Lenovo Opens Concept Store in Tacloban

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LENOVO FIRST OPENS CONCEPT STORE IN TACLOBAN. Leading PC and smart devices developer Lenovo recently opened its first concept store in Leyte as part of efforts to bring its services closer to customers in the region. Located in the second level of Robinsons Place Tacloban, the store features Lenovo’s ever-growing product portfolio of notebooks, laptops, and desktops, which can be designed and customized to cater to the different lifestyles and tech needs. This process is part of the company’s overall thrust to focus more on customers in its overall strategy to achieve growth by delivering excellent service solutions. In photo from left to right: Eddie Uy, Managing Director of Electrocomputer Data Systems, Katherine Uy, CFO of Electrocomputer Data Systems, and Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager.

Technology leader, Lenovo, has recently opened its newest concept store in Tacloban City, Leyte, as part of efforts to bolster presence in the Philippines. This is the company’s first concept store in the Eastern Visayas region.

Located in Robinsons Place Tacloban, the store features Lenovo’s ever-growing product portfolio of notebooks, laptops, and desktops, designed and customized to cater to the different lifestyles and tech needs of various market segments.

“Lenovo position as a global leader is not just because of our innovative products, but because of our efforts in making them more visible and accessible to the public, especially in key cities with a bustling local economy such as Tacloban. Through our concept stores, which we plan to expand all over the country, customers can have a unique first-hand experience of our products and at the same time discover what suits their lifestyle and needs through the advice of our professional staff,” said Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan.

With the unique, face-to-face experience that customers can get from visiting the concept store, Lenovo gains crucial insight about its customers, which enables it to develop the best customized solutions to meet market requirements. This process is part of the company’s thrust to focus more on customers in its overall strategy on achieving growth by delivering excellent service solutions.

This strategy has helped position Lenovo as a worldwide leader in terms of PC and smart devices sales. Between the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2017-2018 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2018-2019, the company experienced double-digit growth and improved profitability as its revenue reached $11.91 billion, a 19-percent year-on-year growth. These figures earned Lenovo the number one spot in PC shipments by Gartner.

Further growth is expected with Lenovo’s new and upcoming offerings. Customers in Tacloban can expect some of the recent additions like the IdeaPad 330, 330S, and 530S, the three powerful yet budget-friendly PC devices that run on Windows 10. Avid gamers can also expect to get their hands on the new Legion Y530.

”We’ll continue to develop more innovative products in the years to come. Hopefully with the help of our concept stores, we can introduce them to our customers in a simple, flexible approach. We know that in the Philippines, actual hands-on experience with devices is an important part of the buying decision. Through our concept stores, customers are given a unique and personalized experience that puts their needs first,” Ngan said.

There are currently 19 Lenovo Concept Stores serving clients in key cities across the nation. Lenovo Concept Store Tacloban is located at the second level of Robinsons Place Tacloban. It is open daily during mall hours from 10:00AM to 9:00PM.

UST Holds Sampung Sulyap Film Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The University of Santo Tomas recently conducted a film workshop for the participating production teams of Sampung Sulyap 2019 and other aspiring filmmakers from the Thomasian community at the UST Tan Yan Kee Student Center.

Becarios de Santo Tomas, an organization of UST scholars, co-organized the workshop with the Thomasian Film Society, the university’s premiere film organization. The scholars’ group also hosts the annual Sampung Sulyap short film festival featuring ten inspiring Thomasian stories.

Award-winning filmmaker Mikhail Red shared his experiences in directing. He helmed the full-length films Birdshot, Best Film in the Asian Future section in Tokyo and official Philippine entry to the 90th Academy Awards; Rekorder, Best Director winner in Vancouver; and the critically-acclaimed Neomanila for last year’s QCinema International Film Festival, He recently wrapped up production for Eerie and is now working on Block Z, both for Star Cinema. 

Advocacy filmmaker and film educator Seymour Sanchez discussed scriptwriting and other aspects of pre-production. Sanchez, a product of the 14th Ricky Lee scriptwriting workshop, won the grand prize in the screenplay category of the 59th Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature and second prize for Caretaker in the sixth CAM International Festival for Short Films in Egypt.

Johmar Damiles, director of photography and co-writer of the award-winning short film Heist School, talked about cinematography. A video producer at Pixelens Creative Solutions, he previously served as videographer of TomasinoWeb and Vice President for Productions of TFS.

Sampung Sulyap aims to highlight the creativity of Thomasians in filmmaking and production as well as to motivate people from all walks of life with films focused on the theme Sampung Tomasino, Sampung Natatanging Kwento ng Prinsipyo.

The short films will be produced by local and university-wide student organizations and will be featured in a week-long event at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex auditorium next year. An awards night will also be held to recognize the exemplary talents showcased in the films. 

AMBERLab: The First Blockchain Research Lab in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Blockchain continue to become a very promosing technology as more and more businesses embrace it. But still, there are many who are not yet in full acceptance due to vague areas. There arecstill many questions surrounding the technology similar to how new technologies were initially introduced to the world. Hesitations are quite normal since there are very few reliable local sources providing enough information to answer the inquiries.

Pioneering the establishment of a Philippine university-based education and research laboratory dedicated to blockchain technology, AMBERLab (Ateneo-MedixServe Blockchain Education and Research Laboratory) promises to be a hub for collaboration among other stakeholders focused on the study of this new wave in technology.

An incubation center "where we can help fund, build and launch their products globally" could be very promising as highly beneficial for all industries who want to tap the said technology in leveraging their business.

"On top of the research objectives, AMBER Lab will provide education programs and events. The facility also serves as an incubation center for blockchain-based startups."

The vision of both educational institution Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) and healthtech startup mediXserve is to maximize ICT, highlighting on blockchain, for nation building. The dynamic environment that will result from this will definitely be highly beneficial for the country.

"By founding AMBERLab, the potentials of blockchain in leveraging the delivery of affordable healthcare services will be more carefully examined and studied."

The blockchain technology will "eliminate layers of transactions that will also lower cost of service delivery. This means that they will be able to do more and serve more.

At the grand launch, we were shown their humble shared office at the 2nd floor of the PLDT-CTC building located inside ADMU in Katipunan, Quezon City.

NEM, a global peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and blockchain platform, was also at the launch and expressed their full support towards the effort to promote blockchain in the scientific and academe community by encouraging research efforts and development of courseware. 

The ceremonial chaining ceremony le

We have a video coverage of the launch featuring the talks of Dr. Maria Luz Viches, VP for Loyola Schools; Jojy Azurin, Founder and CEO of mediXserve; Regina Estuar, Director of AMBERLab; and Emerson Fonseca, Country Head of NEM. Please watch them at our Facebook page http://www.Facebook.com/WazzupPilipinas

For more information, below is the official press release from the event.

Ateneo de Manila University Launches First PH Blockchain Research Lab


Healthtech startup MediXserve together with Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) had launched the first university-based blockchain education and research laboratory in the Philippines last October 22 at university’s CTC Building.

The Ateneo-MedixServe Blockchain Education and Research Laboratory or AMBERLab will serve as a think tank and advanced research center that examines blockchain technology for developing countries and initiatives of the private sector. It encompasses health-tech, fintech, edutech, AI, data analytics and all other industries.

AMBERLab will design and build prototypes, develop training programs, curricula, and create a dynamic environment where researchers/scientists, entrepreneurs, academics, students, faculty, supporters and industry experts can come together and share knowledge as well as best practices in technology, health, finance and insurance, government, economics and even social enterprises.

It also welcomes research proposals and funds to promote the use of blockchain technology.

“Our motivation in establishing this research laboratory is that blockchain supports our vision in maximizing ICT for nation building. Most of the current services do not reach the underserved. And if it does, the cost is too high for an ordinary Filipino to receive its full benefits. To transform ICT solutions into blockchain technology, we eliminate layers of transactions, which mean lower cost of service delivery. This means that we are able to do more and serve more,” Dr. Regina Estuar, Head of AMBERLab said.

MediXserve leads the mission of bringing affordable healthcare to everyone especially in developing countries and within reach by providing a blockchain powered health care platform. By founding AMBER Lab, the potentials of blockchain in leveraging the delivery of affordable healthcare services will be more carefully examined and studied.

“Blockchain is such a raw technology that companies require people, money and resource to go into research and development. 'It takes a village' to make meaningful R&D results. MediXserve now has access to a large set of scientific and academic community to work on innovative products,” Mr. Jojy Azurin, MediXserve founder said.

On top of the research objectives, AMBER Lab will provide education programs and events. The facility also serves as an incubation center for blockchain-based startups.

"We also welcome start-ups with innovative ideas and technology on Blockchain to collaborate with us as we also have an incubation center in AMBERLab, where we can help fund, build and launch their products globally," Jason dela Rosa, co-founder of Medixserve explained.

MediXserve uses the latest IBM Hyperledger Fabric technology to create a permission-based distributed ledger. This new technology allows for easy, frictionless yet enterprise-grade solutions for industries that need to comply with data protection regulations.

NEM, a global peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and blockchain platform, fully supports the effort to promote blockchain in the scientific and academe community by encouraging research efforts and development of courseware.

“With Blockchain coming in as a major technology wave, AMBERLab is poised to be a major participant in the local efforts and we would like to offer our assistance by funding such project just like what the NEM foundation did in Malaysia,” Emerson Fonseca, NEM Philippines Head shared.

StarTech Digital Marketing: Making Your Business Look Great Online

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We all know that Digital Marketing is a great part of a business or company especially if you are just starting up. A Company based in Corpus Christi, Texas -- StarTech Digital Marketing opened its doors recently to provide exceptional services when it comes to SEO, Social Media, Digital Marketing and many more.

They believe in being accountable for their work. They run regular reports and rankings as well as showing measurable results and improvements. Having the ability each month to see the results alongside the activities they performed, allows the business to calculate their return on investment (ROI). This, in turn, provides peace of mind since they can be assured of, and that their marketing money is being invested wisely and making a difference.

StarTech Digital Marketing pursues relationships based on transparency, persistence, mutual trust, and integrity with their employees, customers and other business partners.

Learn more about them today! Visit their website:https://startechdigitalmarketing.com/

Like their Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/StarTechDigitalMarketing/

Follow their Twitter:

https://twitter.com/DigitalStartech

Follow their LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/startech-digital-marketing/

JPP's Elite in the City Runway Show

Wazzup Pilipinas!

JPP Dreamworld Productions in partnership with Hollywood Weekly Magazine presents “JPP’s Elite in the City Runway Show” last October 6, 2018 at Century City Mall Function Hall. Ms. Joyce Penas Pilarsky showcased her Bridal collections along with the first Philippines Elite Awardees who sashayed down the runway in their 50’s inspired outfit.

JPP Dreamworld Productions introduced their models who enrolled at their Models Bootcamp which was designed for emerging models, freelance models and seasoned models who wanted to take the next step and stay an active career in the modeling world.

Another highlight of the show was the first Philippines Elite Awards - recognizing and honoring  the successful and ground-breaking individuals who have an outstanding contribution and made an impact in our country. JPP Dreamworld Productions created this prestigious award-giving body as a sign of gratitude and to celebrate elite personalities of the Philippines. Some of the awardees were: Ms. Joe Acebedo (Woman of Innovation), Councilor Miles Antipuesto (Philanthropist of the Year), Ms. Rose Basa (Woman of Elegance), Dra. Risa Caldoza (Social Media Influencer of the Year), Ms. Marilyn de Mesa (Most Inspiring Business Woman), Ms. Kitty Doll (Fashion Paragon of the Year), Ms. Nanette de lara Feliciano (Woman of Grandeur), Ms. Connie Lam (Social Awareness Award), Ms. Rose Santiago Licup (Fashion Trendsetter of the Year), Ms. Avon Morales (Millennial Model of the Year), Ms. Reliberth Omido (Woman of Hope), Ms. Marge Palacios (Businesswoman of the Year), Ms. Myla Villagonzalo Tsutaichi (Cultural and Artistic Excellence Award), Ms. Cecile Twitt (Woman of Pillar of Strength), Ms. Anna Villegas (Young Achiever of the Year) and Ms. Michelle Vitug Encarnacion (Health and Wellness Proponent of the Year).

Fashionista's and industry professionals were spotted at the event. Also present during the fashion show were Amb. Rolando Guevarra of Panama, Amb. Benzch Jozhet of Hungary, Amb. Hatald Fries of Sweden, Amb. Izumikawa of Japan, Amb. Victor and Connie Garcia, Gov. Josie and John Ang. Hollywood Actor and International Model Ryan Colton was also present during the event.

Part of the proceeds of the event is for Gintong Palad Foundation and Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres, Inc. The event was hosted by Ms. Sammie Anne Legaspi and Day Dyangco, organized by JPP Dreamworld Productions headed by Mr. Bench Bello.

60th Annual National Convention for Junior Members and Teacher-Advisers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This is 60 Years of Service to God and Nation. This is CMLI.

Hark to its call o youth!

In line with this, the CMLI Junior Council – National Executive Board (JC-NEB) 2018 Batch Salinlahi are calling on Junior and Senior High School students from both public and private schools to take part in this five-day convention composed of  competitions for excellence and entertainment, workshops, team building activities, symposia, and the organization’s trademark commission discussions.

The CMLI JC-NEB invites you to the 60th Annual National Convention for Junior Members and Teacher-Advisers with the theme, "60 Years of Service to God and Nation: Strengthening the Filipino Youth to Foster Social Transparency towards Sustainable Development."

Be part of the Diamond convention on November 15 to November 19, 2018 at the Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City!

The event will have a registration fee of ₱6,750.00 per delegate. This is inclusive of meals, board and lodging, conference kit/materials, and other training expenses. Transportation to and from the convention venue is for the participant’s own account.  Students may view the registration package at tinyurl.com/60thAnnualCon2018 and pre-register at tinyurl.com/AnnualCon2018PreReg

Make sure to keep yourself posted!

Follow us on Twitter: @CMLIjcneb
Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/CMLIofficial

For any inquiries or concerns, please contact Angel Faith L. Lucas, Assistant Secretary (0947-518-6020) or Luis Manuel A. Lim, Councilor (0999-889-4921).

Be part of history. See you soon, delegates!

DOE’s ENEReady Goes to Visayas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES: The Department of Energy presented the gender-neutral careers in the energy sector to 180 students from Lourdes National High School in Panglao, Bohol.

Secretary Alfonso Cusi of the Department of Energy (DOE) believes women can chart successful careers in the energy sector. 

With this thrust, the DOE gathered the students of the Lourdes National High School in the scenic island of Panglao, Bohol last October 16 for its ENEReady Program. 180 grades 7 to 10 students participated with 41 members of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines leading the pack.

The DOE team, composed of young geologists, petroleum and electrical engineers, introduced the challenging and exciting jobs in the energy sector. The resource persons shared their experiences in the field and the practical lessons which emanated from their wise choice of college courses. They explained their responsibilities in the upstream (exploration, drilling, extraction, and production) to downstream (transmission, distribution, and utilization) energy sector activities. 

The DOE found the students very receptive and eager to learn about the relatively high-paying job opportunities that may await them in the energy sector. They include the technical jobs available in onshore and offshore areas, on top of the more common occupations in energy development. 

ENEReady is a continuing effort of the DOE under Sec. Cusi which now reached around 2,500 students after the Panglao visit. Last September, the program was brought to Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School in Cebu. The program is spearheaded by the DOE Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office (CWPO). 

OTHER PHOTOS:

GENDER EQUALITY: Helen B. Arias, Division Chief of the Department of Energy (DOE) Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office, encourages students of Lourdes National High School to pursue science, engineering and technology courses in the ENEReady program held in Bohol last October 16.

FUTURE GEOLOGISTS: Geothermal expert Jose Miguel Paras impresses on students of the Lourdes National High School in Panglao, Bohol the career possibilities in the geothermal sector where the Philippines is the third largest producer in the world. 

EMPOWERED: Lourdes National High OIC Benigno Clarabal (center) awards Certificates of Recognition to the resource speakers of the Department of Energy’s ENEReady Program. 

The DOE speakers are (from left) petroleum specialist Engr. Dan Emmanuel M. Montealegre, hydro energy expert Raymond L. Samson, consumer welfare chief 

Helen B. Arias, Visayas Field Office electric power expert Engr. Keelvin Ed D. Dajao, senior science researcher Christian Joyce T. Cuy, geothermal expert Jose Miguel P. Paras and Engr. Martha Isabel S. Dealino of Meralco’s operations technology group.

Sekswalidad, Karapatan Tampok sa Pink Filmfest 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Matapos ang tatlong taon, aariba na sa ilang mga sinehan ang Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (QCIPFF) 2018 sa darating na Nobyembre 14-25.

Tumutugon ang filmfest sa ordinansang ibinaba ng Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Quezon na naglalayong protektahan ang mga karapatang pantao ng LGBTQ+ community. Sa mga pelikulang ipapalabas, tinatalakay ang iba’t ibang naratibo hinggil sa lesbians, gays, bisexuals, at transgenders. Hanggang sa ngayon, nangunguna ang Pink Filmfest sa pagsusulong ng mga adbokasiyang kapaki-pakinabang para sa kasapi ng LGBTQ+ community.

Kasabay sa pagdaraos ng film festival ang pag-alala sa ika-79 taong pagkakatatag ng Lungsod Quezon. Ginugunita rin ang ika-100 taon ng pelikulang Pilipino.

Mas pinalaki at pinalawak ang mga pelikulang lahok sa taong ito. May kabuuang 64 na mga pelikulang mula sa Pilipinas at mga bansang Estados Unidos, Brazil, Indonesia, Tonga, Espanya, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Syria, Turkey, at United Kingdom ang ipalalabas.

Tampok sa pinakamatagal nang film festival para sa LGBTQ+ community ang mga pelikulang ukol sa sekswalidad at kalusugan. Magsasagawa rin ng mga seminar na pangungunahan ng mga grupong nagsusulong ng karapatang pantao.

Bubuksan ng dokumentaryong “50 Years of Fabulous” ni Jethro Patalinghug ang telon ng filmfest. Tinatalakay nito ang kuwento ng pinaka-unang LGBTQ+ charity organization sa buong mundo, ang Imperial Council ng San Francisco.

Mapapanood sa international lineup ang “Liquid Truth” mula sa Brazil, “Boys for Sale” ng Japan, “Mr. Gay Syria” ng Turkey, “Leitis in Waiting” ng Tonga, at “The Driver” ng Thailand.

Itinatampok ng Philippine lineup ang buhay at mga ambag ni Soxie Topacio, tanyag na direktor at dating pangulo ng Quezon City Pride Council. Ipalalabas sa filmfest ang kaniyang pelikulang “Ded na si Lolo.”

Kasama rin sa Philippine lineup ang dokumentaryong “Call Her ‘Ganda’” ni PJ Raval tungkol sa pinaslang na si Jennifer Laude. Sa kabuuan, 42 mga short films mula sa Pilipinas at sa mga nabanggit na bansa ang mapapanood sa Pink filmfest.

Mapapanood ang mga pelikulang tampok sa Pink filmfest sa Gateway Cinema Complex Cubao sa Nobyembre 19-21, University of the Philippines Cine Adarna sa Nobyembre 22-25, at Cinema Centenario sa Nobyembre 22-25. ###

Davao Load Retailer Wins Smart Ka-Partner P1M Prize

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Making the move from Manila to Davao City has been worth it for this load retailer, who has won P1 million courtesy of PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications.

The load retailer and variety (sari-sari) store owner, who began selling Smart load just less than five years ago, won the grand prize at the Smart Ka-Partner retailers’ convention at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.

The latest Ka-Partner millionaire is a 65-year-old mother of two, who plans to use her winnings to pay off their house loan and help her children with their family expenses. Born and raised in Manila, she and her family moved to Davao City in the early 2000s to pursue business opportunities and a better life.

“With this amount, I can help my children with their finances. I pray the Lord will grant me a long life, so I can continue providing for them,” she said.

The annual retailers’ convention is Smart’s way of giving back to its load retailers, whose sales account for a significant share of the company’s prepaid revenues.

More than 2,000 Smart load retailers or “Ka-Partners” from all over Mindanao attended the gathering, which featured entertainment, games, and raffle prizes. Apart from P1 million, other prizes were also raffled off to the lucky attendees, such as cash, mobile phones and other gadgets, a brand-new motorcycle, and other exciting prizes.

The participants were able to join the raffle just by selling load credits, which were automatically converted to raffle entries.

The convention is part of Smart’s Ka-Partner rewards program, which gives incentives to the company’s load sellers to help them grow their businesses and enhance their livelihood, while enabling communities to stay connected.

The theme of this year’s retailer convention is “Bilis Asenso sa LTE,” as more and more load retailers are seeing increases in their earnings with the improved customer mobile experience because of Smart’s fast LTE network.

Smart Ka-Partner retailers are usually found at our neighborhood sari-sari or grocery store. Sometimes, they can also be our friend or relative from whom we can buy load, wherever they may be.

Smart hosted five retailer conventions in various locations across the country this year. Each assembly had its own set of raffle winners, including one recipient each of the P1 million grand prize.


Photo caption:

Actor Carlo Aquino serenades a Smart Ka-Partner retailer onstage, to the delight of the audience at the Smart Ka-Partner retailers convention in Davao City.

AIESEC of UPLB Holds Global Village 2018: Wander and Wonder

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AIESEC is an international, not-for-profit, youth-run organization managed by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. The organization is recognized by the United Nations and similar agencies. AIESEC places its confidence in the youth and help them become global-minded leaders that spread positive social impact and help solve the challenges we face in our society today.

This October 18, 2018, the AIESEC in University of the Philippines Los Baños held its 4th Global Village with the theme: Global Village 2018 “Wander and Wonder” at Carabao Park (C-Park) from 7-9 PM. It was a festive event with country booths, interactive activities, free food, and other freebies. The event aimed to promote cross-cultural interaction and understanding in the UPLB community and beyond. 

Six countries were featured in this year’s installment of Global Village. Cultural background, replicas of famous landmarks and exchange opportunities from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Brazil, and Italy were showcased along with caravan-inspired booths. Delegates were immersed in fun activities and exchange opportunities that are linked to a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

This event is sponsored by their Gold Partners which include Leslie’s Corporation and Café Tribu LB. Other event partners include Equivox Pro Lights and Sounds, Mizpeh Korean Café and Restaurant, Da Fernando and media partners: Rappler and Wazzup Pilipinas.

For more information visit our official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AIESECinUPLB or follow us on our Twitter account @AIESEC_UPLB.