IPC Shares Game Changing Nature of Productivity Apps to Kick Off ​​#DiscoverDigital Seminar Series

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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Local cloud services pioneer IPC (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.) opened its digital transformation seminar series this year with an insightful discourse on how productivity applications are changing the workplace for the better.

Dubbed as ‘Business over Beers,’ the first of IPC’s #DiscoverDigital series for 2018 was recently held at ASPACE Greenbelt, Makati. The event gathered more than 40 business representatives -- whose core competencies range from Information Technology, Media, Finance, General Trade, and Professional Services to discuss how cloud-based solutions like Google Maps, Google Chrome and Chrome devices, and G Suite can help boost office productivity, communication and collaboration.

Google works far more than just its search engine and email feature. Google Maps, for instance, aids in brand awareness and market research. It helps increase the business’ visibility online by managing its search ranking, as well as present data, locate mobile teams in real-time, and see how visitors use the maps’ functionalities.

Google Chrome provides organizations with advanced tools for a fast and secure web browsing experience, while its Chrome devices are managed and configured in the cloud and can take different forms -- from a conventional laptop, to a small box that plugs into any modern monitor, to a tiny device that plugs directly into an HDMI port on a screen. On the other hand, G Suite is a set of intelligent apps that can help employees share and work on documents at the same time, input data and create presentations, as well as interact with other employees.

Niño Valmonte, IPC’s Director for Marketing & Digital Innovationemphasized that “In the spirit of game changing, we came up with this live sitcom-type demo to show clients that, just like veering away from the usual events with product-centric slide presentations, there is a different and better way of getting work done faster, smarter, and easier. Optimum workplace productivity and operational efficiency is possible through Google’s G Suite, Maps API and various Chrome devices.”

With this activity, IPC invited businesses for a collaboration to use applications from Google Cloud, and see how these can improve the business.

IPC’s #DiscoverDigital campaign is composed of various activities that share the latest innovations, trends, and best practices that are shaping the world of business IT. These are addressed to empower Filipino enterprises and organizations, whether large or SMEs to keep ahead with the digital changes of the times.

To register for IPC’s #DiscoverDigital events, visithttp://www.ipc.ph/discoverdigital and follow IPC on Facebook, LinkedIn, andTwitter.

Photo caption:

IPC Director for Marketing and Digital Innovation Niño Valmonte encourages business reps to find new and better ways to improve office productivity.

Catriona Gray Leads the Winning Queens of Bb. Pilipinas for 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As evident from the constant cheers for Catriona Gray everytime she steps on stage, she wouldn't be the grand winner of the Miss Universe Philippines title if the crowd at the Araneta Coliseum does not believe in her appropriateness to win the top crown. I have not heard anything louder than what I witnessed at the Big Dome. It was beyond deafening and we were not trained to exaggerate. I've watched previous runs of Bb. Pilipinas and nothing yet compares to how the crowd goes wild for Catriona. She totally captured the love and support of the people, in and out of the Coliseum. The cheers for Catriona Gray, followed by Michelle Gumabao, are intoxicating since the two have constantly won the hearts of the audience at every category including the Q&A.. I'm totally sure that night that the two of them will be among the winners. ...and I was not wrong. Though you could almost predict without any doubt that Catriona will win the highest title, she may still make a mistake in the Q&A portion. But the lady is so confident that she aced it. The only thing we were wondering is which titles will the runners up (meaning not only 2nd and 1st runners up but also the other 5 queens) get. It wasa good sight that all the 8 ladies called with recognition were given crowns. They are all deserving as beauty queens. The great thing about watching live at the actual venue is you get to witness several behind the scene happenings ... including a Pia Wurtzbach Official singing to spend the waiting time before going on air as host of the Bb. Pilipinas (Official) grand coronation night. Kalog talaga ang Miss Universe natin. Pia Wurtzbach is still my Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe -confidently beautiful with a heart queen - for being so wacky and fun-loving. I could say new winners should emulate her but our uniqueness, and imperfections, are what makes us more interesting. So Catrina has to set the level higher. Something which I thoroughly believe she can manage well. Connect na connect sa crowd! This happened during th the delayed TV broadcast of ABS-CBN. Congratulations to all the winners, and the rest of the candidates! Being among the 40 candidates is already an honor because the selection process before getting accepted as a candidate is as tough as some of the much-awaited Q&A. Below is the official press release:

After weeks of rigorous screening, holistic trainings and activities, six worthy, modern and empowered women have been proclaimed as Binibining Pilipinas 2018 queens in the grand coronation held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 18.

All hail the new queens! After weeks of rigorous screening, holistic trainings and activities, six worthy, modern and empowered women have been proclaimed as Binibining Pilipinas 2018 queens in the grand coronation held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 18. Crowd favorite Catriona Gray, a 24-year-old professional model and musician from Albay was named Miss Universe Philippines. She wowed the judges with her message to the women of war-torn Marawi. The statuesque Rachel Peters, who finished in the top 10 of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, crowned Gray. Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, one of the youngest contestants in this batch and a fresh Accountancy graduate from Candelaria, Quezon, emerged as Binibining Pilipinas International. Mariel de Leon, who has a budding showbiz career passed her crown to Manalo. Third time proved to be the charm for Jehza Mae Huelar, 23, from Davao City as she bagged the Binibining Pilipinas Supranational title. This was the third time Huelar joined the pageant. The amiable Chanel Olive Thomas, who finished in the Top 10 of the Miss Suparanation pageant crowned Huelar. Registered nurse and law student Eva Psychee Patalinjug from Cebu was adjudged Binibining Pilipinas Grand International. Elizabeth Clenci, who emerged second runner up in Miss Grand International, passed her crown to Patalinjug. Karen Gallman, a 25-year-old native of Bohol who worked as an analyst in London, was named Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental. Katarina Rodriguez, who came so close to bringing the country’s first Miss Intercontinental crown, passed her title to Gallman. Professional volleyball player, 25, from Quezon City was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe. Nelda Ibe, who brought pride to the country as Miss Globe first runner up, crowned Gumabao. Actress Vickie Rushton emerged as first runner up, while competitive dancer Samantha Bernardo was named second runner up. These lucky and lovely ladies, armed with beauty and wit, hope to live up to the Philippines’ reputation as a powerhouse in international pageants. Pia Wurtzbach, the Philippines’ 3rd Miss Universe who won in 2015, hosted the ceremony with actor Richard Gutierrez. The pageant paid homage to Filipino artistry, particularly designer Pitoy Moreno, a former member of the Binibinig Pilipinas Charities Inc. executive committee, who passed away last January 15. The Top 15: Binibini 1, Vickie Rushton Binibini 3, Muriel Orais Binibini 11, Aya Abesamis Binibini 14, Samantha Bernardo Binibini 15, Juliana Kapeundl Binibini 17, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo Binibini 19, Michele Gumabao Binibini 20, Catriona Gray Binibini 21, Anjame Magbitang Binibini 24, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa Binibini 26, Wynonah Buot Binibini 31, Jehza Huelar Binibini 32, Eva Patalinjug Binibini 35, Sandra Lemonon Binibini 38, Karen Gallman Gray dominated the special awards as she was awarded Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimwear, Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume, Jag Denim Queen and Miss Ever Bilena. Gumabao was awarded Binibining Cream Silk, while Patalinjug was named Face of Binibini. Orais was awarded Binibining Philippine Airlines, while Bernardo was voted Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Award winner. Semifinalist Shane Tormes was awarded Binibining Friendship and Binibining Best in Talent. Caption: New Binibining Pilipinas Queens crowned, from left to right: Samantha Bernardo, second runner up; Michele Gumabao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe; Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International; Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines; Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas International; Jehza Mae Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational; Karen Gallman, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental; and Vickie Rushton, first runner up. Photo from Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.

Kritsada Kongsrichai Embraces Being Different as He Breaks Out from Typical Thai Martial Arts Mold

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Unlike the other Thai combatants on the burgeoning world-class roster of ONE Championship, Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai was cut from a different cloth.

While the rest came from striking backgrounds, most prominently Muay Thai, the 26-year-old native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand has an extensive background as a wrestler.

Kongsrichai is a 13-time Thai wrestling champion who proudly owns an impressive 180-20 record in competition.

“I started out as a wrestler. Unlike some of the other Thai fighters in the sport or in this organization, I didn’t come from a Muay Thai background. It’s quite unusual, but as years passed by, I learned how to embrace it. I realized there are instances that it’s good to be different,” he explained.

Now as a professional mixed martial artist, his approach on his quest of reaching the sport’s summit will not be different as he always finds positives in any situation.

As a dedicated competitor with tons of confidence and humility, Kongsrichai always looks forward on improving and reinventing himself in the constantly-evolving sport of mixed martial arts.

Kongsrichai’s pursuit to prove that he belongs to the ONE Championship cage continues on 24 March in front of his countrymen as he squares off with a young and tough Filipino foe like Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan.

Both men are slated to lock horns on the undercard of ONE: IRON WILL, which takes place at the 12,000-seater Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Carrying a professional win-loss standing of 6-3 into his three-round strawweight encounter with Catalan, Kongsrichai stills sees a lot of work that needs to be done after winning two of his assignments in 2017.

Following his submission loss to former world title contender Joshua Pacio in August 2016, Kongsrichai redeemed himself by defeating Indonesian dynamo Adrian Matheis via rear-naked choke in the first round a year ago.

Nine months later, Kongsrichai made quick work of Robin’s brother Rabin Catalan by way of first-round technical knockout.

Although he aced his last two outings under the ONE Championship banner, Kongsrichai refuses to be complacent as he takes every match in his budding career as a lesson that will strengthen him as a martial artist.

"I'm a very positive person. I take each win and loss as a lesson to learn and to develop. We always go back to the drawing board to review and maximize everything that we can get from my previous fights. The best part of it is that I'm improving everyday," Kongsrichai said. “I’m looking forward to have a successful 2018.”

Under the tutelage of coaches Tommy Hayden and Ponlawat Maki along with the whole Thailand-headquartered Team Hunter crew, Kongsrichai is in deep training on upgrading his arsenal for his upcoming meeting with Catalan.

Kongsrichai did not mince words about his excitement on showcasing the reinvented version of himself on 24 March.

"They'll be seeing a different fighting beast on March 24th. I'm very excited on showing the upgraded Kritsada. My team will do everything to help me reach my martial arts dreams," Kongsrichai stated.

With the aim to be a more versatile competitor inside the cage, Kongsrichai revealed that he and his team are very focused on honing his stand-up game to complement his grappling pedigree.

“I want to be a complete martial arts package. I've been fighting and training since seven years old. To reach my goals and fulfill my dreams in life, you need to sacrifice and learn everything to succeed," he revealed. "I'm sharpening everything. I'm putting my Muay Thai and wrestling skills to the next level."

Kongsrichai is fully satisfied with the turnout of his training camp for his return to the ONE Championship cage as he expects a win-hungry opponent in Catalan at ONE: IRON WILL.

Catalan is aiming to place himself back on the winning track after falling short against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke last December.

“He is a tough and hungry warrior. I know that he also wants to achieve his dreams in this sport, but on March 24, I will be the one to walk out as the winner. This will be a war, and I hope I can win this fight in front of my countrymen with another finish,” Kritsada cautioned.

Kongsrichai believes that a convincing win over Catalan will elevate him into the upper echelon of ONE Championship’s strawweight division.

"I have been dreaming of becoming a world champion since I was a kid, which was also the reason I got my moniker ‘Dream Man.’ Someday, I will be a champion. But my full focus is on my next opponent right now. A win in this fight will definitely improve my position in the division," he ended.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.​