Globe to PLDT: Only Total, Unconditional Peering Is Acceptable

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom confirmed it is currently in talks with PLDT for an IP peering arrangement but laments PLDT’s proposal will prevent Globe customers from accessing content and applications hosted by PLDT data centers (which includes ePLDT, Vitro, Sun, Smart, etc.)

“The proposal does not go far enough even to meet the definition of peering. We are hoping any bilateral arrangement with PLDT would effectively reduce latency of local intent and improve internet speed. As is, PLDT’s proposed peering agreement won’t be effective in improving the country’s internet speed as it doesn’t allow Globe customers to directly access content and applications hosted by the PLDT group without exception,” Globe Chief Operating Officer Gil Genio said.

Globe has already pointed this out to PLDT executives, who will look at the possibility of revising their proposal. “Having an agreement on IP peering is one thing and monitoring to make sure all websites, content and applications are in fact visible to us is another thing and should be a constant process,” he said. Both parties should ensure that an ideal peering relationship is established, adding that IP peering entails generally accepted practices of peering where one has access to the other and vice versa, unconditionally.

Nonetheless, Genio stressed that PLDT’s decision to bring the issue at the negotiating table is commendable, noting that Globe has been actively advocating for IP peering for more than six years now. “We are optimistic as PLDT has finally responded positively to our long-standing call for IP peering. We are confident that ongoing discussions will lead to better quality of internet services benefitting customers of both parties and the country as a whole,” he said.

Darren Espanto is on His Way to Conquer the Philippines at D’ Road Tour!

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After the massive success of Darren Espanto’s “D’ Birthday Concert” at MOA Arena last May 2015, D’ Total Performer is now set to start his “D’ Road Tour” across the country. Darren is living his ultimate dream in captivating the hearts of his fans around the world since the onset of the tours at Canada and United States of America.

The course of Darren’s concert series will begin at Araullo University, Cabanatuan this Friday, October 09, which will be followed the next day, October 10 at AUF Sports Center, Angeles. D’ Road Tour will be on its way to SMX Convention Center, Davao on October 23, 2015 and will trail to University of Baguio on October 30. Fans from Cagayan De Oro will also get the chance to catch Darren’s concert in Lim Ket Kai on November 20. Batangueños will also witness his moves on Nov. 27 and will stretch going to La Salle Gym, Bacolod on December 05, 2015. Darren will also invade Cebu this November on which the exact date and venue will be announced soon.

He will be joined by special guests: The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 Grand Champion, Jason Dy, The Voice Kids Season 1 Finalist, Juan Karlos Labajo, and The Voice Kids Season 2 Grand Champion, Elha Nympha.

Fans can expect all-out performances of songs from his self-titled debut album, which features the singles, “In Love Ako Sa’Yo” and “Stuck”, “Makin’ Moves” and many more.

DOTC Acquires Brand-New Rail Grinding Machine For MRT-3

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The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has awarded another improvement project for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system to minimize operational disruptions by ensuring better track upkeep.

The joint venture of Kempal Construction & Supply Corp. and TPE Share Sales Inc. bagged the P160-Million contract to supply a brand-new rail grinding machine which will remove track irregularities and extend track life.

The machine, along with operations and maintenance manuals, repair tools, and a five (5)-year supply of spares, will be delivered within 360 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

This will put an end to the classification of systematic rail grinding as special repair works – which entails additional costs – and instead characterize it as an ordinary preventive maintenance undertaking. With its own rail grinding machine, the MRT-3 management can minimize costs, as similar equipment will no longer be leased from other firms.

2016 Outlook, ASEAN Integration To Be Discussed In Upcoming Real Estate Summit

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The ASEAN integration’s impact on the local real estate industry, the market’s 2016 outlook, and the government’s public–private partnership projects—these are just some of the key topics to be discussed in the upcoming 4th Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment Summit (APREIS), to be held at Solaire Resort & Casino on October 22.

The summit will gather in one venue some 300 professionals from leading property developers, funds and asset managers, and investors for a day of networking to interact and share their views on various issues affecting the industry—with the goal of promoting and strengthening the Philippine real estate sector.

Guests expected to grace the summit include Trade and Industry secretary Gregory Domingo, who will discuss the upcoming ASEAN integration and its impact on the local real estate sector; and CBRE chairman Rick Santos, who will share his outlook for the Philippines’ real estate industry in 2016.

Meanwhile, Macquarie Capital’s Michael Chan will tackle private capital financing for large-scale real estate projects, and Cossette Canilao, executive director of Philippine Public–Private Partnership Center, will discuss the transformation of Philippine infrastructure through successful PPP delivery.

Rodolfo Salalima Authors Telecommunications in the Information Revolution

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Globe Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Advisor Rodolfo A. Salalima, a recognized authority in the field of telecommunications law, launches his new book titled: “Telecommunications in the Information Revolution”.

The book is a compilation of the law and jurisprudence on telecommunications and of insights on the evolving language and fundamental issues of the Internet revolution. It helps provide understanding on the current communications technologies that help shape the change in people’s lives and lifestyles. It is also used as a textbook filled with legal commentary for law students, and as a reference material for industry practitioners and non-lawyers.

According to Salalima, the book is an attempt to make it easier for ordinary readers to comprehend current technologies on telecommunications, broadcasts, and disruptive innovations, “ I hope that this may help influence others in understanding these technologies or contribute in the utilization of these technologies not only as tools for better social networking and communications but also, for nation building and growth.”

Chancellor Adolfo S. Azcuna of the Philippine Judicial Academy and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court shared his appreciation of Atty. Salalima’s new book, “ He has done us all a good turn once again. I am delighted to see him produce another masterpiece. This book on Telecommunications in the Information Revolution is vintage RAS, a handy source of practical advice as well as a thorough treatment of the subject.”

The book launch will happen at the Radiate Room, the Loft of the Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on October 9, 2015. If you wish to have a copy of the book, you may buy at the UP Law Center, Malcolm Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

U-Hop Partners With Click Labs For More Efficient Service

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U-Hop has tied up with a US-based technology solutions company, Click Labs, to reintegrate its systems and expand the services it can offer to its members.

Click Labs has designed and developed an app named “Tookan”, its 3rd SaaS (Software as a Service) product. It is an online system designed for businesses managing mobile personnel, deliveries and services. It is a system that makes workflows more efficient and is a simple answer to the core business operations often involving multiple stakeholders.

Through Tookan, managers and personnel can monitor all the day’s activities and tasks. The system provides a live map view of all mobile personnel, with specific corresponding information including the assigned driver, destination and client.

The system logs in all of the tasks, including those from the previous days, so everything is archived with efficiency and accuracy.

It features an alert function so everyone is notified once a task has changed or if it has been completed. It also has a messenger function so you can talk to all online managers and personnel.

Tookan does away with the conventional operations so you can say goodbye to your old-school spreadsheets, voice calls and the many, many paper works.

U-HOP: Philippines’ First App-Based Shuttle Service

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Because of the worsened traffic situation in Metro Manila, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pegged our productivity loss to P2.6 billion every day. Furthermore, JICA said that if we do nothing by 2030, that amount would reach P6 billion a day.

That’s why we need transport solutions.

First there were the app-based car services. The original concept was brilliant; individual car owners would give a ride to those plying the same routes as theirs for a fee. Simply put, it is taking the idea of carpooling and incentivizing it for charging for fare. The result? We get less cars on the road.

But then this concept became an enterprising model. Individual car owners were no longer giving lifts to people, they were operating their cars as cabs, and down the road, they began purchasing fleets. The result? Now we have even more cars on the road.

Experts have said it over and over again, the only solution to this behemoth of a traffic problem is mass transport. But while we wait for the infrastructures and facilities for that, we offer an alternative. An app-based mass transport system we call U-HOP.

Think of the UV express at the terminals near your homes and offices. They are convenient because it is mass transport and it is cheap. Now take that service and make it app-based, you no longer have to wait for long lines.

Oscar Winner Graces The Small Screen In New Medical Drama

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Academy Award winner for Best Actress Marcia Gay Harden (Polllack) stars in Code Black, a new medical procedural drama inspired by Ryan McGarry’s critically acclaimed documentary of the same title.

Every episode presents extraordinary medical cases in creative but very authentic perspectives. Events unfold in the nation’s busiest ER, where medical professionals are the heroes. In a perpetual race against time, they solve one medical case after the other using limited resources. This is far from your usual medical drama. Get ready to be hooked as it fires up adrenaline, intrigues the mind and ultimately compels the heart.

Follow Leanne Royer (Harden), the gritty resident who leads her medical team through seemingly insurmountable odds.Completing the cast are Bonnie Sommerville (NYPD Blue), Raza Jaffrey (Homeland), Luis Guzman (Oz), Melanie Kannokada (Love, Lies and Seeta), Harry M. Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and William Allen Young.

Michael Seitzman, Marti Noxon, Ryan McGarry, and David Semel are the executive producers of this series that premieres on October 7, Wednesday, 8:50pm (same week as the US), first & Exclusive at Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cable Link Channel 39.

Wanted: Innovative, Disruptive and Sustainable Ideas in Mobility

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Do you have a smart and entrepreneurial idea or enterprise related to mobility? Get support and the chance to win more than P1 Million in start-up prizes! Applications are now open for the “Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility with LBC.”

Aside from the prizes, you will also earn guidance from a community of professionals and supporting corporations through Impact Hub Manila's incubation and mentoring program. 

Impact Hub Manila, a startup incubator, and coworking and events space provider for a membership community of entrepreneurs, activists, creatives, and professionals taking action to drive positive social and environmental change, is looking for potentially world-changing ideas in the field of mobility.

In partnership with LBC, the Philippines' market leader in payments, remittance, courier products, mail, parcels and, cargo logistics, Impact Hub Manila is now accepting applicants that could offer innovative, disruptive and sustainable ideas for their very first fellowship program.

At a press conference held at the Impact Hub Manila office at the 5th floor of Green Sun on October 6, 2015, the key people from both Impact Hub Manila (LizAn Kuster and Matt Jaeggi, co-founders) and LBC (Fernando Araneta, CEO and Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer), presented the details of the fellowship program, plus a special speaker, Benjamin de la Peña, Director of the Knight Foundation and former Associate director at Rockefeller Foundation, gave us a general overview of the global trends and issues regarding mobility.

Singapore Airlines and Visa Unveil Exclusive Offers for Trips to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Europe

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Singapore Airlines, together with Visa, invites travelers to jumpstart their adventure with its special all-inclusive Economy Class round trip fares starting from just USD190.

Singapore

Together with the Singapore Tourism Board, SIA brings an attractive all-inclusive round trip fare to Singapore from just USD190, for a minimum of two passengers travelling together. More of the Lion City is now also reachable through the Singapore Airlines Singapore Explorer Pass. With a top-up of just USD 48 per person, travelers may revel in over 20 different attractions (worth SGD 420), including Gardens by the Bay, Madame Tussauds, Singapore Cable Car, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer and free rides on the SIA Hop on Bus.

Australia

From just USD630, an exciting Australian adventure awaits those who wish to visit Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia alliance provides more choice for domestic and international air travel to and from Australia, with attractive and seamless travel options across Australia. Passengers can smoothly plan their trip to various attractions in The Land Down Under and avail of more travel options and convenient connections. All-inclusive one way add-on rates are also available from USD 60 to USD 80, with trips from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to multiple destinations such as Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Mackay, Port Moresby, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Townsville.

Globe Disconnects From Service Close To 30,000 Numbers Identified As Source Of Spam/Scam Messages

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Globe Telecom has disconnected from service close to 30,000 prepaid numbers found to be consistent source of spam and scam text messages as the leading mobile operator continues to intensify efforts to eliminate such unsolicited and annoying messages.

The numbers blocked from the Globe network were subject of complaints reported through the http://www.globe.com.ph/stopspam where customers are simply required to provide all the details of spam and scam messages they received on their mobile devices. Numbers that are reported to be a constant source of spam messages are then disconnected from service.

The numbers were also identified via an automated filtering system implemented by Globe to keep its customers from receiving scam and spam messages. The telecommunications provider recently expanded the coverage of this functionality and the system now covers majority of the company’s 2.3 million postpaid customers.

A total of 29,347 numbers were blocked from the service since July last year, Globe Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said. Of the number, a total of 24,787 numbers were disconnected for sending scam messages while 4,560 numbers were barred from using the Globe network for sending spam messages.

Sabrina To Represent The Philippines In 2015 Asia Song Festival

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Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina is going places! She will be representing the Philippines in the upcoming Asia Song Festival to be held on October 11 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, South Korea. Sabrina will be performing alongside Asia’s top music acts like KPop artists EXO, GOT7, Red Velvet and B.T.S, NGT48 from Japan and William Chan from China. She is also scheduled to collaborate on stage with KPop group B1A4 for their song “Lonely” where Sabrina will sing in Korean. Asia Song Festival is held every year since 2004 in Korea gathering the best singers in Asia and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Previous Philippine representatives include R&B singer Kyla and MYMP.

Sabrina recently conquered Malaysia when she performed at the Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden Festival last August 23 at Padang Merbok in the capital city. She was the only Filipino to sing at the festival alongside other Malaysian, Indonesian, Singaporean and other acts from Southeast Asia. She also did photoshoots, radio guestings, retail and TV appearances during her tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in time for her latest album “I Love Acoustic 8”. To date, she has also traveled to Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore where she had successful concerts and promo tours

She just released her latest album “I Love Acoustic 8” which debuted at #1 on iTunes Philippines and Indonesia and also on Top 10 of iTunes Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The album is also released in CDs all over Asia making Sabrina one of the only few Filipinos to release a CD in the region and cementing her status as Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart. In the Philippines, “I Love Acoustic” is now on the Top 10 of the country’s largest CD retailer Astroplus. The Malaysia version of the album includes her duet with Malaysian singer Natasha Sass with the Malay version of Freddie Aguilar’s iconic song “Anak” which is entitled “Terima Kasih”. Indonesia’s version had Sabrina record a duet with one of their top singers Chilla Kiana for the songs “Thinking Out Loud” and “Love Me Harder”.

PH Leads the East Asia and the Pacific Towards a New Era of Tourism Development

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At the 21st United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Medellín, Colombia on 12-18 September 2015, the six Regional Commissions elected new chairs and vice-chairs for the period 2015-2017.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pleased to announce that the Philippines was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) with Cambodia and Japan as vice chairpersons. The Philippines will also sit as member of the Committee on Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) owing to its efforts of institutionalizing the implementation of the TSA in the Philippines, the first in the ASEAN region which is in consonance with the UN system of satellite accounting.

Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General lauded the Philippines for taking the Chairmanship that will greatly contribute to the global travel and tourism agenda of increasing competitiveness and promoting sustainable development in the region. Asia and the Pacific region is now the fastest global tourism destination with 263 million international arrivals in 2014 with a growth rate of 5.3%.

The five other commissions and their respective chairs (C) and vice-chairs (VCs) are: Africa – Zimbabwe (C) and Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire (VCs); the Americas - Haiti (C) and Paraguay and Chile (VCs); Europe - Switzerland (C) and Montenegro and Lithuania; South Asia - India (C) and Bangladesh and Afghanistan (VCs); and the Middle East - Lebanon (C) and Egypt and Jemen (VCs).

Social Media: The New Frontier in the Workplace

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Social Media is turning out to be the best mode of communication in the business world today today..

However, many have also become victims of its misuse and abuse. it has been used to propagate negative campaigns, and in many occasions, defamation of character to many individuals; and/or many many more. Oftentimes, the victim asks; "Can file a libel case on the one who circulated a very damaging 'blog' or 'tweet'. In the corporate scenario, one basic question which always comes up is : Can i suspend or terminate the services of a staff for "posting", "bloging" or "Tweeting" a false and very damaging story or statement in "facebook" "wayne" "inckedin" "Whereareu" "nstagram etc.

Join the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) as they discuss this topic on October 08, at the Henry sy Auditorium of St. Luke's Medical Center from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Investment fee is Php 1200 for non-ECOP members and Php 600 for ECOP members (VAT Exclusive)

Method of Registration:
1. Download Registration Form (PDF).
2. Print the Form, Accomplish, Scan, and Send to vic.darapiza@ecop.org.ph or membership@ecop.org.ph.

Nissan Philippines Celebrates 2nd Year Anniversary and Launches the New Nissan Juke

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Nissan Philippines celebrates its 2nd year anniversary and also launches the new Nissan Juke - a beautiful vehicle bringing together the toughness of an SUV and the dynamism of a sports car that's soon to be available on January 2016.

The 2nd anniversary and launch was held on October 5, 2015 at the Whitespace events place located in Makati city, and was attended by members of the media, Nissan employees and other special guests and VIPs. Your friendly neighborhood Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas was able to capture everything on video including the speeches of the Nissan Executives plus an up-close look at the exterior and interior of the new Nissan Juke.

With a tagline of "Rediscover Excitement. Rediscover Nissan," the automobile brand is determined to bring back the excitement by delivering the brand promise of "Innovation That Excites."

In the photo above is Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Antonio "Toti" Zara and Marketing General Manager SungJoong "SJ" Huh who both shared their Nissan stories and the superb specifications that makes the new model an impressive offering to celebrate another milestone.

Wazzup Pilipinas is proud to have witnessed the event as it is a moment that should be cherished by all with the availability of the first automobile that puts emphasis on style and durability.