Bangladesh officials study cybersecurity in Philippines

 Economy
Jul 222016
 
Bangladesh officials study cybersecurity in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – High-ranking cabinet officials from Bangladesh recently visited the Philippines to learn about business process outsourcing (BPO) and information and communications technology (ICT) including cybersecurity. Managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) in collaboration with Management and Training International (MTI) Limited in Bangladesh, the study tour and workshop included visits to private, government, and academic institutions – the ICT Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), KLab Cyscorpions Inc., Asia Pacific College, Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) and NOW Corp. Of grave concern among the Bangladeshi officials is the need for clear strategic directions on cybersecurity initiatives. During his lecture on this topic, Mel Velasco Velarde, CEO of NOW Corp. and AIJC, discussed specific cases of security breaches that happened with big multinational firms such as Facebook, Wall Street Journal, Ubiquity, Barracuda, LinkedIn, Harmony and others including government-induced errors in cybersecurity.  Velarde emphasized the need for organizations to meet the “reasonable security” requirement (known as the “20 Critical Security Controls” or CSCs) prescribed by top global private and governmental cybersecurity inter-agencies.

Coal demand per year seen to rise amid higher growth

 Economy
Jul 212016
 

THE country’s demand for coal will increase by a million metric tons each year until 2020 as new coal-fired power plants start operating between now and the next four years, the head of an industry association said, pointing out that the projection was “conservative” and has yet to factor in expectations of higher economic growth in the near term.

Renowned Filipino Designer Rocky Gathercole visits ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata

 Entertainment
Jul 202016
 
Renowned Filipino Designer Rocky Gathercole visits ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata

AFI head praises designer for “Rock The Runway” fundraiser on July 28 in Avalon Hollywood (Leftmost) Celebrity designer Rocky Gathercole will feature a collection for the exciting “Rock the Runway” on July 28 at the landmark Avalon Hollywood. (Center) From left, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, Rocky Gathercole, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during the visit of Gathercole to the Foundation office in Manila. Gathercole chose one of the Foundation’s core programs – Bantay Bata (Child Watch) – as the beneficiary of “Rock the Runway”. (Photo by Marianne De Vera/ABS-CBN Global Corporate Affairs & PR). (Right) Couture and Compassion meet via “Rock The Runway”, a benefit event featuring the designs of Rocky Gathercole. HOLLYWOOD, CA  – A heartwarming lovefest ensued upon the recent visit of Rocky Gathercole, famed Filipino designer to the biggest music stars, to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya (Family Service) Foundation, Inc. or ALKFI. The designer to celebrities like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Underwood dropped by to express his commitment to helping one of ALKFI’s core programs called, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), Asia’s model for child care services. Gathercole was warmly welcomed by ALKFI Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and concurrent ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during his visit. Come July 28, at the landmark Avalon Hollywood, Gathercole will unveil a collection for the show, “Rock The Runway”, proceeds of which will benefit Bantay Bata.  The Read More …

Palace: PHL to pursue diplomatic path with China

 Entertainment
Jul 202016
 
Palace: PHL to pursue diplomatic path with China

By Leslie D. Venzon President Rodrigo R. Duterte welcomes the US Congressional delegation accompanied by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace on July 19. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 20 (PNA) – Malacañang on Wednesday said the government will continue to pursue the diplomatic path to achieve the country’s exclusive rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) granted by Netherlands-based arbitral tribunal. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella considered the Philippine sovereign economic rights granted by the Law of Nations to be “non-negotiable”. “The Philippines continues along a diplomatic path to fully realize the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) rights granted by the Arbitration Court -engaging in bilateral talks to find mutually acceptable arrangements to RP, PROC; and consulting with our regional allies,” he said in a statement. President Rodrigo R. Duterte welcomes US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Deputy Political Counselor Matthew Cenzer at the Music room in Malacañan Palace on July 19. Also in the photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.(MNS photo) Abella added engagement with China towards the peaceful resolution of the issue must be compliant with the Constitution, International Law and the rule of law. Last week, the international arbitral tribunal released a historic decision that the disputed WPS belongs to the Philippines. This, after more than three years since the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China.

Past, present senators remember ‘trailblazer’ Helena Benitez

 Entertainment
Jul 202016
 
Past, present senators remember ‘trailblazer’ Helena Benitez

DRILON’S EULOGY TO BENITEZ: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon delivers his eulogy to the late Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 102. “Senator Helena Benitez was one of the fortunate people who were blessed with a long life. She did not only bring honor to her family, community and country, she also opened doors that were previously closed to women. In her lifetime, she paved the way and inspired Filipino women to persevere and prosper in their fields of endeavor,” Drilon said.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Lawmakers from the present and past Congresses gathered at the Senate Tuesday to pay their last respects to former Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away on July 14 at the age of 102. The necrological services began shortly past 10 a.m., after the urn containing Benitez’s ashes was brought to the Senate session hall. Among the lawmakers who attended the event were outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III and Leila de Lima, and former senators Wigberto Tañada, Leticia Ramos Shahani and Santanina Rasul. SENATE RESOLUTION: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon (4th from right) presents a Senate resolution expressing its sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, during a necrological service at the Senate, July 19, 2016. Benitez died at the age of 102. In photo are Benitez’s family, led by her niece, Petty Benitez-Johannot (fourth from left), Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia B. Licuanan Read More …

Pia wants to be tourism ambassador for PHL

 Entertainment
Jul 202016
 
Pia wants to be tourism ambassador for PHL

Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach visits the new Department of Tourism Office: Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach receives a token of appreciation from Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo during the former’s visit at the new DOT Headquarters along Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati City on Monday (July 18, 2016). In a press conference after their meeting, Secretary Teo said she is grateful for the full support the reigning Miss Universe is giving to DOT’s efforts to host the upcoming Miss Universe contest in the country. “We are really hopeful that President Rodrigo R. Duterte will grant our request, especially now that this undertaking would practically entail no expense on the part of government. More importantly, it would give a big boost to businesses and livelihood of millions of people, in line with our ‘shared tourism’ program,” the DOT Chief said. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.) MANILA (MABUHAY) – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach paid a courtesy call on the Department of Tourism on Monday ahead of her meeting at Malacañang with President Rodrigo Duterte. During her brief visit to the department, Wurtzbach said it has always been her dream to become an ambassador for the Philippines and promote tourism. “I still continue on pursuing that goal of being a great ambassador as I go throughout my reign, as I visit different countries around the world as Miss Universe. I will continue on doing that,” she said. The reigning Miss Universe has been consistent in supporting the Read More …

Arroyo: ‘Justice, righteousness prevailed’

 Entertainment
Jul 202016
 
Arroyo: ‘Justice, righteousness prevailed’

By Cielito M. Reganit Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives with husband, Jose Miguel, at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 11, 2012. Arroyo entered a plead of not guilty to allegations of graft and corruption in the tainted telecommunications deal with China in 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) MANILA  (PNA) – Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court decision that acquitted her from plunder charges and said that justice and righteousness have once again prevailed over injustice and wrongdoing. In a statement released after the landmark ruling, the former leader also urged the public to keep faith in the justice system. “With the High Tribunal rendering a final decision on this unfortunate episode, I sincerely hope that everyone will respect and recognize the truth that has been established,” she said. Voting 11-4, the high tribunal granted Arroyo’s petition seeking the dismissal of her remaining plunder case at the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misuse of the Php 366-million confidential intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In the statement, Arroyo thanked the High Court for finally stopping the persecution she had unjustly gone through for the last five years. She also thanked her supporters for their prayers and immeasurable help in keeping her faith and conviction that truth and justice will ultimately prevail. “It is my fervent hope that nobody else will suffer the persecution that had been levied on me through Read More …

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