Celebrate your favorite esports games at the first-ever Smart GAMERFEST on Oct. 22

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in collaboration with the esports event management and production expert at Dark League Studios (DLS), is empowering esports players and fans to celebrate their favorite games at the first-ever, GAMERFEST at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 2 on October 22, 2023, Sunday.

A free admission event, GAMERFEST will host the much-awaited live grand finals showdown of the Ultimate Battleground Championships on the Smart GIGA Arena, the first all-in-one esports platform in the country. This features tournaments in the King's League and Queens League for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the Delta League for Call of Duty: Mobile, and the highly anticipated debut season of Survivors of the Wasteland for Farlight 84.

The event will also give fans a chance to see some of the country's (1) top esports content creators in action. These include Thirdy Gaming, Crush Gaming, Patsy Reyes, Honda Beast, Althea Vibal, Kim Pacheco, Clare Galang, and Christy Mae Imperial, along with celebrated esports shout casters Leo Gaming, Toriyama, Odin, and Brigida.

GAMERFEST will also showcase an exhibition match featuring Smart Omega Team, who recently entered the playoffs of MPL Season 12, and a cosplay contest featuring characters from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Wildrift, Call of Duty Mobile (CODM), Players Unknown Battle Ground (PUBG), and Farlight, as well as showcase exciting demos and exclusive sneak peaks from gaming partners.

Gates will open at 10 a.m., and early birds will get a chance to win exciting prizes from Smart and Dark League Studios.



Score GIGA Arena tickets for only Php 20

Attendees can make the most of the first-ever GAMERFEST by taking their shot at Smart GIGA Arena. Smart and TNT subscribers can simply join any GIGA Arena tournament with (2) Giga Arena 20, which comes with two GIGA Arena tickets and 100MB for all apps valid for one day for only Php20. With GA 20, subscribers can pursue their passion for gaming and participate in the Ultimate Battleground Championships.

Smart GIGA Arena is powered by the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. Smart is the first and only Philippine mobile operator to earn this prestigious and rare citation for three consecutive reporting periods by Ookla —Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023.

To learn more about the event, visit https://gigaarena.smart/event/369

UPD-CS celebrates 40 years with Science Film Festival in partnership with Goethe Institut

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In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, the UP Diliman College of Science in partnership with the Goethe-Institut is providing free university and public screenings of the Philippine Science Film Festival Philippines 2023.

The two days of screenings (see schedule below) will kick off on the College’s Anniversary on Thursday, October 26, and will be held at the UPD-CS Institute of Biology Auditorium at the National Science Complex, UP Diliman. Students and members of the public are free to attend but may be asked to show a valid university or government ID for security purposes.

Founded in 1983, the UP Diliman College of Science is the country's premier generator of new scientific knowledge and the leading producer of PhD and MS graduates in the basic and applied sciences and mathematics. In 2023 alone, the College graduated 19 PhDs, the most in its four-decade history.

The Science Film Festival Philippines, now in its 14th year, will be held from October 25 to December 01, 2023. Celebrated as one of the biggest and longest-running science events in the Philippines, the festival offers a roster of 34 science-related films in support of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.





FILM SCHEDULES

DAY 1 (October 26, Thursday)



Short Film Entries

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Ranging in length from 6 minutes to 10 minutes, these brief documentaries cover a range of topics from “The Forgotten Forest” to “Redesigning the Wheel”.



Powering Puerto Rico

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

This is a film about a Northeastern University professor's innovative solution to provide affordable renewable power to Puerto Rico using reconditioned hybrid car batteries after Hurricane Maria left millions without electricity.



A League of Extraordinary Makers: Rise of the Makers

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

A documentary exploring the rise of the Maker Movement, highlighting individuals who create, innovate, and hack a wide range of products and technologies, from everyday items to groundbreaking innovations, as they become the heroes of this movement.



Kelp – South Africa's Golden Forests | The Last Seed

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

“Kelp” explores the hidden beauty and importance of the Great African Seaforest on South Africa's Western coastline, emphasizing its contributions to livelihoods, conservation, and cultural heritage while advocating for its sustainable management in the face of climate change.

“The Last Seed” is a close-up look at the challenges facing food and agriculture in 21st-century Africa, with a central focus on the control of seeds, while raising questions about lost values and the search for sustainable solutions, using music, dance, visuals, and the experiences of small-scale food producers and experts.



DAY 2 (October 27, Friday)



Short Film Entries

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Ranging in length from 6 minutes to 10 minutes, these brief documentaries cover a range of topics from “The Forgotten Forest” to “Redesigning the Wheel”.



Duty of Care – The Climate Trials

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Lawyer Roger Cox's pioneering legal actions against the Dutch government and Shell resulted in landmark climate rulings that sparked a global wave of climate cases, with a cast of characters and experts exploring the principles of justice in addressing humanity's greatest climate challenge.



Gardening Marine Forests: A Hands-on Approach to Restoration | Wild Hope – Coffee for Water

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

In “Gardening Marine Forests,” two marine scientists explore how a hands-on approach to marine restoration is reviving kelp forests in South Korea by emphasizing the deep connection between people and the ocean, showcasing inspiring examples of community involvement and sustainable practices.

“Coffee for Water” showcases the inspiring change-makers who are actively restoring and safeguarding the environment. With a focus on growing coffee to preserve Mozambican rainforests, this film emphasizes the power of local actions and offers a hopeful perspective.



Forest Partners

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

This documentary explores the symbiotic relationship between public and private organizations, local communities, and tropical forests, showcasing innovative solutions that blend technology and traditional knowledge to protect and sustainably manage these landscapes, with a focus on success stories from South America, Africa, and Asia.

Former eBay CTO and top tech leaders gathered for DEVCON PRO Summit 2023

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DEVCON PRO Summit 2023 was the professional developer event of the year, bringing together a former eBay CTO and an impressive roster of tech leaders in the Philippines.

In celebration of innovation, impact, and technology, DEVCON PRO Summit 2023 brought together some of the brightest minds in the tech industry, including former eBay Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Tom Fisher. This summit is renowned as a premier event for professional developers seeking to harness the power of technology for positive impact.

DEVCON PRO Summit delivered an immersive experience for attendees, providing the opportunity to hear from thought leaders and changemakers utilizing technology to address real-world challenges. The event showcased cutting-edge topics designed to tackle social issues, offering professionals a chance to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. Some of the topics discussed include The Latest in Cybersecurity: How to Stay Ahead of the Curve, The Future of Work: How Will AI Change the Jobs of Developers?, The Making of a Tech Leader : The Skills and Experience you need to Thrive, How to Build Ethical AI: A Guide for Developers, and How to Make a Positive Impact on the World Through Technology

 

This year's theme, "Technology for Impact," reflected DEVCON's commitment to promoting the use of technology for positive societal change. The summit featured distinguished speakers, including the esteemed Tom Fisher, who has a rich international track record in developing and delivering high-tech solutions.

 

Tom Fisher, who has held leadership roles at eBay, Qualcomm, and SuccessFactors (now SAP), praised the DEVCON PRO Summit, calling it “a unique gathering that brings together professionals committed to leveraging technology for meaningful impact.” He added, "It's an honor to be part of an event that fosters innovation and collaboration in the tech community."

Winston Damarillo, Silicon Valley veteran, and the Founder and President of DEVCON Philippines, shared insights into the summit's focus: "As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial for professionals to come together, share knowledge, and explore ways to use their skills for the greater good. DEVCON PRO Summit is not just a conference; it's a platform for collaboration and inspiration."

This summit delved into a range of topics, including using emerging technologies. to solve social problems, the future of development in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), building inclusive and equitable technology ecosystems, and the ethical implications of AI. The goal was to provide a specialized program experience that catered to the unique interests and needs of professional developers.

DEVCON PRO Summit is co-presented by Accenture.


About DEVCON Philippines

DEVCON Philippines is a non-profit organization that has been empowering geeks for good for over 14 years. DEVCON is the Philippines' largest community and tech non-profit organization of technology experts, developers, and IT enthusiasts. Visit devcon.ph to learn more.

Website

devcon.ph


LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/devconphilippines


Facebook

facebook.com/DEVCONPH


Instagram

instagram.com/devconph


X, formerly Twitter

twitter.com/devconph


TikTok

tiktok.com/@devconph




Panelists profile


Tom Fisher

Former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at eBay, led technology teams at Qualcomm as CIO of CDMA technologies, and served as CIO and Vice President of Cloud Computing at SucessFactors (now SAP)

Tom Fisher is a senior executive with an accomplished international track record in developing, implementing, and delivering high-tech solutions. He has held leadership positions at eBay, Qualcomm, and SuccessFactors (now SAP). Tom is a proven business developer with a creative, industry-leading vision.



Winston Damarillo

Founder and President of DEVCON Philippines

Silicon Valley veteran with three successful startup exits, a former venture capitalist at Intel Capital, and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Proven serial entrepreneur with a track record of building and selling successful technology startups to major IT players, including Gluecode Software, Logicblaze, and Webtide. He is also a visionary tech leader and a passionate advocate for innovation and growth in the Philippine tech community. Additionally, he has been recognized for his achievements by the World Economic Forum and De La Salle University.



Arvin Yason

Managing Director, Accenture

Global IT Delivery Senior Executive

Arvin Yason, a seasoned IT leader with over two decades of experience, currently serves as the Managing Director at Accenture. He specializes in driving innovation in various technology domains, including Analytics, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Human-Centric Design. Arvin's expertise spans a wide range of areas, from communications and billing to customer care and automation, making him a valuable asset in the IT industry.



Dr. Julie Banatao

Part of DIWATA-2 Dev Team

Science Research Specialist, Phil Space Agency

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Dr. Julie Banatao, a member of the DIWATA-2 Dev Team and a Science Research Specialist at the Philippine Space Agency, serves as the Systems Engineer and technical lead for the MULA satellite project. With a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Tohoku University, Japan, and a background in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of the Philippines Diliman, she ensures the successful operation of MULA in orbit by coordinating satellite subsystems and meeting system standards.



Doc Ligot

CTO at Cirrolytix, a social impact AI company AI Ethics Advocate

Founder, Data Ethics PH

Doc Ligot is the CTO at Cirrolytix, a social impact AI company, and an AI Ethics Advocate. He is the Founder of Data Ethics PH and is on a mission to make AI understandable and responsible for all. With a diverse background as a data analyst, researcher, software developer, and technologist, Doc champions data literacy, AI safety, data ethics, and social impact. His work spans human rights, public health, food security, political risk, and combating disinformation through computational social science, AI, and data engineering. He's received numerous awards for his contributions, including the Geospatial Innovation Award in 2023 and recognition from UNICEF Innovation Fund.