ASUS ZenTalk Forum Announces ZenFone Photography Awards 2017 Winners

ASUS ZenTalk Forum today announced the winners of its annual ZenFone Photography Awards 2017 event, an exciting worldwide contest that challenges ZenFone users to submit their best compositions taken with any ZenFone model to win incredible prizes — including ZenFone 4 smartphones and cash prizes totaling PHP175,000.00 (US$3,500.00). The winners were selected from over 52,000 different entries that were submitted from all over the world.

Furthermore, six additional lucky winners were randomly drawn from the pool of entries that used either the ZenFone 4 Series, ZenFone 3 Series, ZenFone Live, or ZenFone AR smartphone and gifted them an all-expenses-paid trips to Japan sponsored by Qualcomm Technologies Inc.

The winners of the ZenFone Photography Awards 2017 contest were selected by an international panel of expert photographers including Kyo, Alex, Yifan, Anajaier, Don Jing Yu, Bobby Joshi, Yuliandi Kusuma and Philippines’ very own Dail Deri. These judges were responsible for choosing and awarding the best submissions to determine this year’s winners.

The winning compositions can be viewed online at https://goo.gl/9p5BCL

To know more about the activities of ASUS, the ZenFone smartphone series, and the entire line-up of amazing ASUS products, head on over to ASUS Philippines’ Official Facebook Page and ASUS ZenTalk Forum. For easy purchasing of the ASUS products, check out the official ASUS’ Lazada Store now!

About ASUS

ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies, and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow’s smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR and IoT. ASUS employs more than 17,000 people worldwide and over 5,500 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,385 awards and earned approximately US$13.3 billion of revenue in 2016.

Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.

*This is Press Release

Converge ICT Launches Converge FAST for Businesses

Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. today launched its latest pure fiber Internet offering that targets the business sector, particularly those with multi-branch operations.

Converge FAST effectively combines the best benefits offered by DSL and Metro Ethernet connections, two of the most traditional business Internet connections today. This new offering by Converge ICT that runs on a pure fiber Internet network helps optimize businesses with its high bandwidth and performance, total security, with low latency, highly scalable, simple and flexible.

Best of all, Converge FAST is low cost, making it the most advanced yet competitively priced private network solution in the Philippines today.

It also comes with a burstable bandwidth from 2Mbps to 20Mbps and supports Point-to-Point and a Point-to-Multi-point setup, perfect for businesses with a multi-branch network. With this setup, branches can now generate real-time data and reports.

Service and support will not be an issue since Converge FAST offers 99.7% SLA. For faster service and response during down times, Converge ICT made sure that there is an in-house installation and repair team, ready to respond within an 8-hour Mean Time response rate, and 24/7 support provided through the Converge Service Desk.

According to Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Jesus “Boboy” Romero, among the target markets for Converge FAST include banks, retail stores, distribution companies, food and beverage, information technology, government, transportation and logistics, plus energy and utilities.

“Our continuing promise is to make customer experience better when it comes to their data connectivity solution, which is a modern business’s lifeline. Now with Converge FAST, that promise still holds true, and we made it even more affordable yet totally resilient and with high value for their investment,” Romero explained.

Converge FAST is offered via FAST 2Mbps at P2,500 per month, FAST 5Mbps at P3,500, FAST 10Mbps at P4,000 and FAST 20Mbps at P6,000.

Converge ICT, Inc. started its business in 1992 and was already granted a congressional franchise. The company has many Tier 1 international peering partners to ensure fast and reliable connectivity. It also partnered with top domestic peering partners such as PLDT and Globe and currently has the 3^rd largest Internet backbone in the country to help further improve the Internet experience of Filipinos.

For more details about Converge ICT, Inc. and its Internet offerings, visit www.convergeict.com.

Maxicare Founder wins Entrepreneurship Award at the 38th Agora Awards

Dr. Roberto Macasaet Sr., Maxicare Healthcare Corporation’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, has been awarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship (Large Scale) at the recently concluded Philippine Marketing Association’s 38th Agora Awards. The awards night was held at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel last November 9, 2017.

Now on its 38th year, the Agora Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of marketing in the Philippines. They have been running since 1979, and have been held by the Philippine Marketing Association, who aims to promote the science and ethics of the marketing profession, and uphold corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship.

Dr. Macasaet has been instrumental in shaping the way the Philippine healthcare industry does business today, through his founding of one of the first Health Maintenance Organizations in the country. He is responsible for introducing healthcare services that have allowed for more flexible options for Filipinos of all income levels and employment. His achievement is truly worthy of recognition, not only showing exemplary business prowess but also a genuine love and concern for the Filipino people’s welfare.

He is also a medical professional by trade, having received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines, and having trained at Fordham University in General Surgery, Urology, and Pathology. He was head of Makati Medical Center’s Department of Urology for three decades, and is currently a member of that hospital’s Advisory Committee. He also serves as chairman of Associated Medical and Clinical Services, and was previously chairman of Fil Hispano Ceramics, Inc. 

When Dr. Macasaet founded Maxicare in 1987, the HMO industry was practically nonexistent. Today, it has evolved into the leading HMO in the country, and has the widest network of providers with over 1,000 partner hospitals and clinics, and over 56,000 affiliated physicians nationwide.

Under his guidance and business acumen, Maxicare has introduced such innovative products and services such as: the Maxicare Multifunction Card, the only HMO membership card that also serves as a lifestyle privilege card and EMV-enabled cash card; the EReady and MyMaxicare Lite, the very first prepaid healthcards in the industry; and the 24/7 TeleConsult Service, allowing Maxicare members to contact a doctor anytime, anywhere, without incurring deductions on their benefit limits.

Dr. Macasaet joins prestigious names from different industries such as William Tiu-Lim, CEO of Mega Global Corp, and Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, President and CEO of The Medical City, both of whom previously won the award.

*This is Press Release

La Salle Greenhills aims for third championship at the 32nd SBP-Passerelle national finals

SBP-Passerelle two-time defending SBP division champion, La Salle Greenhills, is determined to win a third consecutive championship title in the upcoming national finals of the 32nd (Small Basketeers of the Philippines) – Passerelle, the largest twin tournaments in the country, to be held on December 2-3, 2017 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.

The greenies will face Berkeley School of Baguio from Luzon, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu from Visayas and Ferndale International School of Zamboanga from Mindanao.

Vying for the Passerelle division championship are San Beda College from the National Capital Region, International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB) from Luzon, Hua Siong College of Iloilo from Visayas and Holy Child College of Davao from Mindanao.

Organized by the country’s premier sports clinic, Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training (BEST) Center, the 32nd SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournaments is supported by MILO, in cooperation with Rain or Shine Elasto Paints, Chris Sports, and SKLZ. It allows teams of under 15 and under 12 age groups to apply what they learned in basketball training and to showcase their skills.

BEST Center is a Hall of Famer of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) for Grassroots Development and the only corporate recipient of the Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BESTCENTERSPORTS/.

SM commits to a better tomorrow at SM City Trece Martires solar system launch

SM Supermalls marked another milestone in its pursuit to make each day better for all at the launch of SM City Trece Martires’ solar system, held in Trece Martires City, Cavite. At the ‘switching on’ ceremony, SM highlighted that the solar system rollout all over the country was only part of the many sustainability programs SM has been doing for years.

The SM City Trece Martires solar facility houses 2,914 solar panels capable of generating 0.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to fully charge 130,000 cellphones, light up 15,500 10-watt LED lamps, run 4,500 30-watt electric fans, and provide power to 300 households. The use of solar energy promotes clean air and saves the environment by helping reduce carbon footprint from electricity produced from combustion of fossil fuels.

Other sustainability programs of SM include the ‘Trash to Cash’ recycling markets in SM malls, and the integration of transport terminals in malls to mitigate traffics for cleaner air. With disaster risk reduction taking center stage on sustainability, SM has been building ‘resilient’ malls with water catchment basins to help manage flood-prone areas.

SM Prime, alongside UNISDR and ARISE Philippines, also hosts the Top Leaders Forum. The theme for 2017 is ‘Business for Resilience – Towards a Resilient Philippines.’ As a private sector conference aspiring to find concrete measures to make businesses more resilient against disasters, the Forum this year underscores invaluable collaboration between the science and technology community and the private sector towards global disaster preparedness.

SM, in partnership with Solar Philippines, first ventured into renewable energy in 2014 with the launch of its first solar system in the Philippines at SM City North EDSA – the first mall in the country to promote solar energy. SM Mall of Asia then launched its solar facility two years after. This year, SM has announced expansion of green programs with more solar systems in eight more malls.

At the helm of SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country is Solar Philippines Founder, Mr. Leandro Leviste. Leading the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia, Mr. Leviste was recognized in the Forbes Magazine 2016 30 under 30 Asia, a roster of young game-changers, entrepreneurs, and social leaders who are under 30 years old.

With SM’s solar system rollout and other green programs, SM continues to go beyond mall development and management as it integrates environmental sustainability into its operations to ultimately support communities for a better tomorrow.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

An Eye Opener: Zoomanity's "A Dinner in the Dark" sheds light on Humanity

"True Charity is healthy, and results in Dignity and Empowerment for those being served" -author unknown

A Welcome Respite

As postscript of my previous post,  I wrote about the event as per the invite of a blogging fellow (this site's admin) whom I represented last Sunday.  For someone like me who much favored outdoor adventure in the countryside,  this day out is not-to-be missed.  And true enough, the escapade gave me a noteworthy break not just from the hustle and bustle of the metro life, but of my personal  woes, to say. (Thanks Boy!) 

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A Dinner That Was!

Moreover, the journey back there came with a bonus as it foster advocacy and in part, benefit  “the  physically challenged”.  Am referring to the country’s visually impaired we shared this colourful planet with.

the hall to  pass before dark

 Follow the Leaders

For the Sightless and the UnSeen

As of this writing, Cataract Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CFPI) estimated that barely 4 hundred thousand Filipinos are  in fact, blind, - 2 millions elsewhere are recorded visually challenged, and countless unknown are still waiting to be reached by a pro-charity program like this event in Subic. ZoomanityGroup PH has made possible in cooperation with Resources for the Blind, Pampanga Chapter.

Eyes Closed!




                                    We were blindfolded, but escorted to a total dark room

Shining pieces of advice from men of the hour

The Origin

I found myself googling the saga of this "Dinner in the Dark" and was astonished to learned, the concept has been longtime offered by  a number of small & big resto'  in Asia and in the West.  A blind man named Jorge Spielman of Zurich Switzerland said to first thought about the gastro-venture  which promotes the dark theme. 

 A promo-teaser by an Malaysian resto' captured online

 A Sensory Experience

Re-enactment 

A Dining in the dark hall experience for less than an hour or so, accordingly, empowered  man's other senses usage,   not alone the belly for gastronomic pleasure.

Lights OFF!

Alas! Sans the pre-advised to do the chewing task in a pitch-black setting (with no hint of shadow or led reflection from a gadget) a table next to us has  seemed to semi-spoil the thrill. It was a senior citizen and a grade schooler kid could not seem to undo the test, thus, they begged their top table be lighted so they could uhm, eat well!, their peers some even chatted noisily beating the soothing music background that supposed to rule over the setting.

 Zoocobia's Operations Manager for F & B orienting the participant's on the do's & don'ts prior to dining proper.

Life-Changing

After the Dinner, prior to partakers leaving their respective tables, a short interview was made: "How was your experience? the  polite host, asked:  "character forming" I replied in gusto'.   It sermons people with complete senses complaining on life's petty issues; where in fact, there are those born unaware of the food's color or shape right in their very front.  People nodded, then applauses, (which I don't deserve, but the men in tinted shades in  our tables does).

"COMPASSION is commendable, but more them them being pitied, they should be admired for trying to live life to the fullest despite their daily challenges they have had".  (I added)


Then silence. Inded, we have had a bright lesson reminded by the dark - worth contemplating in this lifetime. We left the venue with gratitude in our hearts.

Pose with Pride: Yours truly (#theBluePoet) with the resto's OIC, a fellow blogger jejie (@jejietravel.com) and yes, the start of the night. Our newfound friends in shades.

Book Now: A Dinner in the Dark Experience" usually complements with a Nature Park Trip in the day time and exotic animals show at night time, plus lots of fire & led light dancers performing . Feel free to message me for more info or Visit the FB page of Zoocobia Fun Zoo.  in Subic, Angeles, Pampanga (just 2 hours away from Manila), to learn more about seasonal promos. Phone No. 0922 717 2402. 

Zoocobia Fun Zoo is family attraction that more than meets the eye 

Acknowledgment: Our eventful day was also made by the warm assistance of  Zoomanity GroupPH Team headed by Ms. Camille, and through PR Partnership of TAG Media. The whole Team rocks! Thanks much!

 
- (Written for Boy Raket Blogsite by the Josh, the Blue Poet)