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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016 Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
MMDA, BRITISH COUNCIL PROP UP 'URBAN LIVABILITY' FOR MEGA MANILA
“W
ITH problems such as traffic congestion and lack of public spaces, cooperation and creative ideas on improving urban livability are more needed than ever.”
This in a nutshell, described the ongoing joint advocacy program of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the British Council of the Philippines. Nick Thomas, British Council country director, said “that as countries around the world grapple with the complex challenges of urbanization, the evidence is clear that culture and creativity can play an essential role in making cities more inclusive, sustainable and economically vibrant.” “We are delighted to be working with MMDA on this new project along the Pasig River,” Thomas said, during the recent launch of their joint project dubbed as “Art for Urban Change’ held at the First United Building in Escolta. In a statement, MMDA and BCP officials said that the partnership aims to contribute to more livable and creative cities and it includes the creation of site-specific artworks on pumping stations found along Pasig River, a traveling art exhibition, and the creation of a public art advisory group. The first work was unveiled during the partnership launch, located at a pumping station on Burke Street corner Muelle del Banco Nacional. Leeroy New created the artwork alongside collaborator Janno Abenoja. Pumping stations are vital in the city’s flood management as they regulate the water levels of Pasig River and sewers. The traveling exhibition features works from Rivers of the World, a project that enables young people to explore their local environment. Six art pieces created by students from Marikina and local
art collective, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, will be displayed in selected Pasig ferry stations from November 2016 onwards to 2017. Pasig River is historically an important transportation route and water source in Metro Manila but has since been declared overly polluted by ecologists. The artworks were first shown at the Totally Thames Festival in London last September 2016. “MMDA welcomes the British Council as a partner in our effort to revive Pasig River as a place that people can enjoy for commuting, recreation, and leisure” shares Julia Nebrija, MMDA’s assistant general manager for Operations. “We are excited to offer artists an opportunity to inspire citizens to return to the river,” Nebrija enthused. “In addition to restoring ferry transport and preserving environmental quality, it’s important to celebrate the river as part of our city’s culture,” she added. Leeroy New is an artist-designer whose works address the issue of art and art practitioners’ (in)visibility in the Philippines through cultivating a language for large scale public art. New, originally trained as a sculptor, tried everything from production design for film to working with fashion designers, to creating 3D mock ups for commercial purposes. He integrated this inclination to move from one mode of creative production to another as the spine of his creative practice. For more information on this project, visit www.britishcouncil.ph/programmes/arts.
The country’s vice governors led by its president Tonypet Albano (Isabela), Chairman Humerlito Dolor (Oriental Mindoro) and Secretary General Carlo Loreto (Leyte) light the symbolic lamps with Anthony Catajan and James Donovan of My Shelter Foundation.
LITER OF LIGHT
VICE GOVS INK MOA ON SOLAR LIGHTING THE country’s most far-flung areas would soon get night light as the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines recently forged a memorandum of agreement with My Shelter Foundation’s Liter of Light program for the provision of affordable, sustainable solar light to people with limited or no access to electricity.
Under the MoA, which was facilitated by and LVGP PRO Jo Kristine Revil (Masbate), the provinces through the vice governors, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, private sector and civil society groups will endeavor to provide inexpensive lighting to remote barangays across the archipelago. Founded by Filipino social entrepreneur Illac Diaz, the project has
Local Gov’t Units
installed more than 350,000 bottle lights in more than 15 countries and taught green skills to empower grassroots groups. A recipient of the 2015 Zayed Future Energy Prize and the 2014-2015 World Habitat Award, its open source technology has been recognized by the United Nations and adopted for use in some UN refugee camps.
ECO-TOWN PROGRAMS STEERED FOR RIZAL LGUS DISASTER-PRONE areas in Rizal have adopted climate change policies in an “eco-town” program covering five LGUs in Rizal province. An ecotown is an environmentally sustainable community that is developing to have zero emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG), according to a Climate Change Commission. Dr. Ancha Srinivasan, ADB climate change specialist, in a statement said that among specific measures piloted in the Protected Area Management Board of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) will primarily include bio-charcoal briquetting for Marikina, San Mateo, Rodriguez, Tanay, and Baras, species establishment and rehabilitation in Tanay, Rodriguez, and Baras, and check dams piloted in Antipolo City and San Mateo. Commissioned by the Asian Development Bank to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the project dubbed as “Marikina Watershed,” has adopted the Climate Resilience and Green Growth Road Map developed under the ADBfunded “Climate Resilience and Green Growth in UMRBPL: Demonstrating the Ecotown Framework.” The project is by and large a realization--of previously thought of--as vague or unreal concept of climate change as LGUs implement proper agricultural and environmental management practices. These activities prevent the disastrous effects of climate change such as flooding and landslides. Instead of cutting trees in the protected area to produce charcoal, natives turn to bio-charcoal briquetting as livelihood. Check dams also prevent soil erosion and excessive flooding as these become water storage and source of irrigation for farming, too. Dr. Lope B. Santos III, SEARCA program specialist, cited specific activities and undertakings involved in the eco-town development planning process. These include baseline analysis, natural resources assessment, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory, sectoral vulnerability and risk assessment, cost benefit analysis of identified priority adaptation and mitigation measures, preparation of climate resilience and green growth road map and local climate change action plan .” Another ADB and CCCC, Climate Resilience and Green Growth in Critical Watersheds were also commissioned to SEARCA and applied the same eco-town development planning process.
CLARK EXPANSION TO ADD 9,000 JOBS TO C. LUZON CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—The new expansion program of the Clark Investors and Locators Association here will generate about 9,000 additional jobs this month up to next year, an official said. There are still many jobs waiting to be filled inside Clark as shown by data from the External Affairs Department of the Clark Development Corp., said Noel Tulabut, chief of the communication division. During the recent job fair here, about 132 applicants were hired on the spot, while 269 qualified for tests and 2,227 were scheduled for further interviews, Tulabut said. “This is still very far from the actual labor needs inside Clark Field,” he added. The arrival of additional locators,
mostly Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese businessmen, and the expansion of businesses already operating inside the former US Air Force base led to the increased demand for workers inside the Freeport, he said. CILA is an organization of firms operating inside the Freeport. To solve the mismatches between the labor force required and the availability of manpower, CDC is proposing a Dual Training System that would assure future locators and investors in the Freeport of a steady stream of job hunters. This is in cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the colleges, universities, and local government units of Pampanga, Tulabut added. Romeo Dizon
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CAROLING CHOIR. San Juan City Mayor Guia G. Gomez (seated left) welcomes to her home on Monday Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones and the Manila Concert Choir, which dished out Christmas songs—the first ever to echo across the mayor’s home this Yuletide season. The Manila Concert Choir, established in 1951 with a by-invitation membership basis, is composed of people from different disciplines and of various ages. It is currently headed by Dr. Briones of the University of the Philippines. The conductor of the group is Dr. Romulo Pizana, a mathematics professor at Far Eastern University.
LGUs
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
BATAAN UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP MOBILE APP BALANGA CITY—The Bataan Peninsula State University is in the process of developing a mobile application for training agriculture and aquaculture technology aimed at educating farmers, fishermen, and animal growers in the province. Engineer Kristine Ortega, BPSU College of Engineering and Architecture faculty member and project leader, said the mobile application called eCulture Application will contain researches of the university determined to be useful to target beneficiaries. She said they will develop the mobile based on 50 researches done by the BPSU Abucay Campus that would focus on providing instant access to new processes and best practices for both agri and aqua culture to some 5,000 farmers, fishermen, and animal and crop growers from the 12 towns of the province. As part of the extension program of the university, the project will provide actual training to beneficiaries on the proper use of the mobile application. The project likewise aims to benefit agriculturists, researchers, and students. The eCulture application will be launched in different municipalities of the province, and agriculture and fisheries agencies. The project is funded by Commission on Higher Education, National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System. Its extension period is from January 2017 to December 2018. Ortega said the information on the application will be disseminated through web and Facebook page development, distribution of app. Training modules will be provided to thousands of target beneficiaries including production of IEC materials among others. Other members of research and extension project are Engr. Christopher V. Maglaque, Project Co-Investigator; Mark Anthony S. Colentava, Project Technical Expert; Dr. Hermogenes Paguia, Project Expert (Agriculture); Adrian Deil C. Manliclic, Project Expert (Aquaculture); and Dr. Rina Paguia, Project Member-LGU Coordinator. Project members also include Christopher DL. Sarile, Project MemberAdmin Staff; John Kevin B. Gamiao, Project Member-Document Specialist; Analyn Bonifacio, Project MemberAdmin Staff; and Kristine Joy G. Roque, Project Member-Admin Staff.
Pagcor board members led by Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo (center) join Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (fourth from left) and Resorts World Foundation and Travellers International president Kingson Sian (beside Domingo) during the groundbreaking ceremony of the drug treatment and rehabilitation center in the city.
IN DAVAO CITY
PAGCOR, RESORTS WORLD
PARTNER TO BUILD MODEL DRUG REHAB CENTER
A
S THE government intensifies its crackdown on illegal drug abuse, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation Inc. (Resorts World Foundation) led the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremonies of the recent Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Malagos, Davao City. Together with their partner agency, the Department of Health and the City Government of Davao, represented by DOH Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Cluster Dr. Abdullah Dumama and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the simple rites were held sand the pomp and pageantry. Funded by Resorts World Foundation, (the beneficiary foundation of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., “Travellers”), the two-
story drug rehabilitation building will house an infirmary, administrative office, staff quarters, dormitory, laundry area, dining hall, and recreation area, among others. Its design which has been approved by the DoH is patterned after the existing treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country. The rehab facility will be built on a 19,909-square-meter property with target completion and delivery on December 2017.
Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo who graced the groundbreaking ceremony said the drug treatment and rehabilitation project came into fruition when Travellers’ Vice Chairman Andrew Tan paid her a courtesy visit in Pagcor. “He said that he would like to put up two drug rehabilitation centers. We suggested putting one in Davao to service other surrounding areas in Mindanao. We likewise asked Travellers to put the other one in Camp Bagong Diwa,” Domingo said. Kingson Sian, President of Travellers and Resorts World Foundation, meanwhile, said the drug treatment and rehabilitation project is a manifestation of their support to the government in its fight against illegal drug abuse. “Today, we are partnering with Pagcor, the local government of Davao and the DoH to establish this
world-class center for rehabilitation of drug dependents here in Davao as we hope that this project will serve as a lasting and meaningful contribution to the government’s effort to make our country a better one under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Sian said. Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio likewise expressed her gratitude to Resorts World Foundation and Pagcor for choosing their city as the pilot site of the drug treatment and rehabilitation project during the event. ”This facility will enable more drug dependents to wean off their destructive habits, lead more productive lives and contribute to nation-building. The lady mayor said that with the construction of this facility, “we hope to encourage other localities to find ways to improve their drug rehabilitation centers so we can attain our collective aspirations of a drug-free Philippines."
TO EASE TRAFFIC WOES
BAGUIO-BENGUET OUTER ROAD PROJECT SLATED
THE GRADUATES. The Secretary of the Directorial Staff, PCSupt. Amador V. Corpus (Center in police officer’s uniform and acting Regional Director PCSupt. Valfrie G. Tabian, PRO 4A, led successful graduates (Class 05-2016) of the recent Motorcycle Riding and Safety course held at General Ricardo C. Marquez Hall, Multipurpose Center, Camp Vicente Lim, Barangay Mayapa, Calamba City. Roy Tomandao
PESO SLATES 2ND PANGASINAN ’NIGHT JOB FAIR‘ LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The country’s first night job market is slated for its second staging tomorrow at the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) Compound, Capitol Complex in Lingayen. This announcement came through PESO manager Alex Ferrer in a recent statement. “In response to a strong clamor from jobseekers, Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III has approved the holding of the 2nd Pangasinan Night Job Market,” Ferrer said. More than 2,000 local and over-
seas vacancies are waiting to be filled in by the nighttime career expo from 20 local companies and licensed overseas placement agencies. Job vacancies range Taiwan-bound factory workers, sales and service crews, local hotel and restaurant personnel, skilled construction and industrial workers, medical workers such as nurses and technicians, among others. To assist—not only the unemployed but also the underemployed—the slated job fair principally aims to pro-
vide the chance to individuals secure better career opportunities. Most job fairs are conducted during daytime—denying those employees and workers—the chance to seek other employment options as they have to be at their places of work during daytime. The night job market will start at 6 p.m. until 12 midnight. The first of its kind in the whole Philippines, the maiden edition of the night job market debuted in May this year as an additional highlight of the Pistay Dayat. Dexter A. See
TUBA, Benguet—A total of P5.5 billion has been allocated by the national government for the construction of a circumferential road to help decongest Baguio City and spur economic growth in the various communities surrounding the thickly populated city. The proposed Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) outer circumferential road starting from Tublay to Sablan will start next year with the inclusion in the 2017 national budget of around P5 million to jumpstart the ambitious road network project that will inter-connect the BLISTT communities. The road project will connect the towns of Sablan and Tuba through barangays Bayabas and Nangalisan before the outer circumferential road and will inter-connect Tuba and Itogon and eventually Itogon and Tublay. Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan in a statement said the construction and funding of the road project and full scale construction will commence by early 2018. The lawmaker noted that “We no longer have problems in the building of the road networks in Baguio and La Trinidad because the inter-circumferential road project that would connect these urban centers were al-
ready completed way ahead.” “We just have to pursue the major infrastructure development in the remaining areas of BLISTT to be able to attract the influx of more investors and help increase economic activities in the said localities,” Cosalan stressed. He underscored the cooperation and assistance of concerned local governments for the success and realization of the much-needed road project as he cited the road-rightof-way problems—should remain unresolved—will definitely cause undue delays for the planned threeyear program completion of the road project. “Unity and cooperation is paramount among BLISTT officials in order for this project to be finished as scheduled,” the solon said. The realization of the major road project is deemed crucial in spurring economic activities that will translate to increased job generation, improve sources of livelihood and infrastructure, agriculture and ecotourism growth in the areas to be traversed by the road-line. The circumferential road is also envisioned to serve as an alternate route in going around the BLISTT communities and reduce the worsening traffic congestions in the Baguio and La Trinidad areas. Dexter A. See
Gadgets & Games
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
BEST WAY TO ENJOY THE SEASON
Lenovo Yoga Book
LENOVO OFFERS ULTIMATE XMAS SHOPPING TECH GUIDE
O
UR country has the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season. Once the ‘ber’ months kick in, something magical unfolds right in front of our very eyes. Public places become riddled with Christmas lights, speakers in malls blare out Christmas tunes and the air around us becomes cooler. There’s also one thing people look forward to once the holidays begin and these are the flurry of sales with special discounts that barrage us left and right. As a way to assist you in purchasing gifts for your loved ones this coming holiday season, Lenovo has rounded up great tech gifts for everyone on your list.
For the visionary Lenovo PHAB2 Pro
When Augmented-reality technology broke into the mainstream this year thanks to Pokémon GO, people became ecstatic. Suddenly everyone can interact with fictional beings in real time and in the real world but AR is more than that. With it, visionaries who always have an eye for the future can imagine in a whole new level; by simply clicking a button they can create immersive environments that are highly interactive and can be easily manipulated. Knowing the limitless potential AR technology has, Lenovo released the Lenovo PHAB2 Pro—the world’s first smartphone compatible with AR, all thanks to Google’s Tango platform. The phone is capable of creating a 3D space around its user by using a combination of cameras such as a regular camera, an integrated depth sensing camera and a motion tracking camera. The latest of the Lenovo PHAB line to enter the Philippine market, it has a standard retail price of P24,999 and will be available by mid-December.
Plus! Capturing stunning images has never been easier with its Milbeaut® image processor—the same technology found in professional-grade cameras. You can also shoot super-sharp selfies with the 8 MP front camera featuring a 75º wide-angle view. Whatever you do with your Phab 2 Plus photos, you can be sure they’ll look PHABulous! Similar to the PHAB2, it comes with an impressive
For the shutterbug Lenovo PHAB2 Plus
Photographers are in for a treat with the dual 13 MP f/2.0 rear camera setup of the Lenovo PHAB2
Lenovo IdeaPad Y700
avail of a Windows 10 or an Android version. The Windows 10 costs P28,999 while the Android version is P23,999.
For the gamer Lenovo IdeaPad Y700
6.4 inch screen and also sports a 1.3GHz octacore processor and 3GB of RAM. You can get your hands on it for P14, 999.
For the movie buff Lenovo PHAB2
If binge-watching movies or TV shows all day is a favorite hobby, then the PHAB2 is perfect for that person on your gift list with its 6.4-inch 1280x720 HD IPS Screen and Dolby Atmos speakers that enable the device to play sounds in crisp and clear 5.1 surround sound quality. Watching for countless hours shouldn’t be a problem as the PHAB2 comes with a 4050mAh battery and has a 1.3GHz quad-core processor coupled with 3GB of RAM. The PHAB2 is now available nationwide in all Lenovo stores and authorized dealers for P 9,999.
the stylus or with a real pen. Boasting an exceptionally thin and light design, the Yoga Book weighs only 690g and is as thin as 4.05mm, making work or play on-the-go effortlessly easy. Buyers of the Yoga Book can either
Lenovo PHAB2 Plus
For the artist Lenovo Yoga Book
Mobile productivity enters a new era with the Lenovo Yoga Book, a 2-in-1 tablet that is definitely first of its kind and never before seen. With its Create Pad, the Yoga Book is the perfect gift for the artist in your family as users can scribble notes or sketches using
Booming is definitely the appropriate term to describe the gaming scene today. The year 2016 saw major gaming titles being released one after another and what perfect way to enjoy these games (and the upcoming games, too) than to experience all of their 720P or 1080P Full HD glory using the Lenovo IdeaPad Y700. Built for no-nonsense, on-the-go gaming, this 15- or 17-inch laptop has the hardware that hardcore gamers look for in a laptop. Overheating is a non-issue with its thermal fans keeping things nice and cool under the hood and its backlit keyboard is perfect for gamers who want an enhanced gaming experience. Oh, what a time for a gamer to be alive! Price starts at P69,995.
FOR a diabetic like this writer, I grab at every chance to get some saddle time and rack up some miles with my trusty old mountain bike. As the weather continues to be nicer and with a chill around the air, there is nothing more satisfying than unplugging yourself to enjoy nature on two wheels. Since it is only me in my block that dedicates time to wake up early and bike around in the mountainous side of Antipolo, Rizal, it can be a bit lonely out there. So one can just imagine my elation when the guys at Nyne Audio Ph sent a Nyne Edge test unit to try out for a couple of days. For starters, the Edge looks like a shrunken, miniature version of the Nyne Rock, and it fits easily in your hand. The contours lend itself nicely to portability and the double injection rubber housing feels great to the touch and very convenient to lug around.
Bike friendly
Designed specifically for bikers, this Bluetooth speaker comes with a handlebar clip and the rubber housing is IPX5 rated, which means
better protection for the device in any weather. Using the Edge is a no-brainer, just clamp it on the handlebar, connect your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth or NFC touch and voila, you are ready to hit the road for an all-day adventure listening to your soundtrack. With up to 15 hours of battery life, there is no fear of running out of juice, music or terrain to explore, because this device is also shock resistant. Aside from its portability and superb sound quality, another noteworthy feature of this device is the multi-function LED light (with emergency strobe setting) that acts as your bicycle’s headlight. When my schedule permits me from riding in the morning, I usually sneak in a trail ride in the early evening just to rack up some significant physical exertion for my health. The LED lights provide the convenience and safety required by those who ride at night. A control panel across the top has buttons for power, a multi-function button that controls playback, call management, soundtrack navigation and volume. The volume control syncs with your iPhone or Android phone. Underneath the snap-shut protective cover on the rear panel of the Edge is a USB connection for charging mobile devices, and a micro USB port for charging
Grand Videoke PLUS
For the travelling yuppie Lenovo Yoga 900
All of us know that traveling can be a burden. Packing heavy bags filled with clothes and gear can be draining, and with laptops becoming a necessity, it’s important for it to be durable, flexible, and light at the same time. Fortunately for backpackers, the Lenovo Yoga 900 meets those very requirements. Weighing at a mere 1.3 kg and just 14.9 mm thick, the Yoga 900 is ultraportable—it’s perfect for life on the go. It features four different modes for users: Laptop, Stand, Tent, or Tablet. How, you ask? The secret is on the laptop’s watchband hinge and touchscreen which allows the screen to flip up to 360 degrees. Get it for P78,995.
NYNE EDGE: THE EDGE OF SOUND
Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III
FOR FILIPINOS, especially the modern day heroes–OFWs and balikbayans, who deserve a grand Christmas homecoming celebration, a Grand Videoke is the best way to entertain and share songs from the heart on top of their lungs. For over 15 years, the makers of Grand Videoke have had the heritage of providing world-class premium videoke experience. Fulfilling its commitment in creating more Grand moments, Grand Videoke is introducing its new line—the Grand Videoke PLUS series. With the newest Grand Videoke PLUS, celebrations and parties will never be the same. Everyone will surely love the GeeVee™ Voice Command function that allows finding songs in just about five seconds, a game changer in the industry. With this unique feature, one simply needs to say the song title directly to the microphone, wait a few seconds and start singing. Speaking of the microphone, the Grand Videoke PLUS’ clarinet-inspired wireless microphone is remarkable in its own right. Aside from the stylish and iconic design, it utilizes professional microphone technology for louder, clearer, and more natural voice pickup. The Grand Videoke PLUS produces grand sound as it is equipped with Dream 2634+ Sound Module for more realistic, concert-like sound. With a selection of more than 6,000 unique songs, from favorite classics to hot contemporary tracks, the carefully curated song library ensures each member of the family will have a grand time singing. And when it’s time to rest those vocal cords, Grand Videoke PLUS is a full-featured multimedia player capable of playing movies, music, and pictures through SD card or USB drive. Christmas is a time of giving, and this is why Grand Videoke is giving away a promo for all the singing stars. Customers can get a free WOW Digital TV Box worth PhP 1,500 for every purchase of Grand Videoke Symphony 2.0 PLUS (TKR372MP PLUS). Promo is available at SM Appliance, Gadgets Hub at The SM Store, Astroplus, Odyssey, Robinsons Appliance, and other leading appliance and music stores. It can also be purchased online via Lazada (http:// www.lazada.com.ph) and The WOW Store (https://thewowstore.com.ph)
the speaker itself. After a period of inactivity, the device will shut itself automatically to preserve battery life. Once you turn it on again, it automatically pairs up with the last device used when it powered up.“Nyne Edge is the ultimate portable speaker for all of your outdoor adventures,”adds Johann Tiu of Nyne Audio Ph.
Small yet loud and crisp
For a compact device, it can hold its own in blaring out my selection of artists from Motown, down to Bruno Mars. On a cool down session after an hour of biking, I decided to put on Barry White’s “Can’t get enough of your love.” White’s deep baritone voice was handled with relative ease by the Edge by maintaining the rich vocals of the song, while there’s a strong high-mid and high frequency element, allowing for a clarity and contour of the vocals, and percussive hits. Next I played Depeche Mode’s “People are People,” which is a song full of bass. Again, the Edge delivered with a solid sense of deep bass without distortion and it does so by avoiding the deep frequencies required from a subwoofer or more powerful drivers to reproduce. But still, this device manages to deliver decent sense of lows and low-mids. Bass fanatics will probably yearn
NYNE EDGE for more low-end, but on this price range, you get decent play time for your favorite tunes. It may not be bass heavy that some hardcore listeners are after, but the Edge compensates for its powerful and clear audio output for outdoor listening. Combined with LED lights, rugged design and a host of user friendly features, you’ve got a winner with this device.
ANOTHER OPPO F1 PRICE DROP HEADS up, Christmas shoppers: there’s another P1,000 off on the OPPO F1. The discount applies to OPPO’s P9,990 holiday promo on the F1, further dropping the price to a mere P8,990. The OPPO F1 is the first smartphone in the mobile technology brand’s camerafocused F series, which made its debut in the Philippines last February. “We always want our selfies to be upload-ready as soon as we take them, and this is especially true during the holiday season,” said OPPO Brand Marketing Manager Stephen Cheng. “The OPPO F1 would make a great gift for anyone who wants to immortalize their holiday moments. Our newest discount just makes that even more possible,” he added. The smartphone features an 8-megapixel front camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture lens and a 1/4 inch sensorto capture vibrant selfies even in less-than-ideal lighting. Selfies taken by the front camera are 30 percent clearer than photos captured by a 5-megapixel camera. They are also 44 percent brighter than those taken with an f/2.4 lens. The OPPO F1’s front-camera is also equipped with the Beautify 3.0 app, which has three beautification modes and various filters to give selfies a flawless look. The discounted OPPO F1 is available at concept and dealer stores nationwide. For more information, visit OPPO Philippines’ Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/oppophilippines/ or log on to http://www.oppo.com/ph/index.html.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
Gadgets & Games
TAYONA.PH: PROUDLY PHILIPPINE MADE
The TayoNa Team (from right) Frederick R. Puno, Director / IT Head;Atty. Arthur C. Corpuz, Chairman/CEO; Arlene de Vera, Director/Marketing Manager; Dexter Banastao, Mobile Developer; Liwayway A. Benitez, Sales Consultant; Manuel G. Eviota, Director/COO; Jade O. Bernabe, Director/ Social Media and Brand Manager.
By Randy Caluag
N
OW, there’s a social network intended solely for Filipinos. With the theme, Selfie Generation for Selfless Generation, Tayona.ph was launched recently at the QCX Quezon City Circle. The site’s Filipino name, which means “Let’s Go,” urges Filipinos to take a more active participation in nation building and help elevate
the socio-economic standing of the country. One of the basic features of the site is e-gift giving or sharing, wherein the gift giver automatically receives “Wish Gems,” which can be used to “wish” for prizes such as “educational assistance,” plane ticket, gadgets etc. At the same time, the gift recipient is automatically credited with points which can be used to send eGifts to earn Wish Gems. Another light, fun feature of Tayona.ph is the Selfie and Groupie-themed photo contest to win prizes.
Members of the site can enjoy for free the usual features of social sites such as chatting, video and photo upload, wall postings etc. On a serious note, members may use the site to promote his or her business, which is really the intention of the site —use it as a tool for socio-economic empowerment. “TayoNa.ph is actually a social advocacy, a movement of Filipinos for social change towards a better society. We’re hoping to turn the Selfie generation into Selfless generation for better Philippines,” said lawyer Arthur Corpuz, Tayona.
ph’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Tayona.Ph is definitely more than just a social network site. The Selfie for a Cause program is aimed at sustaining its scholarship program. It also has a Sipag Pinoy campaign intended for the Filipino workers, whether based locally or abroad. “TayoNa is very optimistic that Filipinos can achieve better lives which we truly deserve. We truly believe that the Filipinos can, and only we Filipinos can help ourselves and our country,” added Corpuz.
DARE TO SHINE WITH ALCATEL SHINE LITE TODAY’S young and active generation has the potential to shine in whatever field they choose. After all, we have access to information and can get things done with a tap or swipe of a finger. The power to enjoy life, seize opportunities and dare to shine is in our hands. Alcatel, a mobile device brand of TCL Communication, brings Shine Lite, a stylish new smartphone that delivers innovative, feature-rich experiences to young Filipinos who appreciate both premium design and competitive pricing. Alcatel aims to bring joy to everyone through its SHINE LITE and its features.
and fun life. The Shine Lite has all the features needed to help users stand out from the crowd, achieve one’s goals, and shine! This Alcatel phone comes in two variants: Pure White and Satin Gold. Head to the nearest Alcatel store nationwide and buy the Alcatel smartphone that suits your young, savvy, active lifestyle. Dare to shine!
About Alcatel Mobile Devices
Stylish Performer
Shine Lite offers a sophisticated symmetrical design with 2.5D glass on both sides and a stylish metal frame. With its glass and metal design, it gives you a smooth feel while swiping. Its curves have a stunning, ergonomic look; and the metallic finish gives it a sleek, premium appearance.
Private Safekeeper
Easy on the eyes and packed with useful features, the Shine Lite has a private Safebox, where users can store private photos, videos, music and documents. Users can also preprogram up to five fingerprints to effortlessly launch five favourite apps directly from standby mode.
Fun Photo Shoot When it comes to capturing moments, Shine Lite’s camera features are a delight to use, making selfies and everyday moments post worthy. The front camera comes with front flash that makes photos brighter and
front and rear cameras; and making it much easier to create collages. The most exciting feature about the Alcatel aims to bring joy to Shine Lite camera is the “V” gesture everyone through its SHINE LITE snapshot. When taking a selfie, simand its features. ply make a V with your fingers and the timer will automatically start a more vivid under any lighting condi- count down. Count three seconds tions. Its rear camera has a dual tone and strike a pose for a well-comflash that allows for more natural and posed photograph. accurate color toned images under low Built For Those Who Dare To Shine light conditions. The newest addition to the Alcatel Meanwhile, the Split Catcher app allows users to create a multi-view family makes it easy to experience joy, collage, capturing scenes from both and live a more confident, exciting
TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, develops and markets a diverse range of mobile devices in more than 170 countries worldwide under the Alcatel brand, which represents over 90% of the TCL Communication’s total sales and ranks as the world’s #6 mobile device manufacturer and the #1 Chinese vendor in overseas markets, based on Q1 2016 telecommunication research firm Gartner and company’s data. Its products and solutions resonate with millennial and Gen Z consumers with a simple, personal, authentic and fun approach. By combining an understanding of local markets and control of the end-to-end manufacturing process, Alcatel branded devices from TCL Communication delivers customized user experiences with innovative, feature-rich, high-performance mobile devices that allow consumers to explore and amplify the joy in the everyday. TCL Communication is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2618.HK) and part of TCL Corporation, one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world. Alcatel is a trademark of Alcatel-Lucent used under license by TCL Communication.
SAMSUNG'S AUDIO 360 DELIVERS AMAZING SOUND AS DEMAND for listening preference focusing more on going wireless without sacrificing sound quality, Samsung gets ahead of the game with their Samsung Wireless Audio 360 speakers. This product revolutionizes the way people consume music nowadays. It gives audiophiles a treat of a smooth listening experience and tastemakers a speaker with an avant-garde design—proving that technology and art can come together. Playing music at home without hearing it audibly in other parts of the room is now a thing of the past. The Samsung Wireless Audio 360 produces sound evenly in all directions through its patented Ring Radiator technology; which was developed in Samsung’s Audio Lab in California. Whether you’re resting in your bedroom, cooking in the kitchen, or hosting a dinner with family and friends in your balcony, you can enjoy the 360-degree balanced sound wherever you are. More than just a speaker, the Samsung Wireless Audio 360’s sleek design with a matte black finish also works as a cutting-edge ornament for the living room or dining area. On top of its aesthetic value, Samsung audio engineers have determined that its unique shape is ideal for producing perfectly balanced sound.
The Samsung Wireless Audio 360 produces sound evenly in all directions of your room through its patented Ring Radiator technology; which was developed in Samsung’s Audio Lab in California.
These speakers also connect seamlessly with other Samsung products. Wirelessly connect it to your Samsung TV to maximize your movie viewing experience, to your mobile phone or tablet to watch your artist’s performance videos; or to other Samsung Wireless Audio 360 units to fill the house with your favorite music with Samsung’s Multiroom App 2.5. For music and style enthusiasts, who are looking for a groundbreaking piece of audio equipment to change the way they listen to and enjoy sound wherever and whenever, the Samsung Wireless Audio 360 line-up is the perfect speaker that meets your interest. The line-up includes four different speakers having their own distinct design: the elegant R7 unit, the portable compact R6 unit and the harmonious ambient R3 & R1. To know more about these speakers, visit the Samsung Facebook page or log on to samsung. com/ph/. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news. samsung.com