How to be a Game-Changer: 10 tips after 10 years in gaming by Infinix Chief Gaming Officer Bianca Yao
According to We Are Social and HootSuite’s most recent Digital 2021 Report, the Philippines is now considered one of the world’s gaming capitals, having the most significant percentage of internet users who play games on their devices at 97%, with 43.6% playing daily......»»
Newscast: Behind the headlines of GDC, a cautious sense of hope
The gaming industry faced its fair share of challenges in the past 18 months, and these were the hot topics of discussion at the recently.....»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
SamPan: Making her mark
Samantha Panlilio, eldest daughter of Jose Marcel “Jocel” Panlilio, is embarking on an ambitious career path to revitalize and expand the family’s real estate investments as chief operations officer of both the family’s publicly listed Boulevard Holdings Inc. and Puerto Azul Land Inc., even as she sets a parallel course to build her own beauty line, photography studio, and a furniture business under the brand “House of Marrakesh.”.....»»
PSA-7: Report to us if PhilSys ID not accepted
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7) urged Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID holders to report to the agency if some entities do not accept their IDs. PSA-7 chief administrative officer of Edwina Carriaga told CDN Digital in a phone interview that the agency is urging PhilSys ID (National ID).....»»
Remove the roadblocks on right of way acquisition
In recent years, the government has committed to make game-changing reforms in order to make the Philippines more attractive as an investment destination......»»
Remove the roadblocks on right of way acquisition
In recent years, the government has committed to make game-changing reforms in order to make the Philippines more attractive as an investment destination......»»
Melai may kwelang birthday message para kay Jason: ‘Pangako ko sa’yo guguluhin ko buhay mo!’
KWELA na may halong kilig ang birthday greeting ng TV host-comedienne na si Melai Cantiveros para sa kanyang mister na si Jason Francisco. Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram post, ibinandera ni Melai ang family picture nila na tila nagkaroon sila ng simpleng handaan para sa kanilang padre de pamilya. Kalakip ng pictures ang kanyang mensahe, “Happy Bday My forever enemy/lover [smiling face with heart-eyes emoji].” “Thank you Lord that I found you…. kasi di ako maka kiat sa buhay ko dahil ikaw ang prefect of disipline sa buhay ko [emojis] parang naasawa ko ang tatay ko and that’s you Mr. Jason Francisco,” patuloy niya. Biro pa niya, “Pero papangako at sisisguraduhin ko sayo na guguluhin ko buhay mo [emojis].” Baka Bet Mo: Jason Francisco ‘babe’ ang tawag kay Sunshine Cruz: Parang na-feel ko lang… Napaabot din ng mga pagbati ang ilang kapwa-celebrities para kay Jason, kabilang na riyan sina Jolina Magdangal at Bianca Gonzalez. Bumuhos rin ang birthday greetings ng kanilang fans at narito ang ilan sa mga nabasa namin sa comment section: “PBB days palang Melason forevz! Happy birthday Jason!” “Happy Birthday Papang Strolls ni Momshie Melai. God bless your Family momsh [red heart emojis].” “Happy Birthday to Jason. Wishing all the best for your and your family [smiling face with heart-eyes emojis].” “Mula pbb kayo na at habang buhay, Jesus is inside you all [folded hands, heart emojis].” Kamakailan lang, proud nang ibinunyag ni Melai na siya pala ang bida sa mga naging pasilip niyang taping noong mga nakaraan. Sabi pa niya, siya raw ang gaganap na “Ma’am Chief” na tinutukoy niya sa kanyang mga posts. Super thankful, aniya, siya dahil matagumpay ang first-ever shoot niya sa ibang bansa. Bukod diyan, isa ang komedyana sa mga magho-host ng bagong variety show na “It’s Your Lucky Day” kasama sina Luis Manzano, Robi Domingo, Jennica Garcia, at ilan pang co-host at guests. Mapapanood na ang nasabing show sa GTV ngayong October 14, 12 p.m. kung saan ito ang magiging kapalit ng “It’s Showtime” habang nakasuspinde ng 12 days. Related Chika: Jason Francisco may nakakalokang birthday wish: Sana magdikit na ngipin ng mama n’yo Melai sa nakakalokang reaksyon ng 2 anak nang makita ang kanilang poster: ‘Hindi sila makapaniwala na nasa mall ang mukha nila’.....»»
Meta putting AI in smart glasses, assistants and more
Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday said the tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. Zuckerberg made his announcements at the Connect developers conference at Meta's headquarters in Silicon Valley, the company's main annual product event. "Advances in AI allow us to create different (applications) and personas that help us accomplish different things," Zuckerberg said as he kicked off the gathering. "And smart glasses are going to eventually allow us to bring all of this together into a stylish form factor that we can wear." Smart glasses are one of the many ways that tech companies have tried to move beyond the smartphone as a user-friendly device, but so far with little success. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica will have a starting price of $299 when they hit the market on 17 October. The smart glasses also add the ability for users to stream what they are seeing in real-time, Zuckerberg said. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing." Meta also introduced 28 "AIs" that people can message on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram with "personalities" based on celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and YouTube star MrBeast. Zuckerberg demonstrated an interaction with one such AI from the stage in a type-written chat promising that the new bots would soon be voiced. "This is our first effort at training a bunch of AI that are a bit more fun," Zuckerberg said. "But look, this is early stuff and these still have a lot of limitations, which you will see when you use them." The event was the first in-person edition of Connect since 2019, before the pandemic, and announcements on generative AI were widely expected. Meta has taken a much more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. 'Best value' Meta also unveiled the latest version of its Quest virtual reality headset with richer graphics, improved audio, and the ability for a wearer to see what is around them without taking the gear off, a demonstration for AFP showed. "This is going to be a big game changer and a big capacity improvement for these headsets," Zuckerberg told developers gathered in a Meta headquarters courtyard. Quest 3 headsets were priced starting at $499 and will begin shipping on 10 October, according to Meta. This is substantially cheaper than Apple's Vision Pro, which will cost a hefty $3,499 when it is available early next year in the United States only. The Quest 3 "is going to be the best value on the market for a long time to come", said Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, to laughter from the audience. New game titles for Quest 3 included "Assassin's Creed Nexus" from Ubisoft as well as a Roblox game. "Meta is trying to bring a much-upgraded version of (mixed-reality) to the masses," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Yory Wurmser. The post Meta putting AI in smart glasses, assistants and more appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mober unveils Pasay charging hub for EV fleet
Green logistics pioneer Mober unveiled its P2-million electric vehicle charging station in Pasay City on Wednesday. The 800-square-meter charging hub in Zamora Street has 30 charging units for Mober’s fleet of 60 electric delivery trucks. “This inauguration symbolizes not just a milestone but a beacon of our overarching blueprint for an environmentally conscious logistic framework. And, we’re just getting started,”€Dennis Ng, Mober’s chief executive officer, said. Ng said Mober will add more EV charging stations in Metro Manila and 60 in Laguna that will cater to its southern fleet in the first quarter of 2024. He also revealed plans to incorporate more potent 22-kilowatt chargers along with a selection of direct current chargers in Cavite and Bulacan, amplifying Mober’s commitment to versatility and adaptability in its green infrastructure. The charging stations will eventually be opened to the general public, he added. Fast charging Equipped with the latest open charge point protocol, 7 kilowatt chargers compatible with both type 2 and GB/T (gigabyte/terabyte) standards, each charging point guarantees brisk charging sessions, ensuring the efficiency of Mober’s EV fleet exclusively earmarked for one of its IKEA customers. “We strategically opted for this charging capacity as our EV fleet remains dormant during nighttime, allowing optimal charging without overwhelming the grid,” Ng said. Beyond infrastructure, Mober’s unique partnership model provides an unprecedented advantage to businesses by allowing them to transition to green delivery operations with zero upfront costs, effectively democratizing access to green logistics. This hassle-free collaboration is pivotal in encouraging more companies to embrace sustainable logistics, reinforcing Mober’s role as a game-changer in the sector. Aligning with the progressive mandates of the Electric Vehicles and Charging Systems Act, Mober’s initiatives underscore the Philippines’ assertive stance on eco-driven policies and endeavors. With Mober’s pioneering approach, businesses have a definitive roadmap to swiftly decarbonize their last and mid-mile delivery systems, heralding a new era in business sustainability. Mober started in 2015 and was initially designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises solve their on-demand logistical needs. Eight years later, it became a business-to-business platform, facilitating sustainable delivery for retail giants such as IKEA Philippines, SM Appliance Center, Nestle Philippines and Nespresso. The company aims to become the leading green logistics delivery provider in Southeast Asia by securing a mixed fleet of 100 electric vans and trucks by the end of 2023. The post Mober unveils Pasay charging hub for EV fleet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VACC lauds SC for firing road rage ex-cop
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption hailed the decision of the Supreme Court to terminate the employment of an employee who figured in a road rage video recently. The anti-crime group described as a prompt action of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario to terminate the employment of the ex-cop who got into an altercation with a cyclist on the road. This was aired by VACC president Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista saying Rosario’s move would regain the trust and confidence of the public in the justice system, especially since the Supreme Court was dragged into the controversy due to the behavior of Wilfredo Gonzales on a bicycle rider on 8 August. Evangelista said that to many citizens on the brink of disillusionment about the country’s slow-grinding and sometimes unfair justice system, what the SC magistrate did gave them good reason for hope. Netizens condemned the action of Gonzales when the video of the incident went viral in social media with his drawn gun in front of the bicycle rider. The public condemnation also cost the position of Quezon City Police District Nicolas Torre III who opted to quit his post over social media backlash on the press conference he held with Gonzales. Evangelista said Justice Rosario’s action was a game changer towards attaining principled and swift justice in this country. The anti-crime crusader said he found no justification in Gonzales’ dangerous act of physically assaulting an unarmed cyclist and then pulling out his gun and cocking the pistol toward him. Evangelista said, “Whether or not it was the cyclist that provoked the altercation, the High Tribunal magistrate delivered what he believes is the highest standard of justice that Filipinos deserve. This he did quietly and without a speck of propaganda fanfare.” He also lauded Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the entire membership of the high bench for “upholding the decision” of Rosario to dismiss Gonzales. The post VACC lauds SC for firing road rage ex-cop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Game-changer? ‘Matatag Curriculum’ aims to fix educational woes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said the new K-10 curriculum would help align with Filipino schoolchildren's needs and would help address the issues that local and international education experts have noted. Both the high-ranking officials made the statement after the Department of Education launched the new curriculum, called the "Matatag Curriculum." "This new curriculum is the legacy of the Marcos administration in our country's basic education," Duterte said. "We've addressed many problems identified by international and local education experts in this new K-10 Program." President Marcos, for his part, said that the Matatag Curriculum is also designed to improve the Philippines' international scores, especially in STEM subjects. "We want our students to be competitive in the global market," said the Chief Executive. "We want them to be able to get the best jobs and contribute to our country's development," he added. The Matatag Curriculum will be implemented in phases, starting with Kindergarten and Grades 1, 4 and 7 in the 2024-2025 school year. By 2028, it will be fully implemented in all public and private schools in the Philippines. "This is a major undertaking, but we are confident that it will be worth it," said Marcos. "We are investing in the future of our children, and we are confident that they will make us proud." "Matatag" stands for "MAke the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning and positive learning environment; and Give support for teachers to teach better." One of the key features of the Matatag Curriculum is the reduction of the number of learning competencies from around 11,000 to 3,000. This is to ensure that students are able to master the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and in life. For the key stages Grades 1 to 3, the Matatag Curriculum also reduces the number of subjects from seven to five, with a focus on Math and Reading. Science will be introduced in Grade 4. The post Game-changer? ‘Matatag Curriculum’ aims to fix educational woes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine e-visa system ‘game changer’ for Chinese, Indian tourism markets — DOT chief
The Department of Tourism said that the upcoming implementation of the electronic visa (e-Visa) for temporary visitors would “holds the promise of recovering the Chinese market and opening up to the Indian market.”.....»»
DTI-UNIDO, innovation leaders gather to advance Industry 4.0 agenda
In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Group and with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization spearheaded the Policy Forum on the Advancement of Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation of Industries in the Philippines on 21 July 2023 at the Makati Diamond Residences, gathering around 50 innovation leaders from the government, private sector, academe and development partners. The forum fostered an open dialogue with industry experts through a panel discussion. DTI CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba underscored the Philippines' exceptional proficiency in services and highlighted the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies in further enhancing this aspect, “We can link our services with manufacturing, agriculture and others, especially with the presence of these new technologies which would really require a lot of digital skills, software applications development, etc. These are things and areas that the Philippines has a comparative advantage,” she emphasized. The panelists aligned with this perspective as they shed light on how I4.0 continuously shapes society. Arnel Cabungcal, assistant vice president for manufacturing operations services and technology of UNILAB, Inc., highlighted the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence. “During the pandemic, through an emergency use authorization, the standard eight-year approval process of the vaccine was reduced to only eight months, with the aid of AI”, he said. Chief operating officer of Ionics-EMS Inc. Jay Chavez chimed in with his own experience of adopting smart manufacturing in the company’s operations and its impact on job placements. “With smart manufacturing increasing our production, we had to hire more people to do higher value tasks while remaining cost-effective”, he said. The importance of enabling policies also greatly surfaced through the discussion as Emmanuel Lazaro Estrada, senior vice president for regulatory development and strategy of Globe Telecom, Inc., was quoted as saying that “policies should be practical and human-centered.” Anders Isaksson, UNIDO chief of the capacity development and policy advice unit, supported this idea and reiterated the call for a needs-based approach. “Knowing what needs to be done is very important for defining policy areas and reducing policy uncertainties,” he said, while adding the connection running from innovation to I4.0 to productivity growth and welfare enhancement. “The successful adoption of I4.0 banks on the implementation of the right policy mix. This mix should not only focus on pro-I4.0 policies but also on redistribution and compensation policies at the very design stage to reduce the costs of potential disruption and transition [due to I4.0]”, stressed Isaksson. Crafting and institutionalizing such policies would require much effort from the government, according to Dr. Jamil Paolo S. Francisco, Asian Institute of Management’s executive director for the Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness. “Government should help individuals, companies, and startups become more agile”, Francisco said. Melvin Jeffrey Chan, vice president and head for enterprise innovation, business development, and consulting and presales of PLDT Enterprise, zoomed in on the critical role of the National Innovation Council. “The NIC joined the forces of the brightest minds in the country, whether they are from the public or private sector, to drive things forward through the formulation of policies and building technologies,” he pointed out. Apart from the enriching panel discussion, the forum also marked the culmination of a week-long workshop held in Pico De Loro, Batangas from 17 to 20 July 2023, participated in by a roster of innovative policy and thought leaders from select government agencies. UNIDO country representative Engr. Teddy Monroy lauded this initiative for igniting the commitment of the participating agencies to this cause, characterizing I4.0 as “a game-changer as it triggers a productive shift bringing increased efficiency and transformation of the global landscape.”. The forum capped off with assurance and support from Dr. Joseph Capuno, the National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary for Investment Programming Group. He remarked, “Rest assured that the Philippine Government remains committed to embracing digital transformation and harnessing the power of technology to guide social and economic transformation as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.” In collaboration with other development partners, the DTI and UNIDO aim to sustain the momentum and ongoing dialogue and remain dedicated to driving sustainable development through innovation. As part of this commitment, the participants will continue to gain practical experience through site visits to leading I4.0 companies, technology clusters, innovation agencies, think tanks, and business associations worldwide in the upcoming phase. The post DTI-UNIDO, innovation leaders gather to advance Industry 4.0 agenda appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Avel: A Book, A Fashion Show, A Filipino Designer
BY JOJO G. SILVESTRE Whether one refers to the book, the fashion show or the Filipino designer who takes center stage on the first two, there is no mistaking the message — Philippine textile, woven and embroidered, at their best. In all three, there is another common denominator — the support and patronage of the First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos. [caption id="attachment_147815" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with designer Avel Bacudio.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147821" align="aligncenter" width="525"] First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with the author.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147818" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BIANCA Zobel and Dina Arroyo-Tantoco of the Office of the Social Secretary with Avel Bacudio.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147824" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE designer with Grace Bernardo Chan.[/caption] The fashion show that was recently held at the Goldenberg Museum, under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady, with the Office of the Social Secretary providing a multi-faceted back-up, was a spectacle in black and white as interpreted by Avel Bacudio whose creations paid tribute to the handiwork of Filipino artisans all over the country. Each piece of clothing modeled by legislators and cabinet secretaries, their wives, key officials of the executive branch, and scions of political families, all clients of Avel, manifested the virtuosity of the iconic designer who chose to downplay extravagance and over-the-top ornamentation by focusing on well-defined structure, casual elegance, comfortability and versatility, the last allowing the wearers to mix and match to suit the occasion. [caption id="attachment_147820" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147816" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ACTOR-MODEL Jerome Ponce and Cong. Linabelle Villarica, 4th District of Bulacan.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147822" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KATRINA Ponce Enrile, Administrator, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.[/caption] Goldenberg Mansion, in all its splendor, served as a fitting yet contrasting backdrop to Avel’s functionality, simplicity and orderly geometric configurations. The book, Avel, Ladies in the Palace, quotes the Bicolano designer who laments, “The local weavers and their craft are dying out and they are unable to pass it on to the next generation. This is where I found the passion to do what I can, as a designer, to help this craft alive.” His intention looks beyond the communities where these beautiful fabrics originate and reveals his deep longing to present the best of Filipino craftsmanship to the international community. He admits to being “challenged to bring their weaves into the modern world but going beyond the ordinary. I turned my focus towards elevating them into pieces worthy of the global stage while still paying tribute to their stories and the craft.” On his part, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, who supported the book project, describes Avel as “a highly accomplished and extraordinary fashion designer.” He enumerates his distinctions, namely, “more than 20 years of successful career; extensive and impressive client list; and numerous awards including Metro Magazine’s 2012 Breakthrough Designer and Asia’s Most Influential Designer in 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Style Fashion Week in Malaysia.” [caption id="attachment_147825" align="aligncenter" width="452"] Yeye Vivas, Chief of Staff of Congressman Sandro Marcos.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147814" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PCOO Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147823" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Marga Montemayor Nograles, COO, Tourism Promotions Board.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147819" align="aligncenter" width="377"] CONGRESSMAN Migz Villafuerte, 5th District of Camarines Sur.[/caption] On these pages are Avel’s creations as modeled by dazzling personalities in government and society, as well as the personal choices of guests, celebrities and achievers too, and Malacanang insiders from their respective closets. Fittingly, everyone arrived in their black and white outfits, eager and ready to be impressed by what the designer had been up to in the past months. Avel Bacudio did not disappoint them. [caption id="attachment_147826" align="aligncenter" width="525"] XAVIER Tengco[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147835" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147817" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Atty. Joeie Domingo, Undersecretary, Special Assistant to the President.[/caption] The post Avel: A Book, A Fashion Show, A Filipino Designer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Can you trust your ears? AI voice scams rattle US
The voice on the phone seemed frighteningly real -- an American mother heard her daughter sobbing before a man took over and demanded a ransom. But the girl was an AI clone and the abduction was fake. The biggest peril of Artificial Intelligence, experts say, is its ability to demolish the boundaries between reality and fiction, handing cybercriminals a cheap and effective technology to propagate disinformation. In a new breed of scams that has rattled US authorities, fraudsters are using strikingly convincing AI voice cloning tools -- widely available online -- to steal from people by impersonating family members. "Help me, mom, please help me," Jennifer DeStefano, an Arizona-based mother, heard a voice saying on the other end of the line. DeStefano was "100 percent" convinced it was her 15-year-old daughter in deep distress while away on a skiing trip. "It was never a question of who is this? It was completely her voice... it was the way she would have cried," DeStefano told a local television station in April. "I never doubted for one second it was her." The scammer who took over the call, which came from a number unfamiliar to DeStefano, demanded up to $1 million. The AI-powered ruse was over within minutes when DeStefano established contact with her daughter. But the terrifying case, now under police investigation, underscored the potential for cybercriminals to misuse AI clones. - Grandparent scam - "AI voice cloning, now almost indistinguishable from human speech, allows threat actors like scammers to extract information and funds from victims more effectively," Wasim Khaled, chief executive of Blackbird.AI, told AFP. A simple internet search yields a wide array of apps, many available for free, to create AI voices with a small sample -- sometimes only a few seconds -- of a person's real voice that can be easily stolen from content posted online. "With a small audio sample, an AI voice clone can be used to leave voicemails and voice texts. It can even be used as a live voice changer on phone calls," Khaled said. "Scammers can employ different accents, genders, or even mimic the speech patterns of loved ones. [The technology] allows for the creation of convincing deep fakes." In a global survey of 7,000 people from nine countries, including the United States, one in four people said they had experienced an AI voice cloning scam or knew someone who had. Seventy percent of the respondents said they were not confident they could "tell the difference between a cloned voice and the real thing," said the survey, published last month by the US-based McAfee Labs. American officials have warned of a rise in what is popularly known as the "grandparent scam" -– where an imposter poses as a grandchild in urgent need of money in a distressful situation. "You get a call. There's a panicked voice on the line. It's your grandson. He says he's in deep trouble —- he wrecked the car and landed in jail. But you can help by sending money," the US Federal Trade Commission said in a warning in March. "It sounds just like him. How could it be a scam? Voice cloning, that's how." In the comments beneath the FTC's warning were multiple testimonies of elderly people who had been duped that way. - 'Malicious' - That also mirrors the experience of Eddie, a 19-year-old in Chicago whose grandfather received a call from someone who sounded just like him, claiming he needed money after a car accident. The ruse, reported by McAfee Labs, was so convincing that his grandfather urgently started scrounging together money and even considered re-mortgaging his house, before the lie was discovered. "Because it is now easy to generate highly realistic voice clones... nearly anyone with any online presence is vulnerable to an attack," Hany Farid, a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information, told AFP. "These scams are gaining traction and spreading." Earlier this year, AI startup ElevenLabs admitted that its voice cloning tool could be misused for "malicious purposes" after users posted a deepfake audio purporting to be actor Emma Watson reading Adolf Hitler's biography "Mein Kampf." "We're fast approaching the point where you can't trust the things that you see on the internet," Gal Tal-Hochberg, group chief technology officer at the venture capital firm Team8, told AFP. "We are going to need new technology to know if the person you think you're talking to is actually the person you're talking to," he said. bur-ac/arp © Agence France-Presse The post Can you trust your ears? AI voice scams rattle US appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Exemplar: One company’s purpose-led transformation for social change
Reflecting its long-standing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Globe Group is participating in the UN’s Vision 2045, a campaign that features documentary films about how businesses from around the world are taking collective action for a better global future. In its documentary, the Globe Group’s senior leaders talk about the company’s purpose-led transformation — innovating with compassion, care and kindness to deliver life-enabling services to Filipinos. Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu looked back at how Globe transformed from telco to techno, turning the business around from a far-second player when he came in 2008 to an industry leader and game-changer. Behind this success is Globe’s mission to serve. “Key to every telecom company is the quality of its network infrastructure. A good network spells a good service experience for our customers. We brought the Filipinos and introduced to the Filipino the concept of what a smartphone was. This brought about a new age of data, which in turn spelled partners and new life-changing experiences. We then asked ourselves ‘what was next?’ We decided that we would become a purpose-led company,” Cu said. Globe chief commercial officer Issa Guevarra-Cabreira shared how Globe’s expansion is rooted in the company’s desire to help enrich and enable the digital life of its prepaid users, the bulk of Globe’s customer base, through greater access. “Speaking to customers, I realized that prepaid users — the vast majority of whom come from the lowest socio-economic brackets — had the same desire for innovation as everyone else and, arguably, an even greater need for digital enablement. Thus we began to explore how we could make it financially feasible for Filipinos to access the benefits of the Internet,” Guevarra-Cabreira said. Globe’s transformation was further accelerated by the pandemic when many day-to-day transactions and activities swiftly shifted to online platforms. During the crisis, Globe’s platforms shone through as life savers. There’s GCash, the country’s number-one financial services app, which enabled convenient digital payments and fund transfers, and even provided options for a savings account, investments and a credit line to those in need. KonsultaMD, the Globe Group’s telehealth app, meanwhile, provided accessible doctor consultations when Philippine hospitals and their personnel were stretched beyond capacity. As it continues to grow, the Globe Group is on the constant lookout for startups from around the world with an aligned vision for the future and a mission to make positive change. Through its venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures, Globe has been supporting companies that tackle some of the world’s biggest problems, from food security to pollution, among others. The bedrock of Globe’s expansion and transformation is its core telco business, where it continues to operate sustainably. Globe was the first publicly-listed Philippine-based company to commit to setting science-based targets and was recently recognized by Standard Insights as the Most Sustainability-Driven Network Operator in the Philippines. The company was also included as one of Asia Pacific’s Climate Leaders in a list developed by the Financial Times and Global Market Research Firm, Statista. Key to this is its efforts to green its network and supply chain and push for greater energy efficiency across its operations. As Guevarra-Cabreira said: “We are working on taking our network beyond reliability to sustainability. We continue to green our network operations as part of our net zero strategy.” Even as it expands to new business horizons, Globe is committed to creating a positive societal impact. Through its flagship campaign, The Hapag Movement, Globe aims to address involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood programs, leveraging a network of partners and the power of digital platforms. The post Exemplar: One company’s purpose-led transformation for social change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Second Fresh Depot cold storage unit for Nueva Vizcaya farmers
Following the successful introduction of its first pilot cold storage unit in Benguet, Aboitiz Group’s Fresh Depot has launched its second pilot unit at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, one of the country’s biggest trading centers located in the Cagayan Valley region. Fresh Depot seeks to contribute to the country’s food sustainability by providing a physical and digital platform for farmers, with cold storage as its springboard. With Fresh Depot’s innovative pilot unit, farmers and traders can now efficiently store their surplus produce and preserve its freshness until it reaches the market. This groundbreaking solution aims to significantly reduce food wastage and enhance the food supply chain in the Philippines. Moreover, Fresh Depot seeks to provide value-adding services, such as establishing a comprehensive database that the government can leverage to enhance their agricultural initiatives. Emilie Sydney-Smith, Aboitiz Equity Ventures chief transformation officer, explained how Fresh Depot can become a game-changer for Philippine agriculture. “Filipino farmers face so many challenges, it can be hard to know where to start. When we saw that cold storage technology could prevent around half of their crops from spoiling between harvest and consumption, this was an obvious answer. Getting paid for most, not half, of their production means that farmers will soon be able to invest in other products that can create a virtuous cycle in their prosperity. Digitally tracking the cold storage usage means we can also help the government understand how they can better support farmers.” NVAT serves as a major vegetable trading hub for farmers, traders and buyers from different parts of Luzon. It was established and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in December 2001. The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya was the majority stockholder from 2005 to 2013. By 2015, the private sector had gained the majority shares of the corporation. At present, 85.29 percent of shares are owned by the private sector and the remaining 14.71 percent of shares are owned by the government. Gilbert Cumila, general manager of NVAT, is proud to participate in Fresh Depot’s groundbreaking pilot. “We are happy to be collaborating with Aboitiz on Fresh Depot’s pilot program. As part of NVAT and a farmer myself, I see a lot of potential in providing this facility to farmers and traders, enabling them to preserve their fresh produce’s quality before they are brought to the consumption market. This will also open doors to digitize farm data. We are equally committed to make this project a success to help prepare the country’s agricultural sector for the future.” The post Second Fresh Depot cold storage unit for Nueva Vizcaya farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ika-122 founding anniversary ng MPD, ipinagdiwang
MANILA, Philippines- Pinangunahan ang pagdiriwang at wreath laying ceremony para sa selebrasyon ng ika-122 anibersaryo ng Manila Police District (MPD) ngayong araw, Feb.21 ni PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin. Sa pangunguna ni MPD Director P/Brig.General Andre Dizon, ang nasaabing pagdiriwang ay dinaluhan ni Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan. Sa pangunguna pa rin ng ‘the game changer’, nag-alay […] The post Ika-122 founding anniversary ng MPD, ipinagdiwang appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Infinix Chief Gaming Officer Bianca Yao teases PH launch of the HOT 10S MLBB Limited Edition Smartphone
In the first episode of the Infinix Mobile Legends Bang Bang Showdown on the Infinix Mobile Facebook Page, which featured a match between the company’s Chief Gaming Officer Bianca “Biancake” Yao and popular gaming livestreamer Jhanzen “Bulldog” Latorre, each leading a team of Infinix fans and Team Bulldog emerging triumphant, Bianca showed off a specially designed HOT 10S smartphone emblazoned with the word “LEGENDARY” at the back. .....»»
Infinix invests in connecting with Filipino gamers
Global technology brand Infinix, known worldwide for its line-up of powerful smartphones at attractive pricing, recently hired Bianca “Biancake” Yao, a pioneering gamer and emerging creator, as its first-ever Chief Gaming Officer for the Philippines......»»