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Jimbo Gulle, Editor
Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs
mslocalgov@gmail.com
GIANT LAPU-LAPU SPAWNERS FREED INTO SARANGANI BAY M AASIM, Sarangani— Sarangani Bay is now the home of five king grouper spawners donated by Finfish Hatcheries Inc., the largest commercial fishing hatchery in the Philippines.
Locally known as “lapu-lapu” or “kugtong,” the giant groupers were released into Sarangani Bay from the jetty of the Sarangani Energy Corp's 210-megawatt power plant during the province’s Ocean Month Celebration recently to help replenish the grouper population in the area. According to Genia Genosa, production superintendent for the Sarangani-based Finfish Hatcheries—the first fry hatchery in the Philippines—a giant lapu-lapu’s weight can range from 80 kilograms to more than 100 kilograms. One giant grouper can spawn as much as 20 percent of its own body weight in eggs, with a spawning grouper able to lay between 16
kilograms to more than 20 kilograms of egg per cycle. Each kilo of a giant grouper egg can carry as many as 1.2 million fish fry. “The reason why they lay so many eggs is because the mortality [rate] of their fry is only around 5 percent. With proper monitoring and supervision, the giant groupers we released can help repopulate Sarangani Bay with groupers,” Genosa said. A major concern is to ensure the survival of the giant spawners and to keep them safe from fishermen, but Maasim Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr. gave his assurance that the local government will help through constant monitoring and feeding. According to Mayor Lopez, SEC’s jetty area is part of the 216,000-hectare protected portion of Sarangani Bay, which is why catching them and other marine species in the covered area would be considered illegal. Declared as a “protected seascape” under Presidential Proclamation 756, Sarangani Bay is also home to a variety of commercially viable fish species such as milkfish fry or “bangus.” “We will ask the Bureau of Fisheries and
Local Gov’t Units
Aquatic Resources to keep an eye on the giant groupers and help us make sure that they are safe,” Lopez reiterated. The 805th Squadron of the Phil. Coast Guard Auxiliary stationed near the jetty also vowed to watch out for enterprising fishermen who might be tempted to catch one of the giant groupers. Former Sarangani governor and Alsons Aquaculture vice presdient for operations Miguel Dominguez said that this is the first time that a private company is reseeding a marine protected area with breeders to ensure continued fish production. “We have been restocking Sarangani Bay with milkfish but we decided to take it a step further by putting breeders back in the wild where they belong. Not only will it help in the sustainability of the bay, but hopefully the giant groupers will also become a big tourist attraction for Maasim. Divers can swim with these giant creatures since they are friendly,” Dominguez added. During the event, Alsons Power corporate affairs manager Ruben Tungpalan reiterated SEC’s commitment to protect and preserve Sarangani Bay.
REGIONAL PLUM FOR BEE FARM OF BOHOL A HOTEL resort and food production company engaged in organic food production and eco-tourism services in Panglao Island, Bohol, was chosen as the 2017 Best Setup Adoptor (regional level) during the Regional Science and Technology Week held at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City recently. A partner-beneficiary of the Department of Science and Technology 7, Bohol Bee farm, at the same time, awarded as one of the top 5 finalists for National Best Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Adoptor in the country. Owned by the Victoria Sandidge, the Bohol Bee Farm is a beneficiary of the DoST 7 funding and technical assistance to boost the productivity and profitability of its organic food business. Her products include organic ice cream, spread, bread and other products whose ingredients are mostly sourced from within the farm of the eco-tourist resort. As a partner-beneficiary of the DoST 7 under Setup, her business was able to avail of funding assistance for the acquisition of a brand new ice cream machine that enables it to increase its production from 40 gallons a day to an average of 250 gallons a day. The DoST also provided the Bohol Bee Farm technical support to raise the packaging and shelf-life quality of its products to excellent standards.
WITH GPS, SARANGANI EAGLE GOES HIGH-TECH Scan this icon to view the PDF One giant grouper, like this one carried into (inset) and released into Sarangani Bay, can spawn as much as 20 percent of its own body weight in eggs, with a spawning grouper able to lay between 16 kilograms to more than 20 kilograms of eggs per cycle. Each kilo of a giant grouper egg can carry as many as 1.2 million fish fry.
BOHOL PLAYS HOST TO VINTAGE CAR RALLY ANEW VINTAGE car enthusiasts once again will have the chance not only to display their “treasured and well-loved vehicles” but likewise test its competitive conditions and endurance as the fourth edition of the racing event unfolds in October this year once again in Bohol province. Inspired by Italy’s Mille Miglia rally—which gives emphasis on time accuracy over speed—better known as a Time-Speed-Distance rally, more than 50 participants are expected to join that would include international drivers from Hong Kong and Singapore Tour de Cebu, the country’s only 1,000-kilometer rally for vintage cars—that traverses across the Visayan regions and runs mostly along scenic and historic routes— returns to the province of Bohol on
The Tour de Cebu will visit Bohol and travel its roads again on Oct. 22.
Oct. 22. Dubbed as “Touristic” Rally Across the Visayas, participants will be comprised of motor vehicles with year models 1972 or older. Presented by the Performance
and Classic Enthusiasts of Cebu and the Manila Sports Car Club, the annual motoring event will be participated in by well-known and distinguished local vintage car owners such as CNN Philippines’
automotive journalist James Deakin, world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, and business tycoons Michael Lhuillier, Darren Deen, Cebu congressman Red Duran, and hotelier Grand Benedicto. Last year’s edition kicked off in Cebu City and made its way to Tubigon, Bohol onboard a roll-on, roll-off boat. Thirtythree vintage cars made its way through the scenic route of Bohol’s landscape and capped each end of the Bohol route at the triple A luxury resort Be Grand Resort in Panglao Island. First-time and youngest participant, Martin Aguilar, took home the trophy as the champion for the 3rd Tour de Cebu.
‘SWEET AVALANCHE’ AND SPICE GIRL ON A farm tour at a pineapple farm in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, a young lady (left photo) picks her choice from a pile of big-size and sweet pineapples along the national road. Meanwhile, a farm girl (right photo) looks enthralled by the large-size native garlic harvested from their farm in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. Despite the abundant harvest, many farmers cry foul because they are battling “smuggled competition” beyond their control. Thus, farm tourism has been launched by the provincial government to entice local visitors. (Photos by Suzanne June G. Perante)
SARANGANI Pride, the Philippine Eagle rescued early this year in the wilderness of Maitum town, has been fitted with a high-tech transmitter to send global positioning system daily readings The device aims to make monitoring of the endangered bird more efficiently and effectively. Monitoring the bird’s location will help it mature and propagate in the wild, and rescue it when distressed. Once the transmitter units are replaced, the team can get as many as 20 GPS location readings per day as opposed to 1 reading with the current transmitter, and whose battery life can last up to a maximum of 10 years. The eagle was found on Jan. 2 within Mt. Busa complex, a key biodiversity area and habitat to critically endangered, threatened, vulnerable and rare bird species. The rescued eagle was brought to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao for rehabilitation before being released to the wild. Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation recently deployed a team to recapture and replace the battery-powered GPS satellite transmitter harnessed unto the eagle with a solar-powered GPS-GSM (global system for mobile communications) tracker. “The bird was so agile. It took days before the team finally planned for a solution,” says biologist Rowell Taraya who headed the team from the PEF and the Maitum municipal government. “Last July 9, Sarangani Pride was spotted being mobbed by a flock of crows. It was tough for the team to divert SP’s attention for he was preoccupied with the birds,” he said. The bird was released less than an hour in custody after retagging and physical checkup. According to Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian, there is a need to declare the place a protected watershed and wildlife area, citing reports from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office that the whole stretch of the Maitum and Kiamba forest can be declared a wildlife sanctuary.
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LGUs
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SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
LIVELIHOOD FROM TRADITIONAL ART By Ben Moses Ebreo
K
AYAPA, Nueva Vizcaya—Loom weaving in the province is being revived with the help of local as well as from national government agencies.
The artistic creation and subsequent mass production through loom weaving in this town is part of the cultural and traditional practices among the Igorot natives. Weaving was done by their ancestors and elders to produce blankets and their traditional clothing. The blankets were used for rituals, specifically for wrapping their dead kin and for the bones of their previously deceased loved ones. Woven blankets were also used as
warmers during the cold season, especially for their young, head gears and even a shawl or a wrap-around skirt. “Our present-day Igorots have long forgotten the art and skill of loom weaving, but for the aggressive efforts and support given by our local government unit, along with the national government agencies,” said Jessie Ayadi, president of the Kayapa Loom Weavers Association. Likewise, through women’s group
Abot Palad Foundation, trainings, financial assistance and equipment have been given to provide source of livelihood among APF members. In the past years, several members of the ATF such as the Igorot (people of the mountain) settlers’—composed of the Kalanguya, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Ikalahan, Iwak and Bontoc considered loom weaving as a vanishing art and industry, leaving the skills of the elders not handed down to the younger generation. “After the loom weaving industry waned in several barangays in our town after the death of our skilled elders, our fellow villagers have been forced to buy their traditional attire from Baguio City which costs higher, compared to what we were producing
then here,” Ayadi said. In 2009, a festival in the town called Owag Shi brought the staff of the Department of Trade and Industry in the municipality and offered their assistance on the revival of the loom weaving industry among Igorot women. “Because of the positive attitude and the enthusiastic support of local officials, a project concept was later prepared by our agency staff in collaboration with the existing women’s organization in the town,” said Ellerie Ramel, DTI information officer. Through a cost sharing scheme with the LGU of Kayapa, and the DTI, training was pursued which consists of the following phases: weaving, advanced weaving and application of designs
and trends incorporating the raw materials available in the community. Ramel also said experts from the Philippine Textile Research Institute were tapped to conduct the proposed trainings which was hosted by the municipality. Due to the lengthy distance between the barangays, some of the loom weaving equipment were already handed out to the villages where there are loom weaving members. “This scheme will enable them to weave after finishing their farming and other household chores,” Ramel said. The venture also resulted in the registration of 13 new entrepreneurs now actively engaged in the loom weaving industry.
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph
INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF 19 UNITS MOTOR VEHICLES (Re-Bid) Bid Ref. No. 2017-14A 1.
ThePhilippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply the sum ofSEVENTEEN MILLION ONEHUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS(P 17,100,000.00)through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2017 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF 19UNITS MOTOR VEHICLES. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected duringbid opening.
2.
The PDEA - BAC now invites bids for SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF 19 UNITS MOTOR VEHICLES.Delivery of the goods is 60calendar days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instructions to Bidders.
3.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.
4.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).
5.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on June 23, 2017 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of twentyfivethousand pesos (PhP25, 000.00). The Invitation to Bid may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov. ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.
6.
The PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on July 27, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at ODDGA Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City 1100 which shall be open to prospective bidders.
7.
Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before August 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on August 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at ODDGA Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Pinyahan, Quezon City 1100. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.
8.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat c/o Mr. Arvin E Sadulloat the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PMonly, Mondays to Fridays starting July 19, 2017, 2017at Tel No. (632)920-8082.However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.
9.
PDEA reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
10. For further information, please refer to: Mr. Arvin E Sadullo PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082 (Sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-JULY 23, 2017)
Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE InvItatIon to BId PRoCUREMEnt oF StRUCtUREd LoCaL aREa nEtWoRK (Lan) CaBLInG FoR SELECtEd REGIonaL oFFICE and HoSPItaLS IB no. 2017-206 1.
The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2017 intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Philippine Pesos (PhP15,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Structured Local Area Network (LAN) Cabling for Selected Regional Office and Hospitals under IB No. 2017-206. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.
2.
The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned project. Delivery of the Goods is required within the period specified under SECTION VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.
3.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.
4.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, Ground Floor, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
5.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 24 July – 14 August 2017 from the address above and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP25,000.00) It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.
6.
The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 31 July 2017, 10:00 AM at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be open to prospective bidders.
7.
Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat at the address below on or before 14 August 2017, 9:00 AM All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on 14 August 2017, 9:00 AM at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.
8.
The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
9.
For further information, please refer to: COBAC-B Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (Sgd.) MA. CAROLINA V. TAIÑO, CPA, MGM, CESO IV Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC – B Chairperson
(MS-JULY 23, 2017)
MOST CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY IN NCR. Muntinlupa City is the 2016 Most Child-Friendly Highly Urbanized City in the National Capital Region. The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children, an Inter-Agency Task Force, lauded Muntinlupa for its exemplary childcare services and conferred the city with the 2016 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance. Shown in the photo are (from left, first row) DILG Muntinlupa Director Bing Ferino, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Engineer Juan Jovian Ingeniero, Council for the Welfare of Children Deputy Executive Director lawyer Mari Joy Segui, City Administrator Allan Cachuela, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vincent Andrew Leyson.
SEAOIL AND CITYMALL VENTURE OPENS ON SCTEX SEAOIL, the leading and largest independent fuel company in the Philippines, and CityMall, the mall development arm of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. recently opened the Seaoil-CityMall SCTEX mega station. Located midway between Baguio and Manila, it is the perfect pit stop for motorists traveling from North Luzon destinations. The two-hectare Seaoil-CityMall SCTEX mega station is a P600-million collaboration between Seaoil Philippines, Inc. and CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. Through this joint venture, the two companies are making sure that #TheFunContinues for travelers passing by the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway who are likely families and groups of friends on the way home from their northern trips. As Seaoil’s biggest outlet and its first along an expressway, the opening of this mega station is a suitable prelude to the company’s upcoming 40th anniversary next year. “We have come a long way from 1987 when we established our petroleum storage facility and since 1997 when we started our fuel retailing business,” said
Seaoil chief executive Glenn Yu. Through its innovative franchise models, Seaoil continues to expand its retail network. To date, Seaoil has over 400 stations nationwide located as far north as Aparri all the way to the south in Sarangani. It has also consistently developed and introduced innovative and environment-friendly fuel and lubricants products. Seaoil recently launched a product campaign with celebrity racer Arci Muñoz as brand ambassador. Seaoil’s world-class fuels are driven by its top three qualities—firstly, Seaoil’s base fuels are imported from select refineries in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Secondly, Seaoil fuels are tested at least three times daily at the station for consistency in quality. Finally, all Seaoil fuels are powered with STP additives, which are known for their superior cleaning formula that improves engine performance. Seaoil is the only fuel company in the Philippines that uses this world-renowned additive brand. “Our banner station on SCTEX will make our high-quality products more accessible to more motorists,” said Yu.
NOTICE The State of Hawaii to Lawrence Antonio Lago, you are hereby notified that a petition for adoption of the child born to Marie Venensi Widmann has been filed in the Family Court, First Circuit, State of Hawaii. The petition alleges that your consent to the adoption of the above-named child by the petitioner above-named is not required and may be dispensed with pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 578-2(c) as amended. A hearing on the petition will be held on Sep 5, 2017 at 1:30 pm at the Family Court located at the Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Third Floor, Kapolei, Hawaii. If you fail to appear at the hearing on date and time and at the place noted above or if you fail to file a written response to the allegations reflected in the Petition for Adoption, further action may be taken including the granting of the adoption without further notice to you. Your written response should be addressed to the Presiding Judge, Family Court, First Circuit, Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707-3272. Failure to obey this notice may result in an entry of a default and default judgment against you. You are further notified that the child, the adoptive parent and the natural parent have rights under H.R.S. Section 578-15 regarding confidentiality of adoption records after the child reaches age 18. (MS-JULY 2,9,16 & 23, 2017
Officials and staff of Seaoil and CityMall cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening of the SCTEX Mega Station that will serve motorists traveling from Manila to Baguio City.
SEA ‘AGRIMUSEUM’ PLAN IN SPOTLIGHT By Brenda Jocson LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture will present its proposal to establish the Southeast Asian AgriMuseum and Learning Center at the biennial meeting of education ministers of 11 countries in Jakarta, Indonesia this week. This Searca initiative has been included in the agenda of this high-level meeting on the instigation of Thai Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin who is concurrently president of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Council. Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., Searca director, will present at the 49th Seameo Council Conference the design of the interactive museum, which will be one of the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Searca is looking to complete the AgriMuseum by 2019 with an estimated budget of US$1.8 million.
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“Searca is actively inviting partners in the project, including the public and private sector, particularly food or agri-related companies that could contribute to it as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts,” Saguiguit said. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Philippines has already approved a P5-million grant to the project. Searca sees the AgriMuseum as an innovative approach to promote awareness and draw attention to agriculture and its all-important role in food security, poverty alleviation, and overall development of economies in the region that are highly dependent on it. Saguiguit added that “the museum will put on centerstage the history, science-based knowledge and innovations in agriculture, cross-cultural and cross-ecosystem comparisons, current issues and challenges, and envisioned futures of agricultural and food systems in Southeast Asia.”
Gadgets & Games
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN MOTO Z2 PLAY
Sony outs the highly anticipated Xperia XA1 Ultra in the Philippines
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SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
LENOVO YOGA BOOK ROLLS OUT 2 NEW COLORS YOGA Book with Windows is rolling out with two brand new colors! You’ll see the new Yoga Book in Ruby Red and Pearl White hit the shelves in September of this year. Pricing for the Yoga Book starts at US$499 (P25,149) for the Android version and US$549 (P27,669) for the Windows version. Pricing and availability may vary from country to country. Be on the lookout! Prices do not include tax or shipping or options and are subject to change without notice; additional terms and conditions apply. Reseller prices may vary. On-shelf dates may vary by geography and products may only be available in selected markets. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings, features and specifications at any time without notice.
Lenovo Mobile Business Group & Motorola Mobility Philippines Country Manager John Rojo (right) and Marketing Manager Vince de la Cruz display the new Moto Z2 Play. Giana Anella G. Atienza
By Patricia Bianca S. Taculao
M
OTOROLA recently expanded its Moto Z family with the addition of the Moto Z2 Play. The Moto Z family of smartphones along with Moto Mods™ welcomed the new Moto Z2 Play, which features a precision-crafted, all-metal unibody design. “Motorola remains committed to delivering meaningful experiences through innovative mobile technology to consumers. Moto Z2 Play is a testament of bringing our philosophy ‘different is better’ to life,” Country Manager
for Lenovo Mobile Business Group Philippines John Rojo said. Other product specifications include a 5.5” Full HD Super AMOLED display, 24 hours of battery life and 2.2GHz octa-core processor. The newly unveiled product also boasts of its 12 MP rear camera, which showcases a combination of laser autofocus that shows off an expanded range of up to five meters and a dual autofocus pixel technology that allows its user to take brighter and sharper photos even in low-light conditions. Moto Z2 Play’s 5MP front camera comes with a dual color corrected flash and wide-angle lens for a bigger image scope Unique Moto Experiences are also available in the Moto Z2 Play. This includes the Night Display Feature, which will automatically adjust the
screen to warmer tones at night to reduce the blue light that can disrupt sleep. Another innovation is the Moto Voice that provides helpful information like weather or calendar updates; it also automatically launches an application without having to touch or unlock your phone. The Moto Z2 Play also boasts of a redesigned fingerprint reader, which makes navigation easier. “We believe that the ultimate satisfaction we can give to Filipino consumers is a transformative experience,” Rojo added. Moto Z2 Play is now available at three exclusive Motorola outlets at the Cyberzone areas of SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM North EDSA. The product will also be available in major Motorola retailers nationwide and through the online shopping site Lazada.
SAMSUNG WASHING MACHINES BAG ‘ERGONOMIC DESIGN AWARD’ SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd. recently announced that its activ dualwash, AddWash and FlexWash washing machines have been honored with the Ergonomic Design Award at the Asian Conference on Ergonomics and Design in Tokyo, Japan. Developed based on in-depth consumer behavior analysis, the Samsung washing machines have gained rapid global popularity, as well as various industry accolades. The ACED, established in 2014 and held every three years, is the international organization for ergonomics and design. For this year’s conference, the organization selected four winners in the sectors of software, automotive products, household furniture and home appliances, with Samsung’s activ dualwashTM, AddWashTM and FlexWashTM winning the Grand Prix award in the home appliances category. “This recognition reflects our effort to create consumer-focused and ergonomic products derived from countless hours of behavioral research and user analyses,” said Hyunjoo Song, Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung
Electronics. “We will continue to make groundbreaking new technologies and innovations to better the lives of our devoted consumers.” The three advanced laundry machines at the heart of Samsung’s ergonomic design series showcase Samsung’s relentless innovation and continued industry leadership in the home appliances space: • activ dualwash: features an upper sink for easier pre-treatment without having to bend down. • AddWash: attaches a small
AddWash
window on the main door, which can open widely when consumers have extra clothing, detergent or fabric softeners to add during the wash. • FlexWash: a holistic and all-inone laundry system that offers an upper washer and a main washer on the bottom in one compact unit. For its part, FlexWash also was recognized with the Best of Best Ergonomic Design Award by the Ergonomic Society of Korea in April. The system adds flexibility to laundry routines and saves time by enabling users to handle multiple loads of sorted clothing at once. Rather than putting the second compartment in the pedestal, Samsung installed it on top of the main drum so users can comfortably perform laundry without stretching or bending over. In addition, the transparent glass material of the top door of FlexWash allows users to look inside the machine and monitor the cycle’s progress, and the ‘VRT plus (Vibration Reduction Technology plus)’ of the washing machine reduces noise and disruptive floor vibrations.
identify the top performers. In 2017 the event has been refined to award the top performers in three distinct categories: Studio Lighting/Home Theater, HDR, and Streaming Performance. Judges rated each TV based on several criteria including, perceived contrast ratio, color saturation and color volume, colorimetry, and motion artifacts, amongst others. To ensure an equal playing field for all manufacturers every TV in the shootout was purchased at retail, calibrated independently by TV Shootout organizers and evaluated by experts in the field of video imaging. “We’re delighted and humbled to be the first and only television brand to receive this honor four years in a row,” said Brian Kwon, president of the LG Electron-
from fossil fuels, the main problem is that there just isn’t enough left. Because fossil fuels take millions of years to manifest and only so little time to consume, the demand is slowly overpowering the supply. In fact, energy experts determine that crude oil will be depleted within 30 to 50 years. Some 70 million barrels of petroleum are consumed daily, never to be replenished. Even coal, which is arguably more abundant as of late, is estimated to be wiped out by 2166.
A Renewable Hope
activ dualwash
LG OLED TV WINS 4TH STRAIGHT CE WEEK TV SHOOTOUT TITLE SEOUL—The highly acclaimed LG E7 OLED TV was crowned “2017 King of TV” in the 14thAnnual CE Week TV Shootout in a competition amongst six contending flagship 4K Ultra HD TV models during CE Week in New York City. This is the fourth consecutive year LG OLED has won at the CE Week Shootout and the first time a single manufacturer has swept all three newly created categories. The 65-inch LG E7 OLED TV combines a unique Picture-on-Glassform factor, The LG E7 Picture-on-Glass OLED the unparalleled picture performance TV earned 3 awards for Outstanding of OLED technology, immersive Dolby Picture Quality and Performance. Atmos sound and unmatched high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities to deliver The CE Week TV Shootout is an annual outstanding picture quality and an unri- event that pits flagship TVs from leading valed home cinema experience. manufacturers against each other to
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ics Home Entertainment Company. “We have always been proud to be the firstto market with OLED technology and Dolby Atmos sound but it’s always gratifying to see the industry’s experts confirming that LG TVs are second to none.” The LG 2017 OLED TV lineup consists of the following models: 77- and 65-inch W7, 77- and 65-inch G7, 65- and 55-inch E7, 65- and 55-inch C7 and 65- and 55inch B7. Each model in the 2017 lineup lives up to the unrivaled ability of OLED to reproduce the most lifelike images of any display technology, with perfect blacks, infinite contrast, expanded color gamut, and wider viewing angles. For more news on LG OLED TVs, please visit www.LGnewswroom.com.
What makes renewable energy so important is the very fact that not only does it protect our environment but it is also in abundant supply. This supply is also infinite, because unlike fossil fuels it can be reused and converted as needed. Scientists have long been pioneering renewable energy so that the ozone layer may be restored without the need to forego energy consumption. Various institutions and companies have created machinery and technology so that sustainable sources of energy can be made viable to the masses. Stanford University also recently held a study that shows solar energy, now cheaper than before, can prevent 12,000 deaths caused by air pollution while generating the necessary amount of energy for years to come. This same study proves that solar energy can work hand-in-hand with other renewable sources like wind, water, and geothermal assets. Here in the Philippines, various efforts are already being made to spread the use of renewable energy, what with wind farms being pioneered in Ilocos Norte and Puerto Galera (making the Philippines the top wind energy producer among ASEAN nations), and solar panels being adopted by large companies. One company that has been a major contributor to the push for renewable energy is Filipino technology company, AMTI. The company has been keeping up with local demands on renewable energy by being a full turnkey solution provider and/or EPC for solar projects complemented with other such as perimeter security protection using fiber optic, to which solar farm that can be monitored and protected with their Advanced Premises Protection System (APPS). Making APPS in tandem with their renewable energy hardware, AMTI is aiming for large strides toward greener and more efficient energy production plants in the country. “Our main goal in AMTI is to help provide the ways be which Filipinos can make use of renewable energy in line with the global initiative to provide alternatives to fossil fuel and help mitigate global warming,” says AMTI President Allyxon Cua. A combined effort from the government, private organizations, and the masses may just pave the way for a clean world that the next generation can thrive in. A sustainable future could be in our hands, if we choose to grab it now.
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SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
Gadgets & Games
TAKE CHARGE WITH INFINIX NOTE 4, PRO
NFINIX Mobility Philippines, builders of cutting-edge technology and fashionably designed and dynamic mobile devices, launched its new Note series smartphone, the ‘Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 Pro, with stylus ‘Xpen.’
The latest devices from Infinix are the most anticipated smartphones yet to be released this year, what with its ‘5-minute charge, 250 minutes talk’ feature. As the Note series remains a game changer in its product market, Infinix integrated other technology innovations in the new Note4 and Note4 Pro smartphones. They are pre-packed with Xcharge 4.0, which provides the quickest charge with low voltage and high efficiency, equipped with a big battery life of 4300MAH to 4500MAH. These features allow the Note 4 to charge fast within five minutes to talk for 250 minutes. The Infinix Note 4 & Note 4 Pro are also the first Infinix smartphones to be pre-packed with the latest Android 7.0 OS, infused with the Infinix UI ‘XOS 2.3’. The Note 4 also comes with other outstanding features such as the Sharp 5.7FHD screen, 13MP AF back camera with dual color LED Flash, 8MP-mega pixel front camera, Octa-core 1.3GHz 64bits processor, Fingerprint recognition, 2.5 Touch panel, 32GB ROM, with expandable storage space to 128gb and 3GB RAM both devices are 4G enabled.
MICAB senior adviser David Vacher
MICAB: WE‘RE DIFFERENT FROM UBER, GRAB By Peter Paul Duran
As the Note series remains a game changer in its product market, Infinix integrated other technology innovations in the new Note4 and Note4 Pro smartphones
Meanwhile, the new Note4 Pro also comes with the stylish stylus ‘Xpen,’ which offers great functionality for Infinix Note users as it allows them to take down notes, create shortcuts, and also sketch easily on the Xnote using the Xpen. Comparison Table Infinix Note 4 and Infinix Note 4 PRO
Note 4 –Camera 13 MP AF / 8MP FF; Fingerprint Module Fingerprint recognition - 0.15s unlock; Memory 32GB ROM + 3GB RAM; Battery 4300 MAH; Processor Octa Core 1.3 GHz 64 bits; Screen size 5.7”FHD Sharp; OS Android 7.0 Nougat; User Interface XOS 2.3; Network 4G/3G/2G; Fast charge Xcharge – 5-Minutes
charge 250 minutes talk time Note 4 PRO --13 MP AF / 8MP FF; Fingerprint recognition + 2.5D Touch Panel; 32 GB ROM + 3 GB RAM; 4500 MAH; Octa Core 1.3 GHz 64 bits 5.7” FHD Sharp; Android 7.0 Nougat; XOS 2.3; 4G/3G/2G; Xcharge – 5-Minutes charge 250 minutes talk time
ML WALLET: FAST, SECURE MONEY TRANSACTIONS By Jun P. Velasco
Sending and receiving cash transactions are now faster and more secure with ML Wallet.
MILLIONS of apps are available for download in either Google Play or Apple App Store, all promising to improve the way we do things or even improve the way we live. And the reality is, there are remarkable apps out there that do deliver on that promise. There is an app that allows us to grab a cab or a motorcycle ride faster, an app that allows us to send messages without the text charges, and even an app that guides us through traffic. Technology has indeed empowered us and solutions are literally just a touch away. ML Wallet is another remarkable app that offers specific values to the loyal customers of M Lhuillier. It is an innovation created to deliver fast, secure, convenient, and reliable way of sending money, paying bills and even loading mobile devices. Using the ML Wallet app is intuitive, and requires a few steps before you get started. Like most apps, ML Wallet requires the user to register. However, as a regula-
tory requirement, a user must visit an M Lhuillier branch to complete the registration. Once registered ML Wallet is ready to go. Sending and receiving cash transactions are now faster and more secure with ML Wallet. To start off, visit any M Lhuillier branch, complete a cash load-up and you are set to transfer cash to anyone, anywhere in the country. It is even possible to do a transfer from one ML Wallet to another ML Wallet user, making it a cashless and safe transaction. The cash received is safely recorded and stored in the ML Wallet app that is ready to be cashed out with M Lhuillier. On top of managing cash remittances, ML Wallet allows for a convenient way of paying bills. No need to travel and fall in line to settle bills, with ML Wallet it is now just a click away. Pay your electricity, water and telephone bills with ML Wallet. “Bills payment is a service we are aiming to further improve as we aim to add more and more merchants and institutions that will accept payment through the app. Soon there will
be no need to go anywhere to settle any bills,” said Ceasar Laro, division manager of M Lhuillier. Finally, if loading up your mobile devices is a concern, ML Wallet makes it more convenient and reliable. Your “suking tindahan” will surely miss visits as you now have the ability to load up with any telco provider at your convenience. Having the ability to load up anytime is a valuable service for Filipinos, who aim to keep in touch with family members abroad through their mobile devices. “Over time, ML Wallet will offer additional functionalities that would further improve its value to its users. We foresee that ML Wallet will become a staple app and valuable service to millions of households in the country,” added Laro. ML Wallet is an app designed with the M Lhuillier customers in mind, as well as the millions of Filipinos that remain without access to banks and other financial institutions. It is a fast, secure, convenient and reliable app that definitely helps bridge the gap.
WITH the current state of Transport Network Vehicle Services in limbo, a third competitor is ready to join the fray. Mobile Internet-CAB (MICAB), a Cebubased taxi hailing technology startup, looks very similar to Uber and Grab, but according to its proponents, it is “much different.” “There are similarities, but our business model is different,” MICAB senior adviser David Vacher put it bluntly during the company’s Memorandum of Agreement and Contract signing with ATOMM (Association of Taxi Operators in Metro Manila) and PNTOA (Philippine National Taxi Operators Association) at the Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas. “We don’t work with private drivers. We work with taxis. We offer the same services, the same convenience and the exact same safety and comfort,” Valcher added, noting another clear distinction of the data-powered cab hailing service from Uber and Grab. “The key difference is we have low booking fees and absolutely no price surges,” Vacher stressed, referring to the fares of the leading transport network companies doubling when demands are high or any reason ranging from app usage, road conditions and traffic. The transport service provider is also planning on a soft launch in less than two months, with a fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles to start its maiden operation in Metro Manila, and the aim of equipping 7,000 taxi units by the end of the year. According to the execs, the planned launch has nothing to do with the ongoing issue involving the two TNVS providers, saying that they have been planning for the launch even before the issue arose just a week ago. “We have 20,000 taxis in the Philippines, but they are disorganized so our goal is to optimize the fleet and we are going to do it through this application,” added the senior adviser with plans to incorporate 1,000 to 1,500 taxis per month. Featuring a proprietary call and chat system between passengers and drivers, MICAB also has built-in customer support ticketing system with human interaction, credit/debit card options for payment, passenger reward system, and an electronic wallet payment for payment and loyalty points for the driver and in the future, a 1-push emergency button for passengers, who feel threatened during their trip. The software is given free of charge. Thanks to a partnership with Smart Communications, the 7-inch Huawei Tablets to be used by the drivers as well as the internet connection and free Wi-Fi on board for the passengers are all for free, pioneering new moving alternatives with emphasis on safety, reliability, affordability, and convenience.
PH TECH COMPANY AMTI A PROPONENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY MUCH like the human body, the Earth runs on energy, or at least that’s what we require of it. Because of man-made construction and other human needs, we use the planet’s natural resources and convert them into power for our purposes. Unlike humans, however, there is no supplement for the Earth to regain its energy. And with energy depletion and uninterrupted expansion, we could soon be running on empty.
The Need to Constantly Renew the Call to Action
Although the staggering rise of global warming has been written
about extensively, and so many projects have been initiated to mitigate this, there is still so much to be done. We still need to pursue the matter further and not let discussions on this die down, lest we become complacent and let our guard down. The fact is that we should still continue to seek for alternative options energy sources and to increase the adoption of renewable and sustainable sources of energy. And one way to ensure this is to continue pursuing conversations about the matter and thus sustain awareness and, hopefully, concern.
The ‘Hot’Topic: Climate Change Due to Fossil Fuel Abuse
One of the biggest offenders to climate change has been the abuse of fossil fuels. A recent study by top climate scientists with Argentina’s Universal Ecological Fund revealed that in three decades, global warming will inevitably reach intense levels that could endanger most people alive today. As we continue to exhaust our resources, the consequences become even more drastic. Recent studies by Princeton University exposed that the massive burning of fossil fuels is depleting our oxygen at faster rates
than ever before. In fact, the effect of climate change has been so rapid that by 2050, the Arctic could be completely void of ice during the summer. Despite its alarming effects, fossil fuel is still consumed at a staggering rate of up to 61.25% here in the Philippines. As the Philippines continues to favor coal, petroleum, oil, and natural gas as our main sources of energy, the ‘carbon budget’that sets a limit on global temperature also continues to get tighter.
Out of Fuel
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