China’s Ministry Of Commerce Decides on Enabling Integration Of Substantial Portions Of HGST And WD Subsidiaries

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Western Digital Corporation announced a decision from China's Ministry of Commerce ("MOFCOM"), which enables the company to integrate substantial portions of its HGST and WD subsidiaries under Western Digital Corporation ("Western Digital"). As a unified entity, Western Digital's extensive technology capability, deepened patent and product portfolios, and talented global team will further drive its ability to innovate and lead in the changing data storage industry.

The agency's decision is the result of an ongoing dialogue regarding the "hold separate" restriction associated with Western Digital's acquisition of HGST in March 2012. As part of the agreement with MOFCOM, and in order to leverage the rich storage industry heritage of each long-standing brand, Western Digital will continue to offer both HGST and WD product brands in the market and maintain separate sales teams for two years from the date of the decision.

"The decision announced today positions us for continued growth and long-term value creation," said Steve Milligan, chief executive officer of Western Digital. "HGST and WD are an exceptional combination, and together, we will set the pace for innovation in this dynamic and evolving industry."

Integration activities will begin immediately and are expected to continue over the next 24 months. Western Digital expects the integration of corporate and other key functions, including research and development, heads and media operations, engineering and manufacturing, will result in significant opportunities for growth, synergies and cost savings consistent with the levels previously outlined by the company.

Independent Web Series "QC" to Hold Screening of Episode 1 "Krus Na Ligas"

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In 2014, they produced the first episode of an independent web series entitled Q.C., created by Carlo Pacolor Garcia.

Set during the early 2000s, Q.C. is about a gang of misfits who’s always getting themselves into trouble. Until one day, they come across Sito, a rather pensive young man who doesn't seem to know what to do with his life. Fascinated by the group's anarchic streak and outlandish bravado, he tags along their merry and oftentimes destructive bouts of misadventures – only to find out that what enthralled him in the first place, the jolt he’s been searching for, is the very thing what will confound and ultimately break him.

They are holding a series of screenings in different bars, cafes, & spaces in Quezon City starting at UP Diliman Videotheque on October 30 at 5PM & 7PM. The first episode, Krus Na Ligas, will be screened during these events.

Their series of screenings aim to promote not only Q.C., but also the the Philippine independent film, music, and arts industry. It is a celebration of all the independent artists who struggle to be able to create and share works of art without compromising the creativity and honesty of their content.

Globe Supports Mondato Forum on Mobile Finance & Commerce

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As the country’s leader in providing innovative digital services, Globe Telecom is supporting the Mondato Summit, an exclusive thought leadership forum on mobile finance and commerce.

On October 20th and 21st, the Mondato Summit Asia will be held at the Makati Shangri-la where leading experts and their peers come together in an intimate setting to undertake substantive dialogue to uncover actionable insights and advance common objectives. The event will gather decision-makers and influencers focused on the mobile finance & commerce (MFC) ecosystem in Emerging Asia. This is the first Mondato Summit Asia to be held in the Philippines. Last year, the forum was held in Singapore.

“Globe believes that innovation can be applied across a range of various platforms not only in technology but also in mobile finance and commerce. In supporting the Mondato Summit, we hope to bring in the innovative spirit of stakeholders in mobile finance and commerce. To help our nation move forward, there is a need to promote greater social inclusion and faster adoption to ICT to support our ability to transform society,” said John Rubio, President & CEO of Globe Fintech Innovations Inc.

Mondato Summit is expected to deliver indispensable knowledge, practical solutions, stimulating engagement, and invaluable contacts in a quest to help stakeholders navigate the fast growing, but highly fluid and complex, MFC space. The Summit format is designed to encourage interaction and create opportunities for department heads from banks, telcos, retailers, investors, development finance institutions/donors, policy makers/regulators, innovative start‐ups, media and others, to discuss real problems in the MFC space, and propose actionable, collaborative solutions.

Power Mac Center Inspires Tech-Savvy Bicol Youth

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Power Mac Center, the premier Apple partner in the Philippines, recently supported the 2nd Bicol Youth Technology Expo (BYTE) held recently at the Pili Capitol Convention Center in Camarines Sur. The expo was organized by the Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC) of the Ateneo de Naga University.

As the main presenter, Power Mac Center partnered with ICTC to bring the technology of Apple Education Ecosystem to the Bicol academe in its efforts to share with and empower the teachers, students, and enthusiasts with the latest digital literacy skills through the use of Apple products.

Representatives from Power Mac Center’s Education Business Group acquainted the 750 people in attendance with the workings of iTunes University, iBooks Author, iCloud, and iOS App Development, as well as the production of digital creative content. Teachers also learned how they can access an extensive selection of references from educators worldwide to make students excited about learning. Since the dawn of the digital age, it has become increasingly important for teachers to keep pace with their students in terms of technology to grab and retain their attention.

“We’re very thankful to ICTC for inviting Power Mac Center to give these seminars,” Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center’s Marketing Director said. “You see, Apple products are more than just gadgets -- they are tools that fuel creativity and provide endless possibilities for everyone, especially the youth. And it has always been our mission to support the academe in cultivating a love for learning.”

Passage of Social Enterprise Bill Ensures No One Is Left Behind

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As the world hails the International Day of Poverty Eradication and the recent adoption of 17 new global goals during the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit in New York City, social enterprises call to the Philippine government to put poverty at zero rates by fast-tracking the passage of the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Bill.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a set of universal agenda critical in ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the environment across nations, adding that the integration of goals hinge on people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership will set a world where ‘No one is left behind’.

The SDGs succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is consisted of 17 goals and 169 targets serving as blueprint for 193 UN member states to work for in the next 15 years, from 2015 to 2030. First of the goals is poverty eradication with other important goals on gender equality, climate change, decent employment, inequality, and justice which were absent in the MDGs.

In the 2014 country report of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), achievement in poverty reduction is dismal from the country’s target for MDGS. Poverty incidence declined from 34.4% to 25.2% from 1991 to 2012 despite the MDG target of 17.2% by 2015. The rate of poverty reduction has also been slow for the period of 2006 to 2012 with an over-all reduction of only 1.4% in six (6) years time. 

PH hosts the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit

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The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) was the proud host of the recently-concluded ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan, and Korea) Tourism Youth Summit 2015 with the theme: “Building the Future through Culture, Identity, and Community” held on 28 September to 03 October 2015 at the South Palms Resort in Panglao, Bohol and at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

The program is one of the components of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2013 – 2017 adopted during the 12th Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and ROK Tourism Ministers last January 2013 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Philippines and Thailand were selected as the lead country coordinators to organize the summit which Thailand convened for two consecutive years.

With the goal of informing the youth about the ASEAN initiatives and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as agreed by the tourism ministers in January 2015, the summit provided a venue for cultural exchange, immersion, and appreciation. It also raised the level of awareness among the ASEAN youth on issues pertaining to cultural preservation, environmental protection, and socio-economic growth. The activity likewise established a strong foundation for the ASEAN youth in the tourism industry and highlighted the equality of men and women in the tourism industry.

Presentations were made on the travel and tourism industry situation in their respective countries. Group workshops ensued on three main topics: 1) Promote ASEAN as a single destination, 2) Enhance human resource development and quality tourism, 3) Ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Coffee, Chocolate and Ice Cream Expo Back-to-Back with Holiday Travel and Dining Deals

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Coffee, chocolate and ice cream lovers and connoisseurs have a huge reason to celebrate

The most prestigious coffee, chocolate and ice cream trade show in the country will happen before the year ends.

The Coffee, Chocolate and Ice Cream Expo will be held on November 18 to 20, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center Aura, 3rd Level SM Aura Premier, Taguig City.

At long last, a trade show exclusively for the coffee, chocolate and ice cream industry has been mounted by NEO CCM ENT EVENTS CORP.

Most of the recent trade show events in the metropolis have featured a good mix of food and beverages.

This specialized expo comes at a time when increased focus on these industries has become a necessity due to the larger demand for coffee, chocolate and ice cream products.

The Coffee , Chocolate and Ice Cream Exposition is a trade show that accords primary focus on these three main products and brings to fore the most effective platform to showcase the finest local and international coffee, chocolate and ice cream products, bar and café equipment and technologies all under one roof.

Learn About Plane Crashes and Super Systems on Discovery Science this October

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This October, Discovery Science examines how some of mankind’s best inventions work - and malfunction.

In the new season of Why Planes Crash, pilots and passengers relive the rare and horrifying occasions in which malice, human error or technical faults turn routine flights into nightmares! The search takes viewers inside some of the most terrifying situations imaginable with the aid of shocking archive footage and dramatic animated reconstructions. What brought troubles to these planes?

The answers are on the way as Why Planes Crash airs Thursdays, 9:50 pm.

The most complex systems help make our world a better and more livable place. In a new season on Discovery Science, Super Systems returns and pulls back the curtain on some of the incredible people and machines that keep the planet ticking.

Curious on what made the list? Catch the new season of Super Systems as it premieres on October 20, Tuesday, 8.10pm.

Assemblage: The Court Of The Owls (Halloween Dance Costume Event)

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Ready your costumes as we take flight to the Biggest Halloween Event ever yet!

STRIX INC presents ASSEMBLAGE: The Court Of The Owls (Halloween Dance Costume Event)
to be held on October 30, 2015 at the World Trade Center at 7PM onwards!

Headliners:
Thomas Newson
Ftampa
Tom Swoon
International Support acts:
Zoo Theory
No Class

Local DJs:
FUNK AVY
Everyday People
Sai Dy
together with MC AOH!

-OPEN BAR FROM 7PM - 9PM
-We WILL BE GIVING CASH PRIZE FOR THE BEST IN COSTUME!

Social Enterprise and Policy: Enabling Inclusive Economies

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It is widely acknowledged that social enterprises play an important role in addressing social, economic and environmental challenges, in fostering inclusive growth and in increasing social inclusion because they aim to pursue the general interest benefit communities. Social enterprises contribute to local community development by creating opportunities in urban and rural depressed areas where there is little prospect for wealth creation as well as provide support for vulnerable individuals who may have otherwise had no chance for employment.

Supporting social enterprise creation and development may allow public policies to meet employment and other social and economic challenges in a more efficient and effective way than if they rely on the public or private sectors alone, therefore improving the spending of public money.

This conference aims to look at how public policy can support social enterprises through – the promotion of social entrepreneurship, building of legal, regulatory and fiscal frameworks, provision of sustainable finance and the offer of business development services and support structures.

The Social Enterprise and Policy: Enabling Inclusive Economies will be held at the Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University on October 19 - 20 2015

IEshikawa X - Nexus: X Marks the Spot

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IEshikawa is an annual event composed of seminars, workshops and competitions which furthers the calibre of Industrial Engineering in the Philippines. It is an avenue for students to constitute innovations for the betterment of our society and to grasp the essence of the profession in the advancement of our country’s numerous industries.

It is organized by the UP Circle of Industrial Engineering Majors (UP CIEM) which is a duly recognized academic organization under the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research of the College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman.

During the 8th instalment of IEshikawa, Boy Abunda saw the marvel of our cause and became one of our prime speakers. IEshikawa 9 assembled students from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It can only get better so join us as we make it grander.

Day	Day 1: Explicate	Day 3: Exemplify
Date and Time	3:30 to 8:35 pm on November 20, 2015	7 am to 5:30 pm on November 21, 2015
Contact	http://tinyurl.com/IEshikawaXRegistrationDay2	http://tinyurl.com/IEshikawaXRegistrationDay3
Venue:	Melchor Hall, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman	1.       Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Ateneo De Manila University 2.       University of the Philippines Diliman

DLSU HackerCup 2015: Launching Great Apps From Today's Ideas

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The De La Salle University Center for Complexity and Emerging Technologies (DLSU ComET), in partnership with the DLSU College of Computer Studies and 8Layer Technologies Inc., will be hosting the DLSU HackerCup 2015 on November 21-22, 2015 at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, DLSU - Manila. This event is an annual student hackathon where teams of 3-5 members are to challenge themselves on a 24-hour competition of turning caffeine, food, energy drinks, and oxygen into software or hardware hacks that could help the modern day Filipino.

This year, DLSU HackerCup opens its doors to all currently enrolled undergraduate students in the Philippines. This will be the first time that DLSU HackerCup becomes an intercollegiate programming competition where students from different schools can team up and put their skills to the test and code for the benefit of the country.

Participants who wish to join must register online from October 12, 2015 to November 3, 2015. Due to limited slots, the teams will be screened by the event organizers based on their application. The final list of participants will be released on November 6, 2015.

For more information, refer to the official DLSU HackerCup 2015 website, www.hackercup.co

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DLSUHackerCup2015
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dlsuhackercup

DOST- ICT Office and GISB Inks MOU for Improved Farm Production Through e-Agriculture Solutions

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The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office of the Department of Science and Technology and Social ICT Solutions provider, Grameen Intel Social Business Ltd. (GISB) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner in the development of e-Agriculture Solutions to provide a set of mobile and computer-based agriculture applications that will help small farmers improve their livelihood by addressing key farming needs from cultivation to harvest.

This partnership is in line with the Tech4ED project of the DOST ICT Office that promotes the development of an eFilipino towards an inclusive and integrated society through Information and communication.

In this digital era, technology has contributed greatly to the growth and development of society including the agricultural sector. Both organizations have the same goal of harnessing ICT for the improvement of various farming and agricultural strategies, the MOU signing happened on 23 September 2015, during the Digital Strategies for Development Summit (DSDS) at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

Grameen Intel Social Business Ltd. (GISB) is a Social ICT Business that focuses on applying technology to help the world’s impoverished population. It is a joint venture of Grameen Trust and Intel Corporation established in 2007 by Intel chairman Mr. Craig and Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Halloween Trick and Treats at Burgoo and Gumbo Restaurants

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Exciting treats await all kids who come in Halloween costumes on October 30-November 1 at Burgoo and Gumbo restaurants. Aside from the sumptuous kiddie meal which they can have for free, they will be given bagsful of chocolates and candies. Interesting and thrilling Halloween designs will be seen all over the place. And to complete the ambience, the staff will also put on their exciting masks and costumes.

Kids will surely enjoy Halloween at both Burgoo and Gumbo. This is the time of the year where they can wear and parade their unique and striking Halloween costumes and in return get free goodies like their favorite toys and candies. Get this and more at Burgoo and Gumbo! 

Again, kids who come in Halloween attire at Gumbo on October 30-November 1 get to eat for free and will also receive surprise gifts!

Celebrate Halloween at Burgoo found at T. Morato, Quezon City; Rockwell Center, Makati City; The Podium, Ortigas Center; Gateway Mall, Araneta Center; SM Mall of Asia; Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City; The Block, SM City North EDSA, SM City Marikina, SM Southmall in Alabang, The District Ayala Mall in Cavite; The Terraces Ayala Mall in Fairview; and the recently-open Starmall Prima in Taguig. For reservations and inquiries, please call 9277396, 8981815, 6875565, 7264663, 9136112, 5560091, 6336256, 4420115, 4771932.

Visit Gumbo at SM Mall of Asia (5560238), The Block 442-0106, Mega Atrium (6353015), Robinsons Manila Midtown (5671820), Gateway Mall (440-4632), Robinsons Magnolia (7209632).

UP DOST SA Presents Popscicle TV

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POPSCICLE TV is coming.

The UP DOST SA’s POPSCICLE is an annual trivia quiz show for UP Diliman students. Originally, it was a general trivia quiz show wherein the participants are tested on their knowledge about Popular culture, Science, Literature, etc., hence the name. But this year, UP DOST SA will attempt to level the playing field. POPSCICLE TV will now cover some of the most popular TV series among UPD students.

Who’ll get litt up on October 23, 2015? Pair up and register now for only P80 to get a chance to win, wait for it, as much as P2000!

Let the binge-watching begin!