HMD Global Enters the Market to Bring New Nokia Branded Phones to Consumers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A new and exciting chapter in the story of Nokia branded phones begins today as HMD Global Oy (“HMD”) – the new home of Nokia phones enters the market. Finnish company HMD will bring a new generation of mobile phones to consumers, with the first smartphone products set to be launched in the first half of 2017, alongside the existing Nokia branded feature phone business.

The launch of HMD comes just six months after the company signed a strategic licensing agreement with Nokia, giving HMD exclusive use of the Nokia brand on mobile phones and tablets worldwide for the next 10 years.

With a leading position in the feature phone market already, HMD has a significant global foothold including Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, India and China from day one. This scale, coupled with a world-class and highly experienced leadership team positions HMD for a truly accelerated start.

HMD has developed a unique strategic partnership model that will see it working with some of the world’s leading technology companies including Nokia, FIH Mobile Limited (FIH) and Google. Future Nokia smartphones will utilise Google’s Android operating system, currently deployed on 86% of the world’s smartphones.

A cornerstone of HMD’s partnership model is an agreement with FIH, a global consumer electronics manufacturing and technology powerhouse that will manufacture Nokia branded mobile phones and tablets, guaranteeing quality of manufacture and innovation at scale as well as giving access to FIH’s world-class R&D capability.

HMD is developing an exciting new consumer centric product range which will focus on innovation, quality and experience, alongside the iconic Nokia mobile phone attributes of design, robustness, and reliability.

The company combines the agility and attitude of a start-up business with the expertise of some of the industry’s most experienced and passionate senior leaders. The HMD Global team is headed by CEO Arto Nummela and President Florian Seiche. Together, they will forge a new chapter in the story of Nokia mobile phones with the support of an experienced leadership team made up of talent across multiple markets.

Arto Nummela, CEO of HMD Global, said:

“Today marks a happy and important day for HMD. Nokia has been one of the most iconic and recognisable phone brands globally for decades. The excitement of re-introducing this much-loved, well-known and trusted brand to smartphone consumers is a responsibility and an ambition that everyone at HMD shares.                                                                                                                                                              

“Driven by the extremely positive reception we have received since HMD was announced earlier this year, we are excited about building the next chapter for Nokia phones. We see this as a brilliant opportunity to solve real life consumer problems and to deliver on the quality and designs that the Nokia brand has been always known for. Our talented and passionate team is uniquely placed in this modern setup to deliver our promise of reliable, beautifully crafted and fun Nokia phones for consumers across the globe.”

Florian Seiche, President of HMD Global, said:

“We believe that the time is right for renewal in the mobile industry. The market is fatigued and flooded with undifferentiated products. Consumers are looking for technology with clear purpose that is useful, exciting and with a brand they can trust, so our approach will focus on true, core user experiences and a dedication to quality.

“With our passionate team, start up attitude, a brand with a 95% worldwide awareness and a unique, asset light partnership approach, we believe we are perfectly placed to forge a new way in mobile.” 

Brad Rodrigues, Interim President of Nokia Technologies, said:

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown around the world for the return of the Nokia brand to smartphones. The HMD Global team has the ambition, talent and resources to bring a new generation of Nokia branded phones to market, and we wish them every success. I’m sure our millions of Nokia fans will be excited to see their new products!”

Samuel W. L. Chin, Chairman of the Board, HMD Global, said:

“Today marks an exciting moment for all those involved in this venture. As one of the Founders of HMD Global it has been very satisfying to oversee the launch of our business through the completion of a number of agreements. Through the hard work of all involved we can now move forward with our new business, a new approach to the category and a fresh start for Nokia mobile phones.”

ePLDT Enables Smarter Government Through Digital Transformation

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Governments around the world are now tapping digital transformations to speed up their core functions. This is why ePLDT, Inc., with its ongoing initiative to enable customer success through its dynamic digital infrastructure, engaged in a strategic collaboration with the Asia Cloud Computing Association and PLDT Enterprise to promote cloud computing and data center use in the country’s public sector.

Through its recently concluded Tech Brunch: Digital Transformation for Smarter Government event at the New World Makati Hotel, Jovy Hernandez—FVP & Head of PLDT ALPHA—emphasized that the government also needs to beef up its processes with robust infrastructure just as businesses do.

“Similar to how enterprises are starting to shift their internal and external operations and services over to digital, the public sector has now realized that solving real-life problems with the use of technology is vital to serve today’s ever-changing citizen,” Hernandez said. “We at the PLDT group have embarked on a similar journey. We have partnered strategically with both local and foreign organizations to advocate global best practices such as what we have today.”

ePLDT, Inc. is the digital enterprise enabler of PLDT. It sets the pace for innovation in the telecommunications and IT industry.

For more details, please visit ePLDT’s website at www.epldt.com.

Enjoy 50% Off on Globe Broadband and Bayan Broadband Deals This Christmas!

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Globe Broadband is giving the gift of connectivity this Christmas through a holiday sale, where Globe Broadband and Bayan Broadband plans will be available for 50% off in select areas!

For Globe Broadband, Plans 999 (1 Mbps / 20GB data), 1099 (2 Mbps / 20GB data), 1199 (5 Mbps / 100GB data), 1299 (10 Mbps / 100GB data), and 1599 (15 Mbps / 150GB data) are available for half the price. All plans come with a FREE Wi-Fi modem, with exclusive inclusions per plan:

●     Plan 1199 and above come with a FREE landline with unlimited calls to Globe and TM

●     Plans 1299 and above come with access to Netflix, HOOQ, and NBA LEAGUE PASS for six months

For Bayan Broadband, Plans 999 (1 Mbps / 20GB data), 1099 (2 Mbps / 20GB data), 1199 (5 Mbps / 100GB data) are available for half the price, too. All Bayan plans come with a FREE Wi-Fi modem, while Plan 1199 comes with a FREE landline with unlimited calls to Globe and TM.

All Globe subscribers will have the option to boost their data allowance through add-ons. Subscribers can also extend their connection using the AirTies Wi-Fi mesh for a minimal cash-out fee.

Globe subscribers can further enhance their digital lifestyle with content and device add-ons. Whatever kind of passion you pursue, there’s an exclusive entertainment add-on just right for you!

Binge-watching has never been this easy with access to Netflix, HOOQ, Disney Channels Apps, and NBA LEAGUE PASS. Gamers on the other hand can play to their heart’s content with access to Garena, Steam, Play@Park, Game Club, and the PlayStation Network. Music lovers on the other hand can listen to millions of songs on Spotify and sing along with their favorite tunes with Sing! Karaoke by Smule.

Device add-ons include high-definition TV sets from Samsung and TCL, Chromecast, Apple TV, bluetooth and wireless speakers, headphones, PlayStation 4, and many more!

This limited-time offer is only available for new subscribers starting November 15 until December 31, 2016. For application and more information about discounts and add-ons, you may call 730-1010, visit www.globe.com.ph/broadband, or inquire at the nearest Globe store or through door-to-door agents. Lock-up period of 24 months applies.

PH IT-BPM Industry Continues to Flourish with a Projected US$40B Revenue by 2022

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The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) foresees continuous growth for the country’s IT and Business Process Management Industry (IT-BPM) due to local and global business expansion. The IT-BPM, known as the local “sunshine industry”, is recognized for its world-class service, contributing to 10% of the economy and providing jobs for over a million Filipinos. With consistent annual revenue growth of US$18.9B in 2014, US$21.2B in 2015, and an expected US$25B by the end of this year, IBPAP predicts that the IT-BPM industry will achieve up to US$40B by year 2022.

IBPAP held its 8th International IT-BPM Summit (IIS) to celebrate the consistency of the IT-BPM’s success in the Philippines and to map out plans for the industry’s future. Promoting the theme, “Accelerate PH, Future-ready”, the summit gathered top influencers, industry representatives, and partners including co-presentor Globe Business, to discuss the strategies that will further expand the industry’s growth both locally and internationally.

The 8th IIS kicked off its two-day event with the launch of Roadmap 2022, which enabled partner associations and technical working groups to talk about its framework. Roadmap 2022 aims to accelerate IT-BPM’s future revenue by focusing on key subsectors such as contact centers & BPOs, health information management, IT & software development, animation/game development, and global in-house centers affected by the industry and on high-impact programs for certain segments. These include human capital, government support, inclusive growth, country competitiveness, SME and startups, as well as emerging technologies.

NEC Enhances Security at the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Peru

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NEC Corporation and NEC de Colombia S.A. provided the Peruvian National Police with NeoFace Watch facial recognition software at the 2016 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima, Peru. The software was deployed to enhance video surveillance at the venues where national leaders gathered and related events took place from November 7 – 20.

APEC is a 21 member economic forum established to accelerate regional economic integration throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 24th Economic Leaders’ meeting attracted hundreds of leading entrepreneurs and political leaders.

NEC’s NeoFace Watch solution is specifically designed to integrate with existing video surveillance systems by identifying facial characteristics from footage in real time and matching them against a watch list of preregistered individuals. When the system identifies an individual of interest from a watch list, it raises an alert, so appropriate actions can be taken by authorities to rapidly reduce the risk of public safety threats.

Cameras that are connected to NeoFace Watch were installed in select areas of the APEC events in order to provide surveillance of access control points, thereby reinforcing the overall security of the events.

“We consider it an honor that Peru was chosen for a second time to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week,” said Carlos Tuse Lloclla, General PNP, Executive Director of Integrated Security, State Security Department of the Peruvian National Police. “This additional layer of security provided by NEC’s facial recognition technologies demonstrated our commitment to ensuring another successful summit that would benefit all participants.”

“NEC’s facial recognition technologies have been adopted to ensure the safe operation of national ID programs, international airports and large-scale facilities all across the world,” said César Gallegos Chávez, Peru Office Director, NEC de Colombia S.A. “We are proud to have contributed to the safety and security of so many leading members of the global business and political communities at the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.”

NeoFace Watch is supported by NEC facial recognition technology that has achieved the highest performance evaluation in vendor tests carried out by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)*. NEC’s fingerprint and facial recognition technologies are used by more than 700 customers in over 70 countries worldwide.

Photo Caption: NEC Enhances Security at the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Peru, General PNP, Executive Director of Integrated Security, State Security Department of the Peruvian National Police

Voices in Harmony 2016: The 18th Annual Awit-Tagisan ng Batang Pilipino

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The Children’s Museum and Library, Incorporated is a youth leadership organization that promotes the welfare, development, and empowerment of the Filipino youth through its conventions, competitions, seminars, and tournaments. The CMLI Junior Council Alumni Association (JCAA) proudly brings you  the grandest, the most prominent, and most sought-after high school choral competition in the country entitled, Voices in Harmony 2016: The 18^th Annual Awit-Tagisan ng Batang Pilipino.

 It's time to listen to the voices that will sing the music of our nation! Debuted in 1999, Voices in Harmony: The Annual Awit-Tagisan ng Batang Pilipino is a fusion of musical excellence and youth empowerment. Don't miss your chance to experience the talent, the victory, and the glory of music on December 11, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 9:00PM at the AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo. Witness these top ten choirs as they sing it out for the championship:

·         Colegio De Sta. Rosa-Makati

·         Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc.

·         Immaculate Conception Academy

·         Marist School – Marikina

·         Miriam College High School

·         Pasig Catholic College

·         Ramon Magsaysay High School-Manila

·         St. Paul College-Pasig

·         St. Scholastica’s Academy-Marikina

·         St. Theresa’s College Quezon City

Mark your calendars and join us as we celebrate the endless possibility of writing new musical history.

Who will take home the coveted Aria? Let’s see this coming Dec. 11.

For inquiries/tickets, you may contact our Communication Director, Allen Baylosis (0917 626 3107) or you may email us at cmli.vih@gmail.com

Keep track on the latest updates by following our official social media accounts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CMLIVIH
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CMLIVIH
Youtube: www.youtube.com/CMLIVIH

See you at the Finals Night!

#HackingHIV with PrEP Pilipinas: WHO, DOH & LoveYourself Introduce New HIV Prevention Method

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It was a choice between attending the finals night of a beauty pageant or the event organized by this group advocating awareness, counseling and treatment of HIV and other related diseases usually rampant among the LGBT or MSM community.

Now you know which event I have chosen to attend since I believe I could do a lot more good disseminating information about this new treatment against HIV rather than covering a competition to find the better looking and smarter ladies among several other candidates flaunting their beauty for everyone to see.

Needless to say, I felt more happy knowing I could help out this group called LoveYourself which I have been doing for several months already as I share all their press releases and attend their events whenever I'm available. 

I am also grateful that the Department of Health (DOH),the World Health Organization (WHO), and even the Senate courtesy of Senator Risa Hontiveros, are actively collaborating with LoveYourself in their noble advocacy.

At an event held on November 29, 2016 at MyCinema of Greenbelt 3, Executive Director Vihn Pagtakhan, Senior Director Christopher Lagman, Head of AIDS Research Group of DOH-RITM Dr. Rosanna Ditangco, and WHO Country Representative Dr. Gundo Weiler, encouraged everyone to share the newly available HIV treatment called PrEP or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to add in fighting HIV. The group also recommends the continued use of condoms since PrEP can only counter HIV and not the other sexually transmitted diseases.

LoveYourself and Partners Provide LegislatHIVe Testing and Ideas at the Senate

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Underscoring the importance of the early detection of HIV for the commemoration of World AIDS Day, LoveYourself in collaboration with the Pasay City Social Hygiene Clinic conducted an HIV testing campaign at the Senate of the Philippines on 29 November 2016 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00p.m.

This is in response to the initiative of the Office of the Senator Risa Hontiveros being the Senate Committee Chairperson on Health and Demography, who is also thrusting for the amendments of the Republic Act No. 8504 or also known as “Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.”

According to Sen. Hontiveros, the HIV testing day at the Senate aims to encourage more people to look at HIV test as a regular diagnostic tool, such as, blood pressure check-up and urinalysis, to know one’s health status and live a healthy lifestyle.

“An HIV test could spell difference between life and death,” relayed Sen. Hontiveros, while emphasizing the need for such a procedure to generate information that would support a progressive, human-rights-based and gender sensitive policy and programs to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.

Sen. Hontiveros emphasized that Filipinos can avail free and confidential HIV test from any social hygiene clinics and community centers like LoveYourself. 

Christmas is Almost Here and so are Special Deals

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We all love to get the best out of our hard-earned money. This is why many of us go after the sales, promos, deals, and everything else that offer lowered or discounted prices. We usually find these special offers at bazaars or "tiangges" especially when there are upcoming occasions like Christmas. Malls would often have sales done during payday weekends when many will be willing to splurge to reward themselves from all that hard work at the office. Most millennials now also embrace online shopping portals as part of their routine because we simply couldn't resist items that are sold at nearly half the price from the normal.

One form of getting discounts are with the use of online voucher codes that you could easily redeem at sites offering irresistible exclusive online deals that you won't find anywhere else. It feels so good when we could easily just search for a voucher, webshop or product, then just click on a button to receive the code which we use on the checkout process, and finally order the item that we want. Imagine how life would be more splendid if everything can be regularly purchased at special deals.

Aside from the great deals, purchasing online takes us away from the hassles and stress of having to endure the long queues at the shopping malls, and many times withdrawals at ATMs or banks becomes harder due to system downtime, or the worsening traffic congestion especially in the roads of Metro Manila.

Almost everyone we know do not have the patience to fall in line at the sales counters and ATMs so they end up not buying at all. This means loss of sales for the store, and likewise a negative experience for us since we get disappointed from not being able to purchase or desired products.

If ever we do have the patience to endure the long queues, we cannot deny that our next dilemma would be getting out of the mall and reaching our homes with less frustration.

In the Philippines, what used to be just 15 minutes of travel time from the nearest mall, would become an hour of painstaking driving experience on the road. It's a lot worst if you are just commuting on public transportation riding jeepneys, buses or the MRT/LRT trains. This is why road rage incidents have been happening every now and then. Many are just becoming so irritated in being stuck in traffic, or crowded and overloaded vehicles, for so many hours.

Life is made less complicated when our desired products can be conveniently chosen online containing all the product description details, prices, and other options for add-ons, and eventually delivered direct to our homes quickly. It becomes even nicer when we get to avail discounts and special deals - a big bonus for our online transactions.

Philippines: Lost in the Lion City, Eric Roars in Frustration!

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It’s time to visit the Lion City! Leg seven starts with the teams leaving Vigan City and heading to Singapore. At Changi Airport, the teams must travel immediately to Resorts World Sentosa and find the Sea Aquarium.

At the Sea Aquarium, teams receive their Roadblock task – ‘Who’s ready for an underwater show?’ – One team member must dive into the open ocean habitat, pick a card from the chest showing the name of an exotic marine creature. Their partner from the other side of the glass must match the name with the correct photo of the marine creature. Teams are only allowed three tries or risk getting back to the line.

Eric, Maggie, Yvonne, Mike and Louisa will be diving into this challenge.

Yvonne picks Unicofish and Chloe is able to identify it easily, making them the first team to finish this task. Treasuri guesses Harlequin Filefish, Black Blotched Fantail Ray and Yellowfin Tuna wrongly and they head back to line. Parul and JK identify their marine creature correctly. It’s down to just Eric & Rona and Treasuri & Louisa. Eric experiences some difficulties getting his diving gear to stay.

Once they complete their Roadblock challenge, they must head to Gardens by the Bay East and find the marked lookout station along the Skyline Promenade. At Gardens by the Bay East, teams realize that there are only two pairs of binoculars. Once the team finds the marked lookout, they must head to that building immediately for their next clue. Since JK & Mike and Yvonne & Chloe are there first, they strike up a temporary alliance to search for the marked lookout together.

Teamwork proves to come in handy as both teams quickly find the marked lookout at OUE building. Parul & Maggie and Treasuri & Louisa manage to find the marked lookout without much difficulty, leaving Eric & Rona struggling at this task. Rona thinks she saw a flag at Standard Chartered building and they immediately make a rush there.