Clarificatory Statement on Microsoft Press Release

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On 8 March 2017 Microsoft Philippines held an event entitled “Data Privacy Act: A Priority for Businesses” at the event, Microsoft issued a press release that stated:

“In 2012, it passed into law, the Philippine Data Privacy Act (Republic Act No. 10173) that aims to protect every individual’s information recorded on any IT and communication system in both government and private sectors. 

While it has been a law for the last 5 years, businesses and organizations are required to comply with it by September 9, 2017.”

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) would like to clarify that the law is explicit in its provisions and has been in effect since 2012. Businesses and organizations that collect and process personal data are already required to be compliant with the DPA. As such, for data processors in both private and government sectors, appointing an accountable officer in the person of a Data Protection Officer is a must and shouldn’t be delayed any further.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the DPA however, which took effect on 8 September 2016, provides for a transitory period of one year for Personal Information Controllers (PICs) and Personal Information Processors (PIPs) to register their data processing systems with the NPC, subject to the requirements of section 47 (Registration of Personal Data Processing Systems) of the IRR.

According Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro; “The NPC is working with PICs and PIPs in government and various industries in developing a culture of privacy, and building resilience against data breaches from the ground up. We are committed in helping businesses as well as citizens in becoming self-reliant in personal data protection.”

“While technology tools are important, these alone will not prevent the violation of data subjects’ rights and ensure compliance with the DPA As, such, the Commission is not endorsing any particular vendor looking to promote the data protection features of their products” Chairman Liboro said.

About the NPC: The National Privacy Commission is a regulatory and quasi-judicial body organized by virtue ofRA 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The agency is mandated to uphold the right to data privacy and ensure the free-flow of information, with a view to promoting economic growth and innovation.

5 Reasons to Take Summer Workshops

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 
It’s summertime!

Many people are most likely getting ready to take their much-awaited vacation to the beach or to a Disneyland. Some, especially those students who just finished their thesis last semester, just want to spend their summer vacation catching up on sleep and just chillin’. But if you’d like to make your summer more memorable, productive and impactful, you can spend it attending summer workshops.

Today’s world is fast-paced and competitive. It is almost a requirement to turn your hobbies and interests into usable skills. The good news is that there are courses that would not take years or even semesters to finish. From performing arts such as singing and dancing, sports like basketball and tennis, and other interests like baking and photography, there are summer camps and summer clinics practically on almost all types of interests in various locations in the metro.

Above photo shows the latest batch of Voiceworx - basic voice acting and dubbing workshop

For more than a decade, my own company has been offering voice acting workshops every summer. Voiceworx – Basic Voice Acting and Dubbing Workshop – is an 8-Saturday workshop that teaches the fundamentals of voice acting, including creating character voices, voice care, and script analysis and translation. I’m proud to say that this workshop – the first and only in the country – has opened the doors of what was once an elusive industry to those who have the passion and dedication to master the craft.

I myself have been an advocate of short courses like summer workshops. I have studied month-long courses in other countries to deepen my knowledge for my own passions and interest – leadership, youth empowerment, among many others. That’s why I also encourage the people I meet to do the same.

TaskUs Partners with Color Manila for CM Challenge Run Held in Clark, Pampanga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

TaskUs, headquartered in Los Angeles, and best recognized by Inc. 500 as one of the 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America, is rapidly expanding in the Philippines today. It currently has 7,500 employees and five sites, and is best known as the “secret behind the phenomenal scaling of some of the world’s companies”, such as Twitter, Groupon, Tinder, Shopify and Whisper, among others.

Known as ridiculously good at powering tech startups; it has partnered with Color Manila, the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, for its CM Challenge Run held last March 19, 2017, at Clark Parade Grounds in Pampanga.

The partnership makes perfect sense, “As a company that cares deeply about affecting people in meaningful and revolutionary ways, TaskUs finds a kindred spirit in Color Manila, as they find purpose in bringing color to people's lives. We genuinely care about our employees' overall well being, and this includes their physical and emotional health. Work-life balance is important, so a colourful fun run that defies norms and gives people the opportunity to not just explore an avenue for healthy recreation but also create connections with other human beings who enjoy the same things, is something that we definitely support”, says Rey Salazar Jr., Brand Director of TaskUs.

Thousands of runners trooped to Clark as early as 4 a.m., to participate in the race’s various finishes, such as 3K, 5K and 10K. Runners also enjoyed taking selfies and were given limited edition goodies as they immersed with employees at the TaskUs branded color station inside Clark Parade Grounds. TaskUs employees from the House Teamwork Nepo, Angeles site also took the opportunity to join the colorful and challenging event.

“TaskUs today is expanding rapidly and has transformed to something more than just a company. It is a movement. We change what it means to work in this industry; not by idly accepting the status quo, but by taking smart risks, and finding new ways to do things better”, adds Ma.Isabel Bernal, VP of Culture.

For more information about TaskUs, please visit www.taskus.com and facebook.com/taskusph

See a TaskUs site open in Batangas City this March 2017