Perks of Playing DotA 2

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Being addicted to online games mostly is bad in so many obvious ways. We should remember that too much of everything is always not good. Play the games as if they are one way of socializing and not as an addiction. Though some have made gaming a career, if it's too excessive, it also becomes a burden to a healthy life.

If you want a game that you need to put a lot of effort into to really master, if you have 4 reliable friends to make a team with and if you want to be rewarded for your hard work by real excitement of well deserved victory, go for DotA (Defense of the Ancients) 2. The game will take you on a journey through hell. You will be owned hard by teams that play tighter, gank better, and every little mistake will cost you the game. But beating the other team, punishing their own mistakes and breaking through their base will be huge satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment!

There are some noted advantages of playing online games like the popular DotA 2 which is said to have some notable benefits. But again, we should take into consideration that exercising your brain should not reach the point of killing your body.

DotA 2 is both beautiful in its form and exhilarating in its execution. Combined with quality enjoyment with friends, and you have a respectable hobby.
Here are some of the cognitive benefits you gain when you frequently play DotA 2:

1. Faster and Accurate Response - Ability to respond faster and accurately to received visual and audio information. Players are able to think and move fast, all the time. It improves your critical and strategic thinking abilities.

2. Better Decision Making - Ability to make a choice by ruling out possibilities. Players know how to plan well before executing. They know which skills to improve first to maximise productivity. They can handle frustration, ignorance and plain stupidity with aplomb.

3. Increased Spatial Awareness - Ability to be aware of oneself in a space, understand and remember the relationship among objects. Players know that they are only as strong as you can be, great tools take you to the next level. Players also understand the importance of the little things that lead to success.

4. Improved Team Building - Interpersonal relations and team communications. Players understand the importance of a “team” and the need for different roles. The game demands a cohesive and unified group of players whose individual skill must blend together to score victory.

5. Perform Multi-tasking - Ability to perform two or more tasks simultaneously. The players do a lot of studying and adapting, over and over again.

6. Hand-Eye Coordination - Ability to direct hand movement though coordinating the visual information.

Hague Ruling on West Philippine Sea: A "Slingshot" that Struck "Goliath China's" Bullying

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I join the Filipino people in celebrating the United Nations' Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines' rightful claim over the West Philippine Sea. The historic decision is a triumph of Philippine sovereignty and international law; it is a "slingshot" that struck "Goliath China's" bullying in the region.

I commend the previous government for filing the arbitration case in the face of continuing Chinese continuing threats and incursions in our territory.

I commend the Filipino people, particularly our fisherfolk, for their strong, peaceful and united resolve to defend the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

This is our victory.

I trust that the Duterte administration will build on this victory to further safeguard the country's sovereignty and marine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea and in advancing genuine peace and regional stability.

This historic win must be strengthened by the new government. To deviate from the spirit of this ruling would render the victory hollow and our sovereignty compromised.

The Duterte administration must capitalize on the decision to strengthen international public opinion to our favor and mobilize allies to rally behind our sovereignty.

This should be a signal to China to end its bullying and militarist expansion in the region. The US government must also be reminded that the West Philippine Sea should not be a staging ground for their superpower games.

I also encourge the government to craft an interdependent and progressive foreign policy guided by the Hague ruling. It should serve as the administration's reference to upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the region.

President Duterte must use all democratic multilateral platforms to protect our national interest and foster stronger ties with our regional neighbors.

Lastly, we call on the Chinese government to respect the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. As a regional leader and emergent global power, China must prove to the international community that it abides by the international law and is committed to regional peace.

Lamudi and MyProperty to Begin Offering Virtual Tours of Properties

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The Philippines’ best real estate marketplaces are looking to further the buyer experience with VR tours of properties for sale and for rent

As the Philippines’ Internet landscape continues to advance, the manner in which local real estate is marketed, bought, and sold continues to evolve with it. Convenience remains the name of the game, with buyers wanting to explore as many real estate options as they can, and sellers and brokers wanting to reach as many customers as they can.

Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty, the leading real estate marketplaces in the country, are looking to further improve property-buyers’ online experience via virtual tours. Developed by taking several photographs of a place and stitching them together to produce a full 360° view of the area, virtual tours give anyone who has Internet access via computer or smartphone a comprehensive view of a space from almost anywhere and at any time.

Lamudi Philippines’ Virtual Reality Specialist and Google StreetView Trusted Photographer Carlo Salgado says brokers and sellers stand to greatly benefit from the upcoming feature. “Interactive media such as virtual tours greatly increase views, and online listings with a virtual tour definitely receive more views than those without it.”

“Virtual tours would also save buyers, sellers, and brokers a lot of time,” Salgado adds, “as it works like a permanent open house, where property viewing can happen 24/7 even without the presence of the seller or broker.”

Apart from giving prospects a look at how properties on the market would look if they were actually standing in the space, virtual tours could also give them an idea of how these properties look during the day, night, and at different weather conditions.

It’s More Fun for Geeks in Panglao Island, Bohol!

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It will be easy for geeks, people who are understood to be connoisseurs of tech, design and startups, to find Panglao Island to be a fun-filled and exciting place to visit. Gone are the days when the term geek used to refer to a circus performer whose act includes the eating of live animals. But today’s tech-dependent geek are not only certified tech-savvy millennials but also fun-loving, playful, witty, encyclopedic, and inquisitive party-enthusiasts. Of course, not all geeks are created equal so some may prefer quiet and relaxed atmosphere with nature. All of which can be found in Bohol.

Panglao Island has been the favored watering hole of tourists, diving enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike with its pristine waters, palm trees, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. A small town of over 68,000 people, Panglao is a mere half-hour away drive from the provincial capital Tagbilaran in the southwestern coast of Bohol in the Philippines. Its proximity to civilization while retaining its charms as an almost untouched tropical paradise should make it the perfect place for adventure-seeking yet tech-dependent geeks.

This is the place to be for geeks looking for an all-in-one escapade with resorts, bars and souvenir shops in an 80.5 square kilometer island considered to be one of the leading marine biodiversity hotspots in the world. Geeks can go island-hopping, dolphin watching, or take a dip in an underground lake inside a coral cave. Panglao is also the site of Hinagdanan Cave that hides within its naturally lighted depths a lagoon. It is also very near Loboc River which is world-famous for its river-cruise and floating restaurants.

Interestingly, Alona Beach is Panglao’s most famous beach. One intriguing detail about Alona Beach, where many of Panglao’s resorts and shops are located, is its name. This one and a half kilometer stretch was named so by locals after sexy star Alona Alegre filmed a television advertisement for an alcoholic drink in the beach wearing revealing bikini attire on horseback.

Globe Telecom Files Case Before Court of Appeals

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Globe Telecom filed a case before the Court of Appeals to preserve the multi-billion peso deal which will allow the telecommunications company to immediately use the underutilized frequencies owned by SMC for public benefit.

In its petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus with prayer for a temporary restraining order, Globe emphasized that when the acquisition was made in late May of this year, the parties have strictly followed the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of the PCC Memorandum Circular No. 16-002. Under the MC, the deal is deemed approved if they are “consummated after the effectivity of the memorandum circular but before the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations.” The PCC however chose to disregard this and took the position it is not bound by its own rules.

Under the own rules of the PCC, the transaction is already “deemed approved”, and the PCC cannot by whim or caprice state that it wants a review without any legal basis. The PCC cannot withhold and block the transaction out of a process not found in their own rules, and not disclosed to the public.

Despite this Petition, Globe continues to roll out using the co-used spectrum with the joint buyout of San Miguel’s telco assets, as the company is committed in improving the internet experience of its customers. Specifically, the company is activating the 700 MHz frequency spectrum in about 500 based stations in various parts of the country. Globe is also making use of its additional allocation in the 2600 MHz band to provide additional layer for its LTE network for faster data connectivity.

Globe further insists that there is nothing anti-competitive with the transaction to warrant its disapproval. In fact, the immediate use of the underutilized frequencies have spurred a series of competitive data offers that drastically brought down prices of mobile data for prepaid customers.    

Brandon Knight and Dee Brown Headline Gatorade NBA Training Center in the Philippines

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Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight and former NBA player DeCovan “Dee” Brown will tip off NBA FIT Week in the Philippines by training elite Filipino athletes and coaches at this year’s Gatorade NBA Training Center, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Gatorade announced today. The 2016 Gatorade NBA Training Center will be held at the Gatorade Hoops Center at Mandaluyong City on July 19.

Returning for the third consecutive year, the Gatorade NBA Training Center will gather experts in basketball, fitness and conditioning, and nutrition to share best practices and learnings with elite local athletes and coaches. NBA FIT Week, which begins July 19 in the Philippines, will highlight the importance of healthy, active lifestyles through three pillars: be active, eat healthy, and play together. Additional NBA FIT Week activities include an interactive fan event featuring Globe Telecom’s sports ambassadors at the BGC Amphitheater on July 20, a full-day health and wellness event sponsored by the NBA Store, and an NBA Cares clinic for 13-year-old boys and girls from Special Olympics Philippines at TriNoma Activity Center on July 21.

“Being a great player is the product of maintaining good workout, eating and sleeping habits,” said Knight. “I’m looking forward to participating in NBA FIT Week and teaching talented young players in the Philippines the importance of fitness and nutrition both on and off the court.”

“I’m excited to visit the Philippines for the first time and experience the passion that Filipino fans have for basketball,” said Brown. “Having had the opportunity to work in the NBA, WNBA, and NBA D-League, I look forward to sharing my coaching knowledge and providing valuable insights on fitness and conditioning to help athletes and coaches elevate their games to the next level.”

The Gatorade NBA Training Center on July 19 will feature both Knight and Brown running a basketball clinic for Filipino college basketball players and Brown sharing his coaching philosophies with professional and collegiate coaches in an exclusive coaches session.

Knight, a 6’3” guard from the University of Kentucky, was selected eighth overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2011 NBA Draft. Knight spent 2013-15 with the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Phoenix Suns midway through the 2015 season and averaged 19.6 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Suns last season.

Brown played for the Boston Celtics (1990-98), Toronto Raptors (1998-00) and Orlando Magic (2000-02) during his 12-year NBA career and won the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star 1991. Following his retirement as a player, Brown served as head coach of the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle (2002) and San Antonio Silver Stars (2004) prior to joining the NBA D-League’s Springfield Armor as head coach (2009-11). Brown most recently served as an assistant coach for the Pistons (2011-13) and Sacramento Kings (2013-15).

Follow Gatorade on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gatoradeph to learn more about the Gatorade NBA Training Center Philippines. For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and follow the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philsnba) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/nba_philippines).

Boosting Data Quality Can Optimize Your Company’s Performance

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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.

Transport Department, Smart Ink Deal for Free WiFi access in Key Transport Hubs

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In the effort to enhance connectivity and modernize the transportation systems, the Department of Transportation and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today that will provide enhanced Wi-Fi access to passengers of key transport hubs nationwide, including but not limited to airports, sea ports, train stations. and bus terminals.

“Passengers will now enjoy free WiFi connections during their stay in various transport hubs. We aim to provide high standards and better services to the public,” Tugade added.”

Smart said the WiFi speed will be 10 times faster, at par with international standards.

“We thank our partner, Smart, for supporting the government’s thrust to make passengers’ travel experience more comfortable, convenient and connected,” Tugade added.

Tugade further emphasized that this initiative demonstrates what can be accomplished with public-private sector cooperation.

Under the MoU, Smart will operate and maintain the Wi-Fi facility at no cost to the government. The telecom company has identified key transport hubs nationwide in which to implement the project.

Last week, the Department of Transportation and local airline companies signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the upkeep of Manila airport terminals.

How a Footwear Business Walks its Way to Success with Shopify

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Business success stories usually start with an inspiration. For Regina Sambalido and her business partners, the idea of making affordable yet lovely-looking leather sandals available to Filipinos came during a trip abroad where they stumbled upon several stores selling beautiful leather footwear. They were so taken with the sandals that they decided to bring a couple of pairs home and offer them online. This started their love affair with footwear and the birth of Renegade Folk.

Regina and her three siblings together with Bibay Puyat initially offered a variety of quality leather sandals with the best material. The sandals can be worn by people of any age, which is what Renegade Folk is after. Most of their footwear now comes from the local manufacturing industry, which also benefit from Renegade Folk’s loyal online customers not only in the Philippines but also in Singapore, Australia, and Canada.

With their growing portfolio of everyday sandals, Renegade Folk has to strengthen its online exposure to expand its business, prompting the store to tap Shopify as its e-commerce platform. Shopify provides Renegade Folk with a portal for customers to see, appreciate and purchase their products at an affordable price.

“We are extremely happy with Shopify because it is very user-friendly. It also has a great design interface with customizable templates, easy report generation, and automatic reply features that anyone can use,” shared Sambalido. 

5 Tips to Avoid Online Fraud

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Activities shopping online continues to increase from year to year. We are so often spoiled with a wide variety of goods ranging from clothing appliances to household appliances and to food appliances, where all of it can now be delivered to our doorsteps through online transactions.

We have to be aware that online transactions are not entirely safe. Through a survey from iprice Group, among the 26 countries in the world, Philippines is the country with the most victims of online fraud. Up to a total of 26% of online consumers have lost money due to fraud in cyberspace.

Fraud stories such as goods which never arrived, illicit payments via credit cards to the loss of thousands and millions of pesos could happen if we are not careful in the deals online as well as protecting ourselves from cyberhackers.


Here are 5 tips that you can do to avoid scams online:

1. Safe Shopping Site

Try to shop on the sites with the address ‘https: //’ instead of ‘http: //’. The letter “s” means that sites are using a secured server and will protect your personal information from hackers.

According to David Chmelař, CEO of iprice Group, you can pay attention to the reviews from previous customers, and ask a friend or colleague who has experience of shopping onine to ensure your destination site is a trusted website.


2. Save Transaction Evidence

Proof of electronic payment such as the confirmation email, SMS, and others can help to record and track the history of your transaction. They can also be used as strong evidence if there is a dispute with the seller in the future.

3. Protect Your Credit Card

Hackers to your credit card can be prevented and stopped as soon as possible after the transaction has taken place. Here are some ways to protect your credit card:

• Set SMS notifications on a credit card, so you get news of any transactions done. If there is a suspicious transaction, you may contact the bank’s Customer Service to ask for confirmation and blocking transactions which leads to any hacking indications.
• Use One-Time Password (OTP), which is the password that will be sent to a personal moblie phone after an online transaction. OTP provides a layer of security to your credit card.
• Limit the number of transactions on your credit card so that transactions cannot be processed when it reaches a certain threshold.
• Check your credit card statement. There is a transaction which you did not make but is listed in the monthly report? If yes, then contact your Customer Service immediately.

4. Avoid Using Wifi Internet when Accessing Personal Activity

While doing online shopping or bank transactions, avoid using free Wifi because if may well open opportunities for other people to access your private data.

5. Use Smart and Powerful Password

It is important to have a password that is strong because the password associated with yourself like your birthday, can be easily guessed by the people who know you or the hackers. Hackers generally guess and match your personal records word by word and letter by letter. Make sure you use numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters.



Contributed by
Davin Chuah
An alumni of Taylor’s University and is passionate in writing about lifestyle, tech and travelling related pieces. He believes in communicating experiences and feelings through writing.

Synergy Training Program 2016-2017 Batch 2

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Take the little steps as you make your way to the road of becoming the best leader you can be!

Begin your extraordinary journey and join the Synergy Training Program 2016-2017 BATCH 2!

Many have already made their first move. It's not yet too late to make yours so APPLY NOW!

Application is until July 28, 2016.

Get more details through this link:
http://bit.ly/PJMASTP1617

For inquiries and other concerns, you may contact Joanne Santiago at (0997) 580 1441 or email her at pjma.jkbsantiago@gmail.com.

‪#‎PJMASTP1617

Robert Walters Expands Asian Footprint with New Office in Manila

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Robert Walters PLC, one of the world’s leading specialist professional recruitment consultancies, announced today the continued expansion of its Asian network with a new office in Manila, Philippines. With the addition of the Philippines, the Robert Walters footprint in Asia now covers 11 countries.

“The Philippines has shown strong GDP growth in the last few years, a growing middle class of professionals and increased foreign investment – which are all key ingredients for us as an international specialist recruitment firm to be establishing an office in the country.” says Mr Toby Fowlston, Managing Director, Robert Walters South East Asia. “We are very excited to be opening a new office in the Philippines as it serves to further strengthen our market leading position across the Asia region and extend the coverage we can provide to our clients and candidates.”

The Philippines office will have an initial focus on accounting & finance, banking & financial services, human resources and information technology. Plans for gradual expansion into other disciplines will follow once client and candidate relationships are developed.

Mr Eric Mary, Country Manager for Robert Walters Philippines says: “Robert Walters is proud to become a part of Philippines booming, high growth economy. The market here offers significant potential for mid to senior level specialist recruitment. We are committed to providing exemplary levels of service to both clients and candidates and introducing a highly professional level of recruitment in the Philippines.’’

Robert Walters Philippines new office is located at 37/F Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City 1226.

All-Weather Urban Corridors for Clark and Angeles City

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Ever worried about your car stalling in knee-deep floods? Or missing your flight due to impassable roads? A new study for Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga aims to ensure that the flow of goods, services and people remain undisrupted by assessing the vulnerability of roads to temperature increases and floods and identifying ‘All-Weather Urban Corridors.’

An All-Weather Urban Corridor is a network of roads with the ability to withstand the effects of extreme weather conditions, coupled with good drainage systems, which allow the safe passage of vehicles.

Over 70 leaders converged at the Clark Freeport Zone’s Widus Hotel for the final presentation of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) for their ‘All-Weather Urban Corridors’ project.

Though both Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone are historically free from severe inundation, they are still occasionally susceptible to light flooding as both are located in a Type-1 climate zone, making them vulnerable to the southwest monsoon’s rains. Though many of the areas’ roads can be considered ‘All-Weather’ – climate change effects like intense heat and excessive rainfall can still render some road sections vulnerable. Assessing and identifying roads for improvement within Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone will enable both hubs to be better prepared in light of climate change.

Le Première: A Grand Launch To Marketing Ascendance

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Primp yourself for an evening of timeless glamour and mellow tunes as the Philippine Junior Marketing Association commences its 30th year with its most anticipated and grandest Annual Governors’ Forum entitled,

“Le Première: A Grand Launch To Marketing Ascendance”

Launching this 24th of July, 2016 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM at the Makati Palace Hotel, P Burgos Street, Makati City!

Step into the red carpet and join us as we toast to a night filled with engaging activities for you to delight in!

For inquiries, feel free to contact Illac Aragon at (0936) 209 6067 or email him at pjma.iparagon@gmail.com

‪#‎GovernorsForum2016

Rainy Day Beats and Backup with the Ekowave and Ekopack Luna!

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Ekoteke has two new products tha they're really excited about! Take a look at their Ekopack Luna and Ekowave headphones. They had so much fun with their earphones so they decided to create headphones to add more variety to their sound range. The Ekopack Luna is the first in the Philippines to have a design like that in the country. Please see below for more details of the new Ekogadgets.


Ekotek is serving up double the fun with the Ekopack Luna and Ekowave! Get more out of your day by charging up with the first power bank of its kind in the Philippines. Ride the soundwaves with a pair of headphones that sound and feel great, not just for the ears but also for your pocket! 

Ekopack Luna

The newest Ekopack is sure to brighten your day! With a one-of-a-kind design, it functions as both an LED lamp and a backup for your gadgets. A unique shake feature indicates the charging power left in your Luna and to see it, just give your Ekopack Luna a shake!

With 7500 mAh of power a dual-charging capacity, it'll be sure to keep you (and a friend) going through the day. All encased in a stylish white and chrome case, the Ekopack Luna is functional as it is fashionable.

SPECS:
Capacity: 7500mAh
Input: DC 5V/2A
Output 1: DC5V/1A

SRP: 1199

Ekowave

Ride the sound waves like a pro with the Ekowave! It can take the heat like a pro-headphone with an impedance of 32 Ohms. This means that can you plug the EkoWave in to your favorite mobile gadgets, and even use it with professional audio equipments such as amplifiers and mixers without worrying about blowing it out.

Aside from the built-in comfort cushions around its earpads, EkoWave's equally-comfy headband can be custom fit with its built-in adjuster for anti head-bobbing accidents.

SPECS:
Speaker Size: 40mm
Sensitivity: 102dB±3dB
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency Response : 20Hz to 20KHZ
Cord Length: Approx. 1.5m
Plug Type: 3.5mm Stereo
Microphone: 6×5.0MM
Sensitivity: -58dB±3dB

SRP: 999

Catch the Ekopack Luna and Ekowave at our kiosks in SM North Edsa the Annex, SM Megamall, SM Pampanga, as well as selected Office Warehouse, Astrovision, and iStudio branches. They're also chillin over at IGIG in Greenhills Promenade. See you there!