features the music and libretto by National Artists Felipe Padilla De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, respectively, broke box office records at the CCP with three sold-out performances last March, which prompted this mid-year rerun.

The production is co-directed by international event stylist Jerry Sibal and veteran theater director-playwright Jose Jeffrey Camañag, featuring the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Galang Ranera.





The opera also features returning cast members Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara), Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Ivan Nery (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Joseleo Logdat (Elias, Pilospo Tasyo), Greg Abelardo De Leon (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Nil's Flores (Padre Damaso), Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago), Allison Cervantes (Sisa), Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa), Mia Bolaños (Doña Victorina), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Timothy Racho (Alferez),  Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Lorenz Edward Sarondo (Linares), Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing), and Airo Saret (Manlilibing).

Rounding out the cast are Angeli Benipayo, Cris Go, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Erielle Fornes, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Kevin Chen, Marifel Motilla, Mavel Bautista, Michael Del Rosario, Neomi Giron, Otepp Billeza, Ray Justin Cornelio, Roxanne Abuel, Sheila Gamo, and Via Villasin.

“We're thrilled that our production of Felipe Padilla De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino's NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA, which we premiered in New York City in 2013, will be back at the CCP this June. NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA celebrates the timeless work of our National Hero and two National Artists and the immense talent of our young classical musicians and performers. We can't wait to share the magic of this opera once again with the CCP audience, said Sibal and Edwin Josue, executive producers.

NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's agenda. NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA paints a clear picture of the so-called social cancer that illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.

The show's creative team reunites Sibal (who is also the set and costume designer), Camañag, and Ranera with their collaborators Dingdong Fiel (assistant musical director, pianist), Ronan H. Ferrer (voice coach, choirmaster), Albert Figueras (co-costume designer), Dennis Marasigan (lighting designer), TJ Ramos (sound designer/engineer), and Alan Dela Rama (graphics and video designer).

Noli Me Tangere, The Opera unfolds as an elegant affair." - Washington Post

"Jerry Sibal creates the attractive costumes and sets."  - New York Times

“It's a gift to Filipinos. - Philippine Daily Inquirer

“This production is going for grand, not only in design but also in scale. -BWW Opera

Performed with English supertitles, NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA will run for one weekend only at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo: June 21-June 23, 2019, at 2 p.m., and June 22, 2019, at 8 p.m.

Ticket Outlets: J&S Productions Inc. 0915 593 4777, 0947 168 1714; CCP Box Office 02 832 3704/06, or TicketWorld 02 891 9999.

Ticket Prices: Orchestra Center/Parterre Box - P2,800; Orchestra Side/Lower Box - P2,300; Balcony 1 Center - P1,400; Balcony I Side/Upper Box - P1,200, and Balcony II Center & Side  P900

25% off for students and 20% off for seniors, PWDs, government employees, and the military. Please present a valid ID card.
Official FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nolioperamanila/
Official Hashtags: #NoliMeTangereOpera #NoliOpera

Teatro Dayaw Proudly Presents Ang Sana: Ang Pagkamit sa mga Pangarap



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Teatro Dayaw is a non-profit community theater organization established in 2018 that aims to gather and empower the youth in North Fairview, Quezon City, and in nearby places through the Arts, specifically Theater. Teatro Dayaw has been in existence for only 1 year and already has 30 members and still counting.

In collaboration with Mary The Queen Parish Youth Ministry, May 24 (7:00 PM), May 25 and June 1, 2019 at (3:00 PM and 7:00 PM) we will be having our second production entitled “SANA: Ang Pagkamit sa mga Pangarap” a back-to-back play written by our members inspired by two stories about one’s goals and aspirations.

Ang Pag-aartista ni Jolina Magdayaw written by Kristine De Leon, talks about an aspiring actress who meets a vlogger, MAV who is looking for his lead star to filter his reality. Whilst, BUS NO. 5 written by Paola Neyra begins with five students on a fieldtrip little did they know about what lies on their path ahead.




Show dates: May 24 (Friday) 7:00 PM

May 25 (Saturday) 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

June 1 (Saturday) 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Where: Assumption Hall, Mary the Queen Parish, Belfast Ave.,

Neopolitan, Fairview, Q.C.

Ticket price: 150

Student discount/PWD: 100



For Ticket Inquiries and showbuying, please contact our Marketing Head, Mhikuo Jecino

The #AdultingChallenge– Take it Up with the “Perkins Twins” in CBN Asia’s BreakTambayan!


Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s like everybody’s talking about it, but nobody really prepared you for it.

Fret not, millennials! Brothers Jesse and Christian Perkins, famously known as the Perkins Twins, are “perkinspired” to share tips and views with you on growing up as the newest hosts of the upcoming season of #iCanBreakThrough’s BreakTambayan.

Together with Trish Chu, the twins will share their experiences on how to face this life season in BreakTambayan, an online show of insightful talks on relevant concerns Filipino millennials face.

“We talked about adulting - how you can manage money, how to deal with relationships – and some really important things that we, young adults, need to face. This is another perspective that you can get and we are hoping you would be inspired and encouraged,” Jesse shares.

Empowering others is not a new thing for the duo. Aside from a budding career in the entertainment industry, they tour schools nationwide to inspire the youth on good values through their partnership with various government agencies, and their Kaibigan movie tour.

The brothers see the show as an opportunity to answer millennials’ questions and help people find a way to live life that is God-glorifying and beneficial – all in a light and fun way. When asked what sets BreakTambayan apart from their other projects, the show’s purpose stood out among the rest.

“It’s really amazing in BreakTambayan kasi (because) that platform is specifically designed to talk about the things my brother and I want to talk about. We’re able to speak more boldly about the things we believe in,” Jesse added.

The twins pondered that the show opens their hearts more on issues that matter and welcome you to join them as they showcase their humor and wits on adulting.

#ICanBreakThrough (ICBT) is an online campaign initiated by CBN Asia, producer of the shows The 700 Club Asia, Superbook, and Tanikala, aspiring to reach out to Filipino millennials who may be struggling, hurting, or seeking a community where they can belong to.

Visit https://icanbreakthrough.com and catch the PerkinsTwins as they join the "real talk" for the young grown-ups with host Trish Chu in BreakTambayan.

DOST-SEI Hosts Science, Math International Conference


Wazzup Pilipinas!

To strengthen the country’s science and math programs, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) brings together educators and policy makers in the Philippines and the Asian region in the 1stDOST-SEI Project STAR International Conference.

The event, which will be held on August 7-9, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, will feature esteemed educators Dr. Frederick Leung of the University of Hong Kong and Dr. Chun-yen Chang of the National Taiwan Normal University as guest speakers. The conference is free but interested participants are required to pre-register with DOST-SEI.

Participants will discuss and share ideas on the current global state of science and mathematics education, exploring this year’s theme, “Perspectives in Science and Mathematics Education: Building Connections, Sustaining Innovations and Sharing Pedagogies”.

DOST-SEI Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, is optimistic that the conference will encourage more teachers to create and embrace innovative approaches in science and mathematics teaching. “We can only be confident that we’re producing the scientists and engineers our country needs if we’re helping our teachers develop their skills,” Dr. Biyo said.

DOST-SEI, the country’s primary S&T human resources development agency, is more popularly known for its science scholarship programs but it also invests on youth science promotion, education innovations, and science and math teacher training and merit programs such as the Science Teacher Academy for the Regions or Project STAR.

The conference is aligned with Project STAR’s goal of capacitating and empowering the Filipino teacher by exposing them to new perspectives, technologies, and innovations. It will also serve as venue for a paper presentation on the following themes: instructional materials; teaching innovations; assessment; and action research. DOST-SEI is inviting all interested individuals to submit their extended abstract until May 17, 2019.

Guidelines for submission of extended abstract, conference brochure, and tentative program are posted on www.sei.dost.gov.ph.

DOST Conference Gears Up Grad Scholars for Industry 4.0


Wazzup Pilipinas!

To discuss Industry 4.0 and its inevitable impact on the scientific and education landscapes, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) together with the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program – National Science Consortium (ASTHRDP-NSC) convened science scholars and educators in the 8th ASTHRDP Graduate Scholars Conference.

The conference, aptly themed “Level Up to Level All: Science as Platform for Industry 4.0”, was held on 2-3 May 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City with more than 400 DOST graduate scholars, faculty members of the NSC member-universities under the ASTHRDP, and guests in attendance.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, through a message delivered by Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia, encouraged participants to adapt to changes and find ways to thrive amid the changes. “We have a technological environment that is different from what it used to be a decade ago, which means, we have to speed up our efforts to catch-up or even leapfrog other countries, technologically,” Secretary de la Peña said.




Also present in the event were Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Ms. Rafaelita Aldaba, who delivered the Keynote Address and ASTHRDP-NSC Chairperson, Dr. Fabian Dayrit.

The NSC is the implementing arm of DOST-SEI for the ASTHRDP, which provides Ph.D. and MS scholarships in the priority basic and applied sciences. It is composed of the following member-universities: Ateneo De Manila University; Central Luzon State University; De La Salle University; Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology; University of the Philippines campuses: UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, and UP Visayas; University of Santo Tomas; and Visayas State University.

Among the highlights of the two-day activity were the plenary talks with invited experts, parallel oral and poster presentations featuring researches of DOST graduate scholars, and an awarding ceremony for top poster and oral presentations.

First day of the event featured two plenary talks: Industry 4.0 Policy Strategies and the Role of Universities by Dr. Joseph Frohlich of Austria Institute of Technology and 4Cs Framework to Transform Higher Education Institution into an Innovation Producing ecosystem by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin of ASEAN University Network in Singapore discussed. After the parallel sessions, participants and guests walked through the poster exhibit to get an overview of the researches.

The last two plenary talks, Self-sustainable Building by Dr. Noor Amila Wan Abdullah Zawawi of Institute of Self-Sustainable Building Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia and Industry 4.0 Implications on S&T Higher Education and Human Capital by Dr. Celia Reyes of Philippine Institute for Development Studies, were held on the second day.

The event culminated in the much-anticipated awarding ceremony, led by DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo.

Melvir Sucaldito, a DOST scholar-graduate from the De La Salle University, lauded the conference for giving DOST scholars an opportunity to share their researches with the public. “It is also a venue to communicate with DOST-SEI and give constructive criticisms for the different programs. This has been a yearly celebration of success and triumphs,” Sucaldito added.

DOST-SEI, the country’s arm in science and technology human development resource development, is known for its undergraduate and graduate S&T scholarship programs. The annual ASTHRDP Conference is one of the agency’s supplemental projects aimed to urge DOST scholar-graduates to continue their engagement in research activities and collaborations to further develop the Philippine science community.

“We hope this conference will forge our scholars’ commitment to develop IR 4.0-ready skills and help small industries catch-up technologically,” Dr. Biyo said.

New Fishing Boats, Gears Bring Better Income to Fisherfolks in Quezon




Wazzup Pilipinas!

The coastal communities in the Quezon province are gifted with rich natural resources, both in land and sea. It is a major coconut producer and fishing thrives in Tayabas Bay. Despite these advantages, the province still has the highest poverty incidence in Region IV-A.

With the limited capital and skills, there is simply no means for people to harness these resources.

The Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative Quezon 2 (YHMPCQ2), with the support of Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), introduced coastal management and social enterprise interventions in the towns of Padre Burgos, Agdangan, and Unisan that will raise the standard of living of poor households in the community.

These projects, aimed at increasing the income of 40 fisherfolks in the area, are also meant to protect the environment and make coastal resources more productive.






24 new fishing boats sail to a brighter future

With smiles on their faces, the fisherfolks in the town of Padre Burgos watched as the local babaylans bless their new fishing boats and gears.

In its effort to improve the major means of livelihood of the fisherfolks-members of YHMPCQ2, PEF gave a subsidized loan of PHP 1.2 million for fishing boats and gears of 24 fisherfolks in the community.

“Noon, nakikisali lang sila sa mga may bangka. May share lang sila sa kita,” PEF area officer, Peter Nabong said.

Nabong shared that some of the fisherfolks already earn PHP 3,000 to PHP 7,000 in one day alone through the new boats.

The fisherfolks with new boats and fishing gears are expected to generate an incremental income of PHP 55,000 per year.


Raising the enterprise to benefit fisherfolks

Recognizing the difficulty to fish in Tayabas Bay from November until March because of amihan, the PEF and YHMPCQ2 financed 40 fish cages and the fishpond operations in Padre Burgos to generate extra income to the fisherfolks and the cooperative.

With this provision, the fisherfolks can harvest bangus, mudcrab, and sugpo from the cages, and grouper and lapu-lapu from the fishpond. While the fisherfolks will be in-charge of feeding of the fishes and managing of cages and the pond, the cooperative will provide the fingerlings and feeds, and will also help in the marketing of harvested fish.

To equip the YHMPC with knowledge in aquaculture, PEF tapped social enterprise partner Kapunungan sa Gagmay'ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion chairman and community leader Roberto Ballon in the training of the fisherfolks.

Mr. Ballon is also instrumental in introducing new design for the fish cages to lessen the mortality rate of the groupers.


Fisherfolks spearheads mangrove reforestation in Tayabas Bay

According to World Wild Fund for Nature website, mangrove forests serve as a sanctuary for a large variety of fish, crab, shrimp, and mollusk species. These fisheries are essential in providing food to millions of people. Mangroves also helps in stabilizing the coastline and prevents erosion from waves and storms.

As part of the environmental protection component of PEF’s area-focused development strategy in Quezon, PEF allocated PHP 300,000 for mangrove reforestation and coastal resource management training to YHMPCQ2.

According to Nabong, protecting the environment in the coastal areas is essential in sustaining the livelihood activities of the fisherfolks.

“For long-term sustainability of our projects, kailangan talaga nating pangalagaan ang environment,” he said.

The Tayabas Bay has suffered from extensive dynamite fishing in the past, which destroyed the natural habitat of the fishes. These effects can be reversed by planting mangroves.

“Tutulong din kaming mag-establish ng mga bantay-dagat upang protektahan ang karagatan laban sa mga illegal fishermen at para maprotektahan din ang mga fish sanctuaries sa area,” Nabong added.

CAB Orders Cebu Pacific to Submit Concrete Plan to Prevent Further Mass Flight Cancellations



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Due to the recent spate of flight cancellations, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has ordered Cebu Pacific to submit within thirty (30) days a concrete plan detailing corrective measures in its operations to prevent further inconvenience to passengers.

The order proceeds from the report submitted by CAB to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after the conduct of two formal hearings to explain circumstances behind the flight cancellations.

CAB likewise prescribes that a stern warning be given to Cebu Pacific to exercise diligence necessary in maintaining stability and reliability of air transport service to the riding public.

Cebu Pacific applied for cancellation of 172 one-way domestic flights from 28 April through 10 May 2019. This is equivalent to about 14 flights a day, out of its more or less 400 daily domestic flights.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade emphasized that the formulation of a concrete plan will help the whole airline sector to address similar issues that might occur in the future.

“We are hoping that Cebu Pacific will immediately comply with the order to resolve this issue. Hindi na natin maibabalik pa ‘yung dinulot na inconvenience these cancellations have caused. But moving forward, we aim to have more substantial actions so that our passengers will not have to suffer,” Secretary Tugade said.

In the investigation held on 2 May and 6 May 2019, Cebu Pacific cited that ongoing efforts to improve on-time performance (OTP) have led to its decision to cancel hundreds of flights.

For the DOTr’s part, Secretary Tugade has directed the daily publication of airline OTP in major airports nationwide.


Declining On-time Performance

During the hearings, Cebu Pacific noted reasons for the downturn in its on-time performance. It explained that the time it takes from the aircraft's closing of doors to actual lift-off can reach as long as 66 minutes: 19.6 minutes of which is spent from the closing of doors to the “blocks off” or the time the aircraft vacates the parking position; while 46.6 minutes from the blocks off to the lift-off. Meanwhile, the shortest time between closing of doors and actual lift-off is at 49 minutes.

The hour-long stay on the tarmac was observed to have pushed Cebu Pacific’s OTP to an average of 51.16%, with lows of around 30% in March.

This record, according to Cebu Pacific during the hearings, impelled the airline to finally come up with the decision to cancel flights. It said that the flight cancellations will "create space" in their flight and crew inventory, "make way for operational recovery," and "minimize rolling delays." The airline made clear that the factors adversely affecting its OTP are largely within its internal operational sphere.

To further analyze the circumstances, CAB scrutinized several areas such as airline assets and crew.

In terms of assets, CAB found Cebu Pacific adequately equipped. The airline even has among the younger fleets among Philippine carriers. Additionally, Cebu Pacific is set to receive three more new aircrafts in the future.

For its crew, CAB questioned Cebu Pacific on its compliance with the regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), to which the airline responded affirmatively.

The Board was convinced with the scenario that the additional time spent by on-duty crew on the tarmac consumes the working hours and reserves that were supposed to be utilized at a much later schedule. Hence, it is in this sense that CAB finds Cebu Pacific to have "crewing problem."

Meanwhile, affected passengers' concerns were found to be handled properly by Cebu Pacific in compliance with the Air Passenger Bill of Rights. Thus, imposition of penalties was not considered at present.

While the Board understands the cancellations as a recuperative measure for the airline, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla points out that it cannot be made at the expense of the riding public.

"We want to remind airlines to consider the welfare of its passengers by avoiding short notice. The people have paid for these flights and have made their schedules accordingly. While we understand the corrective measures being made to improve OTP, maximum effort should be done so that these measures are not at the expense of our passengers,” Executive Director Arcilla said.

PPA Remits Record PhP9.41 Billion in Dividends and Taxes for 2018



Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) continues its strong fiscal performance, as it remitted PhP3.51 billion in dividends to the national coffers in 2018.

On top of this, the state-owned agency likewise paid PhP5.9 billion in taxes for 2018, more than half of the total taxes it paid in the last 10 years.

Overall, the PPA is contributing a record-breaking amount of PhP9.41 billion in terms of dividends and taxes to the National Government (NG) for the past year, which can be used for the government’s various social welfare, health and other projects.

Latest data from the PPA showed that total dividends for 2018 amounted to PhP3.51 billion, setting another all-time record for the PPA. In 2017, PPA remitted some PhP3.1 billion, its highest recorded dividend then in the last 30 years. However, dividend payment for 2018 overshadowed the previous year’s, and now marks PPA’s highest dividend payment in history.

While growth percentage slowed down for the period covered, the increase in dividend remained high as the 2018 figure is 13% higher than the 2017 dividends remitted.

PPA is mandated to remit at least 50% of its annual net income to the NG after it was granted fiscal autonomy during the term of former President Corazon C. Aquino.

Meanwhile, total revenues for 2018 reached PhP17.49 billion or 8.13% higher than the target for the year. The amount is also higher by 14% compared to the total revenues recorded a year earlier.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the PPA for its robust fiscal performance which, in turn, shall contribute to the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” Program.

“As I previously said to the men and women of the PPA, their agency’s future fiscal performance shall be measured against their latest records. The agency has achieved so much in terms of dividends remittance despite the massive infrastructure spending for port rehabilitation and development. This kind of fiscal management shall truly aid the government in achieving the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’,” Secretary Tugade said.

According to PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, the agency’s performance in the last two years has placed the PPA on stable financial ground, which will enable the agency to continue sustaining port services of the highest standards.

“The streamlining of port processes coupled with strategic port development and modernization have greatly contributed to this strong performance as we aim for our operations to be on par with global standards,” GM Santiago expressed.

GM Santiago added that the overall remittance of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) is a positive indication of the country’s growing economic status worldwide.

“This is also a testament to the resiliency of the Philippine economy as it continues to thrive despite external pressures from different foreign economies,” Santiago added.

With this, the PPA is expected to once again land in the higher echelon of the "Billionaires' Club" of GOCCs contributing billions of pesos in dividends to the NG. PPA is a consistent member of this club in the last decade but belonging only to the bottom half of the club. It only upped the ante when the Duterte administration took over in 2016.

Transport Ad Startup Taps Lenovo to Revolutionize Commuter Experience


Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of the company’s plan to revolutionize the local advertising industry, AdMov Transport Marketing Solutions, Inc. has partnered with global innovation leader Lenovo, to deliver highly interactive and personalized advertisements to commuters via tablet devices.

A startup that is making waves in the local advertising industry, AdMov uses tablets to show suited content and advertisements to commuters as its method of bridging the gap between brands and customers. Tablets are attached behind the front seat headrests of cars that are on ride-hailing services such as Grab, and its software can analyze the passenger’s gender, age, and even mood through facial detection technology.

The software then allows AdMov to present the appropriate content based on the information gathered. The program also uses geo-fencing to consider the vehicle’s real-time location. If, for example, the vehicle is traveling within Taguig City, the tablet will show content about nearby establishments. Integrated augmented reality technology is implanted in the software to further add interactivity.



“Personalized and interactive ads are simply more attention-grabbing as they greatly enhance the experience of those watching. Augmented reality, for example, allows interested buyers to try on products like accessories while inside the car,” says Ellard Capiral, co-founder and CEO of AdMov.

Despite data being examined, they are not stored by any means in which AdMov and its advertisers do not see the faces of passengers. If a person wishes to buy the product after seeing the generated advertisement, the software will provide links to the advertiser’s e-commerce site or social media accounts via QR codes, coupons, and email lead generation, so the passenger can conduct the transaction at his or her own time and device.

“It is a great opportunity to showcase Lenovo’s innovative capabilities in the advertising industry, where digital technology is steadily being integrated into the creation of new content,” said Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan.

According to Ngan, with people being flooded with tons of content every day, it is difficult for brands to connect with their audience. “The interactive advertisements shown by AdMov helps them stand out because the software has increased the efficiency of their ads in terms of reaching out and attracting potential customers, and we’re very excited that our products are part of this development within the advertising industry.”

Streamlining the process

Until the discovery of Lenovo Tab 4, AdMov had trouble in finding a tablet model that could support its program. Yet with the popularity of Lenovo Tab 4, the company still had to deal with multiple stores to fulfill its hardware requirements. Under this partnership, Lenovo is streamlining the whole device acquisition process by directly providing AdMov 10,000 Lenovo Tab 4 tablets. Through this, Lenovo is helping AdMov to reach its goal at a faster and much more efficient rate.

“Our services are built on a flexible framework that helps us develop the best solution for our customers’ requirements and business goals. By providing AdMov with a device that is powerful and robust enough to handle its software and facilitating direct acquisition, we help them to be on track in targeting their clients’ preferred audience,” said Ngan.

Lenovo Tab 4 is perfect for AdMov’s current requirements. It runs on a 1.40GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8017 processor and has 2GB LPDDR3 RAM for memory, 16GB internal storage, 2MP front camera, and LTE connectivity. With a 7000mAh battery, it does not overheat easily, which was the main problem with the first tablets AdMov tested. And by getting the product directly from Lenovo, the company no longer has to worry about buying individual units in different stores.

PHL Robotics Team Scores Double Victory at 2019 FIRST Lego League World Championship Houston



Wazzup Pilipinas!

A cozier life in space awaits astronauts, thanks to the impressive creations of The Philippine Robotics National Team. Their awe-inspiring robots earned two coveted awards in the recent For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Lego League World Championship held in Houston, Texas, USA on April 15-21, 2019.

The national delegation, winners of the 8th FLL Philippines, comprised two teams – DYCI Blue Ocean’s 10 from Dr. Yanga’s College Inc. (Ages 12-17) and Team CYLLO from De La Salle Zobel (ages 6-12).

DYCI’s Blue Ocean’s 10 (ages 12-17), with team members Jocas Arabella Cruz, Abigail Silva, Denise Carpio, Naiah Nicole Mendoza, Raingel Vryse Mendoza, Rodel Christian Alcantara, Ma. Anne Geline Doneth Dela Rama, Paul Jaren Perez, Lara Monique Narciso, Head Coach Beryl Jhan Cruz, and Assistant Coach Lemuel Francisco, emerged as Champion’s Award Finalist for their work titled “Project Fuse”, besting 109 teams from 74 countries.

Their winning piece is a virtual reality game that connects astronauts in space to their families on earth through live virtual reality video chat with physical interaction through a robot. This year’s challenge, INTO ORBIT, tasked students to explore how to solve the physical and social problems associated with long-duration space flight.



Meanwhile, Team CYLLO won the Explore and Discover Award with their project that aims to solve the problem of supplying enough food and oxygen to astronauts on the moon by creating a robot that can sustain the life of cyanobacteria. The challenge for the Junior League, MISSION MOON, was to learn about the Earth’s moon and what is needed to live there.

The team, composed of Zoie Francesca Aldave, Chito Salunga Roxas, Jr., Franc Andre Dimatatac, Eduardo Matteo Valdez, Emmanuel Jace Savellano, Robert Philip Lim, with Head Coach Heinz Elorde and Assistant Coach Genevieve Pillar, bested 43 countries.

Dubbed as “the world’s largest celebration of STEM for students”, the FIRST Championship brings together tens of thousands of students from around the world who participate in the K to 12 Robotics program. This year, around 34,000 teams participated and only 109 teams reached the World Championships.

“The Philippines holds the Champion Award center stage in International Robotics and will continue to excel and showcase the brilliance of the Filipino Youth,” according to FELTA Multi-Media Inc. President and CEO Mylene Abiva, who accompanied the team and is the National Organizer of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad/FLL Philippines and the first and only World Robot Olympiad Ambassador.

Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, lauded the team’s triumph in the international stage. “We thank our young robotics champions and the people behind their team for bringing honor to the country and inspiring others to get into robotics. This victory further motivates us at DOST-SEI to continue supporting our emerging robotics experts,” Dr. Biyo said.

The Philippine Robotics National Team is set to compete again at the FLL European Open Championship in Izmir, Turkey on May 20-27, 2019.

Photo Captions: 
1 - The Philippine Robotics National Team (DYCI Blue Ocean’s 10 from Dr. Yanga’s College, Inc.) with Ms. Mylene Abiva of FELTA Multi-Media (leftmost) at the FIRST Lego League World Championship in Houston, Texas, USA. Photo courtesy of FELTA.
2 - The Philippine Robotics National Team (Team CYLLO from De La Salle Zobel) with Ms. Mylene Abiva of FELTA Multi-Media (leftmost) at the FLL World Championship in Houston, Texas, USA. Photo courtesy of FELTA.

Gateway Gallery celebrates Araneta as Heritage Town


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Gateway Gallery observes the summer month of May as Heritage Month. To celebrate this theme, Gateway Gallery will open the exhibit Araneta: Heritage Town on May 15, 2019. The exhibit highlights the rich history of Araneta district and its peripheral areas as center of lifestyle and entertainment with Araneta Coliseum as its centerpiece.

The exhibit discusses the roles that the vintage town played in the development and enrichment of the area and how it shaped the public’s consciousness with regards to leisure, consumption, religion and traditions. It will also explore the roles that the iconic structures in the district played in shaping the public’s customs and awareness, and how the public shaped back these structures.

The exhibit will be divided into sections that will give the viewer a clearer perspective of its traditions and history. The exhibit is curated by Gari Apolonio with the assistance of the Araneta Archives Unit. It will run until June 2, 2019.




To supplement the exhibit, Gateway Gallery has lined up activities that will complete the viewer’s experience of the heritage district. These activities include a Street Photography Workshop on May 19, Araneta Heritage Walk on May 25 and Araneta Heritage Talks on June 1.

The Araneta Street Photography Workshop will be a full day workshop on May 19 which will be conducted by award-winning photojournalist Luis Liwanag. The lecture will be complemented with a hands-on photography around the Araneta Center. Facilitator’s assessment of the students’ photos ends the workshop.

The Araneta Heritage Walk is a guided walking tour along memory lane that will familiarize the participants on the iconic structures in the district through historic and anecdotal accounts. It includes a quick food stop to enjoy classic refreshments popular decades ago. The May 25 heritage walk starts at 9 am and ends at 12 noon.

The Araneta Heritage Talks on June 1, 3 to 5 pm, is a focused discussion on the key issues related to heritage and Araneta district as a historic town. Three speakers will delve on general heritage information, the characteristics of Araneta as a heritage district and the crucial work of archiving. Noted architect and urban planner Paulo Alcazaren will talk about the second topic. He will be joined by Architect Reynaldo Lita of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Maritess Gonzaga, the Director of Araneta Center’s Archives Department.


The exhibit and its activities is supported by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Araneta Center and its Archives Department. These celebrations become more timely now that Quezon City Government has officially declared Araneta Center as one of its tourism districts in its new ordinance. The announcement was made in April 2019, recognizing it as Cubao Growth Center.

Everyone is enjoined to visit the exhibit and participate in its collateral activities for a more enriched understanding of heritage and a deeper appreciation of this district. To join and get full details of the activities, check out Gateway Gallery’s social media accounts (Facebook: GatewayGalleryPh, Twitter: gateway_gallery, Instagram: gateway.gallery), call 588-4000 local 8300 or email gatewaygallery@aranetagroup.com.

Gateway Gallery is the art museum of Araneta Center. Located at the 5th floor of Gateway Tower, It is open daily, from 10 am to 7 pm. Entry to the museum is free. It is managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation.

Friday, May 17, 2019

GenieTech Urges ASEAN Businesses to Reinvent, Transform to Leapfrog Global Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Solutions provider to host JDA’s Supply Chain ASEAN Summit – Manila

Despite the increase of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in ASEAN countries than China, there are still factors that hinder the growth of the region, says leading solutions provider, Genie Technologies, Inc (GenieTech).

Citing a data released by Thomson Reuters, GenieTech Chief Operating Officer Mahesh Gopinath said that the total inward FDI inflows in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines grew to a record high and exceeded US$200 billion last year.

In the Philippines, the same growth is also seen, especially that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) noted that investors continue to view the country as a favorable investment destination. BSP also sees FDI inflows may reach up to US$10.20 billion in 2019.

“With this continued growth, the challenge now for ASEAN countries is to rise up to the goal of achieving its regional economic integration as a single market,” said Gopinath. “Manufacturers, retailers, distributors, or logistics providers should start reinventing and transforming their businesses with necessary strategies to leapfrog the global competition.”

To elevate the discussion on this trend and, to provide a venue for interactive and insightful sessions, including an industry panel, GenieTech, in partnership with JDA, will be holding JDA’s Supply Chain ASEAN Summit – Manila, at the City of Dreams Manila - Integrated Resort, Hotel & Casino this May 23, 2019.

The summit aims to gather businesses and professionals to present trends that can help in synchronizing end-to-end supply chain from planning to execution; delivering agility by managing the diverse multi-echelon plant, warehouse, and retail inventory; as well as boosting productivity by tasking, scheduling, and forecasting workforce across the store and warehouse.

The event also seeks to provide insights into achieving the ideal mix of new products, best sellers, and private labels to maximize profitability and shopper satisfaction; driving higher margins and be profitable with far higher demand forecast accuracy, the right assortment and allocation in the world of omni-channel fulfillment; and delivering true space awareness, offering the flexibility to match available space with the optimal product mix.

GenieTech is a partner of supply chain solutions provider JDA, which helps in optimizing customer experience with the enterprises’ product and services. More than 4,000 JDA global customers use JDA Integrated retail and supply chain planning and execution solutions to improve costs, increase revenue, and reduce time to value.

For more information and to book a seat, visit the website at https://now.jda.com/JDA-SCAS-Manila.html.

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Why Do You Need a Marine Radar For a Safe Voyage


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Any individual who has ever experienced the vast water during the evening, or who has been trapped by thick mist sometime know the importance of staying on course. If you ever needed to attempt and discover route shafts covered up by a jumbled shoreline realizes exactly how entangled exploring on untamed water can be. 

Luckily, marine devotees have an exceptionally convenient equipment available to them: marine radars. These basic yet valuable bits of innovation are frequently combined with marine GPS units to improve your security and your capacity to effectively explore troublesome waters. 

Obviously, you don't need to dependably have a GPS with your radar, yet you will find that making a complete network of marine gadgets is exceptionally successful.

To explore the innovation out there available, it pays off to discover top-notch, high-value gear for your vessel. Previously, marine GPS gadgets and different devices, similar to fish finders, were considered 'extravagant' and were just accessible to boaters with bigger spending plans. 

Presently, devices, for example, marine radars and other helpful electronics are reasonable and broadly accessible for mariners of all nature. Marine radar specifically is winding up progressively popular, particularly when joined into GPS navigation systems. This game plan enables you to utilize your instruments together in a compelling, simple to-utilize package without having to spend a lot of money.

A marine radar has a few segments that help you with exploring on untamed water. Three fundamental segments are its receiving wire, display, and scanner. Your radar's receiver is in charge of transmitting signals from your scanner that are reflected by close-by objects - either ashore or in the water with schools of fish. 

The marine monitor at that point, figures the total distance from your watercraft and sends the data to your display. This enables you to see precisely where you are and where the fish might be.

Marine radar is additionally viable in helping you manage severe climate, which can console any boater who is on the water amid a tempest, substantial mist, or obscurity. While nasty climate - particularly rain - can meddle with the successful scope of your radar, it can in any case be distinguished by the unit. 

This in turn, alarms you to possible climate-based issues lying ahead in your course. Experienced radar users have figured out how to remove their watercraft from the water at whatever point their radar begins encountering issues, since that is demonstrative of unfavorable climate ahead.

One accommodating tip for utilizing your marine radar with different marine electronics packages and gadgets, for example, marine GPS, is to use the radar's relative introduction display mode. This way, you can all the more promptly observe and comprehend the approaching data. 

By doing this, you are basically setting up your display with the goal that it is pointed a similar way as your vessel's bow. Thu-sly, like how a vehicle's GPS display is situated, you can see how the headings given are with respect to your bearing.

Many boating enthusiasts have thought of marine radar as being discretionary. Why have radar, they often state, when you can have marine Radars  GPS gadgets and other electronic devices? Well, the reason is basic: joining marine radar into your navigation system is an astute choice, particularly for your well being, that of your vessel, and everyone around.

Thankfully, the present market is full of advanced marine radars available for sale in a number of options. You can choose from standalone radars, and open array radar, to radar domes, and marine radar packages. 

Whatever unit you choose, make sure it is compatible with other marine electronics present on your boat. Having a radar will end up in making your voyage better, simpler, and safer every time!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Find the Best Smartphone for Taking That Perfect Selfie



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do you feel compelled to post a new selfie to social media every so often? The kind that showcases your personality and what you’re up to? Then you’re not alone.

Camera quality is one of the most important decisions to make when purchasing a new smartphone

In fact, many people consider it to be a dealbreaker if the camera is not on par with the latest industry standards. However, looking at product specifications is not enough – it simply doesn’t tell the whole story. There are subtle differences between different manufacturers. For instance, Google puts texture and details at the forefront, so some noise is acceptable. Samsung, on the other hand, is willing to sacrifice some finer details in favor of cleaner image.

With this in mind, the recommended solution is to check each smartphone review individually when deciding on your next purchase. Here are our recommendations:

1. Huawei P20 Pro

Rendering fine details is what Huawei P20 Pro excels at. Although some reviewers have noted it lacks a bit in texture and color, most people are impressed with how well the device performs. The pictures also look great with the flash on, so that's something to consider if you like taking photos at night.

2. iPhone X

Here’s another great deal for Apple-loving selfie enthusiasts – iPhone X. The device not only excels at taking selfies, but it’s also quite suitable for hosting a video conference as well. If you’re looking for a camera that’s perfectly suited for capturing small details from up close (in the range of 30 cm), you won’t regret choosing this one.

3. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

This camera has been criticized for producing slightly soft landscape photos. This happens because the focus is on the subject. On the bright side, by using Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, you’ll find there is no need to use a selfie stick. Moreover, it’s a fantastic tool for taking group selfies, thus making it one of the top choices for the intended purpose.

4. OnePlus 6T

Got some shaky hands that are giving you trouble when trying to take a selfie? Thanks to the OnePlus’ electronic image stabilization technology (EIS), you can bid farewell to any such problems. It’s a very good deal for the asking price too.

5. Apple iPhone XS

Much like the famous iPhone X, this model also comes with a 7MP f/2.2 TrueDepth camera. It has a couple of great features too. If you don’t like the image that comes out after taking a selfie, you can correct it on the fly by setting your preferred amount of blur.

6. Google Pixel 2

This smartphone’s camera is exceptionally good for taking a selfie indoors or in low-light environments. However, when tested outdoors, it tends to create pinkish overtones on your skin. The sharpness is acceptable at the 30 cm range, but the sweet spot seems to be 55 cm. In other words, Google Pixel will make you happy if you prefer to capture a bit of the background and bundle it with the package.

7. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3

Its dual-cam is fantastic for capturing a selfie, no doubt about it. However, there is a problem with HDR processing that results in highlight clipping. The focus of the lens is fixed, which means the focus is going to be a bit limited compared to other devices. However, the color rendering is fantastic and more than makes up for it.

8. Huawei Mate 20 Pro

The 24MP camera this model comes with was designed for taking a perfect selfie, and the work that went into is evident in practice. Apart from the triple-rear camera these come equipped with, you also get cutting-edge hardware specifications like tons of RAM, a fast chipset, and a big QHD screen.


Keep those selfies safe!

Selfies are all fun and games, but since data breaches are becoming ever more prevalent, educating yourself about the dangers and traps that may be waiting online is a must. It doesn’t matter how good your photos turn out if your phone catches a virus that wipes it clean. Or a hacker decides to plant ransomware in it.

The internet can be fun, but only if you know what you’re doing. By educating yourself, you get to enjoy it without falling prey to all the cybersecurity threats that are lurking. So if you’re installing lots of apps or visiting a lot of suspicious-looking websites, it’s best to install an antivirus to keep safe.

And if you like to hang out at your local coffee shop from time to time, don’t try to connect to the free WiFi without using a VPN (https://nordvpn.com/features/mobile-devices/). Only by doing this will you ensure that no one intercepts the data you send and receive over the unsecured network. Please test your internet speed before using VPN and after, this way you'll will see if your VPN is slowing down the internet speed.

Of course, these are only the basics. But if you only get one thing from today’s lesson on cybersecurity, this is a good one to take home.

Conclusion

The smartphones listed above will not disappoint the selfie enthusiast inside you, so it’s hard to go wrong no matter which of these you pick up. And as long as you take the steps needed to protect your online privacy and security, you’ll have a great time using them without fear of getting hacked.

How to Stay Safe When Banking on Your Android


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Smartphones are the epitome of convenience, which is especially true for Android. The amount of customization you can apply is almost beyond limits, and if you play your cards right, you can create a unique and individualized experience. Yet somehow, all of the digital glitter of the new age has led many to take cyber security for granted and that all such issues will be taken care of by developers.

Not even close.

While it’s true that developers are actively working on eradicating every last vulnerability that can be found in Android OS, you still have to exercise caution when it comes to your online safety, particularly when dealing with any kind of funds. Accessing your bank account from your smartphone at any time you see fit sure is convenient, but do you know how to protect your sensitive login credentials and certificates?

The first step toward protecting yourself is knowing about the threats in the first place:

1. Learn how to defend against malware

It doesn’t even matter where you got infected, but if you’ve caught a certain type of malware, your entire Android OS could be compromised. For example, your browser might start redirecting you to suspicious websites without you even knowing, and if the hackers did their job right, the forged lookalike websites are almost impossible to spot. This can potentially trick you to land on a website that looks exactly like the one your bank has set in place, but in reality, it’s nothing more than a forgery designed to harvest your sensitive login credentials.

The solution is to install an antivirus and scan your smartphone on a regular basis. If you want to go a step beyond that, consider installing a firewall as well. By having one installed, you will be alerted whenever a process on your smartphone attempts to make any changes to the operating system.

2. Avoid unsecured WiFi networks

Are you living the dream of working from anywhere your heart desires, carrying nothing more than a smartphone in your pocket? The next time you’re sitting at a local coffee shop or restaurant, think twice about connecting to the free WiFi that comes with your order.

These tend to be unsecured as pretty much anyone can connect to them. Once a malicious actor enters the network and sets up the spying software, any piece of data you send through it can be intercepted.

Luckily, there is a solution that doesn’t involve you completely avoiding the public W-Fi networks altogether. By using a VPN, you can connect to any public WiFi network without worries of anyone stealing your data or login credentials, so you can access your banking account wherever you please.

3. Enable two-factor authentication

Enabling two-factor authentication is an important part of your online security. That way, even if a cyber criminal manages to get ahold of your login credentials, there is another safeguard in place. Without access to your phone, they will be effectively rendered useless for the purposes of accessing your account without you knowing.

4. Mind where you download bank software from

Don’t download the bank software from anywhere you see; it’s best to stick to verified sources only (typically, that would be the bank’s official website). There may be hacked versions of it that are masquerading as the real thing. In reality, these are nothing but a fake designed to steal your login credentials. Since it doesn’t take too much time to download it from the official website, taking any unnecessary risk is not worth it.

5. Lock your phone while it’s not in use

A fleeting moment of lost focus is all it takes for someone to snatch your smartphone while you’re not looking. This could prove troublesome if you’re logged in to your bank account at the time. So lock your phone as soon as you’ve stopped using it and enable auto-lock after a set period of time has passed as an extra precaution.

6. Don’t save anything into the browser’s auto-populate fields

That way, an unauthorized individual will have a harder time extracting the data from your browser. Sometimes, however, the fields get populated automatically without you having a say in the matter. Regardless of that, clearing the browser’s cache should help.

7. Switch off the Bluetooth

This will ensure that nothing happens on your smartphone behind your back.

8. Refrain from jail-breaking your phone

Doing this will grant you more control over what you can do with it, but it comes at a cost. In other words, it will be more vulnerable to exploits as a result.

9. Learn all about phishing and don’t fall for it

Phishing is one of the most common scams designed to separate you from your login credentials (and, in turn, the funds in your bank account). While this is a broad topic, here’s a quick and dirty trick on how to avoid 90% of phishing scams: never access your bank account from anywhere else apart from the official app and website. This means you should never click on any banking links you receive through email or messages, even if the sender claims to be one of the bank’s employees.

10. Keep your password in a safe place

Until we reach the point of inventing mind-reading technology, your head should be the safest way to stash it. But if you absolutely can’t remember it by heart, simply start using a reliable password manager.


Conclusion

Do the things listed above, and you’ll be on your way toward a safer online banking experience. While not everything mentioned here is an absolute must, the more you do, the better.

Monday, May 13, 2019

Power Mac Center invites creaTECH kids to Summer Workshop 2019



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Create, Illustrate, Innovate, Orchestrate

This summer, nurture your kids’ innate creaTECH talent and discover their potential in art, animation, programming, vlogging, and video production. From May 6 to July 27, premier Apple partner Power Mac Center is holding summer workshops for kids and teens aged 7 to 16 years old. With a variety of courses to choose from, PMC Summer Workshop 2019 is offering a series of digital and non-digital workshops suited to your kids’ passion.

“Now on its 12th year, the PMC Summer Workshop is once again opening up playgrounds for kids as they explore the world, especially the exciting world of technology. Our workshops are designed to pave the way for the youth into the technology-driven future,” said Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center Director of Product Management and Marketing.





Teaching kids through demos, lectures, hands-on trainings, and actual project creation, workshop courses include the following:

· Arts and Crafts.Encourage your kids’ creativity early on through this crafts-based workshop open to children four to six years old. Kids will experience creative and challenging activities involving art forms of different styles to allow them to discover their own style.

· Digital Arts and Animation. Sharpen your kids’ creative imagination with these hands-on workshops inMultimedia Animation suited for 7- to 12-year-olds. Attendees will be able to explore augmented reality and bring life to their envisioned worlds or delve into webtoon-making through classes on film conceptualization, creation of storyboard and characters, animation, and film editing.

· Swift Programming.Discover your kids’ Silicon Valley potential with a series of programming lessons catering to children aged 9-13. It is never too early to enroll your kids and let them find the young tech developers in them. Here, students will learn how to code in a fun and interactive way and create basic apps that are compatible with Apple devices.

· Technology in Performing Arts. Elevate your kids’ passion in the performing arts with workshop classes on video blogging, theater, and video production best suited for young techies aged 12-16. Perfect for aspiring social influencers and theater mavens, participants will be given in-depth lessons on video blogging — from conceptualization, video shooting, and editing, to uploading the final output online, or theatrical production via providing hands-on trainings and lessons on the use of digital backgrounds, additional video effects, and artistic projections.

The workshop rate is at P5,900 per student per course module, inclusive of the use of Apple devices with installed applications, as well as other learning materials required per course. Courses run for two hours each, with morning and afternoon schedules held at TriNoma and Greenbelt 3. At the end of the workshop, participants will be given a course kit with a certificate of participation and a flash drive containing the individual projects they created.

Interested parents and kids can visit PMC stores at Greenbelt 3 and TriNoma, or the Apple Authorized Global Training Provider office at Cedar Executive Building 1, Makati City to reserve slots. To learn more about the PMC Summer workshops, visit the website at <https://powermaccenter.com/summerworkshop2019/>.

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 3 Film Submission Extended



Wazzup Pilipinas!

To complete its final slate of films, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’ Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) is extending the deadline for submission of finished films or films in post-production stage until June 15, 2019.

Last March 28, the Agency held a press conference at Gloria Maris at Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City to announce the first three (3) projects in the advanced stage of development or production stage that were selected to join PPP3’s lineup of films. “Cuddle Weather” by Rod Marmol from Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects, “LSS (Last Song Syndrome)” by Jade Castro from Globe Studios, and “The Panti Sisters” by Perci Intalan from The IdeaFirst Company, Inc. rounded up the three (3) of eight (8) PPP films this year.

A co-production fund of up to 2 million pesos will be given to these projects, including 1 million pesos worth of production equipment sponsored by CMB Film Services.

For its call for the last five (5) slots in the lineup, PPP is accepting entries from Filipino independent production companies and major film studios.

Selected films will receive a co-production fund of up to 2 million pesos. This includes 1 million pesos worth of publicity and promotion support from sponsors and up to 1 million pesos worth of finishing funds or marketing and distribution grant, as approved by FDCP.

Guidelines and forms may be downloaded from 
http://fdcp.ph/programs/pista-ng-pelikulang-pilipino.

“We always make sure that PPP showcases films that cater to the different tastes of various audiences every year. For its third year, the first three films that we chose for PPP really inspired us, and we expect the remaining five films to add more excitement to the event and to offer more variety to the films we already selected,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.

PPP, a week-long event that exclusively screens quality Filipino genre films in all theaters nationwide, officially marks the “Sandaan,” the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation 622 Series signed last November, FDCP, the country's film agency, is assigned to lead the Sandaan. This Proclamation was declared in honor of Jose Nepomuceno’s “Dalagang Bukid,” which is considered the first Filipino-produced and directed film that was released on September 12, 1919.

PPP will run in all theaters nationwide this September 2019. Fire and Ice Productions and CMB Film Services are proud sponsors of the event.
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