Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “News & Current Events”

POCO F6 Series now in Saudi Arabia

Xiaomi fans in Saudi Arabia rejoice! Xiaomi’s POCO brand has just introduced the F6 series in the Kingdom. Both the standard F6 and the feature-packed F6 Pro are currently available for preorder on Jarir Bookstore and Noon.

The POCO F6 boasts a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the F6 Pro offers a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. As for the display, both models come equipped with a smooth 120Hz, 6.67-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass for added durability.

The distinction between the two models starts with storage and RAM. The F6 offers up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, while the F6 Pro boasts a maximum of 16GB of RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage.

The camera systems also differ. The F6 features a dual rear camera system with a 50MP main camera powered by the Sony IMX882 sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide camera (IMX355). The F6 Pro upgrades to a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main camera using the Light Fusion 800 image sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The F6 also sports a 20MP front-facing camera, while the F6 Pro features a 16MP front camera.

The POCO F6 and F6 Pro share similar specifications for battery, security, sensors, audio, network, and connectivity. You can check out the detailed specs below for additional information.

F6 F6 Pro
Display 6.67″ CrystalRes 1.5K Flow AMOLED DotDisplay, 2400 nits (peak brightness), 2712 x 1220 resolution @446 ppi, Up to 120Hz refresh rate 6.67″ WQHD+ Flow AMOLED DotDisplay, 3200×1440 resolution @526 ppi, 4000 nits at peak brightness, Up to 120Hz refresh rate
Processor Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Octa-core processor up to 3.0 GHz
Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Octa-core processor up to 3.0 GHz
GPU Adreno Adreno
AI Qualcomm AI Engine
RAM 8GB , 12 GB (LPDDR5X) 12 GB , 16 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage 256 GB, 512 GB (UFS 4.0) 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB (UFS 4.0)
OS Xiaomi HyperOS Xiaomi HyperOS
Rear Camera 50MP main camera (Sony IMX882f/1.59)
8MP ultra-wide camera (IMX355)
50MP main camera (Light Fusion 800 image sensor), f/1.6
8MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2
2MP macro camera, f/2.4
Front Camera 20MP front camera (OV20B -1/4″ sensor size) 16MP front camera
Battery 5000 mAh with 90W turbo charging (USB-C) 5000 mAh with 90W turbo charging (USB-C)
Security In-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock In-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock
Sensor NFC support, GPS L1, GLONASS G1, Beidou B1, Galileo E1, QZSS L1, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass, IR blaster, Gyroscope, X-axis linear vibration motor NFC support, Proximity sensor, 360° Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass, Gyroscope, IR blaster, Flicker sensor, Beidou, GPS , Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, NavIC, Data network, Wireless network, Sensor Assisted Positioning
Network and Connectivity Dual SIM support, 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Dual SIM support, 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Audio Dual speakers Stereo Dual speakers
Dimension 160.5mm x 74.4mm x 7.8mm (HxWxT) 160.86mm x 74.95mm x 8.21mm (HxWxT)
Weight 179g 209g
Color Black, Green and Titanium White and Black

For those interested in preordering from Jarir, here are the prices;
POCO F6
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 1,799

POCO F6 Pro
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 2,199

For additional variations, you can checkout to Xiaomi’s Store in Noon;
POCO F6
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 1,799.00

POCO F6 Pro
– 12GB+512GB – SAR 2,199
– 16GB+1TB – SAR 2,599.00

Toyota Prado 2024 now available in Saudi Arabia

After teasing motorist for the past months, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Toyota Saudi Arabia’s parent company, officially announce that the Toyota Prado 2024 now available in the Kingdom.

The Toyota Prado 2024 will have a starting price of SAR 193,775.00 (around Php 3,037,494.51) for its TX-1 model and could cost up to SAR 284,625.00 (Php 4,461,601.73) for its top of the line ADV FIRST EDITION. Toyota Prado 2024 with a diesel engine is also available.

First announced last August 2023 and here’s how Toyota describe the new Toyota Prado 2024;

Built on the TNGA-F global truck platform, the new Land Cruiser is designed, engineered, and tested to survive in the harshest of environments. For this new generation, Land Cruiser is exclusively available with the range-topping i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s slightly smaller and narrower than the outgoing 200 Series model, making it nimbler on the trails, and Land Cruiser features off-road tech that has debuted on the newest generation of Toyota trucks. Limited to 5,000 units for the first two months of production, Land Cruiser will be offered in a First Edition grade that includes two new two-tone paint colors and additional off-road equipment.

Apple Vision Pro now available in China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore

Apple’s highly anticipated spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, has finally arrived in key Asian markets. After launching in the US back in February, the device is now available for purchase in Apple Stores across China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

The Vision Pro promises a seamless blend of the digital and physical worlds, offering users a variety of transformative experiences. From work and collaboration to entertainment and reliving memories, the headset boasts a wide range of capabilities. Apple is heavily emphasizing the guided in-store demo experience, allowing potential customers to explore the full potential of spatial computing.

This launch comes amidst reports of slowing sales in the US, where the $3,499 price tag may have deterred some consumers. By entering these new markets, Apple is targeting regions with a strong tech presence and potentially more receptive audiences.

Checking the Apple Online Store in Singapore, the new Apple Vision Pro retails for S$5,299 (around Php 228,171.46) and its limited to just two units per customer.

Source: Apple

Huawei MatePad 11.5 S now in Saudi Arabia

First announced in May 2024, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is now available in Saudi Arabia, a tablet designed for productivity and entertainment with its sleek design and powerful features.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S features a 11.5-inch 2.8K (2800 × 1840) display. With up to 144Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are incredibly smooth. The display also features a PaperMatte 2.0 finish that reduces glare and offers a more pen-on-paper-like writing experience.

The MatePad 11.5 S runs on the Huawei Kirin 9000 Octa-core processor, offering capable performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. Huawei’s Harmony OS 4.2 will be running the device right out of the box. The tablet will feature a 13 MP f/1.8 aperture with autofocus (AF) rear camera and a 8 MP f/2.0 aperture with fixed focus (FF) front camera. It will have 8GB RAM and 256 storage.

The MatePad 11.5 S will support Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2 × 2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2, NearLink and USB Type-C, USB 3.0 connectivity.

Design-wise, the MatePad 11.5 S boasts a slim and lightweight design with a metal unibody construction that’s just 6.2mm thin and weighs only 510g, and comes in three colors: Space Grey, Silver Frost and Violet. The 8800mAh battery offers long battery life on a single charge.

Here’s the pricing for the new Huawei MatePad 11.5 S;
8GB RAM + 256GB storage (without keyboard) – SAR 1,699
8GB RAM + 256GB storage (with keyboard) – SAR 1,899

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is available for preorder on the Huawei website and local retailers like Jarir and Extra.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is available for preorder on the Huawei website and local retailers like Jarir and Extra. Customers who preorder the MatePad 11.5 S will receive free gifts worth SAR 1,446: 3rd-Gen HUAWEI M-Pencil White, HUAWEI Stylish Backpack (Olive Green), MatePad Folio Cover Compatible with HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S Black and Wireless Mouse (Space Gray).

Nikon Z6III Announced

Nikon Middle East officially announce the Z6III, its new high-performance camera model that inherits the signature features of the Z9 and Z8, delivering high performance and exceptional specs in the full-frame mid-range class. The Nikon Z6III features the world-first partially-stacked CMOS sensor paired with the lightning-fast EXPEED 7 processor, making it a dream for both photographers and videographers.

The Nikon Z6III is a third-gen full-frame mirrorless camera with a 24MP sensor for better autofocus and video. It shoots fast at 14fps (mechanical shutter) and 20fps (electronic), and can capture up to 1000 images. It has good image stabilization and a high-resolution viewfinder. For video, it offers resolutions up to 6K and features like pre-capture and high-resolution mode for photos. You can checkout the press release below for more information.

The new Nikon Z6III will initially be available in the United States in late June for a suggested retail price of $2,499.95 (body-only), or with the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 lens for $3,099.95. The MB-N14 power battery pack will be available this summer for a suggested retail price of $359.95. No word yet as to when it will be release in Middle East, but you can be sure that we will post the price once announced.

Here’s a 4 minutes product tour of the Nikon Z6 III;

Press Release:

New Z6III Offers Exceptional Specs For Full-Frame Mid-Range Class Models

The new Nikon camera developed with the Z9 and Z8 spirit delivers high performance with specs exceeding others in the same class.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA – Nikon Middle East FZE. has introduced the Z6III, its new high-performance camera model that inherits the signature features of the Z9 and Z8, delivering high performance and exceptional specs in the full-frame mid-range class.

“Designed to ignite the creativity of content creators and enthusiasts, the new Z6III embraces the spirit of our Z series, and embodies the build and functionality of the award-winning Z8 and Z9 cameras. By integrating innovative technology, such as the partially-stacked sensor and the brightest EVF, it elevates Nikon’s dedication to deliver unrivalled functionality and performance.” said Narendra Menon, Managing Director, Nikon Middle East FZE.

Z6III Primary Features

Incorporating The Latest Technologies
The Z6III adopts the world’s first partially-stacked CMOS sensor1, which allows for 3.5x faster readouts than the Z6II. This sensor allows for high-speed continuous shooting that enables Pre-Release Capture at up to 120 fps in DX format.2 The camera also provides an additional option of shooting at 60 fps in FX format with 24 MP.

High Performance And Functionality Inherited From Top-Tier Model
The Z6III is further enhanced with a bright, high-res EVF of 4000 cd/m2 and 5760k dots with a wide colour gamut, allowing smooth EVF views to confirm shooting opportunities for moving subjects accredited to fast data readout from the partially-stacked CMOS sensor and Nikon’s EXPEED 7’s quick processing. The EVF refresh rate provides displays at 60 fps during 20 fps high-speed continuous shooting when the shutter button is fully pressed.

For high-resolution video production, the latest Nikon model allows Full HD/240p3 for up to 10x slow-motion video creation, offering flexibility in both speed and colour grading with its ability to record in 10-bit H.265.

The Z6III inherits the performance and functionality of the Nikon Z9 and Z8 models, including the camera’s operability and customisation. With almost the same dials and button layouts as the Z8, the Z6III also offers extensive custom settings, including the assignment of different AF-area mode.

Nikon’s latest model also acquires the Z9 and Z8’s AF detection range to -10 EV4, making it easy to take photos of static objects in low-light conditions. The inherited superior AF performance allows the subject detection of 9 types of subjects, brilliant autofocus (AF) performance in backlit scenes, better detection of human faces, and shortened shooting time in various scenes. The Z6III’s AF speed has also been upgraded to be approximately 20 percent faster than the Z6II.5

Complementing the Z6III as a reliable workhorse, the new MB-N14 Power Battery Pack is also introduced as an optional boost of power capacity.

Climate-Resistant And Better Heat Dissipation
The Z6III suits the needs of photographers who capture landscapes and wildlife in winter. Consisting of Sereebo® P series carbon fibre, magnesium alloy, and effective sealing, this robust and cold-resistant camera can be used in temperatures reaching -10 degrees Celsius.

The camera is also convenient for shooting events such as weddings, live concerts, and interviews due to enhancements of the heat dissipation structure and power efficiency, which enable recording for up to 125 minutes6 in 4K UHD/60p (8-bit) format. The Z6III also provides the flexibility for videographers to shoot videos in 12-bit ProRes RAW HQ and N-RAW formats, covering resolution up to 6K.

Expansion Of Possibilities For Imaging Expression Through New Functions
Gain better control over your creative photography with Flexible Color Picture Control for use with the NX Studio7 – Nikon’s image browsing, processing, and editing software. This exciting new option allows users greater freedom of expression for users with the support of Colour Blender and Colour Grading features, enabling the intuitive adjustment of light and colours to match your intent. Users can then export the combinations of configured settings from the NX Studio to the Z6III and register these as Custom Picture Controls, applicable at any time while shooting and reflected on the live display, for real-time preview of the results.

Further, Z6III works in tandem with Nikon’s new cloud service, Nikon Imaging Cloud8 with support for new Imaging Recipes9 to expand possibilities for imaging expression. The Z6III firmware can be updated without the need for a computer or a smart device, with images captured by the camera to be uploaded automatically to Nikon Imaging Cloud as soon as it connects via Wi-Fi and transferred to pre-configured third-party cloud storage services, making the storage and sharing of images even more convenient10.

High-Sensitivity Performance
The latest Nikon camera can also capture stunning low light scenes up to ISO 64000 for photos and ISO 51200 for video. Thanks to the EXPEED 7 high-speed image-processing engine, it surpasses the Z6II in noise reduction, preserving the intricate textures in your photographs. The Z6III also achieves one of the highest in-camera Vibration Reduction (VR) in the Nikon Z series cameras with an 8.0-stop11.

Adopting the same algorithm as the Zf, the Z6III expands handheld shooting opportunities in low-light situations such as indoor scenes and nightscapes. This new model is equipped with focus point VR12 that reduces blurring in focused areas, which suits the purpose of enlargement and trimming peripheries around your photo subject.

It is also equipped with electronic VR for more effective image stabilisation during video recording.

Nikon Imaging Cloud Primary Features

Nikon Imaging Cloud is Nikon’s new cloud service that brings fun and convenient functions that support the user’s imaging experience with a direct connection to the camera13. This service offers curated Imaging Recipes that allow users to download Picture Controls created from these recipes, and to save their adjustments to hue, brightness, contrast, and so on to be saved as Custom Picture Controls. Imaging Recipes provided by Nikon Imaging Cloud have been suggested by Nikon or supervised by creators and allow users to experience new imaging styles they have never attempted before. When the camera is connected to Nikon Imaging Cloud via Wi-Fi, still images captured with the camera can be automatically uploaded directly to the service or pre-configured third-party cloud storage services, greatly reducing the work involved with data transfer. In addition, camera firmware updates can be performed automatically at a specified time by enabling auto updates on the camera14. In addition to eliminating the hassle of using a computer, smartphone, or memory card to update firmware, this feature ensures the camera is always up-to-date.

Availability

For more information on the new Z6III and other Nikon products, please visit https://nikon-mea.com.

Source: Nikon USA, Nikon Middle East

Former Senator Leila de Lima Cleared in all of her Drug Cases

Former Senator Leila de Lima has been cleared of all drug charges filed against her during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 granted De Lima demurrer to evidence on June 24, 2024. This is the same court that granted her bail last November 2023 and set her free after almost seven years in detention.

This is what Former Senator Leila de Lima said about her acquittal;

This dismissal effectively cleared her third and final drug case. De Lima, a Philippine opposition figure and one of the staunchest critics of then President Duterte, had faced allegations related to conspiracy to commit drug trading during the Duterte administration. Her acquittal marks the end of a long legal battle that spanned several years, making her a free woman.

Source: Rappler, CNN, Inquirer

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Leaked sans Caitlin Clark – Shams Charania

The roster for the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team have been leaked. In a tweet, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that “Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics”

Charania then added and named the 12 players in the roster. Except for Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum and Alyssa Thomas. All other players have Olympic experience. Fans also pointed out that rookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is missing from the roster. Despite receiving an invitation to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp last April, Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark couldn’t attend due to her team’s Final Four run.

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

The final USA Women’s Basketball roster and list of potential alternates must be submitted to FIBA by June 24th. While no official announcement has been made by the USA Basketball on their official website or social media accounts.

Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers to win the 2024 Eastern Conference Championship

The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals! They punched their ticket to the championship series after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in a tightly contested Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals (105-102).

The win capped off a dominant series sweep for the Celtics, showcasing their resilience and championship mettle. The Pacers, however, shouldn’t leave empty-handed. They pushed the Celtics to the limit, especially in a nail-biting fourth quarter of Game 4.

It was a close game, with both teams trading baskets and neither side able to establish a significant lead. The largest lead for either team was 9 points. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 26 points. Jalen Brown wins the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP. As for the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard had a monstrous double-double with 24 points and 10 assists with 6 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Pacers missed the services of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined by a left hamstring injury.

The final minutes of the game were a heart-stopping display of clutch plays. With the score tied and seconds remaining, Jalen Brown found Derek White for a 23-foot three-point jumper that sealed the win for Boston. The Pacers had a chance to respond, but their final shot attempt fell short.

With the series win, the Celtics return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. This is a much younger team compared to their previous championship run, but they’ve shown a maturity and composure beyond their years.

They’ll now await their opponent, who will be determined in the ongoing Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Why Eclipses Are Such a Big Deal?

Just hours earlier, the world had its first solar eclipse. This phenomenon is a natural occurrence where the moon occludes the sun’s light, casting a shadow that can be seen in parts of the world. In some areas, the sun completely blocks out the light, leaving only a halo of light called the corona. Other times, there’s a partial solar eclipse, leaving a crescent of light that evokes the mysterious.

Residents of Texas to Ohio and all the way up to Main will enjoy a full view of the total solar eclipse. The day completely turns dark as the moon and sun come together to become a celestial wonder.

Several videos on social media show the event. Luckily for those who see it in person, they will get to enjoy this and won’t see a total solar eclipse again for another 20 or more years.

But why are solar eclipses such a big deal? It’s mostly people’s appreciation of a cosmic event. It turns out some cultures in the world celebrate it for more than its rarity.

The Navajo tribe in North America view solar eclipses as a time of sacredness, rebirth, and renewal for the cosmic bodies. During this time, the Navajo people reflect quietly inside their homes. Some of them forego food, water, and all activities until the event is over.

For some religions, it’s either a bad omen or a good one. For the Hindu, the variety of beliefs surrounding eclipses result in different activities. Some Hindu either venerate the event, and some believe the eclipse brings negative energies.

It’s not only people and their traditions that change during a solar eclipse. Even animals have a change in behavior during an eclipse, especially if their environment is on the path of totality.

Studies that include anecdotal evidence have shown that the majority of the species of birds become quiet and stop feeding during the event. Other people have reported seeing increased activity from mosquitoes, and nocturnal animals come out of burrows to hunt. The same cannot be said for domesticated dogs and cats.

Whether you’re praying in a temple in India, or have flown to Dallas, or just staying at home with your pets, it’s always best to be safe. To truly appreciate the beauty of this cosmic union, make use of appropriate protective lenses.

DepEd to shift back to the old academic calendar starting SY 2024-2025

Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that they will gradually shift the school year calendar start next school year 2024-2025, this is when the school starts in June then ends by April or May. Philippines School was moved to October, instead of June, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning was also implemented. It was then moved to August in the succeeding year.

Below are the key dates to remember

  • School Year 2024 – 2025: opening on July 29th and then will end by May 16th.
  • School Year 2025 – 2026: opening on June and then will end by April or May.

DepEd added that the national activities will be conducted on the following dates:

  • Palarong Pambansa – July 6 – 17, 2024
  • National Festival of Talents – July 9 – 13, 2024
  • National Schools Press Conference – July 9 – 13, 2024
  • Learners’ Convergence – July 9 – 15, 2024

You can read the full text of DepEd’s announcement below;

Opinion: Why Madame Web Is Caught in a Web of Bad Reviews

Madame Web is the latest “addition” to Sony’s Spider-verse. The Spiderman film franchise has been hugely successful thanks to amazing leads like Toby Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland.

However, it looks like not even Dakota Johnson’s acting skills can wrap the movie up nicely. We know Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steel sold the Fifty shades fantasy well. Her personality bleeds into Anastasia Steele and she sets up the submissive role perfectly.

Additionally, Dakota Johnson’s dry humor is what makes her likable in interviews.

Madame Web Trailer

So why do audiences and film critics not like the latest Spider-verse “addition”?

To start, the trailer revealed a voice over by Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson) that wasn’t even in the film. While some audiences may not care about this minor detail, it could have been useful to include it. Especially since the antagonist had a major role to play on how Cassandra came to be.

There were some awkward lines in the movie as well that deserve a meme comparable to Anakin’s in George Lucas’ Star Wars. Anakin’s “I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.” is similar to “Hope the spiders were worth it, Mom.” In fact, the line has become a meme commodity for the internet.

Madame Web Film Poster

So bad dialogue aside, the directing also contributes to the film’s meme-worthiness. S.J. Clarkson did work on some episodes of successful series like Dexter, House, and Heroes. The director also worked on a Game of Thrones prequel entitled Bloodmoon, however, HBO didn’t air it. Most of these series have a tone vastly different from that of a superhero movie, and that’s probably the reason why Madame Webb just didn’t work.

While Madame Web is spinning out of control, one could wonder if the film’s meme status could reclaim it. Although it’s not a main Spiderman arc, Madame Web should be a solid reminder not to approach superhero movies the way Sony did Morbius.

From Marvel.com

For all intents and purposes, the movie is not a main continuity movie. For some film-goers, they eventually might grow to love Madame Web as its stand-alone film. Dakota Fanning does say we’ll love it and we’re going to see it twice.

Deadpool 3: Deadpool & Wolverine the film that will reset the MCU and that is a Good Thing!

Marvel Studios just released the teaser trailer for “Deadpool 3: Deadpool & Wolverine.” After mixed critical reception for some Phase 4 and early Phase 5 films, the “Deadpool & Wolverine” project presents itself as a potential breath of fresh air and the film the MCU might need to reinvigorate itself. It could also pave the way for full introduction of mutants, the X-Men, and other Marvel properties.

From the trailer itself, we get to see that the Time Variance Authority (TVA) will be featured in the film, which means that Deadpool and in some capacity, Wolverine will have the ability to go to different Marvel timeline and change the course of that particular timeline be it the past, present and future. Just imagine, the duo joining the avengers with their fight against Ultron or Thanos, or Deadpool snatching the Nano Gauntlet from Tony Stark and the one snapping his fingers. That will surely “change the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe”.

Until we watch the fholeIt’s unclear which timeline the duo will “mess-up” and how but one thing is for sure, as the premise of the film goes “Deadpool will change the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Wolverine.”

Deadpool & Wolverine is the 3rd Deadpool film and first under Disney/Marvel Studios. It is directed by Shawn Levy, who also directed a number of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman films like Free Guy, the Adam Project and Real Steel. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells. The film will star Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their role as Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively, alongside Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. Aaron Stanford will also returns as Pyro, from the X-Men films and Jennifer Garner as Elektra Natchios.

Your Guide to South Korean’s Simplified Visa Application this 2024

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Philippines just released a simplified guide for those who wish to apply for a visa to South Korean. Check the table below for your category and see the required documents.

*Although the tables show the required documents, it’s still necessary to submit other general documents in standard visa applications. Please refer to this table carefully.

For those elected as politicians, refer to this table:

Politician

Required Documents

Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

Not Required

Senate
COE (or Certificate of Appointment)
•Parents
•Spouse
•Minor Children
•Children over 18 who are studying
•Spouse’s Parents
•ITR
•Bank Statements
•Bank Certficates
Congress
Governors
Provincial Board Members
Mayors

For elected government officials, refer to this instead:

Government Officials

Required Documents

Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

Not Required

Individuals ranking higher (including) Assistant Secretary of the Executive Branch of the Philippine Government COE MUST HAVE the following details included:

•Affiliated Organization
•Position
•Salary
•Working Period

•Parents
•Spouse
•Minor Children
•Children over 18 who are studying
•Spouse’s Parents
•ITR
•Bank Statements
•Bank Certficates
Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police

If the relevant information is omitted or cannot be verified due to a lack of contact with HR, disadvantages may be given to the applicant” – Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines website.

For professionals with licenses, refer to the table below. Note that not all license holders are eligible for the simplified visa application criteria, only the ones specified below:

PRC License Holders

Required Documents

Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

Not Required

Physician
•COE (Original)
•Copy of PRC ID/IBP
•Parents
•Spouse
•Minor Children
•Children over 18 who are studying
•Spouse’s Parents
•ITR
•Bank Statements
•Bank Certficates
Dentist
CPA
Pharmacist
Veterinarian
Lawyer (including Judge/Prosecutor)

For credit card holders, please refer to the card types below:

Credit Card Holders

Required Documents

Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

Not Required

BDO Gold

•Mastercard Gold Credit Card
•Visa Gold Credit Card
•JCB Gold Credit Card
•UnionPay Gold Credit Card
•Diners Club International
•American Express Cashback Credit Card
•American Express Explorer Credit Card

•COE (Original)
•Copy of Credit Card (must show ALL front details)
•Copy of Credit Card Account Monthly Billing Statements for the last 3 months
•Parents
•Spouse
•Minor Children
•Children over 18 who are studying
•Spouse’s Parents
•ITR
•Bank Statements
•Bank Certificates
BDO Elite

•Mastercard Titanium, Platinum, World Elite Credit Card
•Visa Platinum
•JCB Platinum
•UnionPay Diamond
•Diners Club Premiere
•American Express Platinum
•American Express International Dollar Charge (Platinum, Gold, Green)

Although the Embassy states that financial documents are not required, it will still be up to the applicant if they choose to submit these.

In addition to the documents outlined in the table, applicants and their family members are still required to submit a document to establish their relationship. For children over 18 who are still studying, they are required to provide scholastic documents.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announces Tim Cone as Head Coach for Gilas Pilipinas Men

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) just announced that Tim Cone will be the as Head Coach for Gilas Pilipinas Men. Together with Tim Cone’s announcement, SBP also announced the 12 players roster for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, set this February 2024. The 12 players are composed of current PBA and UAAP players, as well as those playing in the Japanese B-League as imports.

Coach Tim Cone is one of the winningest coach in the PBA, a 25 times champion with 38 Finals appearances. He is currently the head coach of the most popular team in the PBA, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a gig that he got in 2015.

“Coach Tim accomplished what has not been done in decades with only a few weeks to prepare and multiple challenges in terms of personnel so we’re excited to see what he can accomplish with a long-term program in place especially if such program is supported by all basketball stakeholders.” said SBP President Al Panlilio.

“Earlier this month, coach Tim presented his plans to local leagues from which players will likely be selected from. This program will be put to test this year and adjustments will be made as necessary,” added SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.

The Philippines is also included in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament from July 2 to 7 in Latvia.

The 12 players roster for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers are;
PBA players

  • Scottie Thompson
  • Chris Newsome
  • Calvin Oftana
  • CJ Perez
  • Jamie Malonzo
  • June Mar Fajardo

Japanese B-League imports

  • Dwight Ramos
  • AJ Edu
  • Carl Tamayo
  • Kai Sotto

UAAP

  • Kevin Quiambao

Justin Brownlee is also listed as a naturalized player but this is still waiting FIBA’s approval.

CCN Philippines to shut-down this 31st of January 2024

After all the reports, CNN Philippines has confirmed that the network will shutdown its operations on all media platforms this January 31, 2024. The company released their official statement on all their social media accounts as well an official statement published on cnnphilippines.com.

Here’s the full text of CNN Philippines’ official statement;

It is with deep regret that the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) announces the discontinuation of its news and production operations on all media platforms, branded as CNN Philippines (CNNPH), effective 31 January 2024. The decision follows significant financial losses sustained over the past years, despite rigorous efforts to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving and challenging media landscape.

We are aware of the impact of this closure on our valued employees and talents, we assure all affected staff will be provided with severance packages.

We express our deepest appreciation to our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment over the years that has elevated CNNPH as a trusted source of news and information in the Philippines.

With the conclusion of CNNPH’s operations, we would like to extend our profound gratitude to our partner, CNN Worldwide/Turner Broadcasting Corporation for their support and understanding.

To our loyal viewers, thank you for giving us purpose. We are honored to have served you.

Again, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our employees, partners, and stakeholders. Thank you for the trust.

It’s unclear what will happen to its employees and talents, but it will be a big blow to the country’s “the future of journalism in the Philippines”, as well as the news media landscape.

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

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.

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

Malacañang 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 Traslación.

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 Nicolás 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

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 “opportunity” to market the business and spread awareness.

“Though 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,” Cortez told L!fe. “They are still customers at the end of the day.”

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

“We encourage an environment where our customers get to experience a sense of sharing while enjoying their stay in our cafe,” 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

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 Niño 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 – 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 Bañares 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!

Twitch to shut down business in Korea

In a surprising announcement, Amazon-owned streaming platform Twitch has announced that it will shut down operations in South Korea effective February 27, 2024. The company cited a “prohibitively expensive” operating costs and network fees as the primary reasons for this decision.

Twitch has been operating in Korea for several years, but it has faced ongoing challenges due to the country’s high network usage fees. These fees, which are significantly higher than in other countries, have made it difficult for Twitch to operate profitably in the country.

In an effort to reduce costs, the company experimented with peer-to-peer streaming and also limiting stream quality to 720p, but Twitch’s financial burden of operating in Korea is still 10 times more expensive than in most other countries.

This decision is a significant blow to the Korean gaming community, which has relied on Twitch as a platform for streaming and watching esports competitions. Twitch has also been a valuable source of income for many Korean streamers, who will now need to find alternative platforms to broadcast their content.

The shutdown of Twitch in Korea is a reminder of the challenges faced by global technology companies operating in countries with high network usage fees. It also highlights the importance of Korea’s internet service providers in ensuring that the country remains an attractive destination for technology companies.

The closure of Twitch in Korea is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s gaming community. Twitch has been a popular platform for Korean gamers to stream their gameplay and watch esports competitions. With Twitch gone, Korean gamers will need to find alternative platforms to watch and participate in the gaming community.

There are several alternative streaming platforms exist for Korean gamers, including YouTube Gaming, AfreecaTV, and Kakao TV. However, these platforms do not have the same global reach as Twitch, and they may not be as popular among Korean gamers.

It is unclear what will be the future of Twitch in Korea. The company has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Korea in the future, but it is unclear when or if this will happen.

In the meantime, Korean gamers will need to adapt to a new streaming landscape without Twitch. It is possible that the closure of Twitch could lead to increased popularity for other streaming platforms in Korea. However, it is also possible that Korean gamers will simply watch and participate in the gaming community less often.

MLDBeast’s Riyadh Soundstorm 2023 to be headlined by Metallica and Black Eyed Peas

MLDBeast’s annual music event Riyadh Soundstorm will be a 3-day music festival that features the best and greatest music has to offer. This year’s Soundstorm (2023) will be in Riyadh, Banban, from 14th thru 16th of December 2023.

Here’s a snippet of their lineup, in no particular order;

DECEMBER 14, THURSDAY

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Calvin Harris
  • H.E.R.
  • Metallica
  • Wizkid

DECEMBER 15, FRIDAY

  • Chris Brown
  • Martin Garrix

DECEMBER 16, SATURDAY

  • David Guetta
  • J. Balvin
  • Swedish House Mafia

You can find the complete lineup here.

Tickets for the music festival can be as low as SAR 169, which is around Php 2,500.00, for the general admission or just one day pass or as high as SAR 80,000.00, which approximately Php 1.18 million for a VIB BOX, that will include Dedicated Concierge, an exclusive entry with valet, premium food and beverage and your very own dedicated private suite.

As for me, I’ll go with the GENERAL ADMISSION, since you get an all stage access, daily SAR 25 wallet credit, and complimentary parking, which is not bad if you’re just there to head band and slam with Metallica.

You can go to Riyadh SoundStorm 2023 for more info

OFW in Saudi can now request ‘Employment / Experience Certificate’ through Qiwa portal.

Saudi’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that workers in the private sector can now request their Employment/Experience Certificate online using Qiwa. The announcement (written in Arabic) was posted on the Ministry’s official X (twitter) account.

Here are the steps on how to request for your Employment/Experience Certificate;
1. Login to your Qiwa account
2. Under SERVICES, go to EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
3. Click the “APPLY FOR CERTIFICATE” button on the top right section of the page.
4. From there, choose your work experience, from which youwant to receive the certificate then go to “NEXT STEP.”
5. Select the experience certificate type, then click “NEXT STEP.”
6. From there you can review the summary finalizing the request by clicking on “SUBMIT REQUEST”.

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 automaker’s vehicles online in Amazon’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 Hyundai’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 Amazon’s passion for trying to make customers’ lives better and easier every day,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. “Our 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.”

José Muñoz, global chief operating officer for Hyundai and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, and Marty Mallick, Amazon’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 Amazon’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 options—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 capabilities—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 applications—which support everything across research, product engineering, and customer engagement—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 Hyundai’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 system—with certain Alexa features accessible even when internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable.

“We’re excited to be working with Hyundai—the third-largest carmaker in the world and a leading innovator in the industry,” said Mallick during the onstage press conference in LA. “Together, we will provide customers with more of the buying experiences they want—and support dealers with an efficient and effective selling platform.”

“This is a transformational journey we are on together, and we look forward to a very productive long-term relationship with Amazon,” said Muñoz.

HONOR opens its first authorized store in Saudi Arabia

HONOR Saudi just open its first authorized store in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East earlier this month. The store is located in Al Hayat Plaza in Dammam, Eastern Region of the Kingdom. Those who visit the store’s opening day received special offers.

Here are some photos as posted by @HonorKSA;

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.

“Arm 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,” said Paul Williamson, SVP and GM, Internet of Things Line of Business, Arm. “With 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.”

“Arm technology has always been central to the platforms we create, and this investment is an important milestone in our longstanding partnership,” said Eben Upton, CEO, Raspberry Pi. “Using 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.”

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

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

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 – 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 “You’ve been hacked. Have a nice Day! Happy April Fullz Kahit October Palang! Fix your website.” and changed its content with the same messaging.

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 company’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 UK’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 “game-changer” 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 “Na-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko?” Portal

In the wake of the PhilHealth Hacking, Philippines’ National Privacy Commission (NPC) launches the “Na-leak ba ang PhilHealth Data ko? Portal. The “Na-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 “Na-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.