CONQuest 2023 is bringing the biggest local and international creators together for an unforgettable weekend in Manila

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CONQuest Festival 2023, AcadArena’s award-winning gaming and pop culture convention slated for June 2-4, is gearing up to be bigger and bolder than its previous iterations in all ways possible.

CONQuest 2023 presented by Globe expands on last year’s SMX Convention Center venue to include the adjacent Seashell Lane, Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia (MoA), and National University MoA (NU MoA). The multi-venue setup will host a variety of events such as the Alliance Games in partnership with NU Laguna and NU MoA. This weekend event will feature over 70 local and international guests celebrating gaming, tech, music, pop culture, and everything in between.

Headlining the CONQuest 2023 guest roster are Valkyrae, Pokimane, Sykkuno, South Korean rock indie band The Rose, and Filipino singer-actor James Reid. Other notable internet personalities include Fuslie, Michael Reeves and LilyPichu, and anime content creators JoeyTheAnimeMan and AkiDearest.

"We always joked about eventually growing CONQuest in Iloilo to the point we'd get to Manila and have international guests," said CONQuest founder and AcadArena Chief Growth Officer Justin Banusing. "We even had OfflineTV as an April Fools’ joke. But thanks to the community’s undying passion, our dreams are coming true."

CONQuest 2023 also brings musical acts into the fray for the first time with the introduction of Music Night. Joining The Rose and James Reid are local stars Carousel Casualties, Oh Flamingo!, and Autotelic, as well as international DJs James Landino and Hyper Potions.

A number of warmly-received guests from last year’s CONQuest are also set for a return. This includes Genshin Impact voice actresses Anne Yatco and Ratana, Vtuber Bao, and content creators Atsu and BTMC.

The allure of worldwide attention has also enticed some of the biggest brands to support CONQuest, who extends its gratitude to Presenting Partner Globe, as well as Platinum Partners Riot Games, Predator Gaming, and Blockchain Space. Joining the roster are Gold Sponsors composed of Lazada, Grab Philippines, Jollibee, Kumu, Coin98, coins.ph, SVGA, NU Laguna, UniPin, and Tier One Entertainment.





About AcadArena

AcadArena is a company guided by its mission of building communities and creating everyday heroes through the power of technology, gaming and storytelling. On top of running CONQuest, one of the largest pop culture conventions in Southeast Asia, AcadArena has supported over 250 student clubs and 1,100 scholars all over the Philippines and Brazil and brought the first academic esports laboratory to life.

SSS encourages informal sector workers in Bulacan to get social security coverage

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The Social Security System (SSS) recently urged informal sector workers in a community in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, to become self-employed members of the SSS.

The SSS promoted the value of social security coverage to the residents of Villa Española in the said city, a community that consists primarily of informal sector self-employed workers, after receiving a request from Villa Española Homeowners Association Inc. President Josephine Lusabia.


SSS Professional Sector Department Head Carlo C. Villacorta conducted a seminar on SSS programs for self-employed workers as well as the online and onsite services provided by SSS which was attended by more than 150 participants.


During the event, Villacorta discussed the importance of informal sector workers registering as self-employed members of SSS and paying their monthly contributions regularly. He also talked about the amount of benefits and loans that they may avail of from SSS. “Kaya para sa protekyon ng mga self-employed workers, mangyari po sana na kayo ay magparehistro sa SSS bilang self-employed members at magbayad ng karampatang kontribusyon. Kung sakali na kayo ay maaksidente o di kaya’y magkasakit at ito ay work related, mayroon kayong karagdagang benepisyo na maaaring makuha mula sa Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program,” he added. Moreover, Villacorta explained the importance of learning how to navigate the My.SSS Portal for a more convenient way of transacting with SSS. “Humihingi kami sa inyo ng kaunting puhunan sa oras, tiyaga, at pasensya upang unawain kung paano gamitin ang mga online platforms ng SSS para sa pinakamadaling pakikipagtransakyon sa SSS,” he continued.

He concluded the activity by urging members and officers of the homeowners association to share with their friends and relatives what they have learned about the programs offered by SSS to self-employed individuals.

Traveling around Australia by Car: Do's and Don'ts for First-Timers

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No matter where you come from, all travelers can find a multitude of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and adventure activities in the huge and diverse nation of Australia. Australia offers something for everyone, from the breathtaking beaches of the east coast to the untamed outback. A road trip is a great opportunity for first-time visitors to Australia to discover the natural beauty and distinctive cultural experiences of this place. Traveling by car enables tourists to plan their schedule and discover Australia's hidden treasures that might not be reachable by public transit, as there is so much to see and do there. To guarantee a safe and pleasurable vacation, it is important to be aware of the dos and don'ts before leaving on the road.

 
Plan your trip in advance

Careful planning is necessary while taking a road trip to Australia, especially if you’re going to a distant location. Check the weather forecast, plan adequate time to visit each destination, and do some research on your itinerary. Plan where you will eat, sleep, and recharge your vehicle as well. In Australia, there are several free campgrounds and caravan sites, but during the summer months, they can get very busy. To guarantee a place, think about making a reservation in advance or showing up there early.

 
Drive on the left

If you’re from a nation where driving is done on the right, you’ll need to become used to the new traffic laws because Australians drive on the left. Before you take the road, practice in a peaceful place and make sure to always abide by the posted speed limit. Having a GPS or map to find your way around can be useful. The majority of rental cars have GPS systems, but if you'd rather use your smartphone, download offline maps before your trip to save money on data usage.

 
Hire a suitable car

The landscape of Australia is very diverse, ranging from rough bush treks to winding coastal roadways. Therefore, you need to hire a vehicle that’s appropriate for your schedule and level of driving. Consider renting a four-wheel drive car if you intend to go off-road. There are several rental car businesses in Australia, so it's worthwhile to compare prices. Keep in mind that some rental car agencies may impose additional fees for drivers under the age of 25 or for additional drivers. However, if you decide to drive your own car, you need to make sure that it’s ready for harsh conditions. This is why you should always dedicate some time to car inspection in Sydney that will help you determine whether your car is suitable for the Australian terrain or not.

 
Don’t drive tired or under the influence

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in Australia. Driving while fatigued is equally risky, so take regular rests and, if feasible, switch drivers. On Australian roads, fatigue is a major contributing factor to accidents, particularly in isolated locations where there may be long stretches between towns. Plan your itinerary to include many rest stops, and try to avoid driving at night if you can.

 
Don’t speed or drive recklessly

Australia's roads can be hazardous, particularly in outlying regions. Always drive safely and below the posted speed limit, especially when on dirt roads or during inclement weather. Also, it's crucial to make sure you and your passengers always buckle up. Don’t use your phone and try not to eat while driving to limit distractions. Keep in mind that on most highways, road trains - large vehicles used to move commodities across the nation - have the right of way, so leave plenty of room for them.

 
Don’t ignore the weather warnings

The weather in Australia can be erratic, and severe weather events can happen suddenly. Check the weather forecast and any advisories for your route before starting a road trip. In the event of severe weather, such as floods or bushfires, take the advice of local authorities and stay off the roads as long as necessary. Also, it's critical to have an emergency plan in place, such as having a satellite phone or an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).

A road trip in Australia is a wonderful way to see this stunning continent, but it needs to be carefully thought out and prepared for. You may guarantee a risk-free and enjoyable trip by adhering to these dos and don'ts. Some of the other things you have to do include packing enough clothes for your trip, but not too much, as well as trying to be environmentally conscious. On the other hand, in addition to avoiding the things mentioned here, you should also avoid driving all day and all night long, and you shouldn’t disrespect local customs and culture. You can make the most of everything Australia has to offer on your first road trip there if you keep these suggestions in mind.