DULDULAO DOT NET This Day & Beyond

Category: Press Release

  • Learning To Love AI

    Learning To Love AI

    February is the month of love, and millions of people across the Philippines – and around the world – will express their feelings and celebrate the special relationships they have with their loved ones, through the exchange of cards and gifts in a tradition that can be traced back to the medieval era.

    Also this year, in China, many more are likely to say ‘I love you’ to a girl named ‘Xiaoice’, and she is an Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbot.

    Thanks to AI, we are currently witnessing a paradigm shift in technology, moving from a world where we have to understand computers to one where they now understand us and our intent. And this is not only revolutionizing how we live, work and play; it is upending our entire relationship with technology.

    This disruption is brought about by the next big shift in computing, one that is fueled by advances in AI and built around a behavior that is the most natural of all to humans — conversations. Conversational AI, such as chatbots, heralds a new era where digital experiences can now mirror the way people interact with fellow humans. And there is much to love about this new development.

    First Love: Microsoft’s AI Journey

    For Microsoft, the vision of enabling computers that can see, hear, talk and understand us really began 25 years ago when founder Bill Gates created Microsoft Research. And on that journey, they have recently passed some significant milestones that, only a few years ago, would have seemed impossible to imagine.

    Such milestones are vital to the adoption and use of computers for everyone; because when computers can speak “human”, every human can speak with computers.

    These kind of advancements are the result of the deep engineering skills and unique technical capabilities of the team at Microsoft Research, who have received many prestigious national and international honours, including the Turing Award, considered the highest distinction in computer science.

    Growing Love: Chatbots Around the World

    Microsoft’s work with chatbots expanded rapidly with the launch of Xiaoice in China. This intelligent, natural-language bot is programmed to behave like an 18-year-old girl who is emphatic, humorous and affable. The conversations that she has with users range from advice about what activities to do during the day to relationship feedback. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, her responses mirror what a teenage girl would tell her friend, sometimes with sarcasm included.

    Xiaoice can also speak with people over the phone and use streaming video to detect emotions and engage in conversations based on the person’s expressions. Today, she has conversed with more than 100 million users, averaging approximately 23 exchanges per session. This is nearly 10 times the industry average. In fact, it has been estimated that 25% of users have already declared their love to Xiaoice.

    But that is not all. Xiaoice is also the first AI chatbot to have a real TV broadcasting job on Dragon TV, one of China’s biggest TV stations, with a viewer population exceeding more than 800 million.

    Building on the success of Xiaoice, local variations are now available in four other countries — Rinna in Japan and Indonesia, Ruuh in India, and Zo in U.S.

    Microsoft launched Rinna in Japan in 2015. Modelled after a school girl, Rinna has today spoken with 25% of the country’s population. She is also powering a chatbot that is serving an entire town in Japan.

    Modelled after a smart and adorable 7-year-old boy, Shibuyu Mirai is currently helping residents of, and visitors to, Tokyo’s busy Shibuya district access local services and information. Shibuyu-kun is serving the community so well that the Shibuya municipal government has recently granted him residency status, a world’s first.

    Much to Love: AI as a Force for Good

    Today, many of the conversations revolving around AI are mired in trepidation and alarm – ranging from job displacements to the widening of social inequalities. However, it is evident from these chatbots that there is much to love about AI, and it has brought about both functionality and emotional connection to millions of people around the world.

    Beyond conversations and companionship, AI also has immense potential to offer lasting, positive impact on the world by driving global economic and social progress. From the front lines of education to environmental advocacy to healthcare, AI will be vital in creating technological breakthroughs for humanity and facilitating inclusive solutions that will enable every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

    For example, Microsoft’s recent AI for Earth initiative builds on the commitment to use AI technology to amplify human ingenuity and advance sustainability around the globe. Through ongoing projects and partnerships, Microsoft is striving to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the health of our planet.

    One of these projects is Farmbeat, which strives to address soaring food demands while dealing with limited amount of arable land. This initiative leverages existing connectivity infrastructure as well as the power of the cloud and machine learning to enable data-driven farming. This provides farmers with easily interpretable insights to help improve agricultural yield, lower overall cost, and reduce the environmental impact of farming.

    AI can also be used to create a more inclusive future by empowering people with disabilities.  Seeing AI is a free app designed by Microsoft to make the visual world around us more accessible for the 285 million people in the world with low vision. By harnessing the power of AI, this app is able to perceive and recognize a wide spectrum of visual cues – from people to emotions, from barcodes to handwriting – and translate them into audible descriptions. By turning the visual world into an audible experience, this app is making the world more navigable and richer for those with low vision.

    Trust: Fundamental to Our Relationship with AI

    These examples are just a few of the positive applications of AI; the benefits it can bring to our world and our lives are multifaceted and countless.

    Microsoft has been investing in the promise of AI for more than 25 years, and they are optimistic about the opportunities that AI creates, and how it can amplify human ingenuity to create a better future for all.

    However, the road to a future powered by a partnership between intelligent machines and people will be a long, and sometimes, challenging one. There will be complex questions and broad societal concerns that need to be addressed, including the ethical usage of AI and its impact on employment.

    Addressing these challenges will require trust, integrity, faith and listening to one another – the same fundamental building blocks that are needed to create a lasting and positive partnership with another person.

  • HLURB Partners With LAMUDI, Aims To Increase Transparency

    HLURB Partners With LAMUDI, Aims To Increase Transparency

    HLURB and property website Lamudi join forces to push for transparency in real estate this 2018.

    The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and online real estate marketplace Lamudi Philippines come together for a partnership aimed at improving real estate practices in the country and encouraging transparency in the industry.

    A ceremonial signing was held in Makati on January 24, and was attended by HLURB Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner Atty. Lloyd Christopher A. Lao, HLURB Commissioner Atty. Melzar P. Galicia, Lamudi Philippines Managing Director and CEO Bhavna Suresh, and Lamudi Philippines Director for Brand and Communication Ken Lerona.

    A more visible HLURB

    Under the one-year partnership, readers of the Lamudi: Real Estate Magazine should expect thought leadership pieces from none other than Atty. Lao, with topics ranging from the rights of buyers of real estate, to the verification of brokers, projects, and developers.

    HLURB will also use the Lamudi platform to address frequently asked questions, including those about options for financing, procedures and remedies afforded to aggrieved buyers and developers, and even who to approach or look for when paying a visit to their office.

    Consistent with its aim to increase transparency in the industry, HLURB also has revamped and upgraded its website, which now comes with a user-friendly online inquiry feature. This shall be integrated in the Lamudi website which receives around 1.5M visits per month, so property seekers will find it easy and hassle-free to search for registered brokers, as well as projects that have been issued License to Sell numbers.

    All of these form part of HLURB’s efforts to keep up with the times by embracing digital, and to be more visible to the public and serve them better.

    Transparency through technology

    In the 2016 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) by JLL, a leading real estate and investment management firm, the Philippines ranked 46th out of 109 countries and fell under the semi-transparent market. This tier, according to JLL, is where the most rapid progress in real estate transparency can be found.

    Rising expectations from citizens as well as technological advancements serve as drivers for improving real estate transparency. Innovations in the prop-tech industry, JLL says, “offer the opportunity for a quantum leap in data access to support a rising culture of ‘open data.’”

    Aside from high-quality accessible market data, ingredients of a transparent real estate market include: strong corporate governance, stringent regulatory enforcement, high ethical standards, and international best practice.

    For Atty. Lao, responsible real estate practice is the key to the sustainability of the housing sector. He also maintained that although HLURB is a regulatory body, they are very much willing to help and cooperate with those under their jurisdiction.

    Ms. Suresh, for her part, shared that Lamudi is one with HLURB in its aim to push for transparency as this shall open many doors in the future. As seen in JLL’s 2016 GRETI, higher real estate transparency is linked to new business and investment, and even plays a role in community well-being and inclusiveness.

    “As the authority in the prop-tech industry in the country, Lamudi is thrilled to be partnering with HLURB for this,” she added. “We are here to support HLURB, and look forward to more partnerships like this one.”

  • Welcome to 2018, the year of AI

    Welcome to 2018, the year of AI

    If the history of human advancement has taught us one thing it is this: genuine step-change progress does not occur because of a single technology breakthrough, but a combination of multiple complementary factors coming together at the same time.

    The Industrial Revolution, which began around 1760, was driven by an amalgamation of steam power, improvements in iron production and the development of the first machine tools.  Similarly, the PC revolution of the early 1970’s was the outcome of simultaneous advancements in micro-processing, memory storage, software programming and other factors.

    Now, as we enter 2018, we are at the cusp of a new revolution, one that will ultimately transform every organisation, every industry and every public service across the world. 2018 is the year of Artificial Intelligence – or AI – as it will be the year that it will start to become mainstream, to begin to impact many aspects of our lives in a truly ubiquitous and meaningful way.

    AI: Over 65 Years In The Making

    The concept of AI is not new. In fact, it stretches back to 1950 when early computing pioneer Alan Turing famously posed the question “Can Machines Think?” and it would be another 6 years, in 1956, before the term “artificial intelligence” was first used.

    So it has taken nearly 70 years for the right combination of factors to come together to move AI from concept to an increasingly ubiquitous reality. And there are three innovation trends driving its acceleration and adoption right now.

    • The first is Big Data. The explosion of Internet-connected devices, sensors and objects has expanded exponentially the amount of data the world is now producing. In this increasingly digital era, data is the “new oil”– a source of value and sustainable competitive advantage.
    • The second factor is ubiquitous and powerful Cloud computing. Today, anyone with an idea and a credit card can access the same computing power that, traditionally, only global multinationals or governments have possessed. Cloud computing is democratizing technology and accelerating innovation on a global scale.
    • The third factor driving AI capabilities is breakthroughs in software algorithms and Machine Learning that can identify sophisticated patterns implicit within the data itself. If data is the new oil, Machine Learning is, perhaps, the new combustion engine.

    So, it is this combination of powerful industry trends, all maturing at the same time, that is accelerating – and democratizing – AI today.

     

    AI Everywhere

    Industry experts refer to the way in which AI will impact our lives as an “invisible revolution”. This refers to its ubiquity. AI will be everywhere—powering your online recommendation engine, acting as a virtual assistant chatbot for your bank account or travel agent, personalizing your newsfeed or guarding your credit card against fraud. AI will be more pervasive – and yet less invasive – than any previous technology revolution.

    In particular, AI will be embedded seamlessly into existing, well-established products and services to enhance their capabilities. For example, with a small piece of AI tech called Microsoft Presentation Translator, anyone can help overcome any language barriers as PowerPoint can show real-time subtitles in more than 60 languages, simultaneously as they speak, during their presentations.

    In business, AI will be used by most companies for at least some part of the value chain either in research and development, design, logistics, manufacturing, servicing or customer engagement. In fact, leading IT industry analyst IDC believes that by next year, 40% of digital transformation initiatives globally will be supported by AI capabilities.

    And you do not need to be a start-up or hi-tech company to embrace the possibilities of AI, just have the vision and commitment to make it happen. Take, for example, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), an 85-year-old Japanese auto manufacturer, which has given itself just two years to become a “100% digital operation” – complete with cloud-based capabilities in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Mixed Reality (MR).

    One of the initiatives they have recently implemented is an AI-powered chatbot where all its 10,000 employees can access information and assistance they need in a faster, more intuitive and reliable way. This significantly reduces the time employees spend on learning the Intranet site navigation, searching for information or calling each other for help. The company is now planning to extend chatbot technology to boost customer services, productivity, and maintenance across the whole company.

    AI in 2018

    As we stand at the cusp of the new year, there are four key AI developments happening over the next 12 months:

    Mass adoption of AI starts from 2018: AI adoption is set to soar in 2018 and beyond when organizations start to see clear benefits being reaped by AI innovators such as MFTBC. IDC forecast that worldwide AI revenues will surge past US$46 billion in 2020[2]. Closer to home, AI investment in Asia Pacific is predicted to grow to US$6.9 billion by 2021, expanding rapidly by 73% (CAGR).

    1. Ubiquitous Virtual Assistants: We will begin to see the adoption of broad-scale AI in the form of conversational AI chatbots in both consumer and business scenarios. In fact, Gartner predicts that by 2020 more than 85% of customer interactions with the enterprise will be managed without a human interaction and AI will be the key technology deployed for customer service.
    1. Democratizing data and decision-making: In a world where more data exists than ever before, the ability to deliver meaningful business insights from that data to the maximum number of relevant employees becomes of paramount importance. AI will be the key technology for making that happen by bringing together data from employees, business apps, and the world.
    1. Building trusted foundations for AI: There will be increasingly more discussions at governmental and industrial levels to create formal governance and regulations in the usage of AI. We saw these discussions with the onset of eCommerce and the advent of cloud technologies. It is critical for transparent public-private conversations to take place as they will shape how AI can benefit economies and societies in a fair, transparent and trusted way.

    The future of AI burns brightly and 2018 is the year that will establish a solid foundation for the mass adoption of this exciting and vital technology.

  • Top 5 Noisiest Stories in 2017

    Digital data authority compiles the most talked about stories in 2017

    Now that we can easily identify what ticks the Filipinos interest through a study of the social media world, the internet landscape suddenly became the most important and most powerful tool that can spell the pulse of the market.

    To highlight what the online platform can do to help businesses and all other sectors and industries, digital data authority Research and Tech Lab (RTL) sums up the five most trending topics that have caught the attention of millions of Filipinos this 2017.

    With exactly 27, 273, 741 mentions all around the different social media platforms, MMFF2017 was the hottest topic ever discussed in Filipino social media pages. Nearly every netizen turned into movie critics and blockbuster gurus during the recent leg of the Metro Manila film festival. Undoubtedly, Filipinos’ number one mode of entertainment is movie time as more than 27 million people made sure that their insights will be heard and through their own little way influence how the movie industry will go moving forward.

    Who doesn’t love weddings? This is especially true with celebrity unions and all the fancy trimmings that come with it. For 2017, the most talked about nuptial were by Anne Curtis and husband Erwan Heussaff. #TheWanForAnne gathered 11, 930, 270 social media posts. Almost 12 million netizens took part in the celebration by sharing their well wishes and the most memorable parts of the union. These numbers made the Heussaff-Curtis wedding the second most talked about event in the history of 2017.

    Next most trending topic for 2017 was none other than the prestigious Miss Universe competition. 11,818,084 netizens showed their support to the pageant and the Filipino candidate through social media. This only goes to show that the country can work for a sole cause especially in assisting the Philippine candidate clinch the coveted title.

    The transformation of Xander Ford on the other hand, landed him as the fourth hottest topic last 2017. His bold decisions to introduce what he says as a better version of himself triggered the social media nation to give their support or their negative reaction. He generated a total of 10,598,130 posts. You can just imagine the vast impact of his transformation that more than 10 million people have to join the bandwagon and react on his actions.

    Lastly, Coldplay Manila is on the fifth spot with 1,221,430 social media mentions. More than a million Filipino fans were busy flooding their pages with what we can consider the most popular concert in 2017.

    From the five most trending issues of 2017, it can be concurred that culture and family values are still part of the activities that interest Filipinos. Spending quality time watching movies, seeing stories of happily ever after and showing of Filipino pride are just some of the everyday realities that uplift and entertains every Filipino.

  • 21 Days to Creativity

    According to a World Economic Forum report, creativity is one of the top three skills individuals will need to be successful in the new, digital world. Creative thinking helps one find new ways of solving problems by having an open and flexible mindset.

    Researchers have also found that it takes at least 21 days to cultivate a habit. So, if you’re game to make creativity a habit, let us help you with these 21 ideas – all you need is a Windows device to get started!

    Start with the end in mind by having a creative checklist on OneNote – which can be synced easily across devices.
    Doodle! Long thought to be a bad habit, doodling can actually help unlock one’s creative potential. Pick up a Pen today and start doodling on Windows Ink’s Sketchpad, a whitespace for your ideas and creations . You may be surprised at what you can create.
    Bring a new dimension to your stories by combining photos, videos, and even 3D effects. Change your home videos forever with a T-rex chasing grandpa down the front lawn. All this is possible with Story Remix*, coming soon to Windows 10.

    Mixed reality is undoubtedly the next step in the evolution of human computing, blending virtual and physical worlds into one immersive whole. With Mixed Reality Viewer (available on Windows Store), you can take any 3D objects into the real world with the device’s camera.

    Take your creativity to the limit and create a 3D kingdom from scratch. With your friend, co-create buildings, machines and more in Minecraft Realm. Take your Realm with you across multiple devices including Windows 10 PC, Xbox, VR and even mobile devices – so your creativity is not limited by the devices you have.
    Exchange ideas better with a direct expression of your thoughts. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update makes it easier to let others know how you truly feel with quicker access to emojis. Hit the Windows + . (period) or Windows + ; (semicolon) shortcut to bring up the new Emoji keyboard .

    What is the most creative color? Orange, it seems, as it blends the energy of red and the happiness of yellow.
    So why not change your Windows theme color to creative orange to see if it stirs up any inspiration? Just head over to Windows Settings > Personalization > Themes.

    Looking for a new way to present your ideas in a more visual and creative manner? Office apps now support 3D models, where you can insert, rotate and tilt these images within documents and presentations.

    There is no doubt that play is essential for creativity, which is why we’ve built Xbox capabilities within Windows 10 so that you can toggle between work and play easily. For those who are seeking pointers from fellow gamers, enjoy the flexibility to broadcast with Mixer, the easiest and most interactive way to stream your gameplay on Xbox One and Windows 10.

    With the Windows Fall Creators Update, Game Mode is now more powerful than ever before. With just a single tap, the feature unleashes your PC’s full processing power to make your gameplay as smooth as possible.

    It might sound counterintuitive, but a key aspect process that feeds creativity is drilling into repetitive tasks. After all, you can only break the rules in a meaningful way after you’re truly familiar with them. Take a shot at this with Cuphead, a classic run and gun action game exclusively available for Windows and Xbox, that will test the limits of your patience as you repeat level after level to figure out your enemy’s attack patterns and weaknesses.

    Bend your minds with a new reality in town. With the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, we are making it easier for you to immerse in a new reality with Windows Mixed Reality headset*. These are easy to setup, affordable and brings a new realm of experiences to broaden your creative perspectives.

    Explore new creative processes! The Six Thinking Hats, for example, is a simple and effective parallel thinking process that helps one be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved. Try creating this structure on your Sticky Notes for Windows 10 devices, so that it serves as a constant reminder to your creativity journey.

    Fun fact: An average person sits between 7 – 15 hours per day. Perhaps it’s time to take a walk and bring your Windows device outdoors, and open your eyes to new creative possibilities by taking pictures of new scenes to place 3D visuals in within Paint 3D.
    Hit a creative roadblock? We all have those moments. To kick start your creative gears, try checking out Remix3D, a collection of 3D models that you can download and modify for your next masterpiece.

    When it comes to developing a creative and focused mind, the pen is mightier than the keyboard. Research has found that people who write more are often better at grasping new concepts, and can stay in focus better. Start by taking notes with a digital pen instead of your keyboard on OneNote today.

    Try this exercise to flex your mind on Sketchpad:

    On a blank piece of canvas, draw 30 circles

    In 3 minutes, turn as many of these circles into recognizable objects, such as a smiley face, a soccer ball, a button or other round items
    What did you draw? No matter the result, the exercise helps stretch the limits of your imagination, challenging the speed, diversity and quantity of your ideas within a set timeframe.Is Pharell’s “Happy” a musical stimulant for creative minds? A study notes the connection between happy music and creativity. And with the upcoming iTunes and Spotify apps for Windows 10, you can start prepping your go-to playlist to juice up your creative powers!

    Review your creative journey easily with Windows 10 Timeline*, which will be available on a later date. Rewind and restore open programs and documents, allowing you to hop back to where you left off without breaking your creative flow.

    Having a proper rest is important to keep your creative juices flowing. Researchers have noted that an optimal sleep period is between 7 – 9 hours per day for adults. However, if you’re on a creative streak and don’t want to go to bed just yet, turn on the Night Light to reduce the amount of blue light flashing out of your PC. This will help you get a better night’s sleep once you log off and hit the pillows.

    While you embark on your creativity journey with Windows 10, it is equally important to safeguard your digital safety. Windows Defender gets better with the Fall Creators Update with behind-the-scenes defenses against newer threats that can derail your creativity processes.

    Remember to have this feature switched on by going to Settings > Update & security > Windows Defender and turn on the toggle switch for real-time protection.

    To find out more about the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and the slew of new, creative experiences it will bring, visit www.microsoft.com/windows

  • SALU, The Filipino Restaurant, Turns One and Proves Masarap Mabuhay sa Pinas

    SALU, The Filipino Restaurant, Turns One and Proves Masarap Mabuhay sa Pinas

    Last June 9, 2016, Salu, The Filipino Restaurant owned by the celebrity couple, Romnick Sarmenta and Harlene Bautista, opened its doors to the hungry Manilenos to provide authentic treats from different parts of Philippines. After one year, they thrive and is ready to offer more delectable and unique surprises for customers who deserve more when it comes to Pinoy food trip.

    ‘BLK’ (Binagoongang Lechon Kare-kare)

    The restaurant opened their anniversary month with a blockbuster promo of buy take 1 take 1 of their famous ‘BLK’ (Binagoongang Lechon Kare-kare).

    Brazo de Kalabasa

    A Piso for Brazo de Kalabasa shall also be enjoyed by the first 100 guests for every purchase of Php500.00 on June 11, 2017. Both of these promos were made to give thanks to all Ka-Salu/s who have dined and craved for the best of Salu plates this past year. “Masarap at nakakataba ng puso ang aming unang taon. So we thought, why not give thanks and extend to our customers those blessings that we earned because of their trust through these simple promos. These two dishes, BLK and Brazo De Kalabasa, are our top moving dish and desert on our first year. So its fitting to grant a ‘one’ of a kind treat with buy ‘one’ take ‘one’ and a ‘one’ peso dessert, as we turn ‘one”, shared by Mr. Sarmenta.

    During the thanksgiving lunch that had happened last June 9, 2017, the celebrity couple also shared a colorful year that was for Salu.

    These include gaining tie ups with some organizations such as Hashtag Philippines through Antoinette Taus, where average of 300 kids are fed every event with Salu packed lunches that comes with love notes from volunteers. Salu was also chosen to represent the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao for the biggest food convention in the world – Madrid Fusion, where they showcased their best southern dishes that’s available only at restaurant. Chefs, culinary experts and delegates of the congress were in awe with the taste of Mindanao cuisines that’s unique and distinct due to special ingredients such as pampa, that’s famous in Mindanao. Some of the featured dishes include Beef Kulma, Syagul Pagi, Utak Utak and Pyanggang. “We are grateful to be chosen by DOT-ARMM headed by Mrs. Ayesha Mangudadatu Dilangalen, to represent their region at the presitigous Madrid Fusion. We have built this brand to be the culinary authority when it comes to all things Filipino. And being chosen to participate in such convention was an affirmation that indeed, we somehow are in the right path of meeting our mission. Hopefully on our second year, we can serve more authentic plates and continue to be a portal for all guests to discover all the flavors of this country, especially those that are still undiscovered”, says Mrs. Harlene Bautista.

    On its second year, Salu also unveils their campaign #SarapMabuhay.

    This showcases not just the exciting flavors that this country has to offer but also highlights the abundance of fresh ingredients that can make any kitchen push for magic. It also refers to the kind of people that you dine with which ranges from family, friends and even strangers and the overall experience of ‘salu-salo’ in the Philippines which has always been distinct. The campaign would still highlight the adventures of the owners as they search for the next utlimate plates to bring back home to Salu, to be made available for all who wants to discover more. Exciting products and experiences are also up for grabs for all diners. The Pilipinas Platter, their version of a group feast, gives customers an opportunity to taste all the specialities in different parts of the Philippines. All the cuisines are creatively plated on a special carved Pilipinas wooden plate. Luto Ni Nanay gives moms a chance to cook with the talented chefs of Salu as they learn to prepare one of a kind dishes for the family. All these plus and addition to their already exciting range of pinoy to pinoy fused dishes called Likhang Salu will be served and made available this June!

    Celebrity Couple, Romnick Sarmenta and Harlene Bautista

    The culinary authority stands still even stronger on its second year with so much offering to its customers. Visit them for a one of a Pilipinas Food Trip at Sct. Torillo, Cor. Sct. Fernandez, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City. For reservations, questions and queries, you may call Salu’s hotline 02-282-15-12, or contact them through their facebook fan page.

    Reference & Media Contacts:

    Jerome Samson- 0917-8961568

    Joel Navarro- 0915-4889879

  • Predator Philippines joins forces with ONE Championship to CONQUER NEW WORLDS

    Predator Philippines joins forces with ONE Championship to CONQUER NEW WORLDS

    A new partnership has been forged between Predator Philippines and ONE Championship to bring Philippine gaming to new heights. Set at High Grounds Café, an other-worldly gaming café decked out in Predator G1 and G3 gaming units, Predator Philippines and ONE Championship challenged Filipino gamers to prepare for modern combat.

    “Gaming is so much more than cool graphics and great sound effects – it’s about every gamer transforming into their characters and conquering new worlds in any galaxy and in any battle,” said Ray Gozon, Predator Philippines Senior Marketing Manager.

    “Serious gamers have intense skill, focus, and fury if they are to destroy their enemies. This is why ONE Championship is the perfect partner for us – ONE Championship fights and fighters embody the intensity that our gamers experience on Predator machines.”

    With an audience of Philippine media and gaming fanatics, Predator Philippines presented the Predator 21 X, a 21-inch gaming laptop with a curved screen that makes for fluid gaming.

    This powerful machine enables gamers to completely immerse themselves in the future of gaming with G-SYNC technology – it lets gamers see all their opponent’s movements without delay so they can respond swiftly and decisively to any threat. With custom-engineered five-fan cooling, top-of-line power for the fastest gaming in the world, HiFi quality sound, and Cherry MX keyboard for advanced controls with PredatorSense, the Predator 21 X is the ultimate weapon to annihilate any opponent.

    Two powerplugs-in for two 330-watt bricks allow anyone with this weapon to game hard for as long has he can survive. “Predator doesn’t only CONQUER NEW WORLDS of gaming, but it CONQUERS NEW WORLDS of gamers themselves,” said Gozon. “It’s all about making the experience as real as possible.”
    Bringing the experience of combat to life are ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera and ONE Championship VP & MMA Legend Rich “Ace” Franklin with a thrilling demonstration of the basics of MMA fighting. They then went head-to-head with a team of media and Predator fans for a round of Overwatch, putting their combat skills to the test in the world of PC gaming.

    “Our objective is to create as much excitement and public exposure as possible for our partners as ONE Championship continues to extend the boundaries of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Asia by maximizing our reach to fans of the sport. The growth of MMA is one of the key elements in helping our partners gain endless opportunities,” said ONE Championship CEO, Victor Cui.

    “We are thrilled to be in partnership with Predator this year as ONE Championship brings its unique brand of MMA action to an MMA-adulating country like the Philippines for the tenth time. Predator is a world-class brand and just like ONE Championship, it aims to bring no less than the best to its fans and followers. Together with Predator, we will serve top-notch entertainment and an unforgettable night of action to our loyal fans on April 21st.”

    (L-R): JB Aquino, Marketing Communications Lead, Acer Philippines Inc.; Brandon Vera, ONE Heavyweight World Champion; Rich Franklin, ONE Championship VP & MMA Legend and Ray Gozon, Predator Philippines Senior Marketing Manager

    Predator is the official partner of ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY. Predator sponsored one of the main card fights of the day, which is the fight right before the title fight of Folayang and Ting battle for the ONE Lightweight World Championship.

    The winner of this main card fight will receive the ultimate gaming laptop, the Predator 21 X, helping this fighter to conquer not only the ring but any world he chooses through Predator.

    “On the outside, MMA is extremely physical, but it is as much a mental game as it is a physical sport,” said Gozon. “The level of professionalism that goes into fighting in the ring and gaming in a new world is often understated. A lot of strategy comes into play, and you see these fighters go into beast mode as soon as they step into the ring. This is how gamers are – they may be everyday Juans on the streets, but as soon as they sit behind that screen, they unleash their inner fighters and immerse themselves into these worlds they enter.

    “So what do we do? We give them the ultimate weapon, and that is the Predator,” Gozon concluded.

    Media Contacts:
    Dastine Sumatra
    Sales and Marketing Events and PR Lead
    destine.sumatra@acer.com
    Predator Philippines

    Pia de Jesus
    Business Director
    pia@mindbenchphils.com
    Mindbench + Rebel Marketing

    REFERENCE:

    Arnel Vasquez | Media Relations Manager

    Mindbench Philippines Company, Inc

    T: +632 882 3344 | M: +63 917 584 3573 | E: arnel@mindbenchphils.com
    1847 Sta. Rita Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, Metro Manila 1212 Philippines

  • Be a wise spender during the holidays

    You just got your much-awaited 13th month pay. You’re happy and very much eager to spend it on some things you’ve been longing to do—or buy—a couple of months earlier.

    But hold your horses! As with any other things in this world, money will also disappear and will simply go to waste if you don’t spend it wisely. Temptations abound during the holidays so it’s best to think of ways on how to use your precious 13th month pay efficiently and wisely. You don’t want to end up with an empty wallet right after receiving your bonus, don’t you?

    The Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON), the country’s biggest group of service contractors that have provided decent and quality work to many Filipinos, said many fall to their impulses, especially those who will get their 13th month pay the first time. “It’s all about a bit of planning, knowing priorities when it comes to spending. I’ve seen many of our employees who go excited of becoming a ‘one-day millionaire’ once they lay their hands on their money, then feel sad once all of it are gone and they’ll ask themselves ‘what happened there?’” explains Rhoda Caliwara, President of PALSCON.

    So it’s really best to sit down and think of what to do first with your bonus while it’s not yet with you, says Caliwara. That way, you’ll have a clear mind of what to do and how to do it when it comes to spending your hard-earned money. In short, plan.

    The first thing to do is save, using part of the bounty as part of a savings fund that can hopefully earn enough via time deposits or special investment funds. These funds can help through times when spending on things such as tuition fee payments for the kids or even for a possible business venture.

    You can also minimize your debt profile by paying them off, Caliwara said, though not really paying all of it in one go. It’s best to pay it a bit so as not to accrue on interest. It works for those with credit cards who pare down their expenses and at the same time pay their interest on time.

    Aside from a possible business venture for those who may have an entrepreneurial mindset, allocating part of the bonus for use in special investment instruments, real-estate or even a family or personal car can be options, but first check if going into these investment choices is feasible given your financial capabilities. Evaluate. Assess. Rethink.

    You can even save some of your bonus to build up emergency funds for unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, whether your own or a family member, house repairs after a storm or disaster, or even for fixing your car after a sudden breakdown. There can be lots of other things you can put your saved money to good use. As they say, you can never tell if and when an emergency happens so it’s best to be ready.

    But most of all, don’t forget about yourself. You can save some as a personal treat after being hard at work for a year and spending countless hours toiling in labor. You can never be accused of being a spendthrift if you want to enjoy on some things and be pampered. Treat it as a reward so you won’t feel deprived, more of a “me” time when it comes to your hard-earned money. You definitely deserve it.

    “At PALSCON, we encourage our members to teach their employees the basics of financial literacy. It’s hard to get a job these days and even harder to earn decent pay so teaching their employees about spending wisely, especially during the holidays, is a good way of showing we care for our employees’ welfare. They should learn to preserve their riches for anything that can happen in the future. It’s all about being prepared—and being wise,” explains Caliwara. For more about PALSCON, visit www.palscon.org or go to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/palscon.ph or Twitter, twitter.com/palscon1987.