PH Telco to Tap TV White Space Frequency for Broadband Use

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A Philippine telecommunications company is considering to adopt the TV white space frequency for broadband use in line with its commitment to improve the state of internet in the country especially in remote and outlying areas in the country. The move would maximize available spectrum given rapid increases in data consumption amid growing smartphone penetration.

In partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology, Globe is currently pilot-testing the use of the frequency for broadband service in several areas in the country, including Bohol and Cebu. The initiative is expected to provide an alternative wireless network that will provide data connectivity in far flung areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

“To help improve the internet experience of our customers, Globe is working on enhancing cell site density of our network, a prerequisite in providing additional bandwidth capacity amid exponential growth in data use. However, building a cell site has proven to be a major challenge for us and we couldn’t build cell sites as fast as we want to. We hope that making use of available spectrum would enhance bandwidth capacities and allow our network to transmit enormous amount of data at faster speeds,” Globe Senior Vice President for Network Technologies Strategy Emmanuel Estrada said, noting that construction of a single cell site involves about 25 permits with at least 8 months lead time.

According to Estrada, another obstacle in rolling out broadband service in rural areas is that the concentration of establishments and households does not make it economically viable for telecommunication providers to deploy broadband facilities. He said the TV white space technology is expected to address this concern. TV white space is considered an ideal wireless data delivery medium in the Philippines because of its long distance propagation features and the ability of its signals to travel over water and through thick foliage. The latest TV white space equipment can deliver up to 10 megabits per second of data throughput at a maximum range of 10 kilometers and can accommodate numerous customers at any given time.

Chef Claude Tayag's Bringhe Won People's Choice for Embassy Chef Challenge 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to Chef Claude Tayag, famous chef of the Philippines' Bale Dutung, for winning the People's Choice award at the Embassy Chef Challenge pon May 25, 2016 held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington DC.

The Embassy Chef Challenge is an annual competition brings hundreds together hundreds for an evening of music, arts, culture, and of course, amazing cuisine! It is an evening of international culinary skills from the best chefs in the world!

“This is the first time that the Philippines will join the Embassy Chef Challenge. It is a significant step for our culinary diplomacy as cultural and economic objectives drive our participation. We want to celebrate our cuisine, bridge cultural differences and foster international understanding, and promote Philippine ingredients and products,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said.

Chef Claude Tayag is the Philippines' representative for this year's Embassy Chef Challenge where chefs competed for our vote to win the People's Choice Award and the Judge's Choice Award. 17 countries were in the competition and it is the best of luck that our very own was voted as the People's Choice. Countries include Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nepal, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Uzbekistan & Venezuela (countries subject to change).

Sorry to Spoil Your Warcraft: The Beginning Movie

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"I knew nothing about the computer game but this film version turned out much better than what I was expecting. Amidst all the brutal violent CGI battles between humans and the Orcs, this film extols virtues of nobility, honor, fair play and sacrificing for the common good." - Fred Hawson

Is it true that Warcraft: The Beginning is better than X-Men: Apocalypse, Captain America: Civil War and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Nah! Judging by the first reviews, the Warcraft movie is only something you'll enjoy (maybe) if you're a hardcore Warcraft fan already. Is it another great video game adaptation or another grind? We all know the fate of most video game movies. But would it be different this time?

Some were saying there's just too much CGI. It's a fantasy realm filled with mythical creatures, magical spells, and though it has a veneer of grandeur and some intriguing exotically named characters and locations, it became a lifeless watch. "Warcraft will definitely be one of those bookmarks in life. For most people, it's just going to be a movie."

Director Duncan Jones, a self-professed Warcraft fan, has clearly put a lot of love and care in to fleshing out a story, but it’s questionable whether it was ever really merited.

The Wrap calls it "...a fun-starved dud that’s not even unintentionally hilarious."

For those interested in the Warcraft Lore after watching Warcraft: The Beginning movie. Check out this YouTube Videos below featuring the original background stories behind World of Warcraft..

"The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home."

Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and written by Charles Leavitt and Jones, the film starring Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Rob Kazinsky and Daniel Wu is a Legendary Pictures, Blizzard Entertainment and Atlas Entertainment production.

The producers are Charles Roven, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Alex Gartner and Stuart Fenegan. Jillian Share, Brent O’Connor, Michael Morhaime and Paul Sams serve as executive producers. Rob Pardo, Chris Metzen, Nick Carpenter and Rebecca Steel Roven co-produce. Warcraft will be released by Universal Pictures.
PS: No, the movie was not truly "the beginning" of the Warcraft Universe - not even close.