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Latest new from all over the Philippines.

Warriors fell to the Raptors, powered by RJ Barrett’s 37 points game (133-118)

January 8, 2024
Warriors fell to the Raptors, powered by RJ Barrett’s 37 points game (133-118)
Image: @Raptors

The Raptors gave the Warriors one of their worst loss of the season, behind RJ Barrett’s 37 points game. This is the 4th game of Barrett as a Raptor, who are 3 – 4, since trading OG Anunoby to the Knicks to get RJ Barrett, last Dec. 31st.

This is basically how the game was; the Raptors made 15 of their 33 three-points shot, lead by RJ Barrett, who made 5 of his 8 threes, despite having a great game from Klay Thompson with his 25 points, the Warriors are 14 for 46 from behind the arc with Steph is 0 of 9 from the three-point line, scoring only for 9 points. All Warriors starters are negative in the +/- column.

Aside from Barrett, Chris Boucher scored 17 points and 9 rebounds from the bench, with Pascal Siakam adding 16 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The Raptors were never threaten in the game and at one point, their lead ballooned to 27 points.

Here are highlights of RJ Barrett;

Raptors will be visiting the Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Warriors will be hosting the NO Pelicans on Wednesday night.

MalacaƱang declared January 9th as a Special Non-Working Holiday in the City of Manila in observance to the Feast of the Black Nazarene

January 4, 2024
MalacaƱang declared January 9th as a Special Non-Working Holiday in the City of Manila in observance to the Feast of the Black Nazarene
Image: Wikimedia

MalacaƱang just declared that Tuesday, 9th of January will be a Special Non-working day for the City of Manila to give way to the thousands, if not millions of devotees, who will celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene also known as the TraslaciĆ³n.

A little background from Wikipedia;

The Feast of the Black Nazarene commemorates the anniversary of the translation or the transfer of the image from its original location at a church in modern-day Luneta Park to Quiapo. The image was brought to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan (now Luneta) until May 31, 1606, by Augustinian Recollect priests. In 1608, the icon was enshrined at the Recollect church of San NicolĆ”s de Tolentino in Intramuros. It was moved to the Saint John the Baptist Church, which is now commonly referred to as the Quiapo Church, on January 9, 1787. The “solemn transfer” eventually became the date of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Reaction – 2 drinks, 3 tables: Bacolod cafe sends away non-paying customers, gets mixed

December 12, 2023
Reaction – 2 drinks, 3 tables: Bacolod cafe sends away non-paying customers, gets mixed
Image: @slobar.cafe

via Philippine Star Life;

A coffee shop in Bacolod received an outpour of support after a group of 10 customers review-bombed it when they were asked to leave as its non-paying members filled other tables. Owners of other cafes, however, have a different take on the issue.

SLO_BAR Cafe took to Instagram to lament how 10 people bought only two drinks but occupied three tables. They were asked to leave to give way to other paying customers.

The staff of the coffee shop is in the right when they asked the people to give way to paying customer, especially if the those group of people are occupying 3 tables and just bought 2 drinks.

For Nikaela Cortez of Sibs Cafe, which has a seating capacity of six, non-paying customers who decide to stay lead to an ā€œopportunityā€ to market the business and spread awareness.

ā€œThough they may only buy two drinks, and even if ten of them choose to stay, that specific moment can be a chance to attract more customers in the future,ā€ Cortez told L!fe. ā€œThey are still customers at the end of the day.ā€

She, however, said that once a paying customer arrives, thatā€™s the time her cafe would politely ask the non-paying ones to share the table.

ā€œWe encourage an environment where our customers get to experience a sense of sharing while enjoying their stay in our cafe,ā€ she added.

This comment is holds a lot of weight, of course if you are a non-paying customer in a cafe, then we have to give way to customer who are actually paying to enjoy their drinks. And yes… customers are not always right… for this case, we need to educate the customers, so next time they will know what is right.

SC announces 2023 Bar Exam Passer

December 6, 2023
SC announces 2023 Bar Exam Passer
Image - FB @SupremeCourtPhilippines

Supreme Court of the Philippines yesterday announced that a total of 3,812 out of the 10,387 who completed all the tests during the three days of the exams passed the 2023 Bar Examinations. For this year’s bar exam have a 36.77%. passing rate, which went down from last year’s 43.47% passing rate.

Below are the Top Bar passers;

Rank Name School Rating
1 BIE, Ephraim Porciuncula University of Santo Tomas 89.2625%
2 VIVIT, Mark Josel Padua Ateneo de Manila University 89.1250%
3 FRANCISCO, Frances Camille Altonage San Beda University 88.9125%
4 TANG, Nathaniel NiƱo Alipio Aquinas-UST-LEGAZPI 88.6500%
5 FLORES, David Joseph Austria De La Salle University 88.5500%
6 SAMANIEGO, Ralph Vincent Salvador University of the Philippines 88.4750%
7 ANTONIO, Bryan Gerard Tapnio Ateneo de Manila University 88.3125%
8 BATULAN, Paulo University of San Jose ā€“ Recoletos 88.2500%
BUENCAMINO, Pio Vincent Roura University of Santo Tomas 88.2500%
9 BAUTISTA, Grace Abigail Morales Angeles University Foundation School of Law 88.0625%
10 CHAN, Jayson Ong Saint Paul School of Professional Studies 88.0125%
NON, Zes Trina BaƱares Aquinas-UST-LEGAZPI 88.0125%
11 CALDERON, Maria Sofia Esguerra San Beda University 88.0000%
12 CRUZ, Cedric Jerome Moya Bulacan State University 87.9250%
13 OCAMPO, Marvin Joseph Manarang University of the Philippines 87.9125%
14 RUEDA, Yvette Veronique De Guzman University of Makati 87.8750%
15 POBAR, Dionisio III Tenorio University of the Philippines 87.8375%
16 BARRION, Vince Benedict Abu University of the Philippines 87.8000%
17 GUZMAN, Paolo Luna University of the Philippines 87.7875%
18 BALISONG, Rockylle Dominique Laureta San Beda University 87.7375%
19 PANOTES, Claudine De Luna Arellano University 87.6875%
20 CO, Janel Nathalie Ang Ateneo de Manila University 87.6625%

SC also published the list of successful examinees on their official social media accounts;

To all the new Attorneys.. CONGRATULATIONS!

Amazon partners with Hyundai to Sell Cars Online with Alexa built-in and AWS

November 19, 2023
Amazon partners with Hyundai to Sell Cars Online with Alexa built-in and AWS

Amazon just announced that it has entered a broad strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Company. The partnership will allow Hyundai auto dealers to sell the automakerā€™s vehicles online in Amazonā€™s U.S. store in 2024. Then there’s the AWS part, since Hyundai has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to accelerate its digital transformation. In connection to the selling cars on Amazon, starting 2025, Alexa will be built-in to Hyundaiā€™s next-generation vehicles.

You can read the full text of Amazon and Hyundai’s announcement below;

As shared by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon and Hyundai Motor Company have announced a broad strategic partnership.

“Hyundai is a very innovative company that shares Amazonā€™s passion for trying to make customersā€™ lives better and easier every day,ā€ said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. ā€œOur broad, strategic partnership should do just that, from changing the ease with which customers can buy vehicles online to making it simple to use Alexa in Hyundai vehicles for entertainment, shopping, smart home adjustments, and calendar checks to enabling Hyundai to transform their customer experiences and business operations by moving to AWS. We look forward to inventing together for many years.ā€

JosĆ© MuƱoz, global chief operating officer for Hyundai and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, and Marty Mallick, Amazonā€™s vice president for Worldwide Business and Corporate Development, revealed three key pieces of the announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Here are three key pieces to know about this announcement.

1. In 2024, auto dealers for the first time will be able to sell vehicles in Amazonā€™s U.S. store, and Hyundai will be the first brand available for customers to purchase.
This new digital shopping experience will make it easy for customers to purchase a new car online, and then pick it up or have it delivered by their local dealership at a time that works best for them. Customers will be able to search on Amazon for available vehicles in their area based on a range of preferences, including model, trim, color, and features; choose their preferred car; and then check out online with their chosen payment and financing optionsā€”all within the Amazon experience they already know and trust. This new shopping experience will create another way for dealers to build awareness of their selection and offer convenience to their customers.

2. Hyundai has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to accelerate its digital transformation using broad and industry-leading AWS capabilitiesā€”from compute, storage, database, and analytics to artificial intelligence (generative AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).
As part of a new multiyear agreement, Hyundai will become a more data-driven organization with a cloud-first technology strategy, migrating its current on-premises applicationsā€”which support everything across research, product engineering, and customer engagementā€”to AWS. Hyundai will prioritize business cases like manufacturing and supply chain to help optimize production and minimize costs, security, and disaster recovery for resiliency, and connected vehicle development to bring new features to drivers around the globe. In addition, AWS and Hyundai designed and implemented a Master Builder training and certification program to train Hyundai engineers in critical cloud skills.

3. Next-generation Hyundai vehicles will be even more responsive and interactive with Alexa Built-in.
Starting in 2025, customers who purchase Hyundaiā€™s next-generation vehicles will be able to access the hands-free Alexa experience they have at home, while in their car. Hyundai drivers will be able to ask Alexa to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks; set reminders; update to-do lists; and check calendars. Customers will also be able to control their smart home from the road, such as asking to warm up the house on their way home, double-checking doors are locked, and managing smart lighting and Alexa routines. Drivers will also be able to ask Alexa for up-to-date traffic updates or weather reports, and use voice-control with the in-vehicle media player or navigation systemā€”with certain Alexa features accessible even when internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable.

ā€œWeā€™re excited to be working with Hyundaiā€”the third-largest carmaker in the world and a leading innovator in the industry,ā€ said Mallick during the onstage press conference in LA. ā€œTogether, we will provide customers with more of the buying experiences they wantā€”and support dealers with an efficient and effective selling platform.ā€

ā€œThis is a transformational journey we are on together, and we look forward to a very productive long-term relationship with Amazon,ā€ said MuƱoz.

Arm to acquire minority stake in Raspberry Pi

November 5, 2023
Arm to acquire minority stake in Raspberry Pi

Arm announced that it had acquired a minority stake in Raspberry Pi. This investment is a significant development in the partnership between the two companies, which has been ongoing since 2008. Raspberry Pi has used Arm-based CPUs in all of its single-board computers (SBCs), and the two companies have collaborated on a number of initiatives, including the development of the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller.

The acquisition of a minority stake in Raspberry Pi is seen as a strategic move by Arm. Raspberry Pi has sold over 40 million SBCs to date, making it one of the most popular platforms for IoT development.

The partnership will benefit to both companies; Arm gains access to Raspberry Pi’s large and active community of developers, which can help to accelerate the adoption of Arm-based chips in IoT devices, Raspberry Pi, in turn, benefits from Arm’s expertise in chip design and its global reach.

ā€œArm and Raspberry Pi share a vision to make computing accessible for all, by lowering barriers to innovation so that anyone, anywhere can learn, experience and create new IoT solutions,ā€ said Paul Williamson, SVP and GM, Internet of Things Line of Business, Arm. ā€œWith the rapid growth of edge and endpoint AI applications, platforms like those from Raspberry Pi, built on Arm, are critical to driving the adoption of high-performance IoT devices globally by enabling developers to innovate faster and more easily. This strategic investment is further proof of our continued commitment to the developer community, and to our partnership with Raspberry Pi.ā€

ā€œArm technology has always been central to the platforms we create, and this investment is an important milestone in our longstanding partnership,ā€ said Eben Upton, CEO, Raspberry Pi. ā€œUsing Arm technology as the foundation of our current and future products offers us access to the compute performance, energy efficiency and extensive software ecosystem we need, as we continue to remove barriers to entry for everyone, from students and enthusiasts, to professional developers deploying commercial IoT systems at scale.ā€

The acquisition of a minority stake in Raspberry Pi is also seen as a sign of Arm’s commitment to the open-source community. Raspberry Pi is a popular platform for open-source software development, and Arm has stated that it will continue to support the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s commitment to open source. Financial details of the deals was not disclose.

Xeleqt AI wins the Grand Prize at the Start-up Innovation Challenge at the PH Digicon 2023

October 19, 2023
Xeleqt AI wins the Grand Prize at the Start-up Innovation Challenge at the PH Digicon 2023

Xeleqt AI, a startup that develops artificial intelligence-powered solutions for the financial industry, has won the Grand Prize at the Start-up Innovation Challenge at the PH Digicon 2023.

Xeleqt AI is an IoT-enabled business-to-employee platform that helps businesses automate their operations, improve productivity and services. The company’s platform is already being used by a number of leading companies in the Philippines and around the world.

Together with Xeleqt AI, Mylo Speech Buddy and Vison Technologies won the contest, placing 1st and 2nd runner-ups, respectively.

The winners of the Start-up Innovation Challenge receive a number of prizes like; cash prizes of Php250,000 (1st), Php200,000 (2nd) and Php150,000 (3rd); mentorship, and access to resources and support from PLDT Enterprise and Smart Communications.

The PH Digicon is the largest digital technology conference in the Philippines. The conference brings together leaders from the government, industry, and academia to discuss the latest trends and developments in digital technology.

DICT’s statement on the hacking and defacing of the House of Representative website

October 16, 2023
DICT’s statement on the hacking and defacing of the House of Representative website

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) just release an official statement regarding the defacing of the House of Representative (HoR) website.

This is the full text of DICT’s statement;

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirms that a cybersecurity incident involving the House of Representatives (HOR) website occurred on Sunday, 15 October 2023.

The HOR immediately put the website offline to prevent further unauthorized access and reported the incident to the DICT ā€“ Philippine National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-PH).

CERT-PH is conducting an investigation to determine if sensitive data has been exfiltrated by the threat actor.

Recommendations were likewise provided to the HOR IT Team to prevent future security breaches on their website.

The DICT informs the public that the HOR website shall be online soon with its security vulnerabilities already addressed.

The next stages of the investigation on the incident, which include threat actor attribution and case build-up, shall be pursued by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, in coordination with our law enforcement agencies.

The DICT reaffirms its commitment to be an active partner of government agencies as they fulfill the primary responsibility of safeguarding their own ICT systems and infrastructure against cyber threats.

By:

Renato A. Paraiso
Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs
DICT Spokesperson
pio@dict.gov.ph

At the sametime, DICT also release a Tagalog version of their statement.

Yesterday, the website of the House of Representative (HoR) was hacked by the hacker group 3MUSKETEERZ, defacing it with the troll face meme captioned it ā€œYouā€™ve been hacked. Have a nice Day! Happy April Fullz Kahit October Palang! Fix your website.ā€ and changed its content with the same messaging.

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion

October 15, 2023
Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion

Microsoft has officially acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, the deal has now been finalized after a lengthy regulatory review. The announcement was made by both company and published official statement on their respective website. Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the companyā€™s culture and accelerate business growth. Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming and will be part of Microsoft’s Xbox Team.

Activision Blizzard is one of the largest and most successful video game companies in the world. It is the publisher of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and Diablo. Microsoft is already a major player in the gaming industry with its Xbox console and Xbox Game Pass subscription service. However, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard gives Microsoft a significant boost in market share and makes it the third-largest gaming company in the world, behind Tencent and Sony.

When the deal was first announced, it faced regulatory pushback and was delayed due to concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. To address these concerns, Microsoft made several concessions, including giving consumers in the European Economic Area free licenses to stream their Activision Blizzard games. Microsoft also signed agreements with console rivals Nintendo and Sony, promising them access to Call of Duty games for 10 years.

The UKā€™s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was the last regulator to approve the deal. The CMA stated that the concessions made by Microsoft were a ā€œgame-changerā€ that would allow for competitive prices and better services.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, write a letter/email to announced the acquisition.

NPC launches ā€œNa-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko?” Portal

October 14, 2023
NPC launches ā€œNa-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko?” Portal

In the wake of the PhilHealth Hacking, Philippines’ National Privacy Commission (NPC) launches the ā€œNa-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko? Portal. The ā€œNa-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko? Portal is a tool to check if your personal data is included in the PhilHealth cyberattack last Sept 22.

NPC explained that ā€œNa-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko? Portal is a “simplified database search portal designed to help individuals verify the status of their personal information in light of the recent incident involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) database, purportedly exfiltrated by the Medusa Ransomware Group, and posted online on October 5, 2023. As of October 13, 2023, the initial batch of data available on the portal pertains to individuals aged 60 years and above, containing an estimated 1 million records out of 8.5 million senior citizens.”

To access the “Na-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko? database search tool, visit: https://philhealthleak.privacy.gov.ph, then just provide your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) to know if you are part of the leaked database.

MalacaƱang release official Philippine Holiday for 2024, sans EDSA People Power Revolution

October 14, 2023
MalacaƱang release official Philippine Holiday for 2024, sans EDSA People Power Revolution
MalacaƱang just release the official Philippine Holiday for next year, 2024. It’s the usual list of Holidays except that EDSA Revolution Anniversary was removed from the list of Special Non-working holiday which is celebrated every February. MalacaƱang explained that the EDSA People Power Revolution commemoration was removed, since the event has “minimum socioeconomic impact” as it falls on a Sunday. MalacaƱang moved the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary to Feb. 24 this year in lieu of Feb. 25, via Proclamation No. 167, as a special non-working day, to be consistent with holiday economics.
20231011-PROC-368-FRM
The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. The nonviolent revolution led to the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos and his family, including the current President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., who was already in his late 20s at that time, ending of his 20-year dictatorship and corruption, and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

Joel Embiid to play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics

October 8, 2023
Joel Embiid to play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Image: NBA

Philadelphia 76ers and the NBA’s reigning MVP, Joel Embiid announced that he will play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The announcement comes after talking to both Team USA executive director Grant Hill and the representatives from the French national team.

Joel Embiid who was born in Cameroon and holds both French and American citizenship, to which team he will be playing have been the talk/debate, since Team USA failed to bring home a medal in the last FIBA World Cup and the coming 2024 Paris Olympics. Embiid joins other NBA superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant who have expressed interest in playing for Team USA at the next yearā€™s Olympics.

Department of Migrant Workers issues Advisory regarding the ā€œState of War alertā€ issued by Israelā€™s Home Front Command

October 7, 2023
Department of Migrant Workers issues Advisory regarding the ā€œState of War alertā€ issued by Israelā€™s Home Front Command

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israel just issue an advisory regarding the ā€œState of War alertā€ issued by Israel.

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The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israel (PE-Tel-Aviv) and the Migrant Workers Office ā€“ Israel (MWO) are closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos in affected areas in the wake of the ā€œState of War alertā€ issued by Israelā€™s Home Front Command.

Filipino community (FilCom) leaders are in touch with their members. They report that they remain calm and are accounted for. FilCom leaders remain in contact with the Philippine Embassy and MWO.

Filipinos in Israel are advised to take specific precautionary safety measures and follow the instructions provided by the Israeli Homefront Command.
The DMW and OWWA has set up a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk for OFWs in Israel and their families. Please call Hotline +63 2 1348 or the following WhatsApp and Viber nos: +63 9083268344 | +63 9271478186 | +63 9205171059.

One OFW family has sought assistance from the DMW. We have contacted the concerned OFW. She is safe and sound.

Please standby for further announcements as the situation develops in Israel.
###

Philippine Coast Guard release statement on the Maritime Incident near the Bajo de Masinloc

October 4, 2023
Philippine Coast Guard release statement on the Maritime Incident near the Bajo de Masinloc

PCG Spokesperson Jay Tarriela has released a statement regarding the Maritime Incident near the Bajo de Masinloc, which resulted in the death of 3 Filipino Fishermen. Here’s the full text of PCG Spokesperson Jay Tarriela statement, which is also posted on his X/twitter account.

PCG Investigates Maritime Incident Involving Capsized Fishing Boat and Casualties

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is currently conducting a thorough investigation into a maritime incident that resulted in the capsizing of a Filipino Fishing Boat (FFB) DEARYN on October 2, 2023. The incident occurred approximately 180 nautical miles from Agno, Pangasinan, after the vessel was hit by an unidentified vessel.

The following individuals have been identified as casualties of the incident:

1. Boat Captain Dexter Laudencia
Address: Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales
Age: 47

2. Boat Crew Romeo Mejeco
Address: Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales
Age: 38

3. Boat Crew Benedicto Olandria
Address: Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales
Age: 62

The eleven (11) fishermen who survived have provided their accounts of the incident. According to their statements, on October 2, 2023, at approximately 4:20 a.m., while FFB DEARYN was moored at their payao, adverse weather conditions and darkness may have contributed to their boat not being detected by the passing unidentified vessel, thus resulting to the incident. They further shared that they used their small service boats to transport the bodies of their fallen companions to Infanta, Pangasinan, as their fishing boat had sustained significant damage.

The PCG is diligently cross-referencing the fishermen’s accounts, along with the date and time, to identify the vessels that passed through the exact location of the incident. Efforts are being made to ascertain the identity of the vessel involved, and once identified, the PCG will reach out to the flag of the vessel and her next port of call for further investigation.

The PCG is committed to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation into this tragic incident. Updates on the investigation will be provided as new information becomes available. The PCG extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Captain Dexter Laudencia, Boat Crew Romeo Mejeco, and Boat Crew Benedicto Olandria.

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Release Statement regarding the Death of 3 Fishermen near the Bajo de Masinloc

October 4, 2023
President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Release Statement regarding the Death of 3 Fishermen near the Bajo de Masinloc

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. has released a statement regarding the death of 3 Fishermen near the Bajo de Masinloc. In his statement, the incident is still under investigation and that the commercial vessel that rammed the fishing boat of the 3 fishermen are still unidentified. He is also asking to “allow the PCG to do its job and investigate, and let us refrain from engaging in speculation in the meantime.”.

Here’s the statement that was published on X, formerly twitter;

It can be recalled that last Monday, October 2nd, three Filipino fishermen died because an unidentified commercial vessel rammed their fishing boat near the Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). You can read Rappler’s full report on the incident.

PhilHealth issue another “Urgent Notice to the Public” in connection to the Cyberattack last Sept 22.

October 3, 2023
PhilHealth issue another “Urgent Notice to the Public” in connection to the Cyberattack last Sept 22.

PhilHealth has once again release an announcement that they are calling “Urgent Notice to the Public,” this is in connection to the Cyberattack that was made last Sept 22. The health agency reiterates that no member information have been taken and that membership database is intact and unharmed by the cyberattack last Sept 22.

They later reminded the public to be cautious in opening malicious contents online and on social media, which I suppose, is directed to PhilHealth’s employees. The agency is also working with the authorities to catch the perpetrators.

PhilHealth is currently working with multiple agencies that includes Department of Communication Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Philippine National Police Cybercrime Division, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI) to identify the perpetrators of the hacking.

Here’s the announcement by PhilHealth:

PhilHealth previously posted a Urgent Notice to the Public explaining what information have been compromised in the cyberattack that happened last Sept 22. Below are compromised PhilHealth member’s information;

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of Birth
  • Sex
  • Phone number
  • PhilHealth ID number

The Health agency also recommended a number of steps that affected PhilHealth Members can take as a precaution.

The hackers demanded a ransom of $300,000 or approximately P17 million as payment to decrypt the files but according to a report by CNN Philippines, “The DICT confirms that some PhilHealth data affected in the Medusa ransomware attack have been published in the dark web after the deadline to pay ransom money to hackers lapsed.”

DICT official statement on PhilHealth Ransomware Attack

September 30, 2023
DICT official statement on PhilHealth Ransomware Attack

Following the PhilHealth ransomware attack last September 22, 2023, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has released an official statement.

Here’s the full text of DICT’s statement;

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through its Cybersecurity Bureau, proactively responded to address a ransomware attack that targeted the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) last September 22, 2023.

Upon learning of the breach, the DICT Cybersecurity Bureauā€™s National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) went to PhilHealth Head Office and implemented critical security measures which included the disconnection of workstations from the network, prompt coordination with PhilHealth to gauge the extent of the attack, and collection of relevant logs for thorough analysis.

As of September 25, 2023, PhilHealth’s critical web services are only accessible via their IP addresses and currently ongoing comprehensive security scanning. Efforts to restore the functionality of PhilHealthā€™s DNS server are underway.

The DICT condemns the ransomware attack carried out against PhilHealth in an attempt to illegally access the information of its members. We shall continue to investigate and monitor the acquired logs from PhilHealth’s affected systems. An extensive checklist has been prepared by the DICT to benchmark PhilHealthā€™s readiness to get their systems online.

The DICT is committed to ensuring the full restoration of security and stability in PhilHealth systems and to safeguarding government systems and infrastructure from malicious cyber threats.

Delivery Hero to sell FoodPanda Business in South East Asia

September 25, 2023
Delivery Hero to sell FoodPanda Business in South East Asia

On September 20, 2023, Delivery Hero, the parent company of Foodpanda, announced that it was in talks to sell its Foodpanda business in Southeast Asia. The move comes as Delivery Hero is facing increasing competition from other online food delivery platforms in the region, such as Grab and Gojek.

The potential sale of Foodpanda is significant, as the company is one of the leading online food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia. Foodpanda operates in eleven Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The company has over 10 million users and over 60,000 restaurants on its platform.

The potential buyer of Foodpanda is reportedly Grab, the Singapore-based ride-hailing and super-app. Grab is already the leading ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia, and it is also expanding into other verticals, such as food delivery, payments, and financial services.

The sale of Foodpanda would create a dominant player in the Southeast Asian online food delivery market. Grab would have access to Foodpanda’s large customer base and network of restaurants. This would give Grab a significant advantage over its competitors. The sale of Foodpanda would also have implications for consumers, since this will lessen the competition, which could potentially raise prices or reduce discounts after acquiring the food delivery company.

On the otherhand, the sale of Foodpanda could also lead to improved innovation and efficiency in the Southeast Asian online food delivery market. Grab could use its resources to invest in new technologies and improve its services. This could benefit both consumers and restaurants.

The negotiations are in their preliminary stages and it is uncertain and subject to various open points whether this will lead to a definitive agreement. However, the potential sale of Foodpanda is a significant event that could have a major impact on the online food delivery market in Southeast Asia.

PhilHealth hit by ransomware, Hackers demands $300,000.00

September 25, 2023
PhilHealth hit by ransomware, Hackers demands $300,000.00

On September 22, 2023, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) was hit by a ransomware attack. The attack was carried out by the Medusa ransomware group, which encrypts files and demands a ransom payment for the decryption key. The hackers responsible for the attack have demanded a ransom of $300,000 or approximately P17 million as payment to decrypt the files.

PhilHealth detected the attack early on Friday and immediately shut down all of its online systems, including its website, portals, and e-claims. The agency is currently working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other government agencies to investigate the incident and restore its systems.

In a statement, PhilHealth assured the public and its members that their personal and medical information was not compromised or leaked in the attack. However, the attack did disrupt the agency’s operations and caused some inconvenience to its members.

On September 25, PhilHealth announced they are working to restore all of its systems and that its members could now avail of its benefits again. The agency also said that it was implementing additional security measures to prevent future attacks.

Pricing of iPhone 15s and Iphone 15 Pros in Saudi Arabia

September 18, 2023
Pricing of iPhone 15s and Iphone 15 Pros in Saudi Arabia

For those in Saudi Arabia, the iPhone 15s and iPhone 15 Pros are now available for preorder and will be available in retail store on the 22nd of September. While there is no Online Apple store for Saudi Arabia, you can place your preorder to any of the local retailers in the country.

Below are the Saudi Pricing of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max;


Iphone 15
128 GB – SR3,799.00
256 GB – SR4,299.00
512 GB – SR5,299.00

Iphone 15 Plus
128 GB – SR4,199.00
256 GB – SR4,699.00
512 GB – SR5,699.00


iPhone 15 Pro
128 GB – SR4,699.00
256 GB – SR5,199.00
512 GB – SR6,199.00
1 TB – SR7,199.00

iPhone 15 Pro Max
256 GB – SR5,699.00
512 GB – SR6,699.00
1 TB – SR7,699.00

About that USB-C Connector in the new iPhones

September 13, 2023
About that USB-C Connector in the new iPhones

The new iPhones will have USB-C ports. This is a major change from previous iPhones, which have used the Lightning connector. The switch to USB-C is being made in order to comply with a new European Union regulation that requires all new smartphones to have USB-C ports.

The USB-C port, as mentioned by Android users, is a more versatile port than the Lightning connector. It can be used to charge devices, transfer data, and connect to external displays. It is also the standard port used by many other devices, such as laptops, tablets, and cameras. This means that you will be able to use the same charger and cable for your iPhone 15 and other devices. It is however not yet confirmed if the new iPhones will be able to support external displays.

The switch to USB-C is a welcome change for many iPhone users. It is a more modern and versatile port that will make it easier to connect the iPhone to other devices and accessories. It is also a step towards reducing e-waste, as there will be no need to have separate chargers for different devices.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have USB-C ports that support USB 2.0 speeds, though this is yet to be confirmed. This means that the new iPhones be capable to transfer data at a maximum speed of 480 Mbps. However, it is possible that Apple may release a later version of the iPhone 15 with a USB-C port that supports faster speeds.

Overall, the switch to USB-C is a positive change for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. It is a more versatile and modern port that will make it easier to connect the iPhone to other devices. It is also a step towards reducing e-waste.

DICT and DFA Launches eVisa Application to Improve Visa Processing for Foreigners

August 26, 2023
DICT and DFA Launches eVisa Application to Improve Visa Processing for Foreigners
Image: @DICTgovph

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched an eVisa application system, which is expected to improve the visa processing experience for foreigners who wish to visit the Philippines.

The eVisa system was launched on August 24, 2023, at the DFA Office of the Consular Affairs in Pasay City. The launch was led by DICT Undersecretary for e-Government David L. Almirol Jr. and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo.

ā€œThe eVisa is our clear message to the world that we recognize the benefits of digital technology for efficient and quality public service. With eVisa, we are adapting to the realities of modern travel, transforming the Philippines into a top-of-mind destination for business and leisure.ā€ Undersecretary Almirol said in his speech.

The eVisa system allows foreign nationals to apply for a visa to the Philippines online. This eliminates the need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate in person, and it can significantly reduce the time it takes to process a visa application.

The eVisa system will initially be available to Chinese citizens who can submit their Philippine visa requirements online as the eVisa system accommodates the Philippine Consular offices in Xiamen, Shanghai, Macau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Guangzhou, Chongqing, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

It is planned to be available for citizens of 15 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the United States. The government plans to expand the list of eligible countries in the future.

By offering unparalleled convenience and improved public service delivery, eVisa is expected to facilitate ease of doing business and reinvigorate the countryā€™s tourism sector. The salient features of the eVisa Application system include:

  1. Improved Efficiency: Allowing applicants to submit their required eVisa documents online from the comfort of their homes eliminates the need for physical visits to government offices. This not only saves time for the applicants but also streamlines the processing for the authorities.
  2. Fast Processing and Decision-Making: Embracing digital transactions and automation can significantly speed up the processing of visa applications.
  3. Secure Online Payments: The eVisa Application system provides secure online payment options, enhancing transparency and minimizing security risks.
  4. User-centric interface: The websiteā€™s user-friendly interface gives clear instructions, making sure applicants can go through the process easily and confidently.
  5. Real-time updates: Applicants can monitor the status of their application in real-time, reducing uncertainties and concerns.

This project shows the Philippine governmentā€™s unwavering commitment to enhancing the efficiency and convenience of the visa application process for various international visitors. Further, eVisa is aligned with the global trend where various governments are adopting digital solutions to improve public services and operational efficiency.

The launching of the eVisa Application system is expected to pave the way for an optimized and seamless visa application experience that is poised to set new benchmarks in global best practices.

Other government agencies that took part in the development of the eVisa include the Department of Tourism, the Department of Justice, and the Bureau of Immigration.

Source: DICT

Potato Corner under fire for insensitive Job Postings

August 22, 2023
Potato Corner under fire for insensitive Job Postings

Popular Filipino snack brand Potato Corner recently came under fire after a job posting for a service crew member went viral on social media. The post, which was shared on the company’s official Facebook page (now deleted), included a number of “inappropriate” qualifications, such as “good visual impact and pleasing personality,” “weight must be proportionate to height,” and “have clear complexion, eyesight and good set of teeth.”

The post quickly drew widespread criticism from netizens, who accused Potato Corner of discrimination and body shaming. In response, the company deleted the post and issued an apology.

“We deeply regret the oversight in the job posting,” Potato Corner said in a statement. “We, together with our business partners, are working to ensure that such incidents will not happen in the future.”

Potato Corner also said that it is “committed to fostering an inclusive environment” and that it “does not support or condone discriminatory hiring practices.”

In the wake of the Potato Corner incident, other companies have also been taking steps to review their own job postings and even created a job posts that’s a total opposite to Potato Corner’s postings. A good example is this job postings from Lola Nena’s;

The Potato Corner incident is a reminder that companies need to be more careful about the language they use in job postings, even though they mean well and it may even appear funny but in reality appear discriminatory and indifferent to other people.

Remembering Ninoy Aquino Jr. – Four Decades After His Sacrifice

August 21, 2023
Remembering Ninoy Aquino Jr. – Four Decades After His Sacrifice
Image: Ninoy Aquino in an interview with Pat Robertson

A little background
Benigno ā€œNinoyā€ Aquino Jr. was a Filipino politician who served as a senator of the Philippines and governor of the province of Tarlac. He was a leading politician from the opposition and was critical of then President Ferdinand Marcos. His arrest on the evening of September 22, 1972, signaled the implementation of then President Ferdinand Marcosā€™ Proclamation Number 1081 that placed the Philippines under martial law. In November 1977, a military court convicted him of murder and subversion charges and sentenced him to death. He went on a 40-day hunger strike to profess his innocence.

In 1980, he suffered a heart attack and was brought to the hospital. In a surprise visit, then First Lady Imelda Marcos told him he could seek treatment in the United States. While in Boston, Massachusetts with his family for three years, he delivered lectures that focused on his advocacy for the Philippinesā€™ return to democracy. The text of the statement he had prepared to deliver upon his return to the Philippines later became available. He dared Marcos to ā€œorder my immediate execution or set me free.ā€ He said, ā€œnational reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers.ā€ He proposed that ā€œthe workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.ā€ He said that subversion could not be stopped with repression but with ā€œa more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom.ā€

The Assassination
On August 21, 1983, Ninoy Aquino was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila International Airport upon his return from self-imposed exile in Boston. His death galvanized the political opposition and led to the EDSA People Power uprising in 1986. His widow Corazon became the 11th President of the Republic. The Filipino people ratified a new Constitution in 1987 to enshrine the restoration of democracy.

Today marks the 40th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino. It is fitting that the countryā€™s principal gateway to international travelers has been named after him. In 2004, the date of his assassination, Aug. 21, was declared a national holiday (Republic Act 9256). Ninoy Aquino’s spirit continues to shine as a beacon of hope, reminding us that the struggle for a better future is worth every effort.

Ninoy Aquinoā€™s legacy is one that will always be remembered by Filipinos around the world. His courage and sacrifice inspired millions to fight for democracy and freedom in their own countries. As we commemorate his death anniversary today, let us remember his words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

Disney+ and Hulu Subscription Price to Increase this October

August 15, 2023
Disney+ and Hulu Subscription Price to Increase this October

Disney has announced that it will be increasing the prices of its streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, in October. The ad-free version of Disney+ will increase from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, while the ad-supported version will remain at $7.99 per month. The ad-free version of Hulu will increase from $14.99 to $17.99 per month, while the ad-supported version will remain at $7.99 per month.

The price increase is effective for new subscribers starting on October 12, 2023, and for existing subscribers starting on November 1 2023.

Disney has cited rising content costs as the reason for the price increase. The company has been investing heavily in new content for its streaming services, including original series and movies, as well as live sports. The price increase is likely to be met with some resistance from subscribers, but it is not unexpected. Streaming services have been raising prices in recent years, as they compete for subscribers and content.

ā€œThe strong momentum of our ad-supported plans in the U.S. demonstrates the importance of providing consumers with choice, flexibility and value,ā€ said Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment. ā€œWe are excited to expand that offering in more markets across the globe, including in Europe and Canada, and to launch a new premium duo bundle of ad-free Disney+ and Hulu this Fall, as we take steps toward making extensive Hulu content available via Disney+ later this year for Bundle subscribers.ā€

Canadian Embassy in the Philippines releases statement in support of the Philippines regarding the water-cannon incident in the West Philippine Sea

August 8, 2023
Canadian Embassy in the Philippines releases statement in support of the Philippines regarding the water-cannon incident in the West Philippine Sea

Together with the United States, the Canadian Embassy in the Philippine also release an official statement regarding the water-cannon incident between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippines Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.

Just like the United States, Canada express their support to the PCG and “condemns the dangerous and provocative actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine vessels on August 5th, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.”

Here the full text of Canada in the Philippines (@CanEmbPH) statement;

Canada unreservedly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine vessels on August 5th, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

Unsafe maneuvers and use of water cannons to disrupt the lawful operations of Philippine vessels is unacceptable, and inconsistent with the obligations of the Peopleā€™s Republic of China under international law. Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion by the PRC against its neighbours undermine safety, security and stability across the region, and raise the risks of grave miscalculation.

Canada reiterates its support for international law, including the 2016 arbitral decision on the South China Sea, which is final and binding, and calls on the PRC to comply with its obligations under international law.

Only by ensuring full respect for international law can we collectively set conditions for effective and collaborative management of maritime resources, maintenance of maritime safety and security, preservation of marine biodiversity, and respect for maritime boundaries, while ensuring the rights of all states under international law are protected.

United States release statement regarding the West Philippine Sea incident

August 8, 2023
United States release statement regarding the West Philippine Sea incident

Just hours after the incident between Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the WPS, United States Embassy in the Philippine release a statement in support of the Philippines and the PCG.

The full text of the press release was also published on the US.gov website, with the inclusion of 2016 Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines.

Here’s the full text of the press release;

The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the Peopleā€™s Republic of China (PRC) to obstruct an August 5 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Firing water cannons and employing unsafe blocking maneuvers, PRC ships interfered with the Philippinesā€™ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and jeopardized the safety of the Philippine vessels and crew.

Such actions by the PRC are inconsistent with international law and are the latest in repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea, directly threatening regional peace and stability. By impeding necessary provisions from reaching the Filipino servicemembers stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC has also undertaken unwarranted interference in lawful Philippine maritime operations.

As made clear by an international tribunalā€™s legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the PRC has no lawful claim to the maritime area around Second Thomas Shoal, which is located well within the Philippinesā€™ exclusive economic zone.

The United States reiterates, pursuant to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines. The United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the arbitral ruling as well as to respect the freedom of navigation ā€“ a right to which all states are entitled.

The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forcesā€”including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Seaā€”would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Chinese Coast Guard fire water cannon at Philippine Ship going to Ayungin Shoal

August 7, 2023
Chinese Coast Guard fire water cannon at Philippine Ship going to Ayungin Shoal
Image: @Jay Tarriela

In the latest China versus Philippines, a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship going to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission, the PCG said in a statement on Sunday, Aug 6th, 2023.

The water-cannon incident happened on Saturday as PCG vessel were escorting indigenous boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver food and supplies to military troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre. The incident was captured on video by Philippine Coast Guard Officer Jay Tarriela and a drone video also made rounds on social media.

Philippine Coast Guard Officer Jay Tarriela said that “The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard’s (CCG’s) dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels escorting the indigenous boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday, 5 August 2023.” Tarriela added that “Such actions by the CCG not only disregarded the safety of the PCG crew and the supply boats but also violated international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

Here’s the full text of what Philippine Coast Guard Officer Jay Tarriela on his social media account;

Philippine Coast Guard Officer Jay Tarriela later posted a number of videos regarding the incident;

And “recorded evidence of the Chinese Maritime Militia working in conjunction with the Chinese Coast Guard”

It’s unclear what will be the response of Chinese envoy in the Philippine after being summoned by a deputy minister of the Philippinesā€™ foreign affairs department.

NLEX Issued Safety Advisory on the situation at the Tulaoc River Bridge, San Simon, Pampanga

August 3, 2023
NLEX Issued Safety Advisory on the situation at the Tulaoc River Bridge, San Simon, Pampanga

NLEX Corp. just issued a safey advisory regarding the situation at the Tulaoc River Bridge section of NLEX in San Simon, Pampanga.

In the advisory, it states that both on the North bound (Plaridel to Tulaoc River Bridge) and South bound (San Fernando to to Tulaoc River Bridge), the approximate speed of vehicles are 5 to 10 kph due to the water buildup. Class 1 vehicles are advised to use the left most lane.

NLEX Corp. added that as the water level of Pampanga river continue to rise, NLEX team will be installing sand bags to reduce the flooding at the Tulaoc River Bridge section.

The flooding of the Pampanga river is caused by the Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) that recently devastated under 200 cities and municipalities that are not under state of calamity.