Boosting Data Quality Can Optimize Your Company’s Performance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over the years, the rapid development of information technology has greatly optimized the day-to-day operations of businesses. Companies collect and store an enormous amount of data, which in return, demands superior and diligent data management. However, organizations typically overestimate the quality of their data and the cost of errors, according to a study.

Because of this, Third Pillar Business Applications Inc. – a globally recognized business partner in providing best-in-class services and solutions – helps businesses transform their organization into a more innovative, cost-effective, and revenue-earning business through exceptional data governance.

According to Alan Alipao, managing director and head of consulting of Third Pillar, a regular data assessment and cleansing for data quality maintenance should become a standard practice to all organizations. “It informs the organization as to where the risks are within the data, thus allowing them to create preventive measures against business process failures, non-compliance, and other scenarios leading to profit losses.”

Data cleansing is the process of amending or removing data in a database that is incorrect, incomplete, improperly formatted, or duplicated.

Clean data can actually improve customer acquisition activity results, fine tune the decision-making process because of reliable information, increase revenue and productivity, and improve account management and analysis.

Former Ballerina Cathee Roslovtsev Opens Dance Studio in SPARTA Mandaluyong

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Former Ballerina Cathee Roslovtsev has decided to fulfil her life-long dream of putting up a dance studio, which caters to children and adults alike. The Elan Ballet and Pilates Studio is located at the second floor of SPARTA in Mandaluyong. Formerly with the Philippine Ballet Theatre and presently an artistic council member of The Philippine Ballet Theatre, she will be using the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet training method for her ballet classes.

The training method is a 12-year training method for the child, from 5-17 years old, wherein yearly, somebody from Australia will give the exam, to see if the child can move on to the next level.

Apart from Classical Ballet, she also offers Baby Ballet classes for kids from 3-5 years old, Mommy and Me Ballet classes for kids who are between 2-4 years old, while her Pre-primary Ballet classes on the other hand, targets kids who are at least 5 years of age.

According to Cathee, the values that kids can learn from ballet include, “Camaraderie, obedience, discipline, patience and perseverance. All of these values can be learned while mastering the various techniques, like doing the pirouette.”

She also stresses the importance of learning Pilates for ballet students.

Cathee, who is also a Certified Pilates Instructor, will also be offering Pilates with machine and mat. “Pilates and dance go hand-in-hand. Because with Pilates, the exercises are designed to restore the natural curves of the spine and it rebalances the muscles around the joint”, she says.

Cathee, who is very dedicated to her craft, was also very hands-on with the construction of the Dance Studio. For instance, she had to install a special kind of flooring that helps cushion the knees and the joints, so when you do your jumps and your leaps, you don’t get injured.

Apart from Classical Ballet, The Dance Studio also offers Jazz, Street Dance, Tap, Salsa, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga for Special Kids. She also has customized programs for her dance clients, Cathee adds, “Because each person has a diff body type. So programs will be customised depending on what the client needs.”

SPARTA is located along Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City. For more information, please call 6553799 or 0977-7634402.

Change That Keeps Hope Alive

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tomorrow, we will be concluding the six years of the Aquino presidency - six years of hard work for many who joined the campaign to reclaim government institutions from the throes of corruption and impunity. Six years of hard work as well for those who stayed outside, in the ranks of civil society, to offer counsel and critique during the toughest times of the outgoing administration. The past six years gave us much hope that with Aquino’s leadership, we would achieve much and more.

Akbayan Youth witnessed how this hope came to life - from the passage of the SK Reform Law which Akbayan Youth has campaigned for almost two decades, to the implementation of Abot-Alam and expansion of the CCT to cover secondary education to ensure that all young people can get access to education opportunities. We saw the passage of the RH bill and the Sin Tax Law that secure the youth from preventable diseases. We were witness to the government that strived to achieve much and more.

In the last few hours under President Aquino, we thank him for his hard work. He was an imperfect man, his was an imperfect administration. But he stood by us, in a time when we could not fully give our trust to our government.

We thank the people who worked in government, the people who put faith and partook in the project of shaping the government we needed.

And as we say goodbye, we welcome to the new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte. We look forward to having a Philippines where Filipinos especially the youth have secure jobs and incomes, a Philippines were we take care of the environment, a Philippines where there is genuine peace, a Philippines where the LGBT and women have their due space and recognition.

But we stand firm as we engage the new leadership, our new president, and the people who will join him in government, and urge them to move towards deepening democracy and respecting human rights.

Akbayan Youth will continue its work to constructively engage the new dispensation, always mindful of the kind of change we want to advance - a change that is founded on social justice, a change that makes us better persons for each other, a change that will make us truly equal and free.

Suicide Incorporated - A Play to Help Raise Mental Awareness All Set to Open on July 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

How can a theater company help raise mental health awareness by staging a play that tackles the theme of depression, suicidal tendencies and suicide itself ?????.

Catch Twin Bill Theater’s eye-opening production aimed to shed light and raise awareness on mental health issues to its audiences in “SUICIDE INCORPORATED”--- a 2010 tragicomedy by brilliant Off- Broadway playwright Andrew Hinderaker.

Imagine a world where a company that edits suicide notes exists. Now imagine being part of that company. SUICIDE INCORPORATED centers around a company that makes money by drafting suicide notes. The business is Hallmark gone Wall Street, turning a profit by bullishly pushing its clients to perform the unspeakable. The CEO speaks, in an advertiser’s tongue, about cornering the market by targeting those suicide victims least likely to leave notes: Men. It turns out all these men are emotional mice when it comes to discussing matters of the self.

SUICIDE INCORPORATED will be directed by Steven Conde.

Six topnotch actors coming from different theater backgrounds have bonded together to essay the pivotal roles in this dark comedy exploring the perils of depression, coping with loss, guilt and redemption, 

Darren Espanto Conquers Singapore

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Darren Espanto, the so-called Total Performer, is not only making waves in the Philippines but has been conquering the international scene as well. The most recent, in Singapore.

This kid with amazing pipes recently had a promo tour from June 16 to 19 in Singapore, as his sophomore album "Be With Me" was released in the Lion City under Universal Music Singapore. Darren's day started with radio tours at Singapore's top English stations 987FM and Power 98 as well as a Press Conference at Ngee Ann Polytechnic where he was joined by US singer Greyson Chance and Malaysian girl group De Fam. The next day was spent with interviews with Singapore media then an explosive performance at Universal Music Singapore’s private event where he performed alongside Universal Music artists Greyson Chance (United States), De Fam (Malaysia), Micapella (Singapore) and Gentle Bones (Singapore). He opened the show for Greyson Chance for “A Rooftop Affair” event at MyVillage@Serangoon on the 18th and on the 19th, he formally launched his album “Be With Me” via an album signing session at Junction 8 Mall. Darrenatics in Singapore lined up to have their albums signed till stocks were sold out, as the retailer had to accommodate preorders for the album for fans who wanted to see Darren in the flesh.

“I am so thankful to be given a chance to be in Singapore again this time promoting my album. Never have I imagined that my album will be released on CDs in Singapore and it feels good to be there and meet my Singapore fans,” Darren said.

After Singapore, what’s next? Find out soon.

Aside from promoting the album, Darren also recently held a major concert entitled “D Total Experience” last June 25, 8pm at the Kia Theatre.

"Be With Me" CDs are out under MCA Music, now available at Astroplus and Astrovision outlets. The album can also be downloaded and streamed via Spinnr, iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. For inquiries, contact MCA Music artist management at 9162504 local 107 or 0920 9682991 or email mcabookings@umusi.com. For more updates on Darren, like or follow MCA Music via facebook, Instagram (mca_music), Twitter (mca_music), Snapchat (mca_music) or Vine (mca_music).

Telco Urges VisMin Execs to Maximize Innovation and New Technologies to Stay Ahead of Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Business, the enterprise information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, urged Visayas and Mindanao-based executives to maximize innovation and new technologies to stay ahead of competition.

Tapped to deliver the message across over 80 enterprise clients from various industries was Jomari Mercado, former Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President and Chief Executive Officer. Mercado served as keynote speaker on digital disruption readiness at the Globe Business Regional Business Forum held recently at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Be the disruptive change. Be the one to take or lead your segment, category or industry in an entirely new direction. If you will commit to it, you have to let go of the notion that it will be a comfortable process. Let go of the notion that in the next couple of years you will be happy with the way things are going, and that your most profitable customers are going to be happy,” said Mercado.

Mercado”s advice was echoed by Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT-Enabled Services Group, who noted the importance of focusing on strategies that will help them become leaders in their respective industries. Globe Business, he said, has a ready response to corporations who are keen on realizing their goals.

“Globe Business has been providing connectivity services to you, our Visayas and Mindanao customers for many years and I believe it is crucial that you continue the trust and support that you have been giving us in enabling you to transform digitally. With the right technology, infrastructure, and know how, we believe that we can drive your passions and help you achieve future-ready operations,” Frausing said to the participants.

The forum discussed various topics that would be helpful to corporations such as Reinventing your business with the right technology which touched on different solutions that help improve business productivity and efficiency; How technology enables supply chain visibility which focused on the various upsides that the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Services, and Managed Security Services bring to the supply chain industry; Selling customer experience: Art of the Pitch which detailed the different types of persuasion and presentation skills that can win over business; and the power of electronic financial services which dealt specifically with how technology facilitates financial inclusion and making financial transactions more efficient with mobile money services such as GCash.





To know more how Globe Business can empower your organization’s passions with industry-renowned ICT products and solutions, visit www.globe.com.ph/business or contact your Globe Business Account Manager.

WSOF-GC Announces Exclusive Japanese Partnership with DEEP Fighting Championships

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a surprise announcement this afternoon at Hotel Sun Route Plaza Shinjuku, DEEP Fighting Championships President, Shigeru Saeki, announced during his press conference an exclusive partnership with World Series of Fighting – Global Championship (WSOF-GC). This deal also carries over to the other DEEP brands, to include Cage Impact and JEWELS. DEEP will be the one and only exclusive partner for WSOF Global inside Japan, as WSOF Global will be the one and only exclusive partner for DEEP outside of Japan, with the exception of the existing partnership already in place with Invicta Fighting Championships.

One of the interesting items about this new relationship points towards WSOF-GC qualifiers, as well as a potential tournaments to be dubbed “The Road to WSOF-GC”. This gives young, up-and-coming fighters an opportunity to know that they will be able to compete on international events outside of Japan and test their skills against some of the best fighters around the globe. Additionally, it was announced that DEEP’s end of year event would contain three WSOF Global title fights. The Road to WSOF-GC championship gold is now paved. Fans from Japan can look forward to a very fun, exciting end of year event between these two promotions.

Speaking shortly before the big announcement to the press, Saeki said, “I am very happy and thrilled about DEEP FC forming a partnership with WSOF-GC. I would like to thank both President Shawn Wright and Vice-President Jason Lilly for considering working with us. Moving forward, a 15-year old MMA promotion DEEP FC would like to provide all the support necessary to help them achieve success in Asia. Let's work together to achieve our goals!”

“DEEP is the premier fight league in Japan. Their consistent level of quality events and premium fighters attests to that,” states WSOF-GC Vice President of Operations, Jason Lilly. “Many great fighters have come through DEEP to go on to the UFC, such as Shinya Aoki and Ryo Chonan. Invicta’s reigning Atomweight Champion, Ayaka Hamasaki, also came up through the DEEP ranks, as did our own 125-pound star, Yusaku Nakamura. Even the legendary Akihiro Gono has competed for them. Whereas we now have this partnership in place, this is not to exclude DEEP fighters from having other opportunities outside of both of our organizations. It’s our mutual goal to promote these fighters and help prepare them for the next level, wherever that may be.”

CHED-PCARI Partners with UCLA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Commission on Higher Education (represented by CHED Chairperson and PCARI Project Director Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan) and University of California Los Angeles campus (represented by UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block) held at the Office of the President, Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, last June 18, 2016.

The Philippine government, through CHED and its PCARI project, and the United States of America government, through UCLA, agreed to broaden and expand relations between the scientific and technological communities in both countries through research partnership.

The MOA signing was witnessed by PCARI Project Manager Dr. William G. Padolina and UCLA Vice Provost for International Studies and Global Engagement Department Prof. C. Cindy Fan. Also in attendance were CHED Legal and Legislative Service Atty. Carmelita Yadao-Sison, PCARI Deputy Project Manager Atty. Walfrido Gloria, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gisela Concepion, and UP President Dr. Alfredo E. Pascual.

UCLA, ranked 13 among the world’s top 100 universities (London Times Higher Education), is home to several institutes that encompass trans-disciplinary and implementation science approaches in solving a variety of issues such as health system strengthening, climate change, and food security. The world-class expertise of UCLA in PCARI priority areas of Health Innovation and Translational Medicine and Information Infrastructure Development will establish strong linkages and enhance research capacity of selected Philippine HEIs.

UCLA is the fourth PCARI UC research collaborating institution after UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and UC Davis.

Telecom Company Changes Landscape of PH Entertainment with Engaging World-Class Content

Wazzupm Pilipinas!

The country’s number one mobile brand, Globe Telecom, is changing the landscape of Philippine entertainment with the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live which are designed to produce original shows, live events, and engaging world-class content that are fit for today’s discerning customers.

At the same time, Globe reveals the line-up of its new international content partners and improved broadband plans for a complete and immersive entertainment lifestyle.

Nowadays, dramas and movies are no longer confined to television and cinema as they can already be shared through social media via mobile phones. Globe Studios recognizes this and thus, brings the next generation of entertainment to mobile with original video productions from top film directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. Globe Studios is backed by local and Asian media houses such as Viva Films, Reality Entertainment, Quantum Films, Spring Films and Astro of Malaysia.

“Consumption of mobile entertainment has grown exponentially over the past years. Today, customers no longer wait for their favorite shows on their TV screens. Instead, they dictate what they want to watch when and where they want to. With Globe Studios, we will now produce our own clips, series and even movies. Backed up with the biggest director partners and entertainment companies in the industry, we are set to show what customers want today,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.

On the other hand, due to the rising clamor towards personalization, another challenge is how to deliver the most engaging and creative events that will satisfy customers. Globe Live responds to this demand by leveraging on Globe Telecom’s wide experience in the live events industry to elevate production quality and at the same time, tap the wide distribution coverage of Globe to promote and assemble events that are of international size and quality.

“The caliber of events will forever change with Globe Live. We can now produce shows and events that are world-class, unique to customers and more accessible. Our years of experience in the industry added with our edge as a telco company will bring perfect partnerships to bring wonderful events to our customers,” said Joe Caliro, head of Globe Live and Globe Retail and Transformation Management.

Globe Live’s first foray in the theatrical scene is the staging of Green Day’s American Idiot, a Philippine production of the hit Broadway musical. Produced together with 9 Works Theatrical, American Idiot will be held at the new Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig which features two massive Times Square-like LED walls in a unique outdoor setup to accommodate thousands of people. American Idiot is composed of a star-studded talent roster headlined by Basti Artadi of Wolfgang, Miggy Chavez of Chicosci, former Rivermaya vocalists Jason Fernandez and Norby David, and veteran thespian Nel Gomez. The show is set to run from June 24 until July 10, 2016.

Royal Enfield Holds Grand Opening of its First Exclusive Store in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There's an all new 972 sq.ft motorcycle showroom that recently re-opened after a major renovation. It's located at 7462 Bagtikan Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City, and it's called Royal Enfield.

We got invited to witness the grand opening and blessing of this fabulous new store that's ready to satisfy the craving of all Royal Enfield fans. Even motorcycle enthusiasts may suddenly want to purchase their own motorcycles after seeing these beauties proudly displayed at this amazing showroom where some decors came from motorcycle parts. I'm not a biker, but I might change my mine already after climbing into a few of these machines that somehow made me manly enough to want to ride it out of the store and show it off to everyone I pass on the streets.

True enough, these two-wheeled machines are works of art, and I kind of fancy the fact that we are encouraged to customize the bikes based on our preferences. That would surely bring out our imagination into the wild. I wonder what design I could think of to make these bikes stand out.

But why bother? They're already a beauty with their simplicity, yet would definitely make us look astonishingly good especially when we match it with those Royal Enfield branded shirts, jackets, boots, helmets, gloves and even belts.

I'm so excited to get an opportunity to ride one of these magnificent motorcycles as soon as they have a unit for testing.

Be our Ekobuddy with the Ekobuds Lifetones!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Introducing the Ekobuds Lifetones! Affordable audiophile-quality earphones are now within reach. With 4 different colors to choose from, these earphones will suit anyone's mood and personality.

A Good Friend To Everybody. To Anybody.

The Ekobuds LifeTones can be used with most portable audio playback devices such as smartphones, feature phones, tablets, MP3 players, and is even useful for quickly auditioning professional audio interfaces.

Extra earcaps in various sizes are provided to help you find that perfect in-ear fit.


Welcomes You To The Cool Kids' Table.

To make the Ekobuds LifeTones not only sound good, but also look good, we took advantage of advanced CNC technology to craft every hardware component with stunning precision.


Sings Your Songs Perfectly.

The Ekobuds LifeTones is able to produce its distinct deep, warm, and clear sound with the help of moving membrane coil technology that responds to bass frequencies better and amplifies them in a way that nicely complements the entire audio frequency spectrum.


SPECS:

Driver Type: Single Moving Coil
Sensitivity: 91± dB
Impendance: 16 Ω
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
Cable Length: 120cm
Plug Pin: 3.5mm

SRP: 299

beep card & BGC Bus Tie-Up, a Win for Commuters

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bonifacio Global City (BGC) employees, residents and visitors will enjoy carrying one less card in their wallets as AF Payments Inc. officially announced that its beep™ card is now accepted in all seven BGC Bus routes. It replaced the TapBGC stored value cards.

With the objective of making beep™ an all-in-one travel card for Filipinos, AF Payments Inc. started venturing with other public transportation operators in Metro Manila. It has recently outfitted all BGC Buses with the beep payment system and completed a limited public trial from June 11 to 26. Full roll-out will happen on June 27, Monday.

BGC is a financial and lifestyle district in Taguig City. It is home to contemporary office blocks, storied high streets, and parks. It has grown into an urban oasis of unique selections for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

“We want to make going around BGC much easier for workers and other visitors by simplifying the payment system. Now that we are live, the beep™ cards they used in the MRT and LRT can be used to pay for their BGC Bus rides. It’s a win for the commuters,” said Peter Maher, CEO and president of AF Payments Inc..

Baron Geisler Versus Kiko Matos at URCC Exhibition Fight

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The recent Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) bout between celebrities Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos has been a much talked about topic mainly because it was intended to settle a recent dispute between the two who quarreled over what would be considered as a trivial matter gone haywire due to arrogance and pride.

However, despite the hype and ballyhoo surrounding the feud, the fight between actors Kiko Matos and Baron Geisler ended in a draw in URCC Fight Night on June 25, 2016, instead of an expected intense bloodbath to settle their differences.

The judges ruled out 19-19 unanimous decision between the two fighters at the URCC Fight Night at Valkyrie, The Palace located in Uptown Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Kiko Matos and Baron Geisler hug it out after their fight. They hugged and made peace after their fight. Is this really the end of their rift?

The verdict may have been a draw but Baron Geisler gave credit to Kiko Matos for incurring more damage.

Do they want a 3rd round to settle the score? Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos are talking about a possible rematch. Is this likely to be a publicity stunt to once again entice the people to get excited for another URCC match. Was this all for show?

Prestige Brand Ambassador 2016 Fashion Show Features James Paul Collection

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Not everyone can be a model. You need to have the "look" and "attitude" that would make you stand out among the rest. You need to be able to flaunt the outfit you are wearing to effectively promote it to the audience.

Prestige Models Management aims to train, manage, and represent aspiring individuals for them to further advance in their career in modeling.

Thus, all the training discipline you will need to be a promising model can be achieved if you join this organization which specializes on modeling.

Among the many event where the group joins to feataure their models is the Prestige Brand Ambassador 2016 Fashion Show that was held on June 18, 2016 at Fisher Mall in Quezon City and featured the James Paul Collection.

Several fashionable pieces were presented to the lucky guests who got to witness fabulous designs conceptualized by the featured designer, James Paul.

With white as the domineering color of the day, the models looked astoundingly vibrant presenting themselves and their outfits on the runway while impressed people admiringly ogle on the creatuve designs.

Microsoft and DepEd Hatch EGG - Self-Contained Classroom for Remote Areas in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Leading the launch of Microsoft and Department of Education's EGG, a mobile and self-contained classroom with Internet connectivity and its own water and power system, on June 24, 2016 at the DepEd Main Office are DepEd Undersecretary Rey Laguda, David Tapang Microsoft Philippines’ Education Lead and Microsoft Philippines’ Managing Director Karrie Ilagan.

This is not the first that a similar effort has been conceptualized by other organizations (both private and public) but what's new here is that the Internet connectivity will be coursed through the Whitespace technology (the unused VHF and UHF TV channels) which were recently made available when San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sold the 700 MHz frequency to telecommunication companies Smart/PLDT and Globe. Also, the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) technology (a device that extracts water from humid ambient air. Water vapor in the air is condensed by cooling the air below its dew point, exposing the air to desiccants, or pressurizing the air. Unlike a dehumidifier, an AWG is designed to render the waterpotable) is being used to provide the water system, and solar panels for the power system.

Microsoft has also supplied Lenovo tablets for 16 seats and another 1 for the teacher or instructor. However, the seating capacity of the EGG can be maximized up to 32 students. The EGG also has a huge LED monitor to be used as additional tool in replacement of blackboards or whiteboards.

The EGG mobile classroom can completely run off-the-grid and can also double as a storm shelter for emergency cases. Below are illustrations to further show the details of the contents and functions of the EGG.